Caribbean Report 14-01-1999
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Date
1999-01-14
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The British Broadcasting Corporation
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Table of Contents
1. Headlines with anchor Ken Richards (00:00-00:26)
2. The governing Barbados Labour Party (BLP) relists its Manifesto for the upcoming general elections. Key initiatives from the BLP’s 1999 Manifesto include Prime Minister Owen Arthur’s vision for the economic and social transformation of Barbados, eradicating poverty, promoting a single market economy in CARICOM and developing a strategic political relationship with the OECS . Bertram Niles reports (00:27-02:44 )
3. Colombian President Andres Pastrana is scheduled to visit Havana to seek assistance from Fidel Castro in brokering peace talks with left wing guerilla factions in Colombia. Pastrana views this visit as a top priority for his five month old administration. Castro is well respected by the guerillas and perceived as a regional peace broker in some quarters. Populist Venezuelan President elect Hugo Chavez will join the discussions. Belgium Foreign Affairs Minister Erik Derycke is also in Cuba to host talks with President Castro about the release of a single European currency, the Euro, and the impact on the Cuban economy. Tom Gibbs reports (02:45 –06:00)
4. The majority of schools across Jamaica remained closed following a two-day island strike staged by teachers. Teachers are pressing for increases in materials and equipment allowance. The Jamaican government has offered marginal increases in material and equipment allowances, uniform, laundry and motor car loans. These concessions have been dismissed by the Jamaica Teachers Association President Bryon Parkinson. Parkinson when interviewed stated that some of the allowances would only benefit select teaching personnel. The Ministry of Labour issued an invitation for all teachers to attend a meeting for conciliatory talks. Carol Orr reports on the level of public support for the teachers (06:01 – 07:46)
5. The West Indies is hoping to salvage some Caribbean pride by attempting to win the fifth and final test against South African. The South Africans have won four of the five match series and are hoping to make a clean sweep of the series. Correspondent Ken Richards interviews cricket commentator Colin Croft on the West Indies strategy to win the final game (07:47- 09:59)
6. A decision by a senior British police officer to retire before facing disciplinary charges for his part in the investigation of the murder of Stephen Lawrence has caused controversy in Britain. Lawrence, an 18 year old black Jamaican student was murdered by a gang of white youths in South London in 1993. All senior officers involved in the case have now retired and no one has been convicted of the crime. This failure to catch the killers has damaged the relationship between the black community and the London Metropolitan police. Writer and broadcaster Yasmin Alibhai-Brown speaks out on how this bungled murder investigation vindicates the black community views on racist attacks. John Halveston former Commissioner comments on possible disciplinary action against Bullock and changes in rules which allows Police Officers to avoid disciplinary action. Lawyer Imran Khan suggests that a civil suit may be the only legal action left for the Lawrence family. Stephen’s mother Doreen Lawrence laments on the lack of justice for her son. Dominic Hughes reports (10:00: 15:28)
2. The governing Barbados Labour Party (BLP) relists its Manifesto for the upcoming general elections. Key initiatives from the BLP’s 1999 Manifesto include Prime Minister Owen Arthur’s vision for the economic and social transformation of Barbados, eradicating poverty, promoting a single market economy in CARICOM and developing a strategic political relationship with the OECS . Bertram Niles reports (00:27-02:44 )
3. Colombian President Andres Pastrana is scheduled to visit Havana to seek assistance from Fidel Castro in brokering peace talks with left wing guerilla factions in Colombia. Pastrana views this visit as a top priority for his five month old administration. Castro is well respected by the guerillas and perceived as a regional peace broker in some quarters. Populist Venezuelan President elect Hugo Chavez will join the discussions. Belgium Foreign Affairs Minister Erik Derycke is also in Cuba to host talks with President Castro about the release of a single European currency, the Euro, and the impact on the Cuban economy. Tom Gibbs reports (02:45 –06:00)
4. The majority of schools across Jamaica remained closed following a two-day island strike staged by teachers. Teachers are pressing for increases in materials and equipment allowance. The Jamaican government has offered marginal increases in material and equipment allowances, uniform, laundry and motor car loans. These concessions have been dismissed by the Jamaica Teachers Association President Bryon Parkinson. Parkinson when interviewed stated that some of the allowances would only benefit select teaching personnel. The Ministry of Labour issued an invitation for all teachers to attend a meeting for conciliatory talks. Carol Orr reports on the level of public support for the teachers (06:01 – 07:46)
5. The West Indies is hoping to salvage some Caribbean pride by attempting to win the fifth and final test against South African. The South Africans have won four of the five match series and are hoping to make a clean sweep of the series. Correspondent Ken Richards interviews cricket commentator Colin Croft on the West Indies strategy to win the final game (07:47- 09:59)
6. A decision by a senior British police officer to retire before facing disciplinary charges for his part in the investigation of the murder of Stephen Lawrence has caused controversy in Britain. Lawrence, an 18 year old black Jamaican student was murdered by a gang of white youths in South London in 1993. All senior officers involved in the case have now retired and no one has been convicted of the crime. This failure to catch the killers has damaged the relationship between the black community and the London Metropolitan police. Writer and broadcaster Yasmin Alibhai-Brown speaks out on how this bungled murder investigation vindicates the black community views on racist attacks. John Halveston former Commissioner comments on possible disciplinary action against Bullock and changes in rules which allows Police Officers to avoid disciplinary action. Lawyer Imran Khan suggests that a civil suit may be the only legal action left for the Lawrence family. Stephen’s mother Doreen Lawrence laments on the lack of justice for her son. Dominic Hughes reports (10:00: 15:28)