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BRADES, (Montserrat) July 30, 2004 (GIU): Hon. Margaret Dyer-Howe, Montserrat's acting Chief Minister has re-stated government's position that it has no intention of pulling out of the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

Dyer-Howe, speaking during a broadcast on the government-run Radio Montserrat on Thursday night, said Montserrat needs to be part of the regional integration movement.

" Not only as a beneficiary but also as an island that offers peace and stability, a rich culture and a friendly environment," Dyer-Howe said during her 12 minute broadcast.

Montserrat, despite being a British colony, has been a full member of Caricom since 1974 when it signed and ratified the original Treaty of Chaguaramas in Trinidad.

The island's Agriculture Minister said government is still awaiting the entrustments (legal approval) from the British government to sign on to the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) and the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in its original jurisdiction.

" In the meantime Montserrat would like to participate in the harmonized system by implementing the final phase of the CET -Common External Tariff," she said.

Dyer-Howe said the options of not participating in Caricom must be examined as well as the costs to Montserrat of not participating in Caricom.

" There would be advantages and disadvantages and I would submit that the costs of not participating in Caricom would be far greater than if we did," Dyer-Howe said.

She said previous governments have all supported Montserrat's full participation in Caricom.

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More Public Education Needed on CCJ and CSME

BRADES, (Montserrat) July 30, 2004 (GIU): Parliamentary officials and community leaders have all agreed that there is need for more public education on the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) and the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

The Office of Chief Minister this week concluded two public meetings in the villages of Salem and Lookout focusing on matters related to the CSME.

The meetings included presentations from members of the public and parliamentarians.

Technical assistance was provided by the Barbados-based CSME Unit through its Communications Specialist - Montserratian Salas Hamilton.

Hamilton feels Montserrat is making good progress on the road to becoming CSME ready by December 2005, but more public education is required to inform residents about the opportunities, challenges and benefits of the CSME.

" Lots of times we have societies not knowing what is happening at the regional level which has implications at the national level and I think governments are realizing there is a lot more that needs to be done....it needs to be placed in schools on the school curricula," Hamilton said in an interview on Radio Montserrat.

Montserrat has formally written to the UK government seeking the entrustments (legal approval) it needs to fully participate in both the signing of the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, the CSME and the CCJ in its original jurisdiction.

Also during the week, the island benefited from Caricom technical assistance on the Common External Tariff (CET).

Norris Breedy, Deputy Programme Manager - Single Market and Economy and Ian Stanford, consultant Customs and Trade Policy were the main resource persons at a four-day workshop on CET-related issues for Customs officer and brokers on the island.

Yvonne Holder, Technical Coordinator (Technical Action Services) at the Caricom Secretariat in Guyana also spent the week on the island.

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Standards and Poor's officials wrap up two day visit

BRADES, (Montserrat) July 30, 2004 (GIU): John Chambers and Roberto H. Sifon Arevalo from the New York headquarters of Standard and Poor's this week wrapped their two day visit to Montserrat as the authorities seek to get a Sovereign Credit Rating in an effort to improve the attractiveness of the island for investment.

During their visit, the two Standard and Poor's officials held talks with individuals in both the public and private sectors including bankers and managers of Statutory Bodies.

They also sort the views of members of the local media outlets on Montserrat.

Officials in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Trade believe that developing the ratings will add to the Montserrat government's commitment to accelerate its investment promotion activities over the next five years.

Chambers, Managing Director (Sovereign Ratings), said investors view the government as the most credit worthy institution in any country and that any corporation that would borrow would be less credit worthy than the government.

" If you are looking to lend to a corporation doing business in Montserrat. If you are a bank in Miami...an investor thinking about buying notes that are issued by such a corporation...your first point of reference will be how credit worthy is the government," Chambers said during a media briefing at the end of the talks.

The Standard and Poor's official said by establishing a credit rating the government can help facilitate private corporations by getting external finance.

