Caribbean Report 29-03-1993

Abstract

There is mounting concern over escalating election violence in Jamaica with shootings in which at least seven (7) people were killed. This is in addition to the controversy over the computer problems that resulted in an inaccurate voters’ list and discrepancies over parishes, addresses and voting positions. An emergency news conference has been called by the Jamaican Labour Party to highlight the issues to the media in an addendum to the voters’ list – correspondent Gary Allen reports. Voters in the French Caribbean went to the polls in the second round of French elections. Journalist Geraldine Conklin, in an interview with correspondent Yvette Rowe gives her views about the political climate in the French region, and how this is affecting the region from a socio-economic standpoint. She also noted that most supporters of the Rightist Party are hoping for big changes in the Caribbean especially in terms of employment, social and fiscal structures. However, the agriculturalists and farmers are hoping for changes in the area of tax restructuring. Trinidadian born Dr. David Lewis, Head of Puerto Rico’s Caribbean Development Programme; who was responsible for the 936 Programme is leaving office. The future of the programme is under review in Washington - correspondent Yvette Rowe in an interview with Dr. Lewis asks him about the timing of his departure from office. He noted that this is common when a new administration comes into office, yet he was a bit disappointed because he dedicated a significant portion of his career to the development the Caribbean area under the programme. He noted that this is common when a new administration comes into office, yet he was a bit disappointed because he dedicated a significant portion of his career to the development the Caribbean area under the programme. The mayor of the Haitian capital Port au Prince - Evans Paul at his London conference address organized by the London based Haiti Supporter Group, said that one phone call from the United States could change the situation in his country by restoring democracy Haiti. In an interview with correspondent Ronnie Bhola - Maria Martin a member of both Amnesty International and the Haiti Support Group expresses her views on the incidents of the noted human rights violations situation in Haiti under former President Aristide’s rule. Reporter Greg Chamberlain of the British Guardian newspaper also shares his concerns with correspondent Ronnie Bhola. A US federal court has ordered the US government to either provide adequate medical treatment for the HIV affected Haitians at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba or move them elsewhere. The US government has been given ten (10) days to comply, and a spokesman for the US justice department said that they don’t know how they will do it. One suggestion was to take the HIV infected refugees to Miami, since they were already given clearance to enter the US to continue their claim for refugee status. However, despite this they were barred by a law that prohibits HIV infected Haitians entrance into the US. Rolande Dorancy of the Haitian Refugee Centre in Miami sees the court order as a welcome sign, whereby the Haitian refugees would be able to receive treatment and be with their respective families – correspondent Yvette Rowe reports.