PM Defends Meeting With Trump- He Did It For St. Lucia!

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The Star (St.Lucia)

SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2019

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PM defends Meeting With Trump

He Did It For St. Lucia!

‘I was elected to do the best possible for this country!'

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REFLECTIONS

(An over-my-shoulder I look at life)

Cat Gut & Lollipops

By Michael Walker

W

e have a lovely photo in one of our albums (remember when people used to have photo albums where they kept their memories? Nowadays everything resides electronically in our cell phones) of our son Martin in Africa when he was still quite small. He is standing knee-deep in a small tributary to the Gambia River, bending over as if looking for something in the water, surrounded by women, their skirts hitched up almost to their waists but modestly covering their thighs, doing their laundry. There was, after all, a white man present. About four feet away from Martin’s outstretched hand are the nostrils of an enormous crocodile that is keeping its beady eyes on what our son is up to. I remember wanting to dash into the water to rescue him but our friend Lamin prevented me from moving. And he was right, of course. The women were more or less surrounded by these ferocious-looking creatures but they didn’t seem to care. Now and then, for no apparent reason, one of them would splash the surface of the water right in front of a crocodile snout with a tightly rolled-up stretch of laundry and the animal, which had been surreptitiously drifting closer to the shore, would discreetly retreat to a safe distance. The scene was almost idyllic—in an African sort of way—as Martin played on in sublime ignorance of the dangers that surrounded him. I don’t recall how old Martin was at the time. He looks quite young in the photo and he can’t have been that heavy.

Why heavy? Well, therein lies a tale. If you look closely at the photo you will hardly fail to notice that at the back of his head, on the crown almost, he has a large plaster, well, two in fact that are clearly not there merely for decoration.

A couple of days earlier we had spent the morning, or rather we had intended to spend the morning at the Abuko Wild Life Reserve but things went somewhat awry.

As usual, Lamin had dropped us off at the entrance and then proceeded to an exit some miles away to await for us to reappear. Even though the sun was already high in the sky, the air under the forest canopy was fairly cool and we were enjoying our walk when Dad (that’s me) got a bit frisky. We had arrived at a dry creek not far from the place where we had met the chimpanzee family earlier, and the kids were jumping back and forth across the dry riverbed. The game got a little wild

and it wasn’t long before they were playing ‘Tarzan’ and swinging from the vines that hung down from the canopy above, which was when Dad (me again) decided to join in.

Now Dad, even in those days, was quite a bit heavier that the two kids combined.

With a blood-curdling screech I ran towards the creek, leapt into the air and grabbed on to a large vine to help me fly across the creek. Well, it didn’t turn out exactly that way.

The vine was quite dead and was obviously hanging from a massive collection of equally dead branches high above that all fell down and showered us with all sorts of detritus full of thorns and spikes. As I crawled out of the ditch I saw that my wife was hugging Martin.

They were both covered in blood.

Now, if you don’t know it, our brains use an inordinate amount of blood that brings much-needed oxygen and fuel for the brain cells to work efficiently. In one minute your brain needs about 15% of the blood that your heart pumps around your body, so at any given time about one-sixth of all the blood in your body is being used by your brain, which means that if your head is punctured you will lose a lot of blood.

I grabbed Martin in my arms and made an instantaneous decision to head for the exit two miles away where hopefully Lamin would be waiting for us. Thankfully he was there.

We piled into the car and he drove like mad to the nearby convent but the nuns were unable to help us. We headed for the country’s only hospital in the capital Banjul. It seems that wherever you go in the former British colonies there will be a Victoria Hospital. As we drove up, a young man in a blood-stained smock waved to us from a balcony. He was sucking on a large, blood-red lollipop. Miraculously, the nuns had called ahead and warned him of our impending arrival.

The ‘operating theatre’ was an almost empty room with a large table in the middle.

The boy gave the surface of the table a perfunctory wipe and told me to sit Martin down on it. He proceeded to shave his head around the wound before dousing him with iodine and threading the biggest needle I’ve ever seen with what appeared to be cat gut the size of a tennis racket string, and sewing our poor boy’s head back together again—all this without removing the lollipop from his mouth. Some weeks later, when we arrived back in Sweden and went to have the stiches removed, the doctors were amazed at what a splendid job the boy had done, and Martin was pronounced ‘as good as new’.

MARCH 30, 2019 THE STAR

Suicide Victim’s Cousin Addresses St. Lucian Insensitivity

t has been the custom in this country to post gruesome photos of deceased individuals, especially victims of car accidents and violence.

Even before the official suicide announcement on Monday, photos of alleged suicide victim 17-year-old Gervais Emmanuel of Rocky Lane, Dennery were on the internet with accompanying comments by anonymous posters. The STAR sat down with a relative of Emmanuel, whose name we agreed not to publish.

“I’ll say this,” she said, “you have to try to put yourself in the shoes of family members.

It’s a painful thing for my family. We’re coping as best we can but I know it’s something that will stay with us for a very long time. Posting his pictures suggests unbelievable insensitivity. It’s as if some people were celebrating what happened to Gervais. I find this so disrespectful. That kind of thing needs to stop. Saint Lucians need to be a bit more sensitive, a little less heartless.”

She also addressed the alleged reasons for the suicide

that effectively blamed the victim’s family. There were several posted poems allegedly

by Emmanuel. “Sometimes what you see out there is not necessarily the truth,” said his cousin. “You need to get to know somebody and understand their circumstances.

If you don’t have the story, if you don’t know what’s going on, then stop bashing and blaming his family. Gervais had a lot of love for his mother and his sister. He had a lot of love for his family. The armchair psychiatrists need to dig deeper, because we don’t know what persons are suffering until something tragic happens.”

The rumour-mongering was not restricted to social media. Saint Lucia Times and Loop Slu also reported conflicting details about the alleged suicide. While Loop Slu reported Emmanuel was 16 years old, Saint Lucia Times reported he was 17.

According to Loop Slu: “The incident has reignited conversation on homophobia in Saint Lucia and the poor treatment towards members of

the island's LGBTQ community by the general public.” The online publication also cited a post from “a friend” that blamed Emmanuel’s death on “homophobic pressure on Gervais”.

External Affairs Minister Sarah Flood-Beaubrun was bombarded by reporters seeking a comment on the 17-year-old's sexual preferences. “Given your strong family values,” asked one reporter, “what can you say about the suicide of the young man from Dennery, given that he was openly gay?”

The minister’s careful response: “I would not like to speak on such a sensitive topic, especially given this particular situation. Suicide is a very, very hard thing for family members and I think when we have situations like that it’s important to give family members space.

The fact that he may have been gay is neither here nor there. It’s a very hard time for the family and there should be some sensitivity in dealing with it.”

--Dean Nestor

CARIBBEAN RUM PRODUCERS TO GET SAME DEAL AFTER BREXIT

C

aribbean Rum producers have welcomed the signing of a trade deal between the Caribbean Forum of ACP States (CARIFORUM) and the United Kingdom. The deal, which was finalised last week in Saint Lucia, will come into effect on the departure of the UK from the European Union and it seeks to mirror the benefits provided to the Caribbean in the region’s Economic Partnership Agreement with the EU.

Commenting on the signing of the agreement, Komal Samaroo, Chairman of the West Indies Rum & Spirits Producers Association (WIRSPA), and head of the Guyana-based Demerara Distillers conglomerate said: “We’re extremely happy to see the culmination of this agreement which both sides— our governments here in the Caribbean, and the United Kingdom—have worked hard to achieve. The UK is the major export destination for our rums and we are pleased that the agreement will maintain our continued access to that market.”

WIRSPA Chairman, Komal Somaroo anticipates that the Caribbean will sustain a stable export relationship with the United Kingdom.

According to Samaroo, “Our premium, high quality rums are the region’s leading export product and its largest export earner after minerals.

The rum industry is also a significant employer in the region. The trade continuity agreement will contain key provisions that provide protection from artificially low value products from competing

producers which benefit from government subsidies.”

He added, “As we strive to compete in a highly competitive global market, we present a value proposition based on authentic origin and provenance, and the tremendous diversity and rum heritage of our region’s countries. This agreement will help us to maintain a level playing field."

THE STAR

march 30, 2019

COMMENT

www.stluciastar.com

03

Who Better To Address Grynberg Than Its Inventor?

T

wo or three Sundays past, while home alone and happily bingeing on Christopher Hitchens, I was interrupted by my nearby iPhone’s ringtone. A side-glance at its display screen revealed the caller had chosen to be anonymous. Should I let him or her keep their secret? Fat chance. A long time ago I had learned always to answer my phone, regardless of time or how busily engaged. A journalist never can tell who will be the repository of his next big scoop.

“Hi there, unknown caller,” I said, with my phone on speaker. “What can I do for you on this bright Sunday afternoon?”

A familiar male voice responded: “I want to extend to you an invitation to come on my show to discuss your favorite subject.”

“And what might that be?”

I asked.

“Grynberg!” he said.

Suffice it to say I turned down his invitation, for several reasons including that I am not nearly as naïve as I have on occasion allowed myself to appear, usually when dealing with loud-mouthed and selfconvinced Johnnie Knowalls.

Two days later I received from an overseas-based friend a congratulatory Whatsapp note related to my having agreed to debate publicly Grynberg and Rochamel. He also identified my opposition as my earlier mentioned Sunday afternoon caller and Claudius Francis, well known talk-radio host, former senate president and a perennial pain (friendly) in the ass (my ass, that is!).

I’ve lost count of the number of times Claudius has

seen the need to challenge me on-air and on Facebook to debate either Grynberg or Rochamel. At least as many times I had assured him and his anticipated audience of tribal provocateurs that the Ramsahoye Commission had long settled Rochamel to my satisfaction. As for Grynberg, there can hardly be a living being on this Rock of Sages that has not heard me say Grynberg is too important an issue to be staged as if it were a back alley cock fight for the entertainment of drunk and disorderly partisan punters.

Nevertheless, soon after my overseas friend’s tip-off I called Claudius to enquire whether something he said about a debate could’ve been misconstrued by a member of his audience. He sounded surprised. “Aren’t you coming?”

he asked. “I was told you agreed to debate Rochamel and Grynberg.” I set him right, in the process gently reminding him that those best positioned to talk about both subjects, the last named in particular, were, as far as I could tell long-distance, alive and well enough to recall important events dating back to 2000.

I presumed they were in possession of documents to validate the truth of whatever they might wish to share after all these years.

“Are you saying only Kenny is allowed to speak on Grynberg?” Claudius knew damn well I’d said nothing of the sort. But I played along. “No one can speak on the subject with more legitimacy,” I said.

We agreed to disagree and moved on. Later I heard him say on the radio, in unbelievable but unchallenged response to a question from his host, that “Frenwell is the name of the owner of Hyatt.” At which point I took a call from an informed citizen who could barely contain his amusement. He wanted to know whether Claudius was “playing with his host or what?”

My response: “Who knows with

our friend?”

As for Grynberg, Claudius touched on the Pandora’s Box by upfront acknowledging there was among his political tribe not a single warrior who might say the silence that surrounded Grynberg from inception, and continues to cloud it nearly two decades later, was not disturbing.

At which point, while working at my laptop, I shook my head and muttered: “Case closed.” For never mind the wild rantings and self-serving claims of the familiar red hindrances to progress, as a citizen and a journalist all I have ever wanted from the former prime minister Kenny Anthony on the subject of Grynberg—going back 19 years—are his answers to questions of national interest.

Answers that, hopefully, might clear the obfuscating smoke around the costly agreement he signed with a most controversial American oil speculator. The silence is disturbing today, as indeed it was when Earl Huntley was the only other individual who knew a contract had been signed on behalf of uninformed Saint Lucians with the notorious Jack Grynberg.

