The interim board of the Saint Lucia Banana Corporation was locked out of the Corporation premises on Thursday as it attempted to hold its first board meeting.

The interim board was elected at a stormy shareholders meeting on Sunday, but the ousted board led by Eustace Monrose claims that it is the legitimate one.

Thursday's development is the latest in the ongoing battle to control the SLBC.

The lawyer representing the interim board, Lydia Faisal had some harsh words for the Monrose faction, criticising them as people who are trying to hold on to power and avoid the inevitable.

Grenadian cops to vote

Grenadians will get a relief from the bombardment of political party media advertisements when the police vote on Friday ahead of next Tuesday's general election.

Electoral officials have warned against campaigning on Friday, when the country's security forces are scheduled to cast their ballots.

	Keith Mitchell's NNP is seeking a fourth term in office but is being challenged by the opposition NDC

Meanwhile, the watchdog body the Committee of Civil Society Organisation says it has been receiving complaints about breaches of the political code of conduct that the organisation helped fashion.

Minor breaches are said to include the removal or destruction of posters and banners and the defacing of walls and public property.

More serious allegations include claims that some party supporters' vehicle tyres were being slashed to threats of physical violence.

US "missing" soldiers in hiding

The mothers of two US soldiers who disappeared from military installations on the US mainland have confirmed that they are hiding in Puerto Rico.

However, the two women say their sons should be left alone and have asked Puerto Rican police to stop searching for them.

The mothers argue that while desertion from the US military may be a federal crime, enforcement should not be up to local officials.

The Puerto Rican police chief, Pedro Toledo, has vowed to uphold federal law - he said his officers would work jointly with federal authorities to find and arrest any deserters.

Caricom latest

There is to be a meeting later this year to look into hiccups with the free movement initiative launched by Caricom.

Speaking at the heads of goverment summit in Antigua, the Barbadian Prime Minister, David Thompson made it clear that his country does not have the resources to deal with the free movement plans at this stage.

Guyana's president called for better treatment of his people and others from the region who have been treated unfairly at various airports.

The leaders were also continuing talks on differences over the EPA trade agreements reached between Cariforum and the European Union last year.

Trinidad and Tobago has said it is ready to sign on the dotted line while Guyana has expressed reluctance.

Caricom heads also agreed to try again to spearhead the creation of a fund to jointly market the Caribbean as a single destination.