Grenada and Trinidad sign maritime treaty

By Lincoln Depradine

Port of Spain, April 21, 2010 – The leaders of Grenada and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago have hailed the signing of a maritime treaty between the two countries as symbolic of their historical bonds of friendship.

Prime Ministers Tillman Thomas of Grenada and Patrick Manning of Trinidad and Tobago affixed their signatures to the treaty at about 11.20 Wednesday morning in Port of Spain, the Trinidad and Tobago capital.

“Today,’’ said Prime Minister Thomas, “is testament to our shared commitment to the continued deepening of relations and cooperation between our two states.’’

Hon. Thomas said the agreement leading to the signing of the treaty is “consistent with international maritime law and conventions,’’ and is in keeping with the “mutual interest’’ of both Grenada and Trinidad.

In the case of Grenada, added Prime Minister Thomas, the stage is set “for the exploration and exploitation of our marine resources, which will be to the benefit of our people and the development of our nation.’’

One Grenadian maritime expert, who witnessed the signing ceremony, projects that Grenada could reap immediate benefits by establishing a body to manage the expected oil and natural resources deposited in the country’s waters.

He explained that once the proper infrastructure is in place, Grenada could be generating up to US$200 billion in revenue from oil and gas in less than three years time.

Prime Minister Manning called the treaty “just and equitable,’’ and described its signing as an “extremely positive development’’ for Grenada and Trinidad, and for progress in the Caribbean.

Mr. Manning referred to the historically “good neighbourliness’’ between Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago, and said the treaty establishes a course for a “new direction in the relations between the two countries.’’

The treaty follows a report of a Joint Boundary Commission that met in three rounds of maritime talks.

According to Prime Minister Manning, the commission’s report was “well-written and well-reasoned.’’

Wednesday’s signing ceremony was witnessed by Grenada’s Foreign Minister Hon. Peter David; Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon; Senators Chester Humphrey and Chris DeAllie of Grenada; as well as by Grenadian representatives on the Joint Boundary Commission.

They included Dr. Carlyle Mitchell, Grenada’s chief commissioner, an Adjunct Professor at the University of Ottawa and a former Director of the Economic Affairs Secretariat of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States.

Other commissioners at the signing were Senator Arley Gill, a maritime law specialist; former Director of Lands and Survey in Grenada, Gilbert Massell; Foreign Service Officer Alva Browne; Senior Energy Officer John Auguste; and advisors – maritime specialist Anslem Clouden, and attorney Reynold Benjamin.

HAIL PETER: PETRO PRINCE OF GRENADA

by Dr. Francis Alexis

SIGNING OF THE TREATY

Tomorrow, the 21st, there will be signed in Port of Spain a Treaty delimiting maritime boundaries between Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago. Prime Minister Tillman Thomas will sign for Grenada.

BILLIONS OF DOLLARS NET

Presumably, the Treaty will entitle Grenada, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to exploit certain blocs of maritime space between Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago.

The Treaty with Trinidad and Tobago should be a forerunner to a similar treaty with Venezuela. As such, the Treaty could well, more than any other event in decades past, begin to move our national Grenadian economy into high gear. For our maritime waters between those two countries have appreciable oil and gas resources. Such resources, properly managed, can launch our economy on to a path of sustainable economic development, and keep it there long.

Meeting our own energy needs will save us spending foreign exchange. Exporting oil and gas will earn us foreign exchange. Dealings can amount, over time, to billions of dollars in net foreign exchange earnings. This will be a significant change in the economic fortunes of Grenada. This can translate into fundamental affirmative social transformation of Grenada. The signing of the Treaty is therefore momentous.

WHAT OF BLOC 21?

Of the Blocs of maritime space which came up for delimitation under the Treaty, one particularly has over the years attracted extraordinary interest. It has long been called Bloc 21. This Bloc 21 has for some time been perceived to be especially saturated with petroleum resources.

There will be much interest in the way the Treaty treats Bloc 21, whatever the name the Treaty gives it. We wait with great expectations to find out, what does the Treaty say of Bloc 21? When the Treaty becomes available to the public, the matter of its provisions generally and its disposal of Bloc 21 particularly will be reverted to by this writer.

MINISTER AND TEAM

Prime credit for reaching this positive historic milestone must go to Peter David. For it was Mr. David who, as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Grenada, in terms only of individual ministerial responsibility, led the team that blazed the trail through to this clearing. This is all the more a spectacular triumph for Peter doing so in less than 2 years as Minister.

Not that Peter David did this all by himself; of course not. He did what a savvy and confident Minister does. He assembled a formidable team, with personnel of known relevant expertise. It was indeed a team effort.

At the helm was Dr. Carl Mitchell, the experienced and able petroleum economist. The team included Reynold Benjamin, a person very knowledgeable on Grenada’s maritime oil and gas resources; Anslem Clouden, maritime law specialist; Arley Gill, properly certified in international maritime affairs; Gilbert Massell, the focussed land surveyor; and John Auguste, energy officer in the Grenada public service. No doubt Prime Minister Tillman Thomas’ Cabinet also helped, with logistics, supplies and otherwise.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

Perhaps Trinidad and Tobago was not particularly negative or truculent in the negotiations generally, rather reflecting the good-neighborly CARICOM spirit. Even so, NNP in 13 years failed to hammer out such a treaty. And it is beside the point that the fruits of this treaty might not reach the table for some time. Except that this undererscores how amazing it is that NNP did not settle the boundaries all those years. Better late than never.

