Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

You Tube Playlist-SVG

2012-01-29T13:11:00.000-08:00

www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE2CDFAB6567B5827

is a place where you can find a group of You Tube travelogues
of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Dig a Caribbean holiday

2012-01-28T05:57:00.000-08:00

About the Project:
The SVG Public Archaeology Program, affectionately known as SVG Digs, provides volunteers with an opportunity to be an archaeologist on a highly unique and significant site on the island of St. Vincent in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). This program was created out of the desire to rescue and record significant archaeological sites from being destroyed during construction of the new Argyle International Airport. Prior to 2009, no large scale excavations had taken place in St. Vincent and, to date, there is no local archaeological presence on the island. The work of SVG Digs raises awareness for archaeology both locally and abroad, and helps give Vincentians a fuller understanding of their prehistoric past. At the same time, volunteers are provided with an unforgettable experience, doing work that many people only dream of.

What to Expect?
Volunteers receive training in the major principles and practices of archaeology, with a small daily lecture on topics such as archaeological survey, artifact identification, artifact illustration and recording, survey and mapping, including the use of a total station, and some minor exposure to the use of GIS in archaeology. This is followed by on-site, hands-on experience for five full days on the site of Argyle 2, cleaning surfaces and identifying, exposing and mapping archaeological features, excavating postholes and burials, and exposing, identifying and collecting artifacts. This work is quite relaxing, and occurs in the hot Caribbean sun in the middle of winter.

After work, if weather permits (likely), volunteers can go swimming or walking in the local area, before a home-cooked Vincentian meal. They can also opt to participate in the cleaning and cataloguing of artifacts, or they can simply relax with the sound of the waves crashing on the shore. Participants are also taken on an excursion into the Grenadines as part of their experience. This can be a catamaran ride complete with snorkeling, swimming and relaxing on white sand beaches, or it can be a day trip with fishing and dolphin and/or whale watching. The high ratio of archaeologists to volunteers also allows for a maximum learning experience both on and off site. Not only will you learn to work as an archaeologist, you will learn all the ins and outs of living as one.

Other Details

http://goo.gl/VIUnS

Tears of joy for Manning

2012-01-27T23:01:00.000-08:00

By Susan Mohammed susan.mohammed@trinidadexpress.com
January 27, 2012
PRIME MINISTER of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, yesterday wept as he spoke of his visit to see former prime minister Patrick Manning at the San Fernando General Hospital.

Speaking at the hospital following his visit, he said he was happy to see Manning recuperating after suffering a "mild" stroke five days ago.

"These are tears of joy for seeing him and see how he is recovering", Gonsalves said as he wiped the tears from his eyes. "It's a remarkable recovery for somebody who has had a stroke, but of course there is still a journey to travel. We must give him his time to rest and heal. He is obviously getting excellent treatment".

Gonsalves said Manning was equally happy upon his visit. "His eyes lit up. He smiled. I wouldn't tell you about what he spoke about. The bond is there, there was a lot of joy. He will get better", he said.

Gonsalves arrived at the hospital around 11 a.m. and was greeted by Manning's son, David, People's National Movement members Joan Yuille-Williams and Gary Hunt, as well as Chief Executive Officer of the South West Regional Health Authority a (SWRHA) Anil Gosine, and SWRHA Chairman Dr Lackram Bodoe.

A smiling Gonsalves waved to the public and the media on his way in and said:"I hope you all praying for Patrick, eh. We all have to pray for our brother."

When Gonsalves emerged from the hospital he seemed emotional when asked about the visit.

"I should tell you I love Patrick", he said. "You know I love him. He has been my friend since university. We played pan together. We did a lot of things together. We worked well when he was in government. I have remained his friend through all the ups and downs of politics. He is my brother. I didn't spend a long time with him. I just wanted was for him to see my eyes and for him to see my eyes, and the love we have for each other."

Gonsalves said he prayed with Manning and gave him two books — an autobiography which contains some pictures of both of them, and the other a diary which Gonsalves wrote about a ten-day visit at Mount St Benedict in 2005.

He said yesterday's visit was a special concession by Manning's family, since visitors were limited.

Of Manning as a political leader, Gonsalves said:" He is a revered political leader of Trinidad and Tobago and the region. The fact that he lost an election does not mean that he is not a person of extraordinary merit. And worse, we have this thing that when people lose elections, they don't have merit. That is an old fashioned colonial notion. We have to value our people".

Gonsalves said he was spending one day in Trinidad and Tobago, and hoped later yesterday to visit a calypso tent and Desperadoes panyard.

The San Fernando East MP suffered a "mild" stroke on Monday night and was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital. His wife, Hazel, said Manning sat up for the first time on Thursday and asked the doctors to go home. He asked about the nation's development and wanted to know what was happening to him.

Manning was assured that he was on the road to recovery and is expected to be back on his feet in three to six months time.

Doctors were unable to say when the former prime minister would be allowed to go home.

A bulletin issued by the San Fernando East constituency yesterday at 5.44 p.m. stated that "Manning continues to improve daily" and that he "sat up, spoke, read the newspapers and is in good spirits".

The bulletin mentioned that Manning was visited by Gonzalves who received "clearance from the Chief of Medical Operations for a brief visit this morning".

It added: "Internationally, we have received well wishes from many countries including the Office of the President of the United States and Foreign Missions for China and Cuba."

Trinidad Express Newspaper National News of Trinidad and Tobago
Originally printed at http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Tears_of_joy_for_Manning-138241614.html

Prime Minister Gonsalves accepted 3.42 million EC dollars.

2012-01-23T10:49:00.000-08:00

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves accepted three cheques that amount to 1.274 million US dollars, which is equivalent to 3.42 million EC dollars. Dr. Gonsalves said this money will go towards civic development projects, along with flood rehabilitation work following heavy rains which impacted the north eastern side of St. Vincent last year.

Gonsalves outlined that these civic projects include rehabilitation work to the Langley Park River Basin and the construction of the Vermont/ Francois Bridge.

Taiwanese Ambassador, Weber Shih said he was delighted to present monies to St. Vincent and the Grenadines to help with the rehabilitation work after the destructive flash floods and civic development projects.

The Taiwanese Ambassador said these projects will assist in the development of the particular areas where they are found. He further added that Taiwan will continue to assist us here with the Youth Empowerment Service (YES) programme, which goes a long way in the development of the nation’s youth.

Palm Island Photos

2012-01-17T02:05:00.000-08:00

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g147379-d148234-r123114084-Palm_Island-St_Vincent_and_the_Grenadines.html

has a number of photos of Palm Island Resort

St. Vincent and the Grenadines, A Hidden Gem!

2012-01-17T01:48:00.000-08:00

January 10, 2012     by Valerie Caulin

Royal Caribbean has announced a series of 11-night cruises setting sail for the islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. For three months beginning Dec 2012, the Vision of Seas will take 2000 lucky passengers on an 11-night cruise to this largely unknown, definitely unspoiled group of islands, made famous as the location where all three Pirates of the Caribbean movies were filmed as well as serving as a Caribbean getaway for both British Royals (Princess Margaret) and Rock Royals, (Mick Jagger) among others.

Secluded beaches, private cays, legend of both real and Hollywood pirates – this is St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Located near Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is composed of 32 islands, only 9 of them inhabited. It’s capital Kingston will be the port of call for the Vision of the Seas. Kingston is a delightful mix of wonderfully restored colonial architecture, with shops filled with local goods and handcrafted items. And it is not a typical Caribbean port of call.

St. Vincent, The Island of Pirates

Throughout the centuries, the many cays and beaches of St. Vincent and its 32 islands have been irresistible to the many pirate ships sailing the waters of the Caribbean. Rumors of hidden treasures have existed since 1500. Pirates from Henry Morgan and Annie Bonny to Jack Sparrow have trod the beaches. But, in October 2002, cast and crew descended on St. Vincent to film the first of the Pirates of the Caribbean movie, bringing the biggest treasure of all to St. Vincent, Hollywood gold. And yet, St. Vincent has dealt with their new-found fame in a way that has not destroyed the charm and history of the islands.

Best way to spend a day – St.Vincent

As one of the Vision of the Seas ports of call in the Caribbean for winter 2012 -13, St. Vincent will welcome you with an assortment of activities. A surprisingly perfect blend of sea, sun, and sand, St. Vincent will no doubt be the highlight of your cruise Long a favorite of the yachting set, St. Vincent offers an unspoiled Caribbean - Hiking, bird watching, turtle, whale and dolphin watching compete with simply lounging on the beach. A journey to the west side of the island brings you to a botanic park where descendants of bread-fruit trees brought to St. Vincent by Captain Bligh after his second, less mutinous sailing to the South Seas still grow.

Royal Caribbean has created a series of shore excursions, designed for every level of activity imaginable. For a more physical challenge, sign up for water sports or snorkeling and diving activities. Hire a boat and driver to take you to Mopion, a small sand spit of an island, all sand, about ½ mile off shore. For cruise passengers who prefer something a little drier, a sightseeing boat tour in Kingston Harbor or an inspection of Fort Charlotte will fill the bill. And walking the cobblestone streets will provide a photographer many interesting sites, and shoppers a great assortment of non-typical trinkets and items. Foodies will love the small restaurants crowding the harbor, each with spectacular views and the freshest fish you can imagine.

St. Vincent is what the Caribbean should be, hassle free, an escape to the past. Enjoy and have fun in St. Vincent and the Grenadines while cruising aboard the Royal Caribbean Vision of the Seas.

See: http://www.facebook.com/Vcaulin

New Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean

2012-01-16T17:45:00.000-08:00

Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean: Who Is Larry Leon Palmer?
Monday, January 16, 2012
The United States will soon have a new ambassador to the Caribbean island nations of Barbados, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. President Barack Obama nominated Senior Foreign Service member Larry Leon Palmer on November 1, 2011. If confirmed, Palmer will be the first Foreign Service officer to serve in this post since President Jimmy Carter sent Frank V. Ortiz, Jr., in 1977.

The son of a minister, Palmer was born in Augusta, Georgia, and graduated from T.W. Josey High School as valedictorian in 1966. He earned a scholarship to Emory University and graduated with a B.A. in history in 1970. Shortly after graduating from Emory, Palmer joined the Peace Corps and served as a volunteer in Liberia from 1971 to 1973, teaching high school biology, science, chemistry, physics and American literature. Back in the U.S., he received an M.Ed. in African History at Texas Southern University in 1973, and then began an academic career as assistant director of financial aid at the University of Virginia from 1973 to 1974.

Returning to Liberia, he taught history as an assistant professor at Cuttington College in Suakoko from 1974 to 1976. He earned an Ed. D. in Higher Education Administration and African Studies at Indiana University in 1978 and then taught at Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, North Carolina, from 1978 to 1981.

Palmer entered the U.S. Foreign Service in 1982. He served as vice consul at the embassy in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, from 1982 to 1984, and then as personnel officer at the embassy in Montevideo, Uruguay, with concurrent responsibility for personnel posted to Asuncion, Paraguay, from 1984 to 1986. Returning stateside in 1986, Palmer served as staff assistant to the Assistant Secretary for African Affairs from 1986 to 1987, and then served a tour in Africa as counselor for administration at the embassy in Freetown, Sierra Leone, from 1987 to 1989.

In 1989, Palmer became a Pearson Fellow, serving as assistant to Diana Natalicio, the president of the University of Texas at El Paso, with the task of promoting the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), creating faculty and student exchange opportunities in universities throughout Mexico, and serving as university consultant for International Affairs. At the end of his two years as a Fellow, Palmer served as personnel officer at the embassy in Seoul, South Korea, from 1991-1994, and then returned to the embassy in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, as counselor for administration from 1994 to 1998. From 1998 to 1999, Palmer attended the State Department Senior Seminar. He returned to South America in August 1999 to serve as chargé d’affaires at the embassy in Quito, Ecuador, remaining until July 2002.

Palmer began his first ambassadorship on September 9, 2002, as ambassador to Honduras, where he served until July 2005. He was then named president of the Inter-American Foundation, an independent agency that provides grants to Latin American communities to foster economic development, serving until June 2010.

On June 28, 2010, President Obama nominated Palmer as United States Ambassador to Venezuela, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the nomination. However, in September 2010, Venezuela announced that it would not allow Palmer to enter the country because at his Senate hearing Palmer had testified that morale in the Venezuelan army was low and that members of Venezuela’s government had ties to leftist Colombian rebels. (All nations have the right to approve foreign diplomats; for example, Vatican City in 2009 rejected three American nominees for being insufficiently anti-abortion.) On December 28, 2010, Venezuela confirmed the finality of its rejection of Palmer’s nomination, and the next day the U.S. revoked the visa of Venezuela’s ambassador, Bernardo Álvarez Herrera.

Palmer and his wife, Lucille, have one son.

From Wikipedia?

SVG on ABC

2012-01-13T09:47:00.000-08:00

ABC morning feature on SVG

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/weekend-window-st-vincent-grenadines-9523772

Peaceful Caribbean Conference

2012-01-08T02:47:00.001-08:00

Peaceful Caribbean Conference
Barbados April 20, 2012

Who among us does not yearn for a return to the peaceful, serene Caribbean of yesteryear?

With this in mind, the Peaceful Caribbean Initiative, in association with Caribbean News Now, is holding its first regional conference in Bridgetown, Barbados, on addressing the increasing problem of crime in the Caribbean, featuring top personalities from the Caribbean and the US, as well as the publication’s editors and contributors. There will be key addresses and panel discussions on the major issues confronting peace and stability in the Caribbean. It promises to be a hugely important event for anyone interested in the future of the Caribbean as a place to live and visit.

Speakers/Panelists/Moderators

Dr Ralph Gonsalves
Prime minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Barry Randall
Managing editor of Caribbean News Now

Nicholas George
Superintendent (retired) in the Dominica Police Force, attached to the Special Service Unit

Spence Finlayson
Internationally recognized expert in the area of personal and professional achievement

Rebecca Theodore
Conference Director, featured speaker and Caribbean News Now columnist and senior editor

Contact Us
Write directly to us at info@peacefulcaribbean.com, or by fax to 1-206-339-3648

http://www.peacefulcaribbean.com/

PM knocks ‘narrow-minded’ perception of SVG

2012-01-07T13:34:00.000-08:00

POSTED BY KENTON X. CHANCE ⋅ JANUARY 7, 2012 ⋅ 1 COMMENT

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent – Persons here who think that this country, because of its small size, should not get involved in foreign policy issues are “narrow minded” in their thinking, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said this week.

He further said that thinking that monetary and financial policy is the only instruments at the state’s disposal is flawed.

“I just want to make a broad point. There are some narrow minded people in our country who hold a view that St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a very small place and what you should do is keep your small self to yourself, know your place, fix the little road here if you can fix it but don’t get involved in any foreign policy set of issues and the prime minister who takes an activist part in foreign policy, [they say] ‘Ah, [he’s] travelling!’” Gonsalves said at a press briefing this week.

He was speaking on his return to the country after a 15-day trip over the Christmas and New Year period to Bethlehem, Georgia, and Azerbaijan.

Gonsalves told reporters that travelling “is a tiring business” and every time he leaves this country “it is for the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines”.

He said that he would address the issue of narrow-mindedness in his budget speech on Monday.

He, however, said, that because of the nation’s small size, it means that “we must use all the instruments at our disposal to enlarge our economic and political space in our own interest”.

The nation’s foreign policy, Gonsalves said, “must be predicated on the requirement to enhance our capacity to deal more efficaciously with our external environment — challenging as it is — and the condition within that external environment in our own interest.

“There are some people who think that the instruments which governments have are the instruments of monetary policy and fiscal policy,” he further stated.

“But that’s an extremely narrow reading of the instruments available to states like St. Vincent and the Grenadines. There are several other assets to be used and … a bundle of them are the assets of sovereignty and independence to be utilised in our people’s own interest.

“Without the utilization of those instruments, we couldn’t dream of starting the international airport,” Gonsalves said.

He further stated that there are several development projects here, which are “connected to the way we utilised in a principled manner and in a practical way our instruments of sovereignty and independence.

“So, those who just want to confine St. Vincent and the Grenadines to the 150 square miles and the 100,000 here and maybe then the diaspora — because they are now forced to consider the diaspora — those narrow-minded persons, they are making a profound error.

“And you have to go; and you have to go and look for resources for your country and the instruments to be utilised are the instruments of sovereignty and independence along with other instruments, of course, but these are critical in the process.”

Gonsalves said that islanders tend to look inwards because they are surrounded by water.

‘But our history has taught us that while we must have an inward look, there must always be an outward gaze. And that outward gaze takes different forms. At an individual level, it takes the form of migration.”

He noted that from 1991 to 2001 net migration from this country exceeded the natural increase in population — the difference between births and death — and this was the reason for decrease in population.

“So people themselves go for all sorts of reasons,” he said, mentioning family reunions, education, and “a small group seek refugee status”.

Gonsalves said that the government, too, must also look outwardly while it is linking it outward gaze with and inward look to develop country.

“That is the concept and that is the basis. It is so self evident …”

He said that it does not make sense to tell people they must not migration, especially in a democratic country like this one, there is “a pull” from Canada, the United States, United Kingdom and other Caribbean countries.

Gonsalves said that that the migration pull, hitherto, came from South and Central American and the Caribbean.

“This is the history of our people over the last 100-120 years.”

He, however, said that the country must train its people at a higher level so that on migration they enter the international division of labour at a higher level.

This country, the prime minister further stated, must balance brain drain so that person that the state trains fulfil their obligations to the nation.

“These are large concepts which take you away from the narrow views which you will hear parroted from time to time,” Gonsalves said.

http://i-witness-news.com/2012/01/07/pm-knocks-narrow-minded-perception-of-svg/

17 out of 45 in the World: Mainland St. Vincent in the NY Times

2012-01-07T02:50:00.000-08:00

The New York Times (yes, that New York Times) has mentioned St. Vincent (yes, St. Vincent and not just the Grenadines) as one of 45 must go places for 2012. The notice is based on Argyle Airport and the Buccament Bay Resort, but those trendy travelers who want to beat the crowd don't mind more primitive accommodations if they can brag about it. Maybe now that the New York Times has given it's imprimatur (Number 17 out of 45 places in the World, and one of two places in the Caribbean) we'll have the pleasure of being crowded with tourists even if a boat's not in.

About time. In case this causes this blog to be noticed, remember that there are a lot of pictures of St. Vincent on the "Karlek" and "ctsnow" pages on Flicker, and this blog has a lot of entries about St. Vincent, some original and others from sources that you aren't likely to (and certainly don't want to struggle through) find casually. I'll see if I can revive some of the other sources of stuff I've posted.

After all, now that St. Vincent is in the A-list of places to go you'll want to know all about it so you can know more than the New York Times does. But here's what they wrote.

"17. St. Vincent

A new resort may put this Caribbean island on the map.

The fact that American Airlines does not fly there could explain why St. Vincent remains among the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets: a stunningly lush, unspoiled gem of an island surrounded by water cerulean enough to render that of other islands murky by comparison. What there is here — a climbable volcano, dramatic waterfalls, black-sand beaches — is dwarfed by what there isn’t: chain stores, crowds, big hotels.

Except, that is, for one notably new exception. Buccament Bay, a five-star resort, opened in the fall and boasts more rooms, about 360, than all other hotels on the island combined. And there are the resort’s five restaurants, a spa, a soccer camp and performing arts center. The resort, along with a new international airport that is scheduled to open in late 2013 and designed to handle five times the number of passengers currently arriving at the island, will most likely let the cat out of the bag and attract the long overdue crowds. Get there before they do."

BAZ DREISINGER

For previous posts, there should be a search box. What I'll do over the next weeks is put tags on the significant blogs to make that search box more useful.

Buccament Bay Comments

2012-01-06T18:12:00.000-08:00

Tripadvisor gives guest's opinions of Buccament Bay Resort. I havent been over there yet to see how they
are doing.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g147380-d1719145-r122155080-Buccament_Bay_Resort-St_Vincent_St_Vincent_and_the_Grenadines.html

Digital Detox Vacations

2012-01-06T16:35:00.000-08:00

by Samantha Murphy

Caribbean nation St. Vincent and the Grenadines is challenging travelers to leave smartphones, tablets and other gadgets behind as a part of their new digital-detox vacation package, complete with a guidebook explaining how to function on a trip without tech, and a life coach.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines — which is made up of 32 islands and cays, nine of which are inhabited – has launched a vacation package designed to wean people off their technology. Before arriving to the islands, visitors will receive tips on how to prep and de-tech for the stay, and an on-site life coach will provide advice on how to not let tech control your life.
“This means actually experiencing a real vacation with human interaction, social skills and quality time with family and friends,” St. Vincent and the Grenadines said in a statement.

The seven-night getaway on the luxury island costs $3,799 for each person, including flights and hotel accommodations. Some establishments on St. Vincent and the Grenadines such as Petit St. Vincent Resort have embraced
this concept by offering no TV, Internet or telephones in hotel rooms. In fact, at Petit St. Vincent Resort, guests who want room service need to get in touch with staffers by hoisting a small yellow flag on a bamboo pole outside the front door.

The country said it embraced the idea of a digital detox package after a recent study found that 77% of consumers believe that time spent without gadgets and technology would help liberate them, improve their relationships and make them a better person.

In addition, about 17% said their New Year’s resolutions include going away on vacation and becoming less dependent on technology.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines isn’t the only vacation spot that has embraced the concept of unplugging. Other so- called “Black Hole Resorts” include Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, Calif., and The Hotel Hāna-Maui in Maui, Hawaii. In fact, there aren’t even clocks located in the rooms at The Hotel Hāna-Maui.
Would you consider a digital-free vacation stay or would leaving tech behind be your worst nightmare?

Ralph Gonsalves: Still the best man for SVG By Lesli Patterson

2012-01-05T13:47:00.000-08:00

I try to avoid politics, but it doesn't make sense to me to defame an elected Prime Minister. You can't do that unless you don't mind insulting the voters. So here, for a change, is something positive about the Comrade--Karl
..........................................................................................

Posted January 4, 2012 by vincikallaloo in Politics.

Love him or hate him, Ralph Gonsalves is the best man for St. Vincent and the Grenadines at this time. Indeed, should elections be called next month, next year or in the next four years, Dr Gonsalves should be returned as Prime Minister with an overwhelming mandate.

I am one on the Comrade’s biggest critic! But even as I critique some of his policies, his politics and general approach to governance, I do so knowing full well that the alternatives, Eustace and the NDP, are patently worse.

My differences with Gonsalves are deeply philosophical and ideological. While he espouses a social democratic approach to governance that is grounded in the core applicable tenets of the Marxist remedies for addressing societal inequities, I am a classical liberal who forever preach the paramountcy of the market and the purely capitalist path to social and economic development. Deep differences of this nature are difficult to overcome. However, in the context of political discourse on issues related to statecraft, one is still able to find some common ground.

Recognizing that ideology must be tempered by the harsh and unforgiving reality of the times, one must be pragmatic in addressing the extant socio-economic issues. It is his commitment to embracing pragmatism that has led me to be an admirer of the Comrade despite our ideological differences.

I therefore declare Ralph Gonsalves as the best for St. Vincent and the Grenadines for a number of reasons:

Given his intellectual depth and academic acuity, more than any of his contemporaries, Gonsalves has a grasp of the complex and challenging issues impinging on the development of the country.

Gonsalves, is prepared to take the risks that are necessary to ensure that SVG can leap beyond its present state despite the difficulties.

The Comrade has the capacity to envision a desired reality and possesses the force of discipline, committment and dedication to create that reality in the face of insurmountable obstacles.

No one has demonstrated the depth of love and the breadth of understanding of the people known as Vincentians.

Comrade is a political genius. Love him or hate him, he knows how to win national elections.

I envision that Dr Gonsalves and his party will be in office for a very long time. Should he demit office, it would be on his own terms and in his own time. The Comrade will play a very long innings; he will retire not out; and proudly walk back to the pavilion with his bat held high and tons of runs on the board.

There is none like the Comrade!

Lesli Patterson

http://vincikallaloo.wordpress.com/2012/01/04/ralph-gonsalves-still-the-best-man-for-svg-by-lesli-patterson/

Experts in Cuban Forum about Afro-descendants

2012-01-05T02:30:00.000-08:00

Havana, Jan 4 (Prensa Latina)

Academics, researchers and artists from Spain, Venezuela, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuatorial Guinea, Portugal and Cuba will begin on Wednesday in this capital the XVI Scientific Workshop on Afro American Social and Cultural Anthropology and the V Festival of Oral Narration.

Both events will be held in the House of Africa, attached to the Office of the Historian of Havana City, until January 7.

Both forums will stimulate reflection on issues such as culture and identity, the African Diaspora, resistance and maroons, oral history visual anthropology, religion and the role of museums in the community.

On the opening day, the Havana City Historian, Eusebio Leal Spengler, will deliver a lecture to mark the 26 anniversary of the foundation of the House of Africa and later Herman van Hoff, general director of the Regional Office for Culture of Latin America and the Caribbean of UNESCO, will give a special presentation on topics related to the forum.

The photo exhibition of musical instruments and dances of Ecuatorial Guinea and the Maferefum painting exhibition of Cuban artist Nelson Jose Garcia are two examples of works exploring African roots through art.

The books The Silence of the Garifuna and The Voice of the Garifuna, from the researcher Bienvenido Rojas, will also be presented at these meetings, which open the cultural program of the capital's historic center in 2012.

hr/as/cgm/jam
Modificado el ( miércoles, 04 de enero de 2012 )

SVG Market

2012-01-04T13:33:00.000-08:00

St. Vincent and the Grenadines, sometimes known as the spice islands of the Caribbean, lie in the southern part of the island chain. Not as popular with tourists as St. Barts or Barbados, the island has more of a local vibe. There are no T-shirt shops or places trying to sell you a Rolex. The black-sand beaches are filled with fishermen and children instead of sunburned tourists, and the plentiful nature trails are pristine and virgin.

St. Vincent's center of commerce is the sprawling market in Kingstown. Set along the water, the market runs for blocks. Saturday is an especially busy day, when shop merchants sell their wares in the streets to compete with local farmers and fishermen for business.

The market consists of many parts. The indoor market's first floor is devoted to locally grown produce and spices, while second-floor merchants sell clothing and housewares. The market spills into the sunlit courtyard and outside, where small huts serve as individual restaurants. There's even a bar. The Kingstown Fish Market is directly on the water and sells mostly jack fish, strawberry grouper, and Caribbean lobster.

St. Vincent lives up to its spice island moniker, with merchants selling freshly grown anise, cinnamon, nutmeg, tumeric, ginger, clove, and guinea pepper. Coconut oil, green bananas, tomatoes, and breadfruit are also readily found.

Local farmer and park ranger Erasto Robertson was our guide to the maze-like marketplace. Erasto sells home-grown vegetables on the weekends and took some time to identify the various fruits and spices indigenous to the island, as well as point out the best place to grab lunch.

http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/shortorder/2012/01/saint_vincents_sprawling_marke_1.php

SVG: Top ranked tourist destination

2012-01-02T07:48:00.000-08:00

Jan 02, 2012 (Caribbean News Now - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Two of the world's most recognized international travel organizations have ranked St Vincent and the Grenadines among the world's top travel destinations. Both "Travel + Leisure" and "CNN" have been blown away with the magnetic and exotic beauty of our 32-island paradise in the sun. Travel + Leisure ranked SVG third among thirteen destinations world-wide, and CNN ranked us as being fifth among the nine they selected.

The report, which was published last Tuesday, listed the other eight destinations that made the CNN list as being Orlando-Florida, Chicago, the Netherlands, Uruguay, Atlantic Canada, England, Burma and the World of the Maya.
CNN quipped, "What's not to like about a tropical paradise that bills itself as one destination, 32 gorgeous Caribbean Islands? Located between St Lucia and Grenada, this island chain has long drawn vacationers with deep pockets, but it will become more accessible to a wider range of travelers thanks to a US$240 million international airport scheduled to open in St Vincent."
In compiling their list, CNN considered suggestions from Travel + Leisure and Budget Travel, but it was also based on recommendations from travel experts Robert Reid, a US travel editor for Lonely Planet. Also weighing in with their recommendations, were Martin Rapp senior vice president of leisure sales at Altour, Anne Banas, executive editor at Smarter Travel, and Jeanenne Tornatore, senior editor for Orbitz.com.

Commenting on St Vincent's impressive placement on the 2012 list, as being the best in the entire Caribbean, the group commented, "As always, some places will stand out above the rest when it comes to unforgettable things to see and do."
Were I in a decision-making position regarding St Vincent's tourism product, I would have pushed 'Vincymas' and our unique nine-mornings festivities as potential areas of future development. Eco-tourism and a 'tre-tre'-catching experience must be high on the list of activities seriously promoted as well.

One area that we as a people must look at is nautical tourism. As a tropical nation of 32 sunny and sandy islands, blessed with some of the best sailing, swimming and snorkeling in the entire world, it would be a gross error to ignore this advantage that we enviably possess. The naval academy planned for Canouan is a step in the right direction, and the Vincentian government must be complimented for this positive move.

Nautical tourism must be considered a tourist product related with entertainment activities in contact with bodies of water, where many different nautical activities can take place, always with an ecological outlook and respect for nature. In addition to its being an important complementary offer for a tourist destination, it is also a well defined product whose main characteristic is to offer the sea and beaches. This tourism activity is not isolated or specific, but a conglomerate of many branches of a particular type of activity, of public administration, infrastructure, and general complementary services.

