Caribbean and Brazilian leaders in Brasilia for the Summit.

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, APRIL 28TH 2010 (CUOPM) – The inaugural Caribbean Community (CARICOM) – Brazil summit ended in Brasilia, Brazil on Monday, with the Caribbean expressing confidence that the meeting provided  an opportunity for productive discussions on issues of mutual interest to both sides and improve their relations.

“While the close ties between CARICOM and Brazil have been established for a number of years, this inaugural meeting is historic and timely,” said Dominica’s Prime Minister Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, the present Chairman of the 15-member regional grouping.

Mr. Skerrit made reference to efforts by Brazil and CARICOM in the past to improve their trade and economic relations, saying that the region was heartened by the confirmation that Brazil was prepared to proceed with flexibility and generosity and that a united, CARICOM and Brazil could build a new economic and commercial geography.

“This inaugural meeting is a tangible expression of that intent and commitment to establish such a partnership and to further existing cooperation initiatives,” Skerrit said, adding that CARICOM is also committed to deepening the regional integration system.

“As such, we welcome the initiative of Brazil to carve out a space for Heads of State and Government of Latin America and the Caribbean (CALC) to dialogue,” he said, recalling the 2008 meeting whose objectives “were to strengthen regional integration and to institute effective commitment for joint action; to promote the sustainable development of the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean.”

The Dominica leader said the region was now looking forward to the third CALC summit in 2011.

Prime Minister Skerritt said CARICOM also welcomed Brazil’s commitment to deepening relations through the establishment of embassies in 14 Caribbean and assisting in the efforts to curb the rise in HIV/AIDS in the region.

He said that the summit would end with a CARICOM-Brazil Technical Cooperation Agreement addressing 16 areas of cooperation, including agriculture, health, tourism and transportation.

The two sides will also sign Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Technical Cooperation highlighting five priority areas.

Skerrit said he was also pleased that the summit would devote attention to the plight of Haiti following the devastation caused by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake on January 12.

“My colleague Heads of Government and I are most appreciative at the quantum of assistance that your country has generously provided to  Haiti in its hour of distress and profound need,” Skerrit said, noting that Brazil has displayed exceptional leadership since 2004 by providing support to the development of Haiti through the UN Stabilisation Force in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

The CARICOM Chairman also welcomed the opening of the Takutu River Bridge connecting Guyana to Brazil saying he had no doubt that this “physical link will expand economic benefits to the CARICOM region.

“This bridge will help make available a trade route which will further the efforts of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) which is intended to provide the springboard to facilitate CARICOM’s integration into the hemispheric and global environment through more competitive production, thereby enhancing our trade relations.

“In this regard, some member states have started to formalize their trading relationships with Brazil. Guyana has signed a partial scope agreement. St. Kitts and Nevis has expressed interest in becoming part of that agreement,” Skerrit added.

The Dominican prime minister said that the recent global financial and economic crisis has negatively impacted small vulnerable economies, such as those of CARICOM and that the various fiscal measures taken by regional governments to ensure sustainable growth were daily examples of the extent to which the Caribbean has been affected.

“As such, we are resolute in our call for reform within international financial institutions which determine international financial policies that all countries, regardless of their level of development, must follow,” Skerrit said, adding that the region was appealing “to our development partners, such as Brazil, to assist us by supporting our efforts to influence policy-making through adequate representation in the traditional international financial institutions.

“It is only through these efforts that we can ensure that the concerns of small vulnerable economies like ours will be taken on board during the policy making discussions at such institutions.”

Climate change matters were also be discussed during the summit here.

WASHINGTON, CMC – A study done on behalf of the Organization of American States (OAS) shows that drug treatment courts contribute significantly to the rehabilitation of drug addicted offenders as well as a reduction in the costs of incarceration.

The study by the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) of the OAS and a research team from American University in Washington, DC, was conducted in 12 countries including Bermuda, Jamaica and Suriname.

“This study is important because until now we had no real idea of what was going on, no way for countries to network with each other or see what common issues they had in their courts and how to address them,” said Caroline S. Cooper, Research Professor and Associate Director of the Justice Programs Office at the School of Public Affairs of American University.

“We hope the publication of this first-ever compendium of experiences with drug courts in 12 different countries will encourage other countries to consider the feasibility and desirability of establishing drug courts,” said Anna Chisman, Head of Demand Reduction for the CICAD.

