Caribbean Report 03-07-2002

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1. Headlines (00:00-00:26)
2. Violent protest in Guyana threatened to overshadow the CARICOM Heads of Government Summit. A number of persons were fatally shot, cars overturned and set on fire, one big store in the commercial area destroyed. A group claiming discrimination is responsible for the action targeting police and businessmen. Colin Smith reports and interviews Antigua Prime Minister Lester Bird (00:27-02:50)
3. CARICOM leaders are concerned about the economic problems in the region hampering the formation of the single market and economy. The talks will try to cement regional negotiating positions. Bertrand Niles reports and interviews Prime Minister of Barbados, Owen Arthur and President, Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce (02:51-04:29)
5. In Jamaica, a human rights group is finding it difficult to accept the findings of a Commission of Inquiry, appointed by the government into violence that rocked West Kingston a year ago. The violence erupted when police conducted a weapon raid in west Kingston. This violence led to three days of civil unrest and twenty-seven persons dead and many more injured. The Commission of Inquiry reports that the security forces functioned satisfactorily. Ben Meade interviews Jamaicans for Justice Spokesperson Caroline Gomes (04:58-7:53)
6. The Jamaica Tourist Board reacts to a barrage of criticism as it attempts to revamp its structure and operations. The Board is trying to streamline into a more efficient operation to boost Jamaican tourism. The State run agency has been criticised for inefficiency and ineffectiveness. The restructuring decision comes on the heels of the resignation of Josef Forstmayr, Head of the Jamaican Hoteliers and Tourism Association and Director on the Board of the Jamaican Tourist Board. Susie Bland reports and interviews Josef Forstmayr (07:54–09:47)
7. Atlantic Tele Network (ATN) defends opposition to efforts by the Guyana government to secure US$18 million dollars from the Inter-American Development Bank to expand the country information technology sector. Ben Meade interviews Cornelius Prior, Chairman of Atlantic Tele Network (ATN) (09:48–12:01)
8. In Antigua and Barbuda, two Columbians and a local taxi driver are held by police after a drug bust on the island (12:02–12:33)
9. The Haitian government insists that the last December attack on the Presidential palace was a coup d’etat contrary to the report given by the Organisation of American States (OAS). The results of the OAS investigation suggests that the armed assailants never intended to oust President Jean-Bertram Aristide. Ben Meade, BBC anchor, interviews Michael Norton journalist (12:34-15:27)

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