HUNDREDS CAN’T VOTE E-mail: sun@suntci.com
Fax: (649) 941-3281
Tel: (649) 946-8542
VOLUME 8 - No. 26
www.suntci.com
$1.00
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH, 2012
By Vivian Tyson Senior SUN Editor
Hundreds of persons, including many Belongers who were born in this country, some who have Turks and Caicos Islands or British passports, and several who would have voted in previous elections, will not be able to vote in the elections on November 9th, 2012. These people have been victims of the new verification process which falls under the Ministry of Border Control and Labour. The SUN can confirm that many persons who showed up to register have been turned away after claiming that they were given the run-around by certain officials. It is also understood that in past elections, in addition to persons who had Belonger stamped in their passports, some naturalized individuals were allowed to vote, since they were holders of TCI or British passports, but the new system apparently changed all that, and only persons who have been declared as Turks and Caicos Islanders would be able to cast their ballots. At a PNP news conference at that party’s headquarters on Thursday, June 28, party leader Dr. Rufus Ewing said that, while a number of persons were under the false notion that their Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) issued beyond certain time could automatically guarantee them registration to vote, there were others that were more than qualified to be registered, but were denied. He said that while the PNP was in agreement that there was a need for the verification of Belongership status, and the issuance of TCI elector’s
BUTTERFIELD MOTORS OPENS $10 MILLION CHEVROLET DEALERSHOP
The Turks and Caicos Islands has another reason to believe the economy is on the mend when Butterfield Motors, a subsidiary of Butterfield Gold unveiled a $10-million Chevrolet dealership along the Leeward Highway on Providenciales. The opening took place on Thursday, July 28, in the presence of a group of movers and shakers of the business and political landscape. Ernesto Hernandez, President of General Motors Mexico, Caribbean and Central America was on hand to witness the grand opening of the high-end car dealership. Among the individuals invited to bring greetings were Chief Financial Officer of the TCI Government, Hugh McGarel-Groves; PNP Leader, Dr. Rugus Ewing; owner of Butterfield Motors, Rosita Butterfield and Hernandez. PDM Leader Derek Taylor, who was down to bring greetings, was a no-show. From left in photo are – Chief Operating Officer for Butterfield Motors, Adulson Butterfield; Ernesto Hernandez, Rosita Butterfield and Albray Butterfield Sr.
card, the party could not agree to the method currently used, since the it allowed for unreasonable restrictions to the acquisition of the Turks and Caicos Islander Status Card, and by extension restricting eligible Turks and Caicos Islanders access to exercise their voting franchise.
PNP AGAINST CARL ‘FLYER’ SIMMONS ON EBC – STORY ON PAGE 5
“There were a number of people who were misguided and were not knowledgeable of the fact that they are Belongers by virtue of them having a passport. And Immigration Department has to be telling them that not because you hold a Turks and Caicos
Islands Passport means that you are eligible to vote. You have all the privileges but you do not have the right to vote. Only a Belonger has the right to vote. Continused on PG2
GOVERNOR SAYS NOTHING WILL STOP VAT
US SPY PLANES FLYING NEAR TCI
– STORY ON PAGE 7
– STORY ON PAGE 18
Page 2
LOCAL NEWS Continused From PG1
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Hundreds can’t vote
But there are some individuals who might have been naturalized before September 18, 1991 or 1992, and who are eligible to vote, and some of those individuals are being turned away as well, not knowing their rights. We had to actually turn them back and said, ‘no, you fall into this category and you are eligible’. So you have to go through the process and show them that they are indeed eligible as a Belonger, if you fall before that time period,” Ewing explained. Ewing added: “It is a big confusion. I think we had a lot of discussions on that during the consultation process for the pathway to citizenship. Some element of it may be reflected in the new bill that Alces Dor is coming out - not all of it. We will not comment on it during this press there is confusion when you have conference, we will comment on it a dichotomy; there must be one at another press conference, where pathway which regards to BOTC we would make our opposition on it. (British Overseas Territory Citizen) But as far as we can see, the pathway versus Turks and Caicos Islander is still not complete according to the status versus Belongership. It is new bill. confusion, holding the passport of “There is some element of it, a particular country and at the same but it is not a clear pathway. And time not being called a Turks and
Dr. Rufus Ewing
they expected that they would be Caicos Islander.” Dr. Ewing also pointed to the cost given other chances to vote. So now, involved in the registration process, knowing that they are not eligible to saying that the demographic group vote is a problem for many of them. that suffered most under the new They really want to get involved in regime was the unemployed, since the voting process. they were not able to find funds “What people believe is that, to pay for birth certificates, which once you get naturalized in a country was one of the requirements of the and issued with a passport, you automatically become a citizen of process. He said too, that the registration that country and you are able to vote span of May 8 to June 29 was too in that country’s election. short, and therefore called for “But the in the Turks and Caicos it is different. And I think what additional time. In the meantime, the recent happened is that the process is not development has fueled much really clear to them, so I think that anguish among, especially the someone in those departments need Haitian demographic, who are to reach out to these people and calling for a review of the system. explain the process to them so that Prominent pastor and educator, they can be informed and understand Alces Dor, said that he did understand the process, ”Dor said. The Haitian voting demographic the reasoning behind the change. He said that many Haitians were still is regarded as one of the biggest under the impression that once they voting bloc in the TCI, and could become naturalized, register to vote decide the outcome of election result, was a given, and so, there should be especially in key constituencies on an education campaign to that effect. Providenciales. In the last election, “Many people had voted before both parties worked hard to solicit with their naturalization, and then the Haitian votes.
