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caribbean roundup KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) – Orrett Bruce Golding officially took over control of the main opposition Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) on Sunday signal-ling a new era in the politics of the opposition party. Golding, who became the party’s third leader in his history, took command at its 62nd annual conference at the National Arena in Kingston, under the watchful eyes of thousands of supporters, many of whom had turned up to see whether former leader Edward Seaga would have rescinded his decision not to attend the convention. Seaga had earlier indicated that he would not be attending the conference and in a statement said he had been disrespected in advertisements an-nouncing the conference. Seaga, who had been at the helm of the JLP for the past 30 years, had contended that the advertisements appeared to have questioned his leadership of the party. But at the conference, supporters clad in the party’s green color, were apparently not daunted by Seaga’s statement and filed into the Arena prepared to welcome Golding and a new era within the JLP. Supporters chanted “Bruce Golding” as he made his way into the Arena at the end of the first half of the meeting. But the event was upstaged by the ap-pearance of Seaga, who made an unexpected entrance, sending the crowd in-to a frenzy. “I said I would not be here, but I could not take the phone calls,” Seaga, when he addressed delegates and supporters amidst shouts of “ Eddie, Eddie” and the ringing of bell, another major symbol of the JLP, said. But he told supporters “This is the last time I will be with you. I am glad to be able to spend these last few moments with you here today. I am glad to be able to say thanks to you for supporting me over the past 30 years.” In the end, Golding and Seaga em-braced each other, with Seaga leaving the convention accompanied by his wife, Carla, under heavy security. In his inaugural address dubbed “getting things right,” Golding outlined his vision for the party, reiterated the JLP’s position on several issues and presented his approach to crucial matters in the society. These included a re-defined role for the Jamaica Defense Force; enhanced forensic capabilities and improved justice system. Golding is now awaiting a by-election in the constituency of West Kingston in a bid to replace Seaga as member parliamentary representative for the area. PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) – Chilean President Ricardo Largos Escobar arrived Trinidad on Monday as part of a whirlwind visit to several Caribbean nations. He was met on arrival at the Piarco International Airport by Prime Minis-ter Patrick Manning and Foreign Min-ister Knowlson Gift. There was tight security for the visit with police and army sharp shooters perched on the roof of nearby buildings, as Escobar inspected a guard of honor and met with members of the diplomatic corps. Escobar, who has already visited Guyana and Barbados held talks with Manning yesterday and met with the press before his departure. Escobar is seeking support for Miquel Insulza, his country’s candidate for the top post within the Or-ganization of American States (OAS). Caribbean countries are divided in their support for the two main challengers for the post, with Insulza the preferred candidate of the more developed countries of the Caribbean, while the sub-regional Organization of East-ern Caribbean States and Mexico are backing Mexico’s Foreign Minister Luis Ernesto Derbez. Former Salvadorian president Fran-cisco Flores, the preferred choice of the US administration has not been able to garner support from the regional states. ST. JOHN’S, Antigua (AP) – Plans for a merger between LIAT and BWIA have been shelved. That’s according to LIAT Chief Executive Officer Garry Cullen. “Certainly this is shelved for the short to medium term. I think the prevailing position in Trinidad & Tobago is they have a major job of work to get done there in completing the restructuring of BWIA. “The Government of Trinidad & Tobago has taken control of the airline and they need to do a lot of restructuring of BWIA, which has to be completed before they can engage themselves in detailed discussions or co-operation with other carriers. And I would imagine the same would apply for Air Jamaica as well.” Cullen is optimistic that once BWIA gets back on its feet “discussions will get underway again. The principle is still there and the main governments involved are still desirous of the airlines of the region working together, particularly airlines (in which) the government may hold majority shareholding.” The idea for one single regional carrier has been pushed more so by St. Vincent & the Grenadine’s Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. BWIA is the largest private shareholder in LIAT. ST GEORGE”S, Grenada (AP) – Grenada hospital officials Monday confirmed reports of a shortage of oxygen for the main hospital on the island, but said the institution could deal with any emergencies. Director of Hospital Services, Stephen Thomas, said the oxygen factory here had been damaged and assistance was being sought from Trinidad & Tobago. “I can tell you that we do have a problem at the hospital being able to supply oxygen to our patients and the problem came about due to the passage of Hurricane Ivan last year.” The government on Monday said a consignment of oxygen had been re-ceived. But general practitioner, Dr David Lambert accused the Keith Mitchell administration of allowing the situation to reach crisis level. “This is not a new situation. The situation has developed since last year June when the government in failing to meet its financial obligations to L&M Investments (local provider of Oxygen) began having difficulties in obtaining oxygen for the hospital.” Dr Lambert said. GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) – Finance Minister Saisnarine Kow-lessar Monday presented a G$86.4 billion budget to the National Assembly that was described by opposition legislators as “disappointing” and skewed towards debt strategy. The package, a 14 percent increase over the 2004 fiscal measure, was presented under the theme “Confronting Challenges-Sustaining Growth and Development.” It projects a surplus on the overall balance of payments, expanded private sector investment and only moderate inflation, the Finance Minister said. Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is projected to expand by 2.2 percent this year, while inflation is pegged at 5.6 percent. Coming off a 1.6 percent economic growth for the last 12 months and reversing the negative trends of previous years, Kowlessar said “the overarching goal in this budget is growth, employment generation (and) maintaining macro-economic stability.”
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