Saint Lucia No. 158. Saturday, September 30

A publication of the Department of Information Services

SEE PAGE 3

Senator Calixte George

inister for Home Af- at major sporting events. The follow- The provision of Security Services is created this overwhelming fairs and Internal ing are excerpts from his address. to ensure the protection and safety of demand for security services MSecurity, Senator “I am very pleased to address you our citizens and visitors alike and their must of necessity be tackled Calixte George on Monday on this very important occasion which properties. within a framework of criti- delivered an address to open has brought together both private and Deviant behaviour, crime and vio- cal examination, analysis and a regional training workshop public sector offi cials from the Tour- lence also creates a higher demand for timely responsive action with on Inter American Tourism ism and Security sectors from the Ba- security services. an appreciable high level of and Recreational Facilities precision. hamas in the North to Trinidad and It is important to stress however, that Security. The workshop was Tobago in the South, and with several One may ask - How much organized by the Organi- crime must be addressed within a long- other Countries in between; to establish term development plan with signifi cant should a Police Offi cer being zation of American States requested to investigate a crime strategic alliances, exchange ideas and emphasis on social development. (OAS). In his wide ranging acquire new skills and competencies, rely on the hunches or intuition address, the Minister looked to provide more effective Security in Equally important too, is the need of citizens? Crime is complex at solutions to crime, the the Tourism and Recreational Services for a set of continuous strategic respon- and requires an equally com- importance of the tourism Sector. These Sectors have fast been sive action over the long term. prehensive response and com- sector in the economy of St. providing a livelihood to thousands The same is true whether you are in prehensive strategic action in all Lucia, short term initiatives of citizens in our respective countries, Australia, the UK, the United States or areas. Short and medium term that have been taken by the whether in the banking and insurance St. Lucia. measures will of course provide Government against crime, sectors, or in Government, the hotels, Mistakes are easy to fi nd in hind- quick immediate impact; but the handling of crime in the restaurants, taxi drivers, vendors or sight, but the task to remedy the up- will not be the solution”. Tourism Sector and security whatever else. surge in crime worldwide, which has See page 2 for other excerpt

“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, Setember 30, 2006 SOME INITIATIVES ON SHORT-TERM PREVENTATIVE MEASURES WITH IMMEDIATE MEDIUM AND LONG-TERM IMPACT ON CRIME

