Vol. 7 Issue 7

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

e-mail: sun@suntci.com www.suntci.com

tel: (649) 946-8542 fax: (649) 941-3281 volume 7 no. 07

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FEBRUARY 18TH - FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

Jet blue may fly to miami and fort lauderdale Story on Page 2

alonzo malColm iS now direCtor of houSing BILL MCCOLLUM, LONGSTANDING businessman and philanthropist in the Turks and Caicos Islands is calling on Government to begin the reissuing of Permanent Residence Certificates (PRC), so as to stimulate investment while stemming the heavy flow of depopulation of the country.

Early last year, Government took the decision to temporarily halt the issuing of PRCs, citing the vast workload from the heavy backlog dating back to more than five years.

The halt should have expired last May, by which time Government said it was expecting to clear the backlog. But as that date approached, Under Secretary for Border Control and Labour, Willete Swann, said they were doubtful that the backlog would have been

cleared since the applications were so many.

Since then there has been no indication as to whether or not the resumption of new application for PRC had resumed. As a result, a number of persons, including McCollum are expressing concern that the situation was having a negative effect on the TCI, as persons were beginning to leave the country in droves, further hurting the fragile economy. “Is there a modern Permanent Residence Certificate programme in sight? When will the present Embargo on new PRC applications be lifted? We continue to depopulate and destroy our small economy; residents continue to vote with their feet and head to the airport.

Continued on Page 2

JETBLUE ENTERS TCI

Story on Page 8

lawyer tim Prudhoe forCed to leave tCi beCauSe of work Permit refuSal Story on Page 9

Shortage of ConCh and lobSter Story on Page 11

It was a spectacle to see the two Providenciales International Airport fire units spray this JetBlue craft with water on Thursday, February 17.

The occasion was the airline’s inaugural flight into the Turks and Caicos Islands from JFK International Airport, in New York, where it will operate daily flights to Providenciales.

JetBlue will also operate weekly flights from Boston to Provo starting Saturday, February 19. A number of local tourism interests, including Ralph Higgs, Acting Director for Tourism; Caesar Campbell, CEO for the Hotel and Tourism Association; and Karen Whitt, President for the Hotel and Tourism Association, flew from New York on the trip.

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Relax PRC’s in the TCI

LOCAL NEWS

Continued from Page 1

“What we need here is, more people with money. We have lost critical mass. We can see in our retail propane gas pumps all around the country. I am more interested in pushing up the little brains for PRCs without the right to work – just tick the boxes – and PRCs with the right to work in your business, and start permitting this programme,” McCollum, who is a partner in the Claymore Group, said.

The businessman predicted that if the population does not increase soon, costs of goods and services will skyrocket, since the ever shrinking population will be further pressured with increasing costs to sustain such deliveries. One of the costs he fingered is the National Health Insurance Plan (NHIP) “The ‘medical tax’, over the 14 months ended December 31st, 2010 has cost to the Claymore Group (employers and employees) 56 percent more than our first class worldwide private medical group plan. At the present tax rate, paying population, get ready in 2011 for this scheme to collapse or the rate to double from 5 percent to at least 10 percent.

“It is a question of numbers. When it (NHIP) was brought in, we did not have enough people in this country to sustain it. The only country that has been anywhere our size of anyone that has that system is the Island of

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

Aruba, which you know is one island – not an archipelago.

And more importantly, has more than one hundred and ten thousand people, and the (healthcare) rate there is 14.4 percent. Actually, there are 26,000 residents in the TCI; the Belonger population is 12,000, so you know what I am talking about.

McCollum is also calling for the accounts of both the NIB and NHIP be made available to the public in the name of transparency.

“It should be published in the gazette, like the banks have to. That is not happening right now,” McCollum said.

Weighing on the national debt, McCollum believes that more people should be lured to the Turks and Caicos Islands to assist in shouldering the burden in the wake of the TCI in the process of getting a $260 million loan.

“As far as government data exists this (national debt) is at a minimum of US$360 million. If the British Parliament agrees next week to support a refinancing package of US$260 million, this will reduce the annual interest payable cost to TCI but will not impact the capital figure (national debt).

“There are approximately 12,000 Belongers and so the debt per head for man, woman and child is $30,000.00 each on the capital. We need to attract people to the TCI to help us shoulder this burden,” he suggested.

JetBlue considering Ft. Lauderdale, Miami routes IF ALL GOES WELL, JetBlue Airways – one of the latest carriers to enter the Turks and Caicos Islands market – could offer services between Fort Lauderdale, Florida and the Providenciales International Airport in the TCI in the not-too-distant future.

The airline’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Robin Hayes told The SUN that adding service between Fort Lauderdale and Turks and Caicos is not off the cards, since the Fort Lauderdale route serves as a very important market for JetBlue.

For four years locals especially have been complaining the high fares that they have to pay to fly to Miami and have long been calling for some level of competition on that route, which is served only by American Airlines.

But while it is not clear whether or not their prayers would be answered soon, at this point JetBlue has made the clearest indication yet that it was considering testing the waters there, even not for Miami, then Fort Lauderdale.

“Fort Lauderdale is an important market for us. I think we would love to add service Turks and Caicos and Fort Lauderdale. I think people would see the fare significant lower than what they are used to paying if they are flying to Miami for example. But let’s see…one step at a time.

Let’s get the New York and Boston Flights working, and let’s see where that takes up,” Hayes said.

During the press conference held shortly after the airline’s inaugural flight touched down at the Providenciales International Airport, Hayes hinted at making the Miami route its next conquest albeit making the remark in jest.

Regarding prospects for the Boston and the New York Market, Hayes remarked: I am really confident. We are here forever.”

Making its inaugural flight on February 11, 2000, JetBlue Airways prides itself on creating a new airline category which it said is based on value, service and style. In 2010, JetBlue was ranked highest in customer satisfaction among low-cost carriers in North America, by J.D. Powers and Associates – and award which it has received for six consecutive years.

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 18TH - FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

Local

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FEBRUARY 18TH - FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

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How Value Added Tax (VAT) works in the Caribbean LOCAL NEWS

By Hayden Boyce SUN Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

In a world of increasing trade liberalization, Turks and Caicos Islands, like other countries in the Caribbean, will inevitably find itself having to be less reliant on traditional forms of revenue as it seeks to grapple with current fiscal and financial challenges.

To date, more than 125 countries in the world have a VAT. Over the years, the economic structures and systems of Caribbean countries have, for the most part, been inherited from England. It therefore should be a forgone conclusion that with the British having assumed direct rule over the Turks and Caicos Islands, they would want to introduce the VAT here, because they are familiar with how it works in their own country.

Apart from that, however, the truth is that countries like Turks and Caicos Islands sometimes have necessity imposed upon them, either because their economies require restructuring in a manner with which the principles of a VAT seem commensurate or because they are forced to do so by external influences.

Alan Tate, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) official and a foremost writer on indirect taxation noted that countries adopt a VAT because they are dissatisfied with their existing tax structure.

He also stated that this dissatisfaction falls into one, or possibly all of four categories: (1) the existing sales taxes are unsatisfactory; (2) a customs union requires discriminatory border taxes to be abolished; (3) a reduction in other taxation is sought; (4) the evolution of the tax system has not kept pace with the development of the economy.

Fiscal problems have been afflicting many economies, especially small developing states, with a consequential effect on public financing and this state of affairs has led several countries around the world to restructure their tax systems.

In fact, the European Union (EU) requires that all of its members institute a VAT system. There is every indication that other countries in the world will not be tolerant of tax systems that allow imposition of customs import duties.

It therefore stands to reason that the gradual process of import tariff reductions will be accelerated to complete abolition in the near future.

As more of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ trading partners move over to this form of indirect taxation the pressure on this country to change will gain momentum. Perhaps this time is rapidly approaching.

A review of the history of the implementation of VAT in the Caribbean and elsewhere reveals that most countries which went this route did economic impact studies to determine whether pertinent economic indicators were favourable to its imposition.

Using Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica as examples, some of the considerations uppermost in the minds of authorities included: the likely impact on the industry sectors; the likely impact on the price of basic food items; the likely impact on tourism; the level of Gross Domestic Product (GDP); the amount of revenue needed; the standard rate necessary to achieve the revenue needed; the number and types of goods to be zero-rated and the services that should be exempted.

They also did reviews of the existing tax system to determine what taxes should be abolished or reduced in favour of the VAT and whether there would still be a shortfall.

In the case of the Turks and Caicos Islands, it is not likely that a VAT with an acceptable standard rate of about 15 per cent to 17 per cent would compensate for the removal of import duties and other consumer taxes if imposed only on goods, whether imported or locally produced.

However, as was stated last week, VAT being a tax on goods and services will have a broader base, falling on goods and services that had hitherto not been taxed.

It is this broad base that makes VAT so effective as a revenue earner.

Being a broad-based tax, it can be applied at a low rate and yet have a high yield. It can therefore be used to simplify a tax system by rolling the several and different rates of consumption taxes and other indirect taxes into a single tax.

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

Again, it is important to note that only business persons of the size and capability to adhere to good record-keeping should be in the VAT system.

Such persons are chosen on the basis of the size of their annual sales.

In Trinidad and Tobago, person making annual gross sales of $100,000, in Jamaica persons making $144,000 in annual gross sales and in Barbados persons making $60,000 in annual gross sales are registered for the VAT system.

However, the law may set conditions under which persons operating below the threshold level can be registered.

There will naturally be fears that people and businesses in the Turks and Caicos Islands may try to avoid paying VAT. It is therefore important to note that VAT, once efficiently managed, is difficult to evade because it is self-policing. In order for a registrant to satisfy a claim for input tax, he or she must have relevant invoices.

Because the Turks and Caicos Islands is so heavily dependent on tourism and its ancillary services, at a time when global competition in the tourism industry is so acute, there is need to carefully monitor the impact of cost on the industry.

In most tourism destinations like Barbados and The Bahamas the principal concerns are with accommodation and food.

There is some thinking that once the cost of accommodation is kept at acceptable levels, other costs can be allowed to follow market forces.

Indeed, some countries have employed this approach and have either introduced a special rate on accommodation in hotels and guest houses. In any event, it is accepted hat hotel accommodation should be taxed.

This approach, however, is affected by the recent phenomenon of all-inclusiveness which can include not only accommodation and food but also ancillary services like marine entertainment.

Like what happened in Barbados and other Caribbean countries initially, the Turks and Caicos Islands should be forewarned that government’s insistence on segregation of costs is usually met by stubborn resistance from the private sector.

There is a growing presence of casinos and gaming parlours in the Turks and Caicos Islands. This is the type of industry that does not lend itself easily to a VAT and to some extent it should be exempted, with the regular licence fees or similar impositions forming part of the revenue structure.

In any event, an economic review of the current tax and revenue structure should be geared towards avoiding a reduction of revenue from this and similar concerns like eco-tourism.

In almost all countries, the Turks and Caicos Islands being no exception, certain goods like petroleum products, tobacco products and alcoholic beverages have traditionally been high-level providers of revenue, commonly known as sin taxes.

Most countries introducing VAT have adopted measures within the VAT system to maintain this high level of revenue.

In any system involving a VAT there are at least four options available to government.

These are: the application of the standard rate, application of a special rate, exemption of the service and zero-rating of goods and services.

The standard rate is normally the highest rate and is applied to those goods and services from which it is considered appropriate to raise maximum revenue.

Consumer durables and luxuries like television sets and jewelry fall into this category.

The special rate is normally applied to goods and services which it is believed should contribute to the revenue but whose continued viability could be seriously impaired by application of a high rate of taxation.

It is generally accepted that hotel accommodation should carry a tax but in most instances the standard rate of tax is considered too high for the health of the industry.

In Barbados where the standard rate was 15 percent, but was increased to 17.5 percent last December, a special rate of 7.5 percent or half of the standard rate is applied.

In Trinidad and Tobago where the standard VAT

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

Turks and Caicos Sun Suite # 5, Airport Plaza Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands Tel: (649) 946-8542/ (649) 241-1510 Fax: (649) 941-3281 Email: sun@suntci.com Read us online at www.suntci.com

Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Hayden Boyce Senior Editor: Vivian Tyson Web Designer: Patrina Moore-Pierre Graphics Editor: Joleen Grant Office Manager: Dominique Rigby Distribution Manger: Kelano Howell Advertising and Marketing ManagerPatrina Moore-Pierre

The Turks and Caicos SUN is a subsidiary of The SUN Media Group Ltd. We are committed to excellence in journalism, educating and informing our readers, serving and satisfying our advertisers and assisting in the overall development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

rate is also 15 percent, hotel accommodation is not affected by VAT but is taxed at a lower rate under a different tax regime.

There are some goods and services that because of their significance as basic to the health, peace and infrastructure of the society, it would be unproductive to risk a price rise by virtue of taxation.

Medicines and most basic food items like milk, rice, potatoes and vegetables pay zero percent.

Taxing goods at the rate of zero percent creates a distinct advantage over any other treatment. Absolutely no tax stays with the business offering goods and/or services for sale because the business is in the system and is allowed to submit returns and to claim all input tax paid. This would ensure that tax paid on things like electricity, telephones, capital goods and so on, is refunded.

Where it is difficult or impossible to determine “value added” or where it is not deemed necessary to refund the minimum collateral tax impacting transactions of the services, they are placed in a category known as "exempt". Financial services and medical services usually fall in this category.

In the case of exempt services, the business is not permitted to register for exemptions and even if is also engaged in the sale of taxable goods and/or services, it normally gets no credit for exemptions except in special circumstances to be decided by the authorities such as the Customs Department on a case-by-case basis.

If the Turks and Caicos Islands introduces a VAT, the principal challenges to the business community here will be in record-keeping.

VAT requires precise and extensive record keeping and invoicing. This may mean expenditure by several business houses, especially the smaller ones, to bring their record keeping capacity up to an acceptable level.

Some people see this as a good thing for business generally.

VAT is known as an accountants’ dream. On the assumption that this country adopts a VAT, you will perhaps see a proliferation of accountants here as there is in Barbados. Government will also have to ensure that the cost of developing, staffing, equipping and managing the system does not get out of hand.

Whateve the critics may say, there is strong and compelling evidence that VAT has worked exceptionally well in most, if not all of the countries that have implemented it.

With its domestic revenues under such severe pressure in this unrelenting global economy, the Turks and Caicos Islands would do well to follow their good example if it seriously wants to get out of the economic quagmire and stay out of it.

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TCI must spend ‘next several years preparing for independence’, says Carlos Simons, QC

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

PROMINENT ATTORNEY, QUEEN’S Counsel Carlos Simons, says the Turks and Caicos Islands must spend the next “several years” preparing for independence from England.

In a media statement that was released on February 15th 2011, Simons said: “The case for independence is emotionally and ideologically compelling.

Independence is the natural consequence of the internationally recognized right of all peoples to be free to determine their own destiny.

Such freedom can only be exercised in the absence of external constraints.

Colonialism was consigned to the dustbin of history ages ago and most ordinary Britons would be probably be surprised to learn that their government continues to hold what are in effect “colonies” being masqueraded as ‘overseas territories’.”

He added: “But history is replete with examples to show that, in practice, independence, particularly for small countries with little natural resources, carries with it very real risks of political instability, economic decline and failed

LOCAL NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

Queen’s Counsel Carlos Simons

statehood. Besides, even in the case of much larger countries, political independence is often diluted by reliance on international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).”

Simons continued: “Independence could therefore be prohibitively expensive and ultimately, illusory. As attractive as I find the independence

POSITION AVAILABLE

case on emotional and ideological grounds, my considered view is that on a practical level we must spend at least next several years recovering lost ground and preparing purposefully for that eventuality.”

The Queen’s Counsel said the second option for Turks and Caicos Islanders to consider is acceptance. “ We reject this option for the simple reason that no people should be forced to live under a constitution that they didn’t ask for and don’t like, particularly when the constitution they themselves crafted, liked and wanted was snatched away from them through no fault of their own. Such an approach would be wholly contrary to the UK Government’s obligation to respect, and so far as possible, to accommodate the wishes the peoples of the Overseas Territories,” he added.

“So then we are left with the third option of negotiating something better as being far and away the best option available to us. With God’s help and the support and trust of the people, I intend to lead the Progressive National Party into those negotiations. Clearly there is more

than sufficient room for a greater measure of self-rule within the overseas territory frame-work than the Kate Sullivan recommendations promise. I intend to achieve that for the benefit of the people of the TCI.” Simons said he is aware that Foreign Office Minister Bellingham has recently said there will be no direct negotiations with political representatives.

“But with respect,” Simons stressed, “the Minister must be wrong in taking that approach. In a representative democracy there are only two ways of gauging the will of the people on such issues, (a) by direct consultation, i.e. referendum, or (b) by reference to their political leaders. Perhaps Minister Bellingham intends to offer the people of the TCI a referendum on the new constitution.

If so, he has my support. If not, then final negotiations with political representatives are inevitable and it would be better for those negotiations to take place before, rather than after, elections under the new constitution. I urge the people of the TCI to take heart, have faith and look to the future with hope. After the darkest night then comes the morning.”

Sibonné Beach Hotel and Turtle Cove Inn (the “Hotels”) are seeking an ambitious and energetic individual to fill the position of

HOTEL OPERATIONS MANAGER

Position Summary: The Hotel Operations Manager will be responsible for all aspects of the Hotels including but not limited to guest relations, marketing, human resources/staffing, maintenance, management of rental properties including on-site restaurants, accounting/reporting and cost and budget analysis.

Essential Functions: 1. Manages and is responsible for all aspect of the Hotels.

2. Interacts with Hotel guests to insure the best experience possible and responsible for dealing with guest complaints.

3. Responsible for all facets of marketing of the Hotels to insure maximum occupancy and profitability and works with independent consultants assisting with marketing.

4. Works directly with all staff motivating them to do the best job possible and to provide excellent service. Responsible for hiring, training, evaluation and disciplinary action of all staff.

5. In charge of maintenance and repairs of properties and facilities of the Hotels insuring quality standards.

6. Responsible for managing commercial rental properties including rental to on-site restaurants at the Hotels.

7. Prepares annual operating budgets for the operations of the Hotels and provides full and detailed reporting to owner representative. Manages budgets and cash flows of the Hotels insuring efficient use of funds.

8. Responsible for establishing goals and objectives for the Hotels and devising strategic planning and implementation procedures to achieve such goals and objectives.

9. Maintains effective owner relations by communicating regularly with owner representative and responding to owner requests in a timely and effective manner.

10. Performs additional responsibilities and duties as required by owner representative.

Qualifications: 1. Bachelor’s Degree or educational equivalent.

2. Significant hands-on management experience in the hospitality industry.

3. Ability to effectively interact with and project a positive professional image to guests and supervising personnel.

4. Strong oral and written communication skills and advance computer skills.

5. Solid management, financial and supervisory skills.

Miscellaneous 1. Applications by Belongers only.

2. Salary range is $50,000.00 to $80,000.00. Salary and bonus shall be commensurate with experience.

3. Applications must be submitted in writing to resume@sibonne.com and closing date for applications is February 21st, 2011.

CAMERON WILSON WINS DIGICEL POSTPAID REWARDS CASH PRIZE

Congratulations to Digicel’s latest $1000 postpaid rewards winner, Mr. Cameron Wilson of South Caicos.

To be eligible for a monthly cash prize of $1,000 and quarterly cash prizes of $3,000, customers are encouraged to pay their bills on time and in full before the 22nd of each month.

The Postpaid Rewards promotion runs until April 2011.

Image: Digicel representative Paola Hidalgo presents Cameron with a cheque for $1000.

Domestic Worker Needed To clean and maintain property Work six days per week

Salary $5 per hour Contact James Henfield at 346-7933

Page 8

Former Chief Immigration Officer Alonzo Malcolm is now Director of Housing

LOCAL NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

By Hayden Boyce SUN Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

ALONZO MALCOLM, THE former Chief Immigration Officer of the Turks and Caicos Islands, who was suspended on November 4, 2010, has been reinstated in the Civil Service, but now as Director of Housing.

Malcolm’s new appointment is the latest twist in a highly controversial and bizarre saga over his suspension which sparked a heated protest outside the Immigration Department in Providenciales the day after disciplinary action against him was announced.

Investigations by The SUN revealed that Malcolm’s new appointment will be effective February 21st , this year. Government sources said Barry Malcolm once held the post of Director of Housing, but he was transferred to the post of Acting Director of EMS, after Mac Smith was placed on administrative leave, following the recommendation of disciplinary action against him by the Governor and the Public Service Commission.