" I think what counts is the strength of the social contract. That social contract is established over decades, over years and it's whether or not the Government, all of its leaders can respond to meeting the needs of its citizens and to setting the rules for the game in such a way that people can prosper. The stronger the social contract the greater confidence that you have that the current policies will continue to be implemented and eventually strengthened," Chambers concluded.

The Standard and Poor's officials said they will analyze the data and submit their report to the government of Montserrat

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Occupational Health and Safety Workshops Planned

BRADES, (Montserrat) July 30, 2004 (GIU): Officials in the Department of Administration are planning a series of occupational health and safety seminars for public servants starting in mid-August.

Three key objectives of the seminars have been outlined by the Department in a memo to heads of departments, permanent secretaries, the Financial Secretary and the Attorney General.

This includes raising the level of awareness among managers, supervisors and employees with the public sector to the benefits of sound occupational health and safety practises within the workplace.

Department of Administration officials are also seeking to identify priorities and strategies for the development and establishment of workers health plans in each Ministry/Department.

The Department is also keen to develop strategies for a comprehensive integrated approach to managing workers health in the public service.

Elijah Silcott, Labour Commissioner will conduct the seminars.

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Dyslexia Awareness Workshop held for teachers in Montserrat

BRADES, (Montserrat), July 27th 2004 (GIU), A workshop, sponsored by the Ministry of education was held from the 19th -23rd July to raise awareness about dyslexia in young students in Montserrat.

The target group for the workshop was daycare, nursery and primary school teachers. It workshop was conducted by a local resource person Edith D. Duberry, Principal of the Lookout Primary School and was held at the main school hall of the Brades Primary School.

The workshop was centered around the main issues relating to Dyslexia which is an abnormal difficulty in reading, spelling and writing caused by a brain condition and Dysnumeracy which affects the way students deal with numbers and arithmetic. The teachers learnt many techniques that help to identify dyslexia among young students. It also helped to dispel many taboos that are associated with dyslexia such as left handedness which many parents and teachers identify as a bad sign in young children and attempt to correct this.

Edith Dubbery noted that the teachers were highly enthused during the workshop and were highly motivated and active during the practical workshop sessions.

The workshop culminated on Friday the 23rd with an exhibition which displayed the many items that the teachers created during the practical workshop sessions.

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Beulah Wesleyan Holiness Church VBS a success

Brades, (Montserrat), July 27th 2003, (GIU), Friday 23rd July marked the end of a one week vacation bible school conducted by the Beulah Wesleyan Holiness Church in St. Peters which is under the Pastorate of Sis. Ruth Allen. The main sessions were conducted by Embler and Anthony Spencer from Antigua. The vacation bible school was attended by students from the age of 4-13 and were divided into the age categories of 4-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-13. They were involved in many activities ranging from art and craft to recreational games.

According to Embler Spencer one of the conductors of the bible school they were quite pleased with the outcome of the VBS and notably the attendance which recorded highest its highest numbers at approximately 108 children. She also said it was the first time to Montserrat for both herself and her husband and that they enjoyed their stay on the island very much.

The VBS ended with a concert and exhibition which displayed their performing talent on stage and also their exhibits of art and craft which they produced.

This VBS is one of many summer workshops being held for children on Montserrat by other churches and other community groups.

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Standard and Poor's Officials to explore Credit rating for Montserrat

SALEM, (Montserrat) July 22, 2004 (GIU): Two officials from Standard Poor's Sovereign Credit Ratings will visit Montserrat early next week, according to a note from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.

John Skerritt, Financial Secretary says Montserrat is seeking a Sovereign Credit Rating from Standard and Poor's in an effort to improve the attractiveness of the island for investment.

Standard and Poor's analysts Robert H. Sifon Arevalo and John Chambers will visit Montserrat on July 26 and 27 to collect, compile and analyze data.

Sifon and Chambers will meet with officials in both the public and private sectors including financial institutions and statutory bodies.