Excerpt from the address by Home Affairs Minister, Hon. Calixte George, at a regional training workshop on Inter American Tourism and Recre- ational Facilities Security “In the prevention of crimes against our visitors and residents alike, some of the more profound action we have already undertaken in the short-term to deter and minimize transborder international crimes, and in particular white collar and other organized crime, and other serious crimes include the introduction of a Passenger Tracking and Watch List system, which will provide the ca- pability for our Enforcement Agencies — Police, Customs, Air and Sea Ports Authorities to monitor and facilitate active surveillance of undesirables en- tering this country. We have also recently completed extensive work in preparation for the introduction of our new machine read- able passports and the corresponding System to cover this particular process. Both of those new systems are backed up by State-Of-the Art technological engineering. The processes for the new Passenger Police Officers on Parade Tracking and Watch list System and the Machine Readable Processing Sys- stakeholders which included the Saint a more profound and effective manner, Program on the 4 of this month. tem were developed within the frame- Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association, the joint collaborative initiatives which Of great significance also, it is impor- work of the standards prescribed by the the Ministry of Tourism and the Saint will be undertaken by the Hotel and tant to note that one of the components International Community and in par- Lucia Tourist Board. Tourism sector and the Police. of our Preventive Crime Strategy in- ticular the International Civil Aviation This consultation proved to be a As part of Government’s strategic cluded a complete overhaul of the Police Authority (ICAO). particularly valuable exercise and I approach to crime fighting in the areas Recruitment and Selection Processes. As I speak, work is currently in prog- am pleased to announce that two new of prevention, abatement and detec- In essence, no longer can persons ress for the introduction of a State-Of- Units, the Tourism Related Crime tion; a deliberate policy of a yearly re- wishing to be recruited or enlisted to the-Art Automated Fingerprinting Sys- Unit the (TRCU) and the Victim Sup- cruitment of Police Officers, have been the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, tem, referred to as the (AFIS) which port Unit (VSU) are being established effected over the past nine years, to im- qualify base on who they know. will not only complement the work of before the end of this year, within the mediately provide replacement for Po- You will appreciate, distinguished la- the Criminal Investigation Department; Royal Saint Lucia Police Force to re- lice Officers who may have resigned, dies and gentlemen, that the business of but also the enforcement activities at inforce the work of the Police on the retired or may have been dismissed. Security as it relates to the functions of the borders, which will from time to prevention, abatement and detection of Over this nine year period, a total of ap- the State, and Government’s responsibil- time require fast track fingerprinting crime against our visitors, as well as proximately (500) new Police Officers ity to its citizens and visitors alike, must processes. our own citizens. have been recruited. Only last month, be a serious and non-subjective business. Shortly after my appointment as Both of these Units will undoubted- (65) new Police Recruits graduated Therefore, the protection of the lives Minister for Home Affairs and Inter- ly enhance and strengthen communica- from the Police Training Academy and of our citizens and our visitors, and their nal Security in January 2004, I held tion between the Police and the Tour- (65) more new Recruits commenced property must be conducted by persons a number of consultations with key ism and Hotel sector, and facilitate in their six month Training Recruitment of the highest level of integrity”. Des Barras Turtle Watch Aid To Body Building Association The Department of Youth and the sport on the island. Sports has lived up to its promise “In fact they are the ones who actu- Programme Under Threat to the newly elected St. Lucia Am- ally initiated the whole idea of bringing ateur Body Building Association to back resource persons from the body oachers of the leather back turtle watch programmes along with assist it in updating its affiliation turtles on the Grande Anse the Saint Lucia Heritage Programme building fraternity together to ensure fees with international and region- that this became a reality, and I must Beach are threatening the but that has since been disrupted by P al body building organizations ac- say that am very proud of their contri- livelihood of those who gain a those poachers who come onto the cumulated after the sport became bution. I know that Michael “Midget” source of income from the Des beach in search of nestling turtles. non-active for a number of years. Pierre and the Permanent Secretary, Barras Turtle Watch Programme. To compound this problem, Mr. The Department presented the as- The Department of Fisheries says Henry Mangal, have worked much in Charles says naturally the turtle pop- sociation with a five thousand dol- making that happen.” recently a number of alarming reports ulation is in grave danger of being lar cheque last week to help it fulfil Mr. Sidonie says his association has has reached the department, inform- seriously depleted once the cycle of its commitments to the interna- presented the Department of Youth and ing that turtles are being hunted and reproduction is interrupted. tional and regional organisations. destroyed at the beach, well known Sports with a copy of its strategic plan “ It creates a problem in terms of as a turtle watching attraction site. President of the Association Ed- for their perusal. He says the ministry the sustainability of that resource be- mund Sidonie has commended the However the department laments has given its commitment to assisting cause there has to be a certain level Department of Youth and Sports for some of the proposals that have been that this is not the first time such ac- of rejuvenation and that does not take its sterling support in re-energizing tivity has been brought to their atten- outlined in the document. place. We have indicated to those tion, despite regular advisories over persons who are involved in that the media to educate people on turtle Education Officials Study Career Booklet practice that it’s against the law, it’s conservation. Counsellors and teachers have been for- suited to what they do. in contravention of Fisheries Regula- Chief Fisheries Officer Vaughn mally introduced to the career key booklet, “One of the things that we want to do is tions No.9 of 1994 and there’s a fine. Charles says this is a worrying de- a self assessment tool that helps users deter- to direct students toward families of occupa- You can be fined $5,000.00.” velopment. “We have received these mine what career paths to select in keeping tions that fit their personality, that expands the reports before and we have attempt- The Fisheries Department says with personality types. Author of the Career occupations that they might not have thought Key, Dr. Lawrence Jones and the publisher of ed to address them through the sur- based on its investigations the kill- of. Beyond that, there are a number of well ing of the turtles seems be motivated the Caribbean version, Angela Defrietas, are established best practices that are used by veillance officers within our ministry currently on a promotion campaign which in- mainly by mischief – makers rather professional counsellors that are described in and assistance from the marine police cludes Barbados and the Windward islands. this booklet, for example on page 16 you see a than persons seeking some form of and the district police. Recently there In encouraging the schools to use the Ca- description of keeping a career portfolio.” economic benefit. were a number of tours being provid- reer key as a career guidance tool for students, The Career Key booklet lists six per- ed by the Des Barras community, the Those persons are being asked to Dr. Jones told the gathering that research sup- sonality types including; Realistic, Inves- Des Barras tour guides- they had the desist from this practice. ports the belief that people lead more success- tigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and ful and satisfying careers if they are naturally Conventional personalities. Saturday, September 30, 2006 Saint Lucia 3 Saint Lucia - China Sign New

t. Lucia and the Peoples Re- Chinese. A cultural complex is also public of China have reaf- due once the new hospital is complet- Sfirmed their diplomatic rela- ed. Since St. Lucia severed ties with tions with the conclusion of a new the Republic of China on Taiwan nine 6.7 million technical and economic years ago to commence relations with cooperation agreement between the Beijing, several other countries in the two countries. The agreement was region have joined St. Lucia in estab- signed at the Sandals Regency by lishing diplomatic relations with China Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony and Prime Minister Anthony com- and the Chinese Foreign Minister mented on the Taiwan issue. He said: Li Zhaoxing during the latter’s one “The policy of recognizing Taiwan is day official visit to St. Lucia last Sun- not only a bankrupt policy but it is con- day. Under the agreement China trary to the appropriate resolution of commits itself to advancing the 20 the United Nations”. million yuan ( Chinese currency) for Meanwhile the China’s Minister projects which are to be agreed upon for Foreign Affairs Li Zhaoxing ex- and implemented in St. Lucia. pressed satisfaction with his country’s Addressing Sunday’s signing cer- nine-year relationship with St. Lucia, emony, Prime Minister Honourable Dr. adding, Kenny Anthony said the island’s nine- “The government of China is ready year relationship with the People’s Re- and willing to work with you to further public of China has helped to change enhance our bi-lateral cooperation and lives in St. Lucia and has made a vital to intensify our efforts to have an even and clear difference in the develop- closer coordination and cooperation ment of the country. Speaking on the on major international and regional future of the realtionship, he said: “I issues.” too look forward to deepening ties with the People’s Republic of China, not As part of his inaugural trip to St. only in the technical affairs, not only Prime Minister Anthony and China’s Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing Lucia, Mr. Zhaoxing paid a courtesy in the political affairs but more impor- at the signing ceremony call on Governor General Her Excel- tantly between our peoples whether it lency Dame and also be reflected in culture or be reflected Through the establishment of dip- free zone area and a national stadium met with Minister for Commerce, In- in exchanges between our people over lomatic ties with China, St. Lucia has in Vieux Fort and a new psychiatric vestment, Consumer Affairs and Tour- time.” benefited from the construction of a hospital is currently being built by the ism Honourable Philip J Pierre. AIMING FOR CHEAPER ELECTRICITY WITH PETRO CARIBE