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
Page 3
LOCAL NEWS
Page 4
LOCAL NEWS
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 5
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
LOCAL NEWS
PNP blasts appointment of Carl ‘Flyer’ Simmons to Boundaries Commission
The members are High Court Judge, (L-R) attorney Tramaine Swann-Harvey, Governor Ric Todd, Carl Simmons and Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hayle. By Vivian Tyson
The Progressive National Party (PNP) is not happy with the inclusion of Carl Simmons on the new Electoral Boundaries Commission, even in the face of the Interim Administration maintaining that he is a man of impeccable integrity. Governor Ric Todd announced the threemember commission at a news conference on Tuesday, June 26 at the Environmental Centre in the Bight. The members are High Court Judge, Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hayle, attorney Tramaine Swann-Harvey and Simmons, who is the owner of Tropical Shipping. The Commissioners will consider and recommend ten new constituencies to Governor by the end of July. These should have broadly similar levels of registered voters, as outlined in the new TCI Consultation. In addition there will be the five 'at large' TCI wide Assembly Members as well as the four positions granted by the Governor himself. But PNP Leader Dr. Rufus Ewing, who was in attendance at the meeting, said that while he had no problems with the selection of RamseyHayle and Swann-Harvey, he was not happy with Simmons’ inclusion on the grounds that he had affiliation with rival party – the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM). “If you asked me whether or not I believe that this team is a politically neural team, I would say ‘no’, because Mr. Carl Simmons is a known hardcore, diehard, ardent PDM. When you make selection, it should be done so that it does not appear to be in favour of any one political party. The country can view Mrs. Tramaine Swann-Harvey as politically neutral, but Mr. Carl Simmons, the country will view him as political biased, whether or not he is a man of integrity. He is perceived as politically biased,” Ewing charged. Ewing added: “People know that boundaries can be cut in favour of one political party, because once you know where your political support comes from, you can, either, one, cut boundaries in a political party’s favour or you can cut the boundaries where it makes it even more difficult in terms of the balance of seats. For example, Grand Turk can be sliced and diced in one of two ways.” During the news conference, Governor Todd said that both parties were contacted prior to the selection of the panel, to settle on one member. But the PNP Leader said that he would have preferred if the Governor had made one selection and asked
each political party to make one of their own also, since it would be difficult for the two parties to settle on one individual. “Both political parties were contacted. Both political parties had the opportunity to submit their names, and should not be made to settle on one particular person because that is difficult to do. The Constitution, which is an Order in Council, gave the governor the authority to appoint three persons. So, he (Governor Todd) decided that he was going to give one option to the political parties to agree between themselves. “Now from the onset, if you want to be fair, you can appoint one, yourself, and give each of the political parties one, so at least they can have persons representing their views from the political parties’ standpoint. But he has decided to make it difficult and say, ‘let me see how you are going to work together and choose one person’, and that is a difficult task. “But at the same time, we did individually submit our own individual candidate. Rev. Goldstone Williams was submitted by the PDM and FT. Bernard Been’s name was submitted by the PNP. He (governor) could have easily selected one of those persons. Each may support a political party, but they both appear politically neutral. But in a meeting last week he (governor) said he would not accept the persons that we had submitted, and he would go ahead and choose his own persons,” Ewing revealed. Ewing said that in the wake of the latest development, there needed to be constant dialogue between the two political parties and the Boundaries Commission, so that common ground among the three entities can be found. Governor Todd said he was surprised to hear that Dr Rufus Ewing claims that he did not know of my offer to both the PDM and PNP to agree on a single joint nomination to the EBC which I would have made on their behalf. “I first raised this with the parties in my letters of 7 Feb, 10 May and 14 June. In addition, I spoke about this opportunity to both party leaders at the JAGS McCartney commemoration and again at my separate meetings with them only last week. I believe that this provided more than adequate time for such a nomination to be given,” Todd said. "This is another important step on the road to the elections," said Governor Ric Todd. "It is up to this independent commission just how it intend to carry out its work, but it is clearly hugely significant to the voters of the TCI in ensuring that each and every vote carries the same weight
across the country. “The members of the Commission bring significant personal qualities and professional competencies to this task and I look forward to receiving their report and recommendations in due course. They have been appointed by me in line with the Constitution. In a press release, Governor’s spokesman Neil Smith said that after a thorough check of the Governor’s Office records, some new information has emerged that there was a further earlier briefing of both parties, including Dr Ewing, where the issue of a joint nomination was raised on 29 March this year. He gave the following chronology of communications with the political parties on the membership of the Electoral Boundaries Commission. • 7th February – Letter to PNP Leader on various matters including a direct request to propose with the PDM a joint member to the EBC • 29th March – Joint meeting with PNP and PDM chaired by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy at which both parties were asked to come forward with a joint candidate for the EBC. Governor’s Office personnel present at the meeting and Dr Ewing was a member of the PNP delegation who attended the meeting • 10th May – Letter to PNP Leader on various matters with a further request to nominate collectively with the PDM a one member • 28th May – Oral request by the Governor to both party leaders in the margins of the ceremony at the JAGS McCartney Memorial on National Heroes Day • 12th May – Meeting with both party leaders by Minister Henry Bellingham at which he asked party leaders to nominate jointly one member to the EBC • 14th June – Email to each party leader on various matters including a further request to nominate a collectively agreed member. Both parties submitted separate names but failed to indicate if the other party was in agreement. 18th June deadline set for a response from the parties. • 20th June – No response received from the parties. Governor moved to invite an individual to be appointed. Smith added: “His Excellency the Governor has every confidence in the professionalism and impartiality of the members of the EBC, and is confident that they will do the right thing by and for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands when they begin this important work on 11 July.”
