No Deal, Yet

Several positive signs emerged from a high-powered meeting between the WICB, WIPA, Digicel and Cable & Wireless on Monday but West Indian fans hoping for a final resolution will have to keep waiting.

After Monday?s powwow, Grenadian prime minister Dr Keith Mitchell said the session "laid the ground work which will most likely lead to a settlement of the major issues." No details were provided.

A vague statement from the chairman of the Caricom sub-committee on cricket said all sides "consented to a resolution process suggested by Prime Minister Mitchell." It is likely that a neutral arbitrator will examine the C&W/player contracts to determine whether they clash with the players? obligations to the WICB/Digicel contract.

"The Prime Minister will consult with the wider Prime Ministerial committee and other colleague Prime Ministers and then forward his recommendations to the interested parties," the statement read.

Mitchell urged all parties to work toward compromises rather than hardened positions in the interest of West Indies cricket and the people of the region. He also urged them to take into consideration the recommendations arising out of previous meetings in November and December, 2004, convened by Prime Minister Mitchell to deal with the impasse between WICB and WIPA.