t. Lucia’s Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony has declared Sthat his government is hoping to use the PetroCaribe agreement, which is to be signed soon between Saint Lucia and Venezuela, to try to reduce the cost of electricty to St. Lucian households. A Venezuelan delegation led by an official of the Venezuelan state oil company, Petro- leos de Venezuela (PDVSA) was in St. Lucia Thursday to meet with Prime Minister Anthony and members of the Energy Task Force led by Man- aging Director of the St. Lucia Elec- tricity Services Company Limited (LUCELEC) Mr Trevor Louisy and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Mr Louis Lewis. The Government of Saint Lucia re- mains concern about the spiralling cost of fuel on the world market and has ex- plored measures to reduce the cost of this vital resource to consumers. The negotiations have now concluded and the road is now clear for the signing of the bilateral agreement to govern St. Lucia’s access to a cheaper source of petroleum-based energy. In a statement following the meet- ing, the Prime Minister said the fuel to be received under PetroCaribe will St. Lucian Energy Task Force officials, Prime Minister Anthony and the Venezuelan Delegation be partly utilised to reduce the cost of electricity to the average Saint Lucian. Dr. Anthony said cheaper electricity for held here with the PDVSA officials ICOM countries have already done so. ernment of St. Lucia has aggressively was part of ensuring the systems are in Dr Anthony says it is an opportunity pursued funding for poverty eradica- Saint Lucians is an immediate goal of place to achieved the desired outcome to learn from the experiences of other tion, as well as to address prevention his government. “As far as the Govern- of reducing electricity costs for Saint territories already benefiting from the and treatment of HIV and AIDS. ment is concerned, our priority will be Lucians. agreement. The PetroCaribe agreement will to try to get a cheaper fuel to LUCEEC Under the terms of the bilateral The Alba Fund, which is part of the provide 1,700 barrels per day of pe- so that they can reduce the cost of gen- agreement, a local joint company will PetroCaribe Fund was also discussed troleum-based products, which will be eration of of electricity.” be established with responsibility for with the visiting delegation. Prime stored at the Cul-De-Sac facility owned He said this course was being taken accessing the fuel from Venezuela, as Minister Anthony says the fund pres- by Hess Oil (St. Lucia) Ltd. Under Pet- “because it is really the fuel surcharge well as supplying LUCELEC with it’s ents the opportunity for government to roCaribe, the Venezuelans will provide that is causing a lot of the pain to or- requirements. St. Lucia is signing on to access additional financing for social 62% of the island’s petroleum-based dinary citizens.” He said the dialogue the agreement after several other CAR- sector development projects. The Gov- energy needs. 4 Saint Lucia Saturday, Setember 30, 2006 Saturday, September 30, 2006 Saint Lucia 5