Page 6
COMMENTARY COMMENTARY LOCAL NEWS Page Page66
TURKS AND CAICOS SUN
MARCH 16TH - MARCH 23RD, 2012
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012 & CAICOS SUN TURKS AND CAICOS SUN MARCH 16THTURKS - MARCH 23RD, 2012
A MAN AND HIS LEGACY
that freedom and mobility to think and dream big and sore beyond the confines of As time passes, we should begin that small society. to really appreciate the people By today’s standards, who were born here and have these houses are small. As made significant contributions a grown man going back to the well being and welfare of to Kew, I often wondered us as a growing nation. Yesterday where all of those persons afternoon, I witnessed opening who came to our house of another business venture stayed. You would hear by Drs. Albray and Rosita Momma saying that this Butterfield. This was a singularly is “con so and so from great milestone in our country, Lorimers or East Harbour”. given the economic woes we are All slept, ate and went on experiencing at this time. This with the business that they ROYAL ROBINSON venture clearly demonstrates that CONTRIBUTER came to transact. So there in their sunset years, they still was the spirit of looking out have a vision for the betterment ROYAL ROBINSON for one another and being of this country that they call home. CONTRIBUTER our brothers’ keeper that was there from a very Both the Butterfields, even at their advanced young age. Sharing of what you had was a part of age, still have the mental dexterity to direct traffic the mix or how things were done. Nothing was and ensure that a project of such magnitude was too big or small to share. done successfully. When you begin to look at the My Grandfather, Momma’s father had the various accomplishments by this dynamic duo, only one handled mill that I ever saw. People you have to marvel at their intestinal fortitude came from all sectors of the community to use over time to overcome the various obstacles that it as it was the fastest corn grinding mill and it were placed in their way. Let us start from the produced the best corn flower. Now of course beginning. Both of them were born in the quaint, for very large quantities of corn, he exacted what but unique town of Kew, North Caicos. Kew to was called a toll. That is now I understand the this day remains the only settlement that was same principle on which toll gates operate. You properly set out by a surveyor. You would see have to pay to gain access! that there is a central square from which all of the I am not sure where Pops got the idea from immediately connecting roads are either parallel that he should be an engineer from, but I know for to or perpendicular to. sure that when he worked for the United States That meant that both of them, having been Government on those “M” boats, he was the born or grown up on Wynns Street, had some best chief engineer there was. He practically self measure of structure to their lives. It might seem taught himself through books and manuals before as nothing today, but both were born in their getting formal training. Momma on the other parents’ houses that were of solid walls and zinc hand wanted to do nursing and went to Jamaica, top roofs. This was against the background of trained at Kingston Public Hospital and Victoria many children, through no fault of theirs were Jubilee Hospital which were affiliated with the in camps made of wattle sidings with mud infill University College of the West Indies, that later and roofs of thatch. This gave them the sense became the University of the West Indies. That of security and hopefulness towards life. So was only part of her clinical training. But I do even though they were two black children, they know that see was one of the best nurse/midwife never felt constrained by their colour, but had
EDITORIAL
Cartoon
By Royal S. Robinson, MBE
EDITORIAL CARTOON EDITORIAL CARTOON
Turks and Caicos Sun Suite # 5, Airport Plaza Providenciales TurksTurks and and Caicos Sun Islands Caicos Suite # 5, Airport Plaza Tel: (649) 946-8542/ (649) 241-1510 Providenciales Fax: (649) 941-3281 Turks and Caicos Islands Email: sun@suntci.com Tel: (649) 946-8542/ (649) 241-1510 Fax:us (649) 941-3281 Read online at www.suntci.com Email: sun@suntci.com Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Hayden Boyce Read us online www.suntci.com Senior Editor: at Vivian Tyson Web Designer: Patrina Moore-Pierre Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Hayden Graphics Editor: Joleen Grant Boyce SeniorOffice Editor:Manager: Vivian Tyson Dominique Rigby Web Designer: Moore-Pierre DistributionPatrina Manger: Kelano Howell Graphics Editor: Joleen Grant ManagerAdvertising and Marketing OfficePatrina Manager: Dominique Rigby Moore-Pierre Distribution Manger: Kelano Howell ManagerAdvertising and Marketing The Turks and Caicos SUN is a subsidiary Patrina Moore-Pierre of The SUN Media Group Ltd. The Turks andcommitted Caicos SUN is a subsidiary We are to excellence in journalism, of The SUN Media Group educating and informing our Ltd. readers, serving and satisfying our advertisers and assisting in the overall to development the Turks and We are committed excellence inofjournalism, Caicos Islands. serving educating and informing our readers, and satisfying our advertisers and assisting in the overall development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
that Turks and Caicos Islands has produced. Well of course they reconnected as adults, married and started a family of their own. But as many like to say, “the rest is history”, for them that is not so. That in real terms was the beginning of history. After living for some time in Florida, they decided to come back home and give of their talents. She, roaming Blue Hills, giving aid and comfort to the sick and needy and he starting a business of collecting and processing lobster for export. As the need arose for the provision of different services to the communities in now Providenciales, they got involved and made sure that good service was provided to the communities. Think of how difficult things were with no airstrip, no proper port and no PPC now Fortis! But the obstacles did not daunt these two giants. They used them as stepping stones up the ladder of success. I can remember Momma teaching me, “The heights of great men reached and kept, were not attained by sudden flight. But they, while their companions slept, were toiling upwards in the night”. So it was not by luck that they have succeeded, but by being in the right place at the right time and being prepare to put in the elbow grease to make it all work. Having a good sense of self worth and a “dare to be a Daniel” attitude went a long way in propelling them to the pinnacle of their success. One thing that I must say and that is this, they are now being given most of the roses while they can smell them and not having to wait on the ants to bring them the news out at Green Wood Gate. However, one thing that is missing is the true recognition of the man himself by the bestowal of a Knighthood on him. This is the only appendage of the British Empire that has served Her Majesty so well and there is no one here being called Sir. This is the last piece of the puzzle that needs to be inserted! I have seen the works of less mortals attributed as the rationale for such an honour. There is therefore no reason for such not to be applied to the case of Albray Victor Butterfield! That should be done now while he still has breath to appreciate it. That would be the crowning jewel in his legacy!
