Speech and hearing impaired children who have received cochlear implants free of charge talk in between therapy sessions at the Pradera hospital in Havana, November 23, 2006. The health system built by Cuba's leader Fidel Castro's government has produced results on a par with rich nations using meagre resources of a developing country. The Cuban system is extolled in filmmaker Michael Moore's new documentary "SiCKO," an indictment of U.S. health care for tending more to the profits of insurance and pharmaceutical companies than public health. - Reuters

CASTRIES, St. Lucia (CMC ):

Acting Prime Minister Stephenson King says last week's arrest of Housing Minister Richard Frederick has caused his position in the Cabinet to come under review.

King was speaking on the weekend, after arriving from Washington where he along with other Caribbean Community leaders met with US President George W. Bush.

"It's far too early to say what action would be taken as there is an investigation taking place and the fact that no charges have been laid does suggests that we can't rush ahead and jump to conclusions based on mere suspicions," he said.

However, once the matter has been investigated, "we would need to look at the morals of the whole affair and whether he is suited to retain his job as a Cabinet Minister."

Carib to participate in New York food show

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

More than 100 Caribbean products will be on display at the Summer Fancy Food Show that opens in New York on July 8.

The Barbados-based Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) said that the "Caribbean Pavilion" showcasing authentic regional product will be participating in the three-day show organised by the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASTF).

"The flavour, taste and aroma of Caribbean food and culture will be on display for the three days in the pavilion. A wide array of food will be showcased from the islands of Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago," Caribbean Export said in a statement.

It said over 100 authentic Caribbean products would be on display, and include candy and individual snacks, condiments, conserves, jams, sugar confectionery, seasonings, shelf stable mixes, shelf stable and refrigerated sauces, salsas and dips, sodas, juices, rum and fruit cakes as well as nutmeg jams, jellies and liquor.

Grenada 13 case affecting Appeals Court

ST GEORGE'S, Grenada (CMC):

The Grenada Court of Appeal has cancelled its June sitting because of the ongoing resentencing hearing of former deputy prime minister Bernard Coard and 12 others convicted of murdering the island's first left wing Prime Minister Maurice Bishop in 1983.

In a brief statement, the Registrar of the Court, Robert Branch, said that all matters listed for hearing had now been rescheduled to the sitting of the court in September.

He said that most of the lawyers with matters for the Court of Appeal were representing clients in the resentencing hearing. It would be impossible for them to contribute to both courts.

Meanwhile, the prosecution was scheduled yesterday to continue their submissions before Justice Francis Belle who is presiding over the resentencing hearing that has attracted massive local and regional attention.

Lawyer criticises President in new letter

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

The lawyer representing an opposition legislator who wants President George Maxwell Richards to revoke the suspension of embattled Trinidad and Tobago Chief Justice, Satnarine Sharma, has criticised the head of state, insisting that he was being "disrespectful to the extreme" in suspending the head of the judiciary on the eve of his long and distinguished career.

Attorney Cindy Bhagwandeen in her latest correspondence to President Richards said the Chief Justice had been suspended in politically strange and suspicious circumstances.

She said it was also "disrespectful in the extreme" that Sharma was suspended "knowing full well that the Attorney-General has not yet provided him with any legal funds to secure legal representation".

President Richards had slammed as "disrespectful" the original letter sent to him by Bhagwandeen on behalf of United National Congress MP Chandresh Sharma that called on him to revoke the suspension of the Chief Justice.

Hindu group warns of 'political manoeuvrings'

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

The leading Hindu organisation here, the Maha Sabha has written to members of a tribunal appointed to investigate charges of misconduct against Chief Justice Satnarine Sharma, warning them to beware of political manoeuvrings that may delay the enquiry.

In a letter dated June 22, Maha Sabha general secretary Satnarayan Maharaj called on the tribunal appointed by President George Maxwell Richards to expedite the enquiry.

The letter addressed to Lord Mustill, Dennis Morrison, QC, and Sir Vincent Floissac, Maharaj said the current delay in getting the enquiry started "has raised the question as to whether you have unwittingly become part of a larger political conspiracy to delay the hearing and completion of this enquiry until after the next general election and/or the mandatory retirement of the Chief Justice."

He also told the tribunal members: "I am not unmindful of the fact that you may not even be aware of the fact that your name and reputation are being misused by the government as part of its political vendetta against the Chief Justice."

Jagdeo to deliver lecture in Japan

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC):

President Bharrat Jagdeo will deliver a lecture this week while on a four-day visit to Japan, the state news agency reported on the weekend.

According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), Jagdeo will deliver the lecture on the theme 'Guyana and CARICOM: Promoting Development, Sustaining the Future' at the United Nations University.

Following his lecture, the Russian-trained economist, is expected to field questions from the audience which will include Midori Matsushima, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs; Takeo Shikado, Japanese representative of the IDB; and Japanese Ambassador to Guyana Koichiro Seki.

The lecture is organised jointly by UNU and the Inter-American Developmemnt BAnk (IDB) with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Gov't working to end strike

CASTRIES, St. Lucia (CMC):

Communication and Works Minister Guy Joseph says government is exploring new approaches to resolve a one-week-old strike by workers at the St. Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC).

The minister told CMC Sunday that Cabinet has appointed a special committee to meet separately with workers and management in an attempt to end the dispute.

"Separate meetings with both sides were held on the weekend and the feedback we are getting does suggests that we are finally getting there and we could see a resolution to the dispute during the week," the minister noted.

The close to 150 workers, represented by the Seamen Waterfront and General Workers Trade Union, went on strike last Monday seeking a 19 per cent wage increase over two years. The management is offering five per cent over the period.

Acting PM concedes 'it's a challenging job'

WASHINGTON (CMC):

St. Lucia's Acting Prime Minister Stephenson King says he is thankful that the challenges facing the ruling United Workers Party including the sickness to Prime Minister Sir John Compton, have come at the start of the new term in government.

"We've had a number of crises ... and I must admit that it is happening, probably at a good time, at the beginning of the term of the government," he told the Caribbean Media Corporation.

King has been acting prime minister ever since Sir John suffered a series of strokes and was hospitalised both in New York and in St. Lucia.

The acting Prime Minister has downplayed suggestions that Sir John's ill health is related to the controversy that followed St. Lucia's decision to break diplomatic ties with China in favour of Taiwan after a 10-year period.