"St Vincent and the Grenadines has long been an under-the-radar getaway for the jet-setting elite." This has been true for many years, ever since Princess Margaret of England built her home-away-from-home in Mustique many moons ago, and the Beatles vacationed here as well. They were quickly followed by the likes of the King and Queen of Greece, ex-Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, Donald Trump, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Kate Moss, Phil Collins, Claudia Schiffer, Calvin Klein, Jerry Hall, David Copperfield, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Tommy Hilfiger and company. This truly, is the playground of the rich and famous!
Travel + Leisure also commented on the Argyle Airport's construction, which could only be a boon for this fabulously beautiful island. They noted that "the coming international airport would make the region more accessible to a broader audience." Comments like this put the lie to persons whose short-sightedness and or polluted political view- points prevent them from seeing the value of an international airport in this modern day and age.

The report was also complimentary of Young Island Resort, Palm Island Resort and the privately owned Petit St Vincent Resort, which has reopened after a top-to-bottom renovation. The resort is comprised of 22 stone-walled thatched-roof cottages done in earthy tones... where driftwood palapas now line the beach. The new Buccament Bay Resort and Mustique, with its world-class villas, came in for high praise as well.

Travel + Leisure observed that some of its picks for the 2012 destinations reflect travellers' increasing thirst for adventure and desire to immerse themselves in local customs. Their "clients are interested in remote, off-the-beaten- path destinations that still retain their traditional culture." So said Scott Wiseman, president of Abercrombie & Kent USA.
In their list of thirteen destinations, Travel + Leisure only selected Sri Lanka and Toronto ahead of St Vincent. They however listed SVG ahead of every Caribbean destination, and to complete the list they selected Guimaraes, Portugal; Abu Dhabi; Costa Navarino, Greece; Xishuangbanna, China; Southern Bahia, Brazil; Hamburg, Germany; Panama; Mozambique's Northern Coast, and Bentonville, Arkansas.

This exceptionally impressive showing bodes well for the future of St Vincent's tourism.

___ (c)2012 the Caribbean News Now (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands) Visit theCaribbean News Now (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands) at
www.caribbeannewsnow.comDistributed by MCT Information Services

Copyright (C) 2012, Caribbean News Now, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

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Videos on the Internet

2011-12-31T10:25:00.000-08:00

Some videos of St. Vincent and the Grenadines:

http://www.topholidayspot.net/st.vincent+and+the+grenadines/

Azerbaijani Premier meets Our PM

2011-12-29T09:42:00.000-08:00

Baku, December 29 (AzerTAc). Azerbaijan`s PM Artur Rasizade has today met Premier of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves.

The Azerbaijani Premier expressed confidence Ralph Gonsalves`s visit to Azerbaijan would give a new impetus to development of relations between the two countries.

Rasizade said Azerbaijan was interested in successful cooperation with all countries irrespective of their size.
He expressed gratitude to the Premier of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for the support in election of Azerbaijan as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

The Azerbaijani delegation is expected to visit Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to expand economic relations in February, 2012.

The Azeri PM briefed Vincentian counterpart Ralph Gonsalves on the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Rasizade said Azerbaijan supports peaceful resolution of the conflict based on the country`s territorial integrity.
Ralph Gonsalves underlined Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was interested in expansion of economic cooperation with Azerbaijan.

The Vincentian PM said he backs Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity.

Gonsalves added he would give information about the conflict in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as within the UN.

© AzerTAc. All rights reserved.

Making The List

2011-12-29T09:37:00.000-08:00

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent – This country has made the lists of two international media’s top travel destinations for 2012
St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is fifth among nine destinations on CNN’s “World’s top destinations for 2012” and third among 13 destinations listed by Travel+Leisure.
The country is ranked behind England, the World of the Maya, Myanmar (also known as Burma), and Chicago, Illinois.
The other destinations on the list are The Netherlands, Atlantic Canada, Uruguay, and Orlando, Florida.
“What’s not to like about a tropical paradise that bills itself as ‘one destination, 32 gorgeous Caribbean islands’? CNN said in the report published on Tuesday.
“Located between St. Lucia and Grenada, this island chain has long drawn stars and vacationers with deep pockets, but it will become more accessible to a wider range of travellers thanks to a [US]$240 million airport scheduled to open on St. Vincent,” CNN further said of SVG, citing Travel + Leisure.
CNN’s list was based on recommendations from travel experts Robert Reid, U.S. travel editor for Lonely Planet; Martin Rapp, senior vice president of leisure sales at Altour; Anne Banas, executive editor at SmarterTravel; and Jeanenne Tornatore, senior editor for Orbitz.com.
It also considered suggestion from Travel+Leisure and Budget Travel.
“As always, some places will stand out above the rest when it comes to unforgettable things to do and see,” CNN said of its 2012 destinations.
Meanwhile, SVG was third on a list of 13 places that Travel+Leisure said are the “Hottest Travel Destinations of 2012”.
The country was topped by Sri Lanka and Toronto and came ahead of Guimarães, Portugal; Abu Dhabi, Costa Navarino, Greece; Xishuangbanna, China; Southern Bahia, Brazil; Hamburg, Germany, Panama, Mozambique’s Northern Coast, and Bentonville, Arkansas
Travel+Leisure says that SVG “has long been an under-the-radar getaway for the jet-setting elite.
“But recent developments—including a $240 million airport set to open on St. Vincent next year—are making the region accessible to a broader audience,” the publication said.
The international airport here, being constructed at Argyle, is actually expected to become operational in 2014.
Among SVG’s attractions, Travel+Leisure mentioned the new Buccament Bay Resort, and Mustique, which “remains a playground for the likes of Mick Jagger and Tommy Hilfiger (and was a runner-up honeymoon pick for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge)”.
The report also speaks of the privately owned Petit St. Vincent, which has reopened after a top-to-bottom makeover. The island comprises 22 stone-walled, thatched-roof cottages “done up in earthy tones and driftwood palapas now line the beach”.
Travel+Leisure says that some of its picks for the 2012 destinations “reflect travellers’ increasing thirst for adventure and desire to immerse themselves in local ways.

Christmas Message from Ralph Gonsalves

2011-12-27T08:16:00.000-08:00

KINGSTOWN – I greet everyone in the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Saviour, whose birthday we celebrate on Christmas Day. Traditionally, our Christmas season is marked with the plea of “peace on earth and goodwill to all men and women”. In that context we urge that in our words and deeds we demonstrate utmost love and good neighborliness to all our fellow human beings. I especially call for an outpouring of love and caring for those who are indigent, marginalised or suffering from illness. The elderly and the children deserve, too, very special consideration at this the season of giving and sharing.

PUT ASIDE DIVISIONS

I know that in our society there is much unity and love mixed with divisions and even hatreds. Let us try to put aside any divisiveness whether based on politics, religion, family and business skirmishes. If each of us makes an effort in this regard I am sure that we would all feel better and our nation would be more peaceful, united, and loving. It is not beyond us. Let us sincerely pray for these desirable outcomes and let us act accordingly.

Between now and the New Year let each of us try harder to be better human beings and citizens. I am hopeful that the radio stations, the newspapers, and the mass media generally would lessen the rhetoric of divisiveness and the politics of personal destruction. Generally-speaking this kind of divisiveness and personal animosities make no sense whatsoever particularly in a small village-state like St. Vincent and the Grenadines. At Christmas time it is simply unacceptable. We must make every effort to stop it.

LET US HAVE MUCH LESS CRIME

In our midst are a tiny minority of persons who use the Christmas festivities as a cloak or an occasion to steal, rob, and commit crimes of violence generally and against women in particular. If such persons are hearing my voice, I plead with them to stay away from their criminal activities which hurt innocent people and the criminals themselves. Let us all try very hard to make this Christmas season as crime-free as possible. Families, peer groups, churches, the media, the Police and the Law Courts all have major roles to play in this regard.

MODERATION

Traditionally, we eat and drink too much at Christmas time. Too often, too much alcohol is consumed. And then some of us drink and drive, a most dangerous combination. Let us all be moderate and responsible in our conduct, especially at this time. In short, let us be on our best behaviour.

MESSAGE ABOUT PERSONAL CONDUCT

I am not offering a message this year with any politics in it; I am not emphasising anything to do with the economy or any of the usual controversial subjects. I am simply asking all of us to examine our personal conduct, do better, and live a good life of love and respect for each other. This would represent an individual and national cleansing, redemption and reconciliation.

MY CHRISTMAS JOURNEY

I shall be away from St. Vincent and the Grenadines from December 17, 2001 to January 03, 2012, a total of two weeks, but in reality eight or so working days. I shall be travelling to London, to Bethlehem, to the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Georgia, both of which helped us generously after Hurricane Tomas. The visit to Bethlehem is a spiritual journey to the birthplace of Jesus Christ at the invitation of the President of the Palestinian Authority, His Excellency Mahmoud Abbas. My visits to London, Georgia and Azerbaijan constitute important business on behalf of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. On my way to Bethlehem I shall stop in Jordan.

I wish all Vincentians, at home and abroad, a holy, happy, loving Christmas and a prosperous 2012. I extend my hand of friendship, peace and goodwill to the Leader of the Opposition, his party and supporters at this the season of our Lord’s birth. As always, loving Christmas greetings go out to our Labour family and our nation as a whole.

May Almighty God continue to bless us all!

2011-12-21T13:10:00.000-08:00

Breadfruit is particularly associated with St. Vincent and the Grenadines because it was breadfruit seedings headed for the botanical garden in St. Vincent that contributed to the Mutiny On The Bounty--the water going to the plants was desired by the crew. The breadfruit finally reached St. Vincent and the Grenadines on a second trip and have been characteristic of Vincentian Cusine ever since.

This is a collection of breadfruit recipes and additional information on breadfruit varieties and their history in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Set In Stone

2011-12-21T12:51:00.000-08:00

Rear Cover

Front Cover

Set In Stone is a survey of the petroglyphs of St. Vincent and the Grenadines written by Kathy Martin and published by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines National Trust. The book is a successor to the book by Dr. Earle Kirby, now long out of print, and it is particularly appropriate now that there has been significan archaeological work done on the site of the Argyle International Airport. As Thomas Huckerby said, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is of particular interest to the student of American Archaeology, and the construction of the airport and its by-pass roads have provided much new material.

I will try to include as much related material as I can in this blog, but there is nothing better than a book like Kathy Martin's, that puts the graphic content into a chronological context.

Camillo Gonsalves on Development

2011-12-17T10:13:00.000-08:00

Reprinted from Caribbean News Now! Published on December 14, 2011

UNITED NATIONS -- Rich countries must honour their pledges of development assistance to poorer nations, especially in the wake of the global economic crisis, said Vincentian Ambassador Camillo Gonsalves at the fifth United Nations high level dialogue on financing for development.

Gonsalves, St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations, told the high-level dialogue that “[Official Development Assistance] is not charity. It is an investment in international peace and security, and it is a necessary counterweight, albeit an inadequate one, against systemic inequalities in global trade and capital flows that are fundamentally unbalanced and disadvantageous to many developing countries, particularly small states.”

Since 1970, developed countries have been pledging to devote 0.7% of their national incomes to development assistance, said Gonsalves. Despite repeating that pledge in 2002, 2008 and 2009, rich nations delivered less than half of the promised assistance in 2010, according to Gonsalves.

“Developing countries that have spoken today to highlight the massive shortfalls between [assistance] pledged and [assistance] delivered are neither blaming nor begging,” said Gonsalves. “We are simply reminding our partners of the longstanding commitments that they made, upon which we rely, and which we expect to be honored.”

“It remains a constant source of amazement that many states can regularly conjure up
billions of dollars to prosecute discretionary wars and unilateral military interventions, almost on a whim, while developmental assistance stagnates, falls short of commitments, and is subject to all forms of creative accounting or empty sloganeering that have no impact on the bottom lines of developing states,” said the ambassador.

The Vincentian envoy also highlighted an “urgent” call for debt relief to be extended to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). He pointed out that five CARICOM states have debt-to-GDP rations in excess of 100%, while another four exceed 70%. However, because of CARICOM states’ “middle-income” status, they were often excluded from debt- forgiveness schemes, a stance that Gonsalves called “shortsighted and ultimately counterproductive.”

Providing negotiated debt-relief to CARICOM states “on a regional basis... is the morally correct, fiscally prudent, and developmentally logical approach to our region’s growing debt burdens,” said Gonsalves.
Although the current high-level dialogue on financing for development is occurring in the shadow of the worst financial and economic depression in decades, the Vincentian diplomat stated flatly that the global meltdown “is not an excuse for failure to meet ODA commitments.”

Citing the outcome of the 2009 United Nations high level conference on the world economic and financial crisis and its impact on development, which was co-chaired by St Vincent and the Grenadines, Gonsalves reminded delegates that the “consensus outcome of the UN conference on the crisis stressed that the crisis, in and of itself, necessitated urgent compliance with existing targets.”

“In this time of global economic recession, the focus should not be on delaying or avoiding the implementation of FFD commitments, but rather on accelerating and strengthening those promises in the assistance of those who played no role in creating the crisis in the first place,” he said.

At the same time, Gonsalves expressed appreciation for “the efforts of all of our development partners – particularly in these times of increased global economic instability.”

However, despite gratitude for the assistance that his country and other developing states have received, Gonsalves
stated that “the inescapable fact is that total ODA is far short of the required or promised minimums.”
Paraphrasing Bob Marley’s hit song “Them Belly Full (But We Hungry),” Gonsalves said “the developmental pot may be cooking, but the food in it is not enough.”

“Development costs money, and while many states have demonstrated an unerring ability to renege on their commitments to assist, our governments cannot renege on our own solemn commitments to the people-centered development and advancement of our populations,” he said.

The fifth United Nations high level dialogue on financing for development was organised under the theme “The Monterrey Consensus and Doha Declaration on Financing for Development: status of implementation and tasks ahead.”

The Monterrey Consensus was the outcome of a 2002 United Nations conference that took place in Monterrey, Mexico. The Monterrey Consensus was adopted by all countries as a blueprint for mobilising and utilising financing for development. The Doha Declaration on Financing for Development was a 2008 follow-up to the Monterrey Consensus, which sought to add greater detail to the broad areas of agreement that were arrived at in Monterrey.

Copyright© 2004-2011 Caribbean News Now! at www.caribbeannewsnow.com All Rights Reserved For permission to republish, please contact editor@caribbeannewsnow.com

Going To Puerto Rico

2011-12-13T20:40:00.000-08:00

We are back home in SVG, a whole day wasted because this was the third time we tried to get from Arnos Vale to the Munoz airport in San Juan, PR, and we haven't made it yet. More details later because we just got home at midnight and we are going to try again tomorrow.

PM vs Gold Trade

2011-12-13T20:35:00.000-08:00

By CMC - Monday, December 12th, 2011.

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, CMC – Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves says he has instructed the police to arrest and deport foreigners engaged in buying gold here that has been linked to criminal activities. Gonsalves said that those persons were also breaking the island’s immigration and trade laws. He said that two Venezuelans were recently denied entry into the country on these grounds.

“In the earlier period, some Venezuelans, Trinidadians and other people were going about town with impunity but that has come under careful watch of the police, who have instructions to deal with them,” Gonsalves said on radio.
“First of all, to come in to engage in such activities, you need a trader’s licence. And you can’t come in saying that you are coming in as a visitor and get involved in work activities, because you would have lied to the immigration officials.”

Gonsalves said that there are several offences for which people engaging in such activities can be arrested and charged and it is not just a simple issue of people trading in gold. “This is a matter where there is an encouragement of people to snatch the gold,” he said. According to recent media reports, several persons have had their gold jewellery snatched in Kingstown. Prominent trade unionist Joseph “Burns” Bonadie recently fought off an assailant who had bitten him in an attempt to snatch his gold chain. Gonsalves said that both citizens and foreigners alike were trying to recruit people, including 15-year-olds, to snatch jewelry.

“These multiple things have to be death with not in any sequential manner by at the same time. Fighting the criminals is an on-going matter and anybody who things that you have a magic bullet, they are completely mistaken,” said Gonsalves during a general discussion of crime and violence here.

He further stated that with enhanced freedom of movement in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), there was a movement of criminal of Trinidad and Tobago, “where you have a lot of them.”

PM Gonsalves says: Matters under control

2011-12-11T09:25:00.000-08:00

Author: William 'Kojah' Anthony Published: 12/01/2011

The ‘Party faithfuls’ who braved the heavy rains to attend the Convention. Inset: Dr. Ralph Gonsalves credited the relatively calming period to strong leadership in the ULP government.
Vincentian Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves is under no illusions that it is smooth sailing, but he is taking credit for having matters under control.

Addressing the 18th Unity Labour Party Convention last Sunday at the Campden Park secondary School, Dr. Gonsaslves fired up his charges.

That day was marked by overcast skies and for hours, shower. Pools of water filled the roads and commuters had to be cautious.

The scheduled 8:30am start was not realistic and when it did get going, its was already close to midday. Glimmers of sunshine peeped through occasionally, but that was not prolonged.
Dr. Gonsalves began with a Bible reading from Esther 7. He referred to Haman’s hanging on a 75 foot gallows that he had built for Mordecia.

More heroes

Former Prime Minister Robert Milton Cato came in for tribute from Dr. Gonsalves, and if Dr. Gonsalves gets his way, Cato will be one of the persons considered for national Hero status next year.

Cato’s one time rival Ebenezer Theodore Joshua is also being touted as a potential national hero as well as George Augustus McIntosh.

Those issues will be put before the public and Dr. Gonsalves expects the debate to be made “dispassionately.”

He wants citizens to be “mature,” and “reflective,” and he is looking at the addition of the national heroes as a healing process.

“It would help us to bind the divisiveness in this country,” he outlined.

The Vincentian Prime Minister added: “It would be a way of signaling an era of greater unity,” Dr. Gonsalves stated.

Strong leadership

Mindful that the world faces its worst economic period for eighty years and foreign investors are not as adventurous as before, Dr. Gonsalves retraced the backdrop to the unfolding situation.

He reflected on the financial down turn triggered in 2008 which affected Clico and British American Insurance Companies and highlighted problems created in the financial sector by Hurricane Tomas in October 2010 and torrential rains and flooding in April 2011.

“In addition to the pre-existing problems, we are still standing… surviving and thriving amidst the challenges,” he boasted.

Dr. Gonsalves credited the relatively calm situation to leadership of the ULP government. He alluded to the theme of the Convention and pointed out: “A leader must know the times. That is why we have to build the resilience.”

He used the opportunity to urge citizens to work hard. “We must have a resolute and hard working people,” he said.

He chided the outbreak of violence and condemned the persistence of laziness and echoed his call for persons to “lift our productivity.”

The question of the banana industry occupied the Prime Minister’s attention and he promised spraying “later this year or early next year.”

Dr Gonsalves spoke also of the Alba bank loan for 25 years at two percent interest. Some of that money goes towards the construction of the Argyle International Airport and some to Central government.

He rehashed some of his more recent activities, including the official opening of the Electricity Generating Plant at Lowmans Bay.

Comments
Lorne
Sunday, December 04, 2011
Greater unity means that together every one achieve more, even the bible condemn laziness, the ants is the smallest insects yet work hard to provide food all summer long to store for the winter season, so what is our excuse, stop depending on the government for every thing and start doing something for our selves, God give us land and tallent so lets get together and use it, ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country, killing each other only bring more course to our selves and our country, do not for get the good book said to love your neighbors as you love your selves, do unto others as we want done unto our selves. Parents, do not for get that our children are the future teach them well and let them lead the way show them all the beauty they possess inside give them a sense of pride to make it easier let the children's laughter remind us what we use to be, always set good example for our children to follow so that their future would be brighter in the land that the Lord thy God giveth thee. Banana is one of St. Vincent's main crop, people's livelyhood depend on it the government should act now not next year to help the people produce healthier banana crops. The Prime Minister should also take into consideration that the people of St. Vincent are over charged for high cost of electricity and should regulate electricity and high cost of telephone charges in St. Vincent, raising property taxes so high that people cannot afford to pay it is not helping our economy, it just leave more people homeless. Let us all work hard together to make St. Vincent a better place to live and for a better future for our children and grand children......PEACE,LOVE,UNITY TO ALL.

noel james
Sunday, December 04, 2011
GIVEN THE CURRENT ECONOMIC CHALLENGES FACING SVG (many have to do with poor fiscal management at the local level); AND GIVEN THE TRACK RECORD OF THE ULP GOVERNMENT, led by Dr. Gonsalves, can one honestly say that he is a "Leader of The Times"? I do not think so.

Angus E. T. Johnny
Thursday, December 08, 2011
We are living in a world where prominent countries are facing economic collapse due to sovereign debt, their banks are over exposed to one toxic asset or another and if the state does not commit tax payers money to saving these banks they will collapse with catasthropic consequences for that country.... Austerity is the name of the game at the moment, hard pressed peoples are being asked to bear the burdens of economic collapse while those(the Bankers) who triggered this world economic recession get away with it.... SVG's population of just over 100,000 people would be on the receiving end of this global recession, no matter which party is in Government, it can't live in a bubble with one section of society pointing an accusing finger at the other and blaming them for all the ills of this world.... There is a hard slog ahead for most countries on this planet, if things get worse, ie, the Euro collapses, a global depression akin to the 1930's will be upon us. It's time to cast politics aside in a small economy like SVG, work together for the betterment of the country and hope that the economic hurricane looming on the horizon is not realised.

http://www.thevincentian.com/dcmain.aspx?p=0&i=8894&skin=38&tID=198

Pompey's Opinion of the LIAT situation

2011-12-10T02:02:00.000-08:00

If Sally hadn't been caught in the middle I might not have followed this so closely..................
.................................

The Things That Are LIAT's Pilots - Part I
SATURDAY, 10 DECEMBER 2011 02:30 RAWLSTON POMPEY ANTIGUA OPINION ARTICLES

CAPTAIN-BLACKBURN
This commentary seeks only to present a professional and managerial perspective and not necessarily to refer to the “…MERITS or DEMERITS” of circumstances, bringing about the “…FATE” of former Senior LIAT’S PILOT, CAPTAIN MICHAEL BLACKBURN.

The seemingly “…CALCULATED INEVITABILITY” such as that the resulted from alleged egregious actions of “…LIAT’S SHAREHOLDERS” through its apparent “…RUBBER STAMPED BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND/OR MANAGERS.” Such appeared to have been concluded by the travelling public and peoples around the region. Except in alluding to “…CAPTAIN BLACKBURN” and his “…PILOT BAND OF WARRIORS” (coined for this commentary only), who should know “…where to gamble; …when to count money; and …when and where to run,” this commentary was neither intended as reflections of their thoughts, nor are its contents representative of their individual and/or collective views, but a representation of most of the citizens of Antigua and Barbuda. 

VALUABLE LESSONS/GOLDEN RULES
Mankind has been taught many “…VALUABLE LESSONS” and many “…GOLDEN RULES had been established. Frequently, however, man has become “…AN ISLAND” unto himself; behaving erratic and/or taking irrational decisions, seemingly provoked or prompted by “…EMOTIONALISM, VICTIMIZATION AND/OR FEAR.” Invariably, it was the latter of man’s greatest concerns - “…FEAR,” “…REAL OR IMAGINARY.” Since the full facts were not known, readers who may be “…SEIZED OF THE FACTS” may draw their own conclusions. In doing otherwise, these may be mere speculations and/or insinuations. 

THE THINGS OF CAESAR
According to the Gospel it has been repeatedly taught to “…Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.” Then there is the “…GOLDEN RULE” to “…Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Consequently, some nations, and there was no doubt that the people of “…ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA AND ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES” in their collective wisdom, with some degree of solemnity and deep convictions, have not only proclaimed, but have also acknowledged the “…SUPREMACY OF GOD.” 

THE THINGS OF LIAT’S PILOTS
Since this appeared to be so, then LIAT’S policy-makers might wish to be seen as being so guided; …that such might be reflected in their “…DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES.” Thus, being guided by the“…BIBLICAL TEACHINGS” and the “…GOLDEN RULE,” may help to inspire confidence in leaders, their judgment, integrity and decisions made and ultimately, in realizing what many leaders appeared not to appreciate, “…REGIONAL INTEGRATION, UNITY, COOPERATION.” In short, they may wish to follow the precepts and “…RENDER UNTO THE PILOTS, THE THINGS THAT ARE THE PILOTS.”  

CONFLICTS AND FIGHTS
The tendency to speculate on sensitive issues, such as “…marriage and divorce; …dismissal and reasons; …opulent and promiscuous lifestyles; …and politics and religion, without “…IRREFUTABLE FACTS,” has often led people to conflicts and fights. Man, since his creation, has been known to be mischievous, unruly, and disobedient. Some, whether or not in leadership positions, have been known to be “…BRUTAL, RECKLESS, and RUTHLESS.” These qualities usually occur in mankind’s dealings with, and/or treatment of his fellowmen. These manifestations have not only been many in scope, size, and effects, but their seemingly repetitive occurrences have often been seen as “…militating against good managerial skills and competence; …good human relations; and …counter-productive to organisational and/or institutional goals and/or objectives.

DETRIMENTAL TO COMMON GOOD
Thus, the resultant effects of these have often proved “…DETRIMENTAL” either to the “…COMMON GOOD” and that of “…NATIONAL INTERESTS" - for instance, movement of people, Trade, Finance and the Economy. As these affect the region, they impact on “…CARIBBEAN IDENTITY, INTEGRATION, UNITY, DESTINY AND PROSPERITY.” There was no doubt, that developments within the regional airline LIAT, may have the potential for further “…RIFTS” between regional countries and peoples and governments that follow “…DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES” with respect for the “…RULE OF LAW". 

VAIN SACRIFICES
History has shown that those seemingly obsessed with “…AUTOCRATIC GRANDEUR” have a propensity to rule by “…OPPRESSIVE MEASURES," thereby inducing fear in minds of peace-loving, responsible and law abiding people. The fact that people may resort to actions to achieve their freedoms and liberties do not necessarily mean they are danger to society. For if it were so, then the KING COURTS, URIAH "Buzz” BUTLERS, MARCUS GARVEYS, MARTIN LUTHER KINGS JR, ROSA PARKS, MAURICE BISHOPS and the NELSON MANDELLAS, EBENEZER JOSHUAS, ROBERT BRADSHAWS, and the VERE CORNWALL BIRDS would have all made vain sacrifices. They had experienced oppression, subjugation, humiliation, and frustration, yet they showed resilience and perseverance and have left “…LEGACIES,” not necessarily of substance, but a “…WILL AND A SPIRIT TO FIGHT FOR THAT WHICH IS RIGHT.” CAPTAIN BLACKBURN, though singularly, may not be triumphant against an army of apparent desperate warriors themselves, seemed to have been left with such LEGACY. 

LACK OF APPRECIATION
It was obvious that some regional Leaders and peoples appeared not to have appreciated the essentiality of the “…ROLE OF REGIONAL PILOTS.” Additionally, and except for ST.KITT/NEVIS and GRENADA that have already “…CRIED FOUL,” that their economic survival was heavily dependent upon Regional Air Services, “…CRAPAUD IS LIKELY TO SMOKE THEIR PIPES” not only of their peoples, but collectively, those of the wider OECS - “…Organization of Eastern Caribbean States.” The region’s more prosperous countries have their own airlines and now BARBADOS with RED JET. Without capital and/or financial resources to own and operate air services, cash-strapped governments and OECS peoples, are likely to be placed in a position likened like to a “…fish away from their natural habit.” 

LIAT- REGIONAL ENTITITY
LIAT, now being regarded as a regional “AIR CARRIER,” was said to have been established by a private astute entrepreneur, now deceased, CAPTAIN FRANK DELISLE.” An experienced pilot, he became a visionary and seemingly adept, he used his entrepreneurial skills and boldly embarked upon this commercial venture with some measure of success... Seemingly in maintaining its viability and/or sustainability, it may have become a financially burden-some entity for a single individual to operate and to source the requisite capital in ensuring an adequacy of flights and route in servicing the region, with a passenger and air cargo services. It was said that regional governments in their collective wisdom, sought in 1974, with limited liability operations, and funded its operations. Such services were spread throughout the region from Guyana to Trinidad and Tobago to Jamaica, the British and US Virgin Islands and French and Dutch Territories. Hence, LIAT was transformed not only into a regional carrier, but was accorded the prestigious status of “…REGIONAL 

WHERE LIAT STARTED
It is irrefutable that “…LIAT’S TURBULENT PAST” had not only caused regional peoples some degree of anxiety, but more importantly in appreciating its services in spite of being accused of “…LEAVING ISLAND AT ANY TIME” (LIAT). Although such had caused some travelers to remain in places they had not planned for or missed flights to ultimate destinations, such was their expectations that they could “…CATCH A FLIGHT AT ANY TIME”. Hence, a passenger arriving late at regional airports to complete departure formalities can be sure to catch one of “…LIAT’S DELAYED FLIGHTS.” 

LIAT’S FUTURE
The connotation, nonetheless, may not be taken away from its registered Company name “…LEEWARD ISLANDS AIR TRANSPORTATION” (LIAT) 1974 LIMITED.” The very name showed “…where LIAT had started; …where it was, and still headquartered; …where its administrative and operational activities are conducted.” Now forced into a “…competitive environment” by the advent of the concept called “…GLOBALIZATION,” the regional Air Carrier’s future seemed to be only in the hands of PRIME MINISTERS DR RALPH GONSALVES and DR BALDWIN SPENCER. Both primary shareholders may either “…MAKE IT or BREAK IT” and if there may be any signs of such disposition, then it may be seen from the “…UNEXPECTED TERMINATION” of the professional services of one of the region’s most skilled and experienced pilots, CAPTAIN MICHAEL BLACKBURN, and the seemingly “…VEXED ROLE OF THE CHAIRMAN OF LIALPA - Leeward Islands Pilots Association. 

