Saint Lucia No. 149. Saturday, August 5, 2006

A publication of the Department of Information Services

PM wishes Fidel Castro a Speedy Recovery Emanciaption Day Message Novel National Disaster Simulation Exercise - page 2 - page 4 – Page 5

“Take 2 ” - A fi fteen minute news review of the week. Government Notebook A fresh news package daily Every Friday at 6.15 p.m. on NTN, Cablevision Channel 2. on all local radio stations 2 Saturday, August 5, 2006 PM Wishes Cuban Leader Speedy Recovery

rime Minister Dr Kenny D. good and I’m sure he is being given the Anthony has joined other Ca- very best medical care.” Pribbean and world leaders in The Prime Minister said: “The Cabi- wishing Cuban President Dr. Fidel net of Ministers, and indeed the people Castro a speedy and complete recov- of Saint Lucia, have much admiration ery from emergency surgery on the for the Cuban President and his per- eve of his 80th birthday. sonal interest in making humanitarian Prime Minister Anthony says he is and social assistance available to Saint as concerned as all his fellow Carib- Lucia and the rest of the Caribbean, bean colleague Heads of Government especially in the fields of health and about the news that the Cuban leader education.” had undertaken surgery to stop internal Dr Anthony said he welcomed the bleeding following a recent trip to Ar- news that Dr Castro, who is due to turn gentina. 80 on August 13, is recovering and in Prime Minister Anthony, who met a stable condition following his emer- the Cuban leader while in in gency operation. June, said he was as surprised as the Said the Prime Minister: “On behalf Cuban people and the rest of the world of all Saint Lucians, and especially on by the sudden news of President Cas- behalf of those who have received med- tro’s illness. ical care and those who are currently But, he added, he was “also confi- studying in , I wish to extend our dent that he is receiving the best medi- best wishes for a speedy recovery. cal care in the world, because the quali- “We pray for President Castro and Prime Minister Anthony and President Castro during the PM’s recent ty of health care in Cuba is exceedingly we wish him God’s blessings.” offical visit to Cuba PM Assures Sunbilt Residents Their Water

inister of Health, Hon. Woes Will Soon Be Over Damian Greaves, will ister with a complaint about lack of Mvisit Havana soon to water in their pipes. meet with Saint Lucian nursing The residents indicated to the students in Cuba. Prime Minister that this was a long- The Minister, whose visit is ex- standing complaint going back sev- pected to take place within a fort- eral years and their situation needed night, will take the opportunity while urgent attention. in Cuba to discuss with the the 184 The Prime Minister explained to Saint Lucian nursing students issues the residents that the new WASCO of concern and to clarify the Gov- water project being financed by the ernment of Saint Lucia’s intentions World Bank to the tune of US $8 regarding the study programme. million will resolve their issues once Bearing in mind statements made and for all. here in the local media by various Prime Minister Anthony said the personalities relating to the training project will not only solve water woes programme, the Minister will also for Sunbilt, but also for all other areas take the opportunity to discuss with in the upper Castries basin that have the nursing students any concerns had similar problems in the past. they may have concerning their stud- Dr Anthony said the contract for ies or their welfare in Cuba. the project has already been awarded While in Cuba, Mr Greaves will Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony and the pipes imported for that pur- also meet and thank the authorities pose have already begun to arrive on in Havana for the assistance they rime Minister Dr Kenny D. the island. continue to extend to Saint Lucia Anthony has assured resi- The Prime Minister said he fully through the training of health pro- Pdents of Sunbilt that their understood the frustrations of the fessionals, provision of nurses at water woes will soon be a thing of residents affected, but he “wishes Victoria Hospital and other forms the past. to assure them that by this time next of direct assistance to the island’s Several weeks ago, the residents year, their water woes will have dis- Hon. Damian Greaves health sector. of Sunbilt petitioned the Prime Min- appeared.” Diabetes Project Showing Success he Universal Health Care experiencing a few hurdles. These in- personnel, no one should be denied Diabetes Pilot Programme clude the lack of the requisite number medication. Dr. King explained why Twhich was launched about of pharmacies, low production of pro- social security numbers would become two months ago is beginning to re- tocol booklets for distribution through- absolutely necessary as the programme cord some successes, according to out the island and training for health progresses. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Stephen personnel involved in the programme. “ If we do not do that it means that King. Dr. King said that because of Dr King however is calling on mem- anybody could go to a pharmacy with a the testing component of the pro- bers of the public to present their social UHC prescription to get medication. So gramme, more people were discov- security numbers, one of the require- a Vincentian, English man could come ering that they were in fact affected ments of the program, when accessing here and get their medications. This is by diabetes. However as result of medication . “I know that has been a St. Lucian money so we want it to be the programme these people were source great aggravation and frustra- spent by the residents of this country. now receiving free medication for tion at pharmacies, where the pharma- The residents pay their taxes, we want the disease so that those who were cist asks the persons what’s your NIC these monies to go back to the residents; unable to afford medication prior to # or where is your ID card and, people we do not want people from outside to the advent of the project were cur- say well i do not have it, and so there come and access these monies.” rently receiving treatment for their has been a lot of tension along those The next phase of the Universal condition. lines. Health Care Diabetes Pilot Program Dr. King added that although the The CMO says while he understands will attempt to engage private pharma- programme is generally doing well it is the frustration experienced by health cies in the distribution of prescribed Dr. King drugs. Saturday, August 5, 2006 Saint Lucia 3

ember countries of the The highest price for unleaded gaso- Belize have the highest retail prices for gallon in Belize. Eastern Caribbean Cen- line among the member counties of the petroleum products in the Caribbean, , the only oil Mtral Bank (ECCB) have all ECCB countries is in Monsterrat, where with one gallon of unleaded gasoline exporting country in the Caribbean, re- agreed to adjust prices of petroleum it stands at EC$12.84 per gallon. being sold at EC$14.12 in Barbados cords the lowest retail price for petro- products through the implementa- On the other hand, Barbados and and consumers paying EC$15.34 per leum products. tion of a full pass-through pricing mechanism. As a result of this newly- adopted policy, increases in the price of fuel will now be passed on directly to consumers. Similarly, decreases in world petroleum prices will also be passed on to the consumer by way of lower prices. The decision to implement the full pass-through pricing mechanism was taken at the 56th meeting of the Mon- etary Council of the ECCB, which was held in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on July 21, 2006. During that meeting, the Monetary Council agreed to implement policy decisions that would minimize the im- pact of rising oil prices on vulnerable groups and to explore the possibility of establishing a fund that will mitigate or cushion the impact of rising oil prices on OECS economies. Inevitably, the new common policy will require adjustments to the price of fuel in all OECS countries, particu- larly in St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where the retail price of unleaded gasoline and diesel is low- est among all member-countries of the ECCB. The current price of fuel in various Caribbean countries varies from the highest price being paid in non-inde- pendent Montserrat to the lowest be- ing paid in oil-producing Trinidad & Tobago. Prices also vary between the OECS and the other larger Caricom economies, as can be seen in the table below: Sir Dwight Venner Governor ECCB 4 Saint Lucia Saturday, August 5, 2006 Saturday, August 5, 2006 Saint Lucia 5 OBSERVING THE ANNIVERSARY OF NOVEL NATIONAL DISASTER SIMULATION EXERCISE EMANCIPATION FROM SLAVERY St. Lucia and other West Indian countries which were former colonies of Britian, on Tuesday observed the anniversary of the aboloition of slavery in these states on 1st August 1834. It was a national holday in all Caricom countries and in St. Lucia the main event to commemorate the occasion was a cultural and music festival at the derek walcott Square on Tuesday afternoon organised by the Cultural Development Foundation. The Festival featured music by aristes whose focus was on slavery and the black struggle as well as renditions of steelband music, poetry readings and dance performances. There were a number of messages from national groups, including the local Rastafarian movement and the National Workers Union as well as one from the Minister of Culture Menissa Rambally. Below are the Minister’s Adress and scenes from the festival.

