Caribbean Update back issues from Saturday, March 1:
U.S. TO END TEXTILE TARIFFS.(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... As the first stage in negotiations to expand free trade throughout the Western Hemisphere, the Bush administration is offering to lift all tariffs on textiles and apparel within five years, reports The New York Times (Feb. 11, 2003). But the administration will refuse to discuss reducing ...
REGIONAL BOND INDEX CREATED.(by Bear Stearns)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Drawing attention to an increasingly important part of emerging market debt, Bear Stearns has created a Central America/Caribbean bond index, which will track US$12.6 billion in debt issued by 10 nations in the region, reports FT Investor (Jan. 28,2003): With much cash in the ...
WAR THREAT AFFECTS TOURISM.
Mar 01, 2003 ... War anxiety, rising fuel costs and a fragile U.S. economy have tempered the outlook for a Caribbean tourism industry wobbling toward recovery during the crucial winter vacation season, industry officials said, reports Reuters (Jan. 31, 2003): Fear that the U.S. could soon be at ...
BANANA GROWERS FEAR SAFEWAY BATTLE.(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Caribbean banana growers have warned the take-over of Safeway could spell disaster for their industry, reports BBC News (Feb. 6, 2003): "What is at stake for us is not simply the sale of a few thousand boxes of bananas, but really the future of the banana industry here in the ...
CHEAPER AIDS DRUGS FOR REGION.(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... The Health Ministers of Central America and five pharmaceutical companies reached a deal that will lower the prices for AIDS medicines in the region by roughly 55%, reports The Tico Times Weekly (Jan. 31-Feb. 6, 2003). "The reduction of prices in Central America is a turning point in the ...
C&W SUFFERS CARIBBEAN SETBACK.(ruling forces Cable & Wireless to carry rivals' mobile calls on its fixed line network, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenada)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Mobile operators in the Caribbean have scored a victory over dominant firm Cable & Wireless after local regulators ruled the British firm would have to carry its rivals mobile calls over its fixed-line network, reports The Financial Times (Feb. 12, 2003). The ruling came after months of ...
OECS PROJECT.
Mar 01, 2003 ... The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States is seeking US$500,000 from the Caribbean Development Bank for Phase II of a Regional Project (TC0212033). The components of the program are being determined. Status: In early ...
CONSOLIDATED BUYS WATER OPERATIONS.(Consolidated Water Co. expands into Barbados and British Virgin Islands, increases presence in Bahamas and Cayman Islands)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Consolidated Water Co. Ltd., which develops and operates seawater conversion plants and water distribution systems in areas of the world where naturally occurring supplies of potable water are scarce or nonexistent, on Feb. 10 announced that it has completed multiple acquisitions that ...
COPA'S GOOD ON-TIME RECORD.(Panama's Copa Airlines achieves 90.54% average on-time performance, 2002)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Panama-based Copa Airlines ranks high among airlines worldwide with a 2002 4th quarter on-time performance record of 91.27%, it was reported Feb. 6. The airline ended the year with an average on-time performance of 90.54%, said Jorge Garcia Icaza, Commercial V.P. Copa recently took ...
BANK SYSTEMS INTEGRATION.(Computer Sciences Corp. (US) gets contract from FirstCaribbean International Bank to upgrade information systems, Caribbean)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Computer Sciences Corp.(based in El Segundo, Calif.) said Feb.13 it has been selected by FirstCaribbean International Bank, a new banking institution formed by the merger of CIBC West Indies Holdings Ltd and Barclays Bank PLC in the Caribbean, to combine and upgrade the bank's information ...
VACATION EXPRESS ADDS FLIGHTS.(nonstop from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Vacation Express is expanding its flight schedule at Baltimore-Washington International Airport by adding nonstop service to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, on Mondays and Fridays, reports The Baltimore Sun (Feb. 10, ...
HOUSTON-ARUBA AIR ROUTE.(Continental Airlines service introduction planned for June 12, 2003)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Continental Airlines on Feb. 12 announced it will begin service between the airline's Houston hub at Bush Intercontinental Airport and Aruba beginning June 12, 2003, ...
RESORT PURCHASE.(Valentines Resort and Marina in Harbour Island purchased by private investors, Bahamas)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Miami builder Tom Murphy, Jr., President of Coastal Construction Group, and architect John R. Nichols, President of Nichols, Brosch & Sandoval, have purchased Valentines Resort and Marina in Harbour Island, a longtime yachting, fishing and scuba diving destination among the "yacht-set," ...