Another moment of presumed unintended hilarity was when Claudius was asked to say how the whole “Jack Grynberg thing came about.” Rather than citing the several revealing published tim-tim by Huntley, Claudius permitted himself to be sidetracked by vaguely related events in Grenada, Venezuela and other nearby ostensibly oil-rich sites. I finally congratulated myself on my decision not to participate with my friend and his conspiring host in their lunchtime presentation, the highlight of which was a call from an all too familiar red hack. He informed Claudius & Company that they were insane if they believed Rick Wayne would’ve been so brave as to join them on the radio. Both host and guest sought to educate him; in vain, I fear.

Said Claudius, adamantly: “Oh, no, caller. Rick Wayne wasn’t scared to come on. Although we disagreed, he gave me his reasons why he wouldn’t be here.” I dare to say Claudius wasted his time. With apologies to Mark Twain, I say you can no more teach “The Blob” to think than a blind man can find in a dark room a black cat that isn’t there!

What do these men know about oil at Dauphin that they refuse to share with its owners, the people of Saint Lucia?

Left to right: Former prime minister Kenny Anthony, retired civil servant and RSM associate Earl Huntley, notorious American oil speculator Jack Grynberg (whose lawsuit against the government remains to be resolved).

04 LOCAL

March 30, 2019 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

Chastanet says Trump Visit in the interest of St. Lucians!

Joshua St. Aimee

T

he recent meeting of United States President Donald Trump with five Caribbean leaders has caused quite a stir. The prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines described the visit as “troubling” and an “insult to the Caribbean”.

Gonsalves claimed he would not have gone, if invited. He reminded reporters in Barbados of the existence of CARICOM, currently chaired by Timothy Harris, the prime minister of St. Kitts-Nevis. Members include Barbados’s Mia Mottley and Trinidad and Tobago’s Keith Rowley.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Gaston Browne went further, via Facebook, advising that CARICOM sustain its position on Venezuela by standing on principle, without inducements or fear of reprisals. He implied that some CARICOM leaders seemed determined to undermine CARICOM solidarity.

“I feel embarrassed for those weak-minded leaders who allowed themselves to

be used, by carrying out the agenda of others,” said Browne.

In Saint Lucia the former foreign minister Alva Baptiste observed this week that while there was nothing wrong with the United States holding bilateral meetings with a country, or a group of countries, he believes it was inappropriate in the case of CARICOM.

As Prime Minister Allen Chastanet made his way to Tuesday’s sitting of parliament, he was asked by waiting reporters to react to criticism levelled by fellow CARICOM leaders. He appeared unperturbed: “At the end of the day, I was elected by Saint Lucians to represent Saint Lucians. The topics that were discussed are of national, as well as regional, importance.”

Importantly, he emphasized that the meeting in Washington was by special invitation to individual leaders, not to CARICOM. He reminded the reporters that the United States is Saint Lucia’s largest trading partner, has the biggest diaspora of Saint Lucians, and provides the greatest opportunity for growth. “So if I’m invited to put forward Saint

Prime Minister Allen Chastanet says the meeting with President Trump covered many areas of interest which he believes could redound to the benefit of all Saint Lucians.

Lucia’s agenda,” he said, “I will happily accept.”

He said he remained ever mindful of CARICOM’s positions.

The prime minister described the meeting as a very good one, and said he was encouraged that the United States came into the meeting with listening ears.

Many matters were discussed, including: providing support and strengthening security within the region; the issue of Saint Lucians having to travel to Barbados for visas; the setting up of pre-clearance facilities when individuals are travelling to the island.

“As you know,” the PM

said, “Saint Lucia is currently constructing a brand new airport terminal. They have pre-clearance facilities in other countries and we have initiated dialogue with the US. There’s a team coming here to follow up with us.”

Chastanet said plans are afoot to revamp the

Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). Established in 1971, OPIC is a United States government agency that helps American businesses invest in emerging markets with financing, political risk insurance and investment funds. “They’re putting $70 billion into that organisation,” the PM said.

“They’ve indicated that the reorganisation should be completed within the next sixty days, and have promised that a team will be coming down to Saint Lucia within the next ninety days to look at some of the investment opportunities we currently have here.”

The prime minister said the matter of trade was also discussed, and the possibility of bringing back a new Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI).

The CBI was a programme established in the time of Ronald Reagan with the aim of facilitating the development of Caribbean economies by providing beneficiary countries with duty-free access to the US market.

The US-sanctioned Leahy Law was not discussed with President Trump last Friday.

Students Unearth the Rich Heritage of Castries A s part of ongoing efforts by the Saint Lucia National Trust to educate young people on the history of Saint Lucia, a heritage tour of the city of Castries was organised for secondary school students within the Castries basin. With Saint Lucia’s foremost historian, Dr. Gregor Williams, serving as the guide, students were taken on a historical journey through the city of Castries during which changes in its physical landscape over the years were highlighted. Dr. Williams shared vivid memories of his personal experiences growing up in Castries and of historic events like the 1948 Castries fire and the bombing in Castries Harbour during World War II.

Following the Castries city tour, the group proceeded to the Married Women’s Quarters and Meadows Battery at Vigie.

Whilst there, students learnt of the many battles fought between the British and French, and of the pivotal role Saint Lucia played during the French Revolution from 1789 to 1798. Dr. Williams explained that although there were 14 exchanges between the British and French, only eight major battles were fought between the two. Saint Lucia, he noted, holds the distinction of being the island most fought over by the British and French.

The group then visited the Saint Lucia National Archives where an exhibition was being held in commemoration of Saint Lucia’s 40th anniversary of Independence. This presented an opportunity for students to view some old photos of Castries. Thereafter, students toured Walcott’s Place and viewed the film ‘Castries Fire Commemoration: Stories from

the Ashes’.

“The Trust will continue to engage more schools across the island in tours of our heritage sites. This way, our students would acquire a deeper appreciation for our heritage, the stories of the past that have influenced our way of life, and lessons to be learned in order to progress meaningfully,” said Mrs. Karetta Crooks Charles, SLNT’s Communications and Advocacy Officer. She also encouraged participants to creatively share with their peers and relatives the knowledge gleaned from Dr. Williams.

The activity, held on March 20, 2019, was initially planned to commemorate last April’s World Heritage Day 2018 which was observed under the theme ‘Heritage for Generations’, but it was postponed due to conflicting school activities.

Students and teachers enter the National Archives to view the special 40th Anniversary of Independence exhibition.

THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

MARCH 30, 2019

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March 30, 2019 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

Felix says Firemen not to Blame for Road Fatality C

t was the last day of the most recent industrial action by the Saint Lucia Fire Service.

Friday, March 22, 2019 was also the date of a road accident at Union, Castries involving 82-year-old Clement Florius and his wife Teresa. Clement succumbed to his injuries the following day—which immediately set off public speculation about whether the unavailability of emergency services had been a factor in his death.

According to the online Saint Lucia Times: “Emergency officials said all the injured were transported to Victoria Hospital by private means . . . because firefighters were on strike at the time.”

On Monday March 18, four days before the fatal accident, Security Minister Hermangild Francis had stated to reporters: “Some of the issues of the fire service are pertinent and pressing and must be addressed. And we will address

them. But none of these issues are life-threatening. When you can take action, some of the things that might occur because you have withdrawn your services, can be lifethreatening.”

And then there were the online political analysts, one of whom wrote: “So what about the deaths you caused by your strike greed? . . . Which politician will represented [sic] you on Judgement Day?”

Shane Felix, president of the Saint Lucia Fire Services Association told the STAR: “I want first of all to extend condolences to the Florius family. It’s unfortunate that the gentleman would have lost his life at a time like this. We sympathise with them. There was no such intent to bring any such situation on any Saint Lucian family.”

The SLFSA president absolved his colleagues of all blame. He said: “It’s sad that under the current

Emergency vehicles were not operational last Friday to convey the injured Florius couple to hospital.

circumstances, certain people would look to blame us for what happened. There are other circumstances that have prompted this tragedy. I spoke to the son of the deceased, and in my conversations with him there didn’t seem to be any indication that he holds the fire service responsible for his father’s death. It was important

for me to confirm with the son the circumstances of the death, to get his view of what really transpired. As I’ve said, there’s no indication from his family’s standpoint that the emergency services were responsible for his father’s passing.”

The fire services returned to work on March 25.

---Dean Nestor

F

Chamber Hosts Quarterly GM

ontinuing its programme of intense engagement with members on issues of importance, the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture will host its first Quarterly General Meeting for 2019 on April 4 at the Financial Administrative Centre, Pointe Seraphine. The meeting is scheduled to commence at 5:00pm with a packed agenda.

The Chamber has secured the attendance of staff from the Department of Sustainable Development to make a presentation titled ‘Greening Our Environment: The Ban on Plastics’. The Department will present full details on the phasing out of Styrofoam containers and single-use plastics. Many Chamber members have already commenced green initiatives and policy decision has generally been welcomed and anticipated by many.

Another important agenda item is a presentation on the topic ‘Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing; Implications for and the Role of Chamber Members’, by the Attorney General’s Chambers.

As part of the Chamber’s efforts to provide useful and practical skills and information to members, a Tech Tips segment has been introduced to the QGM so members can learn to efficiently and effectively use mobile devices and handsets to increase productivity.

The General Meeting will commence with the presentation of the Chamber’s 2019-2022 Strategic Plan, which seeks to continue the Strategic Transformation Process which the Chamber embarked upon some two years ago. Members will be invited to endorse the plan and join the board, secretariat and the various committees of the Chamber to make the transformation process a success for all Chamber of Commerce stakeholders.

This QGM is being sponsored by Digicel which will present the first set of Tech Tips.

Other Chamber members have already agreed to participate in this skills and knowledge transfer at other upcoming events of the Chamber. The Chamber is expecting all members to register for this important meeting.

Digicel Launches New Service

resh off its Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network launch last November, telecommunications company Digicel is continuing to expand its product offerings. This week, the company officially unveiled its d’Concierge service at the Rodney Bay Marina. Hailed by the company as a superior service geared towards the yachting community, it allows individuals to access data services while on their boat, and offers customers a personalized experience to conduct business with the company.

Digicel St. Lucia’s Business Solutions Manager, Mr. John Gidharry, provided insight on this latest venture: “This product will allow you the opportunity whilst on your boat to seamlessly access data and all the services you enjoy on the mainland.

What this means is you have unlimited connectivity on your Mifi, which will connect to your boat. Your Mifi is a device that

Business Solutions Manager Mr. John Gidharry during Wednesday’s launch.

operates with a sim card and it gives you connectivity to the data network.” When connected to the data service, it can be also be accessed while in St. Vincent and Grenada.

D’Concierge coordinator Ms. Brenda Barbour-Charles explained that the service is actually an umbrella term for many products and services.

“It’s basically providing a better experience in doing business

with Digicel, so it’s more personalized in whatever aspect the customer wants,” she said.

Saint Lucia is the pilot country for this newest product, with Digicel planning to branch out to other islands, depending on the feedback.

More information on the d’Concierge service can be found on digicelgroup.com/ d-concierge.