A probe by this newspaper also

Alonzo Malcolm

disclosed that although Alonzo’s transfer could be regarded as a demotion of sorts, his salary remains unchanged. This, is has been suggested, is designed, among other things, to protect Government against any chance of a successful lawsuit, in the event that any is brought against them.

While Alonzo’s salary remains the same, sources said his appointment as

PROVO WATER COMPANY LTD.

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

Director of Housing technically can be classified as a demotion.

The source who is familiar with Government operations, pay grades and systems but who asked not to be identified, said that the Director of Immigration, the Director of Planning, the Collector of Customs, the Director of Health, and the Director of Ports, are among the top levels of appointments in the Turks and Caicos Islands Government.

“To move Mr. Malcolm from Director of Immigration to Director of Housing is technically a demotion with the same salary,” the source said. “The mere fact that he was reinstated in the first place would seem to suggest that they did not find any evidence to indicate that he did anything wrong, so he has therefore been vindicated and should have been restored to his substantive post as Director of Immigration, in all fairness.”

Reliable Government sources told The SUN that after Malcolm was suspended last November, his case went to the Public Service Commission which, after investigations and deliberations, recommended that he should be reinstated.

Reports indicate that the matter was sent back to the Commission by the TCIG on at least three occasions, but the PSC held its ground and insisted that Malcolm should have his job back.

Malcolm’s suspension stemmed from an internal disagreement within the Ministry of Border Control and Immigration over travel letters.

KANO WILSON SEEKS

1 LABOURER

Salary $5.00 per hour Contact 2313958

We are currently seeking a qualified applicant to fill the position of

PIPE LABOURER:

REQUIREMENTS: • Minimum of 3 years experience in waterworks and piping networks.

• Must be in good health to meet the demands of physically challenging work • Must be available for emergency maintenance calls on evenings and weekends according to rotational schedule.

• Must have a clean driver’s license • Minimum of high school passes in English and Mathematics or other technical subject (Preference given to certification in plumbing)

HOTEL HOUSEKEEPER /MAID

WORK ENVIRONMENT: • Hot, dusty and muddy conditions including confined spaces • Active roadways and associated traffic noise levels • Remote locations

JOB DESCRIPTION: The Pipe fitter is responsible for : Using hand digging tools to excavate and bury pipes and plumbing fixtures Installing, repairing and maintaining pipes, fixtures and other plumbing used for water distribution in residential, commercial and industrial connections.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ARE TO: 1. Fill pipes or plumbing fixtures with water or air and observe pressure gauges to detect and locate leaks.

2. Reads and follows installation plans and establish the sequence of pipe installations.

3. Measure and cut pipes using hand and power tools 4. Use hand or powered tools to excavate trenches and ditches 5. Cut openings in structures to accommodate pipes and pipe fittings, using hand and power tools.

6. Repair and maintain fixtures, ,replacing or mending broken pipes.

7. Attend Emergency callout afterhours when necessary.

8. Carry out all other duties as directed by the Supervisor.

Salary Range: US$ 7.00 - $ 9.75 per hour All applications must be submitted by February 14th, 2011. Turks & Caicos Islanders need only apply.

Office Manager PROVO WATER COMPANY LTD. P.O. Box 39, Grace Bay Road Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands Fax: (649) 946-5204 Email: K.Clarke@provowater.tc

PLEASE SUBmIt APPLICAtIONS tO

MUST HAVE PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WORKING FOR A MEDIUM TO LARGE HOTEL

Page 9

Trial lawyer Tim Prudhoe forced to leave TCI because of work permit refusal”

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

ATTORNEY- AT-LAW Tim Prudhoe was forced to retire from the law firm where he had been a partner for over 5 years, because his work permit was refused.

In an exclusive interview with The SUN, Prudhoe said, “I retired from the partnership of Bishop Papachristou & Prudhoe on 30th May 2007 on an involuntary basis because of a refusal to renew my self-employed work permit. This duly triggered an automatic retirement provision under the then partnership agreement; that is, loss of work status.”

Prudhoe told the SUN that long prior to that work permit refusal, he was made aware that “a number of the positions taken by me on behalf of clients were considered unhelpful to the then government”.

Prior to the work permit refusal, Prudhoe had been an attorney in

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

Turks and Caicos Islands for seven years and a partner for five-and-ahalf years. He is now a partner in the London office of the specialist litigation firm of Kobre & Kim LLP. Explaining his relationship with the TCI law firm since the time of his compulsory retirement from the partnership of the TCI firm, Prudhoe said he continues to serve as Counsel.

“In that capacity I have continued to represent clients in a number of contested matters on Providenciales and fully intend to continue doing so. I retain a full Practising Certificate, was last on Provo last month and still look forward to every visit. I enjoyed living on Providenciales and did all I could in 2007 to stay without compromising my own standards,” he added.

Prudhoe revealed that in light of Commission of Inquiry Report, in March 2009, he secured the offer of an eminent London QC and Deputy

High Court Judge to re-draft (entirely for free) the Legal Professional Ordinance (as recommended in the Report by Sir Robin Auld).

He continued: “Instead, the proposed re-draft was performed at Misick & Stanbrook and paid for from Bar subscriptions. The cost of that work is known to me, but is a question better put to the Bar Council itself. That re-drafting work was started on 28th October 2009 and the work product was provided to the Bar Council sometime around March 2010. It is yet to be released even to those who have actually had to pay for it – the Bar themselves.”

“Since (and including) April 22, 2010, I have made 7 separate documented requests to the Bar Council for general release of that draft amended Legal Profession Ordinance (April 22nd, May 2, June 6, July 11, July 15, Sept 17 2010 and 15th Jan 2011).

In those circumstances, you will understand that it is particularly depressing to read (for instance on TCI Journal) that the Bar as a whole does not both (a) understand it should be reformed and (b) actively support such reform

LOCAL NEWS

Attorney-at-law Tim Prudhoe

on an urgent basis.”

Prudhoe told The SUN that the general public should be assured that there are many of the Bar who “both value highly and defend (irrespective of personal cost to themselves and their own families) its independence and integrity”.

He added: “I hope that (when finally released and enacted) the amended Legal Profession Ordinance will both safeguard and reinforce this independence and integrity. That way it will go some way, I hope, to improving the public’s opinion of TCI lawyers.

Despite all that is written about it to the contrary, there is huge talent available within the TCI Bar, as well as a healthy sense of humour (which helps a lot). ”

ROYAL JEWELS

We are seeking applicants to fill the following positions:

InterHealth Canada (TCI) Ltd TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS HOSPITAL InterHealth Canada (TCI) Ltd requires experienced, flexible and dynamic staff to fill employment opportunities in the Radiology Department for an MRI/General Radiography Tech,

SALES PERSONS (3)

Must be able to work flexible hours Should have knowledge and experience in luxury watches and jewelry brands Salary is negotiable Fax: 649-946-4698 Application Deadline 1st March 2011

AN MRI/CT TECH AND A CT / GENERAL TECH.

All applicants must be qualified and skilled in general radiography techniques and experience in any of the following would be an asset: - sonography and working with GE ultrasound - fluoroscopic procedures - working in a PACS/RIS environment - ability to work independently with remote support from the radiologist - competent in delivering preliminary examination findings to referrers

Radiographers / Radiologic Technologists with a recognized diploma or degree and licensing plus at least three years experience in their chosen discipline are requested to apply by submitting to InterHealth Canada a comprehensive CV detailing your qualifications and experience. This may be sent either by email to pnicholson@interhealthcanada.tc or by fax to 01 649 946 8167.

Salary levels will commence at U$35,000 dependant on qualifications and experience.

Preference will be given to suitably qualified and experienced Belongers Please ensure that a contact telephone number or email address is included in the application.

Closing date for all applications will be Monday 7th March.

WOOD’S CONTRACTUAL SERVICES Seeking Labourers Must be hardworking and reliable Salary $5.00 per hour Contact: Kaizer Wood @231-0529

Page 10

LOCAL NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

By Vivian Tyson SUN Senior Editor

THE AWARD-WINNING JetBlue Airways made its inaugural flight into the Turks and Caicos Islands when it touched down at the Providenciales International Airport on Thursday (February 17) from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, to much fanfare, glee and expectation.

The entry of JetBlue into the Turks and Caicos Islands tourism market – the 16th Caribbean destination - serves as a shot in the arm for the local economy, since it is set to contribute added airlift and tourist arrivals to this country.

The JFK to Providenciales route will be a daily service, while its Boston to Providenciales International Airport service which commenced on Saturday, February 19, will be a weekly service.

Robin Hayes, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer for JetBlue, said his organization was not only going to fly its 150-seater Airbus A320 aircraft into the Turks and Caicos Islands, but will also market the destination through its promotional arm – JetBlue getaways.

“JetBlue isn’t just bringing JetBlue service here,” he said, “but will be bringing JetBlue Getaways, which is one of the fastest growing vacation companies in North America. Already this year we have sold hundreds of packages for the Turks and Caicos Islands, so we are happy about that.

Selling holidays and selling seats is the quickest way to get more services.”

Hayes said JetBlue had always fancied the TCI as a viable market for

JetBlue is here!

its ever expanding fleet for a number of reasons, including its close proximity to New York, the weather condition, its tourism product and the expansion of the Providenciales International Airport. He noted also that from the looks of things, JetBlue could add more flights into the Turks and Caicos Islands in the near future.

For his part, Governor for the Turks and Caicos Islands His Excellency Gordon Wetherell praised the efforts that took place behind the scenes by members of the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority, the Tourist Board and the Turks and Caicos Islands Hotel and Tourism Association, in negotiations with their JetBlue counterparts into making the added airlift a reality.

Governor Wetherell, after completing a tour of the all-leather seat

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Requirements Applicants must have a minimum of three-year culinary experience working in a restaurant. Comprehend and follow recipes and cooking techniques. Must have thorough knowledge and understanding of food service sanitation standards.

Thorough knowledge and understanding of standard kitchen equipment and its use. Applicants must be willing to work varied shifts, split shifts, nights, weekends and holidays as required by management. Perform other duties as assigned, requested or deemed necessary by management. Applicants will be required to work on a full time basis. Must be able to walk, stand or stoop for the duration of shift (at least 8 hours). Applicants must be able to understand/speak/read/write English proficiently.

Applicants must be detail oriented, must be hardworking and a team player. Work with minimal supervision. Salary ranges from $2,500.00 - $3,200.00 monthly commensurate with experience and training.

Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by March 7, 2011 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. only persons selected for an interview will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.

craft, also had high marks for the overall quality of service provided by the airline.

“It is a very, very impressive airplane I must say. It has excellent leg room, even the seats that don’t have extra leg room, have got more than the usual amount of leg room. So, it looks like it is a comfortable flight with good service on board,” Governor Wetherell noted.

Asked of his opinion on what he believes the new entrant into the local aviation market would spell for the country, Governor Wetherell remarked: “It does many things for the TCI. For one, it gives us an opportunity to expand the number of people who come to these islands.

Second, I think the arrival of JetBlue earmarks the statement of confidence in the islands and in the islands’ future, the growth of the tourist industry here.

“And when you looked into the context of the expansion and the renovation of the airport that it is already, if you like, a first repayment on the investment that we are making, which is precisely aimed at increasing the number of planes that can come into the islands, and the number of people that can come and visit us here.”

In the meantime, Acting Director for the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board, Ralph Higgs was upbeat having successfully lured a new entrant into the market.

“It is a momentous occasion; it is a

JetBlue Executive VP and Chief Commercial Officer Robin Hayes, Governor Gordon Wetherell and John Smith, CEO for the TCI Airports Authority cut the ribbon to officially welcome JetBlue into the Turks and Caicos Islands

giant leap forward for the Turks and Caicos tourism. It makes our destination more accessible, more affordable for visitors and residents, so I think the sky is the limit for Turks and Caicos. “JetBlue is an awardwinning carrier – very popular in the northeast market which happens to be our major source markets.

“So, I think it is going to open many doors for us. JetBlue has been an easy corporation to work with, and it (getting JetBlue into Turks and Caicos) was a team effort – the Hotel and Tourism Association, the Airports Authority and of course the Tourist Board. And I want to say the entire Government stepped up and did everything it could to make today happened,” Higgs said.

Meantime, Chief Executive Officer for the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority, John Smith, said over the past three years the TCI had attracted four airlines – JetBlue, Continental Airways, Tortug Air from Haiti and Sky Bahamas, which operates from Freeport.

Smith said the Providenciales International Airport has also seen an increase in new routes by existing airlines.

“Air Canada put extra flights, some seasonal some not. American Airlines continues to put on extra flights from time to time. West Jet has increased the number of their flights as well, so as Bahamas Air. Also, Air Turks and Caicos has expanded to

ASSISTANT GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT

Turks & Caicos Water Company d.b.a. Provo Golf Club requires a professional Assistant Golf Course Superintendant.

The candidate should have advanced knowledge of agronomy and turf grass management practices, a working knowledge of golf course construction principles and a thorough understanding of the rules of the game of golf.

Only persons with a minimum of five (5) years experience on a golf course with two years experience as a second assistant will be considered for the position.

The successful applicant must have at least a Class C Membership with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).

The salary range for this position is $40,000 - $45,000 per annum, commensurate with experience, training and education. Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by March 7, 2011 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Only persons selected for an interview will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.

Page 11

Conch, lobster shortage worries restaurants

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

By Vivian Tyson SUN Senior Editor

THE APPARENTLY DEPLETING fish population in the Turks and Caicos Islands coupled with the bad weather that the country has been experiencing recently is beginning to have a negative effect on restaurants’ menus, especially in Providenciales, with some of those outlets complaining that they have been unable to find enough conch and lobster to satisfy their customers’ needs.

One restaurant owner told The SUN that earlier this week he visited the fish plant in Five Cays to purchase conch and lobster, but while he was able to get some lobster for purchase, was told that no conch was able at that time.

When contacted, Director for the Department of Environmental and Coastal Resources (DECR), Wesley Clerveaux, said the recent string of

LOCAL NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

bad weather could hamper the lobster catch, but noted that the combination of inclement weather, the seemingly depleting population and lack of interest could contribute to the shortage of conch.

According to him, up until December, fishermen reported that they were finding more lobsters than earlier in the season, but between December and January, they were complaining that they were unable to find conch. He noted that less than 35 percent of the 1.6 million pound conch quota has been recorded, which he said was abnormal this time of the year.

“What we found up until December, people were finding a lot of lobster. Now, up until December, January, they were complaining that they were not finding conch at all. Up until January, we probably used up less that 35 percent of our quota island-wide. Now, that’s abnormal.

Normally, by January, we would have used up at least close to 60 percent of our quota.

“Yes, during the Christmas season we had some bad weather, yes, more recently we had some bad weather, but generally, the fishermen have been saying that they were not finding conch. And also, more effort has been placed on lobster, because they have been finding a little bit more lobster than previous years.

“So you could say, it (conch shortage) could be a combination of three things: one, they are not finding conch; two, less effort is placed on finding conch because they are not finding it; and three, bad weather,” Clerveaux noted.

At the start of the season last year, the DECR reported that the total lobster catch over the first few days was down significantly over previous years. However, this marks the first

Director for the Department of Environmental and Coastal Resources (DECR), Wesley Clerveaux

time that the conch population was experiencing such trouble.

Marine product is the TCI’S only export, but many believe that not much emphasis was being placed on shoring up the industry to make it more viable.

American Airlines announces new baggage charges American Airlines (AA) has announced the implementation of checked baggage charges for the Caribbean and Central America to and from the U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Europe and India.

According to a release from AA, customers who purchase economy class tickets on or after February 10, 2011, may check one bag for no charge and a second bag for US$30 each way

within size and weight limitations.

Customers purchasing economy class tickets prior to February 10, 2011, may continue to check two bags at no charge within size and weight limitations.

These changes, according to AA, apply for travel on American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection flights.

The charge does not apply to customers

traveling in a market that has no checked baggage charge today, such as South America and points within Asia.

The second checked bag charge for all Europe and India itineraries will increase to US$60.

The implementation of these additional charges will simplify existing policies and provide consistency with the other carriers in our Joint Business Agreement

FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMISSION The Financial Services Commission, a statutory body of the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, is seeking a qualified person for the post of

RECEIpTS OFFICER

The holder of this position will carry out the following duties: • process receipts • prepare invoices • Ensure that copies of all documents generated are properly filed • Reconcile cash balances to Daily Cash Receipts Journals • prepare lodgements  Other duties as set out in the Job Description of Receipts Officer or as assigned. preferred qualification is 4 CXCs, including Mathematics, English and Accounting. At least one (1) year accounting experience. position is in providenciales.

Applications should be received no later than Wednesday, February 16, 2011. Email to dmorrison@tcifsc.tc or fax to 941-8379.

QUINCY JENNINGS Is seeking

A LABOURER

Salary $5.00 per hour Mon-Sat please contact 241-3360

Page 12

LOCAL NEWS

GARDENERS/ LABORERS NEEDED Applicants must be able to work outdoors performing manual and physical labor.

They must be able to operate a jackhammer, lawn mower and chainsaw. They will be asked to dig holes, mix and spread topsoil/cow manure and plant. They must be able to speak and communicate in English. Starting salary is $ 5.00 / hr and maybe require to work on weekends and holidays if needed.

Please drop all applications to Environmental Arts located at Grace Bay (at the back of Lemon Café) or email to environmentalarts@tciway.tc c/o Natalie Zaidan. Successful applicants will be notified by phone for interview.

Butch Stewart says he has never activated his Belonger Status in The TCI TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

land in the TCI by private treaty Chairman of Sandals Resorts in anticipation of future International Gordon 'Butch' expansion there. The allStewart says he has not activated or inclusive resort group has also benefited from Belonger Status acquired a two-and-a-half acre granted to him by the Government parcel of scrubland which was of the Turks & Caicos Islands bought from the government.

(TCI).

Stewart said the sale went Stewart, who is also the chairman through the full process of and owner of the Observer valuation and the attorneynewspaper in Jamaica, said he general and received cabinet wanted to make that information approval. It will be utilised as a clear as he has got wind of an water park for the sprawling attempt to smear his name because hotel, which has been awarded of status. the Best Family Resort in the "At no time have I used my Caribbean.

Belonger Status nor have I The granting of Belonger employed it to gain favour in any Status, he insisted, was simply a way," Stewart said in an interview courtesy and an act of goodwill, with the Observer last week. nothing more.

Stewart, who also owns "In no way am I qualified to Beaches Resort and Spa, in the buy Crown lands there," added Turks and Caicos Islands, explained Stewart.

"I am proud of the fact that the Belonger Status was Gordon 'Butch' Stewart that we have created and granted to him, his family and Dr continue to operate the best Jeffery Pine, former managing family resort of its kind in the Caribbean, which has director of Gorstew (Stewart's holding company), by the played no small part in helping the airlift in the TCI." Michael Misick Government.

An industry insider noted that the hotel is the best Only persons with Belonger Status can vote in ambassador for Jamaican tourism workers and employs general elections in the TCI. It also gives individuals the 420 of the finest Jamaicans who wave the Jamaican flag absolute right to reside and work in the TCI without any in the TCI high.

The insider added that some of the type of immigration control. Further, only Belongers richest people in the world frequent Beaches Turks & may be considered for certain official offices.

Caicos.

Belonger status is granted to individuals depending Misick, who is facing tough questions from the on the immigration status of their parents or spouses. In Foreign Affairs Committee of the UK Parliament about other circumstances it may be bestowed upon an financial impropriety and government corruption, has individual as a direct result of a worthwhile investment said that the issue of granting Belonger Status was free or other significant contributions to the TCI. from corrupt practices.

The status was granted to the Stewarts because of "No one individual grants Belonger Status," Misick their investment — Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort said. "Belonger Status is granted on the basis of the Villages & Spa — in the TCI. length of the stay in the country, the contribution they With 700 luxury one and bedroom suites, it is the have made and how they have assimilated in the largest investment in the Turks & Caicos and employs community. There are a number of factors there by law the most people there. Beaches Turks & Caicos has been in the granting of Belonger Status." granted Six Star Diamond Resort status and is the only He explained that the governor sits at Cabinet and 6-Star Green Resort in the Caribbean, making it the best acts on its advice concerning Belonger Status. recognised environmentally friendly hotel in the region.

"If he thought the Belonger Status that the Cabinet It is also regarded as the largest family resort in the was recommending was corrupt, he doesn't have to Caribbean, it is also believed that Beaches TCI is the accept their advice," Misick told the committee. largest earner of foreign exchange in the British Stewart added: "We are in the TCI to develop a Caribbean territory. tourism product, and we are extremely proud of what Stewart made it clear that he did not pay for the Jamaicans have achieved with this world-renown hotel.

