Caribbean Report 06-08-1999

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1. Headlines with anchor Debbie Ransome (00:00 - 00:31)
2. Efforts are underway in St. Lucia to avert a crisis in the banana industry following plummeting prices on the world market. The country’s agriculture Ministry is hosting meetings with major industry representatives to devise mechanisms to keep the banana industry steady. Chairman of the St. Lucia Banana Corporation Patrick Joseph discusses the inability of the corporation to continue subsidising farmers’ returns, citing market forces as a major factor in farmers receiving less revenue per pound. He calls on government to release funds to assist farmers. Agriculture Minister Cassius Elias responds to calls for intervention by the (00:32 – 03:21)
3. Countries taking part in the Regional Securities System are advocating for more financial aid from donor countries in the fight against illegal drug trafficking. Grenada Prime Minister Keith Mitchell discusses the need for longer term continuous financial support, increased manpower, a boost to the system of intelligence and updating equipment required to secure borders and continue the fight against illegal drug trafficking (03:22 – 05:48)
4. The latest report by the Economic Commission for Latin and the Caribbean (ECLAC) quotes a slight slump in economic growth in the region for the year 1999 and attributes this downturn to factors such as natural disasters in the region, the Asian financial crisis, fall in the value of regional exports and imports, loss in capital income, decline in savings on public sector investment, less access to internal/external markets and rising interest rates. Keith Stone Greaves provides an in-depth analysis of the report. Economic affairs officer of ECLAC Michael Hendrickson comments on the linkages between US markets and growth of Caribbean economies (05:49 – 10:00 )
5. Two inmates John Higgs and David Mitchell scheduled to be hanged in Bahamas will have a last minute reprieve as their lawyers successfully filed for their constitutional motions to be heard before the Supreme Court. Jerome Sawyer reports from Nassau (10:0 1 - 12:16)
6. Venezuela President Hugo Chavez continues to push for the San Jose Regional Oil Supply Agreement to be extended to Cuba. The agreement which facilitates oil trade with countries in the region was signed last night in Havana. Eleven countries can benefit from the deal including Barbados, Jamaica, Belize and the Dominican Republic (12:17 - 12:54)
7. Grenadians are preparing to celebrate what promoters are branding as the last Caribbean Carnival of the century. Correspondent Lew Smith reflects on popular carnival events (12:55 – 15:24)

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