Caribbean Report 26-01-1999 - Richards, Ken (anchor, interviewer); Rockwell, Keith (interviewee); Williams, Edwards (interviewee); Ransome, Debbie (correspondent); Maharaj, Ramesh Lawrence (interviewee); Fraser, Tony (correspondent); Doyle, Claire (correspondent); Persaud, Avinash (interviewee) (The British Broadcasting Corporation, 1999)
1. Headlines with anchor Ken Richards (00:31)
2. A World Trade Organization (WTO) session reconvened to avert a banana trade war between the United States and the European Union reaches a stalemate. Correspondent Claire Doyle reports on how the US attempts to have the WTO impose punitive sanctions against the European Union (EU) has stalled mainly due to delaying tactics by two Caribbean countries Dominica and Saint Lucia. This breach in WTO procedures is described as compromising the credibility of WTO as a world trade negotiating venue. Keith Rockwell, WTO spokesman, confirms that the banana discussion has taken the WTO into uncharted waters but remains confident that the issue can be resolved. Dominica High Commissioner to London, Edward Williams speaks on US efforts to impose unilateral restrictions and the need for countries to adhere to WTO rules (00:32 -- 07:05)
3. Britain Privy Council is due to rule on a landmark appeal from two convicted murderers from Trinidad and Tobago, Darren Thomas and Haniff Hilaire. Attorneys for the two convicts made appeals to the Judicial Council of the Privy Council to commute the death sentences. This appeal was based on local prison conditions and delayed court appearances. Debbie Ransome reports on the implication of the pending ruling for the rest of the Caribbean. In an interview with reporter Tony Fraser, Trinidad and Tobago Attorney General Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj reiterates the government’s decision to implement the death penalty in accordance with the law (07:06 - 11:30)
4. Jamaican authorities attempt to hang two condemned killers continue to face opposition from human rights group and lawyers oppose to capital punishment. Condemned men Patrick Taylor and Anthony McLeod were given a four day reprieve by the courts. Jamaicans are interviewed on their views on hanging (11:31 - 12:31)
Keywords: Banana trade -- Caribbean Area; Banana trade -- Europe; World Trade Organization -- Rules and practice; Human rights advocacy -- Jamaica; Capital punishment -- Jamaica; Currency convertibility -- Caribbean Area; John Paul II, Pope, 1920-2005; Thomas, Darren; Hilaire, Haniff; Taylor, Patrick; McLeod, Anthony