ROSEAU, Dominica (18 August 2006) -- Billed as the iron lung that will breathe life back into Dominica's ruined tourism industry, local politicans are betting their new hyperbaric chamber will persuade scuba diving travelers to forget all about the troubled Caribbean nation's strident support for Japan's commercial whaling atrocities. Ironically, the pro-whaling nation's new hyperbaric chamber at the Princess Margaret Hospital was paid for by the European Union's Eco-Tourism Development Programme at a cost of $750,000. At the recent annual meeting of the IWC, all European member nations except for Norway and Denmark voted against Japan's bid to resume commercial whaling. Officials in Dominica are touting the new facility as a "major boost" to tourism. Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Johnson told reporters that the chamber "...is a significant boost to (Dominica's) tourism and health sectors, which will translate in increased revenue to the island from the scuba diving tourism industry and will improve the quality of care offered at the Princess Margaret Hospital." | | Dominica is one of six small Caribbean nations that votes every year to support Japan's commercial whaling atrocities in exchange for financial gifts (bribes). Dr. Johnson went on to emphasize the marketing benefits of the new facility noting that Dominica can now promote dive tourism because there will be no need for air evacuation to treat medical emergencies related to diving. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