The two Standard and Poor's officials will also hold discussions with Montserrat's Chief Minister John Osborne and Governor Deborah Barnes-Jones

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EDF Allocation finalized for Montserrat

BRADES, (Montserrat) July 22, 2004 (GIU): Ambassador Amos Tincani, delegation head of the European Commission for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean is scheduled to visit Montserrat next Tuesday, according to the permanent secretary in the Montserrat Development Unit.

Angela Greenaway says Ambassador Tincani will be on island to sign the 9th European Development Fund (EDF) Single Programming Document.

The Montserrat government had to prepare a single programming document (SDP), which is the framework established for development cooperation between the European Union and Montserrat.

As a result, Montserrat has been allocated financial assistance in accordance with the rules under the 9th EDF, according to Greenaway. There was no mention by Development Unit officials of any specific amount allocated to Montserrat.

The single programming document for Montserrat was submitted to the European Development Fund Committee in December 2003 and was approved in May 2004.

The Commission's decision has been adopted and the mandate of the Commissioner to sign the SPD has been issued to Ambassador Tincani.

Hon. John Osborne, Montserrat's Chief Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Development is expected to sign of behalf of the local government.

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National Tourism Strategy for Montserrat

BRADES, (Montserrat) July 20, 2004 (GIU): In a collaborative exercise, the Montserrat government and the Department for International Development (DFID) are working on a Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) of plans for the implementation of the National Tourism Strategy.

An initial workshop is scheduled for July 21 at the Vue Pointe Hotel in Old Towne.

The SESA will be undertaken by Mrs. Fiona Brown and Mrs. Blondina Howes-Jeffries, both of whom have work with the local government and DFID in the past. Their field work will last about two weeks, according to government officials.

The workshop is intended to cover topics such as an explanation of what SESA involves and why it is important to ensure a sustainable approach to tourism development, the provision of basic skills in environmental and social screening of projects and the description of projects to be considered under the tourism strategy.

The study started on Monday.

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Lobbying on TPS continues in the US

BRADES, ( Montserrat) July 20, 2004 (GIU): Vera Weekes, Assistant Director at the Caribbean Research Center Medgar Evers College in New York is calling on Montserratians to intensify their lobbying of American officials concerning the recent announcement by the Homeland Security Secretary to terminate the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) programme for some 292 Montserratians in the United States.

In an update on the situation, Weekes said she spent last week lobbying and meeting with the " very powerful and connected union" - the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

She also held talks with key staff members for Congressmen Major Owens and Donald Payne of New Jersey. Major Owens is the sponsor of the Bill HR 603 - which seeks to regularize the status of Montserratians in the United States on the TPS programme.

" They are embarking upon some strategies that will correct the situation and will prevent anyone having to leave. Of course, these endeavours take time and goodwill, so we have to be patient," Weekes wrote in her email circulated to several Montserratians at home and in the United States.

She also explained that Congresswoman Donna Christian-Christensen of the US Virgin Islands has set up a meeting with the Homeland Security Department " so that they could obtain clarity on the Notice. Among the groups supporting the efforts is the US Congressional Black Caucus.

" Last week was also spent lobbying as many Congress persons as possible and they all seemed very sympathetic to our petition and have promised to do what they can to assist," Weekes said.

The termination of the TPS programme for Montserratians has also been addressed to the US President George W. Bush, Attorney General John Ashcroft and Legislators.

Weekes is also appealing for strong lobbying during the Democratic Convention scheduled for Boston from July 25-29. The US Congress will go on recess for the month of August but will resume business in September.

September is an election month; the primaries are scheduled for September 14.

" Be that as it may, it is imperative that we continue, in full force, the advocacy efforts....get your colleagues, family, friends, churches, unions, whoever could speak, to call their representatives and quote the information as per the fact sheet," Weekes appealed to nationals in the United States.

" Remember that God is still on the Throne, so He rules. Let us turn this over to Him, so that He will break down all opposition. I am hopeful and confident that no one will have to leave," Weekes noted in her correspondence.

Tom Ridge, Homeland Security Secretary announced on June 25 that effective February 27, 2005 the TPS programme for Montserratians will be terminated.