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 7
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
LOCAL NEWS
Nothing will stop VAT, says Governor By Vivian Tyson
could potentially put a number of enterprises out of business, and that such trial and error tax mechanism Anti-Value Added Tax (VAT) campaigners should not be attempted in this economy. have a right to mount protest locally and “We are sending a clear message to the British internationally, but government is not prepared government. It is the view of virtually the entire to change course on its implementation on business community in the Turks and Caicos that April 1, next year, Governor Ric Todd told The a VAT tax is inappropriate, costly, cumbersome SUN this week. and unnecessary at this stage in the development The Governor’s response came in the wake of of these Islands. group of business operators from Turks and Caicos In the short term it is clear that the existing Islands travelling to the United Kingdom to voice taxation systems can be relied upon to raise such their disapproval of the tax’s implementation, extra revenue as may be needed. arguing that its set-up here would kill business. “This new VAT tax is not driven by a ‘grass The group, which is called the Turks and roots’ initiative, but is a politically driven tax Caicos Independent Business Council (TCIBC), imposed upon us by distant bureaucrats based in is led by prominent businessman and former Europe without effective due process and regard to partner in the law firm Misick and Stanbrook, our specific economy and its future development. Clive Stanbrook. One size does not fit all,” he said. Stanbrook, who is also a Queen’s Counsel But when The SUN asked Governor Todd to attorney, said, that VAT would decimate the comment on the move by the group, he said that economy of the Turks and Caicos Islands and while people may have the right to voice their
disapproval, Government was not prepared to backpedal on its proposed plan to ram the tax into gear and move forward. “Mr. Stanbrook is entitled to hold and express opinions wherever he wants and to whomever he wants, but that will not change the government’s position on the VAT, and the Interim Administration will continue to move forward with its implementation,” Governor Todd said. A number of persons have expressed deep concerned about the negative effects of what they described as the hasty introduction of the VAT into the island’s tax structure. Some business operators declared that, while they did not have a problem with taxation, as they were cognizant of the need to fund government operations, VAT appeared to be inappropriate for the economy, which they described as unique. The anti-VAT campaigners predicted that if the tax is implemented, the recent gains in economic sustainability would be lost.
Election registration increases
By Vivian Tyson
Since the announcement of an election date for the Turks and Caicos Islands, it appears that the interest among Islanders to register to vote has shot up, according to Dudley Lewis, Supervisor for Elections. “As of yesterday (June 26), we had 5,877 persons who provided information for registration, but I really can’t say how many people have been approved by the Ministry of Border Control and Labour, but we expect that number to see a big increase. Based on what I have seen, there could be quite a number of persons that that would be approved. The process is ongoing daily,” Lewis pointed out. Two weeks ago, the United Kingdom Government announced that elections would be held on November 9, after seizing power in 2009, following a commission inquiry report that
uncovered widespread corruption and systemic weakness in government. Before the election can be held, there has to be a redrawing of the political boundaries, since the UK-commissioned Interim Administration has determined that the number of constituencies should be reduced from 15 to 10, to make way for the creation of five at large seats that the entire country would vote to elect. In a previous interview with The SUN in mid June, Lewis said that 3,779 persons had given information for registration, but in a follow-up interview this week, he said that the number had vaulted to 5,877, as public interest in the electoral process spiked. The giving of Information is the first step in the registration process, since there has to be verification of documents by the Ministry of Border Control and Labour, to determine whether or not the applicant is qualified to be a Turks and Caicos Islander. After the applicant is given the
No extension for registration
There will be no extension granted for voter registration in the Turks and Caicos Islands, says Clara Gardiner, Permanent Secretary, Ministry Of Border Control and Labour. In a press release, Gardiner stated: “Voter registration will not be extended from the (Friday’s) deadline of June 29th 2012. This cannot be done as it would have a detrimental knock on effect on all of the other election preparations. Four months might seem a long way off now, but there is a significant body of work still to be completed. I would like to remind people that there has been a 10 week registration window since 16 April, this has been widely and regularly publicised
throughout this time and we have extended both the opening hours of the registration centres and the number of days that they have been open, including weekends.” Gardiner said that last Thursday night, staff at the Providenciales registration office worked until 9.00pm to accommodate those wishing to register. She added: “The birth certificate fee was halved to assist people – the registrar too has worked extended hours to accommodate this and received additional manpower support to accommodate this and last week the birth certificate fee was removed for those registered unemployed persons.”
all clear sign, they would then be registered by the Electoral Office. The last time The SUN checked, only 400 persons were approved to have their names etched on the voters list, but Lewis that situation would exponentially changed based on current trend of expressions of interests. He, however, could not give a figure as to where the number stood at the moment, but said that by the end of the month, it should become clearer. There also has to be the completion of the Campaign Finance Ordinance, which will determine, among other things, how much contribution should one party be allowed to accept during an election campaign and on how the funds should be used; and Conduct Ordinance, which would determine how candidates and their supporters should behave during the election campaign process.
