SLBC Chairman Eustace Monrose says there appears to be a different agenda on the part of the Agriculturists’ Association President in releasing the statement. Monrose says the President of the Association – Cuthbert Phillips whose name appears on the release is a shareholder of the Corporation and would have received audited financial statements from the SLBC. Monrose says one would have to reference a schedule attached to the document which shows the reconciled position as of December 2002 of money received from WIBDECO.

Monrose says the 3.6 million referenced in Phillip’s statement was paid in twenty-four equal monthly payments. He says two million dollars of that amount was committed to RBTT for a loan. The SLBC Chairman says prudent financial management has allowed the Corporation to be almost debt free. He says a loan of just under three million dollars from the Bank of St. Lucia has been paid off. Also, dividends were paid to the government and some plowed back into the company.

This is just another chapter in a long saga involving the Windward Island Banana Development and Exporting Company and the SLBC. Recently, WIBDECO said it would stop buying fruit from the SLBC and ordered the company dissolved. The Corporation, which owns 20 percent of WIBDECO, is fighting that move.

interrogations and protecting witness. Francois says law enforcers chiefs agreed that there is a need to develop a mechanism to ensure that witnesses are secured better. The Assistant Commissioner of Police says a regional approach will augur well for the Caribbean’s fight against crime. However, he says St.Lucia can learn from the lessons of other Caribbean islands regarding crime. The recommendations by the Police Commissioners and Military Chiefs are expected to be considered by regional heads when they meet to discuss the issue of crime and its effect on the Caribbean. That meeting will take place in Trinidad in early April.

The two teenagers are pretty lucky to be alive today. Seventeen year old Shem Cherry of Assou- Canal Corinth was reportedly walking home with Christian Jean around 8PM on Sunday when they were the victims of a drive by. Seventeen year old Cherry was shot in the abdomen and thigh – Jean was shot in the right leg. The mother of the youngest victim Fidelity Cherry recalls that a white jeep with tinted windows pulled up to the teenagers when someone opened fire. The teenagers are currently at the Victoria Hospital in stable condition. This is not the first time Cherry has been a victim of such violence.

The past student of the Castries Comprehensive School was previously attacked and chopped with a cutlass on the school premises. Today, his mom says her son has a troubled past. Cherry says recently her son was in a heated argument. The mother appeared saddened by the recent attack on her son - it almost seemed like she had run out of hope for him. Her only recollection of his troubled past was that he was the victim.

No one has been arrested in connection with this latest shooting. Police investigations into the matter are continue.

Questions were asked following victory for the then opposition KMT in Taiwanese Parliamentary elections earlier this year. The Taiwanese President would later sign a memorandum of understanding with Saint Lucia during his state visit here last month. This despite his subsequent resignation following that loss. The Taiwanese Ambassador – Tom Chou - says the Politics of Saint Lucia and Taiwan differ in that diplomats like him serve government and not Party. Chou says there should be no changes to the existing relationship between Taiwan and Saint Lucia. And if there are – he expects these changes .

to be positive because Saint Lucia originally established ties with Taiwan under a KMT government Tom Chou has faced relentless pressure from Opposition Leader Dr Kenny Anthony who wants his recall from Saint Lucia. Following Parliamentary victory for the KMT, the Opposition predicted a new closeness between Taiwan and China – one they predicted would have negative consequences for Saint Lucia. Chou says nothing has changed in relation to Taiwan, China and Saint Lucia. The new Taiwanese President will be sworn in on May 20th.

The President was confident the idea would get the backing of government ahead of Thursday’s meeting. However, Guard says lawmen were informed that discussions on the development of a Secretariat are beyond the prevue of the government’s negotiators. The Lawmen are looking forward to follow up meetings with government negotiators despite their disappointment with the initial session.

However the Vice President of the Police Welfare Association sees things differently. Constable Delvin Mathurin says the first meeting went as planned despite indications that the results were letdowns. The Police Welfare Association is scheduled to meet with the government negotiators on April 24th to begin negotiations and again on May 22nd. The government’s negotiating team is headed by Jacinta St. Helene. Also on that team are Dr. Rufina Frederick, Issac Anthony and Brian Louisy.

The president of the Caribbean bloc of the international commission for the prevention of alcohol and drug abuse was on St. Lucia Tuesday. Victor Roache was here to promote the upcoming national association of drug court professionals training conference in May. That conference will bring together professionals that are part of teams that work in courts.

Roache is encouraged that regional leader are trying to tackle the crime problem head-on. He is also advocating the use of breathalyzer testing by law enforcement personnel. Internationally, breathalyzers are used as a basis to determining blood alcohol levels. Roache also credits the ICPA for negotiating a smoke free world cup 2007.

Millet mother - Diane Joseph - says she did not know how she was going to pay for uniforms for her son and daughter. Both children – students of the millet infant school - on Tuesday received a gift of these uniforms and a hamper. Her son received the donation on behalf of him and his sister. These gifts were donated by the Digicel sports and social club. Hampers were given to students from a number of schools as part of continuing activities in observance of Digicel’s 5th anniversary in Saint Lucia. Meanwhile – this lucky customer walked away with a prize Tuesday morning when she walked in to Digicel’s main branch at Massade.

A local entertainment company is doing something different. Vibez alive is putting on a party but half of the proceeds will go to charity. Janique Delmar says the idea for the charity fete came from her home. Delmar says she was used to see her parents involved in charity events regularly and decided to donate to the children’s home in Ciceron.

Delmar says the charity aspect of the party will not take away from the fun of it. She says it will add to the aura. The organizers are using all available avenues to collect stuff for the children. People who forget to bring something for charity can buy groceries at the venue. The 50-50 party will be held at spinners this Saturday.