THE STAR

MARCH 30, 2019

www.stluciastar.com

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08 COMMENT

www.stluciastar.com

march 30, 2019 THE STAR

Trump’s invitation: Chastanet has nothing to apologize for! nothing to do with my personal likes and beliefs, or my love or Peter Josie dislike of another. My meetings with other heads of state such as Mr. Trump would be based or what it’s worth: I do solely on the interests of my not like President Trump’s country. I therefore think that style of governing. I do not the Prime Minister of Saint think he is sufficiently equipped Lucia (and the four other and balanced to be President leaders from the Caribbean) had of the USA. To my mind Trump a duty to meet with President is the antithesis of what many Trump. The US is our closest knowledgeable people would and most powerful trading and say is the ideal for an American defence ally. A majority of our president: humane, intelligent, citizens call the US home. kind, peace-loving, democratic, Prime Minister Allen and above all law-abiding Chastanet, for his part, inherited and fair-minded. From my a major national security observations over the past two problem on his assumption years, Trump reminds me more to office. The US government of the old Mafia bosses in New had withdrawn its support for York and Chicago than of an the training and equipping of upright President of the United this island’s police force—its States. Yet, I would consider only security force. Chastanet it my duty, if I were prime assumed office with that sword minister, to accept any invitation of Damocles hanging over his to meet with him. head. His new Director of Public

I believe that statecraft has Prosecutions had his hands tied

F

to his back by the statements and actions of Allen Chastanet’s immediate predecessor.

The US used the provisions of the Leahy Law to demand that the government of Saint Lucia prosecute police officers suspected of “gross violations of human rights”. This case, in the opinion of some respected legal minds, is too heavy a load for Saint Lucia to bear without the assistance of the US. It has been explained by some that the rantings of the former government have not helped in the solution of this matter. The whole affair is stuck in gear and only a direct appeal to the US president may possibly offer a solution. Bear in mind that the police are unhappy and on edge.

The families of the victims want answers beyond the state’s Who would not have travelled to Florida had they been earlier inquest. The nation in Allen Chastanet’s shoes? is growing impatient. Some observers feel that it’s high time take centre stage. If Allen featured at all when these men and women we have that law and order and justice Chastanet does not resolve the Caribbean leaders criticize proven we are. so-called IMPACS problem, the Chastanet? America has been

Incidentally, Trump whole Caribbean could suffer known to interfere in an oblique has promised to send a US the consequences. and tangential way in the delegation in ninety days to

Those Caribbean heads foreign (and domestic) affairs continue the dialogue and that criticize Chastanet would of some countries. It interferes make recommendations for gladly accept a similar request and paves the way for someone strengthening our resilience from Trump, CARICOM or they deem more friendly to adverse weather, the no CARICOM. They ought to and malleable to replace a development of ports for cruise remember that the US is their misguided nationalist who tourism, and job creation. Easing largest trading partner and steals his country’s resources US visa restrictions was also that most visitors to the region and distributes them among discussed. come from the US except those who serve only the leader Before ending, I have some possibly visitors to Barbados. and his party. more questions: What would Tim Which of these prime ministers The more experienced Hector, George Odlum and Rosie has been known to put the Caribbean leaders, such as my Douglas have said about Gaston requirements of their CARICOM friend Ralph Gonsalves (yes, Browne’s intemperate outburst neighbours before their own?

I can still call him that), are against Allen Chastanet? Did Our leaders love to point out wrong to imply that by inviting a US press release say Trump that they were elected by their a handful of Caribbean leaders was inviting a delegation from nationals to improve the social to a private meeting, President CARICOM to meet with him? and economic situation of their Trump has either divided or What was the relationship respective states. What about tried to divide the Caribbean. between the former Labour Allen Chastanet? Whom does Wouldn’t it have been better prime minister of Saint Lucia he represent? There are, to politics for leaders from Guyana, and the Venezuela oil-forbe sure, some world leaders Trinidad and Barbados to visit influence deal by Chavez in the who consider Donald Trump a Jamaica and debrief Prime region? Why didn’t the Labour buffoon and a racist. Yet, these Minister Holness on what was government borrow more petro same leaders, afforded the discussed and agreed to at dollars from Venezuela, as did opportunity, would gladly cross Mar-a-Largo? It would have some in the region? oceans and line up at the White been equally useful for Ralph,

I hope that this article House (or Mar-a-Largo) to meet Mitchell and Harris to pop over makes you, dear reader, think with President Trump. to Saint Lucia to do the same of the possibilities that can Like some former with Prime Minister Chastanet. eventuate from an invited comrades and other wanabees We must stop behaving like visit by the Saint Lucian Prime in the region, I can see clearly schoolboys if we want the Minister to the President of the the singular self-interest of US Trumps of the world to respect United States. In today’s world foreign policy in the region. But us. We get mad when people there are still more positive isn’t self-interest the alpha and say uncharitable things about outcomes wrought by quiet omega of every self-respecting us, but we need to change the diplomacy and back-channel country? And, dear reader, petty incrimination and finger dialogue than our evolving have you noticed that the name pointing (for which Trump is Caribbean civilization will ever Maduro of Venezuela has not notable) and behave like the know.

THE STAR

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Chastanet Reminds Critics he was Elected to do What he Thinks Best for St. Lucia!

Claudia Eleibox Mc Dowell

A

s it was in colonial times, when Saint Lucia acquired her name Helen of the West, and as proved true during World Wars, the Cold War, and even in the Taiwanese hunt for UN recognition, Caribbean nations are once again placed in a tricky game of diplomatic chess. This time it’s to decide who will offer sovereign support to a petroleum-generous friend of developing Caribbean islands, or instead stand behind the powerhouse that is the United States of America.

Because of a special visit to the US, following an invitation from President Donald Trump, it has been deduced that some member states, including Saint Lucia, support Juan Guiado’s self-proclaimed presidency of Venezuela. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, once

While Nicolas Maduro was elected president in the last polls, Saint Lucia appears to be in support of fresh elections as a possible solution to Venezuela’s on-going problems.

the richest country in South America and still the site of the largest oil reserves in the world, held elections in January that delivered to Nicolas Maduro his second six-year term as president. However, over fifty other countries in the

world have now chosen not to recognize the latest elections, some accusing Maduro of rigging the whole process.

They have decided, with the US leading the way, to recognize instead Juan Guiado as the interim President of Venezuela

until fresh elections are called.

Although Saint Lucia had never officially denounced Maduro’s presidency, it is one of nineteen countries of the Organization of American States which voted to not recognize Maduro as leader after the general elections, a position contrary to CARICOM’s previous stance against outside interference in Venezuelan affairs.

CARICOM had requested a meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, which was cancelled days before it was scheduled to happen on March 6, leaving Trinidadian Prime Minister Keith Rowley to explain that he did not know why the meeting was no longer possible. By March 22, government leaders of the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and Saint Lucia were instead invited to a special meeting with President Trump in Florida.

Prime Minister Allen

Chastanet emphasized that Saint Lucia’s position on Venezuela is clear, even in the face of suggestions from outside that he had undermined CARICOM. “We believe at this point that in order for Venezuela to be able to get on with its life, it needs to have fresh elections,” Chastanet told reporters on his return from the Florida meeting. He said Saint Lucia “stands very strongly and very firmly in our belief that to resolve this problem, and not cause any further intervention into Venezuela’s affairs, President Maduro ought to agree to sit down and have a discussion on fresh elections”.

He said that CARICOM has been divided on many issues in the past, including Citizenship

by Investment policies, and Chinese or Taiwanese support, but there has never been a problem of members working together. There clearly are some differences, he acknowledged.

“There are groups of us who

believe that the dialogue needs to take place without an agenda and that the two groups must be forced to sit down in order to be able to arrive by themselves on a way forward. There are those who believe enough time has gone by, enough damage has been done, that what we need is fresh elections. And what’s happening now is that the vast majority of countries in the world support fresh elections.”

In the telling of former foreign affairs minister Alva Baptiste, Saint Lucia should play the balancing role and a “good brother” to Venezuela. He said this week: “I do not believe it was a proper posture to assume being a member of CARICOM. If he [Chastanet] was chairman of CARICOM, he would find it inappropriate for a country or a small group of countries to just break away and decide to have their own meetings with third parties on very principled issues.” (See page 4)

House Debates Amendments to CIP Act

S

aint Lucia’s Citizenship

by Investment Act took centre stage at this week’s parliament sitting, with the tabling of the Citizenship

by Investment (Amendment) Bill. Passed in the House of Assembly on July 28, 2015 and subsequently in the Senate on August 4, 2015, the Act allows individuals to become Saint Lucian citizens through investment options.

Many amendments were included in Tuesday’s Bill. Amendment of Section 2 changes the definition of authorised agent to mean a person who is licensed by the CIP Board. An authorised agent is someone who submits applications on behalf of individuals to the Board; the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) previously provided licenses.

Amendment of Section 31 says the board may, on the recommendation of the Citizenship by Investment Unit, grant with or without conditions, or refuse to grant an authorised agent licence.

It also says that the licence permits an authorised agent

to perform duties related to an application for Citizenship by Investment, as specified under the Act, or requested by the Unit and the Board.

The amendment of Section 36 provides provisions to grant an application for citizenship to a qualifying dependent, no more than five years after citizenship was granted to an individual, and if the investment was in cash. Citizenship may be granted to a qualifying dependent if: (a) he/she was a qualifying dependent when the application was made, (b) is a child born after the application was made and (c) he/she is the spouse of the individual and was married after the application was made.

This amendment applies to applications from January 1, 2016.

If an application for citizenship was denied, there is an avenue for the applicant to request a review. The amendment of Section 37 now makes it mandatory that within sixty days of a request, the application must be denied or approved.

Amendment of Section 38

outlines that if the citizenship of an individual is revoked, the citizenship of any qualifying dependent under section 36(1A) will also be revoked.

Former chairman of the Citizenship by Investment Programme and Castries South MP Ernest Hilaire had several related questions, among them why the changes were necessary. He argued that the amendments failed to tackle promises by the prime minister when in opposition, one being that politicians should not be the ones to appoint the CIP Board.

“When we [the previous administration] were setting up the CIP,” he said, “we made very clear that it should not be the Board, or the Unit licensing authorised agents; it should be left to an independent body.”

He went on: “If you decide you don’t want the FSRA to do the licenses anymore, that’s your policy decision. But you should not ask political appointees to do it.” He suggested that the CIP Unit could have been chosen instead.

Prime Minister Allen Chastanet refuted the MP’s

Dr. Ernest Hilaire expressed concerns about some of the amendments to the CIP Act.

arguments. Regarding amendment to Section 2, Chastanet claimed that advice from the AG’s chambers under Mr. Hilaire’s chairmanship of CIP was that approval should come from the Board. On the amendment to Section 37, Chastanet said a committee of three people was appointed to handle reviews. He disclosed

that the committee did not meet on a regular basis and there were complaints about the time it takes to review an application.

“In order to bring some certainty to those people,” said the prime minister, “we’ve put sixty days. The committee agrees that it’s more than a reasonable amount of time.”

Regarding Section 38, the prime minister considered it fair, because it permitted qualifying dependents citizenship through that of the main applicant. If the main applicant’s citizenship is revoked for whatever reason, so will be that of the qualifying dependents.

The Bill was passed.

---Joshua St. Aimee

THE STAR

march 30, 2019

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LOCAL 11

Is there more to the House Opposition’s Cannibalizing of a Former Brother turned UWP Mayor?

Dean Nestor

T

uesday’s House sitting proved yet again that, when it comes to namecalling and scoring points, the honorable members are equal opportunity cannibals. Vieux Fort South MP Kenny Anthony set the tone. The final lines of his debate contribution, accompanied as always by finger-wagging reminiscent of a school principal standing over a cowering assembly, set the tone: “Finally, Mr. Speaker, let me say this. All of us in this House have had the opportunity to watch the stewardship of the current mayor. Some of us have had to deal with his actions in other forums. All I’m saying is this: it’s highly dangerous when a parliament decides to enact legislation for the sole vanity of an individual who is charged with a responsibility.”