Governor Todd on vacation leave
His Excellency Governor Ric Todd left the Turks and Caicos Islands on annual leave on Tuesday, 26 June 2012.
TCIG CEO Patrick Boyle has been sworn in as Acting Governor until Mr Todd’s return to office on 20 July.
WANTED A Sales Clerk to work 6 days per week. Salary is $5.50 per hour Contact Dwayna @ 243-5028.
Page 8
LOCAL NEWS
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Dr. Ewing calls for population increase in Turks and Caicos Islands By Vivian Tyson
Leader of the Progressive National Party (PNP) Dr. Rufus Ewing has conceded that the Turks and Caicos Islands needs a larger population in order for the country to grow economically, but the decision should be rest with Belongers on how the process should be streamlined. Responding the questions on the current voter registration process during a news conference at party headquarters on Thursday, June 28, Ewing charged that the current move by the Interim Administration to implement this stringent Belonger verification process, which had denied a number of persons the right to vote, could be a plot by the UKcommissioned government to vouch for the widening of the franchise as recommended by Sir Robin Auld, in his commission of inquiry list of recommendations.
elected Government…no one else. “I agree that going forward as a nation – and I have said this before, and I think Mr. (Carlos) Simons and I discussed it on one of the shows – in order for this country to be a prosperous country and to grow, we do need people, we do need a larger population. We do need a larger resident population, because when you have a small resident population, and you do like the British are doing now - increasing taxation - then when persons leave, you will increase the taxation burden on those who are left, and that is not a sustainable system. “But you can’t do it (increase Leader of the Progressive National Party (PNP) Dr. Rufus Ewing the population) in one bloc, and “I may agree that we may have a change the socio-economic and small voting population, but if there sociopolitical system in one go. It is any enlargement of the franchise needs to be well planned, it needs that is to be done, it must be done to have a well-articulated, well through some natural means; through documented and planned population some pathway that is well defined control policy that is tied integrally that is within the remit and control with your economic policies and of the people of this country and an your social policies and the likes,”
Dr. Ewing argued. In his 2009 report following the holding of a commission of inquiry in wake of government corruption, Sir Robin Auld, made a litany of recommendations including, the partial suspension of the constitution and the widening of the franchise so as to minimize corruption. However, the recommendation was fought tooth and nail by Turks and Caicos Islanders, who demanded that they should have a say in that process, resulting in the scrapping of that plan and resort to one of country-wide consultations, that gave Belongers the opportunity to insert their opinion on how they believed an expatriate should begin the process to Turks and Caicos Islander citizenship status. A document to that effect was recently published and discussed in the Consultative Forum and is due to pass before the holding of elections on November 9.
Director of Corporate Cervices leaves Police
RTCI Police Service’s Director of Corporate Services is leaving the post. Peter Davis, has resigned the post due to family reasons. The 54-year-old former business manager for the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service is returning to the UK. Mr Davis joined the RTCI Police at the beginning of April, bringing with him a wealth of experience to the role and departs just three months into a two-year contract. Prior to his tenure in the Cayman Islands, he served as a Detective Superintendent and Senior Investigating Officer for homicides and major crime in the Royal St Lucia Police Force. An ex-British Criminal Investigations Division Detective Chief Inspector and Senior
Peter Davis
Investigating Officer, he has also delighted to have secured the worked for the UK Department services of Peter Davis following an for Business and holds a Master’s extensive recruitment process and so Degree in Business Administration. RTCI Police Commissioner, Colin Farquhar, said: “We were
it is with regret that we are losing him so soon. “But obviously we fully understand and respect his decision and wish him all the best in his future endeavours. “Peter made a big difference in a very short space of time and has implemented some crucial costcutting measures within the Police Service that were badly needed. “We thank him for his efforts and wish him and his family all the very best in the future.” Commissioner Farquhar revealed that a recruitment drive will be underway ‘very soon’ to find a replacement for Mr Davis.
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 9
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
LOCAL NEWS
Coastal Radar Station to be ready by September By Vivian Tyson
according to Smith. The much touted Government The long-awaited commission Coastal Radar Station designed to of the Coastal Radar Station in protect the borders of the Turks and Five Cays Providenciales could Caicos Islands from illicit activities be realized by the end of August was kick-started on December 6, 2010, or early September, according to by former Governor Gordon Wetherell, Governor’s Office Spokesman, who at the time, said that the project Neil Smith. was to be completed by February of Smith said that a supervisor 2011. has been recruited and training of However, The SUN learned that the operators was in progress, while project has been dogged by stoppages the site was being prepped so that due mainly to the unavailability of it would be in tip top shape for the essential parts to make it operational. opening. On completion, the location is Rodman Johnson is the slated to comprise a 40 metre or supervisor appointed to run the site, 131foot lattice tower, an equipment while the six individuals recruited cabin containing all the electronics and to potentially gain employment operating systems for the site. at the location were being trained, On top of the tower will be an and would undergo interviews 8.8 metre or 18 foot tower reflecting as part of the evaluation process, rotating antenna. It will be geared
Derek Taylor backs ‘Flyer’s’ Boundaries Commission appointment By Vivian Tyson SENIOR SUN EDITOR
The three-member Boundaries Commission, which was officially installed by Governor Ric Todd on Tuesday, June 26, during a news conference at the Environmental Centre in Providenciales, has the full backing of Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) Leader Derek Taylor. Mr. Simmons is an upright businessman; and man of integrity; and man who would do what is right. I don’t see any harm or anything like that with him on the commission. In fact, I think he would add that balance that is needed,” the PDM Leader said. “They have my support. Over the years we have had no problems with any boundaries commission. I believe that in-keeping with the law, the Boundaries Commission would look at the boundaries and make their recommendations, and the new boundaries would be created accordingly.” Responding to PNP Leader, Rufus Ewing, who argued that there was a possibility that the set-up of new boundaries could be drawn to favour a particular party, Taylor said: “First and foremost, he (Simmons) is a Turks and Caicos Islander - there is no two ways about it. He is one of those persons who always stand up for what is right. And when it comes to performing those types of duties, he isn’t one of those who would be taking sides, and to have him there is a plus for the country. “I know Carl for many, many years. We have worked in Customs (Department). He is a great businessman; he has done a lot for the Turks and Caicos Islands, and I think he is a great person to have on the commission.” The members are Supreme Court Judge, Margaret RamseyHayle, youthful attorney Tramaine Swann-Harvey and longstanding businessman Carl ‘Flyer’ Simmons. But while, the Progressive National Party (PNP) publicly opposes the Simmons appointment on the grounds of his perceived PDM affiliation, Taylor described him as a man of integrity and honour, and that he would do a good job.