Belonger Status and said he has no interest in acquiring What we are not there to do is benefit from any sort of Crown lands in the TCI. Sandals, he said, has acquired government favouritism."

WINKEYS CATERING SEEKS WAITRESS & DOMESTIC HELPER Salary $5.50 per hour Contact 345-1247

UK MPs debate $260Million loan guarantee to Turks and Caicos Islands

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

LOCAL NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

By Hayden Boyce SUN Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

M EMBERS OF PARLIAMENT from the United Kingdom (UK) last week asked searching questions about the $260million loan guarantee to the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) by the Department for International Development (DFID).

In the written questions session on February 14, former leader of the Labour Party Harriet Harman asked the Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell what assessment he has made of the implications for development policy of the decision to grant a loan guarantee to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Mitchell replied: “The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), like all British Overseas Territories (OTs), is constitutionally dependent on the UK and the UN Charter obliges the UK Government to promote the well-being of the inhabitants of these territories.

Successive White Papers since the 1970s have committed HMG to meet the reasonable assistance needs of the Overseas Territories (OTs).

The International Development Act 2002, enacted by the previous Government,

Former leader of the Labour Party Harriet Harman

specifically exempts the OTs from the poverty reduction criteria that apply to the rest of the Department for International Development's (DFID's) aid budget.”

He said the UK Government fully intends to stand by their commitments to the OTs. We will not let TCI fall victim to financial ruin. If DFID had to provide money in the event that the guarantee is called this would not count as official development assistance (ODA).

Page 13

Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell

Harman then asked Mitchell, with reference to the departmental minute of 3 February 2011 on the contingent liability arising from a UK guarantee of a commercial loan to the Turks and Caicos Islands, what plans he has to set conditions for the loan guarantee to the Turks and Caicos Islands should the initial conditions for the provision of the guarantee be met.

Mitchell responded: “The key conditions for the Department for International Development (DFID)

guarantee of commercial lending to the Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) are that the TCIG strengthens its capacity and systems to manage its public finances, and achieves a fiscal surplus in the financial year ending March 2013. These are continuing, not only initial, conditions. Further conditions are not needed because the UK Government currently intends to retain sufficient financial control over public finances in order to ensure that TCIG emerges from its financial crisis as soon as possible, and that the loan guarantee arrangement is no longer needed.

Harman continued by asking Mitchell what development objectives for the Turks and Caicos Islands will be achieved by the proposed loan guarantee; and if he will make a statement.

Mitchell replied: “The main objective of the proposed loan guarantee is to enable the Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) to have access to commercial lending which would not be available without the guarantee. This lending will allow the time TCIG needs to achieve a fiscal surplus by applying the right economic measures.”

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CLEANER Responsibilities: The successful applicant will be responsible for the general cleaning of communal areas, sweeping and mopping of floors, cleaning of windows and removal of trash. The applicant will also be responsible for any other duties assigned in regards to general cleaning.

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Suitable applicants will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.

Page 14

Why its up to us and not the Brits

LOCAL NEWS

by The Torch

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

THERE ARE ONLY three possible sources of economic recovery solutions available to the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI):

1. The Brits: During this Inter-Criminal period, the Brits would create and implement some currently unknown "economic stimulus" package that causes or permits expanding commercial activity across a wide range of markets affecting the TCI. 2.

Us: We citizens and residents who care about the future of the TCI create our own solutions to our own economic problems, utilizing our own available resources and a creative management-byobjectives approach. Some of these solutions may require cooperation from the Brits to implement them in, but these solutions are created by us.

3.

Someone Else: Despite the continuing economic-interventionist practices of Socialists in the Western world, the worldwide economic recession will abate over some period of time measured in years not months.

We know this will happen because capitalism is the only economic system that is natural to humans.

It always eventually wins through. Then and only then, because our investment customers are mostly North American and Western European foreigners, the TCI will begin to experience a slow, relatively jobless recovery from external sources, slowed even further while our huge low-quality infra-structure inventory is dissipated.

These sources of solutions are not mutually exclusive, and The Torch lists them in inverse order of likelihood of occurrence.

In other words, #1 will never happen and #3 will definitely happen, but not soon. #2 is the only source of recovery solutions within our control and therefore is the one we should pursue.

Suggestions: Any #2 solution should not include tourism, which is an uncontrollable given. Nor should it include low quality (though pumped/sold as high quality) condotel construction, which was the paradigm of the 1990's and has already gone a long way to tarnishing our brand for the 2010's.

The Torch's suggestion for a #2 solution was included in his submission to the Sun last week.

Because that solution (and others like it) would require some actual real-world insight, independent thought, personal courage and non-political action from individual TCI citizens, The Torch would like to address today those TC citizen readers who still think that #1 solutions are a realistic possibility.

It is necessary to get rid of the myth of a #1 solution to open our minds to a #2 solution. If you still believe that #1 is possible after this read, The Torch will be able to get you in on the ground floor at Dellis Cay. Note that both political gangs will not touch The Torch's proposal (or any other free-market #2 solution) because they will not be able to control it, one gang by foreigner-hatred and the other by corruption. This provides an additional advantage to any #2 solution. If set up and administered either privately and/or, to the extent necessary for legal protection, under the Governor's office, it will keep the TCI political gangs out of the economy, where they obviously have no legitimate purpose or ability.

There are three proofs/reasons why a #1 solution will never happen. First, the Brits have never created a #1 solution anywhere. You might argue Hong Kong, but The Torch would respond that Hong Kong developed quite differently to the TCI and that free market capitalism was entrenched there due to 19th Century geo-narco-economic considerations that had little to do with the Brit government. The Brit government simply took a ride on Hong Kong for 99 years following the Opium Wars.

The Torch would argue that in fact, no state has ever created a complete #1 solution. Because of the lack of a profit motive and the existence of a monopoly-mentality within all state bureaucracies, governments are demonstrably incompetent at

The Torch creating a successful economy by their actions. The only places where economies have flourished have been those in which states did not intervene in the economy. Economies have always flourished anywhere only to the extent the state has NOT intervened.

Secondly, the Brits undeniably have destroyed their own economy over the last 60 years through a toxic combination of Socialism and multiculturalism. These are the same Socialists who now sit in Waterloo. Why would we think they would get lucky with the TCI? It sure isn't Hong Kong.

Thirdly, the Brits have demonstrated no actual capacity for problem resolution of any kind during the past 2 years in the TCI. That's why the following impediments to economic recovery still exist: 1. negligently negotiated PPC monopoly contract; 2. criminally negotiated stevedoring monopoly; 3. the senior Brit police officer pretending that he did not drive recklessly (according to a published, un-contradicted eyewitness account) at night, cause the death of an innocent bystander, escape breathalyzing and criminal investigation and then obviously obtain FCO consent for his continued infliction upon us as a "crime expert;" 4. the unaccountable, completely unaffordable and ever-devolving National Health Rationing System that ensures that the local populace will die at a faster than natural rate just so that a few elite untouchables can say that they personally created a National Health Service in the TCI; 5 the unaccountable National Insurance and Public Retirement Systems that do not even disclose their doctored, criminally-audited accounts - so extensive must have been the plundering and "empowerment of the people" from these funds; and 6. the bloated 2300-member TCIG civil service that produces nothing and accounts alone for about half of our projected annual budget deficit.

All of these, and many more, are examples of an obvious lack of will by the Brits even to clear the decks of the consequential debris of past corruption and a past top-to-bottom, public and private unearned entitlement mentality, all of which were negligently fostered and approved by these same stumble-bum Brits across a 30 year period.

All you need to know about the FCO's policy and actions over time in the TCI was accurately depicted in the classic British television series "Yes, Prime Minister." As so often happens with brilliant parody, the writer captures the essence of the object being parodied. The Torch quotes directly from a famous episode, where two characters are discussing the overall Brit foreign policy towards any problems: "Sir Richard Wharton: In stage one we say nothing is going to happen.

Sir Humphrey Appleby: Stage two, we say something may be about to happen, but we should do nothing about it.

Sir Richard Wharton: In stage three, we say that maybe we should do something about it, but there's nothing we can do.

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

Sir Humphrey Appleby: Stage four, we say maybe there was something we could have done, but it's too late now. " Stage One in the TCI was the mediocricies (sic) of Jones and Poston, when law-abiding residents were thrown out of the TCI and dispossessed of their homes and businesses for expressing their opinions.

This was done by the foreigner-hating political gang of that era, while the Brits stood mute. Stage Two was the hear no evil/see no evil corruption-sop, Tauwhare. We are currently in Stage Three. Stage Four will occur after the political gangs take over again.

And so it goes. The Brits will not, cannot and should not, create any economic stimulus. Apart from some bog-standard electoral and political corruption statutes (which will simply require that future TCI criminal politicians run their bribes through and keep their accounts in a separate jurisdiction), they will not even clean up the playing field after the last round of criminals they supervised.

Instead, we get to pay for the Brits' 30 years of negligence! The world's biggest ever tax and spenders come to town to "help" us, and after holding the requisite number of consultations with "experts," they propose to tax and spend. Who'd have seen that coming? We can do better.

The Torch hopes this iconoclasm may even help to expose the disingenuous editors over at the TCI ("free speech as long as it suits us") Journal who daily feign shock and outrage at the Brits' silence and inaction. Constantly being amazed at the inability of a Third Division football team to win the FA Cup says more about the intellect and integrity of the amazed than about the abilities of the team itself.

So it is up to us to bring forth #2 solutions. To illustrate, here's a short re-statement of the Torch's #2 proposal from last week: Create an Executive Certificate (EC) of permanent residency with the right to work, but without the right to solicit or accept work or business from within the islands and requiring a $500K real property investment. EC holders will not qualify for Belongership. Promote the EC to the North American Baby-Boomer market of retireds, semi-retireds and professionals who can run their businesses without connection to any physical location. Private enterprise will advertise and promote the EC. The public treasury will receive enhanced stamp duty and customs duties. No VAT or real property tax will be required. Many EC holders will hire and train TCI citizens within their EC businesses, thereby moving many from the public trough to private employment. EC holders will pump the local economy, creating even more private sector jobs.

The Torch again requests that some patriotic free-thinking TCI citizen or group thereof take up this proposal, improve it if you can and move it forward through whatever channels to the Brits for their statutory implementation during this InterCriminal period. Again, while this and other solutions created by TCI thinkers may require Brit cooperation to implement statutorily, it is certainly not a Brit-created solution. They may simply glom onto it a la Hong Kong.

Now a most regrettable and equally necessary aside. If you are a member of a political gang and you think now that you hate The Torch for telling you the truth you're gang won't ever tell you, The Torch has your hatred covered. Who is doing more to improve the quality of life in YOUR country - you or The Torch? If you've got better ideas, bring 'em. So far I see nothing. So if you hate The Torch for trying to help you and your children, imagine how much you must hate yourself.

The Torch closes by only slightly paraphrasing the late great Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir for your consideration: "There will be prosperity and the Rule of Law in the TCI when TC Islanders decide that they love their children more than their political parties."

Your Pal, The Torch.

Page 15

PNP leader Clayton Greene against education cuts

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

L EADER OF THE P ROGRESSIVE National Party (PNP) Clayton Greene says he wishes to echo the sentiments of Dr. Carlton Mills concerning the present cuts and the proposed further cuts in Government’s subvention to the Community College.

In a press statement, Greene said the PNP was visionary in the establishment of the Community College and in ensuring that there was a campus on Providenciales so that an increasing number of Turks and Caicos Islanders and residents could benefit from tertiary education.

“We understand that for the Turks and Caicos Islander education continues to be the principle path to empowerment and a better life,” Greene said. “Our fore fathers were denied formal education because those who controlled their destiny understood that education made individuals and people less subservient.

Unfortunately, that very same repressive

LOCAL NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

mentality seems to be echoed once overall development of our again by this Administration.” people to be left to The former Speaker of the individuals who will almost House of Assembly added: “We certainly not continue to carry with us the hopes be here when these and dreams of the people of these Islands begin to suffer from Islands for a full degree granting an education policy that was institution to call our own. The guided by proposed cuts to the subvention will the blind desire to delay this dream if not kill it balance a budget. I have altogether. This is particularly so, as therefore today written to the cuts and proposed further cuts His Excellency requesting are coming at a time when the that on all matters capable scholarship budget has already been of affecting education that reduced.” his Administration consults Greene said there seems to be an and liaises with two attempt afoot to deny Turks and Leader of the Progressive National Party individuals to be appointed (PNP) Clayton Greene Caicos Islanders access to further by the Progressive National education.

Party. We trust that the Peoples Democratic He noted: “We believe that the education of Movement would do likewise and appoint two of Turks and Caicos Islanders is too important to the their members for this stated purpose.

US Coast Guard will maintain strong presence around Turks and Caicos Islands, says Embassy

IN LIGHT OF reports that the British Navy may be withdrawing warships from the Caribbean waters, including the Turks and Caicos Islands, the United States Coast Guard and its affiliate agencies will continue to maintain a strong presence around these islands.

That’s according to U.S. Embassy’s spokesperson, Erica Thibault, in an exclusive interview with The SUN newspaper.

“The US Coast Guard (USCG) and U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) maintain a very active presence in the Windward Pass and TCI maritime approaches with USCG cutters and aircraft that operate on a 24/7 basis.

USCG and DEA personnel and resources operating in the region play a critical role in conducting counter narcotic, human smuggling, illegal migration interdiction, and Search and Rescue operations,” she said.

Thibault added: “The TCI are an

integral part of the Operation Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands (OPBAT) program, and the effectiveness that our joint program has witnessed in the last 12 months is due to the mutual commitment to the OPBAT program on behalf of all three signatory Tripart Governments. Our mutual commitment to the OPBAT program, and it's mission, was recently renewed and highlighted during the Joint Task Force conference held in Nassau, The Bahamas in December 2010.”

In revealing OPBAT statistics from Fiscal year 2010 (Oct 2009 to September 2010), Thibault said US authorities seized 262 kilos of Cocaine, 91 471 pounds of marijuana, made 53 arrests, seized $206,890 in currency.

In terms of search and rescue, she said 110 lives were saved and 269 lives assisted.

The United Kingdom is to abandon its warship patrols of the

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Caribbean for the first time since the second World War because of the navy's funding crisis.

According to a report in The Guardian newspaper in Britain, the withdrawal means the navy will no longer provide a warship for antinarcotic operations in the region, and will have to reduce its role in disaster relief work.

According to the Guardian, under the review, the services will lose personnel and equipment, with the navy surface fleet of destroyers and frigates being reduced from 23 to 19.

This, however, is the first time defence chiefs have had to abandon an existing overseas mission because of the budget squeeze.

The navy's Caribbean patrol was

originally set up to guard British dependencies in the West Indies. In recent years, it has taken up a joint role countering drug runners and coping with humanitarian disasters during the June-October hurricane season.

The navy operates with ships from other countries, including the US, the Netherlands and France. Its patrols in the area have made a significant impact on drug trafficking.

Two years ago, the Royal Navy seized its biggest haul of cocaine, with an estimated street value at £240m.

The frigate HMS Iron Duke intercepted a boat carrying more than five and a half tons of the drug in an operation off the coast of South America

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Qualified applicants are kindly requested to send applications before April 25th 2011 To the attention of: Edith Cox Group Finance Director Graceway House, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands

Page 16

Commissioner Hall leaving force on a high

LOCAL NEWS

By Vivian Tyson SUN Senior Editor

COMMISSIONER OF POLICE Edward Hall is looking to exit the force on a high, since his departure would come at a time when the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, from all indications, appeared to have seriously wounded the crime monster.

Commissioner Hall could walk off into the proverbial sunset as early as March this year, having accumulated hefty vacation leave, which if taken now would hold out to the time of his official retirement age of 55 next year.

But the top cop seems to be going out like a knight in shining armour after seemingly quelling what once appeared to be a runaway in serious crime rate last year during. During that time armed men carried out daring daylight robberies almost at will, at times playing cat and mouse or roomfor-rent with members of the police force.

Jewelry stores, banks, grocery stores, foreign exchange outlets and individuals ferrying money on behalf of places which operate games of chance were only some of the entities and individuals who were targeted by

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

the marauding gunslingers.

However, with the implementation of Alpha One almost midway through the year, the police were able to temporarily stem the crime tide.

During that time, a number of individuals, who were deemed to have been involved in criminal activities were apprehended and taken before the courts, some of whom were sent to prison upon being found guilty.

A number of illegal vehicles were also taken off the streets and their drivers prosecuted during Alpha One, for operating without the requisite documents.

Not long after the covers were drawn on Alpha One, the criminals once again crawled from their cracks and began to unleash another round of terror on businesses and individuals.

This resulted in the mounting of Alpha Two, even though, from feedback gathered, some members of the public believed it would not work.

The Alpha operations saw police personnel taken from Grand Turk, North Caicos, Middle Caicos and South Caicos, to join their Provo counterparts in orchestrating the operations.

The second round of the operation

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

Commissioner of Police Edward Hall

yielded even greater success, as a number of persons who the police believed were conductors of the criminal choir were taken into custody and charges laid against them.

And with the successful amendments to the Firearm and Detention Ordinances the police have so far been triumphant in ensuring that some of the accused were not granted bail. Since then, the Alpha operations have received kudus from a wide cross-section of the community.

Late last year, following a report on a Canadian government website that two police specialists would arrive in the Turks and Caicos Islands this year to take up the post of Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioner of police, the Government revealed that Commissioner Hall would demit office before his retirement age of 55, due to backed up vacation leave which he did not take in the past.

At a news conference on February 1, the commissioner unveiled statistics which showed that major crimes were

not just simply, but significantly on the ebb. The Commissioner also used the news conference to give the clearest indication yet that he would soon pull up stumps, by telling reporters that the convening of such meeting would be his last before dismounting as head of law and order in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

During his tenure as Commissioner of Police which began approximately six years ago, Commissioner Hall has etched numerous achievement notches on his proverbial gun. However, he said the single most significant piece of achievement was being able to establish the Turks and Caicos Islands’ own police recruitment training school, which is now training its second batch of recruits since opening its doors last year.

In the most recent past, TCI police recruitment training was done in the Bahamas, which many said was a costly undertaking for Government.

Commissioner Hall said he would have loved to do more for the force’s men and women, but the plunge in the country’s financial fortunes paralyzed the effort.

Commissioner Hall’s impending exit also comes at a time when the country’s first radar tracking station was being built to spot illegal activities on our waters. The authorities said at the launch in December last year that it would be completed by February this year. It is not clear if the commissioner would be around in time for its commissioning, but no doubt that would be another feather in his cap.

All told, the commissioner is seeing himself off at a time when the public confidence decibel towards the police force is reaching deafening crescendo.

ANIELA & STINA STUBBS Is seeking

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TROPIC EQUIPMENT Is seeking one Mason, one Domestic worker and Two Helpers

Application must be Submitted to: Director, Tropic Equipment Rental,South Dock Road, Providenciales, Email: tropic@tropictc.com

Page 17

Car dealerships still struggling

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

By Vivian Tyson SUN Senior Editor

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

THE ECONOMIC RECESSION has put the brakes on sales of new vehicles in the Turks and Caicos Islands, used car dealers are seeing a rapid deceleration in the movement of their inventory.

General Manager for MAC Motors, John Phillips, told The SUN that his establishment continues to do badly, since the economy started to deflate some three to four years ago. MAC Motors are exclusive franchise dealers in the Turks and Caicos Islands for Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Land Rover and Jaguar.

Phillips said individuals would visit or call his establishment on a daily basis to enquire the price range of its vehicles, but are not buying, since the banks, in recent times, have beginning to tighten up on motor vehicle loans.

“Sales have been very much down. For the last year and a half, there has been no sale. Nobody buys cars with cash nowadays, so until the banks loose up some finance nobody can buy. We’ve had a lot of people showing interest, but the problem is they just can’t get the loan,” Phillips said.

He noted, however, that the sales drought was broken recently when Amanyara Resort, which is apparently replenishing its fleet of high-end vehicles, made five purchases this year. He also said that the service side of MAC Motors was doing well.

“Well, the service side is going along okay, and we have other clients because Amanyara has taken five vehicles from us this year. So, that side of things is kicking along, but it (general sales) is certainly not good. We need some help from the powers that be in order to do that (turn around of the economy) because there is not much (happening in sales of motor vehicles) at all. They are trying to figure out how to tax us at this point,” Phillips said.