For those old enough, the valid observation brought to mind a time when a government had amended the Saint Lucia Constitution to accommodate the senatorial aspirations of a certain Kenny Anthony; also, when his party had rewritten sections of its constitution to permit him to remain party leader!

The MP for Castries South picked up the red-hot pitch fork with obvious relish. “The Castries Constituency Council has become synonymous with bad governance, irregular practices bordering, some might say, on corruption. In fact, there was a public announcement of an audit being done in the CCC. It has never been made a public document and today we’re coming to this House to discuss a bill relating to that same CCC. The mayor is suing one of his councillors for calling him corrupt. It’s now a matter before the courts. The way in which the Council is managed leaves a lot to be desired. I spoke with four councillors about this bill we’re debating here today. They did not even know it was coming before parliament! That’s how councillors are left out of the operation of the CCC.”

As Hilaire jabbed his instrument into the attendant

Dr. Anthony has asserted that a CCC bill was for the vanity of the mayor of Castries.

Mayor Peterson’s hide, this reporter thought about the House Standing Orders that forbid honourable members from making such references as had been made by the Castries South MP, without a discouraging word from Speaker Andy Daniel.

“Decisions are being taken with no approval from the Council,” Hilaire went on. “I asked my representative from the Council over and over: ‘Can you tell me how much it cost to refurbish the office of the CCC?’ And he keeps saying to me that this has never come before Council; it was never approved

by Council; they have no idea how much was spent.”

His final jab, again laced with disturbing imputations: “You hear stories that the mayor’s trip to Trinidad cost about $15,000. Not even the PM’s travel expense is that high.”

The Vieux Fort North MP, Moses Jn. Baptiste, joined the chorus: “This Bill does not address the concerns that constituency councils allow their processes whether deliberately, or naively, to be channels for improper activity.

We have complained about it.

I have been in this parliament going on three terms and every session we complain about it.”

He switched from time to time to Kwéyòl, especially when making his more biting insinuations, in the process flouting with impunity Sections 6-1 and 35-1 of the Standing

Orders. JnBaptiste, perhaps anticipating the government’s later reaction, volunteered this reminder: “We did something about it and the member for Castries South referred to what we did. Many times people say to us, ‘Y’all not talking about that. What did you do about it?’

But we did something about it.”

Then came his plug for his battered and bruised fellow opposition warrior, by now predictable, non sequitur or not: “I have said over and over again that the former prime minister and member for Vieux Fort South will go down in history as one of the leaders of our country who took concrete steps to fight corruption in this country.” The MP’s emotional endorsement brought to this reporter’s mind the controversies branded as the Helenites Affair, Rochamel, Grynberg, IMPACS, inter alia. I wondered how the good words for the former prime minister connected with the opposition’s naked accusations against the popular mayor of Castries.

It occurred to me that the outspoken former Labour Party chairman and senate president Claudius Francis, the host of Straight Up, was also the mayor’s brother, and seldom reluctant to call a spade a spade. But he was uncharacteristically reticent when I sought from him a comment on the unleashed opposition attack on the character of Mr. Peterson Francis.

Find out for yourself if Peterson Francis took money and used it to renovate his home, as he is alleged to have done.”

Then there was this: “Dr. Hilaire gave the impression the Bill was for my personal benefit. The same Dr. Hilaire, immediately after I assumed office, came to me to see whether I could pass on leftover funds for a Marigot road project. When has the Council been involved in building roads?

Now, that’s an interesting story. This is the same MP now accusing me of corruption in the privileged House!”

There have been hints and Until 2016 a member of the St. Lucia Labour Party, Peterson Francis has not taken kindly to opposition allegations that the well-liked allegations that he is not as transparent in his mayoral Castries mayor could possibly operations as is required by law. be the man to beat in Castries

“I don’t even know what a challenge: “The books are South come the next general was said,” was his reaction. there, you know,” he said. “If elections—which brought a “But I have nothing to say. Why Mr. Hilaire, as a parliamentary knowing smile to the mayor’s would I have anything to say? representative for Castries face when this reporter asked It’s for the mayor to answer South, wants to, he has the right for his confirmation of the that, not me.” And indeed the to come in and ask questions. rumours. mayor had much to say.

First he took on the former leader of the SLP, now MP for Vieux Fort South. As they say, the two had history. Bad history, not to be gone into at this time.

“So Dr. Anthony is saying the Bill in question had something to do with my own vanity. I understand the opposition’s problem. They are asking for the first time the effectiveness of the CCC. The Bill was passed to make the CCC more effective. What we had before were figurehead mayors. The changes are not for my benefit; they will be there for other future mayors to work with in the best interests of the Council and those it serves. Dr. Anthony knows better, but that’s what opposition politics is about. And he has his own political battles to think about.”

As for Ernest Hilaire’s “many speculations”, the mayor said the MP was “always asking for proof to back up his claims. Why doesn’t he provide the proof to parliament before he makes his accusations?” He acknowledged that one of his councillors had indeed accused him of corruption, “and that’s why I am taking him to court”.

Addressing a question about the amount spent on the refurbishment of the city council building, Francis issued

vacancy

The British High Commission is looking for an organized and self-motivated Political Officer, Castries to join our team.

Please apply on our website at https://fco.tal.net/ candidate!

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march 30, 2019 THE STAR

THE STAR

march 30, 2019

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LOCAL

march 30, 2019 THE STAR

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Space For Local Space Lovers!

I

t’s a common childhood dream to want to be an astronaut or a scientist after parents have explained Neil Armstrong’s historic moonwalk.

What is not a cliché is Saint Lucians applying to university nearly twenty years later but still focused on pursuing careers in space or science and technology. Cheyenne Polius and Dajr Alfred plan to defy the odds and encourage other young Saint Lucians to come along with them.

Cheyenne is a 22-year-old pursuing her Integrated Masters in Physics and Astrophysics at the University of Sheffield, England and Dajr, 23, is a double major student about to complete his BSc in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering at Kun Shan University in Taiwan.

Cheyenne said she always believed she could be anything she wanted. “Space always excited me and physics quickly became my favourite science at secondary school. So, I just let that passion guide me to continuing with maths and physics at A-Level and then on to doing an astrophysics degree.” But the two did not have outrageous dreams

without some locally tailored discouragement.

Said Dajr: “I came to realize how technologically starved the Caribbean region truly is. The education system somewhat prepares us for careers in STEM fields while the work available to us after graduation greatly contrasted this, and remains staunchly rooted in agriculture and hospitalities.”

He added: “The budding scientists in our region have no choice but to find careers overseas and, in fact, the brain drain is hastily encouraged. If I had a dollar for every time I was told Saint Lucia held nothing for me, I would by now be a billionaire.”

Now, the two are Saint Lucia’s National Points of Contact at the Space Generation Advisory Council, an international organisation linked closely with the United Nations and geared towards providing a network for young and future space professionals around the world. SGAC represents young people between the ages of 18 and 35 at the United Nations, space agencies, industry and academia. The story of how

100% FLEXIBLE 100% ONLINE 100% RELEVANT

Cheyenne Polius (left) and Dajr Alfred are the first ever president and vice president respectively of LUNAA. They currently represent Saint Lucia as National Points of Contact at the Space Generation Advisory Council.

Cheyenne Polius and Dajr Alfred became NPoCs is filled with passion, drive and a thirst for knowledge and opportunity.

“In order to give back and to create opportunities that I can only wish I had,” said Dajr, “I have facilitated a STEM-based workshop every university-summer break. Last year, it was held at the Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School in partnership with the school’s science department.

Cheyenne Polius, who at the time was the sole NPoC in Saint Lucia, was a guest speaker.

Towards the end of her spacebased presentation, she urged eligible individuals present to apply for the second position.

I was successful in filling the vacancy.”

The two NPoCs of each country are meant to coordinate SGAC activities in their homeland. Taking up the mantle, Cheyenne spearheaded a group of other young space enthusiasts, including Dajr, to launch LUNAA, the St. Lucia National Astronomy Association.

“The LUNAA team is so passionate and driven,”

said Cheyenne, currently the association’s president, with Dajr as vice. “They make anything seem possible.

Launching the association is only the first step in the big goals we have.”

Said Dajr: “There are many university graduates and scholars in the association and it truly astounds me how many brilliant astronomical minds call our small island home. We were able to photograph the moon during the most recent lunar eclipse and also held a star-gazing event at VFCSS using a high-powered telescope provided by Dr. Archer, one of our members.”

Hosting events such as stargazing, full-moon parties and workshops to build telescopes, or assisting students with applications to universities and scholarships, fall under LUNAA’s three main objectives: to raise awareness of the benefits of space exploration to Saint Lucia and the rest of the Caribbean region; to be an avenue for astronomy enthusiasts to explore their passion to enjoy astronomy as a hobby or turn it into a career if they wish; and to build a

nationwide appreciation for space and open citizens’ minds to the multiple opportunities available in the space sector and other Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

Cheyenne and Dajr anticipate big plans for LUNAA, especially because of their affiliation with the Space Generation Advisory Council which provides a massive networking platform and possible job and travel opportunities.

Asked about their hopes for their fellow Saint Lucians in the field of science, Cheyenne said: “Open mindedness. People love to think that because we’re a small developing island we just have to settle for what we have. But I believe we could achieve so much more if more of us were open to the possibilities.”

As for Dajr: “New entrepreneurs, such as Mr. Dujon of Algas Organics, who will create opportunities for future generations where there were none. People with the knowledge and know-how to guide the young with similar dreams and aspirations into the STEM fields and great thinkers to create new linkages which could allow our economy to thrive.”

---Claudia Eleibox Mc Dowell

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THE STAR

Saint Lucia’s Youngest Diplomats

S

ixteen-year-old Sephra Serieux of St Joseph’s Convent is this year’s winner in the 16 to 19-yearold category of Rotary St Lucia’s Four Way Test Speech Competition. In second place was Khalil Atkinson of St Mary’s College. Sephra and Khalil represented their respective schools’ Interact Clubs, one of three junior programmes by the Rotary Club. The pair automatically qualified to represent Saint Lucia at the 2019 Model United Nations Youth Assembly in Trinidad and Tobago this March.

“I really enjoy public speaking and that was one of the reasons I got involved in this competition. As the PRO of my school’s Interact Club, I felt somewhat obligated to participate,” Sephra said about the first leg of the competition.

Although she was edgy about entering, Sephra was delighted by the outcome, especially after completing the 2019 Model UN.

As for Khalil, this was his second time qualifying to participate in Model UN. He was too ill to attend the first time. This year, as president of his school’s Interact Club, he was simply “grateful for getting another chance. I still anticipated MUN to be quite the experience and adventure.”

The interactive training and development activity Model UN was held on March 16 and 17 and the duo returned home excited about their new and interesting experience. Model UN is held in different parts of the world for secondary school students to perform a mock version of the UN General Assembly. Each student represents a country as a diplomat or ambassador debating for its social, cultural and economic needs in the international arena. For some Caribbean islands it has been organised by the Rotary Club of Trinidad and Tobago for the past twenty years. This year, students from the twin republic, Saint Lucia, Guyana and Saint Kitts-Nevis participated in the Rotary Club’s Model UN.

“Prior to arriving in Trinidad, preparation was intense and overwhelming,” said Sephra. “But I was still really excited about what was to come. The Model United Nations debate exceeded my expectations; it was

LOCAL 15

www.stluciastar.com

march 30, 2019

GOVERNMENT OF SAINT LUCIA

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING, URBAN RENEWAL AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENGAGEMENT OF CONTRACTORS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INFRASTRUCTURE UNDER NATIONAL SITES AND SERVICES PROGRAMME INVITATION TO TENDER

Preamble The Loan Agreement (23/SFR-OR-STL) between the Government of Saint Lucia (GOSL) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), established the Sites and Services Revolving Fund (SSRF) under the Shelter Development Project (SDP).