CHALLENGES
There was little doubt that the struggling air carrier LIAT had faced many challenges and had to overcome hurdle after hurdle and obstacles after obstacles. Seemingly, when it was not a case of “…FINANCIAL CHALLENGES, it was one of “…COMPETITIVE CHALLENGES” with the fiercest of battles being waged against “…LIAT’S SHAREHOLDERS” forcing LIAT’S Chairman DR. RALPH GONSALVES to cry foul for what he had passionately described as “…PREDATORY PRICING.” Lest We Forget, “…IRONICALLY” the battle had begun not in on American soil, but at LIAT’S HEADQUARTERS. The SHAREHOLDERS had seen some seemingly “…AVARICIOUS AND/OR OPPORTUNISTS PILOTS” being wooed away for among other things; “…ENHANCED” working conditions; …higher remuneration and better privileged. 

LIAT’S SURVIVAL
Such was clearly not the doing of CAPTAIN MICHAEL BLACKBURN and his “…FAITHFUL PILOT BAND OF WARRIORS,” who remained loyal and faithful to LIAT, until his recent sudden demise. Instead such was the doing of “…FINANCIAL AND INFLUENTIAL EXPLOITS” of former Texan Financier and Billionaire, alleged Ponzi Schemer, the depraved R ALLEN STANFORD with his “…CARIBBEAN STAR AIRLINES,” reportedly, introduced to the region at the expense of unsuspecting investors. Notwithstanding LIAT’S mounting financial, managerial and/or “…PILOT TROUBLES, “…regional peoples are in hope and expectation” that even with the advent of “…RED JET, LIAT may survive even among its fiercest competitors.” 

LIAT-LIKELY NONENTITY
There was no doubt of the invaluable services being rendered by LIAT. However placed into its true perspective “…LIAT IS ONLY BUT AN ENTITY WITH FLYING MACHINES.” Removing its pilots, that entity is as helpless as a soldier losing both hands and feet in a vicious battle. There is also no doubt that the SHAREHOLDERS of LIAT have been engaged in a vicious battle that could see LIAT’S PILOTS becoming victors and that the entity also becoming a “…NONENTITY” if a “…TRUCE” is not sooner declared and the troubling issues were not “…AMICABLY RESOLVED.” 

WEAK MANAGERS
Clearly, only the PILOTS and LIAT could find solutions to end what may now been seen as their “…PROTRACTED AND UNRESOLVED EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE WORK-RELATED ISSUES.” Everyone knows that when “…DIRECTORS: and/or SHAREHOLDERS” desirous of “…RUNNING ORGANIZATIONAL AFFAIRS BY REMOTE CONTROLS,” weak Managers usually become “…IMPOTENT and INEFFECTIVE” as they might be disposed to securing their tenure. Consequently, most Managers have subjected themselves, either to “…SUBSERVIENCE” or “...AVOIDABLE EXPLOITATION.” This is so, irrespective of whether or not the “…PRICE IS RIGHT” and more particularly, when employers consider whether or not the “… ENDS JUSTIFY THE MEANS.” 

MANAGERS’ FUNCTIONS
Thus, while Managers responsibility is to EMPLOYERS, managers must address managerial/employees; …employees/employees; or …employees/customers problems.” Invariably, most are usually found “…WOEFULLY WANTING” and may be seen more of “…LIABILITY” than “…ASSET.” Frequently, some are placed as “…SATELLITE or FIGURE-HEADS.” Such are a danger to peace and stability within an entity. Management functions are said to be “…manipulating resources” to achieve organizational goals and/or objective. Therefore, effective Managers resolve issues expeditiously and amicably and/or as circumstances dictate or allow; …Managers reconcile differences. Thus, “…Managers do not antagonize, humiliate, agitate or frustrate employees. They create environments that are conducive to the entity’s success and employee’s enthusiasm and feeling of being a stakeholder in such entity. 

UNHAPPY STATE OF AFFAIRS
Seemingly, from reasonable inferences that may have been drawn from “…public disclosures” and media reports, many may have perceived that “…AN UNHAPPY STATE OF AFFAIRS” existed within the regional airlines known as “…LIAT.” Such had been described as a combination of “…FINANCIAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES.” From Staff grumblings, such appears to b affecting both LIAT as the EMPLOYER and its COMMITTED EMPLOYEES.” It has been touted by clearly disaffected employees, that there may have been some untenable situations existing within the LIAT’S ENTITY. 

COMPOUNDING EFFECTS
There are usually serious consequences either for “…ACTS” or “…OMISSIONS.” These are COMPOUNDED, (reference points), particularly when conceived women/and girls were waiting “…URGENT MEDICAL ATTENTION” or when Medical Practitioners appeared to have “…OVERWHELMED WITH CASES OR OVER PRESCRIBED FOR PATIENTS.” Frequently, these appeared to have been occasioned and frequently for some reason, culprits walked free. Such was not the case of DR. CONRAD MURRAY, Physician for the late and internationally renowned Pop Super Star, MICHAEL JACKSON and now a convicted felon. The Court had suggested that the accused’ eyes appeared to have been fixed upon his “…MEDICAL FEES” than on the “…HEALTH” of one of the world’s most singing and performing art sensations. 

DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES
There was no doubt that the “…PARENT/PATIENT/BABY SCENARIO” along with TenMan’s “…PERSISTENT ADVOCACY” appeared to have played out with “…DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES” in the current LIAT FIASCO and the apparent questionable termination of;Firstly, a seemingly highly, professional, efficient, competent, skilled, experienced PILOT; …Secondly, a deeply committed, devoted and conscientious “…EMPLOYEE; Thirdly, seemingly as CHAIRMAN OF “…LEEWARD ISLANDS PILOTS ASSOCIATION-LIALPA,” he appeared highly influential over the Pilots he represented. There appeared to have been a certain amount of charisma and personality traits, evidenced by a resolute and forceful disposition. 

DUAL ROLES
He appeared very passionate about his dual-role of “…LIAT’S EMPLOYEE” and CHAIRMAN OF THE PILOTS ASSOCIATION,” a role that may have ran counter of the policies and visions of Shareholding Governments. Such an unenviable position, necessarily involved “…SHARED LOYALTY” between both Employer/Employees.” As an individual, he owed it to himself to fight for what is right, fair and just for his well-being. Collectively, he must lead the charge for those he represented. All Employers, Shareholders, Directors and Managers are aware of this position. Yet in a seemingly “...TWIST OF FATE,” he had become a victim, not as a result of his inability to discharge his responsibilities, but of circumstances, either concocted and/or orchestrated against his forthrightness and his resolve in serving the pilots he represented and the safety of passengers they have been entrusted to fly across the region’s airspace.

Read more: http://www.caribarena.com/antigua/opinions/opinion-pieces/rawlston-pompey/99151-the-things-that-are-liats-pilots-part-i.html#ixzz1g7lwiT4p

More On LIAT

2011-12-09T20:28:00.000-08:00

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – LIAT returned to the skies Thursday after some of the pilots who staged a two-day sickout reported for work. The pilots were standing in solidarity with Chairman of the Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA) Chairman Captain Michael Blackburn, who was terminated on Monday.

The company said the outspoken senior pilot had irreparably damaged the employer-employee relationship with his public comments about the airline’s safety record among other matters deemed vexing. The resumption of service was anything but smooth sailing though with LIAT Chief Executive Officer Brian Challenger putting passengers on notice that it would take a minimum of two days for normality to return to the schedule.

 Reports indicate the passengers’ frustration remained at a high across the region as travellers stranded since Tuesday had to queue up, in some instances, behind those booked to travel yesterday. LIAT said that 50 per cent of the flights scheduled to leave Antigua took off. Meanwhile, media reports out of Barbados and Dominica provided a snapshot into some of the chaos caused by the protest action. Ticketing agents at Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados had to call police to keep order. Irate travellers in Dominica were equally boisterous as they vied for the limited seats. 

Passenger dislocation and catching up with the schedule were not the only kinks remaining on Thursday. Representatives of LIAT and LIALPA met for a marathon session mediated by Minister of Labour Dr Errol Cort. Sources told OBSERVER there was no agreement reached and the session will resume on Monday. Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) weighed in on Blackburn’s termination, calling it absurd and unacceptable. The TUC said LIAT’s management violated “decent labour relations process” and assured LIALPA of “unequivocal support.” Whereas the TUC’s support was solid, there were signs that the membership of the Antigua & Barbuda Workers Union (ABWU) was on less certain ground. A source told OBSERVER that at a meeting on Wednesday night, while some people were staunch in support, others wanted to know what would happen if Blackburn is reinstated. The source said the ABWU decided it would continue to press on with the issues directly impacting its membership. 

Meanwhile, reports also surfaced yesterday of a cold front between LIALPA and the Leeward Islands Flight Attendants Association (LIFAA) after the later declined to join the two-day protest.

 Another twist in the salvo came from Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines Dr Ralph Gonsalves. Speaking on OBSERVER AM yesterday, he expressed the desire to liquidate LIAT and move to another iteration, LIAT 2012, with additional shareholders. Gonsalves specifically mentioned Dominica and St Lucia, saying he was aware that the leaders of those countries are keen to invest in the regional airline. In addition to St Vincent, the other shareholder governments are Antigua & Barbuda and Barbados.

LIAT pilots report for work

2011-12-09T12:47:00.000-08:00

By OBSERVER News - Thursday, December 8th, 2011.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – LIAT returned to the skies Thursday after some of the pilots who staged a two-day sickout reported for work. The pilots were standing in solidarity with Chairman of the Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA) Chairman Captain Michael Blackburn, who was terminated on Monday.

The company said the outspoken senior pilot had irreparably damaged the employer-employee relationship with his public comments about the airline’s safety record among other matters deemed vexing. The resumption of service was anything but smooth sailing though with LIAT Chief Executive Officer Brian Challenger putting passengers on notice that it would take a minimum of two days for normality to return to the schedule. Reports indicate the passengers’ frustration remained at a high across the region as travellers stranded since Tuesday had to queue up, in some instances, behind those booked to travel yesterday. LIAT said that 50 per cent of the flights scheduled to leave Antigua took off. Meanwhile, media reports out of Barbados and Dominica provided a snapshot into some of the chaos caused by the protest action. 

Ticketing agents at Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados had to call police to keep order. Irate travellers in Dominica were equally boisterous as they vied for the limited seats. Passenger dislocation and catching up with the schedule were not the only kinks remaining on Thursday. Representatives of LIAT and LIALPA met for a marathon session mediated by Minister of Labour Dr Errol Cort. Sources told OBSERVER there was no agreement reached and the session will resume on Monday. Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) weighed in on Blackburn’s termination, calling it absurd and unacceptable. The TUC said LIAT’s management violated “decent labour relations process” and assured LIALPA of “unequivocal support.” 

Whereas the TUC’s support was solid, there were signs that the membership of the Antigua & Barbuda Workers Union (ABWU) was on less certain ground. A source told OBSERVER that at a meeting on Wednesday night, while some people were staunch in support, others wanted to know what would happen if Blackburn is reinstated. The source said the ABWU decided it would continue to press on with the issues directly impacting its membership. Meanwhile, reports also surfaced yesterday of a cold front between LIALPA and the Leeward Islands Flight Attendants Association (LIFAA) after the later declined to join the two-day protest.

 Another twist in the salvo came from Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines Dr Ralph Gonsalves. Speaking on OBSERVER AM yesterday, he expressed the desire to liquidate LIAT and move to another iteration, LIAT 2012, with additional shareholders. Gonsalves specifically mentioned Dominica and St Lucia, saying he was aware that the leaders of those countries are keen to invest in the regional airline. In addition to St Vincent, the other shareholder governments are Antigua & Barbuda and Barbados.

http://www.antiguaobserver.com/?p=68414

More On LIAT Sickout

2011-12-08T07:08:00.000-08:00

December 7, 2011 By Glenn Pew, Contributing Editor,

Pilots at LIAT, a Caribbean airline, this week took action, crippling their employer with a sickout that cancelled at least 110 flights when their union leader was fired shortly after suggesting that pilots' pensions had been mismanaged and lost by the airline. Captain Michael Blackburn had worked for LIAT for more than 35 years and chaired the Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA).

In November, Blackburn, as head of LIALPA, sent a letter to LIAT management stating that the carrier's decision to invest pilot pension funds into a now-failed investment program went against a court order and took place without consultation of company pilots. Blackburn also made public derogatory statements about the airline. Soon thereafter, the veteran captain was accused of a safety violation. Monday, he was dismissed. His fellow pilots responded, Tuesday, with a sickout action that cancelled nearly all LIAT flights. The union has vowed that the fight is not over.

In his letter, Blackburn said that a court had ordered the pilots' pension money to be paid into a provident fund. He said that because the carrier ignored the order and the pilots pensions were subsequently lost to a bad investment, the carrier should be held liable for all contributions to date, plus interest. Blackburn then found himself under investigation, according to the Antigua Observer, for allegedly ignoring instructions from air traffic controllers and forcing another aircraft to take emergency measures. Blackburn claimed no knowledge of the alleged incident and threatened legal action.

"If anybody makes any allegation against me that they can't prove, I am going to sue them. And I don't make idle threats," he said. During this timeframe, Blackburn also stated on a radio program that LIAT was less safe than it had been in years past, when it had fewer managers. Roughly one week after his comments, Blackburn was fired. LIAT published a press release on the firing, stating it took the action based on legal advice.

According to LIAT, Blackburn's efforts constituted "a deliberate attempt to bring the company into public disrepute." Union leaders believe the firing was punitive and based on Blackburn's actions while working in his capacity as a union leader. They are seeking immediate reinstatement of Blackburn. A coalition of unions has sent a letter to LIAT CEO Brian Challenger, stating that they will take any action necessary to achieve this objective.

http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/pilot_blackburn_union_leader_fired_liat_lialpa_pension_safety_205850-1.html

LIAT Statement
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, December 07, 2011 – On Tuesday 6th December and Wednesday 7th December, members of the Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA) called in sick throughout the LIAT network, effectively shutting down the company’s flight operations and stranding thousands of passengers throughout the region. On both days only one flight was able to operate moving from Antigua and Trinidad respectively.

This action was a response by LIALPA to the summary dismissal by LIAT of Captain Michael Blackburn, a senior pilot within the company. This action by the company, taken after long and careful consideration, reflects the advice received from various legal sources that Captain Blackburn’s behavior, and in particular his recent statements on the radio, had effectively destroyed the requirement for professional respect expected between an employer and its employees. In this case, summary dismissal as contemplated under the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Code was recommended as the appropriate course of action.

In particular it is felt that Captain Blackburn’s statements with regard to the safety standards of the airline and the capability of its management were a deliberate attempt to bring the company into public disrepute. These statements, including those relating to safety have received widespread publicity throughout the region, and indeed the world, painting an unfair and distorted picture of LIAT’s operations and bringing the safety and reliability of the airline into question.

These actions can only hurt LIAT. In that regard the action by the pilots, while we may understand the emotions involved, are at best misguided and at worst selfish. We are all aware of the economic crisis which the world faces. LIAT’s own situation is particularly grave given the intense competition that it now faces and the overall economic situation in the region. All around us companies in the region and throughout the world are undergoing staff reduction and other austerity measures forced upon them by the current economic downturn. During this time actions which needlessly alienate our customers and rack up huge cost cannot be condoned.

We therefore urge LIALPA to seek appropriate remedies for its grievance under the established procedures of the Labour Code and other legislation. Sick-outs and other forms of industrial action will not achieve the desired ends and will cost the company millions of dollars which it cannot afford at this, or any other, time.

In particular the company wishes to place on record that the recent action in relation to Captain Blackburn does not represent any attempt by the company to interfere with the collective bargaining process. The company will continue to attempt to engage with its 10 union representative bodies in a manner which allows for respectful dialogue and exchange aimed at promoting the advancement of the company and its employees.

ABOUT LIAT
LIAT is one of the leading Caribbean airlines. It is owned by regional shareholders, with major shareholders being the Governments of Barbados, Antigua & Barbuda and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. More information about LIAT may be found at www.liat.com.

MEDIA CONTACT
| Desmond L. Brown | Corporate Communications Manager | LIAT (1974) LTD | Head Office, Coolidge Business Complex | Sir George Walter Highway | Antigua | Telephone: +1 268 480 6222 | fax: +1 268 480 5638 | email: brownd@liat.com |

More LIAT

2011-12-08T02:43:00.000-08:00

LIAT warned of more industrial action as pilot’s sickout continues

Chairman of the LIAT shareholder governments, Vincentian Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, said the sickout is putting the financially-struggling airline at risk of losing “hundreds of thousands of dollars”.
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, Wednesday December 7, 2011 - Industrial action by LIAT pilots has dragged into a second day; unions warn it could spread to other departments of the Caribbean airline.

The sickout has disrupted the airline’s morning flights, and the company said those scheduled for later in the day could be affected as well.

The pilots are demanding the immediate reinstatement of their colleague Captain Michael Blackburn, who has worked with the airline for more than 35 years, and also chairs the Leeward Islands Pilots Association (LIALPA).

Blackburn was informed Monday, the day he was fired, that this was due to inappropriate statements he made to the local media about management and airline safety.

LIALPA said the action is “unprecedented” since the chairman was speaking as a trade unionist at the time.

“Captain Blackburn was not afforded the opportunity to confirm or deny these charges. The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Code speaks to the procedures for dismissals of employees and the laws of nature justice were not followed,” the group said in a media release.

“LIALPA insists that LIAT (1974) Ltd rescind the letter of termination of employment to Captain Michael Blackburn and reinstate him with immediate effect. LIALPA is requesting assistance of the other unions in this process.”

That call has been answered by the body that represents all LIAT unions, which is also demanding the “immediate and complete withdrawal” of Blackburn’s termination and his full reinstatement.

“We are prepared to take any and all actions necessary to achieve this objective and the pilots are assured of our collective solidarity,” stated Chester Humphrey, head of the coalition of unions, in a letter to LIAT CEO Brian Challenger.

The industrial action resulted in disruptions and cancellations of the airline’s 110 daily flights on Tuesday.

Chairman of the LIAT shareholder governments, Vincentian Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, said the sickout is putting the financially-struggling airline at risk of losing “hundreds of thousands of dollars”.

“You don’t close down an airline because a pilot has been dismissed…The pilots are shooting themselves in the feet,” Gonsalves said on a local radio station.

“LIAT is already, as a financial operation, marginal. It does a tremendous essential service across the region. … The pilots have to be responsible. You don’t pull a sickout; you don’t pull a strike in circumstances where, essentially, you have an essential service,” Gonsalves said.

The governments of Barbados, Antigua & Barbuda and St. Vincent & the Grenadines are the majority shareholders in the Antigua-based airline.

As a result of the action, LIAT said customers who wish to rebook can do so without charge for up to a week from the date of their original scheduled travel.

“Following the one-week grace period, passengers will be required to pay applicable fare and change fees when re-booking. Passengers who are unable to travel as planned due to the industrial action, at their request, will be issued a full credit for future travel,” it stated, adding that terms and conditions would apply. Click here to receive free news bulletins via email from Caribbean360. (View sample)

Read more: http://www.caribbean360.com/news/antigua_news/522027.html#ixzz1fwG3YueQ

Second Failure of LIAT to get to Puerto Rico

2011-12-07T04:41:00.000-08:00

LIAT had a protest sickout and that kept Sally from having her eye treated in Puerto Rico. This was our second try at getting to Puerto Rico, the first time we were abandoned in Saint Lucia. We'll try again and I'll explain in more detail. Here's one of the news stories.
...........................................

Regional airline LIAT's pilots all called in sick yesterday, disrupting the carrier's flights across the Caribbean.

"As a result of the industrial action, all of the company's (yesterday) morning services have been disrupted. This is also likely to affect the rest of (yesterday's) flights," the airline said in a statement out of its St John's, Antigua corporate offices yesterday.

The pilots were said to be protesting the firing of LIAT pilot Capt Michael Blackburn.
LIAT announced his termination of employment on Monday on its website. The airline gave no reason for his dismissal.

Customers affected by the flight disruptions yesterday will be allowed rebook without charge for one week from the date of their original scheduled travel, the airline said. St Vincent Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves urged the pilots to return to their jobs, saying their action could result in the airline losing "hundreds of thousands of dollars" in revenue. He said their action was "unfortunate".

LIAT is owned by regional shareholders, with major shareholders being the governments of Barbados, Antigua & Barbuda and St Vincent & the Grenadines.
It operates to 21 destinations including Trinidad and Tobago.

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/business/Pilot_fired__colleagues_sick_out-135145303.html

LIAT Pilot Arrested

2011-12-04T07:50:00.000-08:00

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves says he is saddened by the recent arrest of a Vincentian pilot in Barbados on drug trafficking charges.

Gonsalves, who is the lead CARICOM prime ministerial spokesman on aviation, said he was equally disappointed that pilot Keith Allen was an employee of LIAT, in which his government is a major shareholder.

“I am personally saddened, I know the family [of the pilot] involved. These are people of good standing, God-fearing people, so this has personally affected me,” he told the SUNDAY SUN in an interview.

Allen, 34, of Arnos Vale, appeared in court here Friday where he admitted to smuggling $130 000 worth of marijuana in eight packets through Grantley Adams International Airport on November 23.

Barbados SUN

Publications by the Kings

2011-12-02T17:54:00.000-08:00

Publications:
"Introduction to Chemistry and the Environment" by Baldwin King (2002)
"Michael Manley & Democratic Socialism : Political Leadership and
Ideology in Jamaica" by Cheryl L. A. King (2003)
"Search for Identity : Essays on St. Vincent & the Grenadines" edited by:
Baldwin King, Kenneth John & Cheryl L. A. King (2006)
"Quest for Caribbean Unity : Beyond Colonialism" edited by:
Kenneth John, Baldwin King & Cheryl L. A. King (2006)
"Home Sweet Home : Musings on Hairoun" edited by:
Kenneth John, Baldwin King & Cheryl L. A. King (2007)
"Pioneers in Nation-Building in a Caribbean Mini-State"
by Sir Rupert John with a new foreword by Karl John
Published by KINGS-SVG (2009)
"Timescape and Other Caribbean Poems"
by Dr. Lance Bannister and Marcia Harold Hinds.
Published by KINGS-SVG (2009)
"Caribbean Trailblazers: St.Vincent and the Grenadines" edited by:
Baldwin King and Cheryl Phills King (2010)
"Spirit-Filled and Emancipated Living" by Laura Anthony Browne
Published by KINGS-SVG (2010)
“From Shakers To Spiritual
Baptists: The Struggle For Survival of the Shakers
of St. Vincent and the Grenadines” by
Adrian Fraser.
Published by KINGS-SVG (2011)

"Caribbean Trailblazers: St.Vincent and the Grenadines" Vol. 2 edited by:
Baldwin King and Cheryl Phills King (2011)

For more information about the above publications please contact:
Dr. Baldwin King at: kingba@aol.com

"The International Encyclopedia of Revolution and Protest "
article entitled ""Manley, Michael (1924-1997)" by Cheryl L. A. King (2009)

Visit the Kings Website at: http://www.kingsinn-svg.com
.

New Book from KINGS-SVG

2011-12-02T17:46:00.000-08:00

KINGS-SVG Publishers is pleased to announce the publication of
“Caribbean Trailblazers: St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Volume 2".
The new book is edited by Baldwin King and Cheryl Phills King and contains  biographies of eighteen persons (14 men and 4 women) who have made  significant contributions in St. Vincent and the Grenadines itself or in the diaspora.
The individuals profiled are Roy L. Austin by John Horne,
Eileen “Betty” King by Rudolph Baynes, Jr., Kerston M. Coombs by Baldwin King,
Hubert E. A. Daisley by George E. Daisley, L. Jeanette “Jean” Duncan by Hayden Duncan,
Edward G. Griffith by Kenneth John, Ellsworth McG. “Shake” Keane by Philip Nanton,
Errol G. King by Roy Austin, Christian I. “Cims” Martin by Roy Austin,
George A. McIntosh by Kenneth John, Kerwyn L. Morris by Kenneth John,
Nora E. Peacocke by Nan Peacocke, Patrick E. Prescod by Fred Prescod,
Alphonso Roberts by Kenneth John, Nelcia Robinson by Carleen Marshall,
Randolph B. Russell by Gwendoline Russell,
George Owen Walker by Yvonne Walker Andrew and
Daniel Williams by Kenneth John.

The retail price of the book (paperback, ISBN: 0-97778981-8-0) is US$24.95
plus shipping and handling (US$4 in the USA, US$5.50 to Canada and
US$10 to the Caribbean and the UK by airmail).
To order, please send name, address and payment
(check or money order payable to Baldwin King) to Baldwin King, P.O. Box 702, Madison, NJ 07940, USA.
You may also order through our website: www.kingsinn-svg.com. (Click on Bookstore).
Our email: kingba@aol.com

Latin and Caribbean leaders challenge US

2011-12-02T06:26:00.000-08:00

Posted on Thu, Dec. 01, 2011
Latin and Caribbean leaders challenge US role in region

BY JIM WYSS
jwyss@MiamiHerald.com

The hemisphere is throwing a party, but not everyone’s invited.
On Friday, the leaders of 33 Latin American and Caribbean countries are gathering in Venezuela to forge a new organization that will include every nation in the region — except the United States and Canada.

Some are hoping the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, or CELAC, will blunt U.S. influence in the region and replace the Organization of American States, the only group that’s opened to all countries in the hemisphere. The OAS, which promotes democracy and development in the region, has been accused by some nations of being a U.S. mouthpiece.

The new body comes to life as Latin America is flexing its muscles on the world stage and the region is expected to see economic growth of almost 5 percent this year on the back of surging commodity prices. It also comes amid hand-wringing over waning U.S. influence in the region.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez — the event’s host and promoter — has called the CELAC a “historic” organization that will bring the region closer together as it shakes off the United States’ imperialist pretensions. The event culminates Saturday with the signing of the Caracas Declaration that formally launches the bloc. Chile will head the organization in its first year, followed by Cuba in 2013.

The administration is not worried that the organization will someday replace the OAS, said Dan Restrepo, President Barack Obama’s senior advisor on Latin America.

“The notion that you can create an organization simply to be anti-American is not viable over a sustained period of time,’’ Restrepo told The Miami Herald on Thursday.

Despite the flailing U.S. economy, it’s still the hemisphere’s powerhouse and the principal destination for most Latin American exports, including Venezuela’s. And unless the CELAC receives solid financial backing, such as the OAS receives from the United States, it’s unlikely to flourish, said Dennis Jett, the former U.S. ambassador to Peru and a professor at Penn State University.

“This organization will probably last as long as Chávez is willing to underwrite it,” Jett said, “and I’m not sure how much longer he can do that.”

While the CELAC is a regional effort, it’s Chávez’s baby. Originally scheduled for July, the formation of the CELAC was delayed as Chávez traveled to Cuba to undergo treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.

He says that he’s cured and has stepped up his public appearances, but that hasn’t stopped reports that his condition is far more serious than he lets on. In that sense, the CELAC marks Chávez’s return to the world stage as he eyes a tight presidential race in October.

While the full impact of the organization won’t be known for years, some worry that it could become a tool for governments that have bristled under international criticism.

Ecuador President Rafael Correa is proposing the creation of a human rights venue within the CELAC that would supplant the OAS’s influential Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

“It’s not possible that Latin American conflicts have to be dealt with in Washington, where the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is, when even United States doesn’t recognize the commission,” he said in a statement. “Sooner rather than later [the CELAC] should replace the OAS, which has historically been distorted.”

While it’s true that the United States has ignored commission rulings — most notably to close the Guantanamo detention facility — the body has been a powerful voice in the hemisphere.

The commission and the OAS’s Inter-American Court “have been essential in protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms in the region,” said Jose Miguel Vivanco, the director of the America’s division of Human Rights Watch.

Correa’s call for an alternative forum comes after he has effectively muzzled dissent at home by consolidating power and attacking the press, Vivanco said. The OAS recently held a special session to look at deteriorating press freedoms in Ecuador.

“Now Correa feels like it’s time to take it a step further and openly propose to restructure the international mechanisms we have to promote and protect human rights,” Vivanco said. “The more serious and democratic governments that are participating in this meeting should not echo this type of initiative.”

The OAS did not respond to interview requests, but in a press release said it looked forward to cooperating with the CELAC.

Just what kind of organization the CELAC will become remains to be seen. While moderate, free-market nations such as Brazil, Chile and Peru have the economic power to make the CELAC viable, it’s countries like Venezuela, Ecuador and Bolivia that have been some of its biggest backers.

“If you look at who is really pushing the organization, it’s countries that don’t want the United States to have any dominant kind of role in the region, but equally, and more importantly, they don’t like to be criticized by international organizations,” said Susan Purcell, the director of the Center for Hemispheric Policy at the University of Miami. “This is a way of setting up an alternative world where they have more control over who can say what about them.”

The initiative comes as some see signs of waning U.S. influence in the region.

“Without a doubt, this has not been a wonderful time for U.S.-Latin American relations,” said Sally Shelton-Colby, the former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Latin America, a former ambassador in the Caribbean and a diplomat in residence at The American University. “The U.S. is focused like a laser beam on the Middle East, South Asia and China for reasons of national security.”

But that doesn’t mean it’s disengaged. Latin America does four times more trade with the United States than it does with Asia or Europe, and the U.S. pours millions into defense in Mexico, Colombia and parts of Central America, she said. Free trade deals were recently signed with Colombia and Panama, and Brazil and the United States recently hammered out a defense pact.

“If you examine Latin American relations with the U.S., you will see a huge amount of interconnectedness,” she said.

