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Montserrat celebrated Her Majesty The Queen's Official Birthday with a military parade on Saturday 10 June 2006.
The parade was held at the Brades Primary School Grounds as the usual parade ground, Salem Park was unfit because of recent ash falls. Her Excellency the Governor, Mrs Deborah Barnes Jones took the salute. The parade was led by Lt Peter White.
The Royal Antigua and Barbuda Police Band provided the music for the parade, assisted for the first time by the Montserrat Youth Marching Band. There were detachments from the Royal Montserrat Defence Force (RMDF), The Cadet Corps, the Royal Montserrat Police Force (RMPF), The Fire and Rescue Services, the Prison Service, Girl Guides and Brownies, Boy Scouts and Red Cross seen on the parade.
In addition, for the first time in many years there was a Royal Navy / Royal Marines presence on the parade. A Royal Navy / Royal Marines detachment serving on RFA Wave Ruler, which was paying a courtesy call on Montserrat that weekend, took part in the procedings.
At the conclusion of the parade, two members of the RMPF, Inspector Reuben Meade and Sgt Kenneth Winspeare received long service medals.
Crew from RFA Wave Ruler hosted a party after the parade at Festival Village for all the juniors who had paraded at Brades School.
The list for 2006 is:- Alberto, Beryl, Chris, Debby, Ernesto, Florence, Gordon, Helene, Isaac, Joyce, Kirk, Leslie, Michael, Nadine, Oscar, Patty, Rafael, Sandy, Tony, Valerie, and William. Already for the season Tropical Storm Alberto has lashed the coasts of Cuba and Florida in the USA.
Last year there were more storms than names and the National Hurricane Centre had to add extra names from the Greek Alphabet.
Montserrat has already undertaken a capability review of its disaster management services in time for the new season. The review carried out in mid May saw former Governor, Frank Savage now the Foreign & Commonwealth Office's (FCO) Adviser for the Overseas Territories in Disaster Management head a team to carry out the exercise. The rest of the team comprised, Roger Bellars the DFID Disaster Management Adviser, Larry Covington the FCO's Law Enforcement Adviser for Overseas Territories and Kate Blacker of the FCO.
The team carried out a training exercise to assess threats, hazards and vulnerability; the structures and organisation of the Disaster Response Agencies on island, together with their plans and resources. They also carried out a review of training needs in the area of disaster management. Their report is to be presented to Her Excellency the Governor very shortly.
Montserrat holds an annual Hurricane Planning Exercise and this year it will be hosted by the Disaster Management Co-ordinating Agency (DMCA) on Tuesday 11 July. At this meeting, various Government, private sector and utilities agencies will present their preparedness plans for the 2006 season.
This followed the 31 May General Elections and two days of discussions between those persons elected. Nine candidates were elected, four from MCAP, three from NPLM, one from MDP and one Independent. The final coalition comprised NPLM, MDP and the Independent candidate.
Sworn in were Hon Dr Lowell Lewis, Chief Minister and Minister of Finance; Hon Mrs Idabelle Meade, Minister of Communications and Works; Hon Mrs Margaret Dyer Howe, Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Housing and the Environment and Hon Dr John A. Osborne, Minister of Education, Health and Community Services. Witnessing the ceremony was Hon David S. Brandt who will serve as a back bencher in LEGCO.
The first meeting of LEGCO was held one week later on Friday 9 June 2006.
Receiving the Order of the British Empire (OBE) is Miss Ann Marie Dewar, the Permanent Secretary in the Department of Administration for her dedicated service to Government in the fields of Education and the Civil Service and for her sterling contributions to the cultural community in Montserrat.
Becoming a Member of the British Empire (MBE) is the Reverend Rosalind Morgan for her services to Education and for her work in the Montserrat community.
Both will be invested with their awards later this year.
Her Excellency the Governor, Mrs Deborah Barnes Jones has extended her personal congratulations to both recipients of the awards.
