Antigua and Barbuda Overview Country Overview Antiguans claim to have a different beach for every day of the year and their island’s many beautiful soft, sandy beaches and coves certainly constitute its main attraction. Low-lying and volcanic in origin, Antigua and Barbuda form part of the Leeward Islands group in the northeast Caribbean. Barbuda lies 40km (25 miles) north of Antigua and is an unspoiled natural haven for wild deer and exotic birds. The beaches are excellent with coastal waters rich with all types of crustaceans and tropical fish. The most popular resorts have hotels located either on beaches or close by, where you can cool down with a local drink such as ice-cold fruit juice or, should you prefer something stronger, Antiguan-produced red or white rum. Restaurants and bars can be found in the main tourist areas. Steel bands, combos and limbo dancers travel round hotels, performing nightly during the winter season (November to April). General Information Area: Antigua: 280 sq km (108 sq miles); Barbuda: 161 sq km (62 sq miles); Redonda: 1.6 sq km (0.6 sq miles). Total: 441.6 sq km (170.5 sq miles). Population: 69,866 (official estimate 1998). Population Density: 158.1 per sq km. Capital: St John’s. Population: 22,342 (1991). GEOGRAPHY: Antigua & Barbuda comprises three islands; Antigua, Barbuda and Redonda. Low-lying and volcanic in origin, they are part of the Leeward Islands group in the northeast Caribbean. Antigua’s coastline curves into a multitude of coves and harbours (they were once volcanic craters) and there are more than 365 beaches of fine white sand, fringed with palms. The island’s highest point is Boggy Peak (402m, 1318ft); its capital is St John’s. Barbuda lies 40km (25 miles) north of Antigua and is an unspoiled natural haven for wild deer and exotic birds. Its 8km-long (5-mile) beach is reputed to be amongst the most beautiful in the world. The island’s village capital, Codrington, was named after the Gloucestershire family that once leased Barbuda from the British Crown for the price of ‘one fat pig per year if asked for’. There are excellent beaches and the ruins of some of the earliest plantations in the West Indies. The coastal waters are rich with all types of crustaceans and tropical fish. Redonda, smallest in the group, is little more than an uninhabited rocky islet. It lies 40km (25 miles) southwest of Antigua. Government: Constitutional monarchy. Gained internal full independence in 1981. Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor-General Sir James Carlisle since 1993. Head of Government: Prime Minister Lester Bird since 1994. Language: English is the official language. English patois is widely spoken. Religion: Anglican, Methodist, Moravian, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Baptist, Seventh Day Adventist and others. Time: GMT - 4. Electricity: 220/110 volts AC, 60Hz. American-style two-pin plugs. Some hotels also have outlets for 240 volts AC; in this case European-style, two-pin plugs are used. Telephone IDD is available to all numbers. Country code: 1 268. Outgoing international code: 011. Mobile telephone GSM 900/1900 and TDMA networks. Network providers include APUA and Cable & Wireless Caribbean Cellular (website: www.caribcell.com). Roaming agreements exist. Unregistered roaming is available – visitors with TDMA handsets can make calls without registering, provided they can give a credit card number. Fax Services are widely available. Many hotels have fax facilities. Internet ISPs include Cable & Wireless (website: www.cwantigua.com). Facilities are available at the offices of Cable & Wireless in Long Street, St John’s. Telegram Facilities are offered by Cable & Wireless (West Indies). Post Poste Restante service is available at the post office in St John’s. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1300-1600. Press Some newspapers have political or governmental associations. All are in English. The main newspaper is The Daily Observer. The Outlet is published weekly and the Antigua Sun twice a week. BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice): MHz 15.19 12.10 6.195 5.975 Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov): MHz 13.79 9.455 6.130 5.995 Passport/Visa   Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required? British Yes No Yes Australian Yes No Yes Canadian Yes No Yes USA Yes No Yes OtherEU Yes No Yes Japanese Yes No Yes PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least six months beyond period of stay required by all. VISAS: Required by all except the following for stays of up to six months: (a) nationals of countries referred to in the chart above; (b) citizens of Commonwealth countries (except nationals of Bangladesh, Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, India, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sierra Leone and Sri Lanka who do require a visa); (c) nationals of Albania, Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, CIS, Estonia, Hungary, Korea (Rep), Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Norway, Peru, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Surinam, Switzerland, Turkey and Venezuela; (d) transit passengers continuing their journey within 24 hours by the same or next connecting aircraft provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport. Types of visa and cost: Single-entry: £24. Multiple-entry: £28. Validity: Single-entry: three months from date of issue. Multiple-entry: six months from date of issue. Business visitors can stay as long as their business takes. Application to: Consulate (or Consular Section at Embassy or High Commission); see Contact Addresses section. Application requirements: (a) One completed application form. (b) One passport-size photo. (c) Passport valid for at least six months. (d) Fee (payable by postal order, international money order or cash only), with an additional £4 for postal applications. (e) Letter from travel agent giving details of dates of entry and exit and accommodation on the islands. (f) For business visits, proof of sufficient funds, confirmation of accommodation and onward/return ticket. Working days required: Three to five. Temporary residence: Applications should be sent to the Commissioner of Police, PO Box 132, Police Headquarters, American Road, St John’s (tel: 462 0360; fax: 462 0954). However, it is advisable to enquire first at the Embassy or High Commission. Money Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of EC$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of EC$1, and 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. US currency is accepted almost everywhere. Note: The EC Dollar is tied to the US Dollar. Currency exchange: Although the EC Dollar is tied to the US Dollar, exchange rates will vary at different exchange establishments. There are international banks in St John’s, and US Dollars and Sterling can be exchanged at hotels and in the larger shops. Credit & debit cards: Diners Club, Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted. Check with your credit and debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. Travellers cheques: Can be exchanged at international banks, hotels and the larger stores. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars. Currency restrictions: There are no limits on the import and export of local and foreign currency, provided declared on arrrival. Exchange rate indicators The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the EC Dollar against Sterling and the US Dollar: Date May ’02 Aug ’02 Nov ’02 Feb ’03 £1.00= 3.93 4.12 4.27 4.30 $1.00= 2.70 2.70 2.70 2.70 Banking hours: Mon-Thurs 0800-1300 and 1500-1700; Fri 0800-1200 and 1500-1700 (some banks open until midday on Saturday). Duty Free The following items may be taken into Antigua and Barbuda without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g (8oz) of tobacco; 1.137l of wine or spirits. Prohibited items: Weapons and narcotics. Public Holidays Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Apr 18 Good Friday. Apr 21 Easter Monday. May 5 Labour Day. Jun 9 Whit Monday. Jun 14 Queen’s Birthday Celebrations. Jul 7 Caricom Day. Aug 4-5 Carnival. Oct 7 Merchant Holiday. Nov 1 Independence Day. Dec 25-26 Christmas. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Apr 9 Good Friday. Apr 12 Easter Monday. May 3 Labour Day. May 31 Whit Monday. Jun 12 Queen’s Birthday Celebrations. Jul 5 Caricom Day. Aug 2-3 Carnival. Oct 7 Merchant Holiday. Nov 1 Independence Day. Dec 25-26 Christmas. Health   Special Precautions Certificate Required Yellow Fever No 1 Cholera No No Typhoid and Polio 2 N/A Malaria No N/A 1: A yellow fever certificate is required from travellers aged one year or over arriving within six days from infected areas. 2: Vaccination against typhoid is advised. Food & drink: Mains water is normally chlorinated, and whilst relatively safe may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat. Other risks: Hepatitis A and dengue fever may occur. Diphtheria, tuberculosis and hepatitis B vaccinations are sometimes recommended. Health care: Health insurance is strongly recommended as medical treatment is expensive. There are several GPs on the island as well as one hospital and one private clinic. Recompression chambers are on nearby Saba and St Thomas (travel by air ambulance). Travel - International AIR: Antigua & Barbuda is served by several scheduled international airlines, including Air Canada, Air 2000, American Airlines, British Airways, BWIA and Virgin Atlantic. LIAT (Leeward Islands Air Transport), Caribbean Star (8B) and BWIA provide scheduled passenger flights from Antigua to over 20 destinations in the Caribbean. Subsidiary companies of LIAT (Four Island Air Services Ltd and Inter Island Air Services Ltd) run flights within the Leeward Islands. Approximate flight times: From St John’s to London is 7 hours 30 minutes, to Los Angeles