KEEP THE TEAM INTACT

At least, the experience gained by Grenada in the engagement with Trinidad and Tobago, generally uncontentions though it might have been, will serve Grenada in good stead, going forward to the really demanding maritime boundaries negotiations with Venezuela. Chavez’s Venezuela will be a horse of a different colour from Manning’s Trinidad and Tobago, not only in language and culture , but elsewise too. Peter and his team must be kept intact for the Venezuelan round. Where possible, they should be strengthened; in whatever way appropriate.

HAIL PETER: PETRO PRINCE

The signing of the Treaty with Trinidad and Tobago should be a welcome achievement in itself, and can open up to further prospects . From here, onward goes Peter and the team forward to Venezuela in such of oil and gas for Grenada . Simon Bolivar, true liberator that he was, must be wishing Peter well. When he pulls that off we shall shout-- HAIL PETER : PETRO PRINCE OF GRENADA.

Rondell Bartholomew among world leading times over 400 metres

NEW YORK, April 19, 2010 – Rondell Bartholomew posted the third fastest 400 metres time for the year when he clocked 45.28 seconds at the Michael Johnson Classic at the Hart-Patterson Track & Field Complex in Waco, Texas on Saturday.

Bartholomew used a late surge to take victory for South Plains College and underlined his status as a world class quarter miler.

Only Australian Ben Offereins and American Tavaris Tate (44.86) and his compatriot Kirani James (45.02) have run faster than the former Mc Donald College athlete.

At the same meet, Janelle Redhead ran the second leg to help South Plains win the women’s 4x100 metre relay in 45.51 seconds against competition such as Texas A&M and host Baylor University.

Colleen Felix also finished fifth in the women’s javelin (41.08m) and made marks in the high and long jumps as well as the 100m hurdles.

At the Mt SAC Relays in California, Joel Phillip was fifth in the men’s 400m in 46.83 for Arizona State University. He then joined forces with his colleagues for the 4x400m relay and placed second in 3:03.78.

There were also victories for Sherine Wells, Phylicia George and Neisha Bernard-Thomas on the weekend.

Wells (Oklahoma University) won the women’s 100m at the John Jacobs Invitationals in a season-best time of 11.70 seconds to win her first individual title of the season. She also finished second overall and first among collegiate competitors in the 200m in a time of 24.09 seconds.

George (University of Connecticut) dominated in the 100 metre hurdles at the UConn Select Invite at the George J. Sherman Family Sports Complex with a first place finish in a time in the event of 13.81 seconds. Her time marks the third fastest time in school history in the 100 metre hurdles.

It took a record-setting performance by Bernard-Thomas to beat LaTavia Thomas of Louisiana State University (LSU) for the 800-metre title as the former Lady Tiger national champion finished the race in 2:00.77 to shatter the 26-year-old Bernie Moore Track Stadium facility record of 2:01.15 set by Tennessee great Joetta Clark back in 1984.

Hurricane Ivan Scholarship Winner Selected as 2010 City Tech Valedictorian

BROOKLYN, NY, April 19, 2010 - Out of devastation emerged opportunity for Lerone Bleasdille, New York City College of Technology’s (City Tech) 2010 valedictorian.

He arrived at City Tech as a result of Hurricane Ivan in 2004, which decimated most of the buildings in his native country, Grenada. He arrived at City Tech as a result of Hurricane Ivan in 2004, which decimated most of the buildings in his native country, Grenada. The former resident of St. George’s Parish had a few scares but was lucky: the first hurricane destroyed only one room in his father’s home where he lived with his oldest sister. Unable to get through to the rest of his family in the Northern Parish of St. David’s for a week, he eventually found out that his mother, stepfather and siblings, were safe and had opened their home to neighbours who had no place to stay.

It was Bleasdille’s mother, then an administrator in the Prime Minister’s office, who learned that The City University of New York (CUNY), in partnership with the Grenada Mission, was offering 15 college scholarships to Grenadian students as a humanitarian initiative.

At the time, Bleasdille, who held an associate degree in information technology from Grenada’s T.A. Marryshow Community College, was working in a local bank as a commercial teller. He applied for and won one of the CUNY scholarships, and chose to study at City Tech because it was the only one of the four participating CUNY colleges to offer computer science-related majors. The scholarship paid for his tuition during his years at City Tech.

“If I hadn’t received this scholarship, I would have stayed in my bank job for two more years. Then, I would have taken a loan to try and get into a U.S. college,” notes Bleasdille, 24, who will graduate with a bachelor of technology degree in computer systems and deliver the valedictory address at City Tech’s June 2 commencement in The Theatre at Madison Square Garden.

What drives Bleasdille, an East Flatbush resident, in his academic work and many community activities is passion. “My valedictory speech will have two themes,” he explains, “finding your passion, which is going to push you to succeed, and appreciating the value of negative people in your life as well as the positive, supportive ones. If someone negates what you want to do, it makes you want it more. It actually helps. You may not realize it at first.”