Appointment as a Queen's Counsel is considered a significant achievement in a legal career. The appointment dates back originally to the 16th Century and historically Queen's Counsel were appointed to give assistance to the law officers of the Crown.
Although the appointment does not constitute a separate order or degree of lawyer, it is more than a professional rank as their status is conferred by the Crown.
Her Excellency the Governor, Mrs Deborah Barnes Jones has congratulated Mr Otuonye on his appointment.
A regular postal packet service was granted to Montserrat on 20 August 1702 by Queen Anne. The round trip from Britain was undertaken by the vessel 'Bridgeman' whose journey time was over 3 months. However, greater speed was achieved once the ships of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company replaced the sailing ships in 1842.
Montserrat first issued its own stamps in 1876 when they used the Antiguan 1 penny rose and the 6 penny green overprinted with the word MONTSERRAT.
The Montserrat Philatelic Bureau Ltd is wholly owned by the Government of Montserrat who appoint a Board of Directors chaired by the Hon Financial Secretary.
Every year the bureau issues commemorative sets and there is always a definitive set of stamps in circulation for a period of 3 to 5 years. The latest definitive set depicts fruits. Some of the Montserrat themes that have been produced on commemorative issues include; the 25th anniversary of Air Studios, the 25th anniversary of the Montserrat National Trust, the 10th anniversary of the volcanic eruption and the Montserrat Football Team in Bhutan (celebrating 100 years of FIFA). International themes are also commemorated in these types of issues. The face value of all Montserrat's stamps vary according to postal demands.
The Montserrat Philatelic Bureau now has a staff of four managed by Valerie James and operates from the National Trust Building in Salem.
Congratulations to them for reaching 30 years of operations.
Montserrat's opening game will be against Guyana on Friday 21 July commencing at 3 pm. The shortened formula of the game usually takes around 3 hours to complete.
If they are victorious, Montserrat will, on Friday 28 July, play the winner of the game between Jamaica and Bermuda which also takes place on Friday 21 July. The semi finals will be played on Friday 11 August after a break in the games for Antigua's carnival, and the final will be played on Sunday 13 August.
The Montserrat squad are practising at Salem Park but have been hampered by the ashy conditions. It is reported that the Montserrat Cricket Association has invited several of its overseas based players home for the competition.
Basil Morgan, Montserrat's leading local umpire is serving on the umpiring committee for the competition and will stand in several of the matches in Antigua.
It is reported that the winning team will be awarded US$ 1 million in prize monies.
Lord Triesman, the Minister with responsibilities for the Overseas Territories at Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) recently visited the Caribbean region and in the Turks and Caicos Islands delivered a speech on Britain’s relationship with its Overseas Territories. During the wide ranging speech, he said “Seven years on from the White Paper, this is a good moment to take stock of the relationship between the UK and the Overseas Territories. As partners in the relationship, together we can review with pride what has been achieved.The economies of most of the territories are flourishing. Four of them - Bermuda, Cayman, the British Virgin Islands, and the Falkland Islands - report per capita GDPs greater than that of the UK; although I am well aware that per capita GDP does not always represent an accurate picture of economic activity and well-being across the entire community.
In TCI, the tourism, construction, and real estate sectors are at the forefront of strong, territory-wide growth. Elsewhere in the Caribbean, Anguilla’s economy is also flourishing. And even in Montserrat, which suffers the continual burden of the volcano, the economy has largely stabilised.
Unlike many independent countries in the region, the territories are not suffering from crippling levels of debt. Although there has been an increase in serious crime in a number of territories - and no one can afford to be complacent - they are relatively peaceful havens, where there is respect for the law, and low levels of criminality.
So how have we arrived at this point? And how can we ensure that this prosperity and stability will continue? I think the key lies in sustainable development.