The OAS said that the report is a first-ever publication of the experiences and results of this type of court, and has as an objective to promote cooperation, the exchange of information and best practices among the member states of the OAS and other countries.
The CICAD study titled, “Establishing Drug Treatment Courts: Strategies, Experiences and Preliminary Outcomes,” is based on a survey of drug treatment courts in the 12 countries including Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, United Kingdom, Ireland, Mexico, Norway and the United States.

“ The objective of drug treatment courts is to offer offenders who are addicted to drugs a structured program of treatment and rehabilitation as an alternative to incarceration,” the OAS said, adding that among the  study’s most relevant results are that drug treatment courts have helped reduce local crime and that there has been a “significant reduction in recidivism among drug dependent offenders involved in drug treatment court programmes”.

The study also found that drug treatment courts have lowered the costs for incarceration and participants in drug treatment programmes were getting immediate help to control their addictions.

But the study noted that among the biggest challenges faced by drug treatment courts is obtaining and maintaining adequate resources.

But the OAS said that overall the study presents a positive picture of what drug treatment courts in the countries involved in the study have accomplished in providing drug treatment to local populations and in addressing the social ills and costs of drug abuse and crime.

PRESS RELEASE: Kestrel Liner Agencies has received the United Kingdom’s most prestigious award for business performance. On her birthday (April 21), Queen Elizabeth II, acting on the recommendation of the UK’s prime minister, bestowed the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2010 on the company.

According to the Queen’s Awards Office, “The Award is for Continuous Achievement in International Trade, resulting in substantial overseas earnings with growth and commercial success, (more than doubling of export earnings) sustained over not less than six years, with extremely high export percentages through a robust marketing plan against strong international competition to levels which are outstanding for the services concerned and the size of the applicant’s operations.”

Kestrel chief Andy Thorne was delighted by the news.

Company head Andy Thorne welcomed the recognition of the company’s performance.

“The Awards are only granted to business units that maintain the highest standards of propriety and we feel that the Award echoes all the sentiments that Kestrel values in terms of Quality of Service. I am absolutely thrilled to receive this award on behalf of everyone at Kestrel who has worked so hard to achieve these very high standards,” he said. “To our Suppliers, Principals, Customers and of course The Prime Minister and Her Majesty’s Office thank you for making this momentous occasion possible.”

Kestrel employees celebrate the award on April 21.

Kestrel began as a two-person operation 16 years ago, opening its first office on April 30, 1994. Nearly exactly 16 years on, the company celebrates the Queen’s Award.

Andy Thorne left school at 16 with no qualifications, and his mother lined him up as toolmakers apprentice at Fords.  Absolutely hating the role, he left but never one to let people down he continued to leave the house each day in his overalls, off for “work”, only to spend the day at the nearby job centres.  In the nick of time a job came up that instantly appealed to his love of sailing and geography.  He learnt to sail at young age, courtesy of his step father who had sailed around the world not once, but twice.  Once in each direction.  Andy skippered the yacht “Crazy Horse” into Ostend Harbour at the tender age of 14.   So a job interview at a shipping company dealing with the Caribbean presented an opportunity not to be missed.

He was always guaranteed to do well within shipping, but he rose through the ranks dramatically quickly.  First travelling to the Caribbean just before his 18th birthday to handle ships in Trinidad, Andy Thorne has an innate understanding and love of the islands, and has made his core business the niche market of the Caribbean Islands.

Originally Kestrel offered shipping from the UK.  Now the company offers shipping from anywhere in the world and is able to provide a truly global service, to the Caribbean.  Being flexible and reactive are also hallmarks of Kestrel’s success.

The company is much more than “just a shipping line” offering many other ancillary services and above all else with superlative customer service, and the one on one relationships that Kestrel is renowned for.  Andy Thorne is still hands on in the business to this day and will be found travelling his way across the island and meeting with All customers, no matter how small or large, and no matter how frequently they ship.  This philosophy of truly understanding what the customer needs has driven the success of the company, and enabled the company to grow to its current size.  With agents around the world, and offices in the UK, Miami, Nassau, Curacao and Trinidad, there is more expansion to come and 2010 is proving to be a very exciting year.

One of the most rewarding aspects has been the ability for the company to continue to grow despite the economic down turn and achieving the required amount of growth over the 6 year period shows phenomenal market strength.

The criteria for the award are exceptionally stringent, not just proving the pattern of growth of earnings amounting to commercial success, but all in terms of their international trading strategies and marketing plans.  Being able to succeed in the shipping business in the face of the “mega-carriers” is an achievement indeed.