BY SENATOR THE HON. PETRUS COMPTON MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND CIVIL AVIATION OF SAINT LUCIA, SEPTEMBER 26, 2006 At this our 61st Session we seek comprehensive health care services to Madame President, Saint Lucia We have already reached a dangerous abolition of the Transatlantic Slave to re-affirm our commitment to this all of our people. South-South partner- also welcomes the report of the Secre- level of greenhouse gas concentrations Trade which began the process of the notion of partnership as a significant ships are workable; we need to contin- tary-General on the Follow-up to and in the atmosphere, and urgent action is abolition of slavery in the British Em- modality for the attainment of our ue to develop and widen these for the implementation of the outcome of the required to reverse this situation. pire. A number of international events common goals. Saint Lucia is satisfied betterment of developing countries. International Conference on Financing In this connection, the international are being planned throughout the globe that the idea of partnership clearly ac- Madame President, Saint Lucia ap- for Development 2005, and in so doing community, and in particular our de- to honour the memory of the millions commodates the spirit of multilateral- plauds the return of Haiti to democratic we call upon the developed countries veloped partners need to take more who died during the Middle Passage, ism which is the defining principle governance. This long-awaited devel- represented at that forum to honour the aggressive action to promote the de- and those who subsequently perished of our relationship within the United opment has led to the re-admission commitments made at this and previ- velopment and distribution of renew- Nations. under the horrors of chattel slavery in of that country to the Councils of the ous UN Summits and Conferences on able energy and energy efficiency tech- the Caribbean and the Americas. This This multilateralist spirit must con- . We recognize trade, debt and finance, especially their nologies in developed and developing scourge was recognised by the inter- stantly be safeguarded and fortified that the road to normalcy in Haiti will promise to fulfill the goal of 0.7% of countries alike. To assist developing national community as a crime against and this can only be accomplished by be a long and tortuous one requiring a Gross Domestic Product to Official De- countries in playing its part in this con- humanity in the outcome document of a strong and confident UN. Saint Lu- sustained political focus by the interna- velopment Assistance. We believe it is nection, there is need for the establish- the 2001 World Conference against cia takes this opportunity to once again tional community. imperative that the international com- ment of a global renewable energy and Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xeno- express its determined support for the Saint Lucia calls for the speedy re- munity increase its efforts at address- phobia and Related Intolerance. programme of reform of the UN, de- lease of development resources prom- ing the indebtedness of poor develop- energy efficiency fund. signed as these are to create the capac- ised to that country in order that its ing countries; promote foreign direct St. Lucia joins with our colleague St. Lucia joins with the countries of ity and conditions for the exercise of government and people may tackle in investment flows to a greater number members of the Alliance of Small Is- the African Diaspora in the Caribbean, and with other like-minded countries, a strong central role by the UN within a meaningful way, the numerous ob- of developing countries and address land States, and other affected states, in calling for the international community in supporting a United Nations com- the international community. stacles standing in the way of its de- the systemic deficiencies in the global to address the issues of sea level rise memoration in 2007 of the abolition of We salute the achievements to date, velopment. economic and financial system. These and climate change as a matter of ur- the trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. viz, the replacement of the moribund Madame President, Saint Lucia wel- deficiencies Madame President all con- gency. Madame President, St. Lucia and Human Rights Commission with the comes the final document emanating stitute serious threats to the survival of Madame President, The interna- other neighboring countries have been new Human Rights Council and the from the 14th Summit Conference of developing counties, especially those Heads of State and Government of the tional community must honour its re- seriously impacted by rulings of the establishment of the Peace-building within the Caribbean area. Non Aligned Movement in sponsibility and commitment to the Word Trade Organisation (WTO) ad- Commission. We recognize that these Madame President, Small Island De- earlier this month. full implementation of the Mauritius versely affecting the access of our bodies are far from perfect and will re- veloping States (SIDS) such as those in Strategy for the Further Implementa- banana exports to preferential mar- quire continued attention by Member This historic Meeting addressed a the Caribbean, the Pacific and Indian wide range of regional and internation- oceans, and in the Mediterranean, are tion of the Programme of Action for kets. Few in the developed world can States, however, they reflect our deter- the Sustainable Development of Small al issues including the sanctity of inter- extremely vulnerable to the impacts appreciate the mass social dislocation mination to translate talk into action. Island Developing States. We insist national law, the promotion and pres- of climate change. Whilst those of us which this decision has caused, with Saint Lucia looks forward to con- Haitian Presdent Renee Preval on the urgent and proper mainstream- ervation of multilateralism, peaceful Gratitude expressed to UN SG residing in the tropics, in small islands thousands of independent farmers, em- tinuing the discussions on the remain- – Support for release of ing of the Strategy into the respective settlement of disputes, the right to self- Kofi Annan who is leaving office and low-lying coastal areas are endan- ployers in their own right, left without External Affairs Minister ing items on our reform agenda, in development funds determination, and decolonisation. work programmes of the United Na- a livelihood, through no fault of their particular Security Council reform, gered daily through the impact of sea tions agencies and other bodies. Those Petrus Compton The summit offered concrete and the Economic and Social Council. for the development agenda far into own. Consider that for every banana strengthening and refocusing of the level rise, others are faced with unprec- who are the largest producers of green- innovative proposals on the reform of The final document of the NAM this new century, with achievable solu- farmer in Saint Lucia who has lost General Assembly, the empowerment edented and accelerated thawing of ice house gases must bear the responsibil- t the outset, permit me to the United Nations, including the mod- Summit provides the international tions to many of the issues facing hu- caps, and the consequent loss of land his/her livelihood, at least four to five congratulate you on your of ECOSOC and management reform. ity for the damage they are causing to