Part of the reason given for the decision by Secretary Ridge was that the volcanic activity on the island could no longer be considered temporary in nature and that scientists have indicated that such eruptions generally last 20 years, but could continue for decades.

US officials also noted that the TPS programme which began in August 1997 has been extended on six occasions.

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Early Childhood Association to stage workshop for 4-6 yr olds

BRADES, (Montserrat) July 20, 2004 (GIU): Montserrat's Early Childhood Association has announced plans for the staging of a one-week fun workshop on the island for children between the ages of 4 and 6 years old, according to the President of the body.

Lady Eudora Fergus told the GIU Tuesday that the workshop, which is scheduled for July 26 -30, will be held at the Look Out Primary school.

The children will be exposed to Music ( McCloyde White), Arts and Craft (Verna Johnson & Jennifer Benson), Drama ( Storytelling and Puppetry - Edith Duberry and Dance ( Rose Willock).

Sister Riley, wife of Pastor Abraham Riley of the Brades Pentecostal Church, will guide the children in their Devotional sessions.

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First Win for Montserrat in Leewards under-19 cricket championship in St. Kitts

BRADES, (Montserrat) July 15, 2004 (GIU): Montserrat has recorded its first victory in the 2004 Leeward Islands under-19
cricket tournament in St Kitts.

The young cricketers from the 'Emerald Isle of the Caribbean' beat their counterparts from the British Virgin Islands by 110
runs at the Molyneaux ground.

Batting first, Montserrat scored 173 - with M. Hazelwood 78 and Dolston Tuitt 27. In their turn at the wicket, BVI were
bundled out for a paltry 82.

Shernyl Burns continued his excellent bowling form in the tournament taking 5 for 23 and Dolston Tuitt 2 for 12.

In the second innings Montserrat made 78 as the players attempted to score quick runs and force an outright win in the
match.

Set 165 for victory, BVI were dismissed for a meagre 52. Shernyl Burns was again outstanding picking up for 5 for 22,
Mervin Francis 2 for 14 and a wicket apiece for Kenville Fenton and Dolston Tuitt.

Burns bagged ten wickets in the match. Coach Fitzroy Buffonge told Radio Montserrat during a telephone link up from St
Kitts that it was the third time in the youth cricket championship that Burns has taken five wickets in an innings.

Shernyl Burns has so far taken 24 wickets in the sub-regional competition. Dolston Tuitt, according to coach Buffonge,
has now amassed in excess of 280 runs.

" I think he (Tuitt) is among the first three batsmen in the tournament in terms of aggregate. He has a very good chance of
going on to represent the Leewards," Buffonge said.

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Dolston Tuitt named as reserve for Leewards Under 19 team

BRADES, (Montserrat) July 15, 2004 (GIU): Montserrat has recorded its first victory in the 2004 Leeward Islands under-19 cricket tournament in St Kitts.

The young cricketers from the 'Emerald Isle of the Caribbean' beat their counterparts from the British Virgin Islands by 110 runs at the Molyneaux ground.

Batting first, Montserrat scored 173 - with M. Hazelwood 78 and Dolston Tuitt 27. In their turn at the wicket, BVI were bundled out for a paltry 82.

Shernyl Burns continued his excellent bowling form in the tournament taking 5 for 23 and Dolston Tuitt 2 for 12.

In the second innings Montserrat made 78 as the players attempted to score quick runs and force an outright win in the match.

Set 165 for victory, BVI were dismissed for a meagre 52. Shernyl Burns was again outstanding picking up for 5 for 22, Mervin Francis 2 for 14 and a wicket apiece for Kenville Fenton and Dolston Tuitt.

Burns bagged ten wickets in the match. Coach Fitzroy Buffonge told Radio Montserrat during a telephone link up from St Kitts that it was the third time in the youth cricket championship that Burns has taken five wickets in an innings.

Shernyl Burns has so far taken 24 wickets in the sub-regional competition. Dolston Tuitt, according to coach Buffonge, has now amassed in excess of 280 runs.

