Caribbean Report 12-02-1993
The EC plan for new banana import controls from Europe in July seems in danger of being unraveled. The Dutch presented a proposal for increased Latin American quotas annually, while reducing tariffs and the EC Agricultural Council resumed its work resulting in ministers being increasingly divided. Luis Davalos is interviewed on his thoughts on the matter. Correspondents Shada Islam and John Wade reports. The Caribbean is now regarded as the world’s prime cruise sector. Graham Todd of the EIU comments on the Caribbean cruise sector - higher cruise passenger tax issue controversy – correspondent Yvette Rowe reports. The Dutch government will take over the handling of the island of St. Maarten. The Dutch government described the island as a centre of corruption of drug smuggling – “crime racked and unruly,” and aims to make the islands of St. Maarten, Saber and St. Eustatius a province of the Kingdom of the Netherlands – correspondent Eddie Williams reports. HIV infected Haitians continue their hunger strike in Guantanamo bay in Cuba, despite President Clinton’s decision to lift the ban on people infected with AIDS traveling to the US - Cheryl Little speaks to correspondent Yvette Rowe on the issue. Trade Unions in Trinidad and Tobago were protesting their dissatisfaction over talks with the government, and are threatening to shut down public utilities if the government persists with its retrenchment plan.