ernisation of the Security Council, and community with a workable roadmap mankind today. mass. persons have also been excised from election as President of the Madame President, Saint Lucia con- the global environment, and in particu- A lar to the vulnerable countries whose direct participation in the economic 61st Session of the General Assem- tinues to believe in the wisdom of the system. The WTO has become synony- bly, and to express our appreciation words of our distinguished Secretary sustainability – and very existence -- is mous with pain and suffering for farm- to your predecessor Mr. Jan Eliasson General, who in his March 2005 report, increasingly endangered by these un- ers and other related economic agents of Sweden for the excellent manner In Larger Freedom, opined “We will sustainable practices. in countries like St. Lucia. In many in which he spearheaded the work of not enjoy development without secu- From our own regional perspective, instances, the implementation of WTO the 60th Session. rity, we will not enjoy security without St. Lucia welcomes the adoption of We wish also to express our profound development and we will not enjoy ei- measures for the promotion of an in- obligations has created more hardship respect and gratitude to Secretary-Gen- ther without respect for human rights. tegrated management approach to the and poverty than previously existed. eral Kofi Annan for his great vision, Unless all these causes are advanced, Caribbean Sea area in the context of Accordingly, whilst economic and committed leadership and tireless ef- none will succeed.” As we seek to de- sustainable development. We welcome trade policy reform, in principle, hold forts in promoting the noble ideals and velop partnerships for development, initiatives taken to this end by the As- much promise for small developing values of the United Nations under the utilising the MDGs as the benchmark sociation of Caribbean States (ACS), countries, the international community most difficult circumstances. We wish for that development, Saint Lucia has the Caribbean Community (CARI- must come to grips with the fact that him and his family well in their future been moving steadily towards the at- COM), and institutions and bodies of the “one size fits all” approach is inap- endeavours. tainment of some of these goals. the United Nations. propriate and impractical. In this con- Madame President, When, in Septem- Universal primary education has been Madame President, Half a decade nection, a set of trading rules flexible ber 2000, member government, of the largely attained and we have gone fur- into the 21st Century, there still some enough to take into account the con- United Nations took the unprecedented ther to introduce a programme of uni- 16 Non -Self-Governing Territories cerns of small states must be enacted. step of pledging to meet eight “Millen- versal access to free secondary educa- under the review of the General As- The principle of “special and differen- nium Development Goals” (MDGS) by tion for our young citizens. sembly. Most of these are small island tial treatment” must infuse all aspects the year 2015, it represented a belated In the area of health, Saint Lucia is territories in the Caribbean and Pacific of the new trade rules which we are admission that the development of ev- in the process of establishing a uni- regions. Their decolonisation through a seeking to create. ery nation is a collective responsibility. versal Programme of free health care, genuine process of self-determination At the Millennium Summit, we recog- Madame President, There is much and has made significant progress in is the unfinished agenda of the United unfinished business ahead of us. It nized that it was an affront to our basic the area of maternal and child health. Nations. In this connection, Article 73 humanity that so many people on our is our expectation that the members We are also working steadfastly in the (b) of the United Nations Charter on planet continued to live in conditions of this august body will focus even battle against HIV/AIDS through edu- the necessity of promoting genuine of abject poverty and deprivation; that more intently on the development of self-government should be respected. so many continued to suffer the rav- cation, early detection and treatment appropriate strategies for their resolu- ages of disease and war; and that basic programmes, and the provision of free We call on the administering Powers to tion. We are confident that under your necessities of life taken for granted by or subsidized anti-retroviral drugs. increase the level of cooperation with esteemed guidance and leadership the ourselves – clean potable water, health All of these efforts have been bol- the Special Committee on Decolonisa- development agenda of this organiza- care and good nutrition, a clean and stered, in a practical demonstration tion, and call on the relevant bodies of tion will be advanced further. safe physical environment, and peace of South-South cooperation, through the United Nations system to assist the For our part, Saint Lucia remains and security – remained unattainable generous support and assistance from a Non-Self-Governing Territories in the committed to the ideals of multilater- by so many. We also recognized that, number of developing countries in the development of their capacity for self alism and reaffirms its view that this unless we developed appropriate part- areas of human resource development government, and in furtherance of their multilateral body, the United Nations, nerships to deal with these problems, in the health sector and the construc- process of self-determination. offers the best opportunity for the they would continue to persist, to our tion of new health facilities which will Madame President, The year 2007 achievement of peace, security and collective shame. greatly enhance our ability to provide A St. Lucian banana farmer:The WTO accused of causing pain and suffering to farmers in countries like St. Lucia will mark the 200th anniversary of the sustainable development for all. 6 Saint Lucia Saturday, Setember 30, 2006 Prime Minister’s Efforts On Bananas Lauded ead CARICOM Head on Ba- nanas and St. Vincent’s Prime LMinister Honourable has paid tribute to Prime Minister Honourable Dr. Kenny An- thony and the St. Lucian Govern- ment for their efforts in sustaining the regional banana industry despite the odds. Dr. Gonsalves spoke at a recent CARICOM led meeting in St. Lucia to formulate a strategy that will keep Caribbean bananas viable on the inter- national market. “Prime Minister Anthony, histori- cally and in the contemporary period, has been a titan in defence and promo- tion of the banana industry in the Ca- ribbean and certainly in the Windward Islands; and I personally would like to commend him for his input for the preparation for this meeting and the guidance which he has given to me, be- cause he has been a tower of strength on this subject, and I want to thank him very much and his government for his frankly extraordinary efforts in help- ing to keep the banana industry alive, consolidate it, to move forward and to diversify agriculture around bananas, not away from it.”. The CARICOM meeting on banan- as as well as subsequent meeting on the subject will also aid the region in mounting a stronger diplomatic front in Brussels. Prime Minister Kenny Anthony Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves CARIBBEAN CIVILISATION: AN EXAMPLE TO THE WORLD

