Dr Kenny Anthony is upset – why, he says because the present government is shaming the people of St.Lucia in international forums. Government signed a letter sent to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki – Moon requesting recognition for Taiwan as a genuine representative of the Chinese people. Former Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony says the letter is out of place because such a decision is beyond the scope of the UN Secretary General.
The Former Prime Minister says such action on international matters indicates that the government

of the day does not know the UN system. Dr Anthony says such action by the government brings shame to St.Lucians regionally and internationally. The Former Prime Minister also expressed suspicion on why the Stephenson King government signed what he called a ridiculous and astonishing letter. Dr Anthony alleges the government signed the letter at the behest of Taiwanese Ambassador Tom Chou. The UN Secretary General Ban Ki –Moon rejected the petition to recognize Taiwan. This was the second time in less than a year the United Nations rejected such a request on behalf of the Taiwanese government.

Government press secretary – Jeff Jedee – says the comments made by Dr Kenny Anthony in relation to the relationship between Taiwan and China demonstrates his ignorance of the history between the two countries. Fedee is responding to an assumption made by the leader of the opposition that a change of government in Taiwan could signal a change in its relationship with the mainland. Fedee says the odds of that happening are slim to none, since the newly elected KMT is the party that broke away from mainland china to form Taiwan.

Fedee is also questioning Dr Anthony’s continued support for china in light of its recent troubles with Tibet. He questions how the opposition could continue to support a party that demonstrates what he says is scant regard for its people. Saint Lucia resumed its diplomatic relationship with Taiwan last year. The original agreement between both countries was signed between the sir John Compton led UWP and the KMT – the newly elected government.

The police officer charged with the buggery of a young boy and gross indecency is out on bail. The officer was released Tuesday morning after his bail was reduced by fifty percent. Originally, bail had been set at 20 thousand dollars. However, the 29-year-old police officer appeared before magistrate Velon John Wednesday where the bail was reduced to ten thousand dollars. The officer is said to have raped a 14-year-old boy while he was being held in protective care at the police station.

Under the criminal code, section 133, a person convicted of forcible buggery can be sentenced up to life in prison for the offense. Consensual buggery between two men can land offenders in prison for a maximum of ten years and attempted buggery carries a maximum penalty of five years. The police officer is now on suspension pending the outcome of the case.

The deadline for filing income tax returns for the last financial year is Monday March 31st. The Inland Revenue Department is already reporting increased traffic from people trying to meet that deadline. The Assistant Comptroller at that Department – Sylvester Dixon – says the Department currently has no plans for an extension. There are a number of ways the forms can be filled including with assistance from Inland Revenue officers. Like in previous years, they are stationed at the main offices of the Department as well as at various other locations including Post Offices. The Department has also gone hi-tech – offering web users the chance to fill the form on-line.

The documents needed to complete the tax form include statements of premiums paid to private medical and life insurance. Private shareholders as well as Credit Union members must also provide statements of shares. The Inland Revenue Department is located in the Financial Centre on the Castries Waterfront. The tax year to be filed is January to December 2007.

Tourism minister Allen Chastanet is in Barbados promoting the idea of a fast ferry service. Speaking in Bridgetown, Chastanet says regional governments stand to get better returns from investing in that kind of transportation service instead of being too heavily involved in the air travel business. He suggested that fast ferries would relieve much of the burden currently being shouldered by regional carrier LIAT and will benefit tourism and commerce. LIAT chief executive officer mark Darby has conceded that many people might welcome the introduction of fast ferries.

But he says there are limitations where connecting traffic is concerned. The idea of the fast ferry service is one of the initiatives put forth by the tourism minister to combat the high cost of inter regional travel. He has also proposed a single air space similar to the one used during the cricket world cup.

A number of students from the St Aloysius RC Boys are getting their hands dirty for part of their Easter vacation. The painting of the mural was the idea of school teacher Thelma Lorde. Lorde says the art project is a requirement in her Bachelors Degree Programme at the University of the West Indies. The school teacher says the mural depicts important areas of the school life. The young boys are the top ten artists in an internal art competition designed to select the painters of the mural. Lorde says the exercise brought out a high level of enthusiasm among the students. For some of the young

painters it is a worthwhile exercise and for others a chance to work with an accomplished artiste like Luigi St. Omer. St. Omer who has taught young people the art of painting for twenty three years says he recognized some special talents among the young painters. He expressed dismay that the structures available to support growth of aspiring artists like these were nonexistent. The painting is expected to be completed by Friday. The art project received the support from Harris Paints who supplied all the painting materials.

Breaking music news - St. Lucian artiste Shayne Ross is about to make a big splash on BET J. Black Entertainment Television will air the music video for Ross’s, “take you home.” Already – that music video has aired on tempo and made an appearance in the top 5 of that station’s cross Caribbean countdown. Ross won three awards at the recently held Saint Lucia Music awards including best music video for “take you home.”

The video will be aired on bet j at 11am and 8pm on March 29th and April 5th and 12th. Ross also performed at the inaugural Saint Lucia music award, as well as joined other winners who met with visiting record labels and representatives from stations like BET J. The award organizers – Accela marketing – credit these types of opportunities for his appearance.

relief to the senior citizens from the heat experienced during the summer. A total of seventeen fans were donated to the home.