It happened this week in 1993

Sunday, April 4

n Bill Clinton extended US$1.6 billion in new United States aid for Russian reforms and lavished praise on Boris Yeltsin as his ally in a new democratic partnership between the United States and Russia. At the end of a two-day summit between the presidents, Yeltsin professed himself "fully satisfied" with the aid and the summit with his friend 'Bill' and proclaimed that Russia, right now, has no alternative to himself as a democratic champion. Those things said, the two men embraced in a Russian-style bear hug and parted company, Yeltsin returning to the perils of home, where hardliners nearly impeach him exactly one week ago, and Clinton, Washington.

Monday, April 5

n Hotelier Gordon 'Butch' Stewart won the 1993 Gleaner Honour Award "for his efforts to further contribute to increased foreign exchange earnings for his country". Described as a visionary, Stewart was selected from 63 persons who were nominated by members of the public, who were invited to participate in recognising and rewarding individuals or collective organisational initiative, accomplishment and courage during 1992. The award was announced at The Gleaner Honour Award Banquet at the Wyndham Hotel.

n Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) members of parliament threaten to boycott all sittings of Parliament except those required to retain their seats, and the Opposition will not name any senators to the Upper Chamber. According to JLP leader Edward Seaga, that is if two conditions are not met. These are: The establishment of a high-level commission of enquiry into the 1993 general election headed by Chief Justice Edward Zacca and comprising two other persons of "high political integrity". The JLP also wanted to be consulted on the appointments of the remaining members of the commission, and to have an input in designing its terms of reference. Second, the scrapping of the Police Services Commission, to be replaced by a new commission that is selected impartially, and which has wider powers of administration and decision making, with the minister having no control except in matters of policy.

Tuesday, April 6

n Prime Minister P.J. Patterson scoffed at Opposition Leader Edward Seaga's threat to boycott sittings of Parliament if certain conditions were not met. "This boycott reflects a determination by the leader of the Opposition to continue a politics of confrontation. Indeed, it seems to be part of his calculated strategy for his own political survival." Patterson shot down Seaga's call for a high-level commission of enquiry, headed by Chief Justice Edward Zacca, into the 1993 general election. He said there is no justification for any commission of enquiry, and that it would be improper to invite the chief justice to preside over such a body.

n A 17-member Cabinet was named by Prime Minister P.J. Patterson as the new Peoples' National Party administration began to take shape following victory at the polls. Appointment of a deputy prime minister and establishment of a new ministry - Water and Transport - were features of the announcements. Former Mining and Energy Minister Horace Clarke was appointed minister of water and transport. Patterson said the new ministry was established because water and transport woes were two of the most serious issues facing the country and required serious attention. Economist and director general of the Planning Institute of Jamaica, Dr Omar Davies, was appointed minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister.

Wednesday, April 7

n Fifteen Cabinet members and a deputy prime minister were sworn into office in a ceremony held at King's House. Portia Simpson, minister-designate for the Ministry of Labour and Welfare, was absent due to illness. The King's House ballroom overflowed with family and friends of the ministers. Governor General Sir Howard Cooke administered the Oaths of Allegiance and the Oaths of Office, beginning with the senatorial

appointments.

Thursday, April 8

n The New Beginning Movement (NBM) proposed that the Electoral Advisory Committee be scrapped and replaced by a Community Coalition, comprised of various interest and civic groups in the society. Convenor of the movement, Richard 'Dickie' Crawford, said that the committee should be scrapped because its limitations and weaknesses had been exposed in the conduct of the recent general election. Crawford said the NBM is prepared to lead the way in forming the Community Coalition of the Church, media, private sector, community organisations, civic groups and service clubs across the islands.

n Heavily armed gunmen robbed three Guardsman security guards of more than $3 million in cash and cheques along Half-Way Tree Road, St Andrew. The money belonged to several business places in the Corporate Area. Reports were that the guards travelling in a Subaru motor car were collecting lodgements from various business places to take to the bank. They collected a lodgement on Half-Way Tree Road and, on leaving the premises, were forced to stop by a car followed by two other cars. About seven heavily armed men alighted from the cars, ordered the guards out of their vehicle, leaving the money and their weapons. Some of the gunmen boarded the security guards' car and sped away. The car was later found abandoned in Kencot.

n Opera star Marian Anderson, who sang to kings and presidents in a 60-year career that broke the racial barriers of the opera world, died after suffering a stroke. "Anderson died a peaceful death in her Portland home," said her nephew, James Anderson DePreist, director of the Portland Symphony, who was at her side when she died of congestive heart failure brought on by a stroke. She was 96 years old.