EXCERPT FROM REMARKS BY H.E. EDWIN W. CARRINGTON, SECRETARY-GENERAL, CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM), AT THE ALLIANCE FOR CIVILISATION SEMINAR, 25TH SEPTEMBER 2006, SAINT LUCIA

Civilisation has been defined in inaugurate the Distinguished Lecture bean Community and Common Market number of different ways. Gen- Series commemorating the thirtieth an- (CARICOM). Aerally, it may be seen as a high- niversary of the Caribbean Community Today, we have transformed the Com- ly complex society involving processes (CARICOM) has left us in no doubt that mon market into Single Market, and in- of domestication; organisation of cit- there is a Caribbean Civilisation sui ge- tend by 2008 to establish the framework ies; division of labour; development neris, a position earlier affirmed by the for a Single Economy. No other group- of economic exchange (trade), technol- former Barbados Prime Minister Errol ing of developing countries have taken ogy and communication; formation of Walton Barrow in his 1986 magnificent such fundamental integration steps and social organisation; establishment of and decisive speech at the Miami Carib- indeed, only the European Union has so organised religion and education sys- bean Conference - “the Caribbean is, af- far gone this far among the nations of tems, etc. according to Wikpedia En- ter all, a civilisation”. cyclopedia, 2006. the world. This realisation of a dream of The Caribbean Civilisation represents togetherness by our political forefathers Alternatively, civilisation may be de- an evolution of migrant peoples primarily speak of remarkable alliances achieved fined as a system of values inclusive of a from three continents ― Africa, Europe with the help of friends, within a part world of forms and codes of behaviour, and Asia – into a relatively integrated so- of the Caribbean Civilisation despite its rules and exceptions according to Octavio ciety by a process of adaptation thereby many levels of difficulties. la Paz, Mexican Laureate for Literature making the content and form essentially The issues on which we deliberate to- and author of the Labyrinth of Solitude Caribbean (creolisation). It is that histor- day and tomorrow at this Seminar reflect and other Writings. La Paz admits how- ical process of adaptation, assimilation a concern for first and foremost, human ever, that “the reality to which we give and integration that makes it unique – sui and social functioning. In this regard, our the name Civilisation does not allow of generis. Caribbean Community still has a long easy definition”. This, perhaps, explain Therefore, as we know it today, while away to go, particularly as we seek to why some find difficulty in acknowledg- the Caribbean civilisation has the imprint provide an adequate place for the youth ing that there is a Caribbean civilisation, of slavery, indentureship and colonial- of our society. The feelings of apathy of especially as too often civilisations are ism, we the peoples of the Caribbean many, their perception of themselves as associated with impeirum. have been fortunate to resist the worst of dispossessed and marginalised are possi- The current phenomenon of globali- such pressures and have been able to co- ble danger points, particularly in a world sation, bringing as it does all countries exist in relative harmony. And this, also, torn by conflict and strife, graft and cor- into a more integrated and united global despite the pressures and our different economy and exerting similar pressures cultural and religious backgrounds and ruption and one in which there is a per- practices. We have also not experienced ception of no hope for meaningful change in the cultural sphere risks igniting con- H.E. Edwin Carrington flicts between Civilisations. Amartya for example, significant civilisation con- in their lives. These youths are the ones flicts as the Balkans or tribal clashes as who are most vulnerable to predators, Sen, the Indian-born Nobel Prize winner pect a number of you present would be and Harvard Professor of Economics and with the Tutsis and Hutus. to ideologies that seem to force on the expounding during this seminar. This world only certain types revolutionary Philosophy, has observed that the creed raises the fundamental issue of human Within the context of Caribbean ci- of multiculturalism has in effect become rights, which is common to most peo- vilisation we are dealing with a mix of change. a kind of “plural monoculturism”. In ples, and to their wish to live freely and people and nation-states at varying lev- Therefore, as we ponder the issue of such a situation so-called minority com- securely in a just and peaceful world. It els of socio-economic development and alliance versus collisions of civilisations, munities have often been pressured and cannot therefore be disregarded being ecological vulnerability. In the attempt we of the Caribbean Civilisation have a isolated from the mainstream. a principle that underpins the function- to determine our own pathways, to cre- small chance to demonstrate to the world Perhaps, most important of all the is- ing of most communities, societies and ate a more viable Caribbean Civilisa- that peoples of different races, cultures sues of Alliance of Civilisations or more civilisations. tion, we have flirted over the years with and religions can live together not sim- directly, Clash of Civilisations has criti- Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves in many forms of integration; including ply live side by side and can even forge a cal implications for international peace a brilliant lecture, “Our Caribbean Ci- West Indies Federation, a Caribbean Free Partnership of Civilisations and Culture and security – a subject on which I sus- vilisation and its Political Prospects” to Trade Area (CARIFTA) and the Carib- – a true Alliance of Civilisations. Saturday, September 30, 2006 Saint Lucia 7 Cricket Legacy Strategy Bowled Off aint Lucia 2015, the nation’s of Saint Lucia’s long term national cricket legacy strategy, was goals and is leveraged in the spotlight Srolled out during a ceremonial of Cricket World Cup 2007. launch last Friday morning at the The collaborating agencies have Beausejour Cricket Grounds. Saint designed eleven practical initiatives Lucia 2015 is the roadmap to sustain around Saint Lucia’s core development legacy benefits which the country goals, the key elements of which will can achieve through the hosting of be active development programmes mega sports events such as the ICC administered through the leadership Cricket World Cup in 2007. team agencies beyond the World Cup The development of a Legacy Strat- Cricket, through to 2015. These include egy was assigned by the Saint Lucia Development of Creative Industries. Government to the National Devel- The Simply Beautiful Ambassa- Prime Minister Kenny Anthony and Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy opment Corporation (NDC), which dor Programme, Sports and Special is supported in the deployment of the Event Strategy, Cricket Roadshow and strategy by a Leadership Team, which SportsKids Programme, Community also comprises Cricket World Cup Saint Branding, a Global Linkages strategy, Lucia 2007, the Ministry of Tourism, Cricket School Network, Cricket De- Saint Lucia Tourist Board, Saint Lucia velopment Fund and Tourism Promo- Heritage Tourism Programme, Cultur- tion to New Markets. al Development Foundation, BOOST, The Caribbean Business Club St. Sports Saint Lucia Inc and the St Lucia Lucia, and the Caribbean Business Op- National Cricket Association. portunity Service (CBOS) are two busi- Significant to the focus of the legacy ness initiatives of regional geographic strategy is that it addresses the rapid spread, which were also launched this onset of key traditional and non-tradi- morning. CBOS and the Caribbean tional economic sectors in the context Business Club form a core part of the