By contrast, Marie Carter, Sales Representative for Bay View Motors – dealers in Toyota, Suzuki, Ford, Diahatsu and Hyundai – said sales have been encouraging. She noted that while its new vehicle section has been experiencing sluggish

sales, the line of its used vehicle section has been moving albeit slower than it used to be.

Carter noted that the new motor vehicle section was being patronized mostly by expatriates, while locals were the ones, for the most part, flocking the used car section, which she theorized was due to cost-cutting.

“For us at Bay View Motors, sales have been pretty good.

There has been an increase in sales of used vehicles. People are downsizing to smaller vehicles for gas prize reasons, other than that it has been pretty good,” Carter said.

She noted that in the used car department Daihatsu has been the choice rides, while in the new vehicles section Suzuki has topped the list.

Carter noted however, that when compared with about three years ago, sales have dropped off somewhat, but not tremendously.

“Compared with the last four years, there has been a drop in sales, but business is not all that bad. Mostly foreigners are purchasing new vehicles, while with the used vehicles, a lot of natives are purchasing those,” Carter said.

Checks by The SUN at the lots of a few used car dealers revealed that sales were almost stagnant.Aparticular dealer who preferred to remain anonymous, said in recent months sales have dropped spectacularly, which he theorized was due to the exodus of the demographic groups that normally patronized his establishment.

“Jamaicans have been my biggest supporters. They love to purchase especially Honda motor cars. Those guys just love Honda, so that is why you would see so many Honda on my lot.

I also get good support from Philippinos and Haitians to a lesser extent. But as you can see, those are the people that are mostly leaving the country simply because their work permits have not been renewed or some other stuff.

“I think Government has to do something fast before everything crashes and all the people leave, because that is bad for business,” the car dealer said.

HAB MANAGEMENT LTD HAB Management Limited is seeking qualified applicants to fill the following positions:

WAITER WAITRESS Main Duties Applicants will be required to greet and take food and beverages order from restaurant guest, serving the orders and accommodating guest requests. Applicants will be required to serve guests’ promptly and according to established standards, policies and procedures.

Requirements Must have a minimum of three years experience working in a restaurant. Must have a strong working knowledge of dining room procedures, policies and EPOS System. Applicants must be a customer service advocate, maintaining a high level of customer service standards. Maintain a friendly, cheerful and courteous demeanor at all times. Perform other duties as assigned, requested or deemed necessary by management.

Applicants must be willing to work varied shifts, split shifts, nights, weekends and holidays as required by management.

Applicants will be required to work on a full time basis. Must be able to walk, stand or stoop for the duration of shift (at least 8 hours). Applicants must be able to understand/speak/read/write English proficiently. All applicants must be hardworking team players. Wages range from $ 6.50 - $8.00 per hour commensurate with experience and training.

Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email

by March 7, 2011 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-9465191. Only persons selected for an interview will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.

LOCAL NEWS INTERHEALTH CANADA

TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS HOSPITAL

ls seeking the following Medical and Clinical staff:-

ANESTHETIST EMERGENCY ROOM DOCTOR GENERAL SURGEON PEDIATRICIAN ONCOLOGY PHARMACIST

Only appropriately qualified persons should apply and in all cases a minimum of 5 years experience isRequired.

Persons with appropriate qualifications and experience in their chosen discipline are requested to apply by submitting to lnterhealth Canada a comprehensive CV detailing your qualifications and experience.

This may be sent either by email to pnicholson@interhealthcanada,tc or by fax to 01 649 946 8L67 .

Salary levels will commence at US40,000 dependant on qualifications and experience.

Preference will be given to suitably qualified and experienced Belongers Please ensure that a contact telephone number or email address is included in the application.

Closing date for all applications will be Monday 7th March.

Page 18

TCI Tourist Board now debt-free, says Director Ralph Higgs

LOCAL NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

THE CHOKING $8 million noose that was squeezing the life out of the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board has finally snapped, thanks to a series of austerity measures and the tossing of a $3.5 million cushion by TCIG. At a news conference on Friday, February 11, Acting Director for Tourism, Ralph Higgs, declared that the entity was practically debt-free.

Higgs pointed out that vendors to whom outstanding balances were owed, have been paid.

Higgs said the Board was forced to employ a series of austerity measures so as to restructure the entity, to reduce operational cost. The changes included the downsizing of the Board’s overseas operations by relocating from what he described as huge and extravagant office spaces in Manhattan, New York and London, to more affordable homebased office spaces manned by respective area sales and marketing representatives.

Since the cuts, Higgs said the recurrent budgetary cost to operate the Tourist Board fell from a staggering $8 million between the fiscal year 2006/2007 to approximately $2.7

million in fiscal year 2009/2010 – more that 70 percent. He said that the budget figure is expected to hold steady over the fiscal year 2011/2012.

“This initiative has improved efficiency, cut cost and had no negative impact on outputs. The Board accepts that the home-based office operations may be an interim measure, but is essential to stabilise the Board’s overseas operation – a critical part of our tourism plan and future expanding markets,” Higgs noted.

Higgs added: “In keeping with recommendations made by the current and former directors and, in concurrence with the Working Group’s Report, the Board took steps to reduce the human resources element of its budget. This exercise saw the Board’s staff trimmed by almost 50 percent, with improved efficiencies, outputs and moral.

Higgs told the media that over the past 15 months, the TCI Tourist Board had been burnishing its image in the travel industry on a global scale, but more so in North America, where the majority of its business come from.

He noted that mutual relationships

Acting Director for Tourism, Ralph Higgs

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

have been reestablished with a number of international media house as a result of the settlement of lawsuits taken out by those entities to which the Tourist Board was indebted.

“In fact, the Board has begun to place advertising with many of these businesses on a pay as you go basis.

This has, in return, led to the TCI receiving reassuring editorial support from many of the most respected online and print media houses in the

travel business.

“Additionally, the Board has advertised more strategically in Europe, Canada, the USA, China and some South American Markets. Some publications that the Board has placed inserts included, but not limited to, Caribbean Travel and Life; Destination Weddings and Honeymoon; American Way; Celebrated Living; USA Today; Dreamscape; Uptown etcetera,” Higgs disclosed.

He noted also that the Board facilitated photo shoots with some of the top brands in the world, including Victoria’s Secret; J. Crew. Macy’s; H&M and Target, saying that it has also returned to exhibiting at WTM London, BIT Italy, ITB Germany, and a number of shows in the US and Canada.

Higgs revealed that the Tourist Board has reestablished the TCI as a member in the Worlds’ largest diving association –DEMAalso reestablishing exhibiting TCI’s tourism product at dive shows in Europe and the United States. He said advertisement has also been reestablished in the cruise industry.

PREMIER CONTRACTING SERVICES LTD.

Is seeking suitable qualified applicants to fill the following positions:

LABORERS / CLEANERS X 6 Qualification and Responsibilities includes

• Minimum 3 years experience in landscape maintenance • Responsible for weeding, pruning, trimming all plants on property, sweeping walkways, • Cleaning windows, restrooms and removing of trash and solid waste • Must have good knowledge of gardening techniques and ability to apply pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers properly • Responsible for the upkeep and general look/maintenance of entire grounds • Ability to maintain and repair irrigation systems • Willingness to perform numerous laborious tasks, heavy lifting involved • Willingness to perform all other tasks in relation to general cleaning and or labor • Self motivated and industrious applicants need only apply Salary: $7.00 per hour

MASONS X 2

Qualification and Responsibilities includes • Working from blueprints, layout, measuring, arranging materials • Experience using numerous power tools • Final steps involving accuracy, and making adjustments • Must be experienced in all aspects of the job • Attention to detail is a must • Ability to prepare estimates for required materials and time required to complete the job • 5 years experience in the construction industry • Diploma in the related field from a trade school of applied technology • Layout / Install Foundation/ Footing Systems • Layout/ Build any Concrete Form System • Layout/ Cut Wood Floor & Wall Systems • Layout/ Cut Wood Stair & Roof Systems • Build Decks, Patios, Breezeways, Carports, Sunrooms • Working knowledge of electrical, plumbing and mechanical trades • Excellent written and communication skills a must • Self motivated and innovative Salary Range $21,800.00 - $24,000.00 Annually

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER X 1

Qualification and Responsibilities includes: • 5 years experience in related field • Must hold degree or diploma in associated field • Ability to produce schedule of works for construction / maintenance projects • Project assembly and scheduled works programming • On site operational management of logistics and work force • Experience with the following programs: -AutoCAD, Microsoft excel, Task planner, Power projects and QuickBooks • Production of progress reports and implementation of development programs • Ability to manage several projects simultaneously • Working knowledge of electrical, plumbing and mechanical trades

• Must have diagnostic experience in power generation and sewage systems • Must have strong aptitude for contract negotiation • Excellent written and communication skills a must • Self motivated and innovative • Able to work nights, weekends and holidays Salary ranges from $30,000.00 – $45,000.00/annum:

DIAGNOSTIC - HYDRAULIC MECHANIC X 1 Qualifications and Responsibilities:

• Ten years of successful mechanical repairman experience of a comparable industrial setting.

• Knowledgeable and capable of performing basic welding techniques including out-ofposition angles and various fabrication welding.

• Ability to read, understand and apply information from technical manuals, prints, and schematics for trouble shooting and repair.

• Technical College Diploma Hydraulic Mechanic.

• Working knowledge of Computer based record keeping and planning/scheduling.

• Perform maintenance on fork lifts, pallet jacks, garbage compactors and other equipment • Perform maintenance, troubleshoot and repair hydraulic, electrical and pneumatic systems.

• Willing and able to work weekends, holidays, rotating shifts and both scheduled and unscheduled overtime at a 24 hour/day, 7 day/week, 365 day/year operation. Must be able to work with minimal supervision.

Salary $18, 000 to $20,000 per annum.

Commercial refrigeration tech 10 years experience in commercial refrigeration for supermarket storage Experience in HV/AC systems Sound knowledge of Danfoss computer control systems Certificates required Experience in repair and diagnostics’ of digital scales and scanning equipment Technical knowledge in plumbing, electrical and mechanical works, certificates preferred Installation of new equipment including gas fitting, ability to repair all supermarket equipment Supervision and development of daily routines of maintenance staff Development and production of maintenance budgets, including parts and equipment orders Development and implementation of preventative maintenance schedules Ability to complete tasks swiftly, problem solving skills a must Experience in the supermarket maintenance industry preferred Required to be on call 24 hours Salary $21,000 per year Closing date for applications is March 4th 2011 Interested persons may apply to the Director of Finance Premier Contracting Services Ltd ▪ Graceway House Leeward Highway ▪ Providenciales ▪ Turks & Caicos Islands

Please note: only short-list applicants will be contacted to attend interview

New runway named after “Donnie” Gardiner

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

by Deborah Aharon

AT THE FUNERAL of Capt. Manville ‘Donnie’ Gardiner, someone joked that God must have wanted a pilot, and as He would only want the best, He took Donnie.

I remember that we all laughed through our tears, and how imagining that made me feel not exactly better, but a little less worse. It was a given that Donnie’s idea of Heaven was to keep flying. People often said he wouldn't come down if he didn't need fuel.

Four years later, and through the determination of a small group of local aviation leaders, Donnie has his permanent marker in the sky.

Pilots find their way through the skies by road maps, called charts in aviation. A road, or route, is called an airway.

The intersections are navigational markers, similar to buoys, and are used by pilots to report their location to air traffic controllers.

While a pilot flying by visual flight rules (looking out the window) is mainly navigating by what he sees, pilots navigating by instruments (IFR, or Instrument Flight Rules) must follow these established airways exactly as published. Just as a paved

LOCAL NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

road may not be as direct a route as the crow flies, pilots following an airway are sometimes flying out of their way.

Until recently, there was no direct airway between Providenciales and Cap Haitien, surprising when you consider what an important route that has always been for both countries.

Even before the days of flight, boats sailed that route trading conch and fish for produce, rice and rum.

Pilots flying IFR have had to fly first on the airway to Grand Turk and then the established airway from there to Cap Haitien.

However, looking for a lasting way to honor Donnie’s memory, Capt Hugo Mendez, Flight Operations Director for Air Turks and Caicos, and childhood friend Mr. Emmanual Rigby, head of Air Traffic Control Services for the Turks and Caicos, reviewed his flight records and realized that Donnie flew to Cap Haitien more than any other international destination.

With the enthusiastic support of the controllers and the encouragement of TCI Airport Authority’s CEO, John Smith, the two spent over two years persistently knocking on the FAA’s door. In 2009 they finally met FAA

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS

FRONT OFFICE SUPERVISOR

Requirements: • Solid experience in Front Office including Front Desk, PBX, Reservations, Bell Staff, and Guest Services with min.2 years Luxury Hotel experience and supervisory experience.

• Advanced knowledge of Front Office computer systems.

• Ability to deal with guest service issues Duties Include: • Oversees front desk operations and supervise staff effectively.

• Monitor fluctuations in occupancy and daily transportation manifests and change the schedule accordingly.

• Ensure group rooming lists are accurate and coordinate any special group requests.

Salary $22,000 per annum not including service charge

CONCIERGE SUPERVISOR Requirements: • Solid experience in concierge with minimum of two years Luxury Hotel experience and supervisory experience.

• Advance computer skills • Must have direct knowledge of key local area points of interest, attractions and dining.

• Must possess excellent communication skills to work with local vendors, and business.

Duties Include: Oversees concierge operations and supervise staff effectively.

• Monitor fluctuations in occupancy and daily transportation manifests and change the schedule accordingly.

• Ensure guest request are handled in a timely manner and luxury standards.

Salary $22,000 per annum not including service charge Bell Captain Requirements: • Computer skills • Be able to lift and carry up to a minimal of 50 pounds • Ability to ascertain departmental needs and adapt duties accordingly • Excellent guest service skills Salary $8.00 per hour

Interested applicants should apply to the Regent Palms, Human Resources Department or send your resume to mdorsett@regentexperience.com.

Page 19

Capt. Manville ‘Donnie’ Gardiner

agent Jim McGrath, who helped them by coordinating with the TCI and Haitian Air Traffic Control Services and ICAO to establish a direct airway from Provo to Cap Haitien.

According to Mr. Rigby, this more direct route will save time and money not only for national carrier Air Turks and Caicos’ routes but for aircraft coming from Jamaica, the Caymans and Central and Latin America.

It also received enthusiastic approval from international aviation governing bodies ICAO and IATA as part of their joint global initiative to reduce carbon footprints by establishing more direct air routes.

The new airway was assigned the identifier G504 by ICAO, and the intention was to give the reporting intersection Donnie’s nickname, Shuez. Discovering that the name had already been registered with the spelling Shoez, the two men and McGrath determinedly pursued the name through the FAA until they were able to get it released.

Donnie's gravelly voice and booming laugh were a familiar part of the airwaves for nearly 20 years, first as an air traffic controller and then as the country’s most wellknown and beloved pilot, and his absence still leaves people speechless.

At the last political rally before the last election held in the TCI, only a day after his tragic death, his uncle, former Premier Mike

Misick, lamented that the Provo airport without Donnie was unimaginable. Emmanuel Rigby, who wanted so much to establish a memorial but still finds the subject too emotional to speak about publicly, says simply that the relationship between Donnie and his brethren controllers was ‘like no other.’

An iconic figure in his own lifetime, it seemed that everyone knew Donnie, flew with Donnie and had a story to tell about it. Most of them were humorous, but many were tales of his kindness, generosity and bravery. Donnie flew air ambulance flights and other missions of a critical nature, and trained many younger pilots.

He was well-known throughout The Bahamas and the Caribbean.

Even today, I am astonished by the number of pilots who stop for fuel at Provo Air Center and gaze with recognition at Donnie's portrait hanging in the lobby. "I knew that guy," a middle-aged American fellow told me.

"My first time passing through here I had decided to fly to North Caicos even though the weather wasn't very good and I had never been there before. I was new to instruments, I couldn’t see, and I was trying to get help from the tower, but I was feeling way over my head. All of a sudden Donnie was on the radio with me, telling me what to do to land safely. He stayed in the area until I landed and then he flew off. I’ll never forget that."

My adopted brother, Capt. Donnie Gardiner tragically perished on February 6th, 2007, in the shallow waters off North Caicos. Although there were five passengers on board, through his great skill and the grace of God there were no other fatalities.

Along with his family, the entire country mourned his loss.

With the establishment of Donnie’s memorial airway, all pilots will report ‘Shoez’ as they reach the southern boundary of TCI airspace and we can be comforted that Donnie and his remarkable contribution to the aviation history of this country will be recognized as long as there are airplanes in his beloved blue sky.

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Page 20

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

The JetBlue flight captain displays the Turks and Caicos Flag as the aircraft makes its inaugural entry into the Turks and Caicos Islands

Kingsley Been leads the disembarkation with the Turks and Caicos Islands Flag. At his left is JetBlue Chief Commercial Officer Robin Hayes, while immediately behind them is Tourist Board Acting Director Ralph Higgs

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

Governor Gordon Wetherell (right) and Robin Hayes of JetBlue discuss the airline’s entry into the TCI while enjoying the ambience of the interior of the craft

Governor Gordon Wetherell and Hotel and Tourism Association President Karen Whitt engage in conversation before prior to the news conference inside the VIP Lounge

These Air Turks and Caicos employees were also on hand to witness JetBlue’s inaugural entry into the Turks and Caicos Islands

JetBlue’s local General Manager Winston Wright (left) is presented with a painting by the airline’s Chief Commercial Officer Robin Hayes (at the lectern). According to Hayes, the gesture was part of JetBlue’s tradition when entering a new market

On Thursday, February 17, award-winning low-cost carrier JetBlue Airways made its inaugural entry into the Turks and Caicos Islands and was given a warm greeting by the Government led by His Excellency Governor Gordon Wetherell, the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority, the Tourist Board and the Hotel and Tourism Association. The inaugural flight was from JFK in New York, which come to the TCI on a daily basis. JetBlue will also operate weekly flights from Boston.

Dr. Hugh Fulford, Chairman for the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board, adds his bit of welcome to the JetBlue on its inaugural flight

A throng of media workers was on hand to greet JetBlue’s inaugural flight

These flight attendants could not hide the glee of being the ones to service JetBlue’s inaugural flight attendants into the Turks and Caicos Islands

CEO for the TCI Airports Authority, John Smith addresses the press conference

Caesar Campbell and Karen Whitt (third and fourth from top respectively) CEO and President of the TCI Hotel and Tourism Association were among the persons who flew on the inaugural JetBlue trip

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

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ion store h s a F f o nt, use Closet Hohion show. The eveime y x e S n e h t s ar y 14 – wed as a sizzling fat’s patrons who atded u r b e F – t h rib lu an ntine’s nigt can only be desce gourmet restaur ture displayed inc w. le a V n o e o th ha liv sh cou nt came athem in hosteing wwas enjoyed by allen. The variety of ver y minute of the a r u a t s e d, la R ildr ed de Carambo n Old Airport join ingle ladies in min entlemen and ch ience, who enjoye g o situated specifically with sles, single ladies o excited the aud ls d p designe ed married cou al. The models a compris formal and casu semi-

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 18TH - FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011 TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Getting your zzz’s Pillow time gives you energy, bolsters your immune system, boosts your memory, and even helps you get (or stay) slim. Cut slumber short, and you’ll increase your risk for anxiety and depression.

“Lack of sleep has also been associated with hypertension, glucose intolerance, and belly fat—all risk factors for heart disease,”.

Playing hooky There’s a reason it’s called a mental-health day. Studies confirm that time off—whether on a trip out of Dodge or a 24-hour staycation—relieves stress, lowering your blood pressure and your risk for heart disease. It also promotes creative thinking (attention, bosses!). And women in a 2005 study who took two or more vacations per year were less likely to be depressed than women who took one every two years.

Sexual healing Getting frisky is, hands-down, the most pleasurable form of physical activity there is. Having sex releases feel-good endorphins and oxytocin, the hormone that promotes attachment. “That component of feeling connected to another person really benefits mental health. Another plus: Subjects in one study who did it once or twice a week had higher levels of the antibody immunoglobulin A, which shields you from colds and other infections.

A daily chocolate fix Our experts gave a hearty thumbs-up to nibbling a little chocolate every day—as long as you stick to a square or two of the dark kind, to minimize sugar and fat intake and maximize the benefits. Dark chocolate and cocoa may help lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of stroke, and provide other cardiovascular benefits, multiple studies have shown.

A Night Out With Friends A flurry of recent studies have shed light on how huge an impact our friends and family have on our behavior, from what we drink and eat to how much we weigh—for better and for worse. But there’s little question that strong social ties can bring a host of benefits: fewer colds, better brain health, and a longer life, to name a few.