GUARDIAN NOW 100% BAHAMIAN-OWNED.(Nassau Guardian acquired by PanEd Investments Ltd.)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... For the first time in over 30 years The Nassau Guardian became a fully Bahamian-owned newspaper on January 20 when pioneering Florida publisher John H. Perry sold his 60% stake in the company to PanEd Investments Limited. The principals of PanEd include attorneys Colin Callender and ...
FORTIS SELLS BANKING UNIT.(in Bahamas to Bank of Nova Scotia)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Benelux financial services group Fortis said it has sold the trust and private banking business of its MeesPierson unit in the Bahamas to Bank of Nova Scotia for an undisclosed sum, reports Reuters (Feb. 4, 2003). The purchase boosts the presence of Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank) in the ...
WESTIN, SHERATON CHECK-IN TO GRAND BAHAMA.(Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide acquires Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort, Grand Bahamas Island)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... The Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort on Grand Bahama Island officially joined the portfolio of resorts of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. under its Sheraton and Westin flags on Feb. 6. The three distinct areas of the resort complex are now The Westin at Our Lucaya Beach & Golf ...
WIRELESS ACCESS ON FAMILY ISLANDS.(Airspan Networks Inc. to provide wireless DSL services for Bahamas Telecommunications Company Ltd. subscribers)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Airspan Networks, Inc., a provider of fixed broadband wireless DSL networks, announced Feb. 6 that it has been selected by The Bahamas Telecommunications Co. Ltd. (BTC) to provide wireless DSL access to 1,000 subscribers on three Family Islands. Airspan's AS4000 access technology will ...
SCHOOL RENOVATIONS.(Barbados receives loan from Caribbean Development Bank)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Barbados has secured a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank toward the cost of the Education Sector Enhancement Program. Part of the proceeds will be used for the renovation and Refurbishment of secondary schools. Refer to Loan Contract No. 13/OR-BS. Deadline: April 2, 2003. The works ...
WIND FARM.(Barbados Light & Power plans to build electricity generating wind farm)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... The Barbados Light & Power (BL&P) is about to spend nearly Bds$25 million to build an electricity generating wind farm, possibly at Lambert's, St Lucy, reports The Daily Nation (Jan. 29, 2003). Technical services manager, Peter Williams said the BL&P was working on feasibility studies ...
DISTRIBUTOR SHUTS DOWN.(T. Geddes Grant (Barbados) will lay off 125 employees)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... T. Geddes Grant (Barbados) Ltd, one of the island's leading wholesale and retail distributors, will close its doors at the end of April, leaving about 125 employees out of work, reports The Nation (Feb. 13, 2003). The company, a subsidiary of the Trinidad-owned Neal & Massy Group of ...
EDUCATION LOAN ON HOLD.
Mar 01, 2003 ... A US$12.4 million loan request to The World Bank for an Education Sector Improvement project has "has been placed on hold until the fiscal situation improves." ...
BIG BUDGET GAP.(Costa Rica)
Mar 01, 2003 ... The Government registered a budget deficit of US$633.65 million in 2002, one of the largest budget gaps in the nation's history, said the Ministry of Finance, reports The Tico Times Weekly (Jan. 24-30, 2003): The deficit widened almost 50% from the US$422.5 million deficit in ...
COFFEE EXPORTS DECLINE.(January 2003, Costa Rica)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Costa Rica exported 237,859 46-kg bags of coffee in January, a fall of 8% from the 258,628 bags exported in Jan. 2002, the state-run Costa Rica Coffee Institute (Icafe) said, reports Reuters (Feb. 3, 2003). Since the start of the 2002/2003 coffee harvest, which began on Oct. 1, ...
QUALITY RATING ACHIEVED.(Carrington Laboratories Inc. facility in Costa Rica achieves ISO 9001 certification)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Carrington Laboratories, Inc. said on Jan. 28 that its Costa Rica raw materials manufacturing facility has been awarded ISO 9001 certification signifying that it has met stringent international standards for quality. Carrington's Irving, Texas, facility, which processes the raw materials ...
EXILES SHIFTING HARD-LINE POSITION.(on Cuba)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... In a marked shift away from hard-line positions, a majority of Cuban Americans in South Florida say they support dialogue with Cuban Government officials and believe that dissidents on the island are more important than exiles to Cuba's political future, according to two polls released ...
CUBA TO BUY ALABAMA PRODUCTS.(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Cuba's food import company pledged to buy US$10 million in agricultural products from Alabama in a move to revive historic trade ties with the southern state, reports AP (Feb. 10, 2003). Alabama Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley said that Pedro Alvarez of Alimport asked the ...