This is especially significant in the territories, where natural resources are limited and the potential revenue-earning sectors have been traditionally limited to tourism and finance. In an uncertain world, which is increasingly interconnected and subject to globalisation, economic sectors are more than ever susceptible to a wide variety of external factors, including changes in people’s pattern of behaviour and taste, and international market and regulatory trends. It is therefore vital that we all continue to work together to ensure that the territories are ready to face the future. And this requires careful planning.
To ensure development is sustainable, we need to make sure that the basic pillars are in place. These pillars were identified in the White Paper. They are: good governance, including the rule of law; protection of the natural environment; and human rights. Without this firm underpinning, sustainable development will not be achieved. It is in this context that we need to look at the constitutional relationship between the UK and the territories. For it is the constitution which puts in place the governance framework to enable the territory to succeed. The White Paper introduced a new provision for the territories to advance their own ideas on constitutional reform.
The UK committed itself to considering carefully all proposals. We have done this. In the particular case of TCI, I was very pleased to be involved in the negotiations on the Constitution in October, when agreement was reached on all the major outstanding issues of principle. Your Chief Minister, Dr Misick was a very tough negotiator on your behalf – and take my word for it, I know tough negotiations.
Since then, we have been working on a draft text of the Constitution, which we have now sent to the Government and Opposition, so that it can be put out for public consultation. A new constitution is a very serious matter. It needs to enjoy broad support in the territory. I hope that the public consultation process on the draft Constitution will prove that this is the case in TCI, so that the new constitution can be brought into force soon.
I believe the agreement we have reached is a good one. The White Paper talked about the importance of striking a balance between obligations and expectations. We have managed to do this. In line with the White Paper, the draft Constitution provides for an increased degree of self-government. The majority of activities are devolved to the TCI Government.
The UK has only retained those powers, including for the Governor, which are – and will remain - necessary in TCI to ensure the implementation of international obligations; to protect itself against contingent liabilities; and to ensure good governance.
As well as determining the relationship with the UK, the constitution also, of course, establishes the democratic institutions and processes, which provide the essential foundations for a prosperous, free and just society. The new constitution builds on further these foundations, ensuring that the increased self-government is managed in a framework that is more accountable and transparent. The package meets the objectives of both TCI and the UK.
But as the White Paper made clear, each territory is unique and needs the provisions necessary to suit its own circumstances. Each territory will be treated as a distinct entity in the on-going review process. The arrangements I hope we will make with the other territories will be distinct, tailored to each territory's particular needs. The review process is a major step in the relationship between the UK and the territories. Following its completion, it is likely that some territories will have different levels of self-government.
As the White Paper made clear, the UK will always be ready to help any territory become independent where this is an option, and if that is the clear and settled will of the people. The UK has no desire for any territory to remain British against its people’s wishes. We have no continuing colonial objectives. However, if the people of a territory wish to retain the British link, then the UK will continue to honour its responsibilities for it.
But I am, and I should be, answerable to the UK Parliament for the territories. As long as the UK retains those responsibilities, it needs to be in a position where it can discharge them properly. And that means that the UK needs to retain a sufficient level of powers to do this. In this process, the Governor, who also represents the territory to the UK government, has a vital role. He or she must ensure, in partnership with the territory government, that high standards are maintained in key areas such as the public service, the police, the judiciary, finance, aviation and maritime security – indeed security generally - and human rights, in the interests of the peoples of the territory as a whole.
In this context, it might be helpful if I set out the UK position on alternative forms of relationship, some of which I know have been discussed here in TCI in recent weeks. UN General Assembly Resolution 1541 set out some options for the relationship between Administering Powers and Territories, including independence, integration and free association. The UK did not vote in favour of that resolution, and does not regard itself as bound by it.
Integration would mean the TCI or any of the other territories becoming a full part of the UK, like the Isle of Wight. It would mean that the people of the territory would have to pay UK taxes. And UK policy would apply in areas that have traditionally been the responsibility of the territory Government - for example education and health. I do not believe that this is an option that would find favour in the territories. Nor does it in the UK.