is 9 hours and to New York is 3 hours 30 minutes. International airports: VC Bird International (ANU), formerly Coolidge International, is 8km (5 miles) northeast of St John’s. The airport provides access to major international centres, such as London, New York, Miami, Frankfurt/M, Toronto and Montréal, with feeder services to all the Eastern Caribbean islands, the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Taxi services run to the town and hotels. Facilities include full outgoing duty-free shopping (alcohol, perfume, straw items, T-shirts, souvenirs and handicrafts), restaurant (0600-2200), bar (0600-2200), car hire and currency exchange (Mon-Fri 0900-1500, Sat 1330-1930). Departure tax: EC$50 or US$20. EC$35 for nationals of CARICOM countries. EC$25 for nationals of Antigua and Barbuda. Children under 16 are exempt. SEA: St John’s has a deep-sea harbour served by cruise liners from the USA, Puerto Rico, the UK, Europe and South America. Fly-cruises from London are available with Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Cunard, Costa, Royal Olympic and Princess Cruises. Many smaller ships sail to other Caribbean islands. Travel - Internal AIR: A small airstrip at Codrington on Barbuda is equipped to handle light aircraft. Carib Aviation operates scheduled flights between Antigua and Barbuda. SEA: Local boats are available for excursions. ROAD: There are nearly 1000km (600 miles) of roads in the country, most of which are all-weather. Driving is on the left. The speed limit outside towns is 88kph (55mph). Bus: The bus network is small, the buses infrequent. Taxi: Available everywhere with standardised rates. US Dollars are more readily accepted by taxi drivers. Car hire: This can be organised from your home country but is easy to do on arrival. There are several reputable car hire companies on Antigua (some of which also hire out mopeds and bicycles). Hire rates are for the day and there is no mileage charge. Documentation: Local driver’s permit is necessary. This can be obtained for a small fee (approximately US$12) from police stations on presentation of a valid national driving licence. TRAVEL TIMES: The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from St John’s to other major towns, resorts or centres in Antigua.   Road VC Bird (airport) 0.10 Dickenson Bay 0.10 English Harbour 0.35 St James’s 0.35 Royal Antiguan 0.15 Half Moon Bay 0.30 Long Bay 0.35 Jolly Beach 0.20 Shirley Heights 0.35 Accommodation Accommodation must be booked well in advance during Tennis Weeks, Antigua Sailing Week and Carnival (see Special Events in the Social Profile section). No special accommodation facilities exist for students and young travellers and there are no official campsites in Antigua or Barbuda. Sleeping and living on the beaches is not permitted. HOTELS: Hotel rates are considerably cheaper in the summer months (May to November). A government tax of 8.5 per cent is added to hotel bills, plus a service charge of ten per cent. The majority of hotels are members of the Antigua Hotels and Tourist Association, PO Box 454, Island House, Newgate Street, St John’s (tel: 462 0374 or 463 3703; fax: 463 3702; e-mail: ahta@candw.ag; website: www.antiguahotels.org). Grading: There is no official grading system but there is a wide choice of hotels available ranging from deluxe to standard. A full list of hotels and guest-houses, with rates, is available from the tourist office and at VC Bird International Airport in Antigua. Antigua: Most of the larger hotels have rooms with either full air-conditioning or with fans and provide a choice of meal plans. The more luxurious establishments offer a large variety of watersports, tennis and evening entertainment. Guest-houses, much cheaper than the hotels, provide basic but clean accommodation, sometimes with meals. Self-catering accommodation is available for the budget vacationer. Barbuda: Accommodation on Barbuda is more limited but does include three major resort hotels and a number of guest-houses. Antigua Antiguans claim to have a different beach for every day of the year and their island’s many beautiful soft, sandy beaches and coves certainly constitute its main attraction. The most popular resorts have hotels located either on beaches or close by, many of them taking their names from the beaches. However, for the more energetic, there is plenty to see and do away from the beaches. The island is rich in colourful bird and insect life; off-shore, beneath the waters of the Caribbean, are splendid tropical fish and coral and there are several sites of historic interest. An excursion to Great Bird Island can be made from Dickenson Bay. Many hotels offer excursions in glass-bottomed boats for a leisurely view of the reef. A restored pirate ship sails around the island and takes passengers for day or evening trips; food, unlimited drink and entertainment are included. Nelson’s Dockyard in English Harbour is one of the safest landlocked