CASTRO OVERSEES RESORT OPENING.(Hotel Playa Pesquero, Holguin, Cuba)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Betting on tourism to pull Cuba out of its economic slump, President Fidel Castro presided over the opening of the island's largest resort, a sprawling complex of 944 rooms on the northeastern coast where Christopher Columbus landed in 1492, reports AP (Jan. 22, 2003): ...
CITRUS RECOVERING FROM STORM DAMAGE.(status of Cuba's citrus industry)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Cuba said its storm-damaged Jaguey Grande citrus orchard would produce 300,000 tons of mainly oranges in 2002/2003, vs. 500,000 toes of oranges and grapefruit in past harvests, reports Reuters (Feb. 4, 2003). "The challenge to once more produce 500,000 tons is set for the coming harvest, ...
SUGAR PRODUCTION DISAPPOINTS.(2002/2003 harvest forecast at 3 million tons, Cuba)(Brief Article)(Industry Overview)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Cuba said yields were less than expected at the 54 mills producing raw sugar, as the industry strained to make up for a slow start to a harvest it hopes will weigh in at around 3 million tons, reports Reuters (Feb. 4, 2003): The Sugar Ministry planned for around 70 mills to ...
CANADIAN BREWERY PLANNED.(Cuban-Canadian joint venture to build new brewery, Cuba)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Cerveceria Bucanero S.A., a joint venture between the Cuban Government and Canada's Labatt Brewing Co. Ltd., plans to build a 1.5-million hectoliter brewery to keep pace with increasing domestic beer consumption-and to be ready for an onslaught of U.S. brands once the ...
ARGENTINE PROFESSOR DEPORTED.(from Cuba)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... A professor from Argentina who traveled to Cuba on a tourist visa was deported for working as a journalist without Government approval, reports AP (Feb. 13, 2003). Fernando Ruiz, a journalism professor at Austral University in Buenos Aires, was put on a morning flight to Panama, said ...
CHINA-CUBA ACCORDS.(China to provide grant for education, to buy nickel and sugar, and invest in Cuba)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Cuba and China signed an agreement on economic and technical cooperation, under which China provides a US$6 million grant to help with Cuba's education, reports People's Daily Online (Jan. 16, 2003). Chinese Foreign Trade Minister Shi Guangsheng and Cuban Interior Minister Ricardo ...
100 U.S. GROUPS TO ATTEND CONFERENCE.
Mar 01, 2003 ... More than 100 U.S. companies, trade associations and regional government organizations were expected to attend the 2003 U.S.-Cuba Business Conference, held in Cancun, Mexico and Havana February 17-19. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) was scheduled as a keynote speaker. Recent ...
RECORD OIL, GAS OUTPUT FORECAST.(Cuba, 2003)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Cuba's oil and natural gas output will increase 17% this year, reaching the equivalent of a record 34.1 million barrels (93,400 bpd), the president of Cuba's state-run oil monopoly said, reports Reuters (Jan. 13, 2003): Cubapetroleo (Cupet) President Fidel Rivero told the ...
SHERRITT PROPOSES DEBT/EQUITY SWAP.(Sherritt International Corp.)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Sherritt International Corp. is proposing to swap its equity and debt for that of its struggling Cuban subsidiary to head off a cash crunch at the end of March, reports The Toronto Globe & Mail (Jan. 23, 2003). Sherritt Power Corp., in which Sherritt International holds a 49.7% stake, is ...
DEFECTORS BOAT RETURNED TO CUBA.(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... A patrol boat sailed to Key West by four defecting Cuban coast guardsmen has been returned to authorities of the island nation, State Department officials said, reports AP (Feb. 10, 2003). The four Cuban coast guardsmen docked the patrol boat at a Key West resort before dawn, walked into ...
WINE COUNTRY.(Cuba's burgeoning wine industry)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Cuba may be renowned for rum, but that's not stopping joint-venture wineries and self-taught winemakers from eking out a market for homegrown chardonnays and cabernets here, reports The South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Feb. 13, 2003). With vineyards sprouting from the Dominican Republic and ...
INTEREST RATES AT 1% A WEEK!(Dominican Republic interest rates at all-time high)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Headlines in the local press tell of interest rates on loans of less than RD$10 million at 52%, an all-time high, reports DR1 Daily News (Feb. 12, 2003). The latest measures taken by the Monetary Board have placed the nation in an extremely delicate spot, where the cost of living has hit ...
