Moontown

CARICOM Nations need to find productive bases to accommodate graduates  of the University of the West Indies (UWI) campuses, says Denis Kellman.

Speaking in the House of Assembly yesterday during debate on a resolution to approve a guarantee of US$2.7 million from the Caribbean Development Bank to the University of the West Indies, to finance the university’s enhancement and construction of the vice chancellery building adjacent to the Mona Campus in Jamaica, Kellman said graduates had to be used “to push” all the countries within CARICOM.

That sum represents one-third of a total loan of US$8.2 million. The St. Lucy Member of Parliament argued that each CARICOM territory had to accept the responsibility for carrying the costs of the UWI, since the benefits of the campuses were for all.

He added that it could not just be Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago to bear the burden since all the islands were benefiting. He explained that the environment had to be created where regional countries could maximise the skills of those who accessed tertiary education.

Kellman called for the establishment of a regional developmental fund, where, if someone had a product, an investment into its advancement could be made from the fund for the benefit of the entire region.

Kellman underscored  the fact that irrespective of what the UWI or governments did, financing would always remain a major problem. (WG)

JamaicaObserver.com

THREE charities say they are ready to receive and distribute aid to members of the security forces and residents of the besieged communities of Tivoli Gardens and Denham Town.

Concerned persons have been calling the Observer offering to contribute supplies to those affected by the stand-off between soldiers and gunmen in the Western Kingston area.

John Williamson, executive director of the Salvation Army, says they have a number of facilities open in the Corporate Area to supply aid. Their headquarters are located at Waterloo Road, opposite Devon House and persons can leave their donations there.

Williamson said clothes is not a priority but urged donors to offer cash and food.

“As quickly as we can, we will be looking to send help into sections of the affected areas, that is, as soon as we get security clearance from the police,” Williamson said.

Chief Executive Officer of Food For The Poor Ryan Peralto Jnr said donations and volunteers are needed to assist in the distribution of aid. He said the charity is making a coordinated effort with the Red Cross, who will handle the distribution of relief supplies, to kick start the relief process.

Persons wishing to donate to the Red Cross should drop off their supplies at 76 Arnold Road, Kingston 5. (Jamaica Observer)

Chat!

PRIME Minister Bruce Golding last night described as “scurrilous and malicious” a report by the American television network ABC News linking him in a damaging way to Tivoli Gardens strongman and alleged drug lord Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke.

Dismissing the ABC News report as “extremely offensive”, Golding pointed out that it made damaging and libellous assertions that “must be dismissed with the contempt that it deserves”.

He also expressed outrage at an article in the UK newspaper The Independent that said that a drug gang was on the payroll of the Jamaican prime minister.

“He said both publications, by seeking to link him personally with the alleged drug kingpin, were clearly part of a conspiracy to undermine the duly elected Government of Jamaica,” a news release from Jamaica House said.

The ABC News report alleges that Coke has escaped from Tivoli Gardens and claims that Golding and other senior Jamaican officials were recently electronically intercepted talking to Coke inside his fortified redoubt.

The report, which also claims that the ruling Jamaica Labour Party was voted into power through Coke’s “strong-arm tactics”, chronicles the police action to capture Coke, which began Monday morning. (Jamaica Observer)

The People’s National Party (PNP) is supporting the calls for political parties to disclose the source of funds that they receive from contributors.

Sections of the society have renewed calls for legislation to be implemented arising from the Manatt, Phelps and Phillips saga.

On May 11, Prime Minister Bruce Golding told Parliament that the almost US$50,000 paid to the US law firm to deal with treaty issues came from contributors to the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

Since then there have been numerous calls for JLP disclose the identities of those contributors.

However, the party has maintained that it will not be divulging this information as there is no law that requires it to do so.

However, the opposition leader Portia Simpson Miller believes this should change.

In his national address on May 17, the prime minister said that as part of measures to transform politics in the country, his ruling party will be expediting several initiatives in its 2007 general election manifesto.

