Caribbean Report 02-04-1990

Abstract

Concerns arise in Suriname over the increase in drug trafficking after the recent capture of a batch of cocaine with an estimated street value of over US$20 million. Comments are expressed on Suriname becoming an important factor in international drug trafficking from South America to Europe, and the disruption of the ongoing peace process in the light of the recent drug events. Following the Financial News, questions are posed over the preparedness of the Caribbean countries to penetrate the highly competitive trading block of the future European Single Market. At a meeting in London, constraints are identified by export promotion officials as ranging from a lack of adequate infrastructure to inefficiency in the Caribbean manufacturing sector. The next segment reports that the sugar industry in Guyana could experience further crisis after a decision by the major sugar union to hold a two-day strike. The industrial action is in response to a collapse of talks with Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) over wage claims. The report concludes with the voicing of concerns by black lawyers in Britain over the failure of the government to effectively tackle racism within the criminal system. The Society of Black Lawyers is calling for an anti-racism strategy to be implemented before the enactment of the new amendment outlawing legal discrimination against black barristers and offenders.

Description

Interview in segment four with Oscar Alonzo, Head of Trinidad and Tobago's Export Development Corporation omitted due technical difficulties.

Table of Contents

1. Headlines (00:00-00:41)
2. Increase in drug trafficking in Suriname. Chandra van Binnendijk reports from Paramaribo and Pat Whithorne interviews Jagernath Luchmon, Chairman of Surimane's National Assembly (00:42-05:35)
3. Financial News (05:36-06:26)
4. Are Caribbean countries ready to penetrate the European Single Market? Sandra Baptiste interviews Philip Williams, Executive Director of the Barbados Export Promotion Corporation and Hannah Clarendon, General Manager of the Dominican Import/Export Agency (06:27-09:22)
5. Guyana's sugar industry faces another strike. Sharief Khan interviews Kamal Chand, Secretary General of Guyana's Agricultural and General Workers Union (09:23-12:32)
6. Black lawyers in Britain concerned that the government has failed to effectively tackle racism within the criminal system. Lorna Clarke reports with comments from Peter Hubert, Barrister and member of the Society of Black Lawyers (12:33-14:50)

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