He says he learned this lesson when a professor told him to drop a class because he’d missed the first two weeks while completing an internship and wouldn’t be able to catch up. “I took the opportunity to prove him wrong and ended up getting an A,” he says.

Grateful for his own scholarship experience, Bleasdille, who served as president of City Tech’s Student Government Association (SGA) and later as senator-at-large and treasurer, recognized the need to provide scholarships for international students who ordinarily were ineligible due to residency requirements.

With the strong support of the City Tech Foundation and its Executive Director Jewel Trowers-Escobar, he and some fellow students established the merit-based SGA Trust Award, which soon will announce its first awards of $2,000 each to three full-time students.

Leadership and creativity are two qualities Bleasdille exhibits in abundance, having served as lead reporter of the College’s student newspaper, New Tech Times, president of the Martial Arts Club and vice president of the E-commerce Club, in addition to his student government posts.

While gravitating towards a career in technology, Bleasdille says he “found himself as a creative writer” at City Tech. “I used to write poetry in high school and sometimes perform it,” he explains. “My first English professor at City Tech gave me great feedback on my writing and encouraged me to enter the College’s Literary Arts Festival competition. I won first prize in both the poetry and short story categories two years in a row,” he proudly notes.

Says festival coordinator, Professor Caroline Hellman, “Lerone helped pioneer SGA's involvement in the festival; now there is an annual SGA writing prize, usually on a community or academic topic.” This year, says Bleasdille, “I’m entering all sections of the competition – poetry, fiction, drama, humour and essay. It’s my last semester – I might as well go all out!” The festival takes place on April 29.

Bleasdille credits his drive and multiple interests partly to the example set by his late father, Leroy Neckles, who died in 2008. Neckles, a U.S.-educated business turnaround specialist, held numerous executive posts, such as first general manager of Grenada’s Point Salines International Airport, manager of government agencies in Grenada and Guyana, and president of Rotary International. Says Bleasdille, “He told me, ‘Leaders are never people who want to lead; they are the people others ask to lead.’ I always remember that statement; because it means you’re doing something right when people believe in you; you’re already a leader to your supporters – now they want to make it official.”

While Neckles did not live to see Bleasdille graduate from City Tech, he was instrumental in his son being able to come to the U.S. to study. One of the criteria for the Grenada-CUNY scholarship was having a friend or relative living in New York. At the time, Neckles was here being treated for kidney disease, which meant Bleasdille qualified.

Bleasdille also credits his mother who raised him, for “her indomitable spirit, and unquenchable support. “She’s read all my stories and poems. While my father set the education bar high, my mother built my character,” he says.

Bleasdille applied himself to his coursework in his major, completing four honours projects for his math and programming courses. He also did three internships instead of just the one required, picking up experience in his field at Goldman Sachs, the Department of Education and web-design company Mixed Media Solutions. Of his interest in software development, creating programs and designing websites, he says, “I like the creative aspect of computer systems: designing solutions for challenging problems.”

To gain more work experience, he is applying for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. It places non-immigrant full-time students (F-1 visa status) who have completed or have been pursuing college degrees in STEM majors (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) in full-time jobs for up to 29 months.

One of the most important things he has gained from his time at City Tech is a broader understanding of life. “I’ve been exposed to different cultures; I’ve met people from most of the countries in the world – it’s like the United Nations here – and I’ve made many friends.”

To anyone considering attending City Tech, he advises, “Come in and see it for yourself, talk to students and professors in your major, research what kind of job you can get after graduation. Find your passion. You can make a career of it; prospective employers will pick up on your enthusiasm.”

SOURCE: City Tech, Photo credit: Yue Chen

Delta promises to help grow Grenada as preferred destination

by Michael Bascombe

NEW YORK, April 16, 2010 - Grenada's Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Glynis Roberts joined officials of the Grenada Airport Authority and Delta Air Lines at a media launch in New York on Friday.

The Minister was joined by the Chairman of the GAA and member of the Grenada Airlift Committee, Mr Rodney George and officials of the Grenada Board of Tourism's North American office while Delta was represented by Gail Grimmett, Senior Vice-President, NYC and Carlos Santos, Corporate Communications Manager.

Minister Roberts said that the Government welcomes the opportunity to bring nationals and visitors to the island.

She said that New York is one of the important markets especially for United States travellers to Grenada. The Minister highlighted a number of unique offerings taking place in the “Spice Isle” which visitors will enjoy.

“Our current travel industry has gone beyond spices, sea and sand. We now offer additional attractions grounded in what we called community tourism, giving the visitors more to do and more to enjoy,” said Roberts.

Grimmett said that Grenada is a market that offers significant promise and Delta is committed in providing year-round service.

“We are thrilled about this opportunity to grow the market,” Grimmett said. “We’re looking forward to a successful marketing and a successful partnership.”

Delta Air Lines commences its new non-stop service from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Grenada's Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA) on Saturday July 3, 2010.

The flight will operate twice a week (Wednesdays and Saturdays) and depart JFK at 1:15 a.m. and arrive at MBIA at 6:03 a.m.

The return flight from Grenada will be at 7:15 a.m. with arrival in New York at 12;05 p.m.

Delta will use its 737-800 aircraft that offers 16 First Class seats and 134 Coach Class seats.