to sweep 22 nautical miles from its location. The Coastal Radar Station was said to have been conceptualized by Canadian national Fred Skovberg, during the Michael Misick administration. The contract to initiate the project was signed by then Home Affairs Minister, Galmo Williams, on November 2, 2007. In a subsequent interview with this newspaper, Skovberg noted that, in addition to fighting crime, the radar station would be used to monitor general boat traffic in TCI waters, and could also assist in search and rescue operations. He said at the time that even though the radar site should generate a great deal of radiation, it would not pose any danger to residents, since its 360 degrees scanning capabilities would be
curtailed to 180. He explained that it would be switched off as it sweeps land, but would resume its scanning mechanism as soon as it rotates towards the sea. Skovberg said that particular plot of land was selected, since it was earmarked for a future marine police base, and that it was a good location for sweeping south and north. He said any vessel that enters the Turks and Caicos Islands, would likely pass that particular location, while pointing out that almost all foreign vessels ended up at South Dock. He said too that based on the radar station’s wide sweeping range, which covers from beyond Chalk Sound to Long Bay, it would be virtually impossible for anything to pass undetected.
Page 10
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
LOCAL NEWS
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Jamaica to help TCI investigate Olint political gifts By Vivian Tyson
The Jamaican government has cleared the way for the Turks and Caicos Islands Supreme Court to seek that country’s assistant to investigate and recover millions allegedly donated by collapsed Ponzi Scheme OLINT to its two major political parties, according to a report. Convicted fraudster David Smith, former head of OLINT, was said to have donated US$5 million to the Jamaica Labour party (JLP) and US$2 million to the governing Peoples National Party (PNP) during the 2007 general election. A report out of that neighbouring country is that, the senate passed what is described as the Mutual Assistance (Criminal Matters) (Designated Commonwealth States) (Amendment) Order, 2012, which facilitates mutual legal assistance between Jamaica and five other British dependent states in the Caribbean, including the TCI. Justice Minister Senator Mark Golding, in a statement to the Upper House, said that the cabinet approved the mutual assistance order before the confiscation order was made against Smith in the Supreme Court of the TCI. The order was issued on April 25, 2012, two days before the Supreme Court in the TCI issued its confiscation order against the convicted Olint boss. He said that the passage of the order would
David Smith,
"enable them (TCI) to utilise the mutual assistance framework." Golding – PNP senator was quoted as saying: "Notwithstanding becoming aware of the confiscation order, this Government is determined not to put the interests of our party ahead of the interests of the country." However, leader of opposition business in the Senate, Arthur Williams, accused the justice
WANTED
Marie Convenience Store Seeks
1 Sales Clerk
1 Gardiner
Applicants must be honest, reliable, hardworking and Fluent in English & French Your contact #341-8705
Nadia Salon needs a
Hairstylist
Required to work 6 days per wk From 10:30 to 5:00pm Salary $6 per hour And must be able to work on holidays Contact 246 6037
minister of playing politics by commenting on the donations by Olint to the political parties. "I regret that the statement was given in such a way as to make it into a political issue by speaking about the parties which we don't normally do in this House," Senator Williams commented. Responding to the claim, Golding said the two political parties were mentioned because the matter had attracted "high interest" in the media. He said he felt it appropriate to deal with that issue in his statement to the Senate given the timing of the Cabinet submission and subsequent approval by Cabinet and the confiscation order which arrived two days after. Smith was sentenced to six and a half year in prison by the TCI Supreme Court in September 2010, on fraud, theft and conspiracy to defraud. He was later extradited to the United States where and was sentenced on August 11, 2011 to 30 years in Jail. He returned to the TCI to complete his sentence, following which he would be sent to the US to begin the three decade jail term. He charged by US authorities for wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering offenses. As part of his sentence, the court also entered a money judgment in the amount of $128 million. Smith had pleaded guilty on March 29, 2011, to all 23 counts.