Full-fat dressing Full-fat foods not only taste better but also serve a real health

FEBRUARY 18TH - FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

purpose, as long as you get the right amounts of the right kinds. Aim for at least 10 percent of your daily fat intake to come from monounsaturated fats. These fats reduce your risks of heart disease and stroke—a big deal, since coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death of American women.

Your morning java It’s completely OK if you need it to pry your eyes open in the a.m. A wealth of research suggests that coffee doesn’t just pick you up—it fights heart disease and some cancers, and it may even help you push through harder, longer workouts.

Getting a rubdown Don’t ever feel guilty about shelling out for massages.

“In general, people who are touched regularly are healthier,”. And if your budget doesn’t include spa services, consider hands-on time with your honey.

Basking in the sun Bright days really do lift our moods—sunshine is the ultimate natural antidepressant, triggering our bodies to nip production of the sleep-stimulating hormone melatonin so we’re alert, energized, and ready to face the day. Exposing bare skin to the sun also triggers the synthesis of vitamin D, a hormone that may reduce your risks for cancer, heart disease, fragile bones, and other problems.

Wine with dinner The buzz on wine is about its heart-healthy properties, though researchers aren’t entirely sure how it works its magic. Its antioxidants may keep blood vessels flexible, or alcohol could boost HDL (good) cholesterol. Either way, the key is moderation: one 5-ounce glass a day. More than that can raise blood pressure and pack on pounds. “Women who drink heavily also have higher rates of breast cancer.

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 18TH - FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

Domestic PROVO TO GRAND TURK FLIGHT No. FROM JY1502 JY1504 JY1505 JY1506 JY1507 JY1508

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FEBRUARY 18TH - FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

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International A/C EMB-120 DHC6 DHC6 DHC6 EMB-120 DHC6 DHC6 EMB-120 DHC6

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Page 29

Rihanna

Lady Gaga arrived in an egg

Janelle Monae

Miley Cyrus

India Arie

Ciara

Selena Gomez

Usher

Kim Kardashian

Jennifer Hudson

Nicole Kidman

Diddy

Jennifer Lopez

Jordin Sparks

Ricki Martin

Monica

Nicki Minaj

Florence Welch

Justin Bieber

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

ENTERTAINMENT

Katy Perry

Toni Braxton

Adam Levine

Ker Hilson

Adam Lambert

KFWS • MindGym February 14, 2011

Page 30

FUN & GAMES

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FEBRUARY 18TH - FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

—2—

Page 31

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FUN & GAMES

FEBRUARY 18TH - FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

King Features Weekly Service

February 14, 2011

King Features Weekly Service Service

King Features Weekly February 14, 2011 February 14, 2011

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Whatever decisions you’re faced with this week, rely on your strong Aries instincts, and base them on your honest feelings, not necessarily on what others might expect you to do.

TAURUS (April 30 to May 20) Your sensitive Taurean spirit is pained by what you feel is an unwarranted attack by a miffed colleague. But your sensible self should see it as proof that you must be doing something right.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) More fine-tuning might be in order before you can be absolutely certain that you’re on the right track. Someone close to you might offer to help. The weekend favors family get-togethers.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) The week continues to be a balancing act ‘twixt dreaming and doing. But by week’s end, you should have a much better idea of what you actually plan to do and how you plan to do it.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) Changing your plans can be risky, but it can also be a necessary move. Recheck your facts before you act. Tense encounters should ease by midweek, and all should be well by the weekend.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) You might still be trying to adjust to recent changes. But things should improve considerably as you get to see some positive results. An uneasy personal matter calls for more patience.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Congratulations. Your good intentions are finally recognized, and

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

—13—

When dummy appears, the first thing declarer must do in a suit contract is to count his losers. In so doing, he starts by assuming any tricks that can be lost will be lost.

On this deal, South therefore notes at the outset that his possible losers at four hearts are a spade, a heart and two clubs.

He realizes that with a little luck there may be no trump loser, and that he will lose only one club if West has the ace of—17— that suit. But the basic premise he pursues is that he will be unlucky in both suits.

Declarer’s next step is to look for a means of overcoming the presumed bad luck.

long-overdue appreciation should follow. Keep working toward improvements wherever you think they’re necessary.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 2) Try to look at your options without prejudging any of them. Learn the facts, and then make your assessments. Spend the weekend enjoying films, plays and musical events.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Someone might want to take advantage of the Sagittarian’s sense of fair play. But before you ride off to right what you’ve been told is a wrong, be sure of your facts.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) You might be surprised to learn that not everyone agrees with your ideas. But this can prove to be a good thing. Go over them and see where improvements can be made.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) After taking advice on a number of matters in recent months, expect to be called on to return the gesture. And, by the way, you might be surprised at who makes the request.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Reassure everyone concerned that a change of mind isn’t necessarily a change of heart. You might still want to pursue a specific goal, but feel a need to change the way you’ll get there.

BORN THIS WEEK: You are able to make room in your heart for others, and that makes you a very special person in their lives.

• It w publish made t vation: looking it whe diagno and a remedy • If y make s mind: with need a • If y planets and ro big bal inside t • Th headin stop in Niles. visit t of Nil vated the som Leanin attracti by ind as part for em Air E Compa

© 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

He notes that if the missing spades are divided favorably, he might be able to avoid one of his club losers, and that this possibility can be explored without relinquishing his other chances of making the contract.

Accordingly, South wins the opening diamond lead with the king and immediately leads his singleton spade, East taking dummy’s jack with the king. Let’s assume East returns a diamond to the ace, whereupon declarer ruffs a low spade.

A diamond is next trumped in dummy, and another spade is ruffed. As it happens, West’s ace falls on this trick, establishing the Q-7 of spades as tricks.

The A-K of hearts are now led, revealing that West has a trump trick coming. Declarer then plays a club to the queen, taken by East with the ace. It makes no difference what East returns, because sooner or later South reaches dummy’s king of clubs and discards his last club on the spade queen.

Declarer thus winds up losing only a spade, a heart and a club thanks to spotting and then implementing an additional option at the start of play. © 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

Heal Use 5 Exot Heal

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FUN & GAMES

y y e l e , e e d r

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s y , m r n , , -

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

King Features Weekly Service

e . f o k d r e u e -

Page 32

February 14, 2011

t e

FEBRUARY 18TH - FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

—2— —2—

Page 33

Probe into Nassau fire could take months

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

Investigators rummaged through sections of the still-smoldering Betty K. Agencies Ltd. building searching for potential clues into what caused a fire that reduced historical buildings on downtown Bay Street to charred eyesores on Monday.

However, Director of Fire Services Superintendent Jeffrey Deleveaux said while investigators were beginning to collect evidence, the final determination is likely months away.

“It’s a very large area,” Deleveaux said.

“The investigators will come in and do an initial investigation and then they must return and dig out particular areas to collect samples which will be sent to our forensic lab for analysis.

However, that takes a long time because it will be done in the United States. It could take months.”

He said investigators are not ruling out anything, including the possibility that the fire may have started as a result of arson.

The fire started in an office in the Betty K. Agencies Ltd. building shortly before 8a.m., fire department officials said.

In addition to the Betty K. Agencies, several buildings were damaged or destroyed, including the Bacardi store, Venue clothing store, Botani Bash, and a couple other businesses on downtown Bay Street.

And while the burnt buildings

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

Half a dozen buildings were reduced to charred shells and rubble while several more sustained severe damage.

further erode the overall look of the city’s center, Environment Minister Dr. Earl Deveaux said the clean-up efforts cannot begin until police have wrapped up their investigation.

He said it is an effort the government will likely lead.

“In an instance like this the Ministry of Works would take the lead,” Deveaux said. “Once the police are finished the Ministry of Works through the Building Control Division would lead the exercise if the private sector doesn’t respond quickly.”

Asked how much time the

government would give business owners before it takes matters into its own hands, Deveaux said that depends on fire investigators.

“Because this was a fire, the police would treat it like a crime scene. They would want to make sure that their people have full access to the site and they can determine what caused it and what they need to learn going forward.

After that it’s intended that immediate steps be taken,” Deveaux said.

He said when that time comes, the Ministry of Works will determine whether it can do the work or whether

Dominica Prime Minister dismisses reports of early elections

ROSEAU, Dominica, - Prime would continue to work to Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has bring development dismissed speculations that he will regardless of the efforts by announce a new date for general the UWP. elections just over a year after his “While we are working, ruling Dominica Labour Party the others are talking and (DLP) was returned to office for a walking,” Skerrit said, third consecutive term. “I know that adding “I want to urge you to none of you in here were so naïve to stand firm for another term. expect the calling of elections today.

Do not become confused.

However, there are those out there “While your Labour who wanted a date. I feel obligated government is working, the to give them one. Therefore I am detractors are talking and pleased to announce that general walking. They have done elections in Dominica shall in be that for ten years and I am held in 2014,” Skerrit told the determined that they will annual delegate’s conference of the continue to do so for the next DLP in the eastern community of three years at least,” he said.

Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit Grand Fond.

Skerrit called on Voters gave the DLP an overwhelming 18-3 supporters to “stand firmly behind your majority in the December 2009 general election government because sticks and stones may break that the main opposition United Workers Party our bones but their words must never be allowed to (UWP) claimed has been dogged by voter harm us. irregularities.

“I urge you to remain focused, remain united, The Prime Minister and his Education Minister and remain steadfast in your support for the Petter Saint Jean are now before the courts on policies of the Dominica Labour Party. Do not be allegations of possessing dual citizenship when the distracted by the other side. Your government is contested the polls. working for you,” he added.

But Skerrit told supporters that his government Skerrit told the delegates conference, his

a contract would have to go to tender.

Commenting on the public/private sector initiative to revitalize downtown, Deveaux said the tragedy may push the effort forward.

He pointed out that the government has been in discussions with Betty K owners regarding the purchase of their property and some property going east for the purpose of furthering the revitalization efforts. The government intends to purchase the property as a part of its plan to extend Woodes Rodgers Wharf.

Deveaux noted that Betty K. was scheduled to move its operations to the new Arawak Cay port in May. He said the revitalization of downtown is being carried out to accommodate several basic requirements including the creation of pubic open space and to increase parking.

“I don’t suggest that we will confiscate people’s property to make open space but by having this fire all of the options of the government and private sector would become more negotiable,”?he said.

Deveaux added that business owners will now be able to step back and plan a little better what their futures will be. He said he hopes that the government and business owners can work together to have the ‘disaster’ mitigated as soon as possible.

government had with the help of friendly donor countries, accomplished significant improvements in agriculture and infrastructure, including the Chinese funded West Coast Highway, a Morocco funded hotel now under construction in the northern town of Portsmouth and a Venezuela funded coffee processing plant.

“There are hundreds of millions of dollars on infrastructural projects taking place in Dominica and to date the workers of Dominica have not been called upon to find an additional dollar to contribute to the cause. Not only have we not increased taxes in any fundamental way but we have also spared future generations from having to pay back anything.

“Most countries in this economic environment are forced to borrow or increase taxes to balance their budget and certainly to provide infrastructural development. This government is keeping the wheels of development turning and with minimum costs to both current and future generations,” he said.

Skerrit said his government was also planning on a new state of the art general hospital to be built with funding from China.

He said the government was continuing to woe nationals back to the island to assist in its overall development.

Skerrit was returned unopposed as DLP leader Saint Jean retaining his position as President.

Health Minister Julius Timothy is the new Vice President and Ambrose George was returned as Deputy Leader.

Philbert Aaron, the island’s ambassador to Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA) was elected as the party’s new public relations officer.

Page 34

The University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus Unveils FirstCaribbean Suite Extension

CARIBBEAN NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

Daniel Farmer, Managing Director and Country Head of FirstCaribbean International Bank (left) and Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal of the Cave Hill Campus, cutting the ribbon to officially open a new section of the FirstCaribbean Suites.

FirstCaribbean International Bank marked the extension of its presence at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to mark the official opening of a new section of the FirstCaribbean Suites.

Speaking on behalf of the bank, Mr. Daniel Farmer, Managing Director and Barbados Country Head thanked the UWI for its enthusiasm in the continued development of the partnership with the Bank and hoped that the Campus Community and the local banking and finance sector would continue to benefit from the collaboration. Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal of the

Cave Hill Campus thanked the Bank for its assistance in the UWI’s development over the years, and stressed the importance of such business partnerships in the University’s capacity building programme.

The FirstCaribbean Suites are located on the 1st Floor of the Solutions Centre and were first refurbished through a grant of USD$ 60,000, which allowed for the conversion of the space from a small bed and breakfast operation to a meeting room facility for the use of the University community and rented to the public. The new section includes a pair of technology outfitted computer labs complementing the already functional conference facilities.:

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

BAHAMIAN BISHOP RANDY FRASER DENIES HAVING SEX WITH TEENAGE GIRL

Pastor Earl Randolph Fraser on Tuesday passionately denied a string of sexual allegations brought by a teenage member of his church.

Fraser, pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church on St. James Road, is accused of having an affair with a 16-year-old that allegedly began in July 2005 and ended in February 2006. Prosecutors allege that Fraser abused his position of trust by allegedly beginning the sexual relationship with the girl who had come to him for counseling.

The girl has alleged that she had sex with Fraser at his church before services began on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Fraser said, “I must be a moron or a monster to engage in such activities before going to preach the word of God.” Fraser told the court that his agitants ensured that no one disturbed him before services. He said that there was no way that the complainant could have come to his office without anyone seeing her.

He also pointed out that the girl attended the 11 a.m. not the early morning service.

Fraser said, “”It would be impossible for these liaisons to occur with the amount of people around.”

Fraser also refuted allegations that he took the girl to his home in Eastwood Estates and had sex with her when his wife was abroad at a women’s conference. The girl claimed this occurred in October 2005. Fraser said his wife went away in November.

The girl claimed that Fraser picked her up from her grandmother’s home at 2 a.m. and brought her to his place. However, Fraser said she could not have left her home unnoticed as she slept with her grandmother in a home occupied by eight to 10 people.

The girl alleged that she and Fraser had sex three times at the home and they showered together before he took her home.

Fraser said, “It did not happen” as he denied the girl was at his home.

The trial continues before Deputy Chief Magistrate Carolita Bethell.

British government not deprioritising its relationship with CARICOM, says UK MInister

KINGSTON, JamaicaUK Secretary of State, Andrew Mitchell has emphasized that the British government is in no way ‘deprioritising’ its relationship with Jamaica or the region. In this regard, the UK through its Department for International Development Programme (DFID) has committed £75 million (US $120 million) in development aid to the Caribbean region, an increase of some 50percent. Speaking at a press conference at Jamaica House on Friday, Prime Minister Golding expressed his government’s appreciation for the increase in

DFID’s support, which he noted represented an increase of three times the usual support to Jamaica.

Mr. Golding said this was significant because despite the severe financial constraints facing Britain and other countries which are contracting their budgets in areas of foreign aid and support, Britain had in fact increased their support through DFID. ‘We want to express our appreciation to the government of Britain’. Mr. Golding said the government is working with Britain on very significant areas such as security, law enforcement and crime

reduction.

“We couldn’t have received the results we are now demonstrating where we are seeing a continuing trending down in the rate of violent crime. We couldn’t have done it unless we had the support that we’ve had from Britain. I have been assured that this support will continue’”, Mr. Golding said.

In his address, the UK Secretary of State, Andrew Mitchell, emphasized that as far as the development partnership between Britain and the Caribbean is concerned, his government intends to build up British development efforts

by some 55 percent over the next four years. In respect of the relationship with Jamaica, this will increase three fold over the next 4- years.

Mr. Mitchell said the partnership would deepen and intensify in the areas of climate change and disaster resilience, jobs and livelihoods, governance and security, with emphasis on tackling corruption.

National Security Minister, Dwight Nelson, in his remarks made special mention of the assistance from the government of the UK channeled to Jamaica’s crime fighting efforts. He expressed appreciation for the programme of assistance in the rehabilitation of prisoners which provides them with diverse skills, allowing them to re-enter society and not continue to be a burden to the country.

US says no to new Caribbean Airlines routes

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) has turned down an application from the Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines (CAL) to fly passengers, cargo and mail between Barbados, Grenada, St Lucia and New York as well as scheduled services between Barbados and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Director of the Office of International Aviation in the US Paul L Gretch handed down the decision on Friday.

He also advised CAL that permission had been granted to operate services between the US and Jamaica and New York and Grenada.

In September 2010, CAL having assumed responsibility for Air Jamaica applied for an exemption to undertake various flights previously serviced by the Jamaican carrier.

“We have decided to grant CAL’s request, for a one-year term, to provide scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property and mail from points

CARIBBEAN NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

behind Jamaica, via Jamaica and intermediate points, to a point or points in the United States and beyond,” the US DOT said.

“Charter foreign air transportation of persons, property and mail between any point or points in the United States and any foreign point or points, provided that, except with respect to cargo charters, such service constitutes part of a continuous operation, with or without a change of aircraft, that includes services to Jamaica for the purpose of carrying local traffic between Jamaica and the United States, and scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property and mail between Grenada and New York,” were also approved.

But the news for Barbados and St Lucia was not so good.

“With respect to CAL’s request to serve Barbados and St Lucia, we cannot make the public interest findings necessary to grant this extra-bilateral authority,” Gretch said.

“Air Jamaica is not currently

The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) has turned down an applicationCaribbean Airlines (CAL) to fly passengers, cargo and mail between Barbados, Grenada, St Lucia and New York as well as scheduled services between Barbados and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

servicing either point, and CAL has not demonstrated that there is an immediate public need for these services in the circumstances presented. We will thus dismiss its request to serve these points from the United Sates.

Aviation officials said that CAL

Investments going to St Vincentnew airport will be built

The Chief Executive Officer of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority (SVGTA), Glen Beache, says the government plans to commence operations of its new Argyle International Airport in early 2013.

Beache, tourism minister in the previous Ralph Gonsalves-led Unity Labor Party (ULP) administrations, told the 4th Routes Americas conference that opened here on Monday that the new facility, which is expected to attract direct flights from key North American and European gateways, “has sparked the interest of major carriers from the US, Canada and Europe, along with leading hotel and resort companies who are taking a closer look at investment opportunities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“On St. Vincent itself, the new Buccament Bay Resort, about half an hour’s drive from the new airport, is set to open with 100 rooms in April 2011, with top amenities and facilities to eventually accommodate 1,600 guests,” Beache told delegates attending the Routes Americas conference held in the Caribbean for the first time.

“In the Grenadines, CRD Group, an investor in Sandy Lane, Barbados, has agreed to invest over US$100 million in the Canouan Resort at Carenage Bay. In Bequia, the Bequia Beach Hotel is expanding from 30 to 65 rooms before year’s end.

“We see this trend continuing over the next two to three years as a result of the new airport,” Beache added.

The new Argyle International Airport will replace the existing E.T. Joshua Airport at Arnos Vale, just a stone’s throw from capital city Kingstown.

“As the largest development project ever undertaken in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, it is a critical cog in the evolution of the multifaceted, multi-island destination’s growing hospitality sector,” said the SVGTA in a statement.

“Runway and other construction have been moving ahead, with 65 percent of the project’s earthworks components completed by the end of 2010,” it added.

The SVGTA said the new terminal building, which will break ground soon, will have three floors with 129,870 square feet of floor space – designed to handle about 1.4 million passengers per year, more than five

Page 35

The Chief Executive Officer of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority (SVGTA), Glen Beache

times the number of passengers currently passing through the existing airport.

“The Argyle International Airport Terminal has been carefully sized to accommodate our expected growth in passenger traffic over both the medium and long terms,” Beache said.

“Tourism is, and is likely, to remain our main foreign exchange earner; and this investment in major infrastructure development will allow us to attract direct flights from major US, Canadian and European cities,” he added.

He said the Argyle International Airport will sit on roughly 175 acres of land, with a paved runway 9,000 feet long and 150 feet wide, and is designed to accommodate jets as large as Boeing 747-400s.

The project broke ground in 2008, and is expected to be complete by the end of 2012.

The airport is being developed by the International Airport Development Company (IADC), a private limited liability company, wholly-owned by the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The IADC said work on the earthworks resumed on Monday, following the return of the Cuban workers.

was not a designated Barbados or St Lucia carrier and this significantly weakened its case. They also said that the only way it was likely to get the Americans to reconsider was for CAL to apply to Barbados and St Lucia authorities for such designation.

PRESENCE OF RUSSIANS CONCERN AUTHORITIES IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Santo Domingo. – A Russian citizen’s purchase of a stolen pistol used to gun down Police colonel Virgilio Casilla has prompted the authorities’ interest on the number of individuals from that nation who live in the Dominican Republic, mainly since the Antinarcotics Agency (DNCD) began to report the arrests of people headed to Moscow carrying drugs.