FM DAVID: GRENADA MUST RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE OF GRENADIANS ABROAD TO OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, April 15, 2010 – Grenada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Peter David said that the Preparatory Conference for the Diaspora Dialogue scheduled for Grenada in August will chart the way for engaging Grenadians who are residing abroad.

The Office of Diaspora Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has organised a planning conference that will lead into a Founding Conference next year and a major Homecoming in 2012.

The Minister said that the Preparatory Conference will offer an opportunity to discuss the role of the Diaspora in building partnerships between the Government, other agencies and the Diaspora communities.

Mr. David said that Grenadians must recognise the importance of our nationals abroad to our economic development and try to find an organic way to integrate them into that process.

“Just as we are doing now with trying to utilise that resource in our maritime space, we need to find a way to utilise that resource called Grenadians in the Diaspora,” the Minister said in an interview with WEE FM Radio morning host Anthony “Jericho” Greenidge on Thursday.

He said that Grenadians in the Diaspora play a significant part already by way of remittances and other forms of assistance to the country.

“We want to engage them in a more organic way. We want to have a two-way arrangement where they can see themselves as integrally involved in Grenada and Grenadians can recognise their role and the role that the Diaspora plays,” Mr. David said.

A steering committee, headed by Minister Counsellor Michael Mitchell and includes Consul General Derrick James and Press Officer Michael Bascombe, has been meeting to coordinate the various activities for the Preparatory Conference.

Meetings were held in Washington, D.C. and New York in March and a teleconference was held last weekend with the Grenada Atlanta Association.

Members of the steering committee will also be meeting with nationals in Miami on Sunday. The Minister is also expected to meet with nationals in Trinidad and Tobago, London, Toronto and Montreal in the coming weeks.

“We are going to be coordinating with Grenadians in London, New York, Toronto, Montreal, Atlanta, wherever they are and we are going to have a conference in August where we are going to be preparing for a major Founding Diaspora Conference in August, 2011 and then in 2012 for what we are calling a Homecoming which is a major celebration of Grenada,” the Foreign Minister said.

The conference, to be held at the Grenada Boys’ Secondary School (GBSS), is hoping to gather about 150 individuals and representatives from Grenadian organisations in the Diaspora.

“We are going to be sitting with representatives of organisations, hopefully we are looking for about 150 and we will sit to decide how to utilise these resources. While we (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) have some ideas of what can be done we hope to involve the Diaspora themselves in developing that mechanism”.

He said that more dialogue is needed between Grenadians on the mainland and in the Diaspora and is hoping that through this year’s conference, the Founding Conference (2011) and the Homecoming (2012) a mechanism will be developed.

The Grenadian Minister said that the Foreign Ministry is inviting Grenadians, not only as individuals but as organisations, to participate in the conference to discuss what they believe is the best way forward for integrating Grenadians in the Diaspora.

“This is about reaching out to all Grenadians despite whatever their political orientation to be nationalistic in this one instance to make sure that we can develop Grenada.

And we hope, not to just have a conference sitting in a hotel room or the national stadium conference centre, but to have the Diaspora going through all of our communities,” he said.

Grenadian Writer nominated for IMPAC Literary Award

Toronto, Canada, Saturday, April 11, 2010; Gems in the Cracks has been chosen for the long list, International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award 2010. 

Gems in the Cracks was written by Rowley Jeffery a native of St. Patrick’s, Grenada. He will be the First Ever Caribbean national writer to receive such honour for his first fictional work.

On April 14, 2010 the short list will be announced so stay tuned for updates.

ABOUT International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award:

The International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award is the world's largest and most international prize of its kind for single work of fiction. It's prestige has grown over the last decade. One of the unique aspects of the award is that all works that are to considered must be nominated by Libraries in each capital city of the world.

Grenada Library, St. George, Grenada nominated Gems in the Cracks because the librarian believe "this book is a must read. Shows how sometimes society and the law almost let us down. But there are support structures in the same society and the law meets the criteria."

"The Author is incisive in his social and racial observation, examining causes and effects." "I enjoyed his vibrant prose which makes effective use of dialogue in order to develop characters, bringing energy to the action." Andrew Grice, Editor of Minerva Press. 

To read preview of book visit www.eventobe.com

To learn more about Rowley Jeffery please visit  www.impacdublinaward.ie/2010/Titles/Jeffrey.htm

  

All Media / INTERVIEWS Inquiries contact:

Louise Noel-Ambrose of eventobe 

eventobe@gmail.com or 289-389-7204

AMERICAN AIRLINES ADDING MORE SEATS ON THE MIAMI-GRENADA ROUTE

MIAMI, Florida, April 9, 2010 – American Airlines will be adding a fourth non-stop flight between Miami and Grenada for the summer.

The additional service begins on Tuesday July 6^th and will operate until August 17^th.

American Airlines already offers three weekly (Wed, Fri & Sun) flights between Miami and Grenada while there are five weekly flights from San Juan, Puerto Rico with American Eagle.

American Airlines Flight AA2171 departs Florida’s Miami International Airport at 4:55 p.m. and arrives into the Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA) at 8:35 p.m. The return flight AA2140 departs the following morning at 10:15, arriving in Miami at 2:00 p.m.

