Prime Minister – Dr. Kenny Anthony is expected to sign two bi-lateral corporation agreements when he makes an official call on Cuban President – Fidel Castro.  The agreements are in the areas of arts and culture and tourism co-operation between Cuba and St. Lucia.  We caught up with the Prime Minister at the airport this afternoon as he left with a delegation for the Spanish-speaking Caribbean Republic.

Dr. Syls Wilson was charged for the offence of Rape of a 16 -year old girl.  This incident occurred on Thursday the 11th of May 2006. He appeared in court on Monday the 22nd of May 2006, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge. Bail was set in the sum of $3000.00EC, cash and also the sum of $3000.00 EC with suitable surety. He was also asked by the court to surrender all his traveling documents and Identification Card. The matter was adjourned to the 19th of June 2006.

The family of St. Lucia’s ambassador to the United Nations – Julian r. Hunte says they will support him if he decides to re-enter active politics. Hunte is currently considering an invitation to contest the Gros Islet seat, a constituency he has represented in the past.

Former SLP leader and former leader of the opposition – Julian Hunte – says he is considering the request to run in Gros Islet, but has not decided whether he would make himself available for the contest.

The endorsed candidate – Armstrong Alexis backed out from the race recently, citiing a lack of support from top brass of the Labour party. Alexis was not the first to accuse the party of withholding support; former Soufriere MP – Walter Francois made similar accusations when he announced his decision not to seek re-election. But the ambassador’s son – Christopher Hunte – says the family is a political family so a reentry into elective politics by his father is not a stretch. He says, however, that it is not a done deal as some are suggesting.

The younger Hunte says the family will support the UN Ambassador, whatever his decision. He also indicated that his father is well aware of what he is going into. The Prime Minister has confirmed that the party is in discussions with Hunte about running, but says no decision has been made.

The younger Hunte has called on the public to visit his father to let him know how they feel about his possible comeback into active politics.  According to the younger Hunte, this is the only way his father can make an informed decision about running in the upcoming elections.

The newly refurbished Almond Morgan Bay was officially opened last weekend in a gala ceremony attended by tourism executives from around the region and local government officials. Prime Minister – Dr. Kenny Anthony delivered the feature address which focused on capitalizing on a tourism economy that seems poised for development.

The former Wyndham Morgan Bay and St James’ Club hotel was taken over by Almond Resorts last year. The 250 room property has been refurbished and has welcomed guests for a few months now. Almond Resorts Chairman Ralph Taylor says investors are capitalizing on the security of the Caribbean Region. He cites the presence of willing investors and additional airlift as factors leading to the development the region’s tourism product. Taylor also announced the start of construction of 100 additional rooms.

Taylor says St Lucia possesses all the qualities of a country that is poised for success in the tourism industry. He says the island’s natural beauty as well as the customer-oriented attitudes its people have made his role a lot easier.

Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony welcomed Almond resorts to the island and says he is pleased with the fact that it is a Caribbean owned company. He says threats such as rising oil prices are not expected to curtail tourism development on the island. The Prime Minister re-emphasized the role of tourism in the island’s development.
 
Dr. Anthony says St Lucia will benefit from the presence of tourism professionals such as Ralph Taylor who is, among other things, a former Caribbean Hotel Association President.

Agriculture and Education officials from about a dozen countries met here last week for a conference on education for rural people. The conference organized by the Food and Agricultural Organization – FAO, the Government of St. Lucia, UNESCO and the Italian government was to discuss the development of agricultural education in rural communities.

Agriculture Minister – Ignatius Jean says it is important to make agriculture attractive to youth especially with competition from other sectors.

The Agriculture Minister also identified a need for training for people involved in agriculture in light of the decline of that sector.  The FAO’s Senior Sub-regional Officer for Extension Education – Bill Seiders says the rural education project is global initiative by UNESCO to promote education for rural people. The conference ended with representatives developing strategies for promoting rural education. Participants are expected to prepare a communiqué on education for rural people in the Caribbean.