Since 2000 intelligence agencies have registered 1,144 Russians, 473 of which have permanent residence, confirmed by Immigration Agency sources quoted by news source eldia.com.do, which reports that many of the Russians live the resort regions of Puerto Plata and Punta Cana.

The investigation began with the arrest of the Russian Mikail Sulin, who allegedly paid RD$100,000 for a pistol used in the officer’s homicide, but was released on bond by Puerto Plata judge Yakaira Vélez.

DNCD files show that 12 Russians are currently in Dominican prisons, mainly in Higuey (east).

Read our e-paper online at www.suntci.com

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Bahrain locked down after 5 protesters killed TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

MANAMA, Bahrain – Bahrain's leaders banned public gatherings and sent tanks into the streets Thursday, intensifying a crackdown that killed five anti-government protesters, wounded more than 200 and turned a hospital into a cauldron of anguish and rage against the monarchy.

Bahrain's streets were mostly empty after the bloody clampdown, but thousands defied authorities by marching in cities in Libya and Yemen as the wave of political unrest continued in the wake of uprisings that toppled leaders in Egypt and Tunisia.

The tiny kingdom of Bahrain is a key part of Washington's military counterbalance to Iran by hosting the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet. Bahrain's rulers and their Arab allies depict any sign of unrest among their Shiite populations as a move by neighboring Shiite-majority Iran to expand its clout in the region.

While part of the recent revolt in the Arab world, the underlying tensions in Bahrain are decades old and pit the majority Shiites against the Sunni elite.

After allowing several days of rallies in the capital of Manama by

disaffected Shiites, the island nation's Sunni rulers unleashed riot police who stormed a protest encampment in Pearl Square before dawn, firing tear gas, beating demonstrators or blasting them with shotgun sprays of birdshot. Along with two who died in clashes with police Monday, the new killings brought the death toll this week in Bahrain to seven.

The willingness to resort to violence against largely peaceful demonstrators was a sign of how deeply the monarchy fears the repercussions of a prolonged wave of

Egypt arrests three former ministers on corruption allegations CAIRO – Egyptian authorities arrested on Thursday former Interior Minister Habib elAdly and two other ex-ministers who are under investigation for corruption, security officials said.

Authorities also arrested steel tycoon Ahmed Ezz, once a prominent member of the ouster leader Hosni Mubarak's ruling National Democratic Party.

El-Adly, whose job gave him control over the 500,000-strong security forces, has been widely blamed for the deadly brutality used by riot police against demonstrators in massive protests that began Jan. 25 and forced Mubarak to step down Feb. 11. El-Adly served in his former post for 12 years.

News of el-Adly's arrest followed the detention earlier Thursday of former Housing Minister Ahmed Maghrabi, ex-Tourism Minister Zuheir Garana and Ezz. All four face allegations that range from money laundering to abuse of authority and squandering state wealth.

The protesters who ousted Mubarak in 18 days of demonstrations against his regime often mentioned the deep corruption of the regime as a key reason behind their movement.

The security officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media, said all four

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

of the men would also be initially held for 15 days.

All four had previously been banned from travel abroad and had their assets frozen, measures that are normally a prelude to a criminal investigation and possible trial. They are among some dozen ex-ministers and businessmen who are under investigation for corruption or abuse of authority.

Most of those under investigation belonged to a clique of businessmen-turned-politicians who rallied around Mubarak's son and onetime heir apparent Gamal in the ruling party.

Gamal Mubarak, 47, rose rapidly through the ranks of the party over the past decade to become the most powerful politician in Egypt after his 82-year-old father.

Gamal Mubarak and his circle of businessmen have been blamed for orchestrating economic reform that liberalized the economy but left the country's poor masses unable to reap the benefits of economic growth.

Ezz, an upstart who used his vast wealth to promote his political career, is widely blamed for the widespread fraud that marred parliamentary elections held in November and December. The ruling part won all but a small fraction of the chamber's 518 seats. Ezz has denied the charge in a TV interview.

protests.

In the government's first public comment on the crackdown, Foreign Minister Khalid Al Khalifa said it was necessary because the demonstrators were "polarizing the country" and pushing it to the "brink of the sectarian abyss."

Speaking to reporters after an emergency meeting with his Gulf counterparts in Manama to discuss the unrest, he called the violence "regrettable," said the deaths would be investigated and added that authorities chose to clear the square by force at 3 a.m. — when the f

Obama in state visit to Britain in May

LONDON – President Barack Obama will make a state visit to Britain in May at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth II, officials said Thursday.

Prime Minister David Cameron's office said it is pleased that Obama has accepted the invitation to visit the U.K. along with first lady Michelle Obama from May 24-26. The trip will come just before a G-8 summit in France, which Obama is expected to attend.

Obama is expected to meet with Cameron while he is in the country, and the prime minister's office said the visit demonstrates the "strong and enduring relationship" between the two countries.

The White House confirmed the trip, noting it will be the president's first state visit to a European country.

Further details on the visit will be made available later, White House spokesman Jay Carney said.

Obama's state visit to the U.K. will be the first by a U.S. president since George W. Bush came in November 2003. Obama was in London for the G-20 summit in 2009, but that was not a state visit.

At the time, the first lady made a strong impression on the queen. The two made headlines for wrapping their arms around each other — a rare moment of public affection for the monarch. Later that year, Michelle Obama returned to London with her daughters, taking a guided tour of Buckingham Palace and getting a special greeting from the queen.

On the state visit in May, Obama and his wife will stay at Buckingham Palace. The U.S. president will receive a full ceremonial welcome and a banquet will be held in his honor.

Italian Prime Minister not worried about sex scandal A defiant Silvio Berlusconi vowed to see out his term as Italian Prime Minister until 2013, saying he was unworried by an order to stand trial for abuse of power and paying for sex with an underage girl.

"For love of country I won't talk about it. Suffice it to say that I am not worried in the least," Berlusconi said in his first public comment since a judge ordered him to stand trial in April over the so-called "Ruby affair."

Berlusconi's lieutenants have blasted the trial order as what they call another calculated move by leftist magistrates to destroy his political career.

But commentators say the momentum against him seems to be building up. The trial date was set two

days after hundreds of thousands of people demonstrated throughout the country demanding his immediate resignation.

"Berlusconi is now in a defensive position and (the court order) breathes electoral hope into an opposition that smells a precious opportunity to beat him," Franco said.

The timing of any early elections depends how long Berlusconi's increasingly fragile coalition can stick together.

The sex scandal has riveted Italy and, commentators say, caused untold damage to the country's image abroad.

Much will depend on the position of the Northern League, Berlusconi's main coalition partner, and its mercurial leader

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi

Umberto Bossi.

Berlusconi, who held talks with coalition leaders on Tuesday night after the indictment was announced, told the news conference that Bossi assured him the League will stand by him.

But commentators say Bossi is merely biding his time until federalist reforms are in place to placate his northern constituents and will then pull the plug on the coalition, as he did in 1994 when he provoked the collapse of Berlusconi's first government.

Berlusconi's legal problems have complicated a political situation already tangled by a split in the People of Freedom coalition last year, which left him barely clinging to power.

The government survived a noconfidence motion in parliament in December by a small margin. Since then, Berlusconi has gradually built up support by winning over deputies from smaller centrist parties and splinter formations.

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Iran MPs want death penalty for opposition leaders

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

TEHRAN– Iranian lawmakers urged judiciary to hand out death penalties to opposition leaders for fomenting unrest in the Islamic state after a rally in which one person was killed and dozens were wounded, state media said.

Clashes broke out between security forces and protesters when thousands of opposition supporters rallied in sympathy for popular uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia on Monday, reviving mass protests that shook Iran after a presidential vote in 2009. "(Opposition leaders) Mehdi Karroubi and Mirhossein Mousavi are corrupts on earth and should be tried," the official IRNA news agency quoted lawmakers as saying in a statement.

The loose term "Corrupt on Earth," a charge which has been leveled at political dissidents in the past, carries the death penalty in the Islamic Iran.

Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein MohseniEjei said: "Those who created public disorder on Monday will be confronted firmly and immediately."

Iranian authorities have repeatedly accused opposition leaders of being part of a Western plot to overthrow the Islamic system. The claim has been denied by Mousavi and Karroubi.

Parliament speaker Ali Larijani also accused the United States and its allies of providing support to the opposition.

"The main aim of Americans was to simulate the recent events in the Middle East in Iran to divert attentions from those countries," Larijani said, state radio reported.

Protests against Iran's clerical establishment appeared to have ended and life was back to normal in Tehran streets and other cities on Tuesday.

INCREASING PRESSURE But wary of a repeat of the protests in 2009, which saw the biggest unrest since Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution, hardline rulers are expected to step up pressure on the opposition to prevent a new flare-up.

The last anti-government protest in Iran was in December 2009 when eight people were killed.

At least 20 pro-reform activists were arrested before the protests, opposition websites reported.

State television described protesters as "Hypocrites, monarchists, thugs and seditionists."

A senior police official said dozens of protesters had been arrested and at least nine policemen were wounded by "hypocrites."

"We have information...that America, Britain ad Israel guided the opposition leaders who called for the rally," said deputy police chief Ahmadreza Radan, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

Iran's top authority Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia against secular, Western-allied rulers an "Islamic awakening," akin to the 1979 revolution that overthrew the U.S.-backed shah in Iran.

But the opposition say events in Tunisia and Egypt mirror their own protests after the June 2009 vote which they say was rigged to secure President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election. Authorities deny this.

The opposition leaders, who called the protest, were prevented by security forces from participating the rally, Mousavi's website Kaleme reported.

Amnesty International, Britain and the United States condemned the authorities' reaction to the protests.

First Egypt-style protests hit Gadhafi’s Libya

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Hundreds of protesters took to the demanding a change of streets of Libya Wednesday in the government. first sign that the unrest which "The people demand the toppled governments in fall of the regime!" protesters neighboring Tunisia and Egypt chanted as men pounded has spread to the North African their chests in rhythm, a nation. mourning gesture which is Witnesses said protesters in distinctive to the Shiite the eastern port city of Benghazi branch of Islam. chanted slogans demanding the Bahrain's Interior resignation of Prime Minister Ministry has promised to Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi. take legal action over the two The Associated Press said deaths if it finds police used that the crowds did not appear to "unjustifiable" force. direct their anger at Moammar Meanwhile in Yemen, Gadhafi, who is Africa's longestdemonstrations against serving leader. He has ruled for 41 President Ali Abdullah Saleh years. spread across the country However, Dubai-based with protests in Aden and Prime Minister Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi television news service Al-Jazeera Taiz as well as the capital reported that sources said the demonstrators chanted Sanaa. slogans against the "corrupt rulers of the country."

At least 800 protesters marched through the Al-Jazeera said the protesters are calling on streets near Sanaa University despite police efforts citizens to observe Thursday as a "Day of Rage," to break up the demonstration. hoping to emulate the popular uprisings in Egypt Reuters reported that a 21-year old protester and Tunisia and end Gadhafi's regime. was shot dead after clashes broke out between As in the previous uprisings, Libyan activists police and demonstrators in south Yemen on were using social networking websites including Wednesday.

Facebook.

"We're no weaker than Tunisians and Egyptians, Libya is the latest country to experience unrest, and our situation is worse than theirs," said Rafea following the successful uprisings in Tunisia and Abdullah, a Sanaa University student, referring to the Egypt. Iran, Bahrain and Yemen also are "people power" revolts that ousted the presidents of experiencing ongoing demonstrations.

Egypt and Tunisia over the last month.

In Bahrain, protesters poured into the Gulf The precise motivations behind the Libyan protest island kingdom's capital Wednesday to mourn a were unclear, but a Benghazi resident contacted by demonstrator killed in earlier clashes with security Reuters said people involved in the clashes were forces. relatives of inmates at Abu Salim prison, near Tripoli.

Over a thousand people joined a funeral Others were relatives of inmates killed at the prison procession for the man, who was shot dead on in June 1996, when more than 1,000 prisoners were Tuesday when fighting broke out at the burial of shot dead. another protester.

After the rioting in Benghazi, some 110 militants Some 2,000 were also camped out at a major and activists were released from Abu Salim but a road junction in the center of Manama, hoping to human rights activist told NBC News that this had emulate the rallies on Cairo's Tahrir Square and been planned for six months.

PRINCE HARRY TO BE BEST MAN AT UK ROYAL WEDDING LONDON – Key supporting roles in the royal wedding of the year — if not the decade — were handed out Monday, with Prince Harry named as his brother's best man and Kate Middleton's sister Pippa chosen as her maid of honor.

Prince William and his fiancee also named bridesmaids and page boys for the big event, including two 3year-olds who will be asked to be on their best behavior during the globally televised ceremony.

The announcements by St. James' Palace made it clear the April 29 wedding at Westminster Abbey will be a family affair that emphasizes the tight bonds between Britain's youthful princes and between Middleton and her younger sister, the stylish, 27year-old Pippa Middleton, whose formal name is Philippa.

Prince Harry

In the past, royal grooms have usually chosen more than one best man, or supporter as they are sometimes called. But the 28-year-old Prince William has made clear that Prince Harry, 26, offers all the support he needs — so both children of the late Princess Diana will have integral roles in the ceremony.

Kate Middleton's choice of her sister Pippa as maid of honor was seen as slightly surprising because bridesmaids and maids of honor at royal weddings are typically much younger than Pippa, said royal historian Hugo Vickers.

The bridesmaids include Lady Louise Windsor, 7, the daughter of Prince Edward, William's uncle; Margarita Armstrong-Jones, 8, the daughter of Viscount and Viscountess Linley; Eliza Lopes, the 3-year-old granddaughter of Prince Charles' wife Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall; and Grace van Cutsem, 3, a godchild of William's.

Page boys for the wedding will be William LowtherPinkerton, 10, the son of William's private secretary, and Tom Pettifer, 8, another one of William's godchildren.

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Giffords doesn't know details of shootings

WORLD NEWS

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords has not yet been told the details of a Jan. 8 shooting spree in Tucson, Ariz., that wounded her and 12 others and killed six people, including a staff member, according to her chief of staff.

Pia Carusone said Wednesday on CBS's "The Early Show" that the Arizona congresswoman, who can carry on simple conversations, knows there was a traumatic event but has not been told about the severity of the wounds to others. That will happen in time when she's "at a higher level of communication," Carusone said.

"Doctors have said it's not really fair, as you can imagine, to tell someone something so tragic and someone that might not have the ability to ask the detailed questions that someone will have when they

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FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

hear this news," she said. laughs at the appropriate times," Carusone said.

Jared Loughner is charged in federal court with killing a federal judge and Giffords aide "She's just working Gabriel Zimmerman and attempting to kill really hard and progressing.

Giffords and two other staffers, Pamela Simon It's paying off. And every day there's new progress that and Ron Barber.

Giffords was shot in the head and is you see. So, you know, we feel very hopeful at her undergoing intensive rehabilitation at TIRR Memorial Hermann in Houston. recovery."

Words in her vocabulary are returning and Giffords' husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, has she is saying new words every day, Carusone said. Giffords can also sense when said he expects his wife to conversations turn serious and recognizes be well enough to be at Cape U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords visitors, she said.

Canaveral, Fla., for his "Short phrases, simple thoughts. There's no doubt planned launch of the space shuttle Endeavour in April, that she understands what's happening around her. She although her doctor said it's too early to say.

CBS reporter Gunmen kill US agent, Lara Logan beaten and wound another, in Mexico sexually assaulted in Egypt

WASHINGTON – CBS correspondent Lara Logan was beaten and sexually assaulted by a mob while covering the jubilation in Cairo's Tahrir Square on the day Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak stepped down, the U.S. broadcasting network said.

Logan, a 39-year-old South Africa native and longtime war correspondent, has since flown back to the United States and is recovering in hospital. She was one of dozens of journalists attacked during the three weeks of protests throughout Egypt.

CBS News said in a statement Logan was covering the celebrations for CBS's "60 Minutes" program on February 11 when she and her team were surrounded by "a mob of more than 200 people whipped into a CBS correspondent Lara Logan frenzy."

"In the crush of the mob, she was separated from her crew. She was surrounded and suffered a brutal and sustained sexual assault and beating before being saved by a group of women and an estimated 20 Egyptian soldiers," CBS said.

Logan made her name as a war correspondent for Britain's GMTV during the start of the U.S.-led Afghanistan war in 2001 and subsequently reported on the war in Iraq and its violent aftermath. She joined CBS News in 2002.

The Committee to Protect Journalists, a media watchdog group, said at least 52 journalists were attacked and 76 were imprisoned during the unrest in Egypt that led Mubarak to step down after 30 years in power. All have been released, it said.

One journalist, Ahmad Mohamed Mahmoud of the Egyptian newspaper Al-Ta'awun, was killed while filming clashes near Tahrir Square, the CPJ said.

"Egypt's old regime orchestrated a ferocious campaign to stop the news of this movement for change," Paul Steiger, a member of the CPJ's board and former managing editor of The Wall Street Journal said.

He was speaking at a news conference to discuss the group's annual report, which examined working conditions for journalists in more than 100 countries.

It said 44 journalists were killed and 145 were imprisoned in 2010.

The number of deaths marked a sharp drop from the 71 recorded in 2009.

The high toll that year stemmed from a massacre in the Philippines in which at least 34 journalists died -- the single deadliest event for journalists ever.

Pakistan was the deadliest country for journalists in 2010, with eight killed, followed by Iraq with five. Indonesia, Mexico and Honduras followed, each with three reporters slain.

This year's report highlights the increasing importance of web-based journalism. In 2010, 69 journalists whose work appeared primarily online were jailed, according to the CPJ. Steiger said attacks on Internet journalists, which often include cyberattacks and attacks on websites, must be closely monitored.

"The often invisible, sophisticated attacks constitute a new front in the fight for press freedom," he said. "We need to pay close attention to Internet censorship."

MEXICO CITY – The killing of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent and wounding of another in Mexico highlights the risk for American officials helping with Mexico's crackdown on organized crime under increasing cooperation between the two countries.

Special Agent Jaime Zapata, on assignment to the ICE Attache in Mexico City from his post in Laredo, Texas, died Tuesday when gunmen attacked the agents' blue Suburban vehicle as they drove through the northern state of San Luis Potosi.

The second agent, who wasn't identified, was shot in the arm and leg and was in stable condition, according to statements from the Department of Homeland Security.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said the fatal attack on American law enforcement, the highest-profile since the 1985 torture and killing of DEA agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, won't change the U.S. commitment to supporting Mexico in its crackdown on organized crime.

"Let me be clear: any act of violence against our ICE personnel — or any DHS personnel — is an attack against all those who serve our nation and put their lives at risk for our safety," Napolitano said in a statement. "We remain committed in our broader support for Mexico's efforts to combat violence within its borders."

U.S. and Mexican officials said they were working closely together to investigate the shooting and find those responsible.

The two agents were driving a four-lane, federal highway from Mexico City to the northern city

of Monterrey on routine business and not as part of an investigation, said a U.S. federal law enforcement official who is not authorized to discuss the case publicly. ICE, the agency for immigration enforcement inside the U.S., also investigates drugs, money laundering and smuggling of weapons and other contraband in Mexico, according to former director Julie Myers.

The agents were stopped at what may have appeared to be a military checkpoint, according to one Mexican official, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the case. Mexican military officers said they had no checkpoints in the area.

After they stopped, someone opened fire on them, the official said.

It's not known whether the men were hit because they were law enforcement or because of the blue Suburban they were driving, a truck coveted by use for drug gangs. Texas missionary Nancy Davis shot to death last month in northern Mexico while traveling in a large 2008 Chevrolet pickup, and police believe the attackers were trying to steal the truck.

Mexico is fighting heavily armed and powerful drug cartels that supply the U.S. market. Since President Felipe Calderon launched a military crackdown on organized crime shortly after taking office in December 2006, almost 35,000 people have been killed in drug-related violence.

The U.S. has increased equipment and training support for Mexico in recent years through its $1.4 billion Merida Initiative.

As of January last year, 26 ICE special agents also had trained over 4,000 new Mexican police recruits, according to the embassy.

UK to review human rights laws after sex ruling

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

Britain said on Wednesday it would review the way European human rights rules are interpreted in British law after Prime Minister David Cameron criticized a court ruling in favor of sexual offenders.

The government said it would reluctantly comply with a decision by Britain's Supreme Court to give convicted rapists and pedophiles the right to ask for their name to be removed from a life-long register of sex offenders.

