Caribbean Report 18-02-2003

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1. Headlines with anchor Bertram Niles (00:00-00:20)
2. The deadline is past for Dominica’s government to respond to public servants’ demand to shelve its plan for cutting their pay. Charles Angelo Savarin, Acting Prime Minister says that the letter arrived too late for Cabinet. Thomas Letang, General Secretary of the Dominica Public Service Union says that the government had enough time and members are not prepared to wait. BBC’s Bertram Niles and Paul Charles report (00:21-04:02)
3. In Antigua and Barbuda there is a new skirmish between the Opposition and government on the issue of electoral reform. Government has placed an amendment before the Parliament to permit local elections in Barbuda next month. Baldwin Spencer, Opposition Leader says the government is going down a dangerous and illegal road. Bertram Niles reports (04:03-07:24)
4. In 1989, the CARICOM nations pledged to implement a single market and single economy but after several postponements, the new date is 2005. A key announcement at the CARICOM Summit, is that three countries (Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and Jamaica) are ready to remove the barriers on trade, labor, travel and the flow of goods at least one year in advance of the deadline. Owen Arthur, Barbados Prime Minister is optimistic and PJ Patterson, Jamaica’s PM comments on political power. BBC’s Tony Fraser reports (07:25-09:50)
5. The visit of a UN official to investigate claims of illegal executions by police is welcomed by Jamaicans for Justice, one of the island’s human rights groups. Jamaica has one of the world’s highest murder rates and the highest rate of unlawful killings by police according to the UN. Dr. Carolyn Gomes, co-founder of the organization says that the UN’s visit will draw international attention and that she will be speaking with the official on the issue. In Guyana, there are also allegations of a high rate of executions by the police. Deputy Superintendent and Police Spokesman David Ramnarine, says that the police have got to react when cornered by criminals. BBC's Bertram Niles reports (09:51-13:30)
6. West Indies Captain Carl Hooper, describes himself as disappointed but not despondent after his team’s 2003 Cricket World Cup wash out against Bangladesh. He says that he hopes the loss of two points from a possible four, will serve as inspiration for his team particularly against the Sri Lankans. BBC’s Mike Jarvis reports (13:31-15:26)

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