a globalized environment we are truly brothers and sisters and by extension we still need to be our brothers keeper. Today we can think for a moment of those victims of war who do not have the right of the choice of life; they are being killed just for being born where they were. That unfortumately is still the reality of some parts of the world in which we live today. Fellow St. Lucians we need to be reminded today that emancipation has also brought with it responsibility. Flooding in the City of Castries Responsibility for our actions and Responsibility for our words. he National Emergency Or- The NEMO Director elaborated on most disasters give no warning and that We must be mindful of the fact that ganisation is calling on all the format by explaining, “Assume that it is important to prepare because the both are potentially dangerous. TSt.Lucians to conduct their at on THURSDAY August 3 at Midday next major earthquake, flood, or land- We still live in a Society where ex- own disaster Preparedness Exercise. there is an Earthquake. Saint Lucia has slide that strikes will not necessarily cept for those incidents that are some- On Thrsday 3rd August, NEMO experienced two massive Earthquakes, happen when everyone is at home or what disturbing to us all we do not have organized a novel national disaster a 7.5 in January 1839 and other 7.5 in with warning. to fear gun bombs and other missiles. simulation activtiy in which persons March 1953”. On that date and time The do it yourself disaster prepared- We still live in a Society where we were asked to conduct their own persons were asked to do the follow- ness activity is the brain child of Greg enjoy relative calm and peace. We still Disaster Preparedness Exercise. Di- ing:quickly take stock of their situation Blanchard, Managing Director of Com- prefer to live here in St. Lucia than rector of NEMO Dawn French says - wherever they were – and note what munity Emergency Supplies Ltd., a most other parts of the world like The “Saint Lucians don’t have to wait for resources they had available; think New Zealand company. Mr. Blanchard NEMO, Red Cross or Government Middle East, Haiti and even some of about where their loved-ones were, may have been speaking to Saint Lu- to be prepared.” our very neighbours in the region. their depen dents, and those in the com- cians when he pointed out that: “The Let us not take this reality for grant- Thursday’s activity was based on munity whom they knew could readily odds are that it could strike just after a model from New Zealand in which ed. care for themselves in time of disaster. you drop the kids off at school, or as there was an informal, nationwide But while we may not fear missles How would they get to them? you are driving down the road to check and bombs today we should note that exercise where the public were asked to conduct a preparedness drill at According to Dawn French it is sup- the cattle,” He said, “Or you could be our words and actions can as well be posed to be a simple exercise in which down ... at the cinema.” He continued particularly harmful and are too often home, work or during the numerous workshop/seminars/meetings that take “We are actually asking for the various by pointing out, “The point is, being used as weapons to hurt and destroy workshops and meetings to stop and prepared is not just about being pre- each other. place daily on the island. In St. Lu- cia, the NEMO Secretariat requested participate -- it only takes a few min- pared at home: it is about being as well- Emancipation day should therefore that at Midday Thursday August 3rd utes and it could save lives.” prepared as possible wherever you are, be used by us to reflect on the need to the whole country stop and check how NEMO chose Thursday August 3rd or being prepared to leave your home.” temper our every action and to respect prepared it was, through following the as this was the date when Hurricane The Director of NEMO is of a similar the freedom of others while being re- advice constantly given out by NEMO, Allen struck Saint Lucia in 1980. The opinion and hopes to make the activity sponsible about how we manifest our Red Cross and the Media. NEMO Director Dawn French public is urged to bear in mind that an Annual one. own freedom. There is an unacceptable crime wave in our country and while it pales into insignificance when compared to the majority of other societies, these in- cidents of crime in our society show that many persons have and continue to abuse their freedoms. Many of our problems have to do with the indiscriminate way in which some people have abused their free- dom including their access to weapons and illicit drugs. These persons are in- fringing on the rights of others to enjoy the freedom we celebrate today. We are a proud people, Proud of when we have come and what we have achieved as a society. Let us guard jealously our ST. Lucianess and all that makes us the people we are. Let us therefore use this occasion of emancipation observance, not only as an event for celebration but for our society and all of us as individuals to his evening we meet in obser- those who have little or none at all. freedom access it. reflect and truly appreciate the huge vance of what we now refer to Today we can appreciate the prog- That is why as a society we need to responsibility our individual freedoms Tas emancipation. ress we have made even as we reflect recommit to the causes such as the Red place on us. Our reality is that emancipation