In this regard, the GOSL and the CDB agreed to the utilization of the revolving fund for the implementation of future sites and services projects. The National Sites and Services Programme (NSSP) was established to make new serviced lots available to first-time homeowners. This initiative was design to support the longer term goals of improving the living conditions of the citizens of Saint Lucia, especially those in the lower income quintiles of the population.

The Department of Housing, Urban Renewal and Telecommunications wishes to engage qualified competent and reputable civil work contractors to execute the construction component of this project. Accordingly, the GOSL hereby invites interested and eligible contracting firms/ consortiums with the requisite experience and capacity to tender for the execution of the works at:

i.

La Fargue, Choiseul

OR

ii.

Piaye, Laborie,

OR

iii.

Monier, Gros Islet Scope of Work:

The assignment comes as three (3) separate packages and involves the following:

Package I The Works consist of the construction of approximately 409m length of 5m-wide double-lane concrete access roadway and associated reinforced concrete drains, culverts, installation of water supply network; and the installation of the electrical supply network on Block 0222B Parcels 318 to 333 located at La Fargue, Choiseul.

Khalil Atkinson (left) and Sephra Serieux were ambassadors for the Republic of the Philippines at Model United Nations.

undoubtedly one of the greatest experiences of my life.” Sephra represented the Republic of the Philippines. “Training consisted of extensive research on my country. I had to learn about its culture, policies, legislature and stance on the topic of migrant refugees.”

Said Khalil: “MUN taught me about the power of cooperation and change. We, as human beings, cannot be stagnant; we must always be on the move. We may all want to see our choices and decisions considered by others but to fullfill the entire picture we may need to sacrifice.” Khalil advises that any student offered the opportunity should take advantage of participating in Model UN.

Sephra says lessons from Model UN will last her a lifetime. “I met some amazing people from all over the region and this gave me a greater understanding of how different yet similar we are as Caribbean people. The debate itself was

insightful. Being a foreign country’s diplomat forced me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to have a deeper understanding of a different part of the world.”

Sephra especially thanked her teacher, Jessmina Cooper, whom she says urged her to participate in the competition. Added Khalil: “I had the privilege of working with Rukayyah, Cheniece and Peaches who helped my partner Sephra and me become fully prepared for the conference. I really appreciated the fact that they were always there for us.”

Spehra and Khalil left an impression on organisers in Trinidad. A representative of the MUN committee said: “The students were well researched and able to properly articulate their points. Although they did admit to being nervous, which is expected, this was not apparent in their contributions.

Both delegates were confident and firm.”

Package II The Works consist of the construction of approximately 432m length of 5m-wide double-lane concrete access roadway and associated reinforced concrete drains, culverts, installation of water supply network; and the installation of the electrical supply network on Block 0420B Parcel 328 located at Piaye, Laborie.

Package III The Works consist of the construction of approximately 310m length of 5m-wide double-lane concrete access roadway and associated reinforced concrete drains, culverts, installation of water supply network; and the installation of the electrical supply network on Block 1450B Parcel 83 located at Monier, Gros Islet.

Bid Purchase Qualified, competent and reputable firms/consortiums are invited to submit BIDS for the execution of the said works.

Interested Bidders are invited to collect the Bid Document at the Department of Housing, Urban Renewal and Telecommunications which is located in the 7th Level of the Conway Business Centre, Jn Baptiste Street, Castries. Bid Documents shall be available from March 19, 2019 at a cost of two hundred Eastern Caribbean dollars (XCD200.00) per package. The submission of the bid shall include a Bid Security in the amount of ten thousand Eastern Caribbean dollars (XCD 10,000.00) in the form stated in the Bid Document.

Submission of Bids The completed Bid Document must be delivered in a sealed envelope clearly marked “Tender for the Implementation of Infrastructural Work under the National Sites and Services Programme (NSSP)” and delivered to the address below on or before 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 to: The Secretary Central Tenders Board Department of Finance Administrative Financial Centre Point Seraphine, Castries, SAINT LUCIA Bids which are incomplete shall be deemed non-responsible and shall be rejected.

16 LOCAL

Fond Doux Plantation & Resort Captures Two More Awards from TripExpert!

T

he award-winning Fond Doux Plantation & Resort’s Bamboo Restaurant and Mamma La Terre Spa are among the recipients of the 2019 Experts' Choice Awards from TripExpert.

This was the Experts’ Choice Awards' fourth annual season, with only a few attractions and restaurants worldwide receiving this distinctive award.

It recognizes endorsements by leading trusted publications, including travel guides, magazines and newspapers, and reflects the consensus of journalists and other professional travel writers. More than 1.5 million reviews were taken into account to determine the winners of the 2019 awards.

An excited Eroline Lamontagne, resort manager, stated, “We are always proud to receive these accolades whether it be local or international, as these are all testaments of the hard work and dedication of the entire Fond Doux team who continue to exceed the

MARCH 30, 2019 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

IS THE MP for CASTRIES SOUTH IN NEED OF PRAYERS? T

Fond Doux's Bamboo Restaurant was highly endorsed by TripExpert.

expectations of all guests.”

With recommendations from publications such as Lonely Planet, Fodor's and Frommers, the Bamboo Restaurant is one of the most notable restaurants, along with Mamma La Terre Spa as one of the best rated attractions in Saint Lucia on TripExpert.

Lyton Lamontagne, Fond Doux’s co-owner, added, “All the improvements to the plantation

resort have certainly not gone unnoticed and the world has just begun to see and marvel at this award-winning national treasure — Fond Doux Plantation & Resort.”

Both of the resort’s facilities also won the TripExpert's Best of St Lucia Award and, according to expert reviewers, they are among the top attractions and choices for dining out in Saint Lucia.

he parliamentary representative for Castries South seems to need our prayers so that he can be guided consistently along the right path. Recently, he advised students at a secondary school in Ciceron that they should not depend solely on government for jobs. Instead, they should seek creative means to foster their God-given talents to create their own businesses. Finally, I thought an independent and intelligent voice was emerging from the ranks of the politicians who have made an industry of pandering to the poor, if not actually promoting poverty. Of course Dr. Hilaire’s performance was too good for his detractors within Labour who wish to see their great white return to lead and further destroy Vieux Fort

Dr. Ernest Hilaire: in campaign-talk mode?

and the SLP.

Soon after his uplifting performance in Ciceron, Hilaire reversed right back into normal SLP mode, verbally assaulting the PM for accepting an invitation to

meet with President Trump.

Hilaire followed this with the asinine comment that the government is not a business.

The latest comment I interpret as a signal that the time for loose campaign talk outside of elections—by which I mean the annual budget—is upon us and Hilaire has fired his first (and perhaps last) shot across the bow. I hope for his sake that his last anti-business statement is not taken too seriously by his detractors, that this short letter will encourage him to withdraw from the petty minds that surround him, and breathe some fresh country air from the heights of Edmund forest in Soufriere or Mahaut in Micoud before the budget debate begins.

---Peter Josie

THE WAVE’S ANNIVERSARY PROMOTION

TRIP FOR 2 TO THE BARBADOS REGGAE FESTIVAL

Sail, Fly and Party with the Wave as we celebrate 19 years in radio!

BE PART OF OUR ANNIVESRAY BOATRIDE ON BOARD THE PEARL ON APRIL 13TH FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A TRIP FOR TWO TO THE BARBADOS REGGAE FESTIVAL, VIP STYLE!!

Here’s how it works: • Listen to the Wave for the “Festival Sounder” • Call in 452-3192 to answer a question, based on LIAT, The Barbados Reggae Festival or the Wave!

• Answer the question correctly and you win a ticket to our EXCLUSIVE VIP ANNIVERSARY BOATRIDE ONBOARD THE PEARL ON APRIL 13TH. • ONE lucky person on the boat will win a VIP trip for 2 to the Barbados Reggae Festival.

• •

•

• • •

VIP Package includes: Two VIP Tickets to Buju Banton “The Long Walk to Freedom Tour” (Sat 27th April) Two VIP Tickets to the Reggae Beach Party featuring Sizzla, Busy Signal, Marzville and more (Sun 28th April).

Two airline tickets to Barbados compliments LIAT Hotel accommodation for two with Breakfast Ground Transfers Trip for two to the Barbados Reggae Festival is brought to you by LIAT, Fast Seven Star Inc and the Wave 94.5 & 93.7fm.

Sponsored by:

Harris Paints, Cliquers and Keebees Sports Bar & Grill

THE STAR

COMMENT

www.stluciastar.com

march 30, 2019

17

The St Lucia Arts Guild . . . An Unfinished Tribute

By Kendall Hippolyte

T

he year was 1950. The Second World War had ended just five years before with England and her allies victorious. But with the threat of war in the past, issues which had been set aside came to the foreground again, issues surrounding the political future of these West Indian countries, at that stage all colonies of Mother England.

The colonial question, as it was sometimes called, was being debated again and West Indian intellectuals like Trinidad’s Eric Williams, Grenada’s T.A. Marryshow and Saint Lucia’s Arthur Lewis were addressing audiences on questions of West Indian history, cultural identity and political relationship with England. There was a sense of something different, politically and culturally, on the horizon.

The notion of ‘West Indianness’ had begun to seize people’s imaginations.

The reasons for this are way beyond what an article like this can probe, but one of them was the fact that in Aruba and Curacao, young men from all over the West Indies were in effect living out a kind of informal, practical West Indian federation. In the barrack yard atmosphere of their living conditions, these men who had come to work in the oil refineries were discovering that their similarities were greater than their differences.

They found out that they were not simply British colonials from different islands—they were West Indians. They had a common identity which they experienced with a shock of mutual recognition. What does all this have to do with the Saint Lucia Arts Guild?

Two of these young men, Dunstan St Omer and Maurice Mason, returned to Saint Lucia at the end of 1949 on fire with a vision of West Indian identity.

On the verandah of the Walcott home on Chaussee Road, they spoke with Derek Walcott about creating a cultural group which would reflect in all art forms this vision of a unique Caribbean identity. They were speaking to someone who had already been converted through the pioneering work of Harold Simmons—a painter, naturalist, historian, cultural anthropologist, journalist— Walcott had already caught the vision.

Out of that first

Roderick Walcott was a founding member of the Arts Guild.

conversation, others followed.

Enthusiasm was high, the time was ripe, the right people were there. Thus in March 1950 came into being one of the most multi-faceted, vibrant theatre groups in the English-speaking Caribbean, the Saint Lucia Arts Guild. It was conceived as a multi-arts cultural-group and did in fact have some activity in other areas, but its emphasis, and quite soon its sole focus, was theatre. The journey the Guild took spanned at least twenty-one years, to 1971, and in the opinion of some—including some Guild members—it spanned twentyfive years, ending in 1975. Even if one takes 1971 as the end of the journey, their achievement was a remarkable one. In those twenty-one years, the group staged sixty-one plays; thirty of these plays were the work of eleven Caribbean playwrights; of that eleven, six of them were Saint Lucians: Derek Walcott, Roderick Walcott, Frank Fritsche, Stanley French, Allan Weekes and Irvine Grey.

The very first play the group staged in September 1950 gave an indication of its orientation—’Henri Christophe’, written, designed and directed by Derek Walcott.

The Haitian Revolution was the event in which the Caribbean entered the world political arena on its own terms, when the Caribbean defined its political and cultural identity to the rest of the world. By beginning with this play, the Guild was signalling its intention to help create a Caribbean identity in the twentieth century.