" I think he (Tuitt) is among the first three batsmen in the tournament in terms of aggregate. He has a very good chance of
going on to represent the Leewards," Buffonge said.

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Numeracy and Literacy key focus areas for Lookout Primary

BRADES, (Montserrat) July 14, 2004 (GIU): Edith Duberry, head teacher at the Look Out Primary School, has identified numeracy and literacy as priority areas for students in the new school year.

Miss Duberry made the comment as she presented the school's report during the annual graduation ceremony held Tuesday at the St John's Anglican Church.

She said the Ministry of Education has already planned some workshops to provide additional skills for teachers.

The head teacher has challenged parents to rally behind the students and teachers at the Look Out Primary school - which has only been in existence for the last few years - to strengthen the education process.

Duberry said the school will become a full primary school starting in September 2004.

" We need greater facilities to accommodate a grade six...we need another building to facilitate a classroom, display center, science lab, bigger library and an auditorium to host concerts and promotion/graduation day exercises..we hope this will become a priority of the Ministry of Education," according to the head teacher at Look Out Primary School.

Edmund Roberts, Manager of Royal Bank of Canada (Montserrat) delivered the feature address.

He called on the children to prepare well for challenges ahead and the adventures of life.

Meanwhile, the other government primary school - Brades Primary - will hold its graduation ceremony Wednesday followed by the privately run St Augustine Roman Catholic primary school on Thursday.

The island's lone Secondary School held its graduation ceremony last week. The nursery schools have also held similar ceremonies.

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Montserrat's Special Olympics team returns home from regional games in Jamaica

BRADES, (Montserrat) July 14, 2004 (GIU): Montserrat's Special Olympics team and officials have returned home after participating in the first ever Caribbean Regional Games in Jamaica.

Over 600 athletes from 15 countries were involved in the Games which were opened held at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus in Kingston.

On the first two days of track and field events, Team Montserrat received several medals, according to team official Tammy Foote. The medals were presented to the athletes by Miss Jamaica World 2004, Jade Fulford.

" Followed by the gold medal for the 100 metre run on Friday, another gold medal was awarded to Akeim Galloway for the softball throw. He also received the bronze medal for the standing long jump," according to Foote.

Collin Morrison took two silver medals, one for the 25 metre run and one for the standing long jump. Collin also received two bronze medals for the 50 metre run and the softball throw.

Jo-ann Osborne, Captain of Team Montserrat, ran the first leg of the torch lighting run at the opening ceremony in front of a crowd of over two thousand cheering supporters.

In the elimination stages in the singles Bocce competition, Montserrat received two gold medals. One was awarded to Jo-ann Osborne and the other to Javelle Tuitt, both of Cudjoe Head.

Montserrat's Team 2 won two of four games on the final day of the Bocce competition. Theishma Tuitt of Brades and Javelle Tuitt of Cudjoe Head captured fourth place behind the Cayman Islands, Aruba and Trinidad and Tobago.

"Their efforts and sportsmanship were commended by all," according to Tammy Foote in the final team report from Kingston.

Montserrat's Team 1 - comprising Jo-ann Osborne of Cudjoe Head and Dylan Browne of Davy Hill - won 3 of 5 matches. Osborne and Browne played with " great skill to take the bronze medal for their division."

All the athletes were celebrated for their achievements.

During the Regional Games, the athletes from Team Montserrat were provided with complete health screenings courtesy of Lions Club International and other non-profit organizations donating time and energy at the event.

Congratulations to the Montserrat Special Olympics team and officials.

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Two Montserrations Awarded Chevening Scholarships

BRADES, Montserrat (July 9, 2004): Two Montserratians have been awarded the prestigious Chevening Scholarships for 2004/5, according to a press statement from the Governor's Office.

Miss Laverne Rogers of Government's Physical Planning Unit will study for an MSc in Geographical Information Science at Edinburgh University in Scotland.

Mrs. Desreen Silcott of Government's Health Department will study for an MSc in Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine - University of London.

Both scholarships will begin in September 2004 and are for one academic year.