con- on the day to day experiences of those Cross, The Salvation Army, and our Today we celebrate our freedom jures in our minds images of freedom still fighting for their freedom. own local organizations who seek each but collectively reaffirm our commit- and the quest for freedom. We as a people have a responsibility day to reach out to those in need of ment to guard and protect our rights to We live in a world where there are therefore not to abuse our freedom and support, and in need of access to what be free and to live in peace and unity. two extreme versions of what we call also to assist however way we can, to most of us take for granted. A society where we can truly be our freedom: those who have too much and ensure that those who do not now have We must recognize that even within brothers keeper. Thank-you. Earth movements and its effect on a home 6 Saint Lucia Saturday, August 5, 2006 OECS Ministers Accept Minister Rambally’s Call inisters of Social Trans- formation in the OECS Mhave accpeted the call by St. Lucia’s Minsiter of Social Trans- formation, Menissa Rambally for a meeting between the sub region’s Ministers of Finance and its Social Transformation Ministers. Deliver- ing welcoming remarks at the open- ing of the visioning meeting on the Second OECS Human Development Report held in St. Lucia last week, Minister Rambally, citing the need for financial resources to undertake social develoment had called for “ a joint meeting of Ministers of Finance and Ministers of Social development to look at the whole issue enabling and sustaining the process in light of the fact that there are no quick fixes and this must be a medium to long term undertaking.” Minister of Social Transformation of Antigua and Barbuda Hilson Baptiste (R) Responding to his St. Lucia coun- terpart , Antigua and Barbuda’s Hilson Baptiste initiated a discussion among all government ministers present and they agreed to accept an offer by St. Hon. Menissa Rambally Kitts-Nevis to host the first meeting Minister for Social Transformation, of OECS Ministers of Social Trans- Culture and Local Government formation and Ministers of Finance. Commenting on the outcome of their said that the meeting achieved its main meeting, Minster Baptiste said : “That objective in recommending a theme was a very good meeting. What we for the second Human Development have planned to do is to begin to have Report. However some minor adjust- the OECS Ministers of Finance and ments are being made to the wording of the Ministers of Social Transformation the theme. Youth development, Plans have a convention. I think the Minister for the disabled, Social Protection, from St. Kitts-Nevis agreed to be the Migration, Labour, Employment and host for that meeting in the not too dis- the CSME as well as Population and tant future so that we can begin to look Development in the Caribbean were at how we can harmonize our efforts some of the issues discussed at the re- and prepare to look at harmonizing the cent meeting. The importance of media laws through the region. So we have a St. Kitts-Nevis Minister for Social Head of the OECS Social Policy support in the Human Development lot of work to do.” Transformation Sam Condor Development Unit Ezra Jn Baptiste Report planning and finalization pro- The St. Kitts-Nevis Minister for So- cess was also highlighted. The recent cial Transformation Sam Condor who don’t seem to give much thought to the gramme or any other programme. So planning meeting of the theme for the also attended the meeting echoed his social programmes and we as minis- when the budget is thought of,enough second Human Development Report is colleague’s sentiments that it is time ters have a task in trying to get them finance and thought is given to policies part of the preparatory stage which is for a new kind of action. “It is very to understand the importance of social and programmes that relate to social expected to last normally around six important because we have to put the transformation in the development of development.” months, followed by the launching of social programme at the top of the our countries. The social programme The head of the OECS Social Policy the report. The second Human Devel- agenda. Right now many countries is as important as the economic pro- Development Unit Ezra Jn Baptiste opment Report is due within 2007. OECS Component of Caribbean Regional Trade and Private Sector Development Programme Opens gion; To take advantage of the CSME the implementation of a Matching or any other bilateral arrangements Grant facility as well as technical ser- signed by the region such as verti- vices delivered through EDU’s profes- cal or horizontal alliances across the sional team of Business Development region; To foster intra regional coop- officers. Those actions will be sup- eration to enhance productivity and ported by national Business Services take advantage of economy of scale; Organizations (BSO) who will receive Promote programmes of impact into special attention in capacity building underdeveloped areas or disadvantage for increased collaboration with EDU. sectors within the region (rural areas, The OECS Export Development women, etc) Unit (based in Dominica) is calling The identification of new sub-sectors for proposals for grant assistance un- for the services sector, collaboration der the 9th European Development with Business Support Organizations Fund (of the European Communities) Trade Policy and Trade Information from Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, A sample of OECS Products Services, Market Access interventions Grenada, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia as as well as Grant Schemes for the direct wells as St Vincent & the Grenadines. he OECS Export Develop- The programme will seek to pro- support to individual firms and group The deadline for submission of appli- ment Unit EDU is implement- vide support for “improvement of the of enterprises feature among the pro- cations is AUGUST 31ST 2006 at 4:30 ing its component of the 9th regional business environment and gramme’s several areas of intervention. p.m. Queries can be sent to OECS-EDU T Through the grant support to groups at email address [email protected] Caribbean Trade and Private Sector competitive climate, the reinforcement Development Programme. of the capacity of private sector organi- and individual firms the aim is to as- Further information is available on the The main objective of this pro- zations and service providers, and the sist the region’s firms in the process OECS-EDU’ website at www.oecs. gramme, financed by the European promotion of new forms of business of working together to enhance their org/edu. Union is to contribute to the gradual collaboration, clustering and trade fa- competitiveness and promote regional Recently the OECSEDU staged an integration of OECS countries into the cilitation with a focus on SMEs”. integration. unprecedented Trade Show entitled “ world economy, with a view towards Priority issues of the programme New export sectors are to be identi- The Best of the OECS” in Bassterre St. enhancing regional economic growth; for 2006 are: To increase the com- fied and promoted as direct support is Kitts-Nevis as part of activities mark- thus helping to alleviate poverty. petitiveness of firms in the OECS re- provided to selected companies through ing the 25th Anniversary of the OECS. Saturday, August 5, 2006 Saint Lucia 7 Largest Group of Peace Corps Volunteers for OECS ver the next three weeks Saint be conducted for the volunteers at the Ti A total of 17 peace corps volunteers will two years. They are expected to be sworn Lucia will be the training ground Rocher Multi-purpose Centre, and at the remain in Saint Lucia to work for the next in on 13 September, 2006. Ofor 72 Peace Corps volunteers Ange and Micoud Secondary Schools re- who arrived over the weekend. All visit- spectively. ing for the first time, the trainee peace “ During this training period we would be Saint Lucia Sports Minister Welcomes corps will be exposed to their new en- assessing their progress in terms of their Windwards School Athletes vironment through a process of orienta- skills, aptitudes, ect. And then through an tion. interview process we would decide where low good sportsmanship to prevail. While addressing the teams fielded by Associate Peace Corps Director Shar- the volunteers will be based in the 6 OECS St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, mon Jules says a special component of the islands.” Grenada and three time host St. Lucia, orientation is that 72 host families will Meantime the arrival of the largest ever Minister Michel said the governments of actively help them assimilate and settle group of Peace Corps also signals in- the Windward Islands were making huge down by accompanying the volunteers to creased capacity and support at the sub- investments in youth and sports. workshops. At the end of the orientation regional level. “ Part of the importance of that is for and training periods the peace corps will Country Director for the Peace Corps you the young athletes to understand the depart to various OECS islands of their Eastern Caribbean Kate Raftery says most efforts and resources that governments choosing, where they will work for the of the volunteers have to design a plan that of all of these four islands are putting in next two years. will enrich community life in the islands. Hon. Mario Michel ensure that you the young athletes of our “ For the next three weeks they will “The peace corps volunteers have come countries get the best facilities that our be based in four communities. In Desrus- to work at the community level with com- Minister for Education, Human Re- countries can afford. I know Grenada in- seaux, Micoud, Ti Rocher and Mon Re- munity leaders and community groups; to source Development, Youth and Sports vested heavily in the construction of their pos. During this three week period they identify the areas in which the community Honourable Mario Michel raised the own facilities before us; in 1999 they com- will be going through a pre-service train- feels they could benefit from some assis- curtains on the 2006 Windward Islands pleted the facilities. We completed ours in ing where we begin to introduce them to tance. The volunteers hopefully will have Schools’ Games on Sunday when he 2002. St. Vincent and the Grenadines has the tools, skills, and knowledge that they experience and background in such areas declared the games officially opened. recently invested and is investing in com- would need in order to to perform in the as HIV and AIDS education, small busi- The minister wished the athletes success pleting their and I know that Dominica is communities.” ness development, youth work, women’s while encouraging competitors to al- doing a lot of work as well.” Ms. Jules says formal workshops will work ,education etc.” Regional Tax Officials Challenged Tax administrators from the Carib- prove upon