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 11
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
LOCAL NEWS
Chalksound Police Station building for sale By Vivian Tyson
The building that houses the Chalk Sound Police Station on Providenciales is up for sale and the police have not indicated whether or not they intend to purchase it. Passersby in that area have noticed a for sale sign on the property and had been making calls to this newspaper to find out whether or not the Government was planning to purchase the building on behalf of the police. When The SUN contacted owner of the property, Sandra
Garland, she hinted a lack of interest in the property. According to her, the Chalk Sound Police Station was constructed for the sole purpose of housing a police station, after she was approached by government to do so. However, she said that she felt the urge to relinquish ownership of the building hence her decision to have it change hands. “I want to sell it, I never wanted it. I did (construct) it to the request of the police and the government, but now I want to sell it,” she said. The businesswoman said that
Government had not indicated to her whether or not it was interested in buying the property, and so, she would be selling it to the first individual who put up a credible offer. “No, they (Government) have not expressed an interest in buying the buying the building, and that was one of that conditions it was built, that eventually Government would buy it because they wanted a presence in the area. And it is situated at an ideal location, and there was no indication that they would want to buy it right
now,” Garland revealed. When contacted for a comment on whether or not the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force was interested in purchasing the property, Commissioner of Police Colin Farquar issued a brief statement through police force spokesman, Paul Baker: “RTCI Police Commissioner Colin Farquhar, said: “The RTCI Police recently signed a five-year lease for the Chalk Sound Police Station building. We are pleased with both the building and the location.”
VAT White Paper to be published next week
The Value Added Tax (VAT) White Paper will be published on July 2nd, 2012, according to a Government press release. This follows on from the eight week Consultation period officially ended on Tuesday June 19, 2012. The VAT White Paper will include finalized decisions on all those issues which were listed for consultation in the Green Paper such as the the VAT rate, VAT registration threshold, VAT exempted and zero rated imports and supplies, VAT refunds, VAT accounting records, VAT returns and simplified issues, VAT sector considerations, VAT social and economic impact and VAT transitional issues.
proposed legislation.. According to the Government press release, The Consultation involved a total of fourteen the proposed legislation will mirror those crucial public meetings, and sixteen focus groups decisions of the White Paper. It will first be released meetings across the islands. During this time the as a draft to Advisory Council and Consultative VAT Implementation team was also engaged in Forum members on 2 July and passed into Law on answering and addressing questions and concerns 13 July 2012, albeit it will not come into force until in relation to the issues for consultation, via email VAT Implementation date, April 1st 2013. and through the publication of a series of questions The VAT Implementation Team will then begin and answers. its public education campaign after it passes into Position papers from various sectors were law, including advisory visits will be conducted received, discussed with those concerned and with proposed registered businesses, to provide contents noted for appropriate treatment in the VAT extensive education, technical assistance as needed Ordinance and Regulations. and advise them of their obligations under the
AXT AUTOMOTIVE & REPAIRS Requires
AUTO BODY SPRAYER Honest, reliable & skilled person to carry out auto body repairs & painting on damaged vehicles. Must be able to work flexible hours, speak good English and have own vehicle. Job for immediate start $6 per hour Please call Steve on 946-5701 By 30 June 2012 to arrange interview.
Page 12
LOCAL NEWS
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
The UK Government has sought to renew and strengthens Britain’s relationship with the Overseas Territories with the publication of its White Paper, “The Overseas Territories: Security, Success and Sustainability”. Foreign Secretary, William Hague said the White Paper is the first review of the Overseas Territories since 1999 and it demonstrates the importance the Coalition Government attaches to the Overseas Territories. “As well as having a responsibility to ensure the security and good governance of the Territories, we want the Territories to be vibrant, flourishing communities that proudly retain aspects of their British identity,” he said. “We appreciate the remarkable diversity of the Territories, each with their own specific attributes, opportunities and challenges. This White Paper is designed to meet these challenges, to set out ways we can support the Territories and strengthen our engagement with them. It is another major milestone in our long and shared history, and I hope it will mark a new era of engagement between Britain and the Overseas Territories.” The White Paper focuses on three goals: strengthening engagement between the UK and the Territories; working with the Territories to strengthen good governance, public financial management and economic planning where this is necessary; and improving the quality and range of support available to the Territories. According to a Government statement, the White Paper was developed across government departments and in consultation with the people and governments of the Territories. In the year in which
the Overseas Territories strategy from September 2011 to January 2012. The results were published in March 2012. The White Paper includes sections on the work of all UK Government Departments, who have published their own Papers on how they engage with the Territories. On 18 June DEFRA launched the latest round of its Darwin Fund initiative which will fund further biodiversity work in the Territories. There are fourteen UK Overseas Territories, eleven of which have permanent populations. • Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Montserrat and the Turks and Caicos Islands are all in the Caribbean. • Bermuda is in the North Atlantic Ocean. • The Falkland Islands and the Territory of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha are located in the South Atlantic. • Pitcairn, with a population of less than 60 people, is the only Territory in the Pacific. • Gibraltar is the only Territory in the EU. The Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekilia in Cyprus are an Overseas Territory but are not formally part of the EU. • The remaining Territories, ie the British Antarctic Territory, the British Indian Ocean Territory, and South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (in the South Atlantic) do not have permanent populations. The White Paper covers defence and security issues; economic diversification; the environment; good governance; and external relations, as well as focussing on the communities of the Territories.