harbours in the world. It was used by Admirals Nelson, Rodney and Hood as a safe base for the British Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. Clarence House, overlooking Nelson’s dockyard, was once the home of the Duke of Clarence, later King William IV. It is now the Governor General’s summer residence and is periodically open to visitors. Dow’s Hill Interpretation Centre provides visitors with a good overview of the island’s history including information on the early Amerindians and the impact of slavery on Antigua’s culture and economy. Shirley Heights and Fort James are two examples of the efforts made by the British to fortify the colony during the 18th century. Shirley Heights was named after General Shirley, later Governor of the Leeward Islands in 1781. One of the main buildings, known as the Block House, was erected as a stronghold in the event of a siege by General Matthew in 1787. Close by is the cemetery, containing an obelisk commemorating the soldiers of the 54th Regiment. St John’s Cathedral appears on postcards and in almost all visitors’ photographs. The church was originally built in 1683, but was replaced by a stone building in 1745. An earthquake destroyed it almost a century later and in 1845 the cornerstone of the present Anglican cathedral was laid. The figures of St John the Baptist and St John the Divine, erected at the south gate, were supposedly taken from one of Napoleon’s ships and brought to the island by a British man-of-war. The Market is in the west of St John’s and makes a lively and colourful excursion, especially on busy Saturday mornings. Indian Town, one of Antigua’s national parks, is at the northeastern point of the island. Breakers roaring in with the full force of the Atlantic behind them have carved Devil’s Bridge and have created blow-holes with foaming surf. A lake now monopolises the countryside in the centre of Antigua. The result of the Potworks Dam, it is Antigua’s largest artificial lake, with a capacity of one thousand million gallons. Fig Tree Drive is a scenic route through the lush tropical hills and picturesque fishing villages along the southwest coast. Taxis will take visitors on a round trip. At Greencastle Hill there are megaliths said to have been erected for the worship of the Sun God and Moon Goddess. Parham, in the east of the island, is notable for its octagonal church, built in the mid-18th century, which still retains some stucco work. Barbuda & Redonda BARBUDA: Less developed than Antigua, Barbuda has a wilder, more spontaneous beauty. Deserted beaches and a heavily wooded interior abounding in birdlife, wild pigs and fallow deer are the main attractions of this unspoilt island. A visit to Codrington, the main village, makes an interesting excursion: the settlement is on the edge of a lagoon and the inhabitants rely largely on the sea for their existence. REDONDA: This uninhabited rocky islet, lying about 56km (35 miles) northeast of Antigua, was once an important source of phosphates and guano (the remains of some of the mining buildings can still be seen), but for more than a century its chief claim to fame has been its association with a fairly harmless brand of English eccentricity. In 1865, Redonda was ‘claimed’ by Matthew Shiell as a kingdom for his son, Philippe. King Philippe I’s ‘successor’, the poet John Gawsworth, appointed many leading literary figures of his day as dukes and duchesses of his kingdom; the lucky peers included JB Priestley, Dylan Thomas and Rebecca West. The current king lives in Sussex, but his subjects are not likely to produce any great works of fiction as they are all either goats, lizards or seabirds. The island is also well known amongst birdwatchers for its small population of burrowing owls, a bird now extinct on Antigua. Sport & Activities Watersports: Most resort hotels offer facilities for a range of watersports. Equipment for snorkelling and scuba diving is cheap and easy to hire and most hotels also hire out windsurfing boards. The coastal waters offer a good selection of coral reefs and there are more than 365 beaches, all of them open to the public and suitable for swimming. Most of the larger hotels provide water-skiing and sunfish sailboating facilities. Antigua has excellent facilities for sailing and is famous for its international sailing regatta held once a year during April or May. Smaller regattas are held throughout the year, in particular a two-day event at the Jolly Harbour Yacht Club starting on Valentine’s Day, a Cruise Race in July, and a two-day regatta in November. An annual Model Boat Race Competition is held in April. The less adventurous may wish to hire a dinghy and find their own secluded cove or sheltered beach and anchor for a day of peace and quiet. There is year-round deep-sea fishing for wahoo, kingfish, mackerel, dorado, tuna and barracuda. Yachts of all sizes can be chartered and an annual sportfishing tournament is held at the end of