Debate the price of what artists were paid, but don't label them as "foreigners."

This admonition has come from Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Community Development and Culture, Senator Irene Sandiford-Garner, in an exclusive interview with the Nation.

Speaking against the back drop of the continuing debate concerning the line up of last Sunday's Cockspur Red Hot Cohobblopot, Sandiford said, "If people want to debate the price (of what artistes were paid) fine; but it's an open market, you can't call an artist from a Caricom country, foreign."

The senator was at the time at the controversy- laced Euphoria show which came off Sunday night at the Sir Garfield Sobers Gymnasium.

Sandiford, who made it a point to patronise both Euphoria and Cohobblopot said:

"We have an exchange, we don't have foreigners...I wanted to pay my respects to both. At the end of the day, they are all artistes and I support artistes. There is no true Bajan thing".

In the midst of her birthday celebrations, and in support of local artists she said, "one of my gifts to myself was to see Alison (Hinds) perform."

However, Jabae manager Dwayne Grazette, came out strongly against what he sees as a snub of local talent at one of the crowning events of the Crop Over festival.

"I don't think it is fair to spend over $90,000 for non- Barbadian artistes, when we have people like Alison (Hinds) here."

Also speaking exclusively to the Nation, he said: "Cohobblopot should showcase national talent especially since it is at the end of our festival.... The soca queen (Alison Hinds) was left out of the event. Alison Hinds is on the same level standard internationality as Machel Montano - her name means something."

Adding that Crop-Over is the perfect opportunity to promote local artistes to the international market, he said:

"This is the time to show the world our local artistes, you have visitors from different countries, you have the world-wide web, you have media from BET and other international organisations. Those in the outside world think Barbados has nothing to offer. I find it disrespectful," he said. (ABB)