Haiti
In the aftermath of Haiti’s civil war fare, suspicions theories about the U.S. true motives run rapid. President Astride who departed from his country on Feb 29, and currently exiled in the Central African Republic maintains that he is still President of Haiti and that he was abducted by the United States and forced to leave against his will. There are others who have voiced the same suspicion, such as the former foreign minister of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines. In light of these accusations, Secretary of State Colin Powell again denied that Washington forced out Aristide, saying U.S. troops only saved his life. In efforts to rebuild the poverty stricken country. Gerald Latorue was named Prime Minister and with the help of U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan they both hope to commit to Haiti for the long haul.

Antigua & Barbuda
Following this month’s elections, newly inaugurated Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer congratulated the people of Antigua &Barbuda for their votes and support. In an interview he stated if it were not for them his United Progressive Party (UPP) could have never won such an incredible landslide victory over former Prime Minister Lester Bird and his Antigua Labour Party (ALP), who have been in power for 27 years. Spencer later
Added amid victory celebrations, it was time to unite and re-build their beautiful country.

Barbados
BRITISH Midland Airways Limited (BMI), the United Kingdom’s second largest full service scheduled airlines recently started booking major business for the Barbados market. The airline’s CEO Austin Reid announced that as of March the company would be launching direct flights between Manchester and Barbados, Antigua and St. Lucia in November, and in April between Manchester and Toronto. Reid hopes the new business will rejuvenate BMI’s published figures, which showed a loss of 19.6 million in 2002. The new service will make the company the first airline ever to offer three different classes of travel from Manchester to Barbados. Now passengers don’t have to travel to London just to get Caribbean services.

Jamaica
The recent suspension of the shipment of arms to private and commercial entities in Jamaica is being seen as retaliatory against Prime Minister PJ Patterson’s embrace of former Haitian President Aristide. This development comes after the Ministry of National Security received a letter from the U.S. State Department, which states the reasons for the ban, albeit temporary, was to stop the illegal movement of arms from the US to the Island. Minister of national security Peter Phillips responded by saying he’s not sure about the rumors, but for some time now the U.S. has had plans to review the policy governing the movement of arms to the region.

Trinidad
Anonymous calls to the San Fernando CID and the Marabella Police Station threatening Grenade attacks, has prompted unprecedented efforts to protect both locations. Barriers were erected, Sentry Guards with self-loading rifle put in place and Guards with SLRS, all made for an ironclad security detail. It is believed that the threats were made in reaction to last month’s killing of the alleged gunrunner Gasaparillo, who was known to trade in guns and grenades.

Prepared and submitted by:
Andrea Daley
Steve Demorin (Intern)
Caribbean Media Marketing