NDC Mangaging Director Wayne Vitalis and CEO of Cricket World Cup St. Lucia Ernest Hilaire

legacy strategy insofar as they will our shared vision for the future – Saint- connect Saint Lucian companies to Lucia2015.” contractual and partnership opportuni- In his remarks to the gathering, ties that will help the country achieve Chief Executive Officer of the Cricket its trade and investment imperatives. World Cup Saint Lucia Inc, Ernest Hi- “Of particular interest is our capac- laire gave the assurance that the local ity to provide support for the develop- organising team will have all critical ment of micro and small to medium en- elements in place for the teams and of- terprises that provide the backbone of ficial parties. He says these efforts and Chairman of CWCSL, Dr. Jimmy Fletcher and our economy. We will also be working assurances notwithstanding, the real hard to ensure that we take advantage Member of its BoardClaudius Francis welcome exists in the community. of the global focus on the creative in- “The real welcome exists in the dustries to drive linkages and growth hearts and minds and actions of each in our entertainment and cultural in- individual within our service industries dustries, in sports and special events,” – from the immigration officers to the Said the NDC Chairman, Wayne Vi- taxi drivers, from bar staff to medical talis, during his welcome to the room- practitioners.” ful of entrepreneurs, sports officials, social partners and media. The launch of Saint Lucia 2015 was attended by Her Excellency Dame Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony Pearlette Louisy, Governor General of described the legacy strategy as world Saint Lucia. class. He said Cricket World Cup, Over the coming weeks, the NDC which is a mere 220 days away, pres- will engage a major promotional blitz ents St. Lucia with a unique opportuni- aimed at acquainting Saint Lucian ty to grow its tourism, investment and companies with the several benefits of trade while focusing on “our funda- membership with CBOS and the Ca- mental values of hospitable, excellent ribbean Business Club, and signing on service delivery in our “Simply Beauti- as many as possible . As an incentive ful” environment. It is an opportunity NDC has committed to underwriting that goes well beyond our hosting of the cost of membership for local busi- Some of those who attended the semi-final in April 2007 towards nesses until April next year. Saint Lucia Ready For CWC’s Mass Crowds St. Lucia is on the right track in standing of how to deal with mass crowd hosting events. One of the areas was the Beausejour -that’s the Venue Operating terms of its plans to handle the mas- events. The workshop was organized by Emergency Management Agency in Wash- Centre; we had medical stations through- sive crowds that will be in the country the US Southern Command, Caribbean ington that actually overseas and plans all out the stadium and they had a police when it will host matches in the 2007 Regional Subject Matter Exchange Visit major events in Washington.” command vehicle situated outside of the ICC Cricket World Cup in March Mr. Occulien says the workshop was The Fire Service veteran says many stadium where police and traffic had ma- – April 2007. That is the view of Act- a strategic eye-opener particularly in re- aspects of the procedures for mass event jor management systems in place, even ing Deputy Chief Fire Officer Hilton gard to putting in place effective frame- management which were demonstrated in for a small game.” Occulien who recently attended a works and standard operating procedures an observation exercise at a baseball game He added that what Saint Lucia needs worksphop in Washington DC on mass for the World Cup which is going to be were already under implementation in St. to do now is to focus more on building event management. Key players from the biggest ever staged in the region and Lucia, indicating that the country was on inter-agency synergies via Standard all the West Indian countries involved St. Lucia. the right track in its preparations to man- Operating Procedures, open channels in preparations for Cricket World “The focus of the workshop was on event age massive crowds. According to Mr. Oc- of communication through increased Cup 2007 attended the workshop management- mass crowd, mass event culien, “ Some of the protocols we have interaction between key players includ- and obervation exercise which was management where we shared ideas. We at Beausejour were actually active. They ing emergency responders and the police designed to give them a vivid under- visited places where Washington has been have a command centre they call VOC in and to strengthening communication. 8 Saint Lucia Saturday, Setember 30, 2006 DISCOVERY AT MARIGOT BAY’S SOFT OPENING