To complicate matters, the U.S. has not had an Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Hemisphere since Arturo Valenzuela stepped down in July. His replacement, Roberta Jacobson, is facing resistance from congressional Republicans who are threatening to hold up her nomination until the administration takes a stronger stance on Cuba.

Even so, the United States will have a chance to strengthen ties again when President Barack Obama returns to the region in April for the Summit of the Americas in Colombia, and the OAS has survived such threats before.

“People have been predicting the demise of the OAS for a very long time,” Shelton-Colby said. “Has it disappointed? Yes. But it’s still there.”

Ultimately, the CELAC will be measured not by its rhetoric but on “wether it does anything concrete to make the lives of the people in the Americas better,” Restrepo said. “If it does, it will be a success.”

El Nuevo Herald’s Antonio Delgado contributed to this report

© 2011 Miami Herald Media Company. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.miamiherald.com

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/12/01/v-print/2527460/latin-and-caribbean-leaders-challenge.html#ixzz1fO5ICyMY

Bank of St Vincent & the Grenadines

2011-12-01T13:56:00.001-08:00

Bank of St Vincent & the Grenadines Officially Opens Reigate Premises

The Bank of St. Vincent & the Grenadines (BOSVG), subsidiary of East Caribbean Financial Holding Company Ltd. (ECFH), officially opened its new Reigate Building on Sunday November 13th 2011. The new headquarters located on Granby Street in the capital Kingstown, is a clear demonstration of the Bank’s promise to redefine the commercial banking landscape of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The distinguished guest list included Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Honorable Prime Minister of St. Vincent & the Grenadines; Sir Dwight K Venner, Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB); Dean Patrick McIntosh; Mr. Errol Allen, Chairman of the Board of BOSVG; Mr. Robert Norstrom, Group Managing Director of ECFH; Victor Eudoxie, Chairman of the Board of ECFH and other leading local and regional professionals, senior officials of ECFH, customers and members of the public.

Derry Williams, Managing Director of Bank of St. Vincent & the Grenadines, in his closing remarks welcomed customers to the future of banking in St. Vincent and the Grenadines which further reinforced the Bank’s tagline, “The Bank that give me more.” Robert Norstrom, ECFH Group Managing Director and Ms. Helen Soleyn, a long standing employee of over 32 years, officially declared the Reigate premises open following the symbolic ribbon cutting ceremony.

The ultra-modern structure houses the Bank’s corporate and administrative offices, an upgraded branch; and promises to deliver special, individualized services to customers with greater privacy and comfort. The highest standard of customer care and service is a top priority for Bank of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Reigate building is the reality of the promise to build and grow the abilities of the bank as it seeks to redefine the commercial banking landscape.

The Bank of St. Vincent & the Grenadines was officially launched, following the acquisition of the former National Commercial Bank by ECFH in November 2010. Under the tag line, ‘The bank that gives me more’, Bank of St. Vincent and the Grenadines promises a suite of innovative financial products and services that are tailored to meet the needs of its individual and business customers.

Contact: Corporate Communications
Tel: 457 7259

SVG Photos

2011-11-28T02:59:00.000-08:00

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.286125821406815.78003.100000281976358&type=3

has a lot of very nice pictures of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Sorry, when I tried it in January 2012 it didn't work.

CFL opens Save A Lot Food Stores in SVG

2011-11-27T05:32:00.000-08:00

26th November 2011

Following the rebranding of two supermarkets in St. Vincent to Super J IGA stores in October, Consolidated Foods Limited is reporting a successful opening of yet another store in that OECS market. On November 21st the island’s Prime Minister Honourable Ralph E. Gonsalves and Deputy Governor General Dame Monica Dacon performed the ceremonial ribbon cutting honours which ushered in a multi-million dollar Save A Lot franchise in the downtown Kingstown area, operated by CFL (SVG) Ltd.  

Save A Lot stores are designed to help customers to live richer, fuller lives by saving them money and time through a compelling, convenient shopping experience featuring great food, great prices and great people, every day. The store format features a limited assortment of exclusive Save A Lot brands of high quality food and household items, alongside other national brands. The focus of this format is on delivering savings to customers through volume purchases.

CFL’s Chairman Michael Chastanet along with Directors Gordon Charles and Fere Delmas were in St. Vincent present for the opening. Addressing the gathering Mr. Chastanet’s said that CFL’s investment in St. Vincent is a reminder of what OECS economic integration can result in.

 “As each individual economy in the OECS grows, the economy of the entire sub-region is strengthened, and the prospects for further growth, expansion, employment creation are enhanced” noted Mr. Chastanet.  

Speakers at the official ceremony acknowledged the sizeable investment of CFL in Saint Vincent and the confidence of Save A Lot in the company. This was attributed to the many successes and innovations of CFL in Saint Lucia and the company’s regional and international affiliations and purchasing power.  

Save A Lot is part of Supervalu, a Fortune 100 grocery company based in suburban Minneapolis.
Published as: http://www.thevoiceslu.com/P_releases/2011/november/26_11_11/CFL.htm
. . .
Added note:
I visited the Save-a-Lot store on friday morning and was favorably impressed. The former "Aunt Job" store in Arnos Vale didn't change much when CFL bought it, but the Save-A Lot store is very much changed from the Marketing Board store that was formerly in that location.

Save-a-Lot is something more than an ordinary supermarket but not quite one of the box-lot stores that sell wholesale sizes. My impression was that their unit prices are lower, but I haven't done any comparison shopping. I would suggest that they might want to do some educational advertising so that Vincentians get used to the concept of this kind of store.

Karl

I bought a package of Stouffer's garlic shrimp dinner, which Sally and I had for lunch. It wasn't too generous on the shrimp, but the sauce, vegetables and pasta were good. Reminded me of a meal I had in the Stouffer's restaurant in Cleveland, Ohio back in the early 1950s.

An iPad in every cabin?

2011-11-25T10:12:00.000-08:00

By Gene Sloan, USA TODAY 

Should every cabin on a cruise ship come with an iPad? At least one major line is giving the idea a try.

Royal Caribbean this week announced it would have an iPad in every cabin of the 1,804-passenger Splendour of the Seas by mid-February in what it's billing as an industry first, and it'll add the Apple devices to the cabins of five more of its 22 ships within two years.

Royal Caribbean says the iPads will be programmed to let passengers access the ship's daily listing of events and activities and to see a personal daily itinerary including shore excursions. Passengers will be able to use the devices to monitor their onboard account, order room service, view restaurant menus, access the Internet and watch movies. In short, the iPads will act much like the interactive television systems found on many ships.

The five additional Royal Caribbean ships scheduled to get iPads in every cabin are all part of the line's Vision Class series and include Legend of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas and Vision of the Seas. All of the vessels are scheduled to undergo major revitalizations in dry dock over the next two years.

Royal Caribbean says passengers will be allowed to carry the iPads around the ships.

http://travel.usatoday.com/cruises/post/2011/11/royal-caribbean-cruise-ship-cabin-ipad-apple/572114/1

Inter-island Ferry Service

2011-11-25T06:00:00.000-08:00

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, Friday November 25, 2011 – The five countries that are slated to benefit directly from a Trinidad–based inter-island ferry service have moved a step closer to thrashing out the details of the proposed arrangement.  The matter was discussed just days ago by representatives of Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia and Barbados.  

Grenadian Trade Minister Joseph Gilbert said his Trinidad counterpart Stephen Cadiz disclosed that project representatives were "very optimistic” the service could come on stream as early as the middle of next year.  It is anticipated that the ferry would service all the countries within one day. It would over-night in Barbados before making the “island-hopping” return trip to Trinidad.  “Request for Proposals” regarding the procurement of the specific type and design of the ferry required has already been issued by the investor", Cadiz is reported as saying.  Minister Gilbert explained that the privately-operated service would not require subsidy from his government to ensure its viability and sustainability.  Instead, he said, Grenada and other participating states would be required to guarantee certain logistical arrangements to ensure minimum delay in the turn-around time in and out of port.   "The proposed ferry would have a capacity for about 300 passengers and would be able to carry "roll- on, roll-off" containerized cargo as well as motor vehicles", he stated.  

The Grenada-Trinidad ferry journey is expected to take just over two hours, and cost a fraction of the cost of air travel between the two countries.  The ferry service was approved in late September by the Trinidad and Tobago government.

It would be financed through a public/private arrangement, with the majority of capital coming from the private sector.

Read more: http://www.caribbean360.com/index.php/news/grenada_news/519240.html?utm_source=Caribbean360+Newsletters&utm_campaign=8bafc41202-Vol_6_Issue_134_News11_25_2011&utm_medium=email#ixzz1ej2Io7d1

Digging SVG

2011-11-23T07:29:00.000-08:00

A getaway you'll really dig

CALGARY HERALD NOVEMBER 19, 2011

Like to dig deeper into the local culture when you're on holidays? Here's a trip you can really get your hands on.

Calgary-based SVGdigs, which created a public archeology program last year, is offering a second trip that would appeal to archeology enthusiasts or people interested in pursuing the field.

The non-profit program focuses on the Caribbean island of St. Vincent, where it aims to dig for, find and preserve important relics of the prehistoric past, such as earthenware, rocks and even bodies.

Last year, the team found evidence of prehistoric burial grounds buildings and pieces of earthenware, which have been restored. Participants get to learn from and work alongside professional archeologists. St. Vincent has no archeologists of its own and, according to archeologist with SVGdigs Margarita de Guzman, all of these artifacts would likely get destroyed otherwise.

There are several trip dates in January. Go to SVGdigs.com for details.

© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/entertainment/getaway+really/5737616/story.html#ixzz1eXiOVwAD

Palm Island

2011-11-20T10:18:00.000-08:00

There are 400-odd pictures of Palm Island at:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g147379-d148234-r120743648-Palm_Island-St_Vincent_and_the_Grenadines.html

The Law and The Elections

2011-11-18T04:14:00.000-08:00

Evidently the Law is an adjunct to elections in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The
following is a blog on Vincieview.com

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and opposition leader the Honorable Arhnim Eustace will appear in court

Posted in News and Sports on 18. Nov, 2011

On Wednesday November 30th Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and opposition leader the Honorable Arhnim Eustace will appear in court to answer battles lodge against them.
In the Prime Minister’s case the high court will hear the arguments put forward on whether Chief magistrate Sonia Young should have summon the Prime Minister to court to answer private criminal complaints lodge against him.
Opposition senator vynette Fredricks lawyers has summated that Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves made suggestive comments about Fredricks sexual orientation which believe affected her returns in the December 2010 general election.

Fredrick lost to the ULP’s Cecil Mc Kie in the constituency of West St George. The Prime Minister reportedly made the statement in reference to Fredrick at a political meeting. High court judge justice Gerthel Thom rule on Tuesday this week that Senator Fredrick had an arguable case and that Chief magistrate Sonia Young miss directed herself in not issuing a summons to the Prime Minister.

On Tuesday’s ruling high court judge Gerthel Thom ruled that chief magistrate Sonia Yong is required to pay Legal cost to Senator Vynette Fredrick amounting to $5000.00

Meanwhile, Opposition leader Arhnim Eustace is being sued by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves for defamation of character at the new Democratic Party’s press conference on Wednesday. Eustace said he was being sued for a pull out spread carried in a local news paper where reference was made about the Prime Minister to which his signature was affix.

In the mean time several application for judicial review of matters filed by opposition candidate were dismissed these cases include Dr Linton Lewis against the government current minister of housing Honourable Clayton Burgin,Senator Vynette Fredricks against current Minister of health Cecil Mckie, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, as well as the opposition Nigel Stephenson against Dr Slater Minister responsible for foreign affairs the case her against patricia Margaret chance an affi Jack were also dismiss.

Archaeology in SVG

2011-11-18T02:08:00.000-08:00

The SVG Public Archaeology project is looking for contributions that will allow it to expand its
work on the Argyle site. For more information see:

http://www.rockethub.com/projects/3949-the-svg-public-archaeology-program#

You can see some of what they have already found on Flickr on the "Karlek" page.

Cocoa in SVG

2011-11-16T21:08:00.000-08:00

By Kevin Gray

MIAMI, Nov 16 (Reuters) - The small Caribbean country of St. Vincent and the Grenadines wants to cash in on the world's booming taste for chocolate. The lush, volcanic island chain struck a deal recently withmajor commodities trader Armajaro to start growing cocoa,betting it will provide a much-needed economic boost in one of the Caribbean's smallest nations.

"Farmers are already lining up," St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves told Reuters. Armajaro, a leading cocoa trader, will provide training to local farmers under the agreement in exchange for being the sole buyer of their cocoa. "We are looking for fine flavor, high-value premium cocoa," Nicko Debenham, Armajaro's director of development and sustainability and the project leader, said in an interview. For the farmers, cocoa could be a good bet. Increased demand for chocolate in emerging markets, particularly Asia, has lifted world cocoa prices despite fears of a global economic slowdown.

A former British territory, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is home to just over 100,000 people. Located in the southeastern Caribbean, its mountainous islands are popular with yachting and boating enthusiasts. Like many small, fragile Caribbean states, it was hard-hit by the global financial crisis and its tourism- and agriculture-dependent economy is still struggling to recover.

The country has long been largely dependent on a single crop: bananas. Once helped by European Union trade preferences, banana production employs more than half of the national workforce, many of them small farmers, and is the top export. However, a phasing out of EU preferences and fluctuations in banana prices led government officials to begin a push to diversify the economy, now mired in a three-year recession.

"We have suffered greatly," Gonsalves said. "There are lots of challenges. But this provides a chance for some of the land that was cultivating bananas to go into cocoa." ICE cocoa prices CCc2 hit a 32-year high of $3,775 a tonne in March at the height of a conflict in the world's top producer, Ivory Coast, after a disputed presidential election. While prices have fallen around 30 percent since the situation in Ivory Coast stabilized, they still exceed levels seen through the late 1980s and lasting until 2008.

STARTING SMALL

Drawn by the rise in prices, authorities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines began promoting the crop several years ago and approached Armajaro to help stimulate production.

Armajaro's Debenham said the agreed project aims to start planting on 500 acres (200 hectares) by mid-2012. If initial plantings are successful, they could be expanded within five years to 5,000 acres (2,000 hectares) potentially producing between 2,500 tonnes and 3,000 tonnes, he said. "It's more about the challenge of starting something from nothing than the outright volume of it," Debenham said.

Growing cocoa is not new to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which also produces coconuts, sweet potatoes and spices. Today, cocoa is produced only in very small amounts. "It's not being farmed," Debenham said. "They're basically selling it in single bags at a time to locals who make cocoa sticks."

Global cocoa demand is on course to outstrip supply in the coming years as aging trees and a lack of investment in some of the world's top producers limit production. In the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic ranks among the world's ten leading producers. Other Caribbean countries have also begun to show an interest in producing the crop, lured by the prospect of higher prices.

Premier Gonsalves said he did not expect cocoa entirely to replace banana farming. But he predicted it would help bring a change in farmers' livelihoods and contribute toward turning around the country's sputtering economy. Raised in a rural area and an owner of some farmlands, Gonsalves said he too planned to try his hand at producingcocoa. "I intend to grow some myself," he said.

(Editing by Pascal Fletcher and Dale Hudson)

NY Times on Bequia

2011-11-14T03:36:00.000-08:00

Bequia: Getting Away From the Getaways

By JEREMY W. PETERS November 11, 2011

I JUST wanted to make a dinner reservation. But the restaurant owner had other uses for me.

It was my first morning on the sleepy Caribbean island of Bequia, and I had wandered into the Fig Tree, a harbor-side bistro known for its sunset views. A woman with waist-length dreadlocks introduced herself as Miss J and said she’d be delighted to grill some lobster, or whatever fresh fish she was getting in later that day. Then her phone rang.
Wrist-deep in a bowlful of unpeeled bananas, she nodded at me. “You’ll have to get that.”

I did not pick up much through the heavy West Indian accent on the other end. I heard “coconuts” and maybe something about a truck. “Coconuts?” I repeated, which prompted a heavy sigh followed by a sucking noise, a sound I recognized as the universal Caribbean utterance for lost patience. I cupped my hand over the receiver and called toward Miss J, who was making steady progress through the pile of bananas.

“Something about the coconuts,” I said.

“Oh!” she chirped, her mouth turning upward in a toothy grin of recognition. “Tell her I’ll pick them up.”
It was a uniquely Caribbean moment. There I was, standing under a canopy of palms looking out at the sparkling harbor. I could hear the buzz of a dinghy’s motor in the distance. A stiff tropical breeze was blowing.

And I had just brokered a coconut sale.

As much as the Caribbean is known for its don’t-worry ethos and “island time” rules, many of us only experience it Atlantis-style, isolated inside compounds where we can eat the way we do back home and commune with, if not our neighbors, then people who could just as well be our neighbors. Even for me, someone who spent two years living in the Caribbean as a reporter, my encounter with Miss J was a surprisingly novel experience. And so, as I would learn over the course of the next five days, was Bequia itself.

The largest of the Grenadines — that necklace of 32 islands west of Barbados that unfurls south from St. Vincent — Bequia (pronounced BECK- way) is only about seven square miles, around a third the size of Manhattan. It’s not so tiny that you find yourself eating at the same restaurant every night, but it’s manageable enough that you can get just about anywhere you need to go in less than 15 minutes by taxi.

It has a variety of locally owned small hotels and inns, some high-end boutiques and modest guest houses. But no major chains, no super-saver deals popping up on Expedia. The locals are friendly and approachable, swimming at the same beaches tourists do, drinking with them at the same bars at the end of the day. Dogs roam freely. Goats tend to be tethered to trees.

The only drawback (though also a plus, as it keeps out the riffraff) is that getting there requires a bit of effort, patience and expense. First you need to get to Barbados. From there it is about 45 minutes by small prop plane; you may end up stopping at a couple of neighboring Grenadines to drop off and pick up passengers on the way. I left New York at 8 a.m. and didn’t slide the key into my hotel room door until 5:30 that evening.

ABOUT 5,000 people live on Bequia full time, and Port Elizabeth is their hub of activity, home to the bank, government offices and the main market square. Ferries deposit and pick up passengers shuttling between St. Vincent and the other islands of the Grenadines. Women amble down the main street, balancing large baskets of laundry on their heads with seemingly little effort. Local vendors sit at card tables in the shade, selling handmade baskets and jewelry.

I decided to spend my first three nights at Bequia Beachfront Villas, about 15 minutes away on the other side of the island in the old whaling village on Friendship Bay, primarily because hotels there have beach access, which many in and around Port Elizabeth don’t. There’s no central square or commercial center near Friendship Bay, just a crescent-shaped beach where the water is calm and shallow enough that you can swim out a good distance from the shore and survey the surrounding hillsides.

On the easternmost end of the bay, a grassy peninsula juts out into the cyan-colored water and then curls back in toward the shore like a comma. If you scan the hills all the way to the westernmost end, you’ll see a small concrete bunker used as a whale lookout. But it’s not as innocent as it sounds. Locals use it to spot breaching humpbacks during whaling season. (The tradition runs deep on Bequia, where many locals take pride in the annual harpooning expeditions that are permitted in their waters under international regulations.)

My villa, a clean and simple one-bedroom, was a decent bargain at around $200 a night. Given what I’d paid for and experienced on other Caribbean islands, a large wrap-around deck just steps from the water was a nice surprise. Every morning I would sip coffee (instant because the local supermarket was out of regular), listen to the surf and watch the sun come up over the bay. Sometimes I’d take a leisurely stroll up the beach and chat up one of the fishermen; many will take you for a sightseeing ride in their boats for a modest and negotiable fee.

Eventually, I would make my way into town. The island is so small that you can get wherever you need to go fairly quickly either by taxi or the island’s primary mode of public transportation for locals, the dollar van. Keep in mind, though, that you get what you pay for, which on the dollar vans can mean extremely close quarters. I counted 15 passengers in our Toyota minivan at one point during a stifling, whipsaw ride from the villa into town. And that “dollar” designation is a rather elastic one; the vans cost 1.50 Eastern Caribbean, or E.C., dollars for a one-way ride. (A taxi would be about 30 E.C. dollars.)

Port Elizabeth is a hive of activity from early morning through midafternoon. The market, a series of open-air stalls on the edge of the harbor, teems with Rastafarian farmers selling bananas, okra and
breadfruit. Even if you’re not in need of fresh produce, it’s worth a visit just to watch the eager farmers swarm their prey: the sailors and yachters who’ve come in off their boats looking to restock.

If you jump in to make some purchases of your own, don’t be surprised by what can seem a very arbitrary exchange rate; about 2.70 Eastern Caribbean dollars equal one U.S. dollar. But sometimes the price I was quoted was 2:1, other times 3:1. It all seemed to even out somehow by the end.

The town is nestled deep inside one of the Caribbean’s most scenic natural harbors, the westward-facing Admiralty Bay, which looks as if it’s been scooped out of the center of the island’s verdant interior, leaving steep virgin hillsides that slope into the Caribbean. In the mornings and early afternoon, the sea appears cobalt with patches of teal; when the sun sets it takes on a silver glaze. You could pass a day gazing at the view from various angles and feel that it was time well spent.

Many of the restaurants and bars in Port Elizabeth are about a five-minute walk from the center of town along a waterfront path called the Belmont Walkway, a name that suggests a purpose and continuity that is slightly overstated. The concrete path, shaded by palm and sea grape trees, skirts the shore of Admiralty Bay and is in such a charming state of crumbling disrepair — in some cases it has completely collapsed into the harbor — that I found myself making excuses to take it whenever possible. The sea laps gently up to and sometimes over the path; the waves gurgle and bubble as they wash in and out.

Though many travelers make their way to the bars along the walkway around cocktail hour, I would recommend an afternoon visit, which will allow you to eat lunch outside and soak in the views.

The lobster pizza at Mac’s is an island institution. Just a bit farther down the walk is the Fig Tree, where, whenever you go, chances are Miss J will be holding court. “Is that Jeremy?” she would call out as I walked in. If she wasn’t busy making a local breadfruit dish for the men doing renovation work on the restaurant, she might be playing Scrabble with local schoolgirls.

There is a wide variety of grilled options. I opted for the lobster, charred on
an open flame, along with fried fish cakes and Miss J’s creamy callaloo, a green vegetable soup that is a staple of the Caribbean diet.

If you’re up for a bit more of an adventure, head to Jack’s, just around a small, rocky peninsula from the Fig Tree. Tucked away in one corner of Princess Margaret Beach — a long, wide stretch of soft sand bordered by a dense grove of palms — the place exists in its own Eden. It’s the only structure on the beach, and you can get there in one of two ways: by sea (dinghy) or by land (a steep, narrow staircase that zigzags down from the main road).

I got there by sea one afternoon when Dede, a proactive water taxi driver, suggested I might benefit from a ride. About two minutes later and 30 E.C. dollars lighter (aggressive entrepreneurialism isn’t entirely absent from Bequia) I was there, one of just a handful of people on the beach. I took a swim, then presented myself at Jack’s, where the bartender and owner, a Swede named Lars, poured me a rum punch.

Lars had been in Bequia more than 20 years, moving there with his family after giving up a real estate career in Gothenburg. Why not? As he put it: “You live a little, you sleep a little, you eat a little. And you work as little as you need to.”

FOR my final two nights on the island, curious about how Bequia might do “boutique,” I stayed at the Firefly, a full-service, luxury hotel in the remote northeast end.

“Welcome to a getaway from the getaway,” the clerk announced when I arrived. And it was true; the place managed to slow Bequia down almost into reverse. The hotel has just four rooms along with a family-size cottage set on 30 acres of banana trees, coconut groves and herb gardens. With floor-to-ceiling glass double doors, they all have sweeping views of the surrounding plantation grounds and the sea about a half mile in the distance.

You could be perfectly content lounging all day in the canopied sun beds around the pool, where you would probably encounter only one or two other guests. If you want to head to a nearby beach like the secluded Industry Bay, which has choppier water than the beaches on the Port Elizabeth side of the island, the staff at the Firefly will be happy to fix you a picnic lunch, complete with papayas, bananas and a green salad all with ingredients grown right on the plantation.

You might even find yourself with some new friends along the walk. Firefly has three resident dogs: Anna, Judy and Mango, who made it their business to keep me company during my stay. They escorted me to my door every evening after dinner. And when I came down for breakfast in the morning, they would wait outside the restaurant, hopeful that I might reward their patience with a leftover piece of French toast. They were what the locals call “island dogs,” a mix of various breeds, and defined by an uncanny ability to suddenly materialize whenever food is unwrapped.
And thanks to them, even $500-a-night rooms with 250-thread-count Italian linens cannot quite gloss over Bequia’s Caribbean core.

EXPLORING THE GRENADINES

Once you get to Bequia, you probably won’t find yourself in much of a hurry to do anything, least of all leave. But failing to explore the other Grenadines would be a mistake. Since the Grenadines are served by small local airlines only, they have remained elusive to most people without sailboats. But from Bequia you can hop on a fast ferry for 60 Eastern Caribbean dollars, or about $22.30 at 2.70 E.C. dollars to the U.S. dollar round trip, and head south toward Mayreau or the Tobago Cays. And if you are looking to see how the other half vacations, a 20-minute boat ride from Bequia gets you to Mustique.

MAYREAU A few vital statistics will help you get acquainted. Population: approximately 250. Electricity first introduced: 2003. Size: one and a half square miles.

This tiny spit of land has some of the longest, prettiest stretches of beach in the Grenadines. After a ferry deposits you at the dock in Mayreau’s port, hire a water taxi and ask the captain to take you to Saltwhistle Bay, a horseshoe-shaped cove with a pair of beach bars on one end and a palm- tree-lined isthmus at the other. Park yourself there for a few hours and then have the water taxi take you to Saline Bay on your way back to the dock. You can squeeze in a few more precious moments of beach timewhile you wait for the ferry.

TOBAGO CAYS Any number of day-trip tour operators can take you straight from Bequia to this marine park about an hour by sea to the south (tobagocays.org). A fee of 10 Eastern Caribbean dollars gets you access to the park, home to abundant coral and tropical fish. Among the small islands to explore is Petit Tabac, essentially just a sand bar with grass and a few palm trees running along its spine. Another, Baradal, is a haven for sea turtles.

MUSTIQUE Don’t let the $50,000-a-week villas deter you. Or the fact that the island is privately owned and patrolled by guards who drive around in four-wheelers that look like a golf cart-A.T.V. hybrid. All the beaches are public, and Basil’s Bar (basilsbar.com) is always pouring stiff drinks and serving sandwiches (if you can stomach the $55 price tag).

Getting to Mustique can be a bit more difficult than getting to the other Grenadines, as the ferry service from Bequia is irregular. But you can arrange a trip through a private charter. Some of the day sail operators like the Friendship Rose (friendshiprose.com) make trips that depart from Port Elizabeth.

NO MAJOR CHAINS, NO SUPER SAVERS GETTING THERE

SVG Airways (svgair.com) makes at least one flight a day to Bequia from Barbados, which is the main gateway for travelers getting to the other Grenadines by air. A round-trip ticket is likely to cost you as much as the flight to Barbados, around $400 from New York. And the flight is not always nonstop. Be prepared to drop off other passengers on the nearby island of Canouan before reaching Bequia. There are other options, like flying to St. Vincent and taking a ferry from there. But air travel to St. Vincent generally requires at least one transfer, adding to what is already a long trip.

WHERE TO STAY

Bequia Beachfront Villas, Friendship Bay, (800) 367-8455,
fortrecoverybequia.com. This small collection of comfortable and clean apartments is situated at the edge of a bay dotted with brightly colored fishing boats. The apartments range from one to four bedrooms, each with a full kitchen, living room and private deck overlooking the water. Rates start at around $300 in the high season, not including a 7 percent tax and 10 percent service charge.

Firefly, Spring Bay, (784) 458-3414, fireflybequia.com. Tell people on Bequia that you are staying at the Firefly, and they will probably respond with an impressed “Ohhh.” Its four plush guest rooms face the sea from a magnificent perch overlooking plantation grounds. Doubles start at $395 in high season, taxes and service charges not included.

WHERE TO EAT

Jack’s, Princess Margaret Beach, (784) 457-3762. The only establishment on a secluded stretch of golden sand just over a hill from downtown Port Elizabeth, Jack’s is perfect for a sunset rum punch or a dinner of linguine with lobster cream sauce.

Fig Tree, Belmont Walkway, (784) 457-3008. With exceptionally gracious service, Miss J serves up fresh grilled lobster and a rich, creamy callaloo with a kick.

JEREMY W. PETERS is a media reporter for The New York Times.

Thank you, Cheryl King, for calling my attention. I would have missed this.

Execute Orders

2011-11-11T02:30:00.000-08:00

Reprinted from Caribbean News Now! caribbeannewsnow.com

Letter: Execute libel judgement orders Published on November 10, 2011

The owner of Nice FM Radio in St Vincent and the Grenadines claims he is unable to pay judgements awarded to Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves by the courts.

In a way, one may want to feel for Dougie because, in each case, the radio station was sued jointly with individuals found guilty of libel.

But how could one feel for Dougie? He (Dougie) plays the greatest role in this ten years-plus abuse of airwaves privilege -- a well coordinated political campaign to try to destroy Ralph Gonsalves “by any means necessary”. Gonsalves has contributed more to the development of our nation than any of them ever will.

EG Lynch, Matthew Thomas, Junior Bacchus, Anesia Baptiste, Daniel Cummings and the rest of the “Hate Ralph Posse” do not own shares in Dougie’s radio station. The major advertisers like PH Veira and CK Greaves, who keep Nice Radio alive with their advertising dollars, have no shares in Dougie’s radio station -- at least according to Dougie himself. But they also contribute to the racism and filth spewed on Nice Radio.