their services to tax payers and flexible and responsive in order to keep coordinating policies and measures that bean have been issued with a number to make them aware of their the rights. In pace with new developments while remain- will facilitate its formulation. of challenges at the 19th General As- presenting a message from Prime Minister ing as simple as possible in order to curb Speaking at the opening of the COTA sembly and Technical Conference of Honorable Dr. Kenny Anthony, Mr. Dalsou the risk of non-compliance and compliance Assembly, the Assistant Secretary Gen- the Caribbean Organization of Tax said that this improvement is critical for the cost. Secondly, tax systems must conjure a eral of Caricom in charge of Regional Administration (COTA). These came development of sound fiscal management. sense of transparency if it is to ensure that Trade and Economic Integration, Irwin from some of the officials address- “ Expansion of tax revenues and by ex- tax payer rights and privileges are protect- La Rocque said: “ As guardians of the ing the formal opening of the meet- tension, public expenditures, have become ed. Thirdly, tax systems must ensure that public purse, tax administrators are in ing on Monday, at the Bay Gardens inextricably linked to economic growth and the correct tax is payed at the right time Hotel here in St. Lucia. Interestingly, a unique position to support the mobi- social stability; therefore there is a need for and in the place and little opportunities are COTA was established about twenty lization of resources required to allow policy makers and tax administrators to fos- created for fraud and tax evasion. our governments to effectively dis- years ago in St. Lucia at a meeting of ter improved harmonization of tax policy, the Heads of Regional Tax Adminis- charge their responsibilities within the improve their enforcement of tax adminis- Moderinze Tax Admin community”. trations when the organization’s con- tration and to improve tax payers services stitution was ratified and ironically, and the promulgation of tax payers rights. For Csme this was the last time St. Lucia hosted The Conference These represent the key elements of good Meanwhile Caricom has challenged a meeting of COTA. The challenges governance and sound fiscal management COTA to become the initiators of modern Theme to the COTA officials came from the and must be recognized and vigorously and effective tax administration measures Under the theme, “ Options for Build- Permanent Secretary in the Ministry pursued at all times by policy makers and suportive of the Caricom Single Market of finance in St. Lucia, Philip Dalsou ing Strong Economies through Innova- and Economy(CSME). The harmonization and the Assistant Secretary General administrators if significant improvement tive Tax Policies and Administration”, are to be achieved in the development of of Taxation Structures in the Region has the 19th COTA Assembly focused on of Caricom Irwin la Rocque. strong societies in the region.” been considered a necessary ingredient in innovations in taxation relevant to small Improve Services To The Permanent Secretary however the advancement of the Single Market and countries in the region. It also reviewed warned that policy makers and tax admin- Economy of the physical policy reform in the region and Tax Payers istrators would have to contend with some and the Secretariat has been campaigning reflected on how improving their effec- Philip Dalsou called upon policy challenges in accomplishing this goal. for the active participation of all stakehold- tiveness could contribute to enhancing makers and tax administrators to im- “First of all tax systems must be made ers in the adoption and implementation of the various administration systems. CDB, Petroleum Fund Assistance for Haiti’s Recovery

he Caribbean Development nical assessment mission to visit Haiti in community of US$750 million, a sum in to expedite rebuilding activities for the Bank (CDB) will contribute the coming weeks to work along with a excess of Haiti’s request for $500 million period up to September 2007. TUS$17 million towards Haiti’s Haitian counterpart team, in response to social and economic recovery in keep- a request by President Preval. He said the ing with the Caribbean Community’s Community also intended to re-establish (CARICOM) commitment to assisting a technical office in Port-au-Prince, to Caricom Welcomes Neptune’s Release that Member State in its reconstruc- facilitate Haiti’s “regulatory and other he Caribbean Communi- charge. The Caricom Statement went tion process. efforts, as well as functional cooperation ty (CARICOM) has wel- on to point out that its April 2006 At a Donor Community Meeting spe- with the Community in areas such as comed the release of Mr. Communiqué, the CARICOM Coun- health, education, agriculture and natural T cially convened by the President of Haiti, Yvon Neptune, Prime Minister of cil for Foreign and Community rela- H.E. Rene Preval, on Tuesday 25 July in disaster mitigation.” Haiti in the Aristide government, tions after reiterating its concerns over Haiti, CARICOM’s Assistant Secretary- Ambassador Granderson said that following an order by the Appeals these grave human rights violations General for Foreign and Community Re- Haiti’s re-engagement with CARICOM Court of Haiti. CARICOM had had called on the Interim Administra- lations, Ambassador Colin Granderson provided it with the “political, technical repeatedly condemned the