Caribbean Report 28-01-2003

1. Headlines (00:31) ; 2. The European Union must scale back attempts to push three European tax havens to exchange information on offshore bank accounts. The OECD's insistence that Caribbean offshore centers open up their financial systems come into question. Louise Mitchell, St. Vincent’s Deputy Offshore Finance Inspector says the playing field must be level for Caribbean countries. Bertram Niles reports (00:32-03:33) ; 3. Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of National Security denies any evidence of an Islamic group planning chemical bomb attacks if there is war with Iraq. Minister Howard Chin Lee says this is another questionable story by reporter Darryl Heeralal. Meanwhile, Britain's travel advisory about possible terrorist attacks in Trinidad and Tobago is said to be unjustified. Bertram Niles reports (03:34-05:17) ; 4. In Dominica, a series of threats forces the authorities to protect the island’s water supplies. Reginald Austrie, Dominica’s Minister for Communications, Works and Housing briefs the media. Meanwhile the leaders of the three political parties have issued a joint statement in the presence of the Republic’s President condemning the threat (05:18-07:30) ; 5. In Barbados, a small pressure group expresses its opposition to a US led war against Iraq. The trade union arm of the Clement Payne Movement orchestrates a protest outside the US Embassy. David Comissiong, President of the Movement expresses mistrust of the US motive for the impending war. However, Morgan Job, a former Government Minister of Trinidad and Tobago says that the initiative ought to be supported by the Caribbean. Ken Richards reports (07:31-09:52) ; 6. An Australian travel advisory on Guyana is put out because of the escalation in crime. The Australian Cricket Board is seeking assurances for the safety of its players during the Guyana leg of the Caribbean tour. Chetram Singh, President of the Guyana Cricket Board shares his insights on the crime situation with the BBC (09:53-12:46) ; 7. Members of the Netherlands Antilles Coast ...