PRIVATE SECTOR INTEREST IN PENSION SYSTEM.(Dominican Republic)
Mar 01, 2003 ... International financial groups such as Spain's BBVA and Dutch group ING plan to enter the Dominican Republic's new private pension system, which was to debut on Feb. 1, reports Business News Americas (Jan. 31, 2003): The new system replaces the old state-funded regime and nine ...
PROTESTS AGAINST PRICE HIKES.(Dominican Republic)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Hundreds of protesters demanded cheaper electricity, food and gas in violent demonstrations that left at least five people injured, reports AP (Feb. 4, 2003). Schools and businesses closed in at least 10 towns in the latest round of protests since President Hipolito Mejia more than ...
POWER COMPANY IMPASSE.(Dominican Republic government offers Cogentrix payment plan)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... The Government has offered Cogentrix of San Pedro de Macoris a partial payment plan that includes a payment of US$24 million within three months as a step towards renegotiating the existing contract, reports DR1 Daily News (Feb. 6, 2003. At the same time, the Government requested that ...
US$4.1 BILLION FROM DUBAI?(foreign investment in Dominican Republic)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Dominican officials are engaged in talks with The Corporation of Ports, Customs, and Free Zones in Dubai in what may become the largest ever single foreign investment in the Dominican Republic, reports DR1 Daily News (Jan. 24, 2003): Danilo del Rosario, director of the Office ...
EIB TO LEND TO LOCAL BANKS.(European Investment Bank lending to commercial banks in Dominican Republic)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... The European Investment Bank (EIB) said it will lend 40 million Euros to commercial banks here. The banks involved are Banco Popular, Baninter, BHD and Bancredito, reports DR1 Daily News (Jan. 24, 2003). The terms will be set for a 12-year period, including a four-year grace period, at ...
BUILDING A CITY FOR THE MILITARY.(Dominican Republic)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... President Hipolito Mejia was present for the initiation of the Proyecto Habitacional Ciudad ISSFA, which will undertake the construction of about 8,000 dwellings for members of the Armed Forces, reports DR1 Daily News (Jan. 27, 2003). The site comprises an area of ...
FTA WITH PANAMA.(Dominican Republic free trade agreement)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Foreign Relations Minister Hugo Tolentino Dipp announced the signing of a free trade agreement with Panama that reactivates an original agreement dating back to 1985, reports DR1 Daily News (Feb. 7, 2003). Panamanian Industry & Commerce Minister Joaquin Jacome Diez ...
GOLD MINE OPTION.(Everton Resources Inc. agreement with GlobeStar Mining Corp.)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Everton Resources Inc. of Vancouver, British Columbia on Feb. 11 announced that it has entered into an option agreement with GlobeStar Mining Corp. to acquire up to a 50% interest in the Bayaguana group of gold exploration properties located in the Dominican Republic. The Bayaguana ...
MINING LAWS NEED CHANGES.(Dominican Republic)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Canadian Ambassador Adam Blackwell told the audience at the "Canada and Dominican Republic: Closer than ever" seminar that certain changes in the mining laws are required to entice serious investments in this area, specifically referring himself to Article 19, reports DR1 Daily News (Feb ....
US$50 MILLION LOAN FOR ASPHALT.(Dominican Republic)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... President Hipolito Mejia said the Government will borrow US$50 million to cover the cost of asphalt needed for the Pan American Games and other public works, reports DR1 Daily News (Jan. 27, 2003). The Dominican Republic normally sources its asphalt from Venezuela, ...
DOMINICAN TUBERS RETURN TO NYC.(Super Products opens Hunts Point, New York, warehouse to handle imports from Dominican Republic produce exporters)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... The opening of a large warehouse operated by Super Products Co. in Hunts Point, New York is making it possible for Dominican produce exporters to attempt to penetrate the ethnic market of New York City, reports Diario Libre (Jan. 27, 2003). For years, this effort has remained in the ...
HOTEL OCCUPANCY UP.(statistics for January 2003, Dominican Republic)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Hotel occupancy averaged 80.8% in January, a sharp increase from Jan. 2002, according to the The National Hotel & Restaurant Association, reports DR1 Daily News (Feb. 13, 2003). The most resilient touristic area is Bavaro-Punta Cana, in the east, with a 92.8% ...
CLOSING BOTTLED WATER PLANTS.(Dominican Republic acts to close 7 plants because of unsafe products)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... The Direccion General de Normas de Calidad (DIGENOR) announced the closing of seven water-bottling plants that do not meet the accepted standards, reports DR1 Daily News (Jan. 16, 2003). The Government department in charge of industrial norms and quality said the water the companies have ...