The American Eagle ATR 72 aircraft with a seating capacity of 64 departs San Juan’s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport at 6:15 p.m. arriving at MBIA at 8:29 p.m. American Eagle Flight 4843 departs Grenada at 6:55 a.m. an arrive in San Juan at 9:00 a.m.

Civil Aviation Minister Glynis Roberts and officials of the Grenada Airlift Committee were expected to meet with representatives of the airline here on Friday.

The Grenada delegation also met with officials of Delta Air Lines in Atlanta on Thursday where details of the commencement of non-stop service between New York and Grenada were finalised.

The world’s largest airline will operate two weekly flights from New York’s JFK International Airport to St. George’s starting on July 3^rd.

“What we need to do is to ensure that when they start they don’t stop. So we have to market the flights,” Minister Roberts said following the Atlanta talks.

DELTA SERVICE TO GRENADA WILL COMMENCE ON JULY 3RD

ATLANTA, April 8, 2010 - Delta Air Lines have rescheduled the commencement of its non-stop service from New York to Grenada.

The airline, which had originally announced direct service to Grenada from July but then agreed to reschedule to June 5th after the pulled out of Air Jamaica last month, will now start on July 3rd.

Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Glynis Roberts, along with three members of the Grenada Airlift Committee, met with officials of Delta Air Lines in Atlanta on Thursday to finalise the arrangement.

“The airline decided to shift the inaugural flight to July 3rd because of a very low load factor in June,” the Minister said following discussions at the airline’s headquarters.

“I want to assure the travelling public that there will be year-round service from Delta when the New York-Grenada operations begin in July,” Roberts said while confirming that bookings are heavy for the months of July and August.

Minister Roberts said that Grenadians should consider themselves as marketing agents since the country stands to benefit economically from full bookings.

“What we need to do is to ensure that when they start they don’t stop. So we have to market the flights”.

Accompanying the Minister to the Atlanta talks were Airlift Committee’s Chairman Mr. Michael McIntyre, Sir Royston Hopkin and Mr. Rodney George. They met with Christine Kennedy, the General Manager of International Network Planning for Latin America and the Caribbean; Jean Ellisor, Team Leader Network Planning and Jeanene Wilson, Senior Marketing Specialist.

Delta Air Lines Flight to Grenada will operate twice weekly, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, from New York into Grenada.

Delta Air Lines Flight DL525 will depart John F. Kennedy International Airport at 1:15 a.m. and arrive into the Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA) at 6:03 a.m. The return flight DL526 will depart MBIA at 7:15 a.m. and arrive at JFK, New York at 12:05 p.m.

To start this weekly service, Delta will use a 150 seat, 737-800 Boeing aircraft with 16 first class seats and 134 economy seats.

Grenadian swimmers into the finals of Carifta Championships

by Michael Bascombe

KINGSTON, Jamaica, April 6, 2010 - Four Grenadian swimmers are into Tuesday's finals of the XXV Carifta Swimming Championships at the National Swimming Pool.

Nicholas Coard, Corey Ollivierre, Andrew Hopkin and Oreoluwa Cherebin have all qualified for final competition on the last night of competition.

Ollivierre will compete in two finals with Coard, Hopkin and Cherebin in one each.

Cherebin will be seeking a second medal following her gold medal in the Girls 11-12 50m Breaststroke on Monday. She competes in the 100m Breaststroke.

Hopkin goes for medal in the Boys 13-14 100m Breaststroke.

Ollivierre swims in the finals of the Boys 11-12 50 and 100m Breaststroke while Coard will compete in the Boys 15-17 200m Backstroke after finishing first place in the qualifying heat in 2:19.07.

BOXER KANDEL DOWDEN BEGINS “ROAD TO BAKU” TRAINING

by Michael Bascombe

LANKARAN, Azerbaijan, April 6, 2010 – Grenada’s two-time Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Boxing Champion Kandel Dowden is participating in an International Boxing Association (AIBA) two-week training camp “Road to Baku” in preparation for the World Boxing Championships later this month.

Dowden, who began his training stint on Tuesday, described the programme as rigorous but challenging.

“Training here is nothing compares to back home (Grenada). You must become strong, physically and mentally to survive in this training camp,” he said after completing his first full day of training.

“I would like to thank the boxing association for giving me this opportunity to train at this camp”.

Dowden, who will compete in the Fly Weight category, will be joined by his coach Shayne Joseph on April 20.

The Road to Baku programme is a training camp and development initiative funded by the AIBA Grant Programme that pays for all travel and accommodation expenses for boxers and coaches to attend the training camp and the World Championships.

The Grenada Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) is one of 29 countries who have received this grant.

A record 105 countries are sending a total of 532 boxers to Baku, Azerbaijan to participate in the AIBA Youth World Championships this year, for the first and only qualifying tournament for the Youth Olympic Games.

The registered boxers, aged 17 and 18 years old, will participate in the Championships from April 23rd to May 1st.

AMBASSADOR FLETCHER ACCREDITED TO THE KINGDOM OF NETHERLANDS

BRUSSELS, Belgium, April 6, 2010 – Ambassador Stephen Fletcher has been appointed as Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, following his appointment to the Kingdom of Belgium.