Cameron said the government would take the "minimum possible approach" to the Supreme Court decision, made last year after Britain's top judges found provisions in the Sexual Offences Act incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.

"I am appalled by the Supreme Court ruling, Cameron told parliament.

At present, sex offenders sentenced to more than 30 months in jail are put on the register for life, requiring them keep police notified where they live and if they

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UK Prime Minister David Cameron

go abroad. The Supreme Court ruled this breached their human rights.

Under the government's proposed rules, offenders will be able to apply to be removed from the register after 15 years. Police will decide whether they

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present a continuing risk to the public.

The Supreme Court's decision is the latest in a series of human rights rulings which have angered British politicians.

Last week lawmakers called on the government to defy an outstanding ruling to give prisoners the right to vote, made in 2005 by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg in France.

Britain bars most prisoners from voting in elections and Cameron has said the idea of allowing convicts to vote makes him "physically ill."

Home Secretary Theresa May told parliament's lower House of Commons that the government would shortly set up a commission to investigate the creation of a "British Bill of Rights."

"Most people in this house are fed up with the way that decisions taken by this house are increasingly being overturned by the courts ... we will be ensuring that we are able to take action to assert the

rights of parliament," she said.

The scope of the government's human rights commission remains unclear, as it will have to satisfy the competing demands of the coalition's Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.

Many of Cameron's Conservatives want Britain to tear up the provisions of the European human rights convention, which the former Labour government incorporated into British law.

They say the convention takes power away from parliament and disregards the rights of victims of crime in favor of offenders. The Conservatives campaigned in last May's national election to replace the convention with a British version.

But their pro-European Liberal Democrat partners in the coalition support the convention, potentially neutering the commission, which was promised by the two parties when they formed their governing alliance last May.

World’s newest nation to be called South Sudan

The southern part of Sudan, which decided to secede through a referendum last month, will be known as South Sudan when it becomes the world's newest nation on July 9.

This was decided at the politburo meeting of the Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) in Juba on Tuesday, the party's Secretary-General Pagan Amum told reporters.

"We will be asking the government of South Sudan, and the Parliament, and our caucus of SPLM, to vote for the name of a country that will be called South Sudan, he added.

The decision has to be ratified by the Southern Parliament, which is dominated by SPLM. Amum said negotiations were on with the North's ruling National Congress Party on outstanding issues that have to be resolved before partition, and warned of the challenges ahead, as "we are a baby nation that has just been born....and fragile." He made it clear that the seceded region of Sudan has no intention of continuing to split the proceeds from oil revenue, but will only pay a fee for using the pipelines that transport the oil to Port Sudan.

The government of Southern Sudan has plans to introduce a new currency, and the SPLM would split into separate northern and southern sections.

The people of South Sudan overwhelmingly voted in January for independence, which will divide Africa's largest country into two and give birth to world's next nation.

The referendum was one of the consequences of the 2005 Naivasha Agreement between the Khartoum central government and the Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M) that ended decades of north-south civil war.

Reports say a vote for independence will throw Southern Sudan, a region rampant with corruption and illiteracy and without any paved roads, into huge challenges.

The vote for independence means the South can control almost 80 per cent of Sudan's immense oil resources, but the port used to ship it abroad is in the North.

National oil exploration companies of Malaysia, India, and China are helping that impoverished country for the third-biggest output in sub-Saharan Africa with a daily production of 490,000 barrels of crude oil.

United Airlines grounds its 757 fleet over safety issues

United Airlines grounded its fleet of 96 Boeing 757s late Tuesday after discovering it had not completed safety checks on a critical equipment upgrade required by federal aviation regulators.

The airline, which found the problem and voluntarily halted takeoffs on the jets, expected to cancel or delay an unspecified number of flights through today while it performed the checks, spokeswoman Megan McCarthy said. United uses the planes mostly on long-range flights in the U.S., such as flights across the country.

"We apologize for any inconvenience for our customers," McCarthy said. "We are using all available resources to address this issue."

The problem occurred on the 757's air data computer, which measures air pressure and other atmospheric conditions to determine speed and altitude. The Federal Aviation Administration on June 22, 2004, ordered that the computers be

Speaker Boehner on government job losses: "So be it" House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner took a hard line on Tuesday on prospects of federal workforce job losses stemming from Republican spending cuts, saying "so be it."

The House has begun debating legislation that would cut $61 billion from current spending for the remainder of the fiscal year ending on September 30, equivalent to a 14 percent

A separate referendum on whether the oil-rich southern region of Abyei should become part of Southern Sudan has been postponed due to conflict over demarcation and residency rights.

The countries and organizations that witnessed the signing of Sudan's Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005 have urged parties to the deal "to redouble their efforts to reach agreement on the outstanding CPA and post-referendum issues."

reduction.

At a press conference, Boehner was asked about the impact of the spending cuts.

"Over the last two years since President Obama has taken office, the federal government has added 200,000 new federal jobs."

Boehner said. "If some of those jobs are lost in this, so be it. We're broke."

Democrats challenged

Boehner's 200,000 figure and cited estimates of about 20,000 more federal workers since Obama took office in 2009.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner warned Republicans on Tuesday against cutting spending too quickly, calling for gradual deficit reduction to avoid endangering the economic recovery.

replaced and that mechanics perform a check to ensure they were working properly.

United hadn't performed the required check after replacing the units, McCarthy said. The airline said it was not aware of any problems or incidents caused by the computers.

Each 757 has two of the computers so that they can check each other's accuracy, as well as a standby system in case of emergency, according to Boeing's documentation of the aircraft.

The FAA issued an emergency order requiring that the computers be replaced because of a flaw that could cause pilots to erroneously believe they were flying too fast or too slow.

Although rare, erroneous speed readings have led to several fatal crashes, including two in 1996 on 757s.

On Feb. 6, 1996, 189 people died when a Birgenair jet crashed off the Dominican Republic. On Oct. 2, 1996, 70 died on an AeroPeru jet with a similar problem near Lima.

Neither crash was caused by a problem with the computers, but in both instances, pilots became confused when they thought they were going too fast.

French investigators have also said that a problem with speed readings on an Airbus A330 preceded the crash of Air France Flight 447 in the Atlantic Ocean on June 1, 2009. All 228 people aboard the flight from Rio de Janeiro to Paris died. No cause of the crash has been issued.

The FAA was unaware of the issue until it was notified Tuesday by United, FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown said.

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Borders files for bankruptcy

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NEW YORK/WILMINGTON, Delaware – Borders Group Inc (BGP.N) filed for bankruptcy protection and said it planned to close nearly one-third of its bookstores, after years of shriveling sales that made it impossible to manage its crushing debt load.

The long-expected Chapter 11 filing will give the second-largest U.S. bookstore chain a chance to fix its finances and shrink its business at a time when buyers are increasingly going online rather than visiting megastores. The bankruptcy could help larger rival Barnes & Noble Inc, which also is struggling, by reducing the number of competing stores.

Analysts say that Borders' struggles may only have a modest benefit for Barnes & Noble, which needs to focus on its efforts, through its Nook e-reader, to win more of the growing e-books market.

"Barnes & Noble shouldn't be distracted by Borders' bankruptcy," said Morningstar analyst Pete Wahlstrom. "If they let their food off the gas even for a second, Apple and Amazon will be ready to take the spoils."

Borders President Mike Edward said his chain "does not have the capital resources it needs to be a viable competitor," noting that Chapter 11 bankruptcy was essential for it to restructure its debt and still operate.

Borders, which started out in 1971 as a small chain of bookstores in Ann Arbor, Michigan, pioneered the concept of superstores in the early 1990s along with Barnes & Noble, but it has struggled to adapt to sweeping technological changes.

Its inability to garner significant

Borders, the second-largest US bookstore chain, filed for bankruptcy, the latest blow to an industry hard hit by competition from electronic readers and online booksellers.

online business and its near absence from the growing digital book market have made it difficult for Borders to keep up with Barnes & Noble and online retailer Amazon.com Inc. Borders said in January that it might have to file for bankruptcy if it could not meet conditions for securing a $550 million credit facility from GE Capital, a unit of General Electric Co. In bankruptcy, GE Capital will provide Borders with $505 million in debtor-in-possession financing to allow it to continue operating, contingent on court approval.

Borders' top shareholder is CEO Bennett Lebow, who injected $25 million of his own money last May to try to shore up the bookseller. Its second-largest shareholder is hedge fund Pershing Square, whose manager, William Ackman, has said it was his worst investment ever. In bankruptcy,

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

stockholders are typically wiped out.

Sales at Borders declined by double-digit percentage rates in 2008, 2009 and in each quarter in 2010 it has reported.

The chain's difficulty in coming up with a business strategy has been worsened by the revolving door that its executive suite has been in recent years. The company has had four chief executive officers in the past three years and two chief financial officers in 2010.

Borders, which has a full-time staff of 6,100, operates 508 namesake superstores as well as a chain of smaller Waldenbooks stores.

The company said it would close about 30 percent of its stores in the next several weeks and planned to continue to pay its employees. In recent years, almost all store closures have been at Waldenbooks, as Borders

has said its namesake superstores are essential to its brand.

The company said it would honor gift cards and rewards under its customer loyalty programs.

Borders had liabilities of $1.29 billion and assets of $1.28 billion as of December 25, according to documents filed on Wednesday with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan.

The company's largest unsecured creditors include major publishers that provide the books it sells. Borders owes Pearson PLC's Penguin $41.2 million, Hachette Book Group USA $36.9 million, and CBS's Simon & Schuster $33.8 million, according to court documents.

AUTHOR OF ITS OWN WOES Borders also has felt pressure from budget prices on best-sellers sold at discount chains Wal-Mart Stores Inc and Costco Wholesale Corp.

But analysts have faulted Borders for being late to understand bookselling was changing for good.

It was a latecomer to the ebook market, a rare source of growth in the publishing world. The company started its ebook store last July, eight months after Barnes & Noble and nearly three years after Amazon.com.

In what has turned out to be a catastrophic mistake, Borders in 2001 outsourced its online bookselling to Amazon, waiting until 2008 to relaunch Borders.com. In the first three quarters of 2010, those sales still made up only 2 percent of Borders' business.

The chain put itself up for sale in early 2008, but abandoned the process later that year when it found no takers.

Borders, which loaded up debt during an ill-advised attempt to expand overseas, made the mistake of diversifying into CDs and DVDs several years ago, just as sales of those media began collapsing. Its British business ceased operations in 2009.

Google’s travel deal faces regulatory turbulence

SAN FRANCISCO – Google wants to become the hub of online travel, promising better bargains and more convenience by melding the Internet search leader's wizardry with the Web's top airline-fare tracker, ITA Software.

That has existing online travel sites such as Kayak, Expedia and Travelocity worried that they won't stand a chance of competing, a scenario that could lead to higher fares.

The U.S. Justice Department is expected to decide soon on whether to let Google Inc. buy ITA for $700 million. The deal would give Google control over software that has helped power the reservation systems of most major U.S. airlines and a fleet of online fare-comparison services for the past decade.

The government review could serve as a test of how aggressively U.S. antitrust regulators intend to police Google as the company uses the wealth and influence gained from its dominance in Internet search to expand into other lucrative markets. The U.S. market for online travel bookings totals about $80 billion annually, according to Forrester Research.

Google says owning ITA, the brainchild of computer scientists specializing in artificial intelligence at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, would lead to lower prices and more

convenient ways to shop for tickets on the Internet.

For instance, travelers might tell Google how much they could afford to spend to visit a warm place on certain dates, and the search engine would turn into a travel guide.

But critics contend that Google would be able to hobble other travel services by burying them in its search results or denying them ITA's latest technical innovations. Google so far has only promised to honor all of ITA's current contracts, which expire over the next few years.

"Google will have leverage over the entire online flight industry," said Thomas Barnett, a former leader of the Justice Department's antitrust division. Now an attorney in private practice, Barnett represents Expedia Inc., which has banded with such online travel services as Microsoft Corp.'s Bing, Travelocity, Kayak Software Corp. and Farelogix Inc. to oppose the ITA deal.

Google has promised it won't sell airline tickets or book other travel arrangements on its own site.

Rather, Google would refer people elsewhere to buy tickets and make reservations for hotels and rental cars. Those sites would earn commissions.

But competitors say there is no guarantee on who would get the traffic. Google, for instance, could simply send travelers directly to the selected airline or

hotel and bypass the existing referral and booking services, denying them the commissions.

The online travel companies also fear that Google would place its own travel recommendations on the top of its influential search results page, putting them at a disadvantage.

Google already has been accused of favoring its own services — such as mapping, video and finance — in its search results. The company says its users prefer those services. But European regulators and the Texas attorney general have opened inquiries into Google's business practices.

As a sign of its influence, Google already fields so many travel requests that its search engine accounts for an estimated 30 percent of traffic to travel sites. ITA's technology could enable Google to attract an even larger share of travel searches.

Google, however, seems less interested in making commissions itself. Rather, it appears to want to improve its travel results so that it can retain users and sell more ads. By some estimates, travel advertisers account for about 10 percent, or nearly $3 billion, of Google's annual revenue.

The fear is that if Google gets a larger share of travel searches, it would be in a better position to command higher ad rates from airlines, hotels, rental car agencies and other leisure services.

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Madoff says banks had to know of his massive fraud scheme FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

BUTNER, N.C. — Bernard L. Madoff said he never thought the collapse of his Ponzi scheme would cause the sort of destruction that has befallen his family.

Speaking to the New York Times, in his first interview for publication since his arrest in December 2008, Mr. Madoff — looking noticeably thinner and rumpled in khaki prison garb — maintained that family members knew nothing about his crimes.

But during a private two-hour interview in a visitor room, and in earlier e-mail exchanges, he asserted that unidentified banks and hedge funds were somehow “complicit” in his elaborate fraud, an about-face from earlier claims that he was the only person involved.

Mr. Madoff, who is serving a 150year sentence, seemed frail and a bit agitated compared with the stoic calm he maintained before his incarceration in 2009, perhaps burdened by sadness over the suicide of his son Mark in December.

Besides that loss, his family also has faced stacks of lawsuits, the potential forfeiture of most of their assets, and relentless public suspicion and enmity that cut Mr. Madoff and his wife Ruth off from their children.

In many ways, however, Mr.

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

Madoff seemed unchanged. He spoke with great intensity and fluency about his dealings with various banks and hedge funds, pointing to their “willful blindness” and their failure to examine discrepancies between his regulatory filings and other information available to them.

“They had to know,” Mr. Madoff said. “But the attitude was sort of, ‘If you’re doing something wrong, we don’t want to know.’ ” While he acknowledged his guilt in the interview and said nothing could excuse his crimes, he focused his comments laser-like on the big investors and giant institutions he dealt with, not on the financial pain he caused thousands of his more modest investors. In an e-mail written on Jan. 13, he observed that many long-term clients made more in legitimate profits from him in the years before the fraud than they could have elsewhere. “I would have loved for them to not lose anything, but that was a risk they were well aware of by investing in the market,” he wrote.

Mr. Madoff said he was startled to learn about some of the e-mails and messages raising doubts about his results — now emerging in lawsuits — that bankers were passing around before his scheme collapsed.

BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY

Bernard L. Madoff

“I’m reading more now about how suspicious they were than I ever realized at the time,” he said with a faint smile.

He did not assert that any specific bank or fund knew about or was an accomplice in his Ponzi scheme, which lasted at least 16 years and consumed about $20 billion in lost cash and almost $65 billion in paper wealth.

Rather, he cited a failure to conduct normal scrutiny.

Both the interview and the e-mail correspondence were conducted as part of research for a coming book on the Madoff scandal, “The Wizard of

Boeing unveils latest version of its 747 jet

Ever since Boeing Co.'s 747 jumbo jet made its first commercial flight more than 40 years ago, the plane has been an icon of the aviation industry.

On Sunday, Boeing unveiled a larger, quieter and more fuel-efficient version of the passenger jet, which was shown to a crowd of 10,000 in Everett, Wash.

The mammoth plane, dubbed 747-8 Intercontinental, was painted in a retro-looking "sunrise livery" of red, orange and white, which is a major departure from Boeing's standard blue and white.

"The new color palette honors many key Boeing Boeing unveiled a larger, quieter and more fuel-efficient version of the customers whose cultures recognize these colors as passenger jet symbols of prosperity and good luck," the company said in a statement.

Designed to carry between 400 and 500 passengers, the plane is about 250 feet long. That is 18 feet longer than the current 747 jumbo and carries 51 more passengers.

It also has an overhauled interior design that borrows from Boeing's forthcoming next generation passenger jet, the 787 Dreamliner. The 787 is smaller than the 747 and seats up to 290 people. It is currently in flight test.

The Chicago-based company said the interior design includes "a new curved, upswept architecture giving passengers a greater feeling of space and The interior of the new 747 comfort."

Boeing's selling point to carriers is that the 747-8 The 747's cavernous cabin is built in Hawthorne by offers 16% better fuel economy and 16% fewer carbon Triumph Aerostructures-Vought Commercial Division. emissions per passenger than its predecessor. Flight Twice a week, the company ships fuselage panels and testing is expected to start next month. sends them along to Boeing in three custom, oversized There are 107 orders for 747-8s, which includes the railroad cars to Boeing's assembly plant in Everett, Wash. passenger and freight versions. Only 33 passenger The site has produced the fuselage panels for every planes have been ordered.

747 that has taken to the skies -- including Air Force One "The new 747-8 Intercontinental features the latest -- since the aircraft program began in 1966. in innovative technologies -- applying many of the The Hawthorne site is five miles east of Los Angeles breakthroughs also found on the 787 Dreamliner," International Airport. Every day, employees at the plant Boeing Chief Executive Jim Albaugh said in a can see the fruits of their labor. Dozens of 747s carry statement. "We think our customers will value the low thousands of passengers from the airport to far-flung operating costs, and passengers will enjoy the comfort destinations in Asia and Europe each day. of the striking new interior."

Mark Madoff committed suicide

Lies: Bernie Madoff and the Death of Trust,” for publication this spring by Times Books, a division of Henry Holt & Company.

In the interview and e-mails, he also claimed he had been helping the court-appointed trustee who is seeking to recover lost billions on behalf of his swindled clients. In e-mails, Mr. Madoff said repeatedly that he provided useful information to Irving H. Picard, the trustee trying to recover assets for the fraud victims. He met with Mr. Picard’s team over four days last summer, he said. The e-mails were written in December and January, but he only recently agreed that they could be made public.

Disputing reports that he refused to attend any funeral services for Mark, he said the prison informed him it would not approve a request for him to attend a service because of “the public safety issue” and the limited time available to make arrangements.

He concluded any funeral he attended “would be a media circus” and that it “would be cruel to my family” to put them through that, he wrote on Dec. 29.

Despite his many references to the complicity of others, he acknowledged in the Dec. 19 e-mail that he had not shared his information with the federal prosecutors working on criminal cases related to his fraud — although the trustee most likely would have done so, if Mr. Madoff’s information was relevant to the investigation.

Mr. Madoff wrote in an e-mail that while he was willing “from the beginning” to give prosecutors information “to help recover assets only, I refused to help provide them with criminal evidence.” In the interview he declined to discuss any of the criminal cases under investigation.

In the months after the Picard team’s prison interviews, the trustee’s law firm, Baker & Hostetler, filed hundreds of civil lawsuits seeking approximately $90 billion in damages and fictional profits withdrawn from Mr. Madoff’s scheme over the years.

The defendants in those cases included the Wilpon family, the owners of the New York Mets; JPMorgan Chase, which served for decades as Mr. Madoff’s primary banker; and Sonja Kohn, the Viennese financier at the hub of a network of hedge funds that invested heavily with Mr. Madoff.

Page 42

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 18TH - FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011 TURKS & CAICOS SUN

The Police Team accepts there winning trophie from Andy Kuthalingam.

Police sting Beaches for Monster T20 Cricket title A sterling All round performance from Garvin Bruno enabled the Police to beat Beaches to win the Monster Energy Drink Sponsored T20 Cricket competition Played on Sunday February 13, at the Downtown Ball Park Batting first after winning the toss the Police were dismissed for 156 runs from 17.1 overs with Garvin Bruno top-scored with 45 runs – hitting seven 4s and one 6. Marcus Charlemagne made 41 runs, hitting three 4s and three 6s.

Bowling for Beaches, Jessie Alexander snatched four wickets for 14 runs off 3.4 overs and Stephen Robinson bagged four wickets for 21 runs off three overs.

