Jamaica says it won’t default
Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, has fended off suggestions that the island might default on its debt repayments.
Jamaica has seen its credit-worthiness downgraded further by at least two major credit ratings agencies as a result of a worsening economy and vital negotiations with the International Monetary Fund dragging on for months.
However, Prime Minister Golding has promised that despite its economic crisis Jamaica will be able to service its debts.
Manning supports non-Commonwealth leaders
Prime Minister Patrick Manning has said this week’s Commonwealth Heads of Government summit in Trinidad can play a historic role in helping major world powers come up with a global agreement on climate change.
Some analysts have expressed fears that other Caribbean issues could be sidelined at the Commonwealth summit, which is to be attended by major leaders of non-Commonwealth countries who are interested in pushing their climate change agenda.
The French President, the Danish Prime Minister and the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, are expected in Trinidad to woo support for their stance on climate change ahead of next month UN climate change summit in Copenhagen, Denmark.
However Prime Minister Manning has said the presence of leaders such as France’s Nicolas Sarkozy will raise the profile of this week’s Commonwealth summit.
St Vincent ready for constitutional vote
St Vincent and the Grenadines Electoral Commission says it is prepared to extend polling stations opening times to ensure all voters get the chance to have their say in today’s historic constitutional referendum.
More than 98,000 people are eligible to vote in the referendum and a high turn is expected.
225 polling stations will be open from 7 am to 5 pm with results expected by midnight tonight.
Among the key issues voters are being asked to vote is whether the country should ditch the Queen in favour of Republican status.