One such measure is a law to regulate political party financing.  (Jamaica Gleaner)

Haydn Gill Antigua

WEST INDIES’ injury report didn’t make for good reading yesterday.

After tests and analysis, news emerged that three players are to be sidelined for the remaining One-Day Internationals in the Digicel Series against South Africa.

Scans in the morning revealed the inevitable in the case of Ramnaresh Sarwan and Nikita Miller, while Kemar Roach is also unable to take his place.

It was confirmed that Sarwan had sustained a Grade 1 hamstring tear that will rule him out of action for two to three weeks.

Miller is also facing a similar period out with a side strain while Roach has been recommended to rest a sore left ankle until the start of the Test series, beginning on June 10.

The only positive news came on the availability of key batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who is almost fully recovered from a left hand injury that kept him out of the first two ODIs.

Both Sarwan and Miller picked up their injuries during Monday’s second ODI which West Indies lost by 17 runs to go down 2-0 in the series.

Sarwan got into trouble while trying to complete a tight single to mid-on, while left-arm spinner Miller managed only 2.5 overs before leaving the field.

Both returned to bat with runners in the dying stages of the match when West Indies’ hopes were revived by a belligerent unbeaten 58 off 24 balls by Darren Sammy, but neither survived more than a ball.

Sarwan, restricted by his injury, edged a catch to the keeper, while Miller’s runner Kieron Pollard failed to make his ground at the non-striker’s end despite a desperate dive.

There is no word on the squad for the next two matches at Windsor Park in Dominica on Friday and Sunday, but one of the replacements is expected to be gifted batsman Darren Bravo.

The 21-year-old Bravo was expected back in the Caribbean last night, having to cut short his duties with the West Indies ’A’ team in Bangladesh, where he pushed his claims for a recall to the senior squad with two centuries.

In other news, there was no word on whether the final ODI on June 3 and the first Test against South Africa would remain in Jamaica following the state of emergency triggered by volatile attacks on the security forces since Sunday in Kingston.

Tension had been growing in West Kingston ever since the Jamaica government agreed last week to reverse a long-standing refusal to sign an extradition order for Christopher ’Dudus’ Coke, the reputed leader of the Shower Posse gang, one of the most notorious criminal organisations in the Western Hemisphere..

Speculation remains that both matches will be shifted to the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, although the recent rainy weather could put paid to that and St Lucia is now being put forward.

Ironically, the first four limited-overs matches of the series were moved from Trinidad to Antigua because of the general election on Monday. (Trinidad Express)

Aretha Welch awelch@trinidadexpress.com

Business leaders across the country yesterday congratulated and expressed support to the new People’s Partnership government.

They also called on Prime Minister-elect Kamla Persad-Bissessar to address immediate problems.

In a phone interview, Downtown Owners and Merchants Association president Gregory Aboud said: ’Trinidad and Tobago obviously faces several serious problems, which we have been discussing for several years and we obviously would like the pressing and basic needs of our citizens given top priority. We are extremely encouraged by the observations made of the poll which indicate that there has been voting across traditional lines of class, race, and ethnicity.’

In a release yesterday, the Employers’ Consultative Association said: ’It is our view that now is the time to prove that the people’s choice was well placed and that promises will give way to prudent implementation, for the benefit of all the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.’

The American Chamber of Commerce called for new strides to be made and methodologies to be applied in ’effectively dealing with crime and curtailing the lawlessness that has pervaded our society’.

In a statement, AmCham said crime had affected business activity and the quality of life in the country.

The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Commerce affirmed its commitment to work with the new government and congratulated citizens for turning out at the polls.

The chamber said: ’The voter turn-out, as reported by the media, was also quite impressive at 70 per cent, much higher than seen in recent elections.’

The Chaguanas Chamber of Commerce congratulated Persad-Bissessar for creating history on her election as the first woman Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

’We are pleased to note that, once again, the electorate in Trinidad and Tobago has shown maturity at the polls, and that, despite political differences and the keenly contested election, voting went smoothly with the exception of a few hiccups, and was in the main, a peaceful process,’ the chamber said in a statement.

Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association president Greig Laughlin said yesterday that, even as manufacturers were happy to work with the new government, they also wanted the new administration to focus on addressing national issues like crime. (Trinidad Express)

Nikita Braxton South Bureau

Political leader of the People’s National Movement (PNM) Patrick Manning and his wife, Hazel, will shortly move from the opulence of the Prime Minister’s official residence in St Ann’s, to more modest accommodations.

The couple will return to their townhouse at Sumadh Gardens, San Fernando, where they have owned a property for several years.

Their neighbour up the street is Manning’s friend, Dr Lenny Saith.

Two weeks ago, a sign was planted across the road from the house reading ’welcome home neighbour’.

The sign has since been removed.

BACK HOME: The townhouse at Sumadh Gardens, San Fernando, yesterday, where Patrick Manning and his wife, Hazel, will be returning. -Photo: TREVOR WATSON

Before yesterday, the Mannings lived hidden behind a high wall and three layers of security at the Prime Minister’s official residence and Diplomatic Centre at La Fantasie, in St Ann’s.

The palatial home has a swimming pool, gym, chapel and banquet hall.

Drapery that cost $3 million, tiled floors, and fancy washrooms are part of the decor.

It was the house they occupied for the past three years and which took some $148 million to complete.

The Manning’s often used their San Fernando home at the gated Vistapark Townhouses near Sumadh Gardens, San Fernando.

The Mannings will also give up their security detail and the townhouse will become their permanent residence. But they will have round the clock security.

Ria Taitt Political Editor

People’s National Movement (pnm) leader Patrick Manning has indicated a willingness to step down as political leader, but is prepared to hold on in order to give the party time to go through the process of electing a new political leader.

Yesterday, Manning met for almost 90 minutes with the majority of candidates who contested Monday’s election at Balisier House, in Port of Spain.

Sources said Manning would not resign immediately but would hold on until a replacement is elected. It means that Manning would be in line for appointment as Opposition Leader and would have the power to select six senators. There is, however, a strong view that Manning, under whose leadership the party had a disastrous electoral showing on Monday, should go forthwith.

’He has lost the moral authority to lead a party and the tradition in Westminster is that you are obliged to give up office in such circumstances, particularly in this case where there was such a massive loss and the leader is now an object of ridicule,’ one source noted. George Chambers resigned immediately following the 33-3 debacle in 1986. The issue is expected to be discussed at a General Council meeting on Thursday.

Party chairman Conrad Enill, however, was only prepared to tell reporters that he would reveal Manning’s plans after that meeting.

GETTING READY: People’s National Movement (PNM) political leader Patrick Manning, right, followed by party chairman Conrad Enill, before the start of yesterday’s meeting at Balisier House, in Port of Spain. -Photo: JERMAINE CRUICKSHANK

’I think it is appropriate that I talk to the General Council before I make it public. He confirmed that there was ’a plan of action’, but declined to state what it was or whether it was likely to involve a (leadership) convention. ’Thursday (you’ll know),’ he said.

Asked whether the PNM should deal with the leadership issue now, Diego Martin North/East candidate Colm Imbert said Manning had a particular point of view on the way forward.

’The party leadership would have to make a decision together with him…All the organs of the party would have to make a decision…together with Mr Manning to determine what his plans are and take it from there. Certainly nobody is going to be harassing him - at least I don’t think so - in the near future. I think whatever decision occurs would be entirely up to him,’ he said.

In response to questions, he said it was difficult to say, whether the vote was one against the leader of the PNM as opposed to the party. He said a lot of analysis had to take place before this can be determined.

Speaking on the results of the election, Imbert said he found the swing in safe seats, as was seen in his own seat which he won by only 400 votes, was strange. He said Port of Spain South, Laventille West and Laventille East/Morvant did not follow this trend. He also noted that he got 70 per cent of the special electors, a trend which was not translated into the rest of the constituency.

’It doesn’t make any sense. If there was a swing it occurred in the last three days. And I am not prepared to say there was a swing. I am just very surprised by the results,’ he said. (Trinidad Express)