So why did Dougie, for so very long, allow them to slander and libel Gonsalves and others on his radio station? One explanation could be that Dougie was the author of the daily loads of slime that come from “Not-So-Nice” radio. After all, his (Dougie’s) “Breakfast With God” is nothing more than “Breakfast With Ralph”. It fits in nicely with the “New Times” programme. Dougie starts his daily morning show with a Bible verse, then immediately thereafter, tears into Gonsalves in the most un-Godly manner.

Where are the (“human rights”) lawyers in the NDP, over these embarrassing years? Where are Kenneth John, Adrian Fraser and the other “upstanding” citizens who, at every turn, appear to be edging on Lynch and the nasty bunch, with their nasty broadcasting? Where are so-called “Men of God” like Fr. Jones and Monty Maule?

And where is King Dotish? On many occasions, when “Dutty Mouth” EG carries on with his nastiness, King Dotish is sitting right next to him, offering not a whisper of rebuke. “Yes, Misser Lynch” are always his words of encouragement, in exchange for the title “Mr Clean”. Callers to “New Times” and other programmes are also given full rein to abuse De Comrade and anyone who dares publicly supports him.

Do these nasty “Ralph Haters” not know that EG Lynch is an embarrassment to all Vincentians at home and in the Diaspora? Why do they confuse his popularity among NDP supporters -- a minority of Vincentians -- with acceptance by Vincentians, for his slime?

Do Lynch and these educated idiots not know that, like them, Ralph Gonsalves is a man with a mother, sisters and brothers, a wife and children, whom they subjected to this daily dose of abuse of lies and half-truths for over ten years?

Lynch and others were found guilty of libel by the courts -- not once, not twice but severally. And many other persons could have successfully sued EG, Junior Bacchus, Matthew Thomas and other nasty mouth radio hosts on Nice Radio.

Why do Dougie and the NDP allow this rubbish to continue?

Gonsalves will be doing his duty to society and God Almighty, by having those libel judgement orders executed once the way is cleared by the courts.

Lynch and the others made their beds. They should be prepared to lay in them. If losing a radio station and properties in the process is what it takes, so be it.

Now sit back and listen for more slime on “Not-So-Nice” Radio.

Wade Kojo Williams, Sr.
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Copyright© 2004-2011 Caribbean News Now! at www.caribbeannewsnow.com All Rights Reserved

SVG Videos

2011-11-05T14:22:00.000-07:00

The search site, Bing, has some St. Vincent and the Grenadines videos at:

www.bing.com/places/search?q=St.+Vincent...

Message from US

2011-10-28T12:15:00.000-07:00

Statement by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines as you celebrate your independence day this October 27. St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a valued partner as we work to address issues of mutual concern for both our countries.

Together we are promoting greater gender equality, reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS, and empowering more young people to be engaged in their communities and countries. In the Caribbean region and around the world we are strengthening democratic values and freedoms.

I look forward to deepening this already strong relationship between our two countries and finding new ways for our governments and people to work together. Happy independence day and best wishes for a year of peace, prosperity and opportunity.

The Roundabout

2011-10-26T08:27:00.000-07:00

Posted by Hanif Sutherland on Facebook

Note added. This is at the north end of the section of the windward highway that goes around the airport.

Indigenous and Afro-descendants grasp at common voice

2011-10-21T06:32:00.000-07:00

Carmen Herrera
10/20/2011

Both groups face discrimination and threats to their lands.

For the first time, leaders from indigenous and Afro-descendent peoples from throughout Central America met to form a common agenda.  More than 70 leaders from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama met in Managua Sept. 27-28 for the First Meeting of Indigenous and Afro-Descendant Authorities: Collective Rights in the Context of Central American Integration.

  Tribal and community leaders, mayors and municipal authorities debated issues like land titles and demarcation, inclusion of women, native languages, at the meeting which was organized by the Nicaraguan Network for Democracy and Local Development and the Central American and Caribbean Conference for Decentralization and Local Development, or CONFEDELCCA.

  To better articulate their agenda with a common voice, participants formed the Permanent Council of Native Peoples and Afro-Descendents of Central America.  “The objective of this first meeting has been to start an articulation process to influence public policies, as well as the development and decentralization of the states,” said Carlos H. Guarquez Ajiquichí, of the Guatemalan Association of Indigenous Mayors and Authorities.  Guarquez Ajiquichí also suggested teaming up with the Central American Integration System, or SICA, and the Central American Parliament to ensure that their goals reach the region’s heads of state.  One “historical problem,” he said, “is the distribution of land, since in every country in the region large-scale landowners hold a disproportionate amount of territory.”

  “This is where the problem with the distribution of wealth that benefits a few comes from, and that affects indigenous peoples above all, those who have lived in misery on tiny plots of land even though the land belongs to us,” he said.  Women’s role Nicolasa Jiménez, Ngöbe-Bugle indigenous leader from Panama, said that one of the meeting’s objectives was to increase women’s politic participation in their own community groups and in society in general.  “Indigenous women are fighting for active integration and participation,” she said. “We are fighting for more capacity building for women, because there are only a few of us who hold decision-making positions.”  The International Labor Organization’s Convention 169 on indigenous peoples has been ratified by every Central American country except for El Salvador and Panama.  While Convention 169 is seen by some international law experts as one of the most complete international indigenous rights law, local authorities have often ignored it.

  For example, in Guatemala, indigenous communities have been consulted on some projects that would affect them, but their votes are not considered binding.  Afro-descendant groups in Honduras said that the alliances they made with indigenous leaders here have been fruitful, because they have the same problems: discrimination, invasion of their lands, a lack of respect and recognition for their language.

  René Castro, deputy mayor of an Honduran Garifuna municipality — an Afro-descendant group living mostly on the country’s northern coast — say Afro-descendants are making efforts for Convention 169 to also be applied to his community now that the country has ratified the agreement.  “We have representation in some state institutions,” aiming at this end, he said.  Intercultural society But another participant was not so optimistic about the situation in Nicaragua. Mauricio Solís, of the Nicaraguan Network for Democracy and Local Development, said that “in practice” these groups’ rights are limited.  “Indigenous communities are not consulted; local governments interfere in indigenous community elections and there is little governmental funding designated for indigenous peoples,” he said. “In Nicaragua’s case, we see that there is a lot of discourse about indigenous peoples, but in practice, there is a lot of politicizing, exclusion and marginalization.

”  For years, Solís’ organization has promoted multiculturalism for the country, with a vision of having a citizenry that recognizes the diversity of the region’s population, like the indigenous and Afro-descendants, who have a political, economic, cultural and social agenda.  His network, along with CONFEDELCCA, held the meeting to give indigenous and Afro-descendants authorities a place for reflection and debate over the situation facing their communities and to look for links with other national and international organizations and movements which work for their rights to be ensured.  

“We have agreed to go through all the information collected during this meeting so it can be shared with our peoples,” said Solís. “In the following months, we’ll work on a framework to help map out the next steps.” —Latinamerica Press.

http://lapress.org/articles.asp?art=6490

Letter About UN Speech

2011-10-20T06:16:00.000-07:00

Letter: Fireworks at the United Nations Published on October 20, 2011

Dear Sir:

I waited with bated breath for in excess of one month to see/hear a comment regarding Dr Ralph Gonsalves' address to the United Nations from the so-called Vincentian "political aficionados" who frequently comment on developments in our fair isle on this forum. As Bob Marley aptly and prophetically commented, "I waited in vain..." Those who attempt to give the impression that they 'know' Vincentian politics, have shown their true colours by completely ignoring this matter, and only make negative comments when the opportunity arises.

Speaking before the United Nations, Prime Minister Dr Ralph E. Gonsalves made several noteworthy points in mid- September 2011. He adamantly called for a reformation of the United Nations; reminded the UN of the health/wealth link; made the point that the poor countries of the world can no longer be taken for a ride; noted that the rich nations of the world failed to heal the global economy; and called for an apology along with reparations for slavery.

The applause that followed the prime minister's speech was nothing short of mind-numbing, -- deafening even. This was a fabulous, well received address which earned a standing ovation from all of its attendees. What else could be expected from a university professor of political science? A head of state does not need to be a political scientist, a professor of political science, an economist, or even an attorney; however, Dr Ralph E. Gonsalves possesses all of these qualifications.

Admittedly, much of this will fall on deaf ears, but these points needed to be made nevertheless, and Ralph Gonsalves did so remarkably. These pleas from Ralph Gonsalves have been made previously as well, but scant attention has been paid to these prophetic voices to the peril of all concerned.

Dr Ralph Gonsalves was joined in his quest by several world leaders at the UN by other Caribbean countries, and by countries of the African Bloc as well. The prime minister spoke to the core of the difficulties affecting the poorer nations of the world as well as those of the developed nations, and he minced no matters in this forthright delivery. Here is a synopsis of what the Vincentian prime minister had to say.

a) PM reminds the UN of health/wealth link

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves made the point that health officials discussing non-communicable diseases, at the United Nations must consider the factors that make imported junk food more nutritious than locally produced meals. PM Gonsalves even quoted Greek physician Hippocrates who said: "A wise man should consider that health is the greatest of all human blessings." He went to state, "If we can collectively protect and preserve this blessing, the benefits will go well beyond the longevity and productivity of individual citizens. It will have a knock-on effect on the economies, societies, and developmental prospects of countries and regions."

The prime minister thanked the nations that have helped "St Vincent and the Grenadines in the formation and the implementation of its own wellness revolution, in particular, the European Union, Cuba and Taiwan." He however noted that it "was not time for congratulatory back-slapping, but a time for the international community to roll up our collective sleeves to confront an epidemic that is correctable, reversible and treatable."

Dr Gonsalves observed that discussions about non-communicable diseases were taking place at the UN General Assembly and not at the World Health Organization in Switzerland. He further noted that the meeting "could not ignore the disproportionate impact of this epidemic on poor people and developing states or its obvious negative impact on the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

The millennium development goals are eight international development goals that all 193 UN member states and 23 international organizations have agreed to achieve by 2015. They include eradicating poverty, reducing child mortality rates, fighting disease and epidemics such as AIDS, and developing a global partnership for development.

b) Poor countries of the world being disadvantaged

The Vincentian prime minister fearlessly made the point that the more developed countries of the world were failing in the undertakings which they themselves committed to, regarding being responsible caretakers of the planet.

Almost ten years ago at the Monetary Consensus of the International Conference on Financing held in Mexico, the developed countries agreed to the target of devoting 0.7% of their gross national income (GNI) as official development assistance to poor countries. Dr Gonsalves, however, noted that the developed countries were only contributing about 0.32% of their GNI.

The prime minister strongly made the point that poor countries can no longer be taken for a ride with promises of developmental aid. He went on to observe that he was puzzled by the response of developed nations to climate change, and hoped that recent hurricanes in the United States and the United Kingdom would wake-up developed nations to this reality.
He said that he was "baffled by the intransigence of major emitters and developed nations that refuse to shoulder the burden of arresting climate changes that are linked to the excesses of their own wasteful policies." He was saddened that "citizens and governments have lost faith in the UN's endless and self-important summits that produce little tangible results."

The prime minister noted that "the UN's archives are filled with grandiloquent declarations from summits whose outcome documents and whose commitments are forgotten even before the delegates boarded their planes to return home."

c) Global economy and the rich countries

British Prime Minister David Cameron's comments were consistent with Dr Gonsalves', and one got the distinct impression that the other political leaders as well certainly got the Vincentian leader's message.

Prime Minister Gonsalves pointed out that "the grim economic clouds of three years ago, rather than dissipating, seemed to be increasing," and noted that "declarations that the global economy is recovering were premature." He went on to state that "the tepid and timid response of wealthy nations has failed to heal the global economy three years into the international financial crisis. Therefore, asking suffering peoples from countries that did not contribute to the crisis to be patient is of cold comfort."

PM Gonsalves stressed that "even as the economic storm clouds thicken, economies in the world remain in peril, spurring global unemployment and poverty, which have engendered a feeling of hopelessness, especially among the youth. The effect of this is a major contributor to global unrest that has pitted disgruntled youth and others in violent opposition to government forces from Tottenham to Tripoli. Social unrest elsewhere beckons in dozens of countries, where neither socio-economic conditions nor their political institutions can much longer contain the enormous pressures."

d) Reparations for slavery

The UN has declared 2011 the International year for people of African Descent, and Prime Minister Gonsalves informed the General Council that he is grateful that the UN has hosted events to raise awareness of the challenges facing people of African descent and foster discussions on potential solutions to tackle these challenges.
The prime minister told the world leaders that "racial discrimination was justified, and became itself justification for a brutal, exploitative and dehumanizing system of production which was perfected during the Transatlantic slave trade and ingrained during the course of colonial domination." He noted as well, that "the structure of the modern world is sill firmly rooted in a past of slavers and colonialist exploitation."

Prime Minister Gonsalves, who is of Portuguese descent, pointed out that "the wounds of this era are deep, the crimes against humanity are clear, and the necessity for apology and reparations are undeniable." He observed that peoples of African descent "remain disadvantaged individually and systematically, by this entrenched and unyielding cycle of discrimination."

The prime minister of Antigua/Barbuda, Baldwin Spencer, in supporting Prime Minister Gonsalves, observed that segregation and violence against people of African descent had impaired their capacity for advancement, communities and individuals.
Not to be outdone, Stephen Lashley, Barbados Minister of Culture voiced his support as well. He commented that Barbados also renewed its call for "meaningful and innovative reparations" globally for people of African descent as past and continuing victims of racial discrimination.

Conclusion

Based on the discussion covered above, and its extreme importance, I am baffled by those who profess to be Vincentian patriots. They claim to know something about local politics, but strangely, have been silent - and their silence is truly deafening!

Moreover, those same individuals who claim that they are politically independent, and have no political affiliation, have chosen to ignore this phenomenally informative and successful address to the United Nations, by the most extraordinarily prominent politician in the Caribbean.

This classical address by Prime Minister Gonsalves to the United Nations should be required reading and study by students from primary and secondary schools throughout the entire Caribbean, as well as the University of the West Indies.

Simon Anderson

Copyright© 2004-2011 Caribbean News Now! at www.caribbeannewsnow.com All Rights Reserved For permission to republish, please contact editor@caribbeannewsnow.com

PM to work from home after office building fire

2011-10-17T03:20:00.000-07:00

POSTED BY KENTON X. CHANCE ⋅ OCTOBER 17, 2011

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent – Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves is among workers at the Financial Complex who have been affected by a fire there on Saturday.

Gonsalves said Sunday night that his office, on the fifth floor, was affected by smoke and he would be working from home over the next few days.

“So we will have a couple of days this week. I myself have to go into the building, because I understand there is a lot of smoke still, even as far up as the Prime Minister’s Office … But I have a lot of papers there, which I have to go and get for Parliament and also to work on at home,” he said.

Gonsalves said that the fire was contained to a section of the third floor where data from this year’s census were being processed.

“And everything practically in that area was destroyed. It looks as if we have to do over the census,” he said of the exercise that cost the state EC$1.5 million.

Gonsalves further said that while water is “all over the building”, the Treasury Department, which is located on the first floor, “should be able to do its work, so that persons who have to be paid can still be paid”.

“So a lot of work has to be cleaned out tomorrow (Monday) after the insurance investigators come in and we will know the cause of the fire,” he said.

“… hopefully, with the help of all the cleaners and the electricians and everybody else, the rest of the building, we shall be able to use it within a few days time. So, I want everybody to cooperate,” he said.

“… we take the world as we find it and we address all the issues. I want to thank the police, the firemen and everyone who has been involved in this matter,” Gonsalves said.

Fire fighters were summoned to the building sometime after 4 p.m. Saturday to put out the blaze that sent black smoke billowing into the afternoon sky.

The Cabinet Room and the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Finance, and Trade are also located in the 20-year-old building where workers last year used standing fans as discussed the work to be done on the air-conditioning system, which was “at a stage where it must be replaced”.

http://i-witness-news.com/2011/10/17/pm-to-work-from-home-after-office-building-fire/

Carnagie Library Building

2011-10-08T14:50:00.000-07:00

The Carnagie Library Building, donated by Andrew Carnagie in the early 1900s, now used by the Museum (ground floor) and the Alliance Francais (upper floor).The original can be found on Flickr.

SVG Statistics

2011-10-05T08:03:00.001-07:00

Statistics about St. Vincent and the Grenadines can be found at:http://globaledge.msu.edu/Countries/Saint-Vincent-and-the-Grenadines/statistics

diplomatic relations with Libya “on hold”

2011-10-01T07:04:00.001-07:00

By CMC - Friday, September 30th, 2011.

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent – Foreign Minister Douglas Slater says St. Vincent and the Grenadines has pout “on hold” its diplomatic relations with Libya until it is satisfied that “there is a legitimate, proper established government” in that North African country.Slater told Parliament that the government had taken a “principled position” as the United Nations decides whether to seat the National Transitional Council at the U.N. General Assembly last week.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines was not among the 114 U.N. member states that supported the decision to seat the Council, which replaced the 42-year-old Muammar al-Gaddafi administration after a civil war this year.

Slater quoted the Montevideo Convention on Rights and Duties of States, which says that the state, as a person of international law, should possess a permanent population, a defined territory, government, and capacity to enter into relations with the other states.“We have been following very closely the situation in Libya and to today I don’t think it is proper to say that there exists a proper government. … I don’t know that there is a minister of foreign Affairs, for example,” Slater told legislators.

He said the Ralph Gonsalves government had not “judged that the situation there is quite ready to qualify that council as sufficient to acknowledge.

“Others have, but we are argue form a position that is of principle,” he further said.Salter also quoted a Southern African Development Community representative, who, according to U.N. documents, this month said, “notwithstanding the fact that it was in control, the National Transitional Council was not the Government in Libya, interim or otherwise”.

“Mr. Speaker all of us watch the news, and we read online. I recall when the ‘rebels’ reached Tripoli a virtual mission accomplished was announced. Most people, I think, expected that that was it. But, today, as we speak, we are hearing report that there is fierce resistance still in cities.”

The Foreign Minister said were still “a lot of uncertainties” in Libya.

“St. Vincent and the Grenadines has and continues to have diplomatic relations with the state of Libya. We never broke them. Mr. Speaker, we are prepared to acknowledge a government when we think that government truly represents the full wishes of all the parties in Libya,” Slater said noting that the position of CARICOM and the African Union are similar.

“The NTC has not been seated there (at the African Union). That’s there region,” he said, noting “diplomacy is serious business and it’s a very involved issue and I don’t think that we should always rush into decisions.

“We have taken a very principled position, backed by a significant number of other people – of other countries,” Slater said, adding that St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Jamaica supported a U.N. vote for deferral of the Libya issues while Belize and St. Lucia opposed it.

Antigua and Barbuda, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago abstained from the vote while the rest of CARICOM were absent.

“It is interesting. They were absent. You see, our country — one of the things I am proud about St. Vincent and the Grenadines — we are not afraid to take a position when it is principled,” he said, adding, “ … the real big-ticket item at the United Nations was really the position on Palestine.

“I didn’t hear the other side make any statement about Palestine,” he said, adding “but, I notice that some other people usurping that authority and making pronouncement about accepting NTC.

“Well, I am still … the Minister of Foreign Affairs … and as far as I know … our government has decided to go a particular path … and when we think it is appropriate, as guided by principles I have outlined, we will do what we find most appropriate to do,” he said.

Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace last week wrote to the NTC noting the “heroic struggle of the Libyan people to throw off the yoke of dictatorship and oppression”.He said that while the NDP is in opposition the NTC could “be assured of our solidarity”

“In government, we look forward to working with a democratically elected administration of the Libyan people in the promotion and consolidation of shared values of freedom, democracy, national development and respect for fundamental human rights,” Eustace said.

http://www.antiguaobserver.com/?p=65260

Garifuna Music

2011-09-30T05:25:00.001-07:00

Aurelio Martinez—a Central American singer, composer, and guitarist from a small fishing village in Honduras—comes to Zankel Hall on October 15. He brings a bittersweet vocal style to guitar-accompanied ballads and other traditional song forms, particularly Garifuna music. Robert H. Browning, with Michael Stone and Ivan Duran, provide a brief history of the music.  

Garifuna Music

 The history of the Garifuna people dates to 1635, when two large European ships carrying kidnapped Africans were wrecked in the eastern Caribbean near the island of St. Vincent. Survivors swam ashore and took refuge among the indigenous Carib people, who absorbed the escapees. Fiercely independent, the Garifuna resisted colonization for more than 150 years until the British captured St. Vincent in 1797 and they were exiled to the Islas de la Bahía, off the Caribbean coast of Honduras. Soon after, they settled in the coastal regions of Central America, creating communities in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Combining powerful vocals with a dense percussive base, Garifuna music is unlike that of any other in Central America. While parallels can be drawn with other Caribbean traditions, the genres created by the Garifuna people are unique. As a population never enslaved, this culturally hybrid, multilingual people maintained discernible West African elements in their music, echoing the three-drum ensemble common to African percussive traditions on both sides of the Atlantic. Garifuna singing and drumming entails a fiercely percussive, communal call-and-response rooted in the sacred context of ancestral invocations and spirit possession, as in Cuban santería, Haitian vodoun, and Brazilian candomblé. The most popular Garifuna secular traditional genres are paranda and punta. Paranda (Spanish for carousal) adds an acoustic guitar to the Garifuna drum tradition; the punta couple dance (named for its characteristic rhythm) recalls the pelvic thrust, or vacunao, of the Cuban rumba guaguancó form. In the early 1980s, punta rock, a creation commonly attributed to Belizean Garifuna musician, composer, and artist Delvin “Pen” Cayetano, added the amplified guitar to the Garifuna rhythm ensemble.

Punta rock’s upbeat message of cultural awareness and mutual respect has spilled over into the rest of Caribbean Central America. Among this ethnically diverse population, it has also fostered an expansive sense of national identity both at home and abroad, and has brought belated recognition of the minority Garifuna population’s contributions to the region. The Garifuna garaón drum ensemble comprises the lead primera or heart drum, the counter-rhythmic segunda or shadow drum, and the steady bass-line tercera. An unusual adaptation is the use of snares—one or two guitar strings or wires stretched over the drumhead to achieve the buzzing sound also favored in some West African music cultures. This lends a highly valued denseness to the overall sound.

Additional traditional instruments include turtle-shell percussion, bottle percussion, claves, and a variety of shakers and scrapers drawn from the Amerindian music of St. Vincent. Garifuna musicians have expanded their instrumental array with European additions, while also incorporating English, Jamaican, Haitian, and Latin American folk elements along with reggae, country, R&B, and rock gleaned from radio broadcasts.

 The two artists who have been at the forefront in furthering Garifuna music in recent years are the late Andy Palacio, a Belizean musician who popularized punta rock, and Honduran artist Aurelio Martinez, who has been a major force in maintaining and expanding the paranda tradition.Paranda refers both to a rhythm prevalent in Garifuna traditional drumming styles and also to a genre of music. While the rhythm can be traced to the Garifuna’s roots in West Africa, parandaas a genre was born in the early 19th century when the Garifuna settled in coastal Central America. It was there that they encountered Latin American music, adding the guitar and elements of Spanish and Latin rhythms. In their chronicling of daily life from social ills and romantic trysts to humorous tales and a penchant for improvisation, the songs bring to mind the great Caribbean tradition of calypso.

Martinez has continued to modify and expand the music, while adhering to its roots. A recent sojourn in Senegal where he mentored with Youssou N’Dour and met and recorded with many Afropop artists—both famous and unknown—opened new avenues and drew worldwide attention to his most recent Laru Beya recording. Continuing the legacy of Palacio and other important Garifuna artists, Martinez uses his art to further the cause of his people, to inform, to educate, and to explore new territory. His work, along with that of both older and younger members of his community, provides a beacon for oppressed people throughout the world. Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of Garifuna music is that it not only chronicles the miseries of an oppressed people, but celebrates their steadfast resilience and their joie de vivre.

According to Martinez, “We’re not going to let this culture die. I know I must continue the culture of my grandparents, of my ancestors, and find new ways to express it. Few people know about it, but I adore it, and it’s something I must share with the world.” The Garifuna music takes its place firmly with the blues, flamenco, tango, reggae, Portuguese fado, and Greek rembetiko in evoking the soul of a community.

 —Robert H. Browning, with Michael Stone and Ivan Duran 

http://www.carnegiehall.org/BlogPost.aspx?id=4294981444    http://www.carnegiehall.org/BlogPost.aspx?id=4294981444

Friendly nations recommit to airport, education in St Vincent

2011-09-29T05:49:00.001-07:00

MENAFN - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services -- Unrestricted - Thursday, September 29, 2011
Friendly nations recommit to airport, education in St Vincent
Sep 29, 2011 (Caribbean News Now - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- KINGSTOWN, StVincent -- Friendly nations partnering to build the international airport at Argyle in St Vincnt and the Grenadines havereconfirmed their support for the project, says Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves.
Gonsalves last week travelled to New York, where he attended the 66th United Nations General Assembly. He also metwith several world leaders who "either reaffirmed previous commitments to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, or madenew pledges of cooperation with the government," the country's diplomatic mission in New Work said in a pressstatement.
The prime minister was also invited to pay official visits to Kuwait, Georgia and Palestine to explore additional avenuesof support and solidarity, the statement said.
Gonsalves told Vincentians at a town hall meeting in New York on Saturday that the "coalition of countries" hasreaffirmed their support for the EC$652 million airport project.
He noted that so far this country has received direct contributions from Cuba, Venezuela, Mexico, Iran, Libya, Trinidadand Tobago, and Austria and indirect contributions from Turkey, through the CARICOM Development Fund.
"... when I go to talk to people like Prime Minister [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan of Turkey, I just don't talk about StVincent [alone]. I talk about the CARICOM Development Fund, too. Because what I don't get directly, I could getanother way," he said to applause at the town hall meeting.
"... all those coalitions there are in order. Libya, you know, is in tumult now so we have to wait until that settle down,but all the other reconfirmed their support -- everyone! And new prospective players have come aboard, includingKuwait and Qatar," Gonsalves told the gathering of Vincentians.
Meanwhile, the country's diplomatic mission, in its press statement, said the "Coalition of the Willing" -- the termGonsalves often uses to describe nations supporting the airport -- is on the verge of welcoming two new partners.
The president of Georgia and the prime minister of Kuwait "expressed strong interest in assisting SVG with the airportproject," the statement said.
According to the statement, Georgia, which produces a variety of heavy earth-moving equipment, indicated itswillingness to provide relevant machinery to the project, while the prime minister of Kuwait also committed hisgovernment to exploring the best avenues for partnership on the airport.
Both Georgia and Kuwait invited Gonsalves to pay official visits to their countries to further this cooperation.
Meanwhile, the new prime minister of Portugal, Pedro Passos Coelho, said his administration would honour thecommitment of the previous Portuguese government to continue the delivery of laptops to Vincentian students underKingstown's one-laptop-per-child programme.
Coelho pledged to expedite the delivery of the remainder of the 30,000 laptops Portugal promised.
Further, Gonsalves has secured undergraduate and postgraduate scholarship offers from Hungary and Slovenia.
The precise courses and institutions that will offer these scholarships will be finalized in the coming months.
Further, Qatar, which hosts campuses of a number of major American universities, also renewed its offer ofscholarships to Vincentian students, the statement said.
___ (c)2011 the Caribbean News Now (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands) Visit theCaribbean News Now (GrandCayman, Cayman Islands) at www.caribbeannewsnow.comDistributed by MCT Information Services
Copyright (C) 2011, Caribbean News Now, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Banana Sqabble

2011-09-28T05:59:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011.

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, CMC – Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace has dismissed as “flimsy excuses” the government’s explanation for the late ordering of oil to spray banana trees infected with the dreaded black sigatoka disease.Banana fields are expected to be sprayed from Wednesday, months after the disease began to wreck havoc with banana farms across the island.

The delay in aerial spraying has been attributed to a mix-up at the Ministry of Agriculture and recent storms across the Caribbean and the United States.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has said that agriculture officials “dropped the ball” on the disease, which has further curtailed banana cultivation even as the sector struggles to recover from last November’s Hurricane Tomas.But Agriculture Minister Montgomery Daniel said he accepts “responsibility” but not “blame” for the situation.Daniel explained that his staff did not send the requisite documents to the Ministry of Finance until July, although monies were released since April.

“As Ministry of Agriculture … I have to accept the responsibility but I am not going to accept the blame. … The Ministry has its officials. They have their work to do. They must do their work,” Daniel said over the weekend.

But Eustace said he was rejecting the excuses because legislators had approved the national budget that made provisions for the Ministry’s programme for controlling the disease.

According to the budget, agriculture officials are to control the disease through ground crew operations, at least six aerial spray cycles this year, and implement an effective management programme for the control of black sigatoka and moko, another disease affecting the country’s banana cultivation.

“I mean the Ministry of Agriculture wrote this last year to be effected this year and (it) was passed in the budget in January. So, the Minister only [knew] the other day that they weren’t implementing it?” Eustace said.

“All that is foolishness. They did not manage the programme properly. They didn’t do it as they said in the Estimates and the Ministry of Agriculture must take the full blame for that, including the Minister and by extension the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” Eustace said, adding that the government should not blame civil servants for the situation.

“… if I am Minister of Agriculture … I would want to know why the fields are not being sprayed. And I’ll make sure that they are being sprayed because I know how important the industry is to the country,” said Eustace.

“The government dropped the ball. They drop the ball,” the former prime minister said, adding that because of the situation, investments in the industry after Hurricane Tomas, which destroyed 98 per cent of banana plants, is wasted.