Governor Deborah Barnes-Jones has personally congratulated both of the successful candidates for receiving their scholarships.

Chevening scholarships are provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in conjunction with the private sector in Britain and are aimed at students with a first degree desirous of completing higher education, according to the Government House press release issued on July 9.

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Montserrat Electricity Company's Statement on Fuel Problems

BRADES, (Montserrat) July 7, 2004 (GIU): The following is a press release received from Montserrat Electricity Services Ltd.

In a broadcast on June 9, 2004, ZJB reported that some diesel users on Montserrat had expressed concern about the diesel supply.

MONLEC has now confirmed that in addition to a change in appearance, the diesel received around early May 2004 has characteristics that are different from the unusual product.

The company was first alerted to this change by the incidence of unusual problems, including an explosion on one of its diesel engines on May 21, 2004, and excessive smoking on starting. Subsequently, an independent laboratory test confirmed that the diesel fuel varies significantly from the expected results, particularly with regards to those characteristics that determine ignition quality and influence engine performance.

So far, electricity customers may not have been aware of this problem because there has only been one interruption to date. However, we are very concerned about minimizing the possibility of service defect on the engines due to the fuel, and we have therefore asked the fuel suppliers to ensure that all traces of the product are removed. The company’s technical staff are also monitoring the condition of the engines closely to minimize the impact of any reduction in the service life of the engines, due to the changed fuel specifications.

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Flag Raising Ceremony For CARICOM DAY

BRADES: Montserrat, (July 2, 2004) GIU: The Office of the Hon. Chief Minister was on Friday finalizing arrangements for the hosting of a flag raising ceremony to mark Caricom Day.

This year the official Caricom Day falls on a Sunday - July 4. The Heads will be holding their annual mid year conference in the Grenadian capital St George's under the chairmanship of the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell July 4-7.

The ceremony, scheduled for Monday July 5 at Government Headquarters in Brades, will see the raising of the flags of the 15-member Caricom family and the playing of their national anthems.

Also included on the programme will be addresses by Montserrat's Chief Minister John Osborne and the Caricom Youth Ambassador Jermaine Wade.

A cultural presentation for one of the island's young and rising calypsonians will also form part of the activities.

Throughout the entire day, Radio Montserrat - the national broadcasting facility - will be featuring Caribbean music, literature and information about the 15 Caricom member states including Haiti and Suriname.

Focus will also be placed on sensitizing the public about the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) and the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

A radio quiz about Caricom related issues for primary and secondary students on Montserrat will be aired in the morning and afternoon on Radio Montserrat.

Requests for samples of products from all the Caricom member states have been sent to the various Foreign Affairs Divisions. Local individuals, groups and organizations have also been encouraged to display and sell their items on Caricom Day.

The Caricom Day planned activities will culminate on Monday night with a 'live' radio panel discussion on Caricom issues featuring at least three of Montserrat's former Chief Ministers. The moderator for the programme will be Bennette Roach, editor of the island's lone weekly newspaper -The Montserrat Reporter.

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WSG10 Women's Group Erects Sign at Yellow Hill

BRADES - Montserrat (July 1, 2004) GIU: The WSG10 women’s group yesterday, erected a sign at Yellow Hill as part of their signage programme for their WSG10 project part two.

The sign is the first of twenty four signs to be erected in the northern part of the island. Member of the group Rose Willock said that they decided to erect the signs in the northern part of the island so that visitors to the island and residents will become familiar with the various villages and their place names. She also mentioned that the signs are professional and are at an international level and that this was deliberately done because as Montserrat redevelops we should ensure that we do so along a path that is consistent to what is done on the international scene.

Several resource persons assisted in the erection of the sign including Ivan Piper who provided the group with the history on how the areas were given their names. Also present were representatives from the Montserrat Tourist Board, the Royal Montserrat Police Force and the Fire Department, and the Search and Rescue Services.

WSG10 was formed just over three years ago and is a support group of professional women who meet regularly and discuss different ways of improving and developing the island.

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