The latest addition to St. Lucia’s “soft opening” was still celebrated in at the famous 50 year old Hurrican Ho- tourism plant, the ultra- luxury hotel, style. Among the activities was a prayer tel bar followed the pool ceremony. 200 Discovery at Marigot Bay, had its “ soft session and singing of the national an- St. Lucians are employed at the hotel. THIS WEEK ON NTN opening”, two weeks ago on Septmeber them by all the hotel’s staff. This took Discovery at Marigot Bay is managed 15th, when it quietly opened for busi- place around the lagoon pool and the by GLA Hotels, a Paris based manage- Sat. September 30th to Fri. ness. The grand formal opening of the picture above shows the staff gathered ment company specialising in luxury October 6th 2006 hotel is scheduled for November but the by the pool. A champagne celebration and indepednent hotels world wide. NTN – PROVIDING INFORMATION YOU NEED Issues & Answers with Prime Minister Dr. Anthony on NDC Launches $250,000 Cricket - Sat. September 30th, 11:30 a.m. Danse Bele Martinique. - Sat. Micro-Business Fund Sept 30th , 12 noon he National Development Team Helen (Children & Corporation (NDC) on Tues- Drugs) - Sat. Sept. 30th 10:30 Tday, September 26th 2006 a.m. announced plans to make available EC$250,000.00 to persons who wish Kiddiecrew - Sun. Oct 1st to engage in micro business ventures, 10:30 a.m up to a maximum grant of $10,000.00 Issues & Answers CWC 2007 per project. The funds are to be man- - Sun. Oct 1st . 11:00 a.m. aged by the NDC in partnership with Highlights National Ozone the James Belgrave Micro Enter- prise Development Fund (BELFund) Awards – Sun. Oct 1st 11:30 and the Small Enterprise Develop- a.m. ment Unit (SEDU) of the Ministry of Remember to tune in for: Commerce. GIS News Breaks and Kweyol Categories of business funded un- der the initiative includes; Service & News daily from 6:30 p.m. Trade, Retail & Distribution, Manu- Issues & Answers/Mondays at facturing, Tourism and Agro-business. Marcellus Joseph of BELFUND, Wayne Vitalis of NDC and 8:00pm: Successful proposals will have to Peter Lorde of SEDU Interview/Tuesdays at 6:15pm : meet select criteria which include be- Konsit Kweyol/Tuesdays at ing a commercially viable micro busi- ness proposal. The business must be strate a willingness to undergo training Development Offices island wide. 8:00pm (Kweyol Discussion): a primary source of income and em- in enterprise development. Utilize the To be considered for financing an Your Right to Know/Thursdays ployment. The funds must be used to technical assistance and business support applicant must submit the prescribed at 6:15 p.m. (Min. of Ed. facility of BELfund. Provide recent photo finance fixed assets for new and exist- application form to SEDU for con- Prog). of applicant, not more than 3 months old. sideration (only original application ing businesses. Priority will be given Take 2/Fridays at 6:15pm to business proposals designed to take Persons involved in food preparation forms will be considered) by October advantage of Cricket World Cup. The etc. must acquire statutory requirements 31st 2006. Submit all supporting infor- (Week in Review) NDC reserves the right to refuse the such as health certificates. Monies will be mation about the project including an Weflechi/Fridays at 6:40pm maximum grant to any client. paid directly to suppliers therefore appli- estimate of the cost of implementing - (Week in Review—Kweyol) To benefit from this initiative a pro- cants must be willing to present bonafide the project and the names and contact spective applicant must make a tan- open bills and invoices for purchases. numbers of three (3) references. For the complete programme guide, gible investment in the project either Additionally, businesses with fixed loca- An Evaluation Committee will re- log on to our website at www.stlucia. in cash or in kind. The applicant must tions must register through SEDU. view submissions by November 1st gov.lc and then click on the NTN icon. provide NDC/BELfund/SEDU with Application forms will be made avail- and successful applicants notified by performance information throughout able to the public on October 3rd, 2006 at December 4th 2006. Disbursements of the duration of the project. Demon- SEDU office in Castries and Community funds begin January 3rd 2007. www.stlucia .gov.lc

Saint Lucia NATIONWIDE is published every week by the Department of Information Services. Contact us at: The Department of Information Services, Greaham Louisy Administrative Building, The Waterfront, Castries, St. Lucia, West Indies Tel: (758) 468 2116; Fax (758) 453 1614; E-mail: [email protected]; http://stlucia.gov.lc