“The fertilizer government gave to farmers, the income support they gave to farmers, all of that is now come to naught. … and then our reputation as a banana producer, because you are not hearing that complaint in St. Lucia and Dominica. It is here alone,” he said.In June, St. Vincent exported bananas to the United Kingdom for the first time since Hurricane Tomas.

http://www.antiguaobserver.com/?p=65112

PM and First Lady spotted with marie-claire

2011-09-27T15:46:00.000-07:00

Written by Ayeola

Dominican-born, Bronx-reared opera singer marie-claire was spotted in NY with Prime Minister of St.Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves and his wife Eloise. The three were at a town hall meeting for the PM who was in New York for the UN General Assembly meeting.

Here’s a little trivia for you.Mrs. Gonsalves was born in the ‘Nature Isle’ Dominica!!!

Also at the town hall meeting was PM Gonsalves son, Camillo Gonsalves,who is St.vincent’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

St. Vincent a genuine escape to paradise

2011-09-27T07:42:00.000-07:00

Sept 27, 2011

The Caribbean nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has an authentic feel that's disappeared from other islands where slick condo developments form a wall between the beach and the real world.

There's none of that on this laidback island. No apartment towers, mega-malls, tourist-only gift shops, or fast-food franchises. Your cellphone might not work. There may not be a telephone, an air conditioner, a television or Internet in your hotel room. And there are travellers who love it.

On Young Island, luxury cottages and villas, barely visible in the greenery, dot the lush hills. You have to take a five-minute boat ride from the main island to get here. There are more places like this strewn about the 32 islands and cays that make up the Grenadines. Mustique, a hot spot for rock stars (Mick Jagger among them) and the international jet set, is one of the best-known. The natural sand is black, thanks to St. Vincent's volcanic geological roots; but since black sand isn't as pretty as white and it's much hotter on bare feet, the resorts ships in powdery white sand from Guyana.

St. Vincent is well-known among hiking enthusiasts for its wicked hills, especially around La Soufrière volcano. Snorkelling, too, is a delight thanks to the crystal clear island waters and abundant marine life.

A new international airport is scheduled to open in 2013 but until then Canadians need to fly to Barbados, then hop onto a connecting flight, to reach St. Vincent.

For more information on St. Vincent and the Grenadines, visit www. discoversvg.com

Iran president praises St Vincent

2011-09-27T02:58:00.000-07:00

Published on September 22, 2011 by Kenton X. Chance

NEW YORK, USA – Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has praised St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) for its resistance against a number of “bullying states”, according to media reports.

Ahmadinejad and Vincentian Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves met on Tuesday ahead of the 66th meeting of the UN General Assembly, the general debate of which takes place under the theme “The role of mediation in the settlement of disputes by peaceful means.”

The Iranian leader is said to have stressed that dominant powers must understand that slavery is over and nations are not going to tolerate pressures. Ahmadinejad further said that independent states cooperating with each other could provide for their own interests and resist arrogant powers, according to reports.

He is said to have referred to the excellent and expanding relations between Iran and SVG, saying that both nations and other independent and justice-seeking countries can stand and resist those who want to pressure and dominate other nations.

Ahmadinejad is quoted as saying that the main economic problem of Caribbean countries is that their rich resources have been looted by colonialist states and that current human problems are that former slave merchants have taken up positions as world managers.

Gonsalves, according to the reports, said that the world is facing serious dangers and that a number of states, by using their own economics and military powers, are trying to impose their own desire on the world, but added that the era for such acts has ended.

Gonsalves is quoted as having underlined the expansion of bilateral cooperation between SVG and Iran and said that his country intends to consolidate ties with Iran.The Vincentian head of government is also said to have met on Tuesday with Kuwait’s Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

During that meeting, held at Kuwait’s Mission at the UN, the top officials discussed ways of strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation and issues of mutual interest.

Trinidad Cabinet approves inter-island ferry service

2011-09-23T10:41:00.001-07:00

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Friday September 23, 2011 - Cabinet has approved the establishment of an inter-island ferry service between Trinidad and Tobago and the Eastern Caribbean.

This comes less than two months after Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar revealed that the plan was being considered.

Minister of Transport Devant Maharaj said the service, which will be based in Port of Spain, will be financed through a public/private arrangement, with the majority of capital expenditure coming from the private sector.

“We are looking at perhaps US$10 [Million?] to jump on an inter-island ferry from Trinidad to go up the Caribbean and the vessels that have been linked to these proposals right now promises to be substantially larger than what we have,” Maharaj told a post Cabinet news conference Thursday.

He expressed hope that the service be extended as far as Jamaica “if not further.”

Maharaj said this will “strengthen the integration movement between and among CARICOM countries and expand the free movement of people and capital”, and bring tremendous benefits to Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean.

He said the initiative already has the support of St. Lucia’s Prime Minister Stephenson King and Guyana President Bharath Jagdeo.

Read more: http://www.caribbean360.com/index.php/travel/505744.html?utm_source=Caribbean360+Newsletters&utm_campaign=d8cd314988-Vol_6_Issue_107_News9_23_2011&utm_medium=email#ixzz1YnZH5HsQ

PM at UN

2011-09-21T02:05:00.000-07:00

NARRATOR: This is a time for the international community to confront an epidemic that is correctable, reversible and treatable.Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines told a high-level meeting on the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases that this meeting should not be a culmination of an effort, but merely the beginning of intense, focused and coordinated action to address the health and developmental impacts of non-communicable diseases, particularly in poor and middle-income countries.Prime-Minister Gonsalves also pointed to what he said was the reason the meeting is being held in the UN General Assembly and not at the World Health Organization’s (WHO) headquarters in Geneva.

“That reason is the fact that the fallout of the NCD epidemic is much wider than the health sector or the health of those individuals tragically afflicted with non-communicable diseases. The developmental aspects of this epidemic must be highlighted and addressed. In particular, we must confront the tremendous strain that NCD treatment places on the health care budgets of developing countries. We cannot ignore too, the disproportionate impact of this epidemic on poor people and developing states; or its negative impact on the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.”NARRATOR: Prime Minister Gonsalves stressed that the response to the non-communicable disease epidemic must therefore be multifaceted and coordinated.

And he cautioned that the political consensus must give impetus to a robust follow-up process and a detailed action plan that will provide assistance to local hospitals and primary care facilities; and collaborate on education and pubic awareness efforts in combating these diseases.

This is Donn Bobb reporting.

Book Review (with local reference)

2011-09-20T04:05:00.000-07:00

The Eponym Dictionary of ReptilesBo Beolens, Michael Watkins and Michael GraysonWhat?Reveals the lives hidden behind the names of the world’s reptiles.Why?Firstly this is a beautifully produced, satisfyingly stylish book! Now the superficial is out of the way, what’s inside?Like Bo and co’s previous efforts along these lines – Whose Bird? and the Eponym Dictionary of Mammals - the Dictonary of Reptiles explores the lives of the historical figures ‘immortalised’ in the names of the world’s fauna. Some feature more heavily than others – Darwin, for instance, appearing in the names of nine reptiles (find out more in this post featuring an extract from the book), while other folk such as Dr. Ian Earle Ayrton Kirby (1921-2006), unearther of pre-Colombian artifacts and erstwhile Curator of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Museum – have the honour of a single beastly namesake – in this instance, Kirby’s Least Gecko, or Sphaerodactylus kirbyi.This should be an addictive book for anyone interested in the finer details of natural history, the perfect gift for the herpetologist in your life who has everything (else), and will be of particular interest to bibliographic researchers since the titles and publication dates of any known literature written or edited by the subjects is given.Who?Bo Beolens, Michael Watkins, and Michael Grayson are the co-authors of The Eponym Dictionary of Mammals, also published by Johns Hopkins.

SVG Videos

2011-09-18T15:10:00.000-07:00

You Tube has some videos take on SVG at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
96bjJi8ON_Y&feature=BFa&list=PL2FB45118875144F0

Buccament Bay Beach Resort, Harlequin The Truth

2011-09-17T10:53:00.000-07:00

There are more recent comments.

Some comments on Trip AdvisorSep 14, 2011, 12:15 PMThere has been a huge amount of interest in Buccament Bay and in Harlequin on this site. A larger ammount of positive reviews for the hotel, allegations that the positive reviews are coming from purchasers, attacks on negative comments on forums questioning the operations of Harlequin. A huge amount of negativity on the Harlequin business model. A larger number of instances where posts were removed for not being compliant with Trip Advisor Guide Lines

The RestarauntsWhat is it that Harlequin have opened at the resort.This from Harlequin themselves.

http://www.buccamentbay.com/BarsRestaurants/

Of the restaraunts that they state are open. Only one the Bay Beach Club is as was originally designed and planned for The Safron Fine Indian Cuisine Restaraunt has been opened in one of the 4 bed room converted villas. Whilst this might be adequate for 10-20 guests it certainly will not suffice when the resort is fully completed.The Bamboo restaraunt has now found a new home on the far side of the land owned by Harlequin and over the bridge from the resort proper. This restaraunt is located in a leased building which Harlequin have leased for 3 years. The Bamboo restaraunt is another temporary facility being operated by Harlequin. HQ the coffee shop and ICE Cream parlour, is just that a small coffe shop and ICE Cream shop.Below was an update from Harlequins agents on the 6th of June 2011

Restaurants

(1).New Bay Beach in the village area will open on the 8th June. From Mid-July, 3 evenings per week, Trader Vics menu will be served and 4 evenings per week, Jack’s menu will be served.(2).The existing Bamboo restaurant will become “Saffron Indian” serving an A La Carte menu. Clarification of quote 2 above; ((( The existing Bamboo Restaraunt is now the staff canteen )))(3). The existing Bay View is being improved with decking and a solid roof. This will re-open Mid July as “Bamboo” and will serveCaribbean / Italian food on an A La Carte basis. 1 night per week, there will be a themed evening on the beach with BBQ and Steel Band.(4). Ginger & Co – Will be opening mid-July. Clarification of quote 4 above; ((( Ginger & Co now not due to open until 2012 as per Buccament Bay website )))(5) HQ Coffee shop has now turned into a deli as well as serving ice cream & pastries.

Buccament Bay – the beachfront/waterfront area now looks stunning with two new pools, a children’s pool, decks with sun loungers, more new palm trees and boutiques now open. The remaining restaurants are coming on-line over the next few months.

Buccament Bay Resort, St Vincent & The Grenadines The official opening of Buccament Bay Resort to the travel industry took place on 3rd April 2011.The waterfront area is looking stunning with two large swimming pools and a children’s pool, decks with sun loungers, umbrellas and palm trees and some of the restaurants and boutiques now open.The remaining restaurants will open over the next few months as bookings increase and demand grows. Buccament Bay Resort is featured with all the leading UK tour operators and has been widely advertised in the UK press as well as featured in several articles. Holiday bookings have increased substantially since the opening, which gives us confidence for the future success of the resort.We have exhibited in the US and are working with a NewYork PR agency to increase awareness of the resort in the US. To ensure a quicker and smoother transfer to St Vincent we are in the process of setting up our own airline, HarlequinAir.We have registered with the authorities in the Caribbean and aim to be flying by the end of 2011. While work is continuing at Buccament Bay Resort to build further accommodation and facilities, Harlequin Hotels & Resorts is now focusing on its other resorts.We have employed a highly respected construction management company, Kraus Manning, to project manage construction and work with Harlequin Developments to deliver the projects efficiently and within budget.

Other future developments include a Trader Vic’s and Jack’s Steak and Seafood Restaurant, set to open on July 1; a fine dining restaurant, Arlecchino (December); and a replica of the Black Pearl ship used in Pirates of the Caribbean, parts of which were filmed close to the resort, will drop anchor in Buccament’s marina in 2012 to be a restaurant and wedding venue.

The list of miss leading statements and basic down right lies from Mr. Ames goes on and on. The Black Pearl is allready in SVG, it has been there nearly a year now, it is beginning to decay, but for anyone interested locals will be able to show you where it is.

The False Occupancy Level claims

Harlequin state that their resort in Buccament Bay is operating at about 85% in the low season, yet Harlequin laid off a large number of Hotel Staff citing seasonal reasons.

I think this is self explanatory.

A recent guest posted on trip advisor that occupancy levels were close to 20% on their visit. The post was very complimentory of the resort.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g147379-i1174-k4812698-Buccament_Bay_Beach_Resort_Harlequin_The_Truth-St_Vincent_and_the_Grenadines.html

New UWI SVG Site Head

2011-09-16T19:26:00.000-07:00

The UWI Open Campus is pleased to welcome Mrs Deborah Dalrymple as the new Head of the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Open Campus Country Site.

Mrs. Deborah Dalrymple joined the staff of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus, as Head on September 1, 2011. Prior to joining the UWI, Mrs. Dalrymple served as the first Adult Education Officer at the Ministry of Education, St. Vincent where she made a significant contribution to the development of government policy on Adult Education and was intimately involved in the training of Community Educators. She also served as Director/Therapist at Marion House, the first social service agency in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where she provided counseling services as well as training programmes for youth at risk, along with their parents.

Mrs. Dalrymple is passionate about the empowerment of marginalized Vincentians, particularly out of school youth and has served for many years as an advocate for disenchanted, “left out” youth in local, regional and international fora.

Described as a goal oriented thinker with excellent leadership ability, enthusiasm, dynamism, warmth, intuition, persuasiveness and professionalism, Mrs. Dalrymple, is no stranger to UWI, having previously worked as the Saint Vincent Tutor/Coordinator of the UWI’s MSc programme on Counseling. Mrs. Dalyrmple is married and is the mother of three. She replaces outgoing Head, Mr. Adrian Fraser.

http://www.thevoiceslu.com/P_releases/2011/september/10_09_11/UWI.htm

Political plain speech

2011-09-16T19:20:00.000-07:00

Political plain speech9/17/2011When the Wikileaks website started to release thousands of diplomatic cables belonging to the US State Department, more than one pundit warned that the decision would have repercussions throughout the world. A gradual release of countless diplomatic documents belonging to the world’s most powerful country – a country that has diplomatic dealings on some level with nearly every place on earth – is bound to have consequences. These were confidential documents, never intended for the knowledge of the general public.Now it’s our turn to deal with the revelations in these cables. Some of us may have thought that because most Americans can’t tell the difference between a Jamaican and a Bajan that our politics would be of no interest to the State Department. The cables show just how wrong that assumption was. US diplomats in the region have been taking notice of what goes on in the region, and in their missives, minced no words when it came to Caribbean politics. Former US Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean criticised the decision to budget money for revamping Barbados’ sugar industry, calling it “imprudent”. The cables refer to the leader of the Opposition in St. Vincent as “a singularly uncharismatic and uninspiring figure who is unable to translate his technocratic expertise into any kind of viable or sustained political activity”. In some cases, the diplomats were merely passing on the information and opinion they gleaned from local sources.Still, whether giving a personal opinion or quoting a local source, US diplomats in the region have managed to upset a great many people in our region, especially in political circles. Ralph Gonsalves, the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Bharrat Jagdeo, President of Guyana have expressed their displeasure with the way the region has been portrayed in these dispatches. On the other hand, other leaders have declined to comment.In a way, the veil has been lifted – all the dirty laundry politicians in this region try to conceal has now been hung out to dry in the Caribbean sun. If you’ve always felt that your politicians were lying to you, these cables will give you proof. If you’ve always felt that half of what goes on in regional politics goes unreported, the cables confirm this. In truth, the US diplomats have confirmed many rumours and assumptions which we in the region have discussed in the rumshop or at the salon. For example, it was always believed that disgraced American businessman Allen Stanford used his money to gain significant political power in Antigua and Barbuda, and the cables confirm this.Furthermore, we now know what US diplomats really think of our leaders, their policies and their characters. The cables have provided a rare chance for us in the region to hear plain words about our countries, not just the clichéd rhetoric we hear at speeches and functions about friendship, co-operation and partnership. In that respect, these leaked cables have been invaluable.But in the midst of the controversy and furore caused by the Wikileaks cables, some of us have missed a key point. The cables may be scandalous and upsetting for our leaders, but there is very little new information in them. We have discovered that our politicians are just as we imagined them, but no worse. It may be hard to believe, but this is a good thing. Now we see our flaws, we can begin to fix them. Especially now that the extent to which money is playing a role in our political elections has been made plain. Instead of focusing on the less than flattering tones used in the dispatches, we should focus on the content of the cables and what it says about us. Is our democracy secure, or will money corrupt the process entirely? Do we need greater transparency in government? Will the decisions our leaders make now help or hinder our development? These are the questions we should ask after reading the Wikileaks cables.http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=editorial&NewsID=19859

James Hamilton in St. Vincent

2011-09-15T00:38:00.000-07:00

Interesting bit of international history from the post-revolutionary period......................... Hi,

FYI. I am forwarding SVG-RELATED information about James Hamilton, originally from Scotland,the father of Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury of such fame in the USA. The book,"Alexander Hamilton" by Nathan Schachner [1946] states thatJames Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton's father, died and is buried in St. Vincent.On p.11, it states, "From St.Croix he went to the island ofSt.Vincent, a British possession; but the fatal defects of his characterprevented him from ever rising above poverty and obscurity." On p.13,"The old man died on June 3, 1799 and was buried in St. George'sCathedral, in the town of Kingston, on St.Vincent Island." That, I feel sure, really should be what is today Kingstown, the capital of St.Vincent, not Kingston.

See also:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BequiaJames Hamilton, father of Alexander Hamilton moved to Bequia from St. Croix, where he had raised Alexander as his son, in 1774 under a program instituted by the Britain to give land to indigent settlers. The land granted to Hamilton lies along the shore of Southeast Bay. The elder Hamilton lived in Bequia until 1790 but was never visited by his son nor did he visit Alexander in America, despite the latter's frequent gifts of money and entreaties to immigrate or at least visit him.[1]References^ St. Vincent Registry, deed book for 1784-1787. (from Chernow, Ron. Alexander Hamilton. Penguin Press, New York, 2004. Chapter 2, Note 21)

Sincerely,Cheryl Phills King.

US officials drew stark contrasts between Gonsalves, Eustace

2011-09-13T08:40:00.001-07:00

POSTED BY KENTON X. CHANCE ⋅ SEPTEMBER 11, 2011 ⋅KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent – Despite his public rants against the United States, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves in 2009 struck a positive note with U.S. diplomats in Barbados, a stark contrast to Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace, who generally seems to care what Washington thinks about developments in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).In a diplomatic cable published by WikiLeaks, U.S. officials in Bridgetown compiled a leadership profile on Gonsalves in which they told Washington that the Unity Labour Party (ULP) head was “easily the most intelligent and charismatic of the Eastern Caribbean leaders”.In other cables, the officials said that while Eustace was “undeniable intelligent and acutely aware of the problems facing the country”, he was “a singularly uncharismatic and uninspiring figure who is unable to translate his technocratic expertise into any kind of viable or sustained political activity”.“Without a stronger leader, the NDP’s [New Democratic Party] influence will be muted,” the Americans said of party that governed from 1984 to 2001 and last December came one seat short of the left side of Parliament.On the other hand, they felt that Gonsalves had “the charisma and political savvy needed to keep himself in power for years to come, though his popularity is gradually eroding”.The profile noted that while Gonsalves was “politically rooted in 1970s leftist movement” he was “a pragmatic ideologue with a strong populist bent”.The Prime Minister relationship with Caracas, Havana, and ALBA were “close and built on both pragmatic economic interest and a healthy measure of populist spirit and socialist ideology,” the cable said, adding that then blossoming relations with Iran appeared “to be more mercenary, but nevertheless bear scrutiny”.Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves “easily the most intelligent and charismatic of the Eastern Caribbean leaders”, U.S. officials said.U.S. officials told their superiors that Gonsalves could be expected to work with Washington on common issues of concern even as he took “while at the same time taking public “potshots” at the superpower “to highlight his leftist credentials and rile up his domestic base”.“Despite his affection for Chavez, fears that he could be in danger of becoming a Chavez puppet are overblown,” the cable said.The document argued that Gonsalves had “moved methodically to establish a vertically-oriented government in which virtually all decision making comes to his desk and opposing viewpoints are not warmly embraced.”According to the cable, opposition and civil society elements saw Gonsalves “more darkly, as the head of a centralized political system exercising near-dictatorial control over all aspects of Vincentian politics and economy”.U.S. officials, however, told Washington that some of these statements were “overblown rhetoric born of frustration with the inability of the opposition to mount any real challenge to the ULP.The cable, however, said that there were “kernels of truth” adding that SVG was “littered with relatives and former close friends of Gonsalves’ who have lost positions in government or ‘kitchen cabinet’ jobs for disagreeing with him on economic policy issues”.The profile said that the Prime Minister had “effectively secured a firm grip on the press by intimidating media outlets that challenge him in any way through litigation”.Noting that Gonsalves had sued successfully at least one such outlet, the cable claimed, “[T]repidation amongst Vincentian media professionals has resulted in a measure of self-censorship”.The profile also commented on the country’s constitutional reform efforts, saying that Gonsalves’ pursuing such far-reaching changes and putting his political capital on the line reflected one of dichotomies:“[A]t one level he is ambitious and self interested, while at another level, he is a disinterested academic and theorist willing to risk a short-term political loss for what he sees as fundamental political change in the region.”The officials noted that the constitutions handed to Eastern Caribbean nations at Independence had served the region well but could benefit from change.The cable said that of Eastern Caribbean leaders, Gonsalves was “the one most closely aligned philosophically with the leftist-populist ‘Chavista’ crowd” and claimed that he had egged his Dominican colleague Roosevelt Skerrit to join ALBA to gauge regional reaction before Kingstown signed on to the bloc.Gonsalves and foreign relationsThe cable said that despite Gonsalves’ personal political leanings he was “eminently practical” regarding foreign relations.“He knows his country needs money, and he knows his party needs money to support the public infrastructure programs that bring jobs and buy votes.”Gonsalves reportedly saw Chavez's ALBA “only as a funding source in bad economic times”.The profile noted that Gonsalves was not shy about reaching out to “non-traditional” sources of funding such as Iran and Libya, adding that he had “expressed his own reservations about Venezuela and the PetroCaribe arrangement”.U.S. officials said Gonsalves had told them in August 2009 that he suspected that Venezuelan oil subsidies would not last forever, noting a PetroCaribe price hike, and “hinted that he would attempt to stockpile reserves in case the situation worsened”.The Prime Minister is said to have told the U.S. officials that he saw ALBA “only as a funding source in bad economic times” and strove to reassure them that he was only interested in Iran’s contribution to the Argyle International Airport, pointing out that many U.S. allies with Tehran.“He can probably be taken at face value as far as his intentions with Iran go, but it remains uncertain if a country with such porous borders and thinly stretched police forces will be able to maintain adequate checks on such a relationship,” the U.S. officials told Washington.They further said that under a Gonsalves government, Kingstown’s support for ALBA and PetroCaribe would “continue to the last dollar these programs provide him”.U.S. official said that Gonsalves was “not a Chavista satellite and will not become one.“He genuinely believes he can secure handouts from whoever will provide them and still maintain his freedom of action. That is why, despite his ideological orientation, he nevertheless maintains ties with Taiwan instead of China — he is happy with the Taiwanese and not willing to derail the gravy train,” the cable said.The U.S. officials said that in keeping with this pragmatic approach to foreign relations, Gonsalves continued to work closely with them “even as he uses the U.S. and the ‘colonial powers’ as a foil to play to his foreign leftist audience and his hard core domestic base”.“Gonsalves has adeptly walked a fine line between populist, occasionally anti-US rhetoric to bolster himself locally while maintaining good relations with us on security and law enforcement issues. He knows we are his most reliable strategic partner and an important source of investment, tourists and trade, and he is unlikely to do anything to damage that relationship,” the cable said.Eustace a ‘man of principle’, lacks ‘political acuity’Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace was described as a "man of principle" but lacking "political acuity.”U.S. officials in Barbados gave their assessment of the NDP leadership in several documents though none of them was exclusively a profile of Eustace.A 2008 cable said that despite several potential openings, the NDP seemed incapable of mounting any serious opposition to Gonsalves. “The party’s lacklustre leadership has had difficulty targeting their criticism and making them stick,” Washington was told of the NDP.“The NDP leadership appears woeful and lost, lacking ideas on how to move forward and mount a serious challenge to Gonsalves,” the cable said, even as it noted that the ULP was “well-organised and well funded”.“Embassy contacts have criticized Eustace for his poor leadership, citing especially his tendency to rattle off his “many concerns” without offering substantive solutions or plans-of-action,” another cable said.U.S. officials’ impression of the NDP in 2008 had not improved much from one year earlier, when they told Washington that Embassy staff had learnt of “growing discontent with the ULP administration”.In 2007, the NDP registered with the Bridgetown embassy their concerns about trade and foreign investment, foreign affairs and warming relations Cuba and Venezuela, drug-trafficking, the Argyle International Airport, and the stifling of free speech.“Despite general agreement on these issues, however, the NDP’s leadership is perceived as weak and ineffectual,” the officials said.“Many Embassy contacts have criticized Eustace for his poor leadership, citing especially his tendency to rattle off his ‘many concerns’ without offering substantive solutions or plans-of-action,” the cable said.However, a biographical note in the same cable said that “… Eustace is widely revered by Embassy contacts as a ‘man of principle’ who is as ‘clean as they come.’ At the same time, he is viewed as lacking charisma and political acuity.”The cable further said that while there appeared to be growing discontent with the ULP government among a wide range of private and public sector figures, the NDP “manages to float from issue to issue, without appearing to secure a stronger foothold among the population.“The opposition leader Arnhim Eustace’s bland personality and lack of charisma certainly hurt the party, as does the apparent divergence of support between Eustace and the looming figure of Sir James Mitchell.”Criticisms of Eustace’s leadership is said to have come from within the NDP, including from former foreign affairs minister Jonathan Peter, who in 2009 asked Washington for money as part of a failed bid to wrestle NDP leadership from Eustace.Peters is said to have doubted that Eustace was the future leadership of the NDP, owing to a lack of charisma.“[H]e still sees Eustace as a talented technocrat and generously stated he would retain Eustace as his Minister of Finance if he wins the elections,” the cable said.Private endorsementFormer ULP parliamentarian Ken Boyea reportedly said he would “completely trust Eustace with the keys to the country”.Eustace, according one of the cables, got a private endorsement from Ken Boyea, who in 2007, remained “one of the most outspoken critics, at least in private, of Gonsalves and his left-leaning tendencies” although he endorsed Gonsalves publicly ahead of the 2010 vote.Boyea, who fell out with the ULP and ran as leader of the People Political Movement in 2001, is quoted as telling Embassy officials that “although Eustace lacks charisma, he is bright, capable and honest,” and added that he would “completely trust Eustace with the keys to the country”.After the NDP’s election defeat in 2005, Eustace stood for re-election as party president, with two years remaining in his previous term.He was re-elected overwhelmingly but Member of Parliament for the Northern Grenadines Dr. Godwin Friday, is quoted as telling U.S. officials that NDP supporters wanted a more “vigorous opposition”.Friday is keyAccording to the cables, in 2008, Friday was “one glimmer of hope for the NDP” and U.S. officials described the Canada trained lawyer as “articulate, well respected and slightly more charismatic” and having “a solid grasp of the challenges ahead”.“During meetings with [Embassy officials], other NDP leaders including Eustace valued his opinion and often turned to Friday for answers,” the cable said.It further said that Friday did not “share the same apocalyptic view of the future other members of the NDP have.While the Dr. Godwin Friday was identified as an alternative leader, NDP founder and former prime minister, Sir James Mitchell was looming and former trade minister Jonathan Peters was asking the United States for money to overthrow Eustace.“Friday is also the NDP leader best equipped to deal with the press, and he has a good analytical grasp of both domestic political and economic issues. Aside from Eustace, Friday appears to be the only other real option for leadership in the NDP as currently constructed,” the document said, two years before Eustace brought the NDP one seat away from government.ULP’s young starMeanwhile, Gonsalves is said to have identified five identify up-and-comers he hoped will one day take greater leadership roles in the ULP.The list comprised:Then senator, Sabato Caesar, who won the South Windward seat in the December 2010 poll and is now the minister of tourism.Press Secretary Hans King, who stepped aside to allow Luke Browne to stage an unsuccessful challenge against Eustace in East Kingstown.Then Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly Rochelle Forde and former senator Ronald Marks, both lawyers who did not contest the 2010 poll.Camillo Gonsalves, the Prime Minister’s lawyer son who has been hailed internationally for his work as the country’s U.N. Ambassador, although some labelled his appointment an act of nepotism.Dr. Gonsalves' identified future ULP leaders in Saboto Caesar, Hans King, Rochlle Forde, Ronald Marks, and Camillo Gonsalves.“The PM confided that he had high hopes for current Minister of Health Douglas Slater, who was technically very competent, but whose lack of political sensibility would hinder his popularity,” the cable said of Slater who, in 2010, did not contest the South Leeward seat he had been representing since 2001 and has since been appointed senator and Minister of Foreign Affairs.“The Charge mentioned that these individuals would make good candidates for International Visitor programs, to which Gonsalves jokingly responded that we were seeking to “corrupt” them in the U.S.,” the profile of Gonsalves said.U.S. officials told Washington that despite Gonsalves’ “leftist orientation and sometimes strong public criticism of the U.S.”, he remained “a pragmatic partner who will continue to cooperate with us on the full range of our agenda”.It, however, said the Prime Minister “continues to believe that he can play all sides in his peripatetic international efforts to squeeze every cent of support from a motley crew of international partners. In defending his sketchier associations, he tends to exaggerate his own degree of independence …“Nevertheless, he does seek to balance his relations with ALBA and Venezuela, Cuba, and Iran with genuine respect for the United States and the myriad bilateral programs we have in place,” the profile concluded.About Kenton X. ChanceKenton X. Chance is a Vincentian journalist living and studying in Taiwan. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication and Journalism and is reading for a Master of Arts in International Affairs.http://i-witness-news.com/2011/09/11/us-officials-drew-stark-contrasts-between-gonsalves-eustace/