April to early May. Spear fishing is prohibited. Crab-racing: A sport for the very lazy, crab-racing is staged in certain bars once or twice a week. A punter may win enough to pay for the next round of drinks, but stakes are moderate and the crabs are unlikely to make anyone a millionaire. Golf: There are two first-class golf courses: the spectacular 18-hole golf course at Cedar Valley and Jolly Harbour. Daily, weekly and monthly memberships at Cedar Valley also include tennis privileges. Other: The national game is cricket, which is played to the highest international standard. In Viv Richards, Antigua produced one of the finest cricketers the game has ever seen. January is the official start of the cricket season, as well as the beginning of the Netball and Volleyball seasons. There are also many lawn tennis courts and the International Tennis Weeks in January (men) and April (women) attract numerous professionals, some of whom stay for extended periods to train for the international tennis circuit. Horseriding can be organised through hotels and there is a well-equipped riding club with competition facilities of an international standard. There is horseracing at Cassada Gardens. The annual football season runs from September through to February. Social Profile Food & Drink: Casual wear is accepted in all bars and restaurants. There are no licensing restrictions, but excessive consumption of alcohol is frowned upon and further service will be refused. Antigua’s gastronomic speciality is lobster, with red snapper and occasionally other fish running a close second when available. Larger hotels offer a wide selection of imported meats, vegetables, fruits and cheeses. Local specialities include barbecued free-range chicken, roast suckling pig, pilaffs, curries, mushrooms and saltfish. Imported wines and spirits are available as well as imported sodas and local fruit drinks. Local drinks include ice-cold fruit juice, coconut milk, Antiguan-produced dark and light rums (Cavalier), rum punches, and beer from Antigua (Wadadli), Barbados (Banks) and Jamaica (Red Stripe). There is an 8.5 per cent government tax on most restaurant bills. Nightlife: There is a wide choice of restaurants and bars around main tourist areas. Steel bands, combos and limbo dancers travel around hotels, performing nightly during the high season (November to April). There are five casinos on the island and two nightclubs/discotheques. Some hotels have their own discotheques. Shopping: Uniquely Antiguan purchases include straw goods, pottery, batik and silk-screen printed fabrics, and jewellery incorporating semi-precious Antiguan stones. English bone china and crystal and French perfumes, watches and table linens are all available at very attractive prices. Heritage Quay Complex is a shopping and entertainment complex with 40 duty-free shops, a theatre, restaurants and a casino and supper club. It forms part of the newest development in central St John’s. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0800-1200 and 1300-1700, although some shops and chemists do not close for lunch; some shops close at noon on Thursday. Special Events: For a full list of special events, contact the Antigua Department of Tourism or the Antigua and Barbuda Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of events celebrated annually in Antigua and Barbuda: Apr Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta. Apr/May International Sailing Week (sailing regatta including yacht-racing, the sunfish regatta and gala beach parties). Jul/Aug Mid-Summer Carnival (ten-day festival). Oct/Nov Heritage Day; National Warri Festival (Antigua’s national board game). Social Conventions: Dress is informal unless formal dress is specifically requested. It is not acceptable to wear scanty clothing or beachwear in towns or villages. Relatives and good friends generally embrace. Friends tend to drop by unannounced, but an invitation is necessary for acquaintances or business associates. Although gifts will generally be well received, they are normally only given on celebratory occasions. Flowers are appropriate for dinner parties; bring a bottle only when specifically requested. Smoking is accepted in most public places. Tipping: Ten per cent is included on hotel bills for staff gratuities, plus an 8.5 per cent government tax. Taxi drivers expect ten per cent of the fare, and dockside and airport porters expect US$0.50-1.00 per bag. Business Profile Economy: Antigua was one of the first Caribbean islands to actively encourage tourism, beginning in the late 1960s; the late 1980s brought another phase of major development. Tourism and financial services are now the main components of the service sector which accounts for over three-quarters of the Antiguan economy. Both have suffered problems in recent years – tourism because of repeated hurricanes, finance because of questionable associations with money-laundering operations. For instance, In