A package of news briefs from the Caribbean

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) - An overloaded ferry capsized off the coast of southern Haiti, killing at least 11 people, U.N. and Haitian authorities said Sunday.

U.N. peacekeeping mission spokesman David Wimhurst said most of the 100 people aboard the vessel were able to swim to safety. The boat sank after taking on water about 150 yards (150 meters) from shore late Saturday.

Crews recovered 11 bodies from the water according to Wimhurst and Mayor Evil Lavilette of Pestel, the ferry's departure point. At least five were children.

The boat was on a slow, two-day journey along the top of Haiti's southern peninsula, transporting passengers, food and charcoal to the capital, Port-au-Prince. It made several stops to take on passengers and cargo and was "overcrowded," according to Wimhurst.

Lavilette said a passenger called him in distress as the boat foundered, but emergency crews were not able to reach the ferry quickly because the closest rescue boat was out of gas.

U.N. peacekeepers and Haitian police arrived later to help survivors on the western outskirts of Port-au-Prince, Wimhurst said.

Bad roads and a lack of infrastructure force many on the coastline in impoverished Haiti to depend on rickety ferries.

Some 500 to 700 people were killed in 1993 when an overcrowded ferry traveling a similar route sank. At least nine people died last year when a ferry hit a sandbar near the tip of the southern peninsula.

CARIBBEAN: Jamaica, Guyana leaders seek to resolve trade dispute over rice supply

ST. JOHNS, Antigua (AP) - Caribbean officials say a rice dispute between Jamaica and Guyana will be mediated by the two countries' leaders after regional talks failed.

Kenneth Baugh is Jamaica's foreign affairs minister. On Sunday, he said the island wants to import more U.S. rice to supplement grain from Guyana. To do so, it needs a waiver from restrictions imposed by the Caribbean Community economic bloc.

Last year, a rice shortfall from Guyana forced Jamaica to buy about 17,000 tons (15,400 metric tons) from the U.S. This year, Guyana insists it has enough rice for Jamaica.

It wasn't clear when Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Guyanese President Bharrat Jagdeo would meet. Talks stalled Saturday at a regional trade summit.

PUERTO RICO: Cave neighbors accuse movie crew of damaging petroglyphs

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - Residents near a popular cave reserve in Puerto Rico are accusing a movie crew of damaging ancient underground petroglyphs.

Angel Perez lives near the Cueva del Indio Reserve and has filed a complaint on behalf of local residents. It alleges that a crew damaged the indigenous rock art while preparing to shoot scenes for the thriller "A Perfect Getaway," starring Milla Jovovich.

Government spokeswoman Maria Soledad Calero said Sunday that officials will look into the complaint but rangers have reported no damage to cave walls. Environmental inspectors have not yet traveled to the site.

Davis Entertainment is producing the film. Calls to the company's Los Angeles office went unanswered.

CRICKET: Australia vice captain Clarke withdraws from start of West Indies tour

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) - Vice captain Michael Clarke has withdrawn from the start of Australia's three-test cricket tour to the West Indies for family reasons.

The remainder of the squad broke camp in Brisbane on Friday and will leave Saturday for Jamaica.

Cricket Australia released a statement saying Clarke had been granted "compassionate leave for private family reasons" and his arrival date in the West Indies remained unclear.

Domestic media reported that Clarke asked for a delay in his departure due to the failing health of his fiancee Lara Bingle's father Graham, who reportedly has liver cancer.

Clarke, who elected not to play in the lucrative ongoing Indian Premier League Twenty20 competition so that he could spend time with his family, became engaged to model Bingle during a holiday in New York in March.

"I will not be traveling to the West Indies with the team due to family reasons. I am looking forward to getting over there as soon as possible," Clarke said. "Both Lara and I would appreciate courtesy and privacy during this time. Thanks in advance for your understanding and support."

Mike Hussey will act as captain Ricky Ponting's deputy until Clarke rejoins the team, Cricket Australia confirmed.

Brad Hodge, currently playing in India, was named as shadow player and will join the squad en route to the Caribbean.