KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer - Politics in the twin state of Trinidad and Tobago has always been a carnival of strong personalities such as Messrs Uriah Butler, C L R James, George Padmore, Stokeley Camichael, Basdeo Panday and Dr Eric Williams. The democratic process has experienced some unusual events, including two attempted coups. The first in 1970 after black power demonstrations, and as recently as 1990 when members of the Jamaat al Muslimeen, led by Abu Bakr, captured Parliament and held the Government captive for six days before being granted amnesty.

KINGSTOWN, St, Vincent, CMC - Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace has written to Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves asking him to lobby his Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to intervene in the ongoing political situation in St. Kitts and Nevis.

“This state of affairs is patently unacceptable,” Eustace said in his letter to Prime Minister Gonsalves.

Opposition legislators in St. Kitts-Nevis have been calling on the Parliament to debate a motion of no confidence in the government of Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas.

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, CMC – The St. Vincent and the Grenadines government Monday said it was concerned that farmers were abandoning their field even as the authorities continue with their efforts aimed at eradicating the Black Stigatoka disease which has severely affected banana farms on the island.

Agriculture Minister Saboto Caesar said that while “Operation Cutback” will continue and that the authorities will, over the next five days, begin the third aerial cycle for the year, some farms were being abandoned.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – President Donald Ramotar is calling for the implementation of the standard of practice that has been developed for the teaching procession which outlines the academic and professional benchmarks for educators within the Caribbean.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Caribbean teachers are meeting here on Monday amidst a call for the region to produce educators that would help establish a competent workforce to help the Caribbean deal with a changing global environment.

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary General Irwin la Rocque told the 36th biennial Conferences of the Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT), said that the 15-member regional grouping “needs a workforce that is healthy, competent, and literate with strong basic skills and which can adapt to a rapidly changing labour market and technological world”.