abuse tion “to take the necessary measures stated that CARICOM stood ready to play and functional support of the sub-region- of due process and of the rule of to rectify this objectionable situation” its part in the work of Haiti’s international al grouping whose integration process law associated with the prolonged before it demitted office. detention without trial of Mr. partners in helping to stimulate reforms, continued to advance and to deepen.” According to Caricom the new strengthen institutions and promote po- Neptune. He assured that the Community would constitutional government of Haiti litical, economic and social development. In a press statement issued last Fri- do “the utmost with its own resources to has underlined the emphasis it plac- Apart from the sum being provided by lend support to Haiti’s efforts to create day, the Caricom Secretariat however added that the high profile personality es on strengthening the judiciary in the CDB, Ambassador Granderson dis- the necessary conditions for reconcili- order to uphold the rule of law and closed that Haiti will also have access to ation, reconstruction and recovery.” In of Mr. Neptune should not obscure due process. The earlier release of the Petroleum Fund established by Trini- this regard, Ambassador Granderson the fact that a large number of per- Mr. Privert, a former Minister of the dad and Tobago in 2004 to provide relief noted that CARICOM will focus on “re- sons supportive of former President to CARICOM Member States experienc- suming the support for Haiti’s establish- Aristide, arrested arbitrarily for what Interior and now of Mr. Neptune fol- ing economic hardship resulting from ment of the required juridical, regulatory appeared to be political reasons un- lowing judicial decisions are a hope- persistently high international prices for and administrative arrangements arising der the Interim Administration, have ful sign of change which CARICOM crude oil and petroleum products. from the integration process.” also been denied justice, remaining in hopes will extend to other persons Ambassador Granderson stated that The Donor Community Meeting saw prolonged detention without trial or wrongly arrested and imprisoned. plans were in train for a CARICOM tech- pledges coming from the international

8 Saint Lucia Saturday, August 5, 2006

Saint Lucia In Demand In Last Day Rush for CWC 2007 Tickets worldwide can be found on www.crick- etworldcup.com. Regarding how the rest of Public Tick- eting will be rolled out, Price explained that Phase 2 will run from Friday Sep- tember 1, 2006, to Thursday November 30, 2006. This stage will be conducted on a “first come, first served” basis with remaining tickets available online and at Official Ticket Centres in the nine Host Venues. The third and final phase of Public Ticketing begins on Monday January 9, 2007, and will end on the morning of the Final on Saturday April 28, 2007 – again on a “first come, first served” basis, sub- ject to availability – with actual seats be- ing sold online, at Official Ticket Cen- A section of Saint tres and Venue Box Offices in the Host Luica’s Beausejour Venues. Cricket Ground, More than 800 000 match tickets were a Venue for CWC made available for ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 with ticket prices ranging 2007 Matches from US$10 for a Single Match ticket to Warm-up games to US$300 each for the t. Lucia was one of the host ven- overall among countries from which the ing Programme last November we have best seats at the Final; a policy designed ues of Cricket World Cup which most applications have been received. stressed the fact that regardless of when- to give every fan an opportunity to enjoy Swas one in great demand as The top ten are as follows: the UK, the ever one applied during the May 1st to cricket’s premier tournament. cricket fans engaged in a last-day rush USA, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, July 31st Application phase, one would for tickets - both online (www.cricket- Australia, , India, Canada, Guy- have the same chance of being allocated worldcup.com) and at ICC Cricket ana and St. Kitts & Nevis, respectively. match tickets,” he stated. THIS WEEK ON NTN World Cup Official Ticket Centres in Fans from 124 countries have applied “Public Ticketing has done incredibly Host Venues – on Monday 31st July, for match tickets. well thus far. It’s an overwhelming vote at the end of Public Ticketing: Phase 1 Additionally, the attractive Follow A of confidence in the Caribbean’s ability Sat. Aug. 5th - Fri. August – Application for next year’s tourna- Path and Venue Combination packages – to host such an event and it’s certainly an 11th, 2006 ment. which were only available in the Appli- indication that Cricket World Cup will Professional St. Lucian Women A notable surge during the last 24 cation Phase – continued to be in heavy be well attended.” discuss their rise in the hours of the three-month Application demand. More than 8 000 Venue Com- As expected, he noted that ticket al- corporate world - Sat. Aug. 5th process saw 20 000 tickets being applied binations – which allows a fan to watch locations for some of the tournament’s 9:30 a.m. for as the first stage of Public Ticketing all the matches at a particular stadium “top matches”, including the Final and drew to a close. This figure represents – have been applied for while more than Semi-Finals, would have to be deter- Are black folk emancipated half of the 40 000 tickets applied