Archaeological volunteers sought to help uncover St. Vincent's past

2011-09-10T10:44:00.000-07:00

Archaeological volunteers sought to help uncover St. Vincent's pastBy Margarita de Guzman and Jode MacKayIn June 2010, a team of Canadian archaeologists spearheaded a public archaeology program on the island of St. Vincent, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), one of the southernmost island chains in the Caribbean. The archaeological program was designed to give volunteers hands-on experience on a professionally run excavation, as well as a unique immersion into Caribbean culture, while at the same time rescuing and recording a significant archaeological site prior to the construction of an international airport.The 2011 field season successfully identified numerous archaeological features, as well as a number of burials and significant finds and as a result a 2012 season has been approved by the International Airport Company (IADC) of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.The SVG Public Archaeology Program was developed in June 2010 to conduct an excavation at the site of Argyle 2. This program had developed from previous work in 2009 and 2010, where team members had participated in archaeological projects at the site of Escape, managed by Bison Historical Services and later the University of Calgary. Both projects had proved to be highly significant in archaeological terms, resulting in the discovery of 36 burials, a large quantity of pottery, and over 700 archaeological features, which were highly indicative of multiple prehistoric and/or historic structures, including a longhouse (previously undocumented anywhere else in the Caribbean).Site of Argyle 2 rich in archaeologyIn 2010, a brief survey of Argyle 2 was conducted, along with Mrs. Kathy Martin of the National Trust. It became apparent that the Argyle 2 area was rich in archaeology, with multiple features, burials and a large quantity of pottery, as well as other types of artefacts such as stone tools, beads and food remains present on the surface and in eroding cutbanks.The SVG Public Archaeology Program was subsequently designed to conduct professional archaeological excavations at Argyle 2, whilst raising the profile for the SVG National Trust, such that future archaeological finds on the island could be recorded and preserved in a systematic fashion.Volunteers from around the world (including Canada, Greece and the United States) assembled and journeyed to St. Vincent to participate in the archaeological project, raising funds for both the public program and for the Argyle International Airport Contributory Fund, as well as the SVG National Trust Heritage Fund. These contributions helped to repay the people of SVG and the IADC for allowing the archaeological work to continue, as well as to provide support for the continued development of this small country.Continuous occupation for up to 2,000 yearsThe archaeological site of Argyle 2 extendsfrom the coast one kilometre inland and half akilometre north to south, on the leeward coast ofSt. Vincent. In 2010, preliminary surface surveys indicated that occupation at Argyle 2 spanned from the Saladoid period (ca. 500 BC – AD 545), through Colonial times and up to the present, demonstrating continuous occupation for up to 2,000 years. Investigations conducted during the SVG Public Archaeology Program in 2011 mapped 147 archaeological features, such as post-holes and small pits, and identified a total of 19 burials (six of which were previously identified by Mrs. Kathy Martin and Mr. Roydon Lampkin between May 2010 and January 2011). It is from these burials that the most significant archaeological findings have been recovered thus far.Of particular significance are two related burials, Burial 8 (B8) and Burial 11 (B11). B11 appears to be a primary, extended burial, in complete articulation. In comparison to other burials at the site and throughout the area, B11 is significant because of its specific nature; this burial was identified face-down on its stomach and may indicate a rather hasty burial. No artefacts were recovered in direct association with B11; however, B8, which is a secondary burial, was located directly above the lower limbs of B11. B8 is disarticulated, i.e., its bones are not in anatomically correct position, and also not deposited in anyLonghouse post-holes. No other longhouses have previously been documented in the Caribbean.This reassembled pot was highly significant for the site because its construction and decorative style placed B8 definitively within the Saladoid periodB8 was recovered with 17 lithic (stone) artefacts, and two ground stone tools, as well as a number of pottery sherds that would later be reassembled to form a complete pot. This reassembled pot was highly significant for the site because its construction and decorative style placed B8 definitively within the Saladoid period. Furthermore, this particular ceramic vessel form has not yet been documented in St. Vincent; preliminary discussions with other Caribbean archaeologists indicate that this form has not yet been identified elsewhere in the Caribbean.In an adjacent area of the site, a group ofburials (Burial 13 – 19) were identified inrather close proximity to one another.Amongst them was another intact pot of thesame new vessel form as B8, though thissecond pot was smaller in size and leftundecorated. Further investigations in thearea by Mrs. Kathy Martin and Mr. RoydonLampkin, former Cultural Officer of theIADC, recovered a number of potteryfragments that appear to belong to a similarvessel form and may be associated with yetother burials. The recovery and restorationof both complete pots (from B8 and fromB13 to B19) is highly significant for itscontribution to ceramic style and function,and has provided excellent specimens forthe national archaeological collection operated by the SVG National Trust. They are currently being housed in the National Trust Museum in Kingstown, St. Vincent.Given the significance of these findings, and the extent of archaeology that remains under threat of impact by airport construction, the IADC has kindly approved the Program to continue at the site of Argyle 2, for the 2012 field season. The site of Argyle 2 is currently fenced to prevent vehicular traffic and preserve the remains of the archaeological materials.The SVG Public Archaeology Program has been a continued and growing success and has raised awareness for archaeology among the Vincentians, as well as on an international scale. The continuation of the SVG Public Archaeology Program will continue to increase this awareness, but would not be possible without the hard work and contributions of volunteers.Dates: The 2012 archaeology program willcommence on January 3, 2012 and will rununtil January 25, 2012, with three 1-weeksessions. Each session will be seven days in duration, with the first five days assigned to field work on the site; the sixth day will be an excursion day within the island of St. Vincent or further afield into the surrounding Grenadine islands. The seventh day will be work-free to allow for errands, shopping and travel. Within each session, Saturdays will be planned as a Public Day for local Vincentians to visit the site and participate in the on-going excavation.Cost: Volunteers will pay a mandatory fee, which will cover room and board, as well as a weekly excursion in SVG. Included in this fee will be a $100 US per person donation to the SVG National Trust Heritage Fund, in order to promote preservation and recording of archaeological sites, as well as an additional $100 US per person donation to the Argyle International Airport Contributory Fund. Not only will this project provide monetary benefits to the people of SVG, it will provide contiguous support for further development of local cultural heritage. The project aims outside of the interest of archaeology, include promoting the beauty of St. Vincent and the Grenadines internationally as a tourist destination, as well as providing Vincentians with a deeper sense of place and pride about their nation.Anyone wishing to participate should visit www.svgdigs.com and follow the appropriate links.This project will be affiliated with Dr. Richard Callaghan of the University of Calgary, who has worked extensively in St. Vincent in the last decade; the project itself will be run by its co-directors, Margarita de Guzman and Jode MacKay, both consulting archaeologists from Calgary, Alberta. The SVG Public Archaeology Program would like to thank Dr. Richard Callaghan for his continued support, Mrs. Kathy Martin and her dedicated team at the SVG National Trust, Dr. Rudy Matthias and his fabulous team at the IADC, Rhona and her team at Rhona’s Apartments, Shirley and the Roti Hut for the fabulous meals, our archaeologists Taylor Graham, Kristin Soucey and Meghan Simper, and, last but not least, our wonderful volunteers: Kate Beaucage, Alan Rae, Joan Connor, Andy Ciofalo, Kristen Chew, Theofania Tsempera, Sue Graham, Dave McGrath and Sandra McGrath.For illustrations visit http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/09/2011/archaeological-volunteers-sought-to-help- uncover-st-vincents-past

The Daily Mail visits Buccamen

2011-09-02T08:05:00.000-07:00

Less-seen Caribbean: Catamarans, craters and calm in St Vincent and the GrenadinesBy Chris HallSometimes you do not find the Caribbean you expect. Land on one of the bigger islands of this sun-kissed region, and your vision of delicate, deserted beaches and palm-fringed perfection can be all but lost in the long blocks of hotels lined up, almost back to back, along the seafront.But when I arrive on St Vincent, I realise I have tumbled into exactly the Caribbean I was expecting.This is the Caribbean of the imagination, an archipelago of 32 islands - St Vincent and the Grenadines, to give it its full, grand name - scattered luxuriously across the eastern edge of the Caribbean Sea. From St Vincent, the largest, in the north, they trail south, towards Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, and eventually, South America - a ribbon of land in the blue of the ocean. This is not Barbados, where paparazzi-dodging celebrities lounge and pout, but a pristine place of wilderness and genuine isolation. Only seven of the islands are inhabited. So it initially seems strange to me that Harlequin Hotels is opening St Vincent’s first five-star, all-inclusive resort - at Buccament Bay, on the south-west coast. On paper, it sounds exactly the thing whose absence lends St Vincent and the Grenadines its appeal. You can certainly find no shortage of people championing the island’s status as something of an untouched gem (despite it being a regular cruise stop).But the resort's charms quickly grow on me.Arriving on St Vincent just before sundown, I make the transfer from the modest airport to the resort by catamaran, pulling up on the beach to be welcomed with a fresh rum punch. As taxi services go, there is little to beat this, offering me the chance to make a start on my tan while keeping an eye out for dolphins and flying fish.It is the beginning of a busy evening for this sleek vessel. I have barely eased out of my travel clothes before I see it heading out again, this time taking guests out for a sunset cruise that lets them look back at the island as shadows drape across its crags and peaks. But if there is sunshine on my first evening, it does not last. I wake on my first morning to tropical rain.There is compensation, though. This makes for a chance to visit the resort’s spa centre - where I defy anyone not to relax. The aromatherapy massage is so good that, though the clock says I have been in the room for an hour, the experience seems to be over in minutes. I walk out floating several inches above the ground.Within moments of my second day starting, I decide that I may need a second massage. By this point I am trekking - calves aching, lungs bursting - to the top of St Vincent's volcanic peak.This is a six-hour trek up and down endless bamboo staircases, across fossilised lava flows and finally up a gritty, fern-covered slope. It leaves me perspiring by the bucket-load and craving another trip to the spa. But the effort is worth it. La Soufriere, as the volcano is known, is topped by a mile-wide crater straight out of The Lost World.Dropping away for at least a hundred metres beneath my feet, bright green stepped cliffs enclose a prehistoric landscape, stretching into the clouds ahead. With the wind beginning to gust and spots of rain fast becoming another shower, I inch as close to the abyss as I dare - and snap as many pictures as vertigo will allow, before retreating. Buccament Bay is in a state of constant evolution, new areas seemingly opening every day. When I arrive, the Bay Beach Club restaurant is a busy mess of breeze blocks and bare boards. Four nights later, when I pull up a chair, not a single plate is out of place.Likewise, the resort’s programme of entertainment is only just getting going. But then, noise and nightlife do not seem to be a high priority here. The resort is a well-behaved, tucked-up-by-11pm kind of place. And I feel no need to complain. All that volcano-climbing - and adjusting to the time difference - leaves me more than ready for a series of early nights.But if you are feeling energetic, there are plenty of ways to exhaust yourself - such as sea kayaking, which takes you into the neighbouring bay, home to a recently-abandoned eco-hotel (called Petit Byahaut. It is on the market if you have a cheeky $3.4m to spare), and back via a marine bat-cave.Or a one-to-one football coaching session, with ex-professional players, on the best training pitch on the island. I am put through my fairly sluggish paces by Marlon James, a 34-year-old striker who still represents his country. Liverpool (who sponsor the resort’s football centre) regularly bring their youth team out to train with, and play against, the St Vincent national side - who arrive for training just as my session comes to an end. I decide it's the perfect moment to leave the pitch.I realise that it would be easy to spend my entire stay cocooned within the hotel - but I also know it would be a crime to come here and not explore the Grenadines.So it is that, at nine in the morning the next day, I jump into a boat and make for open water. Not by myself, of course. I have some help. And once I've forgiven the pun, Fantasea cruises live up to their name. The crew crack open the rum punch as soon as we pick up speed - resolutely pouring from a 10-litre plastic jerrycan as we crash through the waves. Picking up passengers at Bequia (the largest of the Grenadines after St Vincent), we roar south towards Tobago Cays, past Mustique, and many other millionaires’ bolt holesAside from being the location for much of the filming on the first Pirates Of The Caribbean film, Tobago Cays is home to a protected reef and turtle sanctuary, where even the most inexperienced snorkeller can get within arm’s reach of marine beauty. I flop gracelessly into the water, but - two or three lungfuls of salt-water later - am surrounded by fish of all shapes and sizes. Two sea turtles lazily flap their way through the turquoise water.On the way back we stop at Mayreau, an island home to only a couple of hundred people. There is one small hotel, and a glorious beach that, on a sunny day in June, I have almost to myself. This is very much the Caribbean of my imagination. And it remains there long after I leave.Travel FactsKuoni (01306 747008, www.kuoni.co.uk) offers seven nights at Buccament Bay Resort on an all-inclusive basis, in a junior garden-view suite - including flights from London Gatwick with British Airways (www.ba.com), and transfers. Prices for September 2011 start at £1,749 per person, based on two sharing. Find this story at www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2019378/Caribbean-holidays-St-Vincent-Grenadines-slice-paradise.html

Cars Could Run On Recycled Newspaper

2011-08-27T02:33:00.000-07:00

ScienceDaily (Aug. 25, 2011) — Here's one way that old-fashioned newsprint beats the Internet. Tulane University scientists have discovered a novel bacterial strain, dubbed "TU-103," that can use paper to produce butanol, a biofuel that can serve as a substitute for gasoline. They are currently experimenting with old editions of the Times Picayune, New Orleans' venerable daily newspaper, with great success.

TU-103 is the first bacterial strain from nature that produces butanol directly from cellulose, an organic compound.
"Cellulose is found in all green plants, and is the most abundant organic material on earth, and converting it into butanol is the dream of many," said Harshad Velankar, a postdoctoral fellow in David Mullin's lab in Tulane's Department of Cell and Molecular Biology. "In the United States alone, at least 323 million tons of cellulosic materials that could be used to produce butanol are thrown out each year."

Mullin's lab first identified TU-103 in animal droppings, cultivated it and developed a method for using it to produce butanol. A patent is pending on the process.

"Most important about this discovery is TU-103's ability to produce butanol directly from cellulose," explained Mullin.
He added that TU-103 is the only known butanol-producing clostridial strain that can grow and produce butanol in the presence of oxygen, which kills other butanol-producing bacteria. Having to produce butanol in an oxygen-free space increases the costs of production.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110825105024.htm
As a biofuel, butanol is superior to ethanol (commonly produced from corn sugar) because it can readily fuel existing motor vehicles without any modifications to the engine, can be transported through existing fuel pipelines, is less corrosive, and contains more energy than ethanol, which would improve mileage.

"This discovery could reduce the cost to produce bio-butanol," said Mullin. "In addition to possible savings on the price per gallon, as a fuel, bio-butanol produced from cellulose would dramatically reduce carbon dioxide and smog emissions in comparison to gasoline, and have a positive impact on landfill waste."

Vincy Art

2011-08-26T10:56:00.000-07:00

VISIT http://arcthemagazine.com/arc/2011/08/weekly-inspiration-13/#comment-619

The St.Vincent Parrot’s Home

2011-08-26T10:41:00.000-07:00

Posted by Rochelle Joseph in Birds,Events,Spotlight on Species

The St. Vincent Amazon Parrot (Amazona guildingii) is found on the small, volcanic, Caribbean island of St. Vincent. The island of St. Vincent is part of the country of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Houston is more than four times the size of St. Vincent! This small island is the only place in the world that the St. Vincent Amazon Parrot is found in the wild.

The St. Vincent Amazon Parrot is listed as a vulnerable species, with less than 800 left in the wild. The Houston Zoo has housed St. Vincent Amazon Parrots since 1967 and is currently the only zoo in North America to do so.

The Houston Zoo hatched Vincent Deuxieme in 2008

To learn more about this exotic species, their habitat, and their history on the island of St. Vincent, join us on Sunday, September 4th from 11 AM until 3 PM at the St. Vincent building (near Stormy the bird bank) for our Spotlight on the Species.
Keepers will be hosting fun activities about the island and the St. Vincent Parrot, including a volcano demonstration, flag creation station, face painting and more. The keepers will also be there to answer any questions you may have about this special parrot.

This is one of the most beautiful birds, and your very own Houston Zoo is the only place they can be seen in all of North America so please mark your calendars and join us!
Written by Senior Bird Keeper Mollie Coym

PM defends Tourism Authority

2011-08-26T07:57:00.000-07:00

By Kenton X. Chance, Published on August 24, 2011

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent -- Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves on Monday defended St Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority CEO Glen Beache against opposition calls for his resignation and further said that Tourism Minister Saboto Caesar is “boss” of that ministry.

Opposition leader Arnhim Eustace in July called for Beache to resign. Eustace said there was a conflict of interest in Beache’s company sharing directors with a Trinidad firm that markets St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Beache, a former tourism minister, announced at a press conference that he subsequently closed the company. He also responded to Eustace’s questions about EC$75,000 the Tourism Authority paid to a video production firm in Barbados, saying that the money was for a Skinny Fabulous music video.

Vincentians only learnt that $40,000 and not $75,000 was paid for the video after the company said it was only paid $40,000.

Tourism Minister Saboto Caesar told Parliament last week that Beache never said EC$75,000 was paid for the video. However, one day later, a local newspaper published a story in which Beache said he had made a mistake in saying that $75,000 was paid for the video.

“…This has nothing to do with any 35 [thousand dollars],” Gonsalves told reporters on Monday. “… This has to do with the fact that Arnhim Eustace want to impugn the integrity of Glen Beache that somehow there is some missing money when in fact there is none,” the prime minister added.

“Resign for what? Because he mistakenly said, according to you, in repeating Eustace, that it is 75 [thousand dollars] and it turn out to be 40 [thousand dollars]? What he must resign over?” Gonsalves said in response to questions from journalist William “Kojah” Anthony.

Gonsalves said there was no corruption involved and the most one can say is that the situation raises “the presumption of a conflict of interest but when you get to know the facts, the presumption is rebutted.”

“I am trying to find what this call [is] about,” Gonsalves further said, adding that members of opposition New Democratic Party continue to enjoy lands that were bought for EC$1 per square foot.

“The declaration that you are clean doesn’t mean that you have come to the table of equity with clean hands. And really, we have to be careful that every young professional that comes along on the flimsiest of allegation we try to destroy them,” Gonsalves added.

Gonsalves described as “a separate question” concerns that the situation with Beache could affect Tourism Minister Caesar.

“Saboto is the boss because he is the minister. And under the [Tourism Authority] Act, there are certain powers, which are given to Saboto – to the Minister. And over the minister, there is somebody else, who has prime in front of it — in front of minister, which means he is the first minister, who is over Saboto,” Gonsalves further said.

Gonsalves further noted that Caesar told Parliament that he has documents to prove that EC$40,000 was paid for the video. The prime minister questioned whether Eustace had any evidence that the sum was in fact EC$75,000.

“You can’t say it on the basis of sophistry or some airy-fairy allegation because it is people’s reputation you are dealing with. Every time a young person is coming to be appointed, to exist, you have Mr. Eustace trying to pull them down …” Gonsalves said.

He further noted that although Eustace receives state funds to pay a research officer, he has not hired one to replace Patel Matthews who was elected to Parliament last December.

“… I expect that he will spend the money for the purpose for which parliament intends it. And, of course, if he doesn’t do it, the Director of Audit can be asked to audit the account because it’s the government money,” Gonsalves said.

He, however, noted that Eustace should repay the monies to the Consolidated Fund if they are not used as stipulated.

Gonsalves further noted that in 2001, Eustace, then prime minister, was prepared to reimburse former ambassador Kinsley Layne $100,000 without the proper documentation.

Copyright© 2004-2011 Caribbean News Now! at www.caribbeannewsnow.com All Rights Reserved
For permission to republish, please contact editor@caribbeannewsnow.com
http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/topstory-St-Vincent-PM-defends-Tourism-Authority-CEO,-says-minister-is-'boss'-7537.html

‘Difficult life’ without LIAT?

2011-08-26T04:47:00.000-07:00

By Gercine Carter - Friday, August 26th, 2011.

Chairman of regional air carrier LIAT Jean Holder has warned the “opportunity costs” of not having the airline “are quite substantial.

Speaking Wednesday in support of LIAT shareholders spokesman, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Holder said LIAT paid many millions of dollars in taxes in regional countries and “if you shut it down tomorrow, you may think that you have gotten rid of a problem but the opportunity costs of not having LIAT are really quite substantial and people need to give it a lot of thought.”

LIAT employs 955 people across the Caribbean.

Following a shareholders meeting Tuesday, Gonsalves said: “You can’t be subsidising or paying for other airlines into your space and your country and you just treat LIAT as though it is a floormat.”

He said the airline was at a disadvantage when competing with the Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines (CAL) on the Port-of-Spain to Barbados routes, and pointed out that LIAT’s fares on those routes had to be cut “in order to stay in the game with CAL.”
“When we cut our fares, we are losing money but we have to be in the game because they are important routes, but CAL can’t go and be having a fuel subsidy,” Gonsalves argued.

Holder told The DAILY NATION CAL’s aviation fuel was heavily subsidised, resulting in the airline paying no more than US $50 per barrel for jet fuel while LIAT paid US $120 per barrel.

“LIAT has for years been the bus service of the Caribbean trying to make sure that every little country in the region gets air service,” he said, “and there comes a time when one has to review this.”

In this regard, he disclosed a route profitability analysis was being undertaken. The chairman pointed out that LIAT operated about 1,000 flights weekly from Tortola in the north to Curacao, taking in Puerto Rico, the Domincan Republic, the French islands and many small islands with small populations along the route.

“That network is an extraordinarily difficult operation to run on a daily basis,” Holder observed.

While Gonsalves threatened that LIAT’s “social routes” would have to be cut if the respective governments did not help to fund them, Holder suggested “there is nothing wrong with saying to a country ‘LIAT needs to survive. It is in our interest that it survives. Where do you expect it to operate without any kind of support from you or anybody else?’”

However, Holder said LIAT, “would not likely cut services because it recognises that we are in a community and people need to get around the community.” (Barbados Nation)

http://www.antiguaobserver.com/?p=63620

LIAT route cuts still on the table

2011-08-25T10:23:00.000-07:00

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, August 24, 2011 – As LIAT shareholders consider the future of the regional carrier, the company is still contemplating whether or not it should drop unprofitable routes, an option that has been considered for some time now.  LIAT Chairman Dr. Jean Holder, speaking after meeting with the airline’s three major shareholder Prime Ministers – Freundel Stuart of Barbados, Baldwin Spencer of Antigua and Barbuda, and Dr. Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines – along with other members of the Board of Directors and management this week, announced a planned review of certain routes now served by the carrier.  He said the Antigua-based airline could be forced to pull off routes which are not profitable unless the governments or other stakeholders in those countries provided revenue and/or marketing support as was often done for a number of international carriers.   Dr. Gonsalves, speaking to reporters after the meeting, added that LIAT had been placed at a disadvantage as it tries to compete with other airlines and if Caribbean governments don’t help to fund the carrier, “we will just cut them”.  “You can’t be subsidizing or paying for other airlines to come into your space and your country and you just treat LIAT as just a floor mat and you take it for granted,” he said.

  A statement issued by LIAT said that during the meeting shareholders reviewed the present competitive situation involving air transport in the region and it was noted LIAT had seen some reduction in its loads to a number of destinations particularly in its critical southern network.   “The issue of fuel subsidies to airlines and the adverse competitive impact which this had on LIAT and other carriers were also discussed and the possibility raised for having these matters resolved within the context of the CARICOM single market framework,” the statement said.  

Shareholders noted the continuing financial difficulties facing the company, including continuing high oil prices and continuing weaknesses in the regional and international economy.   “An all embracing Recovery Plan, developed by management and which targets both revenue and cost components of the business, was endorsed by the shareholders,” the press release noted.  LIAT has also reiterated the importance of the company’s re-fleeting efforts as a critical element of its programme to improve efficiency of its services and to enhance its competitive position in the marketplace.   A programme of action is expected to be presented shortly to Prime Ministers of the shareholder governments, outlining the possible time-lines and scenarios for introduction of new aircraft into the company’s fleet.

The next quarterly meeting of the shareholders is expected to take place before the end of the year.

http://www.caribbean360.com/index.php/business/499144.html?utm_source=Caribbean360+Newsletters&utm_campaign=d46c61c354-Vol_4_Issue_34_Business8_25_2011&utm_medium=email#axzz1W3vNEX7X

LIAT Problems

2011-08-23T14:59:00.000-07:00

I hope LIAT is in good shape when we come down in a month or so. This is from an Antigua newspaper website:

LIAT shareholders to meet today
By CMC - Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011.

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent – Shareholders of regional airline LIAT will meet in Barbados today as chairman Dr Ralph Gonsalves said he was “concerned” about how on-going industrial relations are being handled.
“I have a sense that somewhere the industrial relations issues are not being handled as adroitly, as adeptly, as they should be handled,” Gonsalves told reporters yesterday.
“I see the one in Barbados, I see the one in Grenada. I see the one with pilots. It may well be that the management is correcting each case. But if the management is correcting each case, why are the people who are involved other than the management in each case feel wronged? So that worries me,” Gonsalves added.
Earlier this month, LIAT employees in Grenada voted to end a crippling 11-day strike even as their bargaining agent warned that the “war is not over” with the Antigua-based airline.
The workers, who were owed an estimated EC $6 million (US $2.2 million) in outstanding arrears dating back to 1983, agreed to accept EC $500,000 (US $185,185) with the outstanding matters to be dealt with during arbitration.
The strike took place even as the airline was trying to resolve pilots’ concerns and just before threats of industrial action in Barbados.
Gonsalves explained that he was not saying that LIAT management “is making errors.”
“As a mature person and a person involved in the management and leadership of a country … when I see the series of things, it suggests to me that maybe something should be done better even though they are not done wrongly ….” Gonsalves added.
He further said that he was not castigating the management of the airline.
“I have spoken with the requisite subtlety. And you know if I am going to castigate anybody I will so openly. And I have very high regard for the management of LIAT, so let me add that …” Gonsalves said.
Last week, LIAT pilots announced a new strategy in their ongoing dispute with management, indicating that they will now seek to hold talks with the three shareholder governments in the future.
The airline is owned by the governments of Antigua & Barbuda, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Barbados.
“Letters would be drafted and sent out to the individual prime ministers and shareholders by Friday this week, requesting a meeting,” said Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan at a news conference called by the Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA).
Astaphan told reporters that a meeting will be scheduled as soon possible.

From Shakers To Spiritual Baptists” by Adrian Fraser

2011-08-22T20:04:00.000-07:00

KINGS-SVG Publishers is pleased to announce the publication of
“From Shakers To Spiritual Baptists: The Struggle For Survival of the Shakers of
St. Vincent and the Grenadines” by Adrian Fraser. The new
book examines the factors and circumstances that led to the passage of the
Shaker Prohibition Ordinance that declared the Shaker religion illegal in 1912.
It then traces the efforts made to repeal that Ordinance. The focus is on the
Shakers’ struggle for survival and for their right to worship in the manner
they deemed fit. Central to this were the environment and conditions
that emerged in St. Vincent after the riots of 1935. George McIntosh, who
was one of the main political personalities to have come on to the political scene
after the riots, is depicted as one of the chief architects of the efforts to have
the Ordinance repealed. Some attention is paid to the origin of the religion
known at first as ‘The Wilderness People'. This account of St. Vincent and
the Grenadines’ only known indigenous religion should be of interest to all
members of that religion and of Vincentians and others generally, as the
forces against which the Shakers had to contend were ones that helped
to shape so much of SVG’s history and society.

The author, Dr. Adrian Fraser, is Head of the University of the West Indies
Open Campus, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

He is the author of Chatoyer: National Hero of St .Vincent and the Grenadines.
He is also a weekly columnist with the Searchlight newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

A formal launching of the new book is scheduled to take place on Monday, August 29, 2011,
at 5:00 p.m. at the University of the West Indies Open campus at Murray Road, Richmond Hill.
All are cordially invited to attend.

PM praises Cuba-Venezuela over Argyle airport

2011-08-18T11:31:00.000-07:00

SATURDAY, 13 AUGUST 2011

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, CMC – Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves says Venezuela will meet the multi-million dollar bill for hosting a number of Cuban workers at the Argyle International Airport project. “The amounts spent on the Cuban workers from July 2008 to the end of July 2011 is EC$8.76 million (US$3.24 million), “Prime Minister Gonsalves told Parliament.

He told legislators that St. Vincent and the Grenadines government has been permitted by Venezuela “to borrow monies in respect of the Argyle International Airport from the PetroCaribe fund” under which Caracas provides oil at concessionary rates to several regional countries.

Gonsalves said that EC$27 million (US$10 million) “so far has been borrowed…and we have repaid two million dollars (US$740,700). We fully anticipate that by the end of the project all necessary conciliations would be made.”

Gonsalves described the Cuban workers as “volunteers” telling Parliament that the amount of money paid to Cuba directly on their behalf “is only a fraction of what they would normally command if they were hired as workers in the open jobs markets.
‘In fact many of the junior engineers employed by IADC (International Airport Development Company) are being paid more than two times what we pay for an experienced Cuban engineer, similarly the amounts we pay under contract for engineers…the consultants, the overseas engineering company, is more than four time what we are currently paying for a similarly trained qualified Cuban engineer.”