Ambassador Fletcher last week presented his credentials to Queen Beatrix, Queen of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Mr. Fletcher expressed Grenada’s desire to deepen the already good relations which exist between both countries.

Ambassador Fletcher, in a post accreditation interview, expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, Foreign Affairs Minister Peter David and other Cabinet members for the confidence which they have demonstrated by adding the Kingdom of Netherlands to the number of countries to which he is accredited.

He further expressed his commitment to serve the people of Grenada to the best of his abilities in order to secure the requisite assistance to aid the development of Grenada, while providing opportunities for Grenadians to contribute towards the global community as well.

“As a small developing and vulnerable country, Grenada may not be able give financial and material resources to the international community but we have talented, well cultured and intelligent people, which if given the opportunity can make significant contributions to a better world”.

Grenadian boxer opens gym to train Canadians

by Craig Slater, The Leader-Post 

REGINA, Canada, March 30, 2010 - Rolande Moses experienced an "embarrassing" introduction to boxing. He vomited a few times and went home with a swollen eye after his first match. 

He was even beaten up by a 14-year-old girl. But over the past five years, the Grenada native has come a long way. "I told my girlfriend (Kristen) back then that I was going to start boxing and that I was going to go to the Olympics in 2008," Moses said. "She looked at me and told me I was crazy." Kristen, who is now his wife, was forced to eat her words. 

Moses, with only nine fights under his belt in four years of boxing experience, qualified for the 2008 Summer Olympics and boxed in Beijing for Grenada, his native country. 

He's since opened the Black & Blue Boxing Club in downtown Regina with hopes of developing some of the city's athletes into Olympic-calibre fighters. 

"Regina is known for producing good hockey players and good football players," he said. "I want Regina to be known for producing good boxers, too." 

In Regina for slightly less than two years, Moses has created quite a stir in the boxing community. He's already attracted more than 20 athletes to his new club, located in the old Western Cycle building on Hamilton Street. 

His carpentry background helped to transform the vacant building into an attractive gym, which is complete with a ring, several heavy bags that hang from the ceiling, and pieces of the old Taylor Field turf to cover the cement floor. 

"I'm proud of my gym," he said. 

"I'm hoping to create some future Olympians. I'm willing to do anything to help the boxing community here rise up again. Boxing is falling behind this stuff like MMA, and that's not right." 

Moses' boxing background is not extensive. But he's learned a lot in the six years he's been involved with the sport. 

Moses was seven years old when his mother moved the family to Toronto from Grenada in search "of a better education and a better life." His primary sport through high school was basketball, as numerous colleges from the U.S. were intrigued with the 6-foot-0 guard's athletic abilities. 

But when Moses broke a kneecap after dunking in a game, he was sidelined for several weeks. The scouts lost interest, too. 

"I didn't know what to do," he said. "I wanted to play ball in the States, but those guys stopped looking at me after I got hurt." 

Moses later moved to Niagara Falls where he joined a local boxing club. 

"I think I was used more as a punching bag than I was a boxer," he said of the brief experience. 

So, instead of getting beaten up on a routine basis, Moses hired Jamie Phelps, a trainer who had worked with high-profile amateur boxers. 

"(Phelps) taught me that boxing wasn't about being tough. It's not a gladiator sport," Moses said. "Boxing is about out-thinking your opponent." 

Within a couple of years, Moses rapidly rose through the amateur circuit and qualified for the Beijing Olympics. 

It wasn't until he arrived on Chinese soil that the reality sunk in for Moses that he was among the world's elite athletes. That, and the fact his vow to his girlfriend of reaching the Olympics had come true. 

He was sitting inside a McDonalds restaurant in the athletes' village when the reality hit -- he was eating with American superstar basketball players Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh at the time. 

"Everyone there was treated as one," Moses said. "It didn't matter if you were a superstar or who you were." 

One year prior to the Olympics, Moses competed at the world boxing championships in Chicago. There, he met former boxing champions Muhammad Ali and Evander Holyfield. 

"Meeting Ali was, well, he's the greatest of all time," Moses said. "And I got to shake hands with him." 

Meeting a few of the biggest sports names in the world served as an inspiration to Moses. He hopes his work ethic rubs off on his students. 

He's training for the 2012 Olympics in London, so athletes at his gym will have the opportunity to train like an Olympian. Black & Blue offers beginner and advanced boxing classes, bootcamps for men and women and personal training. The first class is free. 

"I do all of the workouts my athletes do ... they're extremely hard workouts," he said. "But why be easy on yourself? You're not going to get anything out of that. 

"If you're here, you're going to learn. You're going to work hard, too. If you work hard enough, you're going to be ready for anything." Boxing coach Rolande Moses (right) works with middleweight fighter James Feuring. Photograph by: Don Healy, The Leader-Post.

Grenadian minister calls on developed nations to take biggest climate change responsibilities

BEIJING, China, April 2, 2010 - A senior small island politician has demanded industrialized nations face up to their responsibility in leading a global solution to the global threat of climate change.

Grenada Environment Minister Michael Church, whose country chairs the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) said those developed countries who polluted in the biggest way over the history of industrialization must make the biggest sacrifices now.

"We believe the historical responsibility becomes an extremely important and critical element in what we do now and in the future," Church told Xinhua in a recent interview.