for in 3 000 Follow A Path packages are being mined by an independent ballot. nearly 175 years of the abolition the final week of the Application phase sought. The latter allows a fan to choose “This is the norm in mega-sporting of slavery – a mind opening 60 as cricket fans worldwide sought to ac- the path which his/her team would travel events. Obviously, the final of any tour- minute discussion – Sun. Aug. quire tickets to some of the best matches if that team advances to the Final. nament will be the most sought-after 6th, 9:30 a.m. at the signature event being held in the The top five teams for which Follow A ticket, followed by the semi-finals and Secondary school students discuss Caribbean next March and April. Path packages are in greatest demand are then matches which feature top teams problems facing the island and While online traffic soared, as the India, Australia, England, New Zealand against each other. Applications for offer possible solutions - Mon. hours ticked down to the 11.59 p.m. and Pakistan, respectively. Additionally, Cricket World Cup tickets have followed Eastern Caribbean time (ECT) end of Barbados, Grenada, Antigua & Barbuda, August 7th, 8:00 p.m. this trend,” stated Price. The Caribbean Media Exchange Applications on July 31, staff at Official Guyana and Saint Lucia respectively are The ICC CWC 2007 Commercial Ticket Centres across the nine Host Ven- the Host Venues for which the most Ven- Manager reminded that though Pub- forum discusses Cricket World ues in the Caribbean – including Antigua ue Combinations have been requested. lic Ticketing will be suspended for the Cup 2007 and sports tourism & Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies month of August – as applications are – Tues. August 8th, 8:00 p.m. and Trinidad & Tobago – reported a sig- 2007 Inc. Commercial Manager, Ste- processed and notification sent to all ap- Professor Vaughn Lewis speaks to nificant increase in the number of fans phen Price, hailed the success of the plicants – match tickets can still be ac- the CSME and the way forward submitting Ticket Application Forms. Application stage of Public Ticketing, quired in Tour & Travel packages from - Wed. August 9th 9:00 p.m. Trinidad & Tobago’s Official Ticket noting that the rise in ticket applications ICC CWC 2007 Official Travels Agents CARICOM Youth Ambassadors Centres were inundated with submis- was a firm indicator that cricket fans (OTAs) and in Hospitality packages, engage in a frank discussion on sions. The massive response by fans worldwide understood the process and which are being sold by ICC CWC 2007 issues affecting young persons there is borne out by the fact that the had acted accordingly. Official Hospitality Agents (OHAs). twin-island republic has jumped to third “Ever since we unveiled the Ticket- Contact details for all OTAs and OHAs - Thurs. August 10th, 8:00 p.m. Crime Prevention is Everybody’s Business – August 11th, 8:00 p.m. Saint Lucia’s Venue Facilities on par for Remember to tune in for: GIS News Breaks and Kweyol the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 News daily from 6:30 p.m. Issues & Answers/Mondays at ith just over eight months round and semi final matches. standards set by the ICC for practice 8:00pm: to go to Saint Lucia’s grounds. These upgraded facilities can The construction of an Indoor Sport- Interview/Tuesdays at 6:15pm : hosting of the first round ing Facility adjacent to the Beausejour only serve to benefit the island’s crick- W Konsit Kweyol/Tuesdays at matches of the ICC Cricket World Ground to facilitate practice on rain eters in the future. 8:00pm (Kweyol Discussion): Cup 2007, the Local Organising days during the Cricket World Cup The responsibility of the Venue De- Committee is focusing on the island’s 2007 is expected to begin soon. The velopment team is extended beyond Your Right to Know/Thursdays at Venue Development ensuring that all practice facility which is one of the the cricket ground as can be seen in the 6:15 p.m. (Min. of Ed. Prog). the facilities are ready for this inter- legacy projects arising out of Saint Lu- road works and Promenade recently Take 2/Fridays at 6:15pm national event in March 2007. cia’s preparations will accommodate completed in time for the hosting of (Week in Review) Presently, overlay works are being other sporting activities such as Tennis, the two international games held in Weflechi/Fridays at 6:40pm - effected at the Beausejour Ground and Netball, Volleyball and Basketball post May and June 2006. The beautifica- (Week in Review—Kweyol) Cricket World Cup 2007. tion and landscaping of the immediate its environs to cater for the thousands For the complete programme guide, of visitors including international jour- Two other playing facilities are also area of the Beausejour Cricket Ground log on to our website at www.stlucia. nalists expected to arrive in Saint Lucia expected to be upgraded for use by the to ensure the esthetics of the area will gov.lc and then click on the NTN icon. for the event. Such work includes tem- visiting teams during the tournament. also form part of the Venue Develop- porary extension to the Media Centre The Gros Islet Community Field and ment agenda as Saint Lucia work to- and additional seating to accommodate the Mindoo Phillip Park when com- wards hosting “the best Cricket World www.stlucia .gov.lc twenty thousand patrons for the first pleted will meet the international Cup ever”.

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