The Antigua and Barbuda High Commission Official Newsletter - Issue 125 -- January/ February 2008 SIR GEORGE WALTER PASSES NATION MOURNS LOSS OF FORMER PREMIER Antigua and Barbuda has had Foreign Affairs. The funeral its second state funeral in a took place on the 18th March at matter of weeks, as former the Antigua Recreation Premier Sir George Walter was Grounds. Sir George Walter, KGCN laid to rest. (Photo courtesy:Antigua Sun) Cabinet, according to the It was just a few weeks ago statement, noted with sadness Union (AT&LU), founder of the that the nation buried former the passing of the country’s Antigua and Barbuda Workers' Agriculture Minister Hon. second Premier, who led his Union (ABWU) and Premier of Charlesworth Samuel. Progressive Labour Movement Antigua and Barbuda, (PLM) party into power at the contributed significantly to the Former Premier Sir George 1971 general elections. development of our nation.” Walter was accorded a state funeral and Labour Minister Dr. Sir George died at the The Cabinet also stated that The Hon. Jacqui Quinn-Leandro Holberton Hospital after a short “He was a true champion of was again assigned the period of illness. the working class people of responsibilities of chairing the Antigua and Barbuda.” planning committee. Dr. Quinn- Cabinet noted his over 40 years Leandro also led the of service in the trade union According to Cabinet, Sir arrangements for Minister and political movements in George “will always remain on Samuel’s funeral. Antigua and Barbuda, including Antigua and Barbuda’s roll of his period of service as head of honour for his sterling Other members on the planning government. contributions”. committee were Acting Agriculture Minister, Senator the The statement noted “Sir Cabinet expressed its Hon. Joanne Massiah, H.E. George H. Walter’s over 40 condolences to Sir George’s Ambassador Leon Symister, years in the trade union and children Sharon, Paul, members of Sir George’s family political movements, serving as Senator Gregory Walter and and officials within the Protocol general-secretary of the Vaughn Walter and other Division of the Ministry of Antigua Trades and Labour members of the Walter family. In This Issue: 3 3333 Prime Minister proposes Memorial for the late Honourable Charlesworth Samuel 5 European Union to waive visa requirements 12 Minister of Finance and the Economy, Dr Errol Cort is confident over Whitelisting 17 Antigua and Barbuda takes flour dispute to CARICOM 1 Antigua and Barbuda High Commission Issue 125 January/February contributions that each has made to society will be the subject of discourse for many years to come. The other side of the change we notice in this issue of the newsletter is a change regarding our future. There are two aspects of this side of change. On pages 7, 9 and 12 we feature the youths of our nation and their achievements to date. We often use the statement that our youths are our leaders of tomorrow. We highlight three different individuals and their achievements. There are opportunities available to many of our youths which need only to be grasped and focused upon for the rewards to be realised. The other aspect of this second form of change comes from the continued focus of our Government. The citation of a “Government for the people” is constantly demonstrated by the many changes we Dear Readers, see being introduced starting from the trilogy of legislation in 2004. In this Many times we hear the statement that newsletter, we make reference to the “the only thing that’s constant is change long-awaited pension reform which must itself” (Heraclitus), and many of us give be dear to the hearts of many silent assent to its applicability. pensioners in Antigua and Barbuda. We Throughout this newsletter we see look forward to the conclusion of the another type of change taking place. consultation and the implementation of the chosen model of pension reform. We are saddened by the passing of two of Antigua and Barbuda’s esteemed The final change to be noted is about this sons of the soil. Both of these national issue of the newsletter. Have you icons have more than a passing interest spotted it? Yes! No? I won’t say what it is. in agriculture, especially farming. Both I would simply request your feedback were well respected men and both stood and comments. Tell us what you think, tall for what they believed in. Their please. We welcome your suggestions. accomplishments have stirred the lives Please respond by calling us on of many citizens of our beloved nation 02072580070 or emailing your and have provided us with the motivation comments to curliss.bart@antigua- to emulate the good we observed in their barbuda.com life-styles. Glowing tributes have poured Dr Carl Roberts in from many quarters and the High Commissioner 2 The Antigua and Barbuda High Commission Issue 125 January/February 2008 Charlesworth Samuel Laid