June 2000, Antigua was identified by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as one of 35 ‘tax havens’ whose financial laws are considered inadequate. It has until 2005 to tighten its regime or face sanctions. Fears of an over-reliance on tourism and finance have led the Government to try and diversify the economy into manufacturing, agriculture and fisheries. Local agriculture and fisheries have been promoted to reduce dependency on imported food: a range of fruit and vegetables is now produced and many fish farms have been established. There are numerous light industries producing clothing, paper, furniture and household appliances. A final source of revenue for the Government is the rent on two US military bases. Antigua & Barbuda has large trade and balance of payments deficits and relies heavily on foreign aid. The country’s main trading partners are the USA, the UK and Canada, and countries within the CARICOM Caribbean trading bloc, of which Antigua & Barbuda is a member. Business: A lightweight suit, a long- or short-sleeved shirt and a tie are suitable for most business visits. Handshaking is the normal greeting for acquaintances and for formal introductions. Calling cards are expected from people who do not live on the islands. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1300-1630. Government office hours: Mon-Thurs 0800-1630, Fri 0800-1500. Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Antigua and Barbuda Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ltd, PO Box 774, Corner of Popeshead Street and North Street, St John’s, Antigua (tel: 462 0743; fax: 462 4575; e-mail: chamcom@candw.ag). Conferences/Conventions: Around ten per cent of the members of the Antigua Hotels & Tourist Association (see Accommodation section for details) offer meeting facilities. Information is available direct from the Tourist Office. The following organisation can also offer advice: Alexander Parrish (Antigua) Ltd, PO Box 45, Travel Department, Redcliffe Street, St John’s (tel: 462 0638; fax: 462 4457; e-mail: apal@candw.ag). Climate The islands enjoy a very pleasant tropical climate which remains warm and relatively dry throughout the year. Required clothing: Lightweight cottons or linen, with rainwear needed from September to December. History and Government History: The most important settlers were the Arawak Indians, who arrived in the first century AD. Many prehistoric sites have been identified and excavated. Europeans had no knowledge of the island’s existence until the second voyage of Christopher Columbus to the West Indies in 1493. Without landing, Columbus named the island Santa Maria de la Antigua. Barbuda, whose association with Antigua dates back to the time of Codrington, was annexed to the territory in 1860. The small island of Redonda became part of Antigua in 1872. During the 20th century, economic problems contributed to the growth of an independence movement and internal autonomy was achieved in February 1967 when Antigua, Barbuda and Redonda became an Associated State. In 1981, the country became fully independent as Antigua and Barbuda. Vere C Bird and his Antiguan Labour Party (ALP) have long dominated Antiguan politics. Except for a brief spell in opposition in the 1970s, Bird held power continuously from 1946 – first as Chief Minister, later as Prime Minister – until 1994. He was then replaced by his son, Lester, after the ALP won the March 1994 poll (albeit with a sharply reduced majority). Lester Bird retained the post at the most recent poll, held in March 1999, at which the ALP recovered some of the ground lost five years previously and now holds 12 of the House of Representatives’ 17 seats. The ALP leadership has been dogged for some years by allegations of associations with Latin American drug-traffickers and allowing the country’s newly developed financial services industry to take in illicit funds (Vere C Bird’s other son, Vere Bird Jr, was declared unfit for office by a 1990 judicial inquiry). However, the issue has become less important in recent years as the debate over future economic development of the islands has assumed greater prominence. Abroad, the Government enjoys close relations with the USA and with most of its neighbours through membership of the Organisation of East Caribbean States (OECS) and CARICOM. Government: Antigua and Barbuda is a constitutional monarchy, with the British Sovereign as Head of State. The Prime Minister advises on the appointment of the Governor General, who represents the Sovereign. Parliament has supreme legislative power and comprises the Senate, with 17 appointed members, and the House of Representatives, with 17 members directly elected from single-member constituencies. The judiciary is fully autonomous, and Antigua and Barbuda shares it with five other Eastern Caribbean states. Barbuda has its own local council with wide-ranging powers. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.