The option of free association is also unacceptable. As defined by the UN, it would mean the territory drawing up its Constitution free from any outside involvement. The UK would retain all the responsibilities for the territory, but would not be able to ensure that it had the powers to enable it to fulfil these responsibilities. Ministers answerable to government in Westminster cannot, and should not, put themselves in that position.
So our aim is to work for a relationship with the territory Government which satisfies the needs of both sides. To secure the sustainable development of TCI, we want to work with you to achieve our shared goal of good governance.
It was discussed at last year's Overseas Territories Consultative Council. There was general agreement among the territories that this involved impartial enforcement of the rule of law; an independent judiciary free from any external influence; an impartial and effective police force; and a public service free from political interference in its appointments, discipline and dismissals, which implements policy in accordance with the rule of law and internationally accepted standards.
Good governance also means transparency in decision-making according to defined rules. Government institutions and the legislature, as well as private sector organisations, must be accountable to the people. Governmental institutions must be subject to checks and balances. Civil society, including a strong independent media and representative NGOs, play a key role in this. The public should feel that they have a stake in, and access to, Government, and that services and benefits are available to all on an equal, objective basis.
In summary, good governance means ensuring that the resources of a society are used to the best and most durable effect; and to the benefit of the greatest number of the population. What I have described is a counsel of perfection, which few, if any, societies in the world, including the UK, can claim to meet all the time. But we know that you in the TCI want to work hard on this, as we do, as part of the development process, which is why the UK Government makes available funds to assist the process.
I have mentioned the rule of law. Crime is a key issue in all societies. But this is particularly the case in small societies like TCI, where traditionally levels of criminality have been extremely low; and where security is an important factor in attracting both tourists and people to work in the financial sector. This is another area where the UK and the territories have a shared interest in getting it right if there is to be sustainable development. That is why the UK employs a Law Enforcement Adviser to assist both the Governor and Government; and why a large section of the Good Government Fund is devoted to law enforcement activities. We will continue to work with territory governments and societies to get things right in this area.
Many of the Overseas Territories are vulnerable to natural disasters, hurricanes, volcanoes and earthquakes. The very low loss of life in the Cayman Islands in Hurricane Ivan in 2004 is a tribute to the careful planning and preparation the territory had undertaken. The Cayman Islands are to be congratulated for this; and for their rapid and successful recovery since Hurricane Ivan. But disaster planning remains high on the UK agenda; and last year’s intensive hurricane season showed that no one can afford to drop their guard.
The UK continues to assist the territories through advisers, a rapid deployment team, help with capability reviews and emergency aid from Royal Navy vessels in the region. But it is important that the territories themselves take the necessary steps to ensure they are equipped to cope with any disaster. But perhaps the key to the sustainable development of the territory lies in its greatest natural resource, its people. The peoples of the territories have proved themselves resilient and talented.
For talent to flourish, the UK will to try to increase opportunities for exchanges between TCI and the UK, enabling promising young TC islanders to get access to the sort of training and experience in the UK, which would give them the chance to make a greater input to the success of the territory. We also want to encourage greater interchange between territories; to enable skills and specialisms developed in one territory to be spread more widely, e.g. exchanges of police and prison officers. And where particular relevant skills from which TCI could benefit may be found in the UK, we will try to identify the appropriate individuals for you, so that you can put in place arrangements to tap in to them.
Successful territories attract outsiders, both legally and illegally. I am very conscious of the pressure illegal immigration places on the community, its resources and infrastructure here in TCI. I welcome the news that the TCI Government is drafting, with UK assistance, legislation to implement the recommendations of the Blue Riband Commission report. This should provide an immigration system that is clear, fair, transparent, consistent with international standards and, importantly, fit for the demands of a rapidly-growing economy. But, while ensuring that TCI and other territories are protected against illegal immigration, we must also avoid creating a divided society in which full rights, and access to public resources, are restricted to a limited number of people.