To Rest and principles he lived by; love Parliament between both of community, generosity of sides,” Bird stated. spirit, high moral ethics, honesty, He added “His gentlemanly decency and integrity.” style of debate was novel yet effective and will surely be He added “Brother Charlesworth missed in the House. In this was a true Christian who was time of rancour, hate and called to be distinct from others violence, the Hon. but at the same time to Charlesworth Samuel will be positively influence others in missed as a model statesman.” society.” Junior Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Meanwhile the governing Telecommunication Senator Dr. United Progressive Party is Edmond Mansoor said Samuel gearing up for a by-election in was an outstanding son of the All Saints East and St. Long regarded as one of the Antiguan soil. “It was a privilege, Luke constituency left vacant most respected politicians, The it is a humbling privilege to have by Samuel’s passing. The Honourable Charlesworth known Charlesworth, to have election has been set for Samuel, was laid to rest on worked with Charlesworth and March 27th and Senator Tuesday 19th February, 2008. to have learnt from Chester Hughes, has been Charlesworth,” Senator Dr. selected by the UPP to contest Thousands of mourners Mansoor was quoted as saying. the election. attended the state funeral service at the Antigua Former Prime Minister and Hughes will be facing the Recreation Grounds. leader of the Antigua Labour Organisation for National Party Lester Bird remarked that Development’s (OND) Ralph Prime Minister the Honourable as a Minister, Samuel was Francis and Steve Williams of Baldwin Spencer gave a diligent as well as respectful of the Progressive Youth glowing tribute of his former all his colleagues. Movement (PYM). cabinet colleague. In an emotional address, the nation’s “He was always ready to impart Senator Hughes has said he is leader said “Brother a sense of peace and well confident of retaining the seat Charlesworth’s life has been thought out alternatives to the for the UPP. The constituency exemplary and we would complex issues that invariably is considered by many to be a preserve his legacy if we can led to very heated exchanges in UPP stronghold. continue to espouse the values This proposal was made in PM Proposes February, when the Lower House of Parliament met to Memorial For pay tribute to the late Hon. Samuel Charlesworth Samuel ahead of his state funeral. Prime Minister Baldwin According to the nation’s Spencer has proposed that a Leader “It is our obligation to bronze bust be erected in ensure that our young people Parliament as “a fitting tribute” and generations to come are to the life and contributions of conscious of the life and work the late Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Marine Resources and Agro Industries, Charlesworth Parliament Building may house memorial bust (continued on page 4) of Samuel Samuel. 3 The Antigua and Barbuda High Commission Issue 125 January/February 2008 Antiguans , Barbudans and other Caribbean nationals paid their respects to the late Minister by signing condolence book at High Commission. (above) Ms. Marion Herbert of the Guyana High Commission signs the Book of Condolence. (Continued from page 3) obituary resolution Louise Lake-Tack, who said of Charlesworth Samuel. I recognising and lauding she had developed a warm consider it government’s Samuel for his dedicated relationship with the late MP responsibility to ensure that service to the people of and his family over a period our nation’s young people Antigua and Barbuda in areas of years. know what Charlesworth including education, politics Samuel believed in and what and the legal fraternity and Speaking of lunches they he meant to our country,” expressing condolences at shared during Samuel’s visits Spencer stated. his death. to London, the governor- general stated, “I honestly The proposal that a memorial He noted that in February, believe it was during those bust be placed at the 1976, Samuel was first luncheons that I really got to Parliament building was elected to Parliament as MP know him quite well. He endorsed by Opposition for St. Luke. spoke of those principles he Leader Steadroy “Cutie” held dear and adhered to Benjamin, when he paid Also during the special sitting them vehemently.” tribute to Samuel. of Parliament, Speaker of the As members of the Samuel House D. Gisele Isaac- family in the galleries looked Arrindell read a message from (Reprinted from Antigua Sun) on, Prime Minister Baldwin Governor-General Dame Spencer also introduced an The Staff of the Antigua and Barbuda High Commission would like to express sympathies to the families of our two fallen sons of the soil. 4 The Antigua and Barbuda High Commission Issue 125 January/February 2008 exempted from visa countries." In this regard, High requirements.