"In other words, we should not, not withstanding our smallness, we should not sit back and allow countries to get away by not taking their responsibilities. It has nothing to do with ideologies. It has everything to do with the survival of man on this planet."

Small island nations face the direct threat of climate change. For the 42 member nations of AOSIS, survival is non-negotiable.

AOSIS insists the increase in global temperatures must be kept below 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial level. If not, island countries such as the Maldives and Tavulu may disappear in this century,Church warned.

"Because of the sacrifices we have made, they could develop," said Church referring to the developed countries. "It is time now they look at how they can begin an orderly exchange or transfer of technology, financing for adaptation and mitigation so that the entire world will get benefits in a more sustainable manner as we proceed with development."

Church spoke to Xinhua in his office in St. George, capital of Grenada, an island country situated in the southernmost tip of the Windward Islands of the Caribbean Sea.

Grenada covers 344 square kilometers and has an estimated population of 110,000. Coconut trees, white sand beaches and clear water are the symbols of this picturesque island. For Church, the survival of his beautiful country depends to a great extent on international climate change negotiations.

Church stressed the environment-friendly technologies available should not be withheld from small countries and developing countries.

"We must get to the point where we can exchange in the most reasonable way these technologies for the advancement of mankind...the transfer of technology should not be solely or predominately driven by the profit motive, but more so by our desire to make progress," Church said.

He thinks China and AOSIS have a lot in common in terms of climate change policy. "I've noticed that we have very very much in common. China is one of the very few countries, bigger countries that have really indicated an understanding of the position of small island states," he said.

Source: Xinhua

Photo Credit: Michael Bascombe

IMF Executive Board Approves US$13.3 Million Arrangement Under the Extended Credit Facility for Grenada

PRESS RELEASE 

WASHINGTON, D.C. April 2, 2010 - The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today approved Grenada’s request for a new three-year arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF), totaling SDR 8.775 million (about US$13.3 million). 

Approval of the program makes an initial disbursement of SDR 1.275 million (about US$1.9 million) available immediately. The new arrangement aims at helping Grenada cushion the effects of the global crisis and support the country’s agenda of economic reforms aimed at boosting growth, reducing poverty, strengthening the private sector and the business climate, and reducing vulnerabilities in the financial sector. 

The Executive Board also completed the fifth and last review of Grenada’s economic performance under the country’s previous ECF arrangement, allowing for the immediate disbursement of an amount equivalent to SDR 1.68 million (about US$2.6 million), bringing total disbursements to SDR 16.38 million (about US$24.9 million). 

The Executive Board also approved the request for a waiver of the missed performance criteria on the primary balance excluding grants and on the non-accumulation of external official arrears. The three-year ECF with Grenada was approved on April 17, 2006, and in July 2008 was augmented to SDR 12.0 million (about US$18.2 million) to help mitigate the impact of food and fuel price shocks and extended by one year to April 16, 2010. 

The arrangement was augmented again to SDR 16.4 million (about US$24.9 million) in June 2009 to help mitigate the impact of the global downturn and financial turmoil. Following the Executive Board discussion, Mr. Murilo Portugal, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, issued the following statement: “The global economic crisis has had a significant adverse impact on Grenada. 

Economic activity slowed, reflecting sharply weaker tourism receipts and FDI-financed construction, resulting in a deterioration of the fiscal situation. In addition, the collapse of the Trinidad and Tobago-based CL Financial Group has increased financial uncertainty and can have fiscal implications. The authorities are continuing to focus on coping with the impact of the external shocks, while laying the foundation for fiscal consolidation and growth over the medium term. 

The new IMF arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility will support the authorities’ efforts to continue with their economic reform program. “The authorities have taken appropriate actions to improve expenditure control and ensure timely debt service payments. They are adopting a three-year rolling budget with explicit annual targets on the public debt-to-GDP ratio. 

To help safeguard debt sustainability, it is important to base the decision on the possible external loan to build a luxury hotel on an objective assessment of the project’s returns, availability of concessional financing, and majority private sector participation. “The banking sector has remained resilient, and the authorities have made important progress in strengthening the capacity for nonbank financial supervision and regulation, including the enactment of the new Insurance Act. They are working closely with regional governments to contain the fallout from the collapse of the CL Financial Group. “Progress has been made with structural reforms, including introduction of a valued added tax in February 2010. The completion of a Country Poverty Assessment will serve as a basis for preparing a new Poverty Reduction Strategy,” Mr. Portugal said. 

ANNEX 

Recent Developments 

Grenada’s economic activity contracted significantly in 2009, reflecting a decline in tourist arrivals and a collapse in foreign direct investment (FDI)-financed construction activity, which on a year-on-year basis fell 13 percent and 52 percent, respectively. Tightening financial conditions and increasing unemployment also undermined domestic demand. 

However, a slower decline in both stay-over arrivals and FDI-financed construction in the last quarter of 2009 suggests that the economy is bottoming out. The current account deficit is estimated to have narrowed by more than 10 percentage points of GDP, as a sharp reduction in imports more than offset lower tourism receipts. 

