Caribbean Report 16-08-1999 - Gordon, Orin (anchor, correspondent); Gibb, Tom (correspondent); Smith, Colin (correspondent); Nimvalle, Pete (correspondent); de Caires, David (interviewee); Brandt, David (interviewee); Andrew, Kimberly (correspondent) (The British Broadcasting Corporation, 1999)
1. Headlines with anchor Orin Gordon (00:00 - 00:28)
2. The Democratic leader in the US senate Tom Daschle led a high level team in discussions with Cuban President Fidel Castro. His office will release a statement which highlights humanitarian issues and cooperative efforts in the fight against drugs. This meeting is viewed in political quarters as a sign that the US is changing its policies against the communist country. Tom Gibb reports on the bilateral talks (00:29 – 03:05)
3. St. Lucian Prime Minister Kenny Anthony will visit Guyana this week to hold talks with newly installed president Bharrat Jagdeo. This visit follows a mandate issued by the CARICOM region for Mr. Anthony to take a lead role in resolving differences between the main political parties in Guyana. In the past months these differences have led to widespread protests by all sectors. Mr. Anthony in his role as Minister in CARICOM with oversight over Guyana will also address the ongoing issue of the brief departure in office of Prime Minster Sam Hinds to facilitate the installation of Jagdeo as President. Colin Smith reports (03:06 – 06:03)
4. Cable and Wireless has announced significant cuts in the cost of making overseas calls within some of its major Caribbean networks. Cuts have been signaled at a time when there are ongoing talks about the wider role of the wireless provider in the Eastern Caribbean and an end to its monopoly. Effectively three major price cuts in international calls and telecommunication costs will become effective from October 1999. Pete Nimvalle reports from St. Lucia (06:04 – 7:50)
Keywords: Cuba -- Foreign relations -- United States; Guyana -- Politics and government; Cable and Wireless (Firm); Telephone -- Rates -- Caribbean Area; Britain -- Foreign relations -- Caribbean Area; Montserrat -- Foreign relations -- Caribbean Area; Sports -- Cuba; Olympics (2008)