Caribbean Report 28-07-1999

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1. Headlines with anchor Orin Gordon (00:00 - 00:28)
2. In Suriname President Jules Albert Wijdenbosch faces new demands for his resignation from the country’s largest block of trade unions. Earlier in the year street demonstrations were widespread and led to a vote of no confidence with similar calls for his resignation but he remains in office. Trade union boss Ronald Hugh Hart discusses the government failure to assist ailing health sector and economic sectors (00:29 – 02:56)
3. The government in Guyana is trying to find buyers for state owned electricity company and is currently passing legislation to make the sale possible. Opposition political leader Desmond Hoyte issues advice for potential investors on the need to assess the environment before purchasing. Colin Smith reports on the contentious issue of privatisation of the electricity sector (00:27 – 05:35)
4. Ministers from seventy one Caribbean African and Pacific nation countries will commence an important two day meeting in Brussels to discuss a number of issues including renegotiation of the Lome convention which govern trade treaties between the European Union and Europe former countries which is due to expire next year. Jonathan Chapman reports from Brussels (05: 36 - 07:40)
5. Following reactivation of the death penalty in Trinidad and Tobago and subsequent hanging of Anthony Briggs, other inmates including three women are expected to face the hangman. Prison sources reported that one of the women Indrani Ramkissoon is likely to be the next person executed. She is convicted with two men of murdering her husband. Errol Pilgrim reports from Port- of -Spain (07:41- 09:59)
6. Jamaica is issuing a call for the Inter American Commission on Human Rights to speed up processing of appeals for death row prisoners. Jamaica is threatening to follow the lead of Trinidad and Tobago and withdrawing from the Commission. Deputy Prime Minister Seymour Mullings expresses concern of civil and political rights in parliament and seeks intervention from the Organization of American States to assist with problems in delays (10:00 – 11:23)
7. Film and video makers, publishers, music and computer companies are losing two billion US dollars per year as a result of piracy in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Dominican Republic is cited as the major culprit in the illegal trade of video and cable piracy. This charge is leveled by the International Intellectual Property Alliance which protects the interest of these industries. Intellectual Property Alliance spokesperson Maria Strong speaks on the issue and the negative effects on the stakeholders in the industry (11:24 – 14:28)
8. In Britain the crown prosecution service is likely to face a probe on racism from the Commission for Racial Equality as it launches a formal enquiry into alleged racism at the service (14:29 – 15:22)

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