When Beaches batted they were bowled

out for 143 runs from 18.4 overs. The topscorer was Ricardo Brown who made 44 runs, slamming five 6s and one X 4, and Anthony McKnight made 24 runs.

Bowling for the Police Garvin Bruno snared four wickets for 24 runs from 2.4 overs and Damian St Ange took 2 wickets for 15 runs from 3.4 overs.

For his performance, Bruno was named man of the match. He was also named MVP for the series, having taken most wickets during the competition.

The most runs scored in the competition were recorded by Nuwan Bodhinyake.

There were two centuries scored in the competition, Bruno one and Earl Henry the other.

FEBRUARY 18TH - FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

Nuwan Bodhinyake (right) scored the most runs in the competition.

He accepts his award from Michael Pereira.

Garvin Bruno (right) accepts one of his awards from Mr. Johnson.

Hurricanes, Net Rockers end regular WFL season with wins

The Women’s Football League (WFL) regular season ended with contesting from two games last weekend.

In the opening game Net Rockers FC lost their unbeaten record as they were defeated 1-0 by the Academy Hurricanes. Hoping to end the season undefeated Net Rockers were undone late in the game when Kadine Delphine scored her fourth goal of the season. Chances in the game were few and it always looked possible that one goal would decide matters.

Gerlie Azemard came close to scoring for the Net Rockers and Delphine looked dangerous for the Hurricanes but for most of the game both teams were on top defensively.

Delphine's effort ensured it was the Hurricanes who claimed all three points and they will feel confident going into their cup semi final game next week against their sister team the Academy Strikers.

In the second game Revolution took apart the Strikers defence scoring an impressive seven goals.

Strikers could not match their opponents on the day and despite some positive performances from some of their youngest players the Strikers will need their more experienced players to improve their game if they are to defeat the Hurricanes next week.

In recent games Revolution have struggled to score but this was not the case at the weekend.

Jancillia Cox produced a virtuoso performance leading the way with five goals, the first female player score that many in a game since Angel Campbell in 2009. Barbara Anderson and Gillian Vernice added the other goals to give their team the lift they needed before they take on league champions Net Rockers next weekend.

Results Hurricanes 1-0 Net Rockers Kadine Delphine Revolution 7-0 Strikers Jancilia Cox 5 Barbara Anderson Gillian Vernice

Fewer rounds for Bolt at worlds, Olympics

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

MONACO, Monte Carlo — Usain Bolt will only have to run six times to reclaim his sprint double at this year's World Championships.

At the last worlds in Berlin in 2009 -- and at the 2008 Beijing Olympics -- the Jamaican had to run eight times to win golds and set world records in the 100- and 200-metre races.

Instead of running in three preliminary races ahead of each final, sprinters will now only have to run twice before going for gold at the worlds in Daegu, South Korea, from August 27-September 4.

The same schedule will be used at the 2012 London Olympics.

The IAAF says "a brand new and modern approach has led to a revamped and revolutionised

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

competition timetable which has been designed in order to reach optimum impact".

Meanwhile, Bolt could line up in the 2012 Olympic 100 metres final on August 5 while Michael Phelps and Ian Thorpe could clash in the pool on July 30, according to the Games timetable revealed yesterday.

The schedule gives the date, time and venue for every one of the 640-plus sessions across the 26 Olympic sports.

"There is a recognition now that the men's 100m is a pretty serious moment and we have planned that to be fairly early on the evening of Sunday, August 5," London Games chief Sebastian Coe said.

"The things people remember are head-to-heads and we could potentially have one of the best given

Baugh and Barath to miss World Cup

West Indies have suffered another setback in their preparation for the World Cup. Official sources have confirmed that Carlton Baugh Jr and Adrian Barath have suffered hamstring injuries and will return home earlier than scheduled from the tournament.

Baugh retired out on 29 during the team's second World Cup warm-up match on Tuesday and Darren Bravo was required to keep wicket.

Barath did not bat or field in the match. He has been struggling with his injury and is also likely to miss the tournament, which opens on Saturday and will be co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) officials are awaiting the outcome of final tests on Baugh and Barath, but it's hardly likely they will decide to allow them to stay on the subcontinent, considering the format of the competition and the limited time available.

This would mean that either opener Devon Smith or veteran lefthander Shivnarine Chanderpaul could open the batting for West Indies in the competition.

There is also the possibility of a recall for wicketkeeper/batsman Denesh Ramdin, following his solid start to the regional first-class championship.

But the WICB had previously announced batsman Kirk Edwards and wicketkeeper/batsman Devon Thomas as two of their three World Cup reserves and they are likely to be chosen.

No official replacements, however, have been named and the WICB will also have to submit a request for a change of personnel to the tournament's event committee for approval before confirming their

that Tyson Gay is going to make this a really tough run for Usain Bolt."

The Jamaican world record holder could double up his gold haul on August 9 in the 200m final.

The men's 100m final day, plus the last two days of track and field action on August 10-11, are the only days where tickets hit the £725 (US$1,160, 860-euro) high-water mark for sports events.

The Games will kick off on July 25, two days before the opening ceremony in London, with women's football matches far from the British capital in Cardiff, Coventry in central England, and Glasgow.

In the pool, American great Phelps could go head to head with Australia's Thorpe -- who is making a comeback to competitive swimming especially for the Olympics -- in the 200m freestyle final on July 30.

Thorpe won the 200m freestyle gold in Athens in 2004, but retired before the 2008 Beijing Olympics, when Phelps won the title on his way to a haul of eight golds.

The women's singles tennis title, held by Russia's Elena Dementieva, will be disputed on Wimbledon Centre Court on August 4, while the men's

Adrian Barath

replacements.

West Indies open the World Cup against South Africa next Thursday at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi, India.

Darren Sammy's side have been drawn in Group B, where they will also face Netherlands, Bangladesh, Ireland, England, and co-hosts India.

title, owned by Spain's Rafael Nadal, will be contested the following day.

The men's football final will be played at Wembley on August 11, although holders Argentina will be unable to defend their title after failing to qualify.

Coe, the 1,500m Olympic champion in 1980 and 1984, said the release of the schedule would raise excitement levels.

Spinners will have key role for West Indies at World Cup

By Philip Spooner

Carlton Baugh Jr

Page 43

Colombo – West Indies captain Darren Sammy shares the view that spin bowling will play a major role in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup. Speaking after the Windies second warm-up match against Sri Lanka, Sammy backed his slow bowlers to perform on the big stage.

“Spin will be effective during the tournament. It is quite clear. If you had a close look at the warm-up matches you would see the ball was turning and the slow bowlers all did a good job. We have two specialist spinners in Sulieman Benn and Nikita Miller and they are bowling really well at the moment for us, so we expect then to play major part," Sammy said.

"Benn bowled well against the Sri Lankans and is an asset. He has been taking wickets and that is always a good sign for your spinner. Miller was outstanding when he got the opportunity against the Kenyans. He is also one of our better fielders and offers a lot to the team. Chris Gayle has done a good job in all forms of the games for us as well and we can call on him to deliver with his off-breaks in this tournament as well.”

The Windies made 253 and their opening warm-up match against Kenya, while that made 281 and lost the second against Sri Lanka. In the first match Ramanaresh Sarwan made a superb century, while in the second match Chris Gayle hit 58 off 38 balls with 38 runs coming in boundaries.

“We batted well and we brought it down to a pretty close game [against Sri Lanka]. Obviously we would love to have won the match, but we are still focussed at the job at hand. All the warm-ups are over and it is now down to the business of challenging the other teams and looking to win the World Cup,” Sammy added.

“For us the warm-up matches were very useful. Before the warm-ups we had some matches against Sri Lanka and that will all help us to come up with the best combinations when we move over to India for the main event.”

The West Indies team will travel from Colombo to Delhi on Thursday.

The opening match will be against South Africa at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium on Thursday, February 24. They then face The Netherlands (February 28, Delhi), Bangladesh (March 4, Dhaka), Ireland (March 11, Mohali), England (March 17, Chennai), and India (March 20, Chennai)

Woods has work to do after disappointing Dubai

Page 44

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- The flashes of brilliance at the Dubai Desert Classic didn't blind Tiger Woods to the signs that his new swing remains a work in progress.

Even so, Woods has no doubt about his future after stumbling in the final round Sunday, shooting a 3-over 75 to finish seven shots behind winner Alvaro Quiros in a tie for 20th.

"I feel like I can still win golf tournaments," Woods said. "I'm not that old. I've still got some years ahead of me."

Woods drew cheers Thursday when he hit a 3-wood 250 yards to the 18th green for an eagle. But he had trouble finding the fairway for much of the week in Dubai, his putter ran hot and cold, and his once-dangerous short game continued to let him down.

Woods started the final round a shot behind, but opened with two bogeys on his first three holes. He came back with birdies on Nos. 6 and 11, but followed that with a bogeys on Nos. 12 and 14, and then a double bogey on the last.

Woods, who won in Dubai in 2006 and 2008, has now gone 16 tournaments and 15 months without a victory after previously winning 14 majors and 82 tournaments.

"Yeah, very frustrating," Woods said of his final round. "I got off to such a poor start, I was 2 over through three early and just couldn't make it up from there."

Quiros shot a 68, surviving a wild round that included a hole-in-one and a triple bogey to finish at 11-under 277, one stroke ahead of Anders Hansen of Denmark (70) and James Kingston of South Africa (67).

Woods opened with a 71, moved into contention Friday with a 66, and survived windy conditions Saturday for a 72 that put him in position for his first victory since the Australian Masters in

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

Tiger Woods's behaviour is under scrutiny again after a spitting incident in the Dubai Desert Classic

November 2009. He just couldn't keep the momentum going Sunday in a final round that exposed the problems with his swing.

On the second, he drove over the green and then chipped past the hole, leading to his first bogey. On the third, he yelled at several photographers for disturbing his swing after his approach went left.

But the No. 3-ranked Woods also showed signs that the work he has been doing on his swing with coach Sean Foley is paying dividends. He hit a 160yard approach to within a few feet of the pin for a birdie on the sixth and then on the par-3 11th hit a tee shot that settled a few feet away from the flag for an easy birdie.

Woods said he just needed "more work and more practice."

"As I said when I came in this week, I hit the ball pure, and that's the thing," he said. "When the wind blows, I have to shape shots and hit shots differently and all my old feels are kind of out the window. That's the thing about making changes. As I said, I've

been through this before with my last two instructors and it will come around."

The former world No. 1 believes his performance this week was "a step in the right direction."

"I improved a lot considering where I was at Torrey Pines a couple of weeks ago," Woods said of the tournament where he had his worst season-opening performance.

"Obviously, I didn't finish the way I needed to win. ... Put myself there after two rounds and just didn't get it done."

Woods tied for 44th at Torrey Pines, where he had won the last five times he had played and had never finished out of the top 10.

On Sunday Woods couldn't have missed the cheers as Quiros chipped in for an eagle on No. 2 and then added several more birdies to move to 11 under and five shots ahead of Woods after six holes. By the turn, most fans had started shifting their attention to the duel between Quiros, Anders Hansen of Denmark and James Kingston of South Africa.

Donald Trump thinking about investing in New York Mets

NEW YORK - Donald Trump is thinking about investing in the New York Mets.

The New York real estate owner with a flair for publicity said Tuesday he wants to help Mets owner Fred Wilpon. Wilpon is under pressure from a lawsuit from the trustee trying to recover money for the victims of the Bernard Madoff swindle.

"I hope that it works out well for the Wilpons because they're friends of mine," Trump said. "If they ever needed help, I'd be there to help them. If I could help, I'd love to help them."

Trump's interest was first reported by The New York Times on its Web site.

A frequent guest in the owners' box at Yankee Stadium, Trump owned the New Jersey Generals of the U.S. Football League during the 1984 and 1985 seasons.

Fred Wilpon, the Mets' controlling owner, announced Jan. 28 along with his son, chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon, they were exploring a sale of a share of up to 25 percent because of "uncertainty" created by the lawsuit

filed by trustee Irving Picard.

The Wilpons said they will not sell a controlling stake, and Trump isn't known to be a passive investor.

"That's been the rumor," he said.

Asked whether he would consider investing without gaining control, Trump responded: "I haven't thought that far down the line. We'll see what happens."

Major League Baseball has rules against casino ownership by its team owners, which could prove an impediment if Trump chooses to make a deal with the Wilpons.

"If I can help, great," Trump said. "And it not, that would be OK. In a suit filed Dec. 7 in U.S. Bankrupcy Court in Manhattan, Picard said the Mets' owners, including team president - and Fred Wilpon brother-in-law - Saul Katz, turned a blind eye to Madoff's fraud and reaped about $300 million in false profits. Former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo was appointed last week to mediate the dispute.

Woods still had a mathematical chance as he came onto the 14th when he was four shots back with five holes to go.

But Woods hit his drive into the rocks, a second into the bunker and then missed an easy par put to settle for bogey that ended his chances. He finished with three more pars and the double bogey on 18.

A victory here would have drawn a line in the sand for the beleaguered Woods.

This would have been his 12th win outside the PGA Tour and perhaps his biggest since the Thanksgiving night car accident in 2009 that derailed his run as the world's top golfer.

For Woods, it's back to the driving range and the hope that he can make his mark at the upcoming Match Play Championships, starting Feb. 23 at Dove Mountain in Arizona.

"I know what I can do in the game and Sean and I are trying to get there," Woods said.

LAKERS EMBARRASSED IN WORST LOSS OF SEASON TO BOBCATS

The defending champion Los Angeles Lakers were left embarrassed after their worst loss of the season, a 109-89 thrashing by the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday.

One day after a bad 89-75 defeat to the Orlando Magic, the Lakers fell flat in an effort that left head coach Phil Jackson fuming.

"I just have this to say: we're very disappointed in our performance tonight, we're embarrassed about what we did, and that's it," Jackson told reporters before walking away.

After beginning their current seven-game road trip with four wins, Los Angeles has lost two straight and has dropped eight of their past 10 meetings with the Bobcats (2431).

Charlotte forward Gerald Wallace recorded 20 points and 11 rebounds while Gerald Henderson added 18 points to lead the Bobcats to a second-half surge that knocked out the Lakers (38-18).

The Bobcats ended the third quarter with a 14-3 spurt to pull 7860 clear and led by as many as 28 in the fourth.

Kobe Bryant managed 20 points but made just 8 of 20 field goals while Pau Gasol finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds in the defeat.

Los Angeles will look to regroup against the NBA-worst Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday in the finale of their road trip.

Page 45

Peace declared over Olympic marathon route

FEBRUARY 18TH- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

London 2012 organizers will no longer face legal action over the route for the marathon after striking a deal with a local council which had argued it could be left with no events, despite being in the shadow of the Olympic Park.

Tower Hamlets dropped its call for a judicial review after the London organizing committee (LOCOG) agreed to concessions on Wednesday, including better job opportunities for locals and helping schoolchildren become more involved at test events.

But just as one potential legal threat receded, another gathered momentum as Leyton Orient football club said it was consulting lawyers over the decision to allow West Ham United to inherit the main Olympic stadium after the Games.

Tower Hamlets had sought a judicial review after LOCOG decided

Lance Armstrong retires from cycling

to route the marathon around the capital's landmarks, beginning and ending outside Buckingham Palace, bypassing the less picturesque east London.

Tower Hamlets had accused the organization of being "ashamed of the very communities who helped London win the Games."

"There is no better way to celebrate and showcase London's ethnic diversity than to have the world's best athletes run past the mosques, churches, temples and cultural centers that make up the fabric of East End life," it had said in a letter last year.

LOCOG insisted the re-routing from the main stadium would help traffic flow and be less of an impact on other sports taking place at the venue and across London.

On Wednesday, the two parties

NEW YORK - Lance Armstrong, who recovered from cancer to win the Tour de France a record seven times, formally announced his retirement from cycling on Wednesday, a month after his last race.

The 39-year-old American, who made a comeback to the sport two years ago, said he was quitting for good to spend more time with his family and his charities.

"Today, I am announcing my retirement from professional cycling in order to devote myself full-time to my family, to the fight against cancer and to leading the foundation I established before I won my first Tour de France," he said in a statement.

Armstrong initially retired from cycling in 2005 but returned in 2009, finishing third in the Tour in his first year back. His final race was at the relatively low-key Tour Down Under in Australia last month.

"He's leaving a real legacy and to come back and get third in the Tour at the age he was and after what he'd already accomplished is pretty impressive," Armstrong's former team mate Christian Vande Velde told Reuters from the Tour of Oman.

Belgian cyclist Eddy Merckx, a five time winner of the Tour de France, said Armstrong was right to call it a day.

"It was time for him to stop," Merckx told Reuters from Oman. "He's won everything, had nothing left to prove to anybody."

Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1996 but survived and returned to the bike and went on to become one of the most successful and controversial cyclists of all time.

He won the Tour de France for an unprecedented seven consecutive years, from 1999 to 2005, before quitting the sport

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signed a letter of agreement which would give locals extra notice if jobs came onto the market, and give schoolchildren the chance of being involved in test events and ceremonies rehearsals.

"We're 100 percent behind London 2012, and want to make sure that our residents gain the maximum benefit from the Games," the Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, said in a statement.

"They will have to put up with a lot of the disruption that comes with hosting the biggest sporting event on earth, so it's only fair that they get to share in the experience and reap the rewards."

Meanwhile, Barry Hearn, chairman of League One Orient, is concerned that last week's decision by the Olympic Park Legacy Company

(OPLC) to choose Premier League club West Ham as its preferred bidder for the 486 million pound stadium could swamp its fanbase.

The Olympic stadium is situated closer to Orient's Brisbane Road ground in east London than West Ham's Upton Park.

"We are taking legal advice ... Has consideration been given by the government, by the Olympic Legacy people to the future sustainability of Leyton Orient Football Club, never mind West Ham?" he asked on Sky Sports News.

West Ham were chosen over rivals Tottenham Hotspur which wanted to tear out the athletics track and redevelop the site as a purpose-built soccer stadium.

A final decision on the stadium will be made by the government and Mayor of London Boris Johnson before April

EAGLES QUARTERBACK VICK AMONG PLAYERS GIVEN FRANCHISE TAG

at the top.

He made a comeback in 2009 at age 37, saying he partly missed the thrill of competition but was driven by a greater cause, to help promote cancer awareness through his charity Livestrong.

Armstrong enjoyed mixed success but did not add to his record number of Tour de France wins. He finished a creditable third behind his team mate Alberto Contador in 2009 then 23rd last year, after moving to the RadioShack team but suffering a series of crashes that ruined his chances.

Armstrong announced late last year that January's Tour Down Under would be his last international race. He planned to compete in a handful of events in the U.S. this year, including the Tour of California, before revealing on Wednesday that he was quitting for good.

"My focus now is raising my five children, promoting the mission of Livestrong, and growing entrepreneurial ventures with our great corporate partners in the fight against cancer," he said.

Although he never failed a dope test and always denied doping, Armstrong was dogged by accusations of wrongdoing during his career.

Last year, former team mate Floyd Landis, while confessing to cheating himself, accused Armstrong of using performance enhancing drugs.

U.S. federal authorities are investigating Landis's claims, but have not laid any charges and Armstrong said he had nothing to fear because he had done nothing wrong.

"They can keep looking," he told reporters in Australia last month. "If you're trying to hide something, you wouldn't keep getting away with it for 10 years. Nobody is that clever."

The Philadelphia Eagles sought to guarantee the return of Michael Vick for at least one more season by placing the franchise player tag on the versatile quarterback, the NFL club confirmed Tuesday.

The designation, which might not carry over in a new collective bargaining pact between the NFL and the Players Association, would keep Michael Vick Vick with the Eagles for an average of the five highest-paid NFL quarterbacks or roughly $20 million.

The team's official website (philadelphiaeagles.com) said that Vick's franchise tag was exclusive, meaning no other teams would have the chance to compete for his services.

Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson, Patriots guard Logan Mankins, Jets linebacker David Harris and Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata have also been designated as franchise players.

San Diego placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson, meaning the 2009 Pro Bowler can negotiate with other teams. If he receives an offer, the Chargers can either match it or get draft choices back as compensation.

Jackson will receive a one-year tender at the average of the top five salaries among receivers last year, expected to be between $10 million and $11 million.

Philadelphia also placed the transition tag on kicker David Akers.

That tag, also subject to the upcoming collective bargaining talks, means five-time Pro Bowler Akers would be paid the average of the top 10 kickers and the Eagles could match any offer received by Akers from another team.

The current labor agreement expires on March 4 and the two sides appear far apart on a proposed 18-game regular season, a rookie wage scale, drug testing, pensions for former players and how to distribute the NFL's $9 billion in annual revenues.

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