Caribbean Report 01-07-1992

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1. Headlines (00:00-00:42)
2. Yasin Abu Bakr and one hundred and thirteen supporters are released from jail after a judge upheld an amnesty agreement negotiated during the 1990 attempted coup in Trinidad. Correspondent Tony Fraser reports on the reactions from the government, citizens and the police. A clip is played of Abu Bakr (00:43-04:58)
3. Following is a synopsis of the happenings at the 13th Heads of Government Summit taking place in Port of Spain, Trinidad:
• Correspondent Hugh Crosskill reports that the West Indian Commission report entitled “Time for Action” was presented. Chairman of the Commission, Sir Shridath Ramphal comments on the response of the leaders to the recommendations presented.
• Correspondent Sandra Baptiste reports on the following agenda items: Caribbean single currency, the privatization of LIAT, the liquidation of WISCO and travel arrangements throughout the Caribbean. The CARICOM Secretariat’s Director of Functional Cooperation, Faith Wiltshire addresses the measures taken concerning air travel.
• Another recurring agenda item is the establishment of a CARICOM Assembly of Parliamentarians which was signed by only two governments. A clip is played of Prime Minister Erskine Sandiford’s reaction to this.
• St. Lucia’s Prime Minister John Compton expresses the hope that the Port of Spain meeting will send a signal that the region can get its act together.
• CARICOM Leaders discuss Jamaica’s proposal for a reduction in the top rate of the Common External Tariff (CET). Recommendation for a review of the entire structure has been accepted and met with approval from Antigua/Barbuda’s Prime Minister Lester Bird who has yet to implement the CET.
• Interview with Pat Thompson of the Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce on whether or not the conference will deliver tangible results. (04:59-13:50)
4. While St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister James Mitchell advise fellow CARICOM leaders to work towards the privatization of the airline LIAT, top officials from BWIA are holding talks with British Airways in London about a possible offer of shares. BWIA Chairman, Joe Esau admits to having meetings with a US company as well as a London based company (13:51-14:22)
5. International conservation groups have enlisted the support of Caribbean conservationists in calling for a tourism boycott of four Eastern Caribbean countries as the debate over commercial whaling heats up at the International Whaling Commission Meeting in Scotland (14:23-14:44)

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