Gonsalves said the contributions of the Venezuelan and Cuban governments towards the project “are immense”.
The Argyle International Airport is being built on about 175 acres of land, with a paved runway 2,743 meters (9,000 feet) long, and 45 meters (150 feet) wide. It is designed to accommodate jets as large as Boeing 747-400s and handle about 1.4 million passengers per year

The project is being developed by IADC, a private limited liability company wholly owned by the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The project team includes the Chatoyer-Che construction team and CECI Engineering Consultants of Taiwan.

http://caricomnewsnetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4815:st-vincent-prime-minister-praises-cuba-venezuela-over-international-airport-project&catid=82:latin-a-central-america&Itemid=457

Cocoa Comeback

2011-08-17T06:17:00.000-07:00

St Vincent government signs agreement for re-introduction of cocoa

Published on August 17, 2011

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, (GIS) -- The government of St Vincent and the Grenadines and Armajaro Trading Limited signed a memorandum of agreement on Tuesday for the reintroduction of cocoa growing in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves signed on behalf of the government, while Nicko Debenham director of sustainability and development at Armajaro signed on behalf of his company.

Gonsalves, in remarks following the signing, noted that he had been advised by the officials from Armajaro that cultivation of cocoa should start by the next rainy season.

Gonsalves said that there will be three demonstration projects and farmers will also be able to get involved in cocoa production as soon as the planting material is available.

The prime minister noted that the agreement is not a social welfare agreement but a business agreement. He said Armajaro is not a charitable institution and unless everybody can make profit out of the agreement, it will not survive.

The prime minister pointed out that Armajaro has given an undertaking as part of the agreement for the planting material to be made available to farmers. He said the company is also committed to providing credit on a commercial basis to farmers in inputs and fertilizers.

Gonsalves said that the ministry of agriculture will be involved in the project every step of the way and he also noted that there is a provision in the agreement for the setting up of a cocoa producers association. He however, stated that the contracts will be between the individual farmers and Armajaro.

The government, as part of the agreement, has given exclusivity to Armajaro in the sale and marketing of cocoa produced and marketed in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Gonsalves pointed out, however, that there is an exception for persons involved in cottage industry where cocoa sticks and other products are produced for the local market.

The government has also granted a number of concessions to the company, which the prime minister noted are in the domain of the usual concessions for agriculture.

The agreement will be made public and will be put in the form of a Bill which will go to parliament to satisfy the principles of transparency, good governance and accountability.

Gonsalves stated that he hoped that with the enlightened self interest of farmers and Armajaro, there will be diversification of agriculture, creation of employment, enhancement of wealth in the farming community and in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Copyright© 2004-2011 Caribbean News Now! at www.caribbeannewsnow.com All Rights Reserved For permission to republish, please contact editor@caribbeannewsnow.com

Argyle Airport Terminal to be constructed

2011-08-08T21:17:00.000-07:00

By Kenton X. Chance

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent -- Actual construction of the new Argyle International Airport terminal building in St Vincent will begin within one week, Dr Rudy Matthias, chairman and CEO of the Argyle International Airport Development Company announced on Sunday.

Matthias, speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony for the terminal building, said he expects Taiwanese firm Overseas Engineering and Construction Company Ltd will complete the facilities within 28 months, as contracted.

He said that, while preparing for the design of the terminal building, IADC officials visited airports in Cuba, The Bahamas, Trinidad, Mexico, Portugal, and Atlanta.

Taiwanese firm, CECI Engineering Consultants Inc. was awarded the US$3.9 million contract for the design and supervision of landside facilities.

Matthias outlined the facilities to be constructed over the next two years.

The contract for the terminal building, which is being financed by Taiwan, is worth US$26.5 million.

The 100,071 square-foot terminal building compares to the 30,000 square feet at the E.T. Joshua Airport and is designed to comfortably accommodate 800 passengers at any one time, Matthias said.

Matthias said all earthworks at the airport would be completed by early 2013. The airstrip will be 9,000 feet long and would accommodate any aircraft, except the Airbus A380 -- the largest passenger airliner in the world.

The 22-acre apron at Argyle will be 11 times larger than at the E.T. Joshua Airport.

Matthias said 8.8 acres would be for commercial planes while 11.5 acres will be for general aviation.

General aviation includes aircraft flying to the Grenadines and private aircraft, which Matthias said the IADC expects would increase significantly when the airport is completed.

The apron will also have space to accommodate two 727 aircrafts, the type Amerijet landed at the E.T. Joshua Airport.

The Argyle International Airport, the largest capital project in the history of St Vincent and the Grenadines, was conceptualised in 2005 and construction commenced in 2008.

It was initially estimated to cost EC$480 million. The cost has since been revised to EC$652 million.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves’ “coalition of the willing” has joined in financing the airport. The coalition includes Cuba, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Iran, Libya, Mexico, Austria, and the Caribbean Community Development Fund.

Gonsalves said on Sunday that it is high time that “oppositionists” support the Argyle International Airport project.

In his first public address since going on vacation four weeks ago, Gonsalves cited the biblical account of Solomon’s construction of the temple, noting that David had left detailed plans and immense resources for its construction.

He said that, unlike Solomon, his administration, which came to office in 2001, was not left any plan or monies for building the airport.

Gonsalves, speaking on the eve of his 65th birthday, noted opposition to the project, which was being constructed in the face of the limited resources of St Vincent and the Grenadines and the global economic situation.

He said that 154 Vincentians and 47 Cuban are currently employed at the project.

About 80 more Vincentians will be employed when actual construction of the terminal building begins next week, with 800 persons expected to be employed when construction peaks.

Gonsalves said studies indicate that a cross-wind runway would be necessary only to accommodate aircraft flying to and from the Grenadines.

He said a crosswind runway would cost less than 1 percent of the cost of the airport.

Gonsalves said the value of the works completed is EC$180 million but noted that the IADC has spent only EC$28 million.

Vincentians can expect the new airport to be complete by the end of 2013 Gonsalves said on Sunday.

Current chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Dr Denzil Douglas, and Taiwan ambassador to Kingstown, Weber Shih, congratulated the government of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) for undertaking the construction of the Argyle International Airport.

Douglas -- who is also prime minister of St Kitts and Nevis -- and Weber spoke at the ground-breaking ceremony on Sunday.

Douglas noted that the terminal building was being commenced during a week when the global economic crisis especially impacted the United States, which saw its credit ratings downgraded from a perfect AAA to AA+ for the first time.

Douglas added that the effects would be felt within CARICOM, including its sub-regional grouping, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), where St Kitts and Nevis and SVG are part of an economic and political union.

In the meantime, the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) on Monday said that there continues to be “no clarity” on how the EC$652 million international airport being constructed at Argyle is to be financed.

“Gonsalves, continues to ignore economic reality,” the NDP said in a press statement Monday morning.

The NDP said the prime minister’s speech on Sunday was “an empty address to a few party supporters in Argyle”.

The NDP said Gonsalves “has resorted to cheap political rhetoric in an effort to secure his political support base which has been wavering under the pressure of the ULP’s [Unity Labour Party’s] poor economic management of our country”.

It said the “confusion within the ULP” can be seen in the different dates Gonsalves gave on Sunday and CEO of the Tourism Authority Glen Beache gave international tourism stakeholders last year.

“2013 now joins 2012 and 2014 as possible dates for completion of the project,” the NDP said in its statement.

The NDP, which was in office for the 17 years ending March 2001, said it is clear on how it will proceed with the airport, citing its position outlined during the 2010 election campaign.

“… we have the support of a major international construction group capable of undertaking large-scale infrastructure projects. They will partner with an NDP administration to finally get the Argyle airport into a state of readiness,” the NDP reiterated.

“The construction company will work closely with the independent consultants already announced to assess and rectify the seeming planning mistakes made by this ULP administration. Once a clear plan of action is in place, the airport will be completed in a timely fashion so as to minimize any further financial wastage,” the NDP.

The party said its position “is not based in fantasy or empty rhetoric.”

“The New Democratic Party cares about airport development, we have the support to do it and we will pursue it sensibly, with regard for our country and our people’s economic reality.

The NDP also said Gonsalves must change his position on regional airline LIAT, adding that he should listen to his own Ministry of Tourism.

“The Ministry is saying that the high cost of flying via LIAT has negatively impacted regional visitor arrivals to St Vincent and the Grenadines. Invite competition to come in so that you increase visitor arrivals to our shores. Give the population a chance to benefit from the absence of a monopoly,” the party stated.

“Invite competition and do it now. That is priority. Fix the roads in the country and the infrastructure so that the current airport at Arnos Vale will not be flooded by 30-minute rain showers. That is priority,” the NDP further said.

Happy Birthday, Comrade Ralph!

2011-08-08T15:17:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO PRIME MINISTER DR. RALPH E. GONSALVES OF ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
• Posted by DE POWA of de VINCY on August 8, 2011 at 3:31am

The United Labour Party Family would like to wish one of the most selfless men in the region, a man who have fought many political battles, a man who has always been an advocate for the poor and working class, a true visionary a happy 65th birthday. We are happy to have you as our leader and PM. We love you Ralph Gonsalves we wish long life happiness - VOTEULP

www.hot97svg.com/.../happy-birthday-to-prime-minister-dr-r...

Harmless moderate earthquake near St. Lucia, Martinique and Barbados

2011-08-07T04:15:00.000-07:00

Last update: August 7, 2011 at 6:30 am by By Armand Vervaeck and James Daniell 1 Comment

Quake Flash reports are used by Earthquake-Report.com to report on earthquakes which we categorize as ‘probably not dangerous‘, but scared a lot of people living above it. The magnitudes may be in between M 3.0 or M 5.0, depending how used people are to earthquakes in that part of the world. We kindly ask people who have felt this earthquake to share their information with our many readers, also from your area (use the I Did Feel It form below).

Just after midnight local time a moderate earthquake struck below the sea-floor of the triangle St. Lucia, Martinique and Barbados. Based on the first I Have Felt It reports from the area, this earthquake has been felt as a “light shaking” (MMI IV) in Saint Lucia and as a weak shaking (MMI III) in Martinique, Barbados and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The distance from the epicenter (in between Saint Lucia and Barbados) to the nearest populated island is too big to generate any damage or injuries.

I Have Felt It reports as received by Earthquake-Report.com Sandals Grande St. Lucian, Gros Islet, St. Lucia : First time feeling an earthquake. Totally felt the earth moving. Everything started shaking in our rooms! Went on for about 30 seconds (maybe felt that long because it was my first one). Started getting scared when it wouldn’t stop and I told my husband, should we get under a door Sill? (Moderate Shaking MMI V indicated) Micoud, St.Lucia : The noise which preceded and consequently accompanied the actual shaking was a bit ominous for me since I reside next to the sea in Micoud, St. Lucia. I thought it was a tsunami approaching! Fortunately everything subsided rather quickly. (Light Shaking MMI IV indicated)

Most important Earthquake Data: Magnitude : 5.0 UTC Time : Sunday, August 07, 2011 at 04:01:11 UTC Local time at epicenter : Sunday, August 07, 2011 at 12:01:11 AM at epicenter Depth (Hypocenter) : 38 km Geo-location(s) : 72 km (44 miles) ESE of CASTRIES, St. Lucia 113 km (70 miles) NW of BRIDGETOWN, Barbados 116 km (72 miles) SE of FORT-DE-FRANCE, Martinique

New Book on Spiritual Baptists

2011-08-07T02:08:00.000-07:00

KINGS-SVG Publishers is pleased to announce the publication of
“From Shakers To Spiritual Baptists: The Struggle For Survival of the Shakers
of St. Vincent and the Grenadines” by Adrian Fraser. The new
book (edited by Baldwin King and Cheryl Phills King) examines the factors and
circumstances that led to the passage of the Shaker Prohibition Ordinance that
declared the Shaker religion illegal in 1912. It then traces the efforts made to
repeal that Ordinance. The focus is on the Shakers’ struggle for survival and
for their right to worship in the manner they deemed fit. Central to this were the
environment and conditions that emerged in St. Vincent after the riots of 1935.
George McIntosh, who was one of the main political personalities to have come
on to the political scene after the riots, is depicted as one of the chief architects
of the efforts to have the Ordinance repealed. Some attention is paid to the origin
of the religion known at first as ‘The Wilderness People'. This account of
St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ only known indigenous religion should be of
interest to all members of that religion and of Vincentians and others generally, as the
forces against which the Shakers had to contend were ones that helped to
shape so much of our history and society.
The author, Dr. Adrian Fraser, is Head of the University of the West Indies
Open Campus, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He is the author of
Chatoyer (Chatawae): National Hero of St .Vincent and the Grenadines.
He is also a weekly columnist with the Searchlight newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The retail price of the book (paperback, 101 pages,
ISBN: 0-9778981-7-2) is US$13.95 plus shipping and handling
(US$3.00 in the US, US$5.00 to Canada and US $9.00 to the Caribbean and the United Kingdom, by airmail).
To order, please send us your name, address and payment (check
or money order payable to KINGS-SVG) to: Baldwin King, P. O. Box 702,
Madison, NJ 07940, U.S.A . You may also place your order through our
website:http://www.kingsinn-svg.com. (Click on Bookstore). Our
email is kingba@aol.com.

Taiwan gives EC$600,000 to St Vincent for disaster relief

2011-08-06T00:55:00.001-07:00

August 5, 2011 Leave a Comment

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves (L) receives the EC$600,000 disaster relief cheque from Ambassador Shih. (Photo: Office of the PM)
St Vincent and the Grenadines on Tuesday received EC$600,000 from Taiwan to help with rehabilitation in the north of country following torrential rain on April 11.
Taiwan ambassador to Kingstown, Weber Shih, presented a cheque for the amount to Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves at a short ceremony at the Cabinet Room.
The monies are the first portion of a US$1.5 million dollar grant, which will be used to rehabilitate the bridge at Langley Park/Basin Hole in Georgetown and to provide for a river defence network in the area.
It’s the second contribution from the Taiwan, in relation to damage caused by the torrential rains of April 11.
Earlier this year, following a visit by Gonsalves to Taipei, the government received a grant of US$500,000 for relief and rehabilitation.

Camillo Gonzalves at the UN

2011-08-06T00:51:00.000-07:00

The international community must tangibly demonstrate even greater levels of trust and faith in the youth.
The call comes from the Permanent representative of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ambassador Camillo Gonsalves. He told the General Assembly’s High-Level Meeting on Youth that the challenges they face are often without parallel in historical memory.
Gonsalves: In our region, the youth confront transnational crime, HIV/AIDS, climate vulnerability and a technological explosion amid an uncertain economic environment, with changing modes of production and distribution of capital that have yet untold implications for the next generation. This High-Level event must have something to show for itself beyond a tepid outcome document. It must be the beginning of a reimagining of the role of the youth in our national development and global governance, and the starting point of a genuine effort to mainstream youth issues and embrace our young people as equal partners in this journey into an uncertain future. Anything less would be simply be another attempt to use the youth as a photogenic backdrop for further political grandstanding. But as we have learned in recent months, the price of such marginalization of the youth, their needs and concerns, can be politically and societally cataclysmic. Let us heed the lessons that the youth have been trying to teach us.
NAR: According to Ambassador Gonsalves, it is an unfortunate truth that youth and governance are often times-uneasy bedfellows. He said the traditional halls of power and politics – including the General AssemblyHall – are often dominated by those for whom youth is but a dim memory.
Gonsalves: Further, many of our political leaders have failed to earn the trust of young people, seeing them merely as an emotional wave to be ridden into or out of political office. Others seek to cynically grasp a mantle of “change” that belies their own status as senior citizens whose principles and transformative credentials have long since been sacrificed on the altar of political ambition. But the world’s youth need not be mistrusted, harnessed, indoctrinated or marginalized. They need to be listened to. They need to be embraced. And they need to be made active, and leading partners in national development and global governance. The pace of change and development has accelerated exponentially, and the world that lies one generation into the future will be radically different from the one that we grapple with today. The pace of change – for good and ill – will be a defining feature of tomorrow’s global village, and it is one that we have no experience in managing, or even predicting.
NAR: Ambassador Gonsalves reiterated Saint Vincent and the Grenadines central sentiment of the CARICOM Declaration on the Future of Youth in the Caribbean Community, namely, that the youth are “not problems to be solved,” but rather “invaluable assets and partners in development” of the sub region. He said the creativity, innovation and energy that will chart a new course through the fallout of globalization and the ongoing global economic crisis lies with our youth, not the staid orthodoxy that led us into the crises we now face.
Gonsalves: The Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has invested heavily in the youth at all levels of society. We have, in the last decade, achieved universal access to secondary education, and are well underway to universal access to early childhood education. State spending in tertiary education has increased exponentially, and every single one of our students – with the cooperation of the governments of Portugal and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela – will have their own laptop computer, to engage the world beyond the narrow confines of our Small Island Developing State. Young people have also been thrust into positions of great responsibility at all levels of government and the public service. Senators, Ministers, Diplomats and other high level officials are all part of this burgeoning youth brigade. Young Vincentian entrepreneurs, sportspersons and cultural artists continue to create jobs, influence debate, and create new pathways for future development. Our national trust and faith in the youth is unshakeable.
NAR: Ambassador Gonsalves stressed that it is today’s youth who will inherit that world, and it is today’s youth who must be taken into the confidence of leaders and policymakers on every step of our journey into the future.
This is Donn Bobb reporting.

Garifuna Settlement Day in The Bronx

2011-08-05T02:17:00.000-07:00

The Board of Directors of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. a, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization is pleased to announce its Third Annual Yellow White and Black 2011 Garifuna Settlement Day Gala, scheduled for Saturday November 19th, 2011.

The Yellow White and Black 2011 Garifuna Settlement Day Gala will celebrate the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc’s thirteenth anniversary, as well as the commemoration of Garifuna Settlement Day in Belize and Guatemala, and will be held at The Eastwood Manor located at 3371 Eastchester Rd Bronx, NY 10469 and is expected to draw over 300 guests from the tri-state area, as well as from the New England area.

The Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc invites you to reserve the date for an evening of fine dining, open bar, dancing and more. Proceeds from the Gala will go to support the operation of the Garifuna Coalition Advocacy Center in the Bronx. The Center serves as the basic advocacy and organizing needs of Garifuna immigrants from Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

The theme for the Third Annual Yellow White and Black Fundraising Gala is based on the colors of the Garifuna flag, which consists of three horizontal stripes: Yellow is for the Amerindian heritage, White is for peace and freedom and Black is for the African Heritage, According to the National Garifuna Council of Belize, this flag has long been accepted internationally as the flag of the Garifuna Nation.

The Garifuna Coalition promotes harmony and unity among Garifunas, Garifuna-Americans and all persons and organizations of good will to promote and share our cultural heritage, improve the quality of life and community empowerment of New York’s Garifuna Community.

In 1940, Thomas Vincent (TV) Ramos, leader and spokesman of the Garifuna people along with Pantaleon Hernandez and Domingo Ventura approached the Governor of the colony and asked for the establishment of a Public and Bank Holiday to observe the Garifuna arrival in Belize. The request was granted and the Carib Disembarkation Day, later named Garifuna Settlement Day, was first celebrated in Stann Creek District on November 19, 1941, later in Punta Gorda and the Toledo District in 1943 and throughout the country in 1977.

Garifuna Settlement Day celebrates the arrival of the Garinagu to the shores of Belize. It also represents the incorporation of the Garinagu into Belize's social fabric. Furthermore, the Garifuna Settlement Day celebration symbolizes an official recognition of the Garinagu as a people who have contributed immensely to Belize as a country and to the Belizeans as a diverse people.

The Third Annual Yellow White and Black 2011 Garifuna Settlement Day Gala, will honor the memory of Thomas Vincent (TV) Ramos. We cordially invite you to reserve the date, November 19th, 2011,

For more information about the Gala, visit www.garifunacoalition.org or contact the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc at (718) 402-7700.

Rain

2011-08-03T03:35:00.001-07:00

A picture uploaded by Harry Colvin to stormcarib.com of flooding in Arnos Vale

Garifuna Music

2011-07-29T02:08:00.001-07:00

. Soul Jazz Records Presents The Black Caribs Of Belize
. Garifuna: Ancestral Travellers Of The Caribbean
. Soul Jazz Records
. 2011

It was the brilliant, sadly brief international career of Andy Palacio that most recently brought attention to the music and remarkable history of the Garifuna people, the so-called black Caribs. Since his death, his work has been continued by Aurelio Martinez, another fine singer-songwriter and guitarist who is appearing at Womad this weekend. The Garifuna are descended from black African slaves who managed to escape from captivity during a shipwreck off the Caribbean island of St Vincent, back in the late 17th century. They intermarried with the local Carib population, and are now scattered across Central America, including Belize, where this set was recorded. Produced by Stuart Baker, the founder of the Soul Jazz label, it's very much a followup to his album of rara street music from Haiti last year. Like that set, it's finely packaged, and veers away from commercial songs to concentrate on traditional styles, from lengthy, hypnotic passages of drumming and chanting to the call-and-response styles of dugu religious ceremonies.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/jul/28/the-black-caribs-of-belize-garifuna-review

Comments on the Argyle Airport

2011-07-26T19:10:00.000-07:00

For decades all international travellers to and from St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) have had to deal with the sometimes humiliating experiences of having to change flights, usually in Barbados. Often times, they would complain of the scutiny and time consuming immigration checks. Several, in fact, seemed to have resigned themselves to coming to SVG as rarely as possible.

There have been reported instances as well where persons en route to St. Vincent to get to the Grenadines have been literally taken by couriers from the hub location where they were to take the flight that brings them directly to mainland St. Vincent.
There is the argument as well that the lack of an international airport has deprived SVG of much needed financial input including forein currency. As a monocrop economy, the island has grown to become a major importer of goods and services, even importing what it has the capacity to produce locally.

Early in the political life of the post-colonial St. Vincent and the Grenadines, its longest serving prime minister proclaimed that an international airport on the mainland was not probable because there will need to be two runways--one for taking off and the other for landing. This was said, it seems, due to the mountainous nature of the island. St Vincent is the second most mountainous island in the Eastern Caribbean archipelago.

One of the spill offs of that first official verdict on a possible international airport on St. Vincent was that it was nepotistic in nature. You see, the then Prime Minister, Sir James Mitchell, was a native of Bequia, the largest Grenadines island. Persons in the Grenadines have always seen themselves as a separate people from the mainland Vincentians. So a sort of competitive animosity had been developed.

To add insult to injury, Prime Minister Mitchell also said that Canouan, another of the Grenadines island, had the capacity to take a large enough runway to accommodate the LIAT aircraft that was landing on the mainland, along with small jets. 
That would mean that mainlanders would have to travel to Canouan before they could have boarded a regional air carrier.

The idea infuriated Vincentians on the mainland. There were some other comments being made by Sir James from time to time that made mainlanders feel they were being insulted by their prime minister. For example, he would say that when the mainland runs out of banana, the Grenadines would still have fish; that mainlanders had a breadfruit mentality; that Jesus Christ could never have been born in St. Vincent because there are no virgins on the island.

So, you see, the then prime minister's allegedly informed opinion on an international airport on mainland was being taken in less than pleasant acceptance.

A new government with a new prime minister was elected in 2001. Not too long after that it became known that the Unity Labour Party (ULP) government led by Ralph Gonsalves intended to make good on a promise to deliver an ainternational airport on the mainland.

That seemed to have reopened a can of worms. The political pundits all started throwing their punches; however, the ULP stuck to its guns. The area airmarked as the suitable site was a on the eastern side of the island in an area known as Argyle.

Argyle was an area of several hundred residents who had built middle income to upper level income houses on their property. These people had to be relocated by the government. In the process of these relocations, the government sold lands from the Grenadine island of Bequia, home of former Prime Minister Mitchell, to raise moneys to pay the removed home owners for their lands.

The completion of the airport was scheduled for 2012; however, it has now been set for 2 years later, in 2014. Part of the problem has to do with the gigantic tasks of bringing the airport site to a level field, thus eliminating the hills and valleys. There has also been much discussion on the availability of finances to keep the project going.

The majority of the work is being done by countries that have pledged their support in what the St. Vincent and the Grenadines government is calling "a coalition of the willing."
I recall once being in the vicinity and talking to a very reliable source who admitted that the engineers and leaders on the ground where the physical work is being done were concerned that they were not seeing monies flowing at the proper pace needed to keep the project on schedule.

The contract for the commencement of the building of the terminal buildings was signed a few weeks ago; however, looking at the sight will reveal that a lot of ground work still needs to be done. You are not seeing a runway clearly shaped as yet.

Another concern is that Argyle has been known for being very windy. It is on the Windward side of the island, taking the brute force of the prevailing North East Trade Winds. Will planes be able to land or take off safely?

The clock is ticking, and in a way I suppose that even the critics are secretly hoping that St. Vincent and the Grenadines will finally have its own international airport.

Read more: http://blogcritics.org/politics/article/impact-of-an-international-airport-on/page-2/#ixzz1TGdtRmZ9

Another Ambassador?

2011-07-25T20:16:00.000-07:00

On a positive note, the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed a bipartisan amendment sponsored by Engel and Mack that calls on the State Department to open embassies in five small Caribbean countries — Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Vincent and the Grenadines — where the United States has no diplomatic missions.
Under this amendment, five of the more than 800 U.S. diplomats currently serving in Afghanistan and Iraq would open one-person missions in these countries as they are phased out from their current posts in coming years, at no cost to taxpayers. Cuba and Venezuela already have embassies in these small Caribbean nations.
My opinion: The Republican-controlled House Foreign Affairs Committee, presided over by Rep. Ileana Ros Lehtinen, R-Miami, lost its marbles by calling for cutting U.S. funds to the OAS.
The OAS is one of the few places where Washington can sit together with most countries in the region, friends and foes alike. At a time when China and the European Union are playing a growing role in the region — the Europeans in recent years created the Ibero-American Community of Nations in a little-disguised move to compete with the OAS — withdrawing from the OAS doesn’t make any sense.
Granted, the OAS is a monument to diplomatic frivolity and political theater, but it’s a much-needed forum for the smallest countries in the region, and Washington needs it more than some of its foes.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/23/2328338/oas-is-a-basket-case-but-a-needed.html#ixzz1TB4huMiA

SVG Photos

2011-07-24T13:38:00.000-07:00

A marvelous collection of photographs associated with St. Vincent and the Grenadines can be found at:

http://flickriver.com/places/Saint+Vincent+and+the+Grenadines/recent/

Apple Store Access for SVG

2011-07-24T13:29:00.000-07:00

Apple is widening the reach of its App Store by expanding its availability to 33 additional countries, bringing the total number of covered countries to more than 130.

The 33 new countries include multiple small islands, African nations, former British colonies, and Eastern European states. By making the App Store available in these countries, Apple is allowing customers to purchase and download applications — and allowing developers to submit apps for approval.
Some of the new countries include Algeria, The Bahamas, Ghana, Iceland, Nigeria, Uzbekistan, and Yemen, although the new countries aren’t listed on Apple’s website yet. The list includes: St. Vincent and The Grenadines

ARC The Magazine

2011-07-22T05:59:00.000-07:00

http://arcthemagazine.com/arc/home/ is a review of caribbean art that is online. Well worth the look.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

You Tube Playlist-SVG

Dig a Caribbean holiday

Tears of joy for Manning

Prime Minister Gonsalves accepted 3.42 million EC dollars.

Palm Island Photos

St. Vincent and the Grenadines, A Hidden Gem!

New Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean

SVG on ABC

Peaceful Caribbean Conference

PM knocks ‘narrow-minded’ perception of SVG

17 out of 45 in the World: Mainland St. Vincent in the NY Times

Buccament Bay Comments

Digital Detox Vacations

Ralph Gonsalves: Still the best man for SVG By Lesli Patterson

Experts in Cuban Forum about Afro-descendants

SVG Market

SVG: Top ranked tourist destination

Videos on the Internet

Azerbaijani Premier meets Our PM

Making The List

Christmas Message from Ralph Gonsalves

Set In Stone

Camillo Gonsalves on Development

Going To Puerto Rico

PM vs Gold Trade

PM Gonsalves says: Matters under control

Pompey's Opinion of the LIAT situation

More On LIAT

LIAT pilots report for work

More On LIAT Sickout

More LIAT

Second Failure of LIAT to get to Puerto Rico

LIAT Pilot Arrested

Publications by the Kings

New Book from KINGS-SVG

Latin and Caribbean leaders challenge US

Bank of St Vincent & the Grenadines

SVG Photos

CFL opens Save A Lot Food Stores in SVG

An iPad in every cabin?

Inter-island Ferry Service

Digging SVG

Palm Island

The Law and The Elections

Archaeology in SVG

Cocoa in SVG

NY Times on Bequia

Execute Orders

SVG Videos

Message from US

The Roundabout

Indigenous and Afro-descendants grasp at common voice

Letter About UN Speech

PM to work from home after office building fire

Carnagie Library Building

SVG Statistics

diplomatic relations with Libya “on hold”

Garifuna Music

Friendly nations recommit to airport, education in St Vincent

Banana Sqabble

PM and First Lady spotted with marie-claire

St. Vincent a genuine escape to paradise

Iran president praises St Vincent

Trinidad Cabinet approves inter-island ferry service

PM at UN

Book Review (with local reference)

More SVG Videos

SVG Videos

Buccament Bay Beach Resort, Harlequin The Truth

New UWI SVG Site Head

Political plain speech

James Hamilton in St. Vincent

US officials drew stark contrasts between Gonsalves, Eustace

Archaeological volunteers sought to help uncover St. Vincent's past

The Daily Mail visits Buccamen

Cars Could Run On Recycled Newspaper

Vincy Art

The St.Vincent Parrot’s Home

PM defends Tourism Authority