Looking back now, one can see that the group was part of a worldwide movement in the British colonies to overturn the

One of the Guild’s first theatre performances, Chekov’s ‘A Swan Song’.

idea of an automatic British superiority in culture and to value the local, the indigenous.

Remember that in that era of Caribbean history, plays came from books, part of ‘literature’, written by people from the culture of the mother country and about people and events from elsewhere, not the Caribbean. In Saint Lucia, ‘Henri Christophe’ broke that mould.

And the work of the Guild over the next twenty-one years created a new mould.

The group had a twopronged approach. On the one hand the members acquainted themselves and the Saint Lucian theatre public (small at first, but growing) with the theatre of Europe, ancient and modern. A glance at some of the work they staged boggles the mind even today: Marlowe’s ‘Doctor Faustus’, Shakespeare’s ‘Julius Caesar’, Oscar Wilde’s ‘Salome’, ‘Miss Julie’ by August Strindberg, Chekov’s ‘A Swan Song’, Brecht’s ‘Mother Courage’, ‘The House of Bernada Alba’ by Garcia Lorca, Harold Pinter’s ‘The Applicant’.

They did work by modern American playwrights like Eugene O’Neil (‘The Emperor Jones’) and Tennessee Williams (‘I Rise in Flame, Cried the Phoenix’) and introduced the work of Nigerian Wole Soyinka in ‘The Trials of Brother Jero’.

World drama was seen on the Saint Lucian stage produced by Saint Lucian actors, designers and directors.

On the other hand, they eagerly explored and shared with the public the wave of Caribbean plays being created in the other islands in that new dawn of West Indianism—plays like ‘Strictly Matrimony’ and ‘Dance Bongo’

by Errol Hill, ‘Junction Village’

by Douglas Archibald, both prolific Trinidadian playwrights, ‘Goose and Gander’ by Wilfred Redhead of Grenada, ‘Chippy’

by Jamaican Samuel Hilary.

And Saint Lucia was recognized at the time as being in the forefront of the development of a new distinctively West Indian dramatic literature. Derek Walcott’s ‘The Sea at Dauphin’, Roderick’s ‘The Harrowing of Benjy’, Stanley French’s ‘The Rape of Fair Helen’ were recognized as important plays which were showing the shape of things to come.

So the Guild brought world drama to our doorstep and at the same time was helping to create a drama that was new to the world. Plays which later became classics of Caribbean theatre, like ‘Ti Jean and His Brothers’ and ‘The Harrowing of Benjy’, were premiered here.

Part of the reason they became classics was that they were performed not only in Saint Lucia but in other islands as well. ‘Benjy’ won the Best West Indian Comedy Award at the Adult Drama Festival in Jamaica in 1957 and was the most staged West Indian play in its time. Another Roderick Walcott play, ‘A Flight of Sparrows’, won the Best West Indian Drama Award at the Jamaica festival in 1959. In that same year, the Guild toured Trinidad with six plays, two by Derek and four

by Roddy. The previous year, 1958, the group had toured Dominica with ‘Sparrows’ and ‘Talk of the Devil’ by Allan Weekes.

Who were the members of the Guild? The spirit of Derek Walcott hovered over it from its inception and influenced

its direction but, in fact, after doing ‘Christophe’ in 1950, he went to university in Jamaica and thence to long sojourn in Trinidad and later America, though with increasingly frequent visits home. The real artistic driving force and main organiser was his twin brother Roderick, a Renaissance man who wrote and directed plays, designed costumes and sets, painted, played and arranged pan, led his own highly successful Carnival band, Turks, and was a gifted lyricist and choreographer as well as an indefatigable researcher and lover of Saint Lucia’s folk culture. He had a knack for attracting and holding together a disparate set of individuals with all kinds of personalities and backgrounds.

A roll call of all the persons who at one time or another worked with the Guild as performer or stage crew or technician or in costume or set or administration—or all of the above!—would fill pages.

The 2001 M&C Awards gave a glimpse of the work of some of the veteran Guild actors: Arthur Jacobs, Ruby Yorke, Ruth Theobalds, Kenneth Monplaisir, Eric Branford, Irvine Norville, Sixtus Charles. But there were of course many others, some of them almost legendary in older theatre circles: Howick Elcock, his Jamaican wife, Lena, Hogarth Hippolyte, Marcellus Martyr, Alvin Hippolyte, George Odlum. By the time you start to remember the substantial acting talents of Keith Weekes, Winston Taylor, Barbara Donnelly, Joan Lansiquot, the inimitable comic gift of Keith ‘Spesi’ Mondesir, the wizardry that technicians like ‘Secra’ Gibson, ‘Tarzan’ Meghay and

Vintage poster for a Guild show.

‘Gordie’ Gibson could create with home-made lighting equipment, you realize you may as well stop trying to list. There were so many—known, lesser known and unknown—who came into contact with the work of the Guild, that all one can do is apologise for not being able to name them all and to acknowledge, great and small, the incredible work they all did.

I began with the social context in which the Guild was born. The reason is simple but profound. One of the fascinations of the group for me has been the way in which it had a clear response to its times. It was born out of a need to create and nurture a West Indian identity in the twilight of the British Empire.

The work it produced helped to do exactly that. I am a more Saint Lucian, more Caribbean person for having seen some of the Guild’s work, read plays by the Walcotts and Stanley French. I am more Saint Lucian, more Caribbean for having seen how confidently they took on and staged some of the most powerful theatre of Europe without feeling it was above or beyond them or not relevant.

And without losing their sense of themselves as Saint Lucian Caribbean people.

So the questions that the Saint Lucia Arts Guild poses to me now, thirty years later, are: What is the challenge facing Saint Lucia today? What can theatre do about it? I call this piece an unfinished tribute because the greatest tribute I could pay to the spirit of Roderick Walcott and the Guild would be to use theatre to answer these questions.

18 ENTERTAINMENT

MARCH 30, 2019 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

THE FUNNIES!

The Legacy Continues With Calypso and Sweet Soca!

P

ioneer Productions, a company which, after two successful productions, has made a mark for itself in relation to quality and sold-out events, is back with another major showcase which will feature the best of both worlds in Calypso and Soca music.

Legacy-Sweetness will continue to celebrate the sweetness of Caribbean voices, transferring the Kaisoca pedigree between generations.

On April 30, 2019, Pioneer Productions will present the grand event dubbed LegacySweetness. The show will feature, from Trinidad and Tobago, Singing Sandra and Farmer Nappy, with a cast of the best Groovy Soca Monarchs that Saint Lucia has ever produced: Teddyson John, Arthur and Alpha as well as TC Brown and more.

Singing Sandra is known for her inspiring compositions and vocals on hits like “Die with my Dignity” and “Voices from the Ghetto”.

TJ placed second in the International Groovy Soca Monarch in Trinidad in March with “Vent”, a remarkable accomplishment. This will be his first major performance here since his successes during

Farmer Nappy will be one of the highlight performances at Legacy-Sweetness.

Trinidad’s carnival. Legacy will pay a special tribute to him at the event.

Farmer Nappy, one of the more successful and consistent Groovy Soca performers in recent times, has chalked up hits like “My House” and “Big People Party”. He also has the biggest hit for the season, “Hookin’ Meh”.

Organisers will throw in a number of special treats on the night including a “Kaisoca” flashback led by TC Brown and budding Soca talent, Ricardo.

Of course, the Legacy series is also known for its attractive décor, captivating atmosphere, food and drinks booths and catering to the comfort and needs of patrons, both old and young, and this event will be no different.

In 2018, Pioneer Productions introduced Calypso Legacy, featuring some of the most celebrated calypsonians in Saint Lucia as well as Gabby from Barbados. The audience was thirsty for more and in February of this year, Pioneer Productions returned with Calypso Legacy-Independence Edition. It was another hit, featuring a cast of the best of home-based Saint Lucian Calypsonians, two from the diaspora, as well as Baron from Trinidad and Tobago.

It’s all going down in the new spacious side-lawn ambience of Gaiety Gardens where patrons will have the options of roaming around and parting or enjoying the event while seated.

Don’t miss out on LegacySweetness. There are limited early-bird tickets at EC$70; regular price EC$80. Tickets are available at Steve’s Barber Shop in Castries and the Wave in Rodney Bay.

THE STAR

LOCAL 19

www.stluciastar.com

march 30, 2019

Financial Action Task Force

Recommendation 10—Customer Due Diligence By the Attorney General’s Chambers and the National Anti-Money Laundering Oversight Committee (NAMLOC)

T

he topic of customer due diligence is extensively covered in Recommendation 10 and its Interpretive Notes. Within Saint Lucia, customer due diligence should not only be conducted by financial institutions but also persons engaged in other business activities such as attorneys, accountants, car dealers, etc. Due to the extensive nature of this recommendation, this article will cover the main points.

Customer due diligence is the gathering of “facts about a customer that should enable an organization to assess the extent to which the customer exposes it to a range of risks. These risks include money laundering and terrorist financing”.

The CDD measures that a financial institution or persons engaged in other business undertake should seek to include identifying and verifying the customer’s identity using independent sources of information. It should also include understanding the purpose and intended nature of the business relationship, identifying the beneficial owner and understanding the ownership and control structure of the customer. Additionally, throughout the life of the business relationship, there should be ongoing scrutiny of transactions to ensure that they are in keeping with the institution’s knowledge of its customer.

Customer due diligence should be carried out using a risk-based approach, meaning where the financial institution detects higher risks of money laundering and terrorist financing, enhanced customer due diligence measures need to applied. High risk situations include businesses that are cash intensive. Simplified customer due diligence measures are applied where the risks are deemed to be lower. Lower risk situations include companies that are listed on the stock exchange and subject to disclosure requirements. The discretion is, however, left up to the institution.

ECSC’s Training for St Lucia High Court Staff

T

he Judicial Education Institute (JEI) of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) will conduct a five-day training workshop for staff of the Saint Lucia High Court. The training will be held at the Nyerah Court in Castries from April 1 to 5, 2019 and is part of the JEI’s continuing education programme, which seeks to provide continuous training and development to judicial officers and staff attached to the ECSC.

The objectives of the workshop are to improve the quality of service delivered to the general public and legal fraternity, increase occupational skills and knowledge and to enhance the overall function of the court office staff. The conference will be facilitated by an experienced team of Judicial Officers and staff who will cover areas such as Building Relationships with the Public through Effective Customer Service, High Court procedures to include: Functions of the Clerk of Court, the Civil Case Process, the Appeals Process and Audio Recording and Filing.

The participants will have the opportunity to be engaged in both group exercises and practical hands-on exercises to reinforce the materials delivered and to share their experiences with their peers.

Further, a country should have customer due diligence enshrined either in law or through other enforceable means. The Money Laundering (Prevention) Act, Cap. 12.20 of the Revised Laws of Saint Lucia, covers customer due diligence. Section 17 gives very clear guidelines. Section 17(1) states “A financial institution or a person engaged in other business activity shall undertake customer due diligence measures when there is doubt

about the veracity or adequacy of previously obtained customer identification data including identifying and verifying the identity of customers, when— (a) establishing business relations; (b) carrying out occasional transactions above $25,000 or that are wire transfers; (c) on funds transfers

and related messages that are sent; (d) when funds are transferred and do not contain complete originator information; (e) there is a suspicion of money laundering or terrorist financing”.

In some instances one may be asked to fill out a source of funds form, when entering

into a transaction as stated in section 21 of the Money Laundering (Prevention) Act, Cap. 12.20. Making a false declaration is an offence.

Information on this and the other recommendations can be obtained from the CFATF’s website at www.cfatf-gafic.org.