8.23 MILLION DOMINICANS.(Dominican Republic population statistics from the October 2002 census)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... According to the data provided by the October 2002 nationwide census, the population of the Dominican Republic is 8,230,772, reports DR1 Daily News (Jan. 17, 2003). The numbers show a 16.1% increase from the 1993 poll results. The ...
PROGRESO ACQUIRES CIRCUITO CORPORAN.(Dominican Republic)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... The Progreso financial group announced its acquisition of the Corporan Circuit, reports DR1 Daily News (Jan. 17, 2003). The process began last September when Progreso announced its plan to acquire the media company. The deal was finalized on Dec. 12. The Corporan media network runs three ...
ORGANIC CACAO EXPORTS.(Dominican Republic)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Dominican cacao exports continued to gain market value in 2002, reports Diario Libre (Jan. 20, 2003). The country exported 5.3 million kilos, valued at US$9.9 million -- three times more than the year before. Isidoro de la Rosa, president of the Confederacion de Cacaocultores Dominicanos ...
REMITTANCES DISTRIBUTION.
Mar 01, 2003 ... The Dominican Republic is seeking US$2 million from the Inter-American Development Bank for Strengthening Distribution Channels for ...
COURT BANS PEPSI IMPORTS.(El Salvador Supreme Court temporarily blocks Pepsi imports)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... There was a little less joy for Pepsi drinkers in El Salvador as the Supreme Court ordered customs officials to temporarily block imports of the soft drink, reports AP (Jan. 30, 2003). The order came in response to a dispute between bottlers in El Salvador and Guatemala. Embotelladora La ...
EARTHQUAKE, HEALTH SERVICES PROJECT.(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... El Salvador has received a US$142.6 million loan from the World Bank (Prestamo N[ordinal indicator, masculine] 7084-ES) for the Earthquake Emergency Reconstruction and Health Services Extension Project. The funds will be used to procure works, services and consultants, including: ...
SECONDARY EDUCATION PROJECT.(in El Salvador)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... El Salvador has received a US$58 million loan from the World Bank for a Secondary Education Project (Prestamo N[degrees] 4224-ES). The funds will be used to procure gods, contracts works, and hire consultants. Deadline not specified. Details: Unidad de Adquisiciones y Contrataciones ...
FINANCE SECTOR SUPPORT.(El Salvador received technical cooperation financing from Inter-American Development Bank for Finance Sector Support Program)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... El Salvador has received technical cooperation financing from the Inter-American Development Bank for a Finance Sector Support Program (ATN-MT/6400-ES). The objective is to improve the stability and solvency of the financial sector by means of institutional strengthening. Consultants will ...
EDUCATION REFORM PROJECT.(World Bank loans El Salvador $88 mil for Education Reform Project)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... El Salvador has received a US$88 million loan from the World Bank (N[degrees] 4320-ES) for an Education Reform Project. Part of the funds will be used for procurement of goods and services, including training, curriculum development and other consulting services. Deadline not specified ....
COMPUTER EQUIPMENT.(Federation of Workers Credit Unions and Banks)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... The Federation of Workers Credit Unions and Banks (FEDECREDITO) has obtained a technical assistance credit from the Inter-American Development Bank (Cooperacion Tecnica ATN/ME-7359-ES) For a Support Program. Part of the funds will be used to procure software and/or communications computer ...
MERLET JOINS AAPN.(Industries Merlet joining American Apparel Producers Network)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Industries Merlet of El Salvador is joining the AAPNetwork (American Apparel Producers Network). The company has nearly 2,000 people doing mostly full package with a percentage still CMT. Industrias Merlet S.A. de C.V. started operations in El Salvador in 1979 as a lady's underwear ...
MINING UPDATE.(Pacific Rim Mining Corp.)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Pacific Rim Mining Corp. based in Vancouver, B.C., said Jan. 27 that drilling has begun on the La Calera Project, located 20 kilometers from the Company's El Dorado project along improved gravel/paved roads. The La Calera project "hosts outcropping epithermal veins that contain bonanza ...
IMF EMERGENCY AID.(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... The International Monetary Fund has approved US$4 million in emergency assistance for Grenada as the island nation recovers from Tropical Storm Lili, reports VOA News (Jan. 28, 2003). The storm ravaged the island last September, causing widespread damage to infrastructure, agriculture and ...
CUBAN AID FOR HOSPITAL.(Grenada)(Brief Article)
Mar 01, 2003 ... Grenada has opened a 270-bed hospital that will allow patients to undergo complicated operations, such as double bypass surgery, previously unavailable on the island, reports AP (Jan. 31, 2003). The seaside hospital was built with aid from the Cuban government. Prime Minister Keith ...