The values of the company must also be impeccable, and they must show strong and proven customer service, as well ethical values beyond reproach.  Kestrel has done much to have an impact on the Islands, and is heavily involved in aid missions, sponsoring a team in Grenada and the minute the news broke of the tragedy in Haiti the Kestrel team agreed to help all the aid agencies with free logistical support.  Andy said “Working with Samaritans Purse, we sent the first NGO private relief vessel into Port Au Prince, Haiti, after the earthquake.  People said ships could not get in there but we found a way – it is the nature of our business.”    Kestrel used it’s specialist knowledge of shipping and the islands to charter the right vessels to get aid where it was needed most.  Kestrel continues to support this aid effort with regular ships even now.

So whether you are a store importing stock, or a hotel construction project, or simply buying furniture for your home from overseas, there is no better reference than the Royal seal of approval.  Andy also expressed his thanks to all customers for their support, “The success of our business has been due to the wonderful relationships we have with our customers, old and new, big and small.  We feel that understanding our customer’s business and building long term relationships with them, is key to our success, and I personally thank everybody we have worked with over the years for their support”.

The announcement of the Queen’s Award was celebrated in Kestrel’s UK office on April 21. A reception is planned at the Palace of Westminster on May 24, 2010, and then in July , Andrew Thorne will meet the Queen – the final Honour.

The 7th annual National Community Foundation (NCF) Telethon was dubbed a success, with organizers raising $186,000 which surpasses last year’s.

This amount however fell short of the targeted $250,000.

The event which was held on Sunday at Saman’s Park featured various local artistes including Shayne Ross, Qushan Deya, Zianomi, Patsy Cadet and members of TEMPEST.

The annual telethon is the NCF’s biggest fundraiser.

The Foundation’s Executive Director Juliana Alfred said the money raised will be used to assist the most vulnerable in society.

“Whatever we receive it goes a long way in terms of making the lives of the less vulnerable better, and we are grateful for that.”

Ms. Alfred thanked the collaborators and sponsors for making the event a success.

Ms. Alfred said though the telethon is over, the fund raising continues.

Individuals and organizations can help by depositing contributions into the Foundation’s bank accounts.

Former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Matthew Roberts is expressing disappointment in the level of debate which takes place in the House of Assembly.

Prime Minister Stephenson King presented the budget last Monday, followed by three days of debate which began on Wednesday.

Roberts said the budget was extensive and well-presented.

But he says both government and opposition Members Parliament failed to debate it in a fitting manner.

“I am disappointed by the continuous failure of parliamentarians on both sides of the house to take advantage of all of the opportunities provided in the Standing Order to debate the estimates of expenditure and the misguided nature of the debate on these estimates.”

Roberts said certain members of the house confuse the purpose of the budget debate.

He says it is certainly not to attack each other.

“The opposition members use their occasion to counter what the Minister for Finance has presented, and that is not really the intention of the Appropriation Bill because it is an occasion when you have to speak to what is happening in the country generally and the general principles of Government, as the law allows but the opposition uses the occasion to counter attack, if you like and this is not appropriate,” Roberts remarked.

Meanwhile, Government has accused Opposition Leader Dr. Kenny Anthony of denigrating the stature of the House.

A press release from the Office of the Prime Minister issued this morning stated that MP’s on the government side of the House of Assembly and the Saint Lucian public were gripped in shock and disbelief on Friday April 23rd, when Opposition Leader Dr. Kenny Anthony referred to a fellow Parliamentarian as a “Poodle”.

Government Press Secretary Darnley Lebourne says the reference to Parliamentarian Hon. Guy Joseph as a poodle was tantamount to equating the minister to the status of a dog.

Lebourne says this incident underscores an increasingly disturbing trend that reawakens sentiments of the past.

The Saint Lucia Air and Sea ports Authority (SLASPA) has retrieved the Antiguan registered cargo vessel MV Angeln, which submerged near port Vieux Fort.

SLASPA says it has completed the fuel removal process (the incident had resulted in a small oil spillage).

The vessel remained submerged in St. Lucia waters after encountering difficulties on February 21.

Director of Maritime Affairs, Christopher Alexander has issued a warning to the public, despite the removal of the oil on the vessel.

Police were concerned that locals were in possession of a deadly chemical from the ship.

Alexander says the area where the vessel is docked remains a no dive zone.

The senior director corporate services and administration Ben Emmanuel says SLASPA has begun discussions with the vessel owners, now that the wreck removal order has been issued.