GOVERNMENT OF SAINT LUCIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE, INTERNATIONAL TRADE, INVESTMENT, ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS

NOTICE The Ministry of Commerce, International Trade, Investment, Enterprise Development and Consumer Affairs wishes to inform All Importers and the General Public that effective April 01, 2019, the tariff rates on items listed in Table 1 below will be adjusted upwards (depending on country of import) in accordance with a decision of the 74th Special Meeting of the CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED).

This decision was made pursuant to the provisions of Article 164 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, which seeks to promote industrial development in the Less Developed Countries (LDCs) of CARICOM including Saint Lucia. Article 164 provides a regime of support to eligible goods produced in LDCs on aa temporary basis to help boost their competitiveness and their level of participation in intra-regional trade in the CSME.

Pursuant to Article 164, Saint Lucia in common with other beneficiary

LDC CARICOM states, is required to suspend community origin treatment and apply the approved rates on similarly classified goods imported from the More Developed Countries (MDCs) of CARICOM or from outside the region until December 2028, except for curry powder and pasta which expires on December 2023. The associated tariff rates will soon be published by way of Statutory Instrument (SI) in the Saint Lucia Government Gazette.

It should be noted however, that imports of the items in Table 1 from CARICOM LDCs which include countries of the OECS , Haiti and Belize, benefit from community origin treatment and would attract a tariff rate of zero percent.

The Public is hereby invited to take note of the foregoing and to be guided accordingly.

Table 1 Description of Items Tariff Classification

Curry Powder 0910.99.30

Wheat or Meslin flour 1101.00.90

Pasta (not including 1902.40 Couscous and 1902.11 pasta cooked with eggs) Ex. 1902

Aerated Waters 2201.10.20

Ordinary Natural Waters 2201.90

Aerated Beverages 2202.10.10

Other Waters 2202.10.90

Malt 2202.91.40

Beer 2203.00.01

Stout 2203.00.20

Prepared Poultry feed 2309.90.30

Prepared complete cattle feed 2309.90.40

Prepared complete pig feed 2309.90.50

Other prepared complete animal feed 2309.90.60

Other 2309.90.90

Oxygen 2804.40.00

Carbon Dioxide 2811.21.00

Acetylene 2901.29.20

Paint and varnishes (including enamels and lacquers) Ex. 3209

Candles of paraffin wax 3406.00

Solar water heaters 8419.19

Chairs and other seats, with wooden frames 9401.60.00

Upholstered 9401.61.00

Other 9401.69.00

Wooden furniture of a kind used in offices 9403.30.00

Wooden furniture of a kind used in the kitchen 9403.40.00

Wooden furniture of a kind used in the bedroom 9403.50.00

Other furniture of wood and upholstered fabric 9403.60.00 Minister of Commerce, International Trade, Investment, Enterprise Development and Consumer Affairs 1 The More Developed Countries (MDCs) of CARICOM are Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Guyana and Suriname.

2 The eligible Countries which make up the OECS include Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines

20 HEALTH

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MARCH 30, 2019 THE STAR

KIM’S KORNER

Breathless R espiratory conditions are on the rise. The most common are fairly well known, such as asthma and bronchitis, but there are many others that are poorly understood. One of them is known as bronchiectasis but before we go on to describe exactly what it is, let us have a quick look at the lungs to get a better understanding of these three similar but quite different conditions.

All three involve changes to the bronchi and bronchioles.

As we breathe in, air enters through the nose or mouth and travels down the trachea (windpipe). The trachea divides into two as it enters the lungs.

These branches are known as the bronchi, one into the left lung and one into the right.

Inside the lungs, the bronchi further divide into smaller branches called bronchioles, supplying air to the lungs.

The bronchi are compromised in all three conditions. With asthma, the bronchi and bronchioles are narrowed, either due to an allergic reaction or exercise.

This condition is reversible with rest or medication.

In bronchitis the bronchi become inflamed, usually due to an infection.

Bronchiectasis is permanent, irreversible widening of the bronchi, usually as a response to repeated respiratory tract infections or congenital or hereditary conditions.

Bronchiectasis can sometimes be confused with, or mistaken for, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a term used to describe conditions that are caused by smoking, pollutants or allergies. The symptoms are similar but the causes are very different.

Bronchiectasis has been linked to smoking but it is not the only cause; it is often present in conditions such as cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis and HIV, and after diseases like whooping cough, TB and measles. It is an age-related disease, more prevalent in the elderly. The exact numbers worldwide are

Breathing problems? They’re not all called asthma or bronchitis. Learning about your condition will help you know which treatments are appropriate.

unknown, mainly because the symptoms vary and diagnosis is not always given. However, it is estimated that 25 per 100,000 people have it. This figure rises to 272 per 100,000 in those over the age of 74.

The symptoms of bronchiectasis do not appear overnight and may take months, even years, to develop. The most common symptoms are: • Chronic daily cough which often produces large amounts of thick mucus • Coughing up blood • Wheezing and crackles in the chest when breathing in and out • Shortness of breath • Chest pain • Weight loss • Fatigue • Clubbing of fingernails and toenails • Recurring respiratory infections

If you have any symptoms, or suspect you may be suffering from this condition, you need to consult your healthcare provider/doctor.

The first thing he or she will do is listen to your chest/lungs for abnormal sounds, and send off a sputum sample to test for viruses, fungi or bacteria.

They may also check how well the air flows into your lungs and send you for an X-ray or

CT scan. If these tests still do not confirm a diagnosis, they will perform advanced tests to ascertain the cause of your symptoms.

There is no cure so the aim is to minimise further lung damage and keep the airways clear from secretions.

A common treatment option is physiotherapy which can help to keep the airways clear through breathing exercises and special techniques to loosen the secretions from the lining of the lungs. A physiotherapist can also advise on exercise and staying fit. Having stronger muscles and greater aerobic capacity makes your body more efficient in the use of oxygen.

Medications are often

prescribed to prevent and treat infections. You may be given bronchodilators to make breathing easier. Cough medicines and vaccinations are also used to combat the symptoms.

Oxygen therapy is used if you experience shortness of breath and low oxygen saturation. Lack of oxygen can lead to fatigue and a further decline in fitness.

Although bronchiectasis is not curable, there are steps you can take to improve your quality of life. If you are a smoker, the first step is to stop, therefore preventing further damage.

Changing your daily lifestyle habits—adopting a healthy diet and exercising—can also help to keep you fit and ready to tackle everyday tasks.

Kim Jackson is a UK-trained physiotherapist with over 20 years’ experience. She specialises in musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction including back pain and sciatica, stroke and other neuro conditions plus sports physiotherapy, having worked with local, regional and international athletes and teams treating injuries and analysing biomechanics to improve function and performance. She is registered with the Allied Health Council and is a member of PASL. She currently works at Bayside Therapy Services in Rodney Bay, tel. 458 4409 or 284 5443; www.baysidetherapyservices.com

THE STAR

march 30, 2019

DAVE AND THE PROVERBIAL CHICKEN

By Tony Deyal

I

t was what we called “First Standard” in our elementary school and it was the year after “Introductory”, a word which my friend Brewster could not pronounce—he said “Intowjucktree”—and because this quickly became his nickname, he was very happy to be in a class the name of which gave him no problems to pronounce. But pronunciation became the least of our problems when Mrs. Forde, the teacher, fresh out of training college, wrote “Penmanship” on the black board and told us to get our copybooks out for it. We were country children and had never heard the word “Penmanship” before. We knew “Arikmatik” and “Spellin” but not “Penmanship”. Noting our consternation, she said, “Penmanship is another word for ‘handwriting’. Now let me see how good you can write.”

It is clear to me, in retrospect, that she had heard about the incident involving Teacher Bunsee, Brewster and me. He gave us a test, which required that we name the young of various creatures. I got the young of cat right; “Kitten,” I whispered to Brewster who was stuck. Lion—I told Brewster “cub” and he duly wrote it down. Then it was Brewster’s turn to help. The sentence was, “Name the young of a goat.”

I knew that Brewster had a young goat that he took care of. “What you does call it?” I asked Brewster. “Meggy,” he said, and that is what we wrote.

What was unfortunate is that Teacher Bunsee thought that, as the class clown, I was up to my usual mischief and was kidding him so he had warned Miss Forde to watch out for me and Brewster.

This is why, when she said, “Today I am going to teach you about Proverbs,” we had no idea what in God’s name she meant. However, it was not the Proverbs from the Bible she was referring to, since it was an English and not a religious knowledge class, but the type the Oxford Dictionary describes as, “A short, well-known pithy

saying, stating a general truth or piece of advice.” It is a good thing Mrs. Forde did not read out the Oxford meaning to us or we would have all pithed ourselves.

As it was, a few of us came close. Mrs. Forde gave us an example. “For instance,” she said, “If I say ‘Look’, tell me what comes after it.” Prudent had his hand up anxiously. “Left and right before you get bounce down, Miss,” he volunteered.

“No, no. Look before you leap,” she corrected. “Now, Brewster,” she said to my friend with whom I shared a desk, “After ‘A bird in the hand…?”

“Does bite, Miss. We have a parrot and it does bite hard and laugh.”

Others chimed in, “Yes Miss,” and told their own stories threatening to derail Mrs. Forde’s train of thought but with one shout she brought us back on track and then said loudly, both to silence me and make me listen, “Deyal!” I reverted to my deceptively angelic self, “Yes Miss?”

“Tell me: A miss is as good as…?” I did not waste a second in thinking. “A Mister,” I replied with great confidence, and the rest of the class, not knowing any better, did not laugh. Mrs. Forde, without a murmur but with a slight shake of the head in despair, changed the topic from proverbs to adverbs.

There are many twists on the old proverbs, even the Biblical ones. For example, when one of our preachers at Mass referred to the Biblical quote, also used by Abraham Lincoln, “A house divided cannot stand,” my friend Rudder murmured, “But he don’t know about duplex or what?”

When another preacher thundered, “None so blind as…”

I thought “Stevie Wonder”.

A teacher gave her students the task, similar to Mrs. Forde’s, of completing these proverbs and these are some of the more original and applicable answers: Strike while the…bug is close. The pen is mightier than…the pigs.

Where there’s smoke there’s… pollution. An idle mind is… the best way to relax. A penny saved is…not much. Laugh and the whole world laughs

LOCAL

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with you, cry and....you have to blow your nose. My favourite is: Better late…than pregnant.

I thought of proverbs when Dave Cameron, former president of Cricket West Indies (CWI) boasted to the Jamaica Gleaner last week, just before the election, “If you no­ticed, I have not been cam­paign­ing.

We have three of the ter­ri­to­r­i­al boards com­ing out and clear­ly say­ing that they are in support of the plans and the way forward. That means we have six of the pos­si­ble 12 votes.

My un­der­stand­ing is that this means that we can’t lose.”

Now that is one where, for those who wish to comment, there are many appropriate proverbs. For example, Proverbs 22 advises, “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.” Dave, however, while simply outnumbered by a more than simple majority, a two-toone in cricket terms, would not accept that he is in any way simple. The Biblical one that I prefer is, “Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.” But, while Mrs. Forde will not agree with me, there are others, some of which are called “per-verbs”, that are also appropriate. A funny example of a per-verb is: If at first you don’t succeed, skydiving is not for you. Or: Put your burger where your mouth is.

In Dave’s case there is one that leaps out: Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched. There are variations like: Don’t count your chickens before you pluck their feathers; and even: Don’t count your chickens before they cross the road. But what happened to Dave and his hubris is not just about being cock of the walk or ruling the roost. It is about karma which, as writer Benjamin Bayani said, “Karma bides its time. You will always have to watch out. Karma is unforgiving and always gets payback.” It was payback time with a vengeance.