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
UK GOVERNMENT PUBLISHES WHITE PAPER ON THE OVERSEAS TERRITORIES
William Hague
Britain and the Territories celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen, it sends an important signal of long-term engagement. The release noted that the Overseas Territories are incredibly diverse; they include thousands of small islands, vast areas of ocean, but also, in Antarctica, land six times the size of the United Kingdom. They include one of the world’s richest communities, in Bermuda; and the most remote community, in Tristan da Cunha. They are internationally recognised for their exceptionally rich and varied natural environments. They are home to an estimated 90% of the biodiversity found within the UK and the Territories combined and include two of the world’s largest Marine Protected Areas. The Government set out its Strategy towards the Overseas Territories in a Written Ministerial Statement on 14 September 2011. The FCO conducted a public consultation on
TURKS Page 10& CAICOS SUN
LOCAL NEWS
Issue #13 Issue #14
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
Page 13
JUNE 8TH-JUNE 15TH, 2012 LOCAL NEWS
TURKS AND CAICOS SUN
WITH SAKERA LILLIAN BOYCE WITH COOK
towards achieving goals for our A leader is a dealer in hope. attributed to him. The William people. Napoleon Bonaparte In these tough times it is obvious Lynch Speech is saidto to be The onus isor onletter our leaders speak that we as Turks & Caicos Islanders addressed out about to theansuffering in our country audience on the bank are going through a lot. itWe What an exciting weekend was are for of until comes. thesomeone James listens River and in relief Virginia in the Progressive National Party Our country has real needs. It is faced with the burdens of high food 1712 regarding the control of slaves (PNP), as delegates gathered from no longer only about the cost, declining tourism (our bread the colony. of William Lynch around the Turks and Caicos Islands inempowerment our people butwas it is and butter), and now a new Value the for the convention. about the implementation of taxes, speaker summoned to Virginia, AddedThe Tax (VAT) will soonwho be due reduction in budget provision for two great that professionals to a few slave revolts in the area vied for the top post spoke volumes. It education, health and even marketing implemented. his visit, his dubious of ourto country, whichand is especially vital showed that good people are still ready prior of being an authoritative now. to serve. These two are not looking for reputation When I look around on the islands owner.the need for a Speakslave out about employment or a career which is and strict and see what is happening keeps approach gives common in politics today. itBoth of comprehensive Here is an extract fromthat what he bringing me back to a famous people“These a voice in their own these men have something to offerletter and wrote: methods have worked Turks development. Talk about solutions for we Ishould proud of them as that once be read by William (Willie) on modesteconomic plantation in the West and Caicos Islanders. ourmy current suffering. Try Lynch, a British slave owner in the Indies and it will work throughout I believe this is the appointed hour and revitalize our neighborhoods and West Indies, who incame to United for both parties our country to the encourage our people to takelittle pridelist in South. Take this simple States to advise American slave ofour present the best, hard-working, surroundings encourage our differences and and think about them. intelligent and mature who people to volunteer their time, energy owners on how to keeppersons, their slaves On top of my list is “AGE,” but it’s and resources in an effort to help those have demonstrated their concern restrained. Lynching referred to and the there only because it starts with an commitment to the well-being of our in need. hanging of the black man is actually Encourage our people to become people and country. I want to pause to say productive again, challenge our congratulations to all the new officers students to study and plan for their of the party and to wish them well as future. Dr Ewing you have to lead the they lead the way for the next few years. The power is in your hands and way and inspire us to rebuild and the responsibility on your shoulders. continue the modernization of our We are counting on you to create and country. You have an awesome speak hope and unity and work responsibility. Our people need
ROYAL WEST INDIES RESORT ROYAL WEST INDIES RESORT, is looking for motivated proactive individuals to join its ‘Resort Team’ and contribute to this growing Condominium Resort. Candidates MUST want to actively participate in creating an excellent and professional guest experience.
Administration and Finance • GENERAL MAINTENANCE Officer – Grand Turk • HOUSEMAN
Part 20 hours a week - $10/hour • time GARDENER
The Red Cross is looking for a part time experienced Requirements: Administration and Finance Officer who will be responsible for ensuring the speak fluent English financial and management of • MUST with theadministration ability to write and read English Ability to maintain poolsinand hot tubtochemicals and the• Grand Turk sub branch relation the overall TCI Red issues related same support to the GT Cross,maintenance as well as providing basictoadmin • and Fit and for heavy lifting office it’s able programmes. • Personality suited for the hotel industry Must be customer friendly You• will need proven experience in word, excel, as well • Willing to work split shifts, holidays and weekends.
as other basic software. Seven plus years of finance experience • Knowledge of waste water treatment plants plus years in basic administration or theincluding relevant and• three Knowledge of Commercial Laundry Equipment education. Experience propane systems in the Red Cross or another humanitarian organization would an asset. • Air Conditioning systems, Firebe Alarm systems, Domestic Water systems including Water Heaters
The• successful candidate will also be sensitive to diversity, able Irrigation systems to workHOUSEMAN cross-culturally and adhere to the Red Cross principles • Greetdaily and escort guests to room throughout responsibilities, as well as provide support and • Monthly housekeeping inventory work in Disaster Response. • Daily replenishment of room items and restocking of closets • Daily cleaning of buildings • Must be able to work on weekends and public holidays
For the full job description and an application form, please contact$6.50/hour our Provo office 941 8056 redcrossprovo@tciway.tc or Wages ourresumes Grand Turk office 946 2761 tciredcross@tciway.tc All and applications must be forwarded to: Royal West Indies Resort Deadline applications is 22nd June 2012. P.O. Box 482,for Providenciales Belongers Turks & Caicos Islands only need apply. You may also fax to: (649)946-5008
“a.” The second is “COLOR” or stuck with below average schools, an option but leadership. that it is not shade. There is INTELLIGENCE, them very know low income homes and even You can transform the minds of a necessity. Leaders instill in their SIZE, SEX, SIZES of the OF people more adegrading situations I’m hope for success and that a belief our people. The population PLANTATIONS, STATUS on sure we all can list. Let’s be honest Turks and Caicos Islands is suffering in themselves. Positive leaders from a recession and a depression. people and to accomplish their plantations, ATTITUDE of owners, empower with ourselves say that before They need the voice of hope and they goals. whether the slaves live in the valley, this Interim Administration took need to know that chosen leaders can It is the job of the