Caribbean Report 15-01-1999
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Date
1999-01-15
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The British Broadcasting Corporation
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Table of Contents
1. Headlines with anchor Ken Richards (00:00-00:30)
2. Caribbean concerns mounts as the trade war on banana between the United States and the European Union escalates. Caribbean banana producers fear that their protected status could be compromised in the confrontation between the two economic powers and have sought third party status on a WTO Panel convened to address the issue. OECS Ambassador Edwin Laurent comments on the necessity of both sides seeking a solution and how Caribbean interests can be best protected in the negotiations. Jamaica’s Minister of Agriculture Roger Clarke is satisfied that the Caribbean has made a case for continued protection status. Debbie Ransome reports (00:31- 05:32)
3. Increases in property taxes on residential homes and millions of dollars in promissory notes are two new issues holding the spotlight in the weekend before Grenadians head to the polls. Prime Minister Keith Mitchell and his new Grenada National Party is confident that his party will retain power but this may be difficult as the opposition is levelling charges of corruption and dictatorship against the ruling regime. Raphael Fletcher former Foreign Minister calls for new ethics in government and the opposition party voices concerns on impending taxes. Lew Smith reports (00:32-08:26)
4. Jamaican authorities intends to send in troops to protect tourist resorts in the face of increasing reports of crimes against tourists on the island. This measure has the backing of the Jamaican Hotel and Tourist Association but has been criticized by the opposition party. Journalist Earl Moxam reports on this drastic action taken by Tourism Minister Francis Tulloch to protect the tourist industry but which could send a negative signal overseas about Jamaica’s tourist industry (08:27- 10:49)
5. In St. Vincent, the opposition party, the Unity Labour Party, with support from mini bus drivers brought traffic to a halt in downtown Kingstown for several hours. Roads to the capital Kingstown and secondary roads across the island are riddled with potholes and the protest action was called to force the government to speed up road repairs. Communication and Works Minister Glenford Stewart assures St. Vincentians that a road repair programme is slated for the immediate future. Kimberly Andrew Thomas reports (10:50-11:50)
6. Haiti’s Prime Minister by decree Jacques-Édouard Alexis has assumed the duties of office without waiting for parliamentary approval. This move has fuel controversy within Haiti’s government. Journalist Michael Norton reports that the situation is complex given Haiti’s complicated constitutional provisions. Haiti’s President René Préval has intervened and officially declared Alexis Prime Minister and issued an executive order to convene parliament. Sporadic violence and disruptions is expected in the countryside with no prospects of intervention by the international community (11:51-15:27)
2. Caribbean concerns mounts as the trade war on banana between the United States and the European Union escalates. Caribbean banana producers fear that their protected status could be compromised in the confrontation between the two economic powers and have sought third party status on a WTO Panel convened to address the issue. OECS Ambassador Edwin Laurent comments on the necessity of both sides seeking a solution and how Caribbean interests can be best protected in the negotiations. Jamaica’s Minister of Agriculture Roger Clarke is satisfied that the Caribbean has made a case for continued protection status. Debbie Ransome reports (00:31- 05:32)
3. Increases in property taxes on residential homes and millions of dollars in promissory notes are two new issues holding the spotlight in the weekend before Grenadians head to the polls. Prime Minister Keith Mitchell and his new Grenada National Party is confident that his party will retain power but this may be difficult as the opposition is levelling charges of corruption and dictatorship against the ruling regime. Raphael Fletcher former Foreign Minister calls for new ethics in government and the opposition party voices concerns on impending taxes. Lew Smith reports (00:32-08:26)
4. Jamaican authorities intends to send in troops to protect tourist resorts in the face of increasing reports of crimes against tourists on the island. This measure has the backing of the Jamaican Hotel and Tourist Association but has been criticized by the opposition party. Journalist Earl Moxam reports on this drastic action taken by Tourism Minister Francis Tulloch to protect the tourist industry but which could send a negative signal overseas about Jamaica’s tourist industry (08:27- 10:49)
5. In St. Vincent, the opposition party, the Unity Labour Party, with support from mini bus drivers brought traffic to a halt in downtown Kingstown for several hours. Roads to the capital Kingstown and secondary roads across the island are riddled with potholes and the protest action was called to force the government to speed up road repairs. Communication and Works Minister Glenford Stewart assures St. Vincentians that a road repair programme is slated for the immediate future. Kimberly Andrew Thomas reports (10:50-11:50)
6. Haiti’s Prime Minister by decree Jacques-Édouard Alexis has assumed the duties of office without waiting for parliamentary approval. This move has fuel controversy within Haiti’s government. Journalist Michael Norton reports that the situation is complex given Haiti’s complicated constitutional provisions. Haiti’s President René Préval has intervened and officially declared Alexis Prime Minister and issued an executive order to convene parliament. Sporadic violence and disruptions is expected in the countryside with no prospects of intervention by the international community (11:51-15:27)