Caribbean Report 23-01-1997

Abstract

St Lucia Banana Growers' Association has reached an agreement with a consortium of local bankers. Local bankers are to have a measure of control over the Banana Industry as part of an agreement between the beleaguered farmers and the bankers. Next, during its annual news conference on the Performance of Caribbean Economies, the Caribbean Development Bank warned Caribbean countries that they must tackle unemployment as a matter of urgency. Following, the Center for Public Integrity, a research organisation, says that only a small fraction of the Cuban American Community has had a significant influence on US policy towards Cuba. In this segment, some of President Castro’s opponents are sceptical about the joint agreement between Cuba and Havana, and Canada and Havana on human rights. They believe that it would not bring about the necessary changes needed to develop an atmosphere of improved conditions for government opponents in the country. In the next segment, the British government is concerned that its dependent territories in the Caribbean could be exposed to activities which could impact negatively on good government. They think that measures should be put into place should such happen. Finally, the Red Stripe Competition begins across the Caribbean tomorrow and the new format is designed to groom international players for the future.