In an effort to ameliorate the impact of the crisis, the authorities expanded public spending by accelerating the execution of donor-financed capital projects and overrunning current expenditure, resulting in an expansionary fiscal stance in 2009. The public debt-to-GDP ratio increased by more than 20 percentage points to 122 percent by the end of the year, with about 8 percentage points due to lower GDP. 

Although the banking sector has resisted well the effects of the crisis, maintaining strong capital adequacy ratios (15.9 percent as of December, 2009) well above the minimum required ratio of 8 percent, commercial banks’ portfolio has deteriorated. Reflecting the weak economy, the ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans worsened to 5.9 percent in December 2009 from 3.5 percent one year earlier. The main financial sector challenge for the authorities is to address the problems created by the collapse of the Trinidad and Tobago-based CL Financial Group and its potential fiscal implications. 

Program summary 

In the 2010 Budget Statement the government reaffirmed its commitment to continue its comprehensive medium-term economic reform program with strategic objectives to ensure fiscal and debt sustainability, reduce vulnerabilities in the financial sector, generate high and sustained growth through structural reforms that will support private sector-led growth, and reduce poverty. The fiscal framework for 2010 calls for a significant adjustment, given both the available financing and the high debt level; the primary deficit excluding grants is expected to improve from 7.9 percent of GDP in 2009 to 3.6 percent in 2010. 

Although the fiscal adjustment is large, it remains achievable by limiting growth in the wage bill and capital spending, reducing spending on goods and services, and improving commitment control. Over the medium term the program targets a primary surplus excluding grants in the range of 2-2.5 percent of GDP, which would enable the debt-to-GDP ratio to decline gradually to the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) target of 60% by 2020. 

For reducing vulnerabilities in the financial sector the authorities are continuing their effort to strengthen nonbank regulation to avoid repeating the experience with the CL Financial Group, comply with the internationally agreed standard for the exchange of tax information, and strengthen the framework for Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism. 

With respect to generating high and sustained growth and reduce poverty, the government underscores the need to diversify the sources of growth, by reducing the dependence on tourism and encouraging private sector-led growth in areas such as health and education services, energy development, agro-processing, and information and communication technology. 

The authorities are committed to continue implementing structural reforms for improving the business and investment climate in favor of stronger private sector participation. The fiscal framework under the program allows for spending aimed at reducing poverty to support the authorities social development agenda. 

Based on a recent report by the World Bank, UNICEF, and UNFEM on Grenada, which underscored the need to strengthen and rationalize existing social programs, the government intends to implement several measures, including the consolidation of major cash transfer programs.

Grenadian Dad pays tribute to "adventurous" son who died on holiday in Walthamstow

by Mhairi Macfarlane – Waltham Forest News

THURSDAY April 1, 2010 - A FATHER has paid tribute to his "adventurous" son who died after being found bleeding to death in Walthamstow.

Elvin Francis, 59, said his 26-year-old son, Kelvin, was on a one-month holiday in London when he died after being found outside the Captain Fish & Chip shop in Walthamstow, on March 7.

A man was subsequently charged with his murder and is due to appear in court in June.

Speaking from the family home in Grenada in the Caribbean, the father-of-five said: “We are trying to cope but it is not very easy. We are taking it step by step, one day at a time."

The construction worker said his son, who was a driver, was an outgoing and adventurous young man who had been to London before and wanted to travel.

He said: “He was a very outgoing person, energetic, friendly and courteous. He was a person that everyone liked.

"He was an admirable person. He was very close to his brothers and sisters and they miss him terribly. It is a great loss.”

Mr Francis said his wife heard an announcement on the radio that the couple needed to contact the criminal investigation unit in Grenada, and then found out the terrible news that their son had died.

Mr Francis said: “From that moment it has been a terrible shock. I cannot find the words to express how I felt at that moment.”

David Kazim, 23, of no fixed abode, has been charged with the murder of Kelvin Francis and has been remanded in custody.

Lisa Donegan, 21, of Lordship Lane, Wood Green, is accused of perverting the cause of justice.

Both have been remanded until June 18, when they are due to enter a plea at the Old Bailey.

Anyone with information about the killing on March 7, should call police on 8345 1570.

UK government could introduce visa requirement for Dominica and St. Lucia

Thursday April 1, 2010 - The British government has announced that it is considering introducing a visa requirement for visitors from Dominica and St. Lucia. 

In a statement to Parliament this week, the Labour government said the review was being undertaken as a result of the findings of a visa waiver test on seven countries in the Eastern Caribbean. 

The test determined the risk that citizens of those countries potentially posed to the UK in terms of illegal immigration, crime and security, to help decide where visitors visas may be required. The countries are Dominica, St Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis and St Vincent and the Grenadines. 

Home Secretary Allan Johnson said the results of the test showed a strong case for introducing visa regimes for Dominica and St Lucia - though no details of shortcomings were released. 

He said Britain will now work with the two nations to ensure that they take action to address the UK's concerns during a six-month mitigation period, which started on Monday. 

No final decision will be taken until that period ends. Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis and St Vincent and the Grenadines will retain their visa-free status for now. 

Among former British colonies in Caricom, nationals of Jamaica and Guyana currently require visas to enter Britain. 

Last year, Trinidad and Tobago was kept visa-free after passing the six-month test period that followed London's first global review of who needs a visa to visit the UK.