We learned in the UK that exclusion leads to trouble; and to exactly the problems of social dislocation and criminality that we all are trying so hard to prevent. As I have said earlier, as many people as possible should have a vested interest in a society, to encourage them to contribute to it. In the UK, we are promoting the concept of respect as the basis for relations between individuals in society, to help communities to live together in harmony. Respect - for others, for institutions, for the law - is a good platform for any society.
I have been struck by the beauty of TCI. It is one of your major assets, as it is for many of the territories. But it is obviously important that this beauty, and the particular outstanding features, are retained, both for the peoples of the islands, and the visitors that bring revenue to your shores. Without appropriate measures, the golden egg of tourism, a highly competitive business, can easily tarnish. That is why the environment Charters agreed between the UK and the territories were an important development in our joint efforts to preserve the environment for future generations. I am glad that the UK Government is able to help take the process forward through the award of grants from the Overseas Territories Environment Programme Fund, from which TCI has benefited. We have agreed to pay for a consultant to help draft legislation important for your sustainable development goals. And at the very practical level, the FCO’s Overseas Territories Programme Fund has paid for the restoration of the Little Water Cay Nature Trail, where tourists and residents will see the endangered rock iguana in its natural habitat.
On the strategic level, it is important that development is carefully planned and delivers long-term benefits to the local people in terms of jobs and ownership; that the still large areas of unallocated Crown land are managed prudently for the benefit of all the people; that when land is sold, the maximum value is obtained for it; that local people are involved as far as possible in development projects; but that where land is of environmental importance, that it is fully protected in the long-term interests of the community.
The constitution of several Overseas Territories, including TCI, include human rights guarantees. I know all the Territories expect to fulfil their human rights obligations, and abide by basic standards of openness and good government. And we expect the governments of the Territories to promote human rights in their domestic policy. So we welcome the recent decision of the TCI Government to accept the right of individual petition under the European Convention on Human Rights.
Some of the Territories need help in building the capacity to deliver their commitments. HMG launched a four-year strategy in October 2004 to help the Territories raise standards of child protection in line with the requirements under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Under this programme, we aim to raise awareness of child protection issues more generally, as well as offering technical assistance and specialist training to government and civil society representatives.
The UK, through its development arm DFID, will also deliver a more general Human Rights Programme, again over a 4-year period, starting this year. Its aim will be to increase broad awareness and local ownership of human rights issues. It will foster collaboration and partnerships on human rights initiatives between the OTs and with regional and international partners. I know that in TCI you have recently re-established a Human Rights Committee. It will have as one of its main tasks the promotion of the understanding of human rights throughout TCI. This is very welcome.
Many of the Overseas Territories have established international financial centres. All financial centres should recognise they have an important role to play in the international financial system, that they have a responsibility to match up to the highest standards of financial regulation and to provide effective cooperation with international counterparts. This, critically, promotes confidence in the jurisdiction and will ensure the long-term viability of the OT finance sector. In short, good regulation is good for business. Overseas Territories have shown their commitment to high standards. But this is a moving target, as standards continually evolve. It is vital that, in the current global financial climate, territories deal decisively with abuses of the financial system, that they have the tools available to identify and seize the proceeds of crime and eliminate impediments to international cooperation.
The UK will work with the territories to give practical support and technical assistance when the opportunities arise. But we will always seek to ensure that the great opportunities of global financial markets are not abused or undermined. In the specific context of TCI, the UK welcomes the efforts underway to reinvigorate the financial sector so that it can develop as a sound, well-regulated centre, generating revenue for the economy.
My conclusion is, therefore, that the relationship between the UK and the Overseas Territories is in good shape. Real progress has been made on constitutional modernisation. It sets the tone for further close and effective co-operation. We must work together for sustainable development and a successful future. For the sake of future generations we must ensure that that is our goal.”