Caribbean Report 01-03-1989

Abstract

This report consists of two sections. The first was short with the headlines, Ben Johnson's coach testify that he encouraged athletes to take steroids long before the Seoul Olympics; the prospect for peace in Surinam improved; and, Chief Minister Gumbs of Anguilla answers his critics. This section continues with a recording of Hubert Hughes on the previous day's BBC Caribbean Report on irregularities in Anguilla's recent elections. In the second section, the government of the Bahamas has reacted strongly to a U.S. State Department report which says that too much cocaine is passing through the islands. The report on narcotics production expresses concern at the extent of trafficking and consumption in the islands. This was refuted by the Paul Adderly, the Minister for National Security. Montserrat has won a battle with the British Foreign Office to get free health treatment in Britain for people who have life threatening conditions which cannot be treated locally. The Foreign Office has agreed to allow some 20 cases a year to be treated from Montserrat, Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands. In Britain, the Lord Chancellor spoke at a conference organized by the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders on the theme “Race and Criminal justice” in direct response to Sir James Miskin’s racial remarks. The report concludes with articles of the past week in the British Press that are of interest to the Caribbean.