Tony Deyal was last seen saying that Dave Cameron’s degree is in “Hospitality Management” which, in his case, is an oxymoron.

E

21

E4 Caribbean Announces its 2019 Resilient Women’s Conference

4 Caribbean will host its inaugural Resilient Women’s Conference on Saturday, April 27, 2019 under the theme ‘Recovering, Rediscovering and Rebuilding Me’.

As a social enterprise, E4 was formed with the goal of empowering children, youth and families to thrive physically, psycho-socially and emotionally through investments in education, engagement, entrepreneurship and employment (the four Es).

The Resilient Women’s Conference aims to increase women’s psycho-social and emotional well-being through sessions which foster coping and resilience skills.

The topics to be explored include: • Resilient Grieving and Coping with Loss • Recovering from Financial Setbacks: The Habits of a Prosperous Woman • Navigating and Re-framing Disruptions Towards Reinvention • Purpose Mapping: Identifying Individual Assets, Strengths, Experiences Towards Increased Personal and Professional Influence.

These sessions will be facilitated by Reinvention Strategist and best-selling author of ‘Believe Bigger’, Marshawn Evans Daniels from the USA, as well as Counselling Psychologist and Principal

Consultant of Making It Work Consultancy, Sacha Jn. PierreJames.

The Conference will be held at Mystique Royal St. Lucian on Reduit Beach Avenue from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, at a cost of EC $125, inclusive of lunch.

Tickets can be purchased at The Cell on Jeremie Street, Castries; Shoe Rehab at JQ Mall, Rodney Bay; and Dash of Elegance New Dock Road, Vieux Fort. Ticket sales close on April 13th, 2019.

This event is being held in partnership with the US Embassy in Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean and the OECS; Windjammer Landing; Mystique Royal St. Lucian; and Zenobia Pro Events.

NOTICE OF MEETING

NOTICE is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Castries Fishermens’ Co-operative Society Ltd. will be held at the Department of Fisheries Conference Room, Pointe Seraphine on Sunday, March 31st, 2019 commencing at 4:00 p.m.

AGENDA OPENING SESSION 1. Prayers/Invocation 2. Welcome Address – President 3. Greetings from Fraternal Organizations 4. Vote of thanks CLOSED SESSION 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Call to Order Ascertainment of Quorum Apologies for Absences Reading and approval of the Minutes of the 2018 AGM Adoption/Confirmation of Reports: (i) Board of Directors (ii) Treasurer (iii) Auditor (iv) Supervisory Committee

6.

7.

Election to: (i) Board of Directors (ii) Supervisory Committee Appointment of Auditors for the ensuing year

8. Resolutions if any 9. New Business 10. Adjournment

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD

22

international

march 30, 2019 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

The Guardian view on Venezuela: its people deserve better

V

enezuela’s people deserve better than president Nicolás Maduro or reckless US-led intervention.

The country is in the grip of a spiralling political, economic and humanitarian crisis. Tens of thousands have taken to the streets. As many as three million citizens—a 10th of its population—have fled. Almost 90% of those who remain live in poverty. The economy is shrinking fast, while the IMF predicts that hyperinflation could hit 10,000,000% this year. With food and medicine shortages widespread, there has been a surge in levels of malnutrition and the re-emergence of diseases such as malaria and diphtheria.

The murder rate is sky-high.

Mr Maduro and his allies have overseen this collapse, yet maintained a tight grip on power. When the opposition triumphed in elections for the national assembly in 2015, he stripped the body of its powers and set up the National Constituent Assembly instead through dubious elections. Last year he won an equally dodgy

A woman walks past graffiti that says in Spanish: ‘Get out Maduro. Usurper’ in Caracas, Venezuela, on January 24, 2019. Photograph: Fernando Llano/AP

presidential vote boycotted by the opposition. Opposition leaders are jailed or have fled into exile; protesters have been arbitrarily detained and tortured.

While some still believe Mr Maduro continues the work of his charismatic predecessor, Hugo Chávez, even many Chavistas have turned against him. An unpopular president relies on control of the judiciary and military support.

These desperate times have united the splintered opposition, for now at least,

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around Juan Guaidó, the youthful and barely known figure who heads the national assembly and has justdeclared himself acting president. He is backed by Donald Trump, usually so enamoured of authoritarian leaders and careless of human rights, who has taken an uncharacteristic stand in a country which happens to have the world’s largest proven oil reserves.

Canada and most members of the Lima group regional bloc have also recognised Mr

Guaidó, reflecting the broader risks posed by Venezuela’s unravelling, and the inability to find another way forward, as well as the rightward shift in the region. The EU has been somewhat cagier.

Mr Trump’s move is risky as well as cynical.

Latin America has plentiful experience of the cost of USled interference and military “solutions” to crises. Russia, which sent two bombers to Venezuela last month in an unsubtle show of support for Mr Maduro, has warned that US actions could have “catastrophic consequences”.

China, the country’s largest creditor, is standing by him; so are Turkey and Mexico.

The question is what comes next. Clearly the opposition’s aim is that the military, particularly lower down the chain of command, can be chipped away. The concomitant risk is of rival factions turning upon each other. The other issue is what happens to US diplomats if they ignore orders to leave the country. Some suspect a pretext for further

Taiwan provides 50 Farm Toilets to Banana Farmers

O

n March 25, 2019 some fifty banana farmers were the proud recipients of farm toilets from the Taiwan Technical Mission.

The donation forms part of an ongoing support programme by the Taiwan Technical Mission and the Ministry of Agriculture designed to help banana farmers obtain Global Gap certification and gain access to the international banana market.

In a brief handing-over ceremony, Chief of Taiwan Technical Mission, Mr. Mario Cheng, recognized the full worth of the farmers' efforts to improve the work environment. He emphasized his mission was pleased to make a small contribution to help the farmers obtain certification for the health, dignity and well-being of all through sustainable sanitation.

Certification, he noted, will enable the farmers to not only sell their fruits on the international markets but, more importantly, will help improve their income and change their lives and the lives of their families.

Also addressing the ceremony was project manager Kerde Severin of the Banana Productivity Improvement Project. Mr. Severin thanked Taiwan for the support it has provided to the Ministry of Agriculture in general, and the banana industry in particular. The presentation of the toilets, he said, was another expression of the Government of Taiwan’s warm-heartedness.

The ceremony took place at La Caye.

action by Mr Trump, who reportedly mooted an invasion several times in 2017 and says “all options” are on the table if Mr Maduro cracks down on the opposition. Brazil’s new far right president Jair Bolsonaro has made his sympathies clear. The prospect of military intervention is terrifying, and could make the current catastrophe far worse.

It is clear that Venezuela cannot recover while Mr Maduro is in charge. Research has suggested most Venezuelans want a

negotiated settlement and fresh elections. Previous attempts at talks between Venezuela’s political players failed due largely to bad faith on the government’s side. International engagement must take the form of considered action to support Venezuelans inside and outside the country, not crude and dangerous interventions.

First published January 24, 2019.

---The Guardian

Saint Lucian Colours

T

he MeCurator Art Gallery is excited to launch its next exhibition titled 'Koulé'. The name is the Kwéyòl word for colour, encompassing the exhibition’s goal which is to display the vibrancy, tones and shades that Saint Lucian artists have to offer.

This group art exhibition, featuring over 20 artists and over 50 pieces, will have something to suit everyone’s taste, from self-portrait 'The Thinker' created by Jharoam Welz to a range of floral pieces by Alcina Nolley and Peter Walcott.

There is also a pottery collection by artists such as Urmie Persaud, Gary Butte

and Alwyn Joseph.

Come and get lost in examining the dream-like pieces from emerging artists such as Adjani John, GilroyH and Donna St Juste and immerse yourself in the colourful creations of Shallon Fladien.

The exhibition opens with a free-entry launch night on Thursday April 4 from 7pm at the MeCurator Art Gallery located on Star Publishing premises in Massade, Gros Islet.

For any further information please contact Buki R Cahane on: (758) 722-8303, Buki.Cahane@mecurator.com or www.mecurator.com

THE STAR

local 23

www.stluciastar.com

MARCH 30, 2019

VACANCY

Maintenance Manager Buckeye Partners, L.P. is seeking a Maintenance Manager to join our growing team in St. Lucia.

Role Summary: The Maintenance Manager is responsible for managing the Maintenance, HSSE and Technical Services while ensuring that the facilities are maintained in accordance with Company standards. Manages and assists with capital projects including expansions, updates, etc., liaises with customers on technical and/or engineering matters; manages terminal utilities.

Position Requirements: • Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in engineering, business or other related discipline required.

• 8+ years related pipeline and/or terminal experience required; experience in marine operations required.

• 8+ years people management experience required.

• 8+ years experience in pipeline, terminal or plant operations is required.

• Significant mechanical and technical troubleshooting experienced is required.

Apply online at www.buckeye.com/careers Requisition # 19-0120

LUCELEC Health And Safety = Equation For Wealth

S

t. Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) has 173 male team members.

They are the overwhelming majority at the electric utility. It was to them that Fr Ignatius Cetoute spoke, urging care of their emotional health. The Catholic priest was the featured speaker at the launch of the annual LUCELEC Health and Safety Month in March.

“Some of us men sometimes believe we can handle things, and it is only the ladies who cry because they are soft, and we must be macho and tough. Let me talk to you as a man.

I have come to realize that crying and being vulnerable is OK. It does not make you less of a man. So I say to you, take care of your emotional health; take care of your spiritual health; take care of your social health. I’m sure you celebrate birthdays in the company.

You’ll have Christmas parties or whatever.

Engage in that, have some fun, have some laughter.”

This is the 23rd year LUCELEC will train staff in best health and safety practices. What began as a week-long commitment is now one month long. The focus has also broadened from sessions on health and safety to emotional, mental and even spiritual wellness.

The full gamut is summed up as, “Health, Safety, Environment and Fire Awareness” month.

LUCELEC broadened its scope as CARILEC, the regional utility organisation of which the company is a founding member, synonymously urged renewed safety commitment among its members. It is just one reason LUCELEC Managing Director Trevor Louisy challenged team members to constantly keep safety at the forefront of all

work.

“I can clearly remember that when I addressed staff at our first quarterly meeting in April of last year, 2018, we had already recorded two such incidents, and I encouraged you to take your safety and those around you more seriously, because at that rate we were likely to drop our guard further and have a more serious incident occurring. I am happy that we took these concerns seriously as, at the end of the second, third and fourth quarters, the number remained at two; that is, there were no further incidents reported.”

Sessions for Health and Safety Month have continued at all company locations throughout the month of March. The theme for this year’s observance is “Health + Safety + Wellness = Wealth. Is your Equation Balanced?”

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Tenders close by 4:30pm, April 1st, 2019.

Words Come Easily!

SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2019

S&S

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LAYAWAY NOW AVAILABLE AT S&S THE PRICEBUSTERS

SAMSUNG TABLET WIRES $6.00 Come and apply for your S & S Loyalty Card

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CAR USB CHARGERS MICRO USB CABLES

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Also on special: EARPHONES FROM $6.50, CELL PHONE CASES FROM $3, 7 INCH CARTOON TABLET CASES $8, VGA CABLES $12, HDMI SWITCHES $22, BLUETOOTH SPEAKERS FROM $22, WATERPROOF BLUETOOTH SPEAKERS $53, USB THUMB DRIVES FROM $22, CAR WIRELESS MP3 TRANSMITTERS WITH REMOTE FROM $15, 100W TRANSFORMERS FROM $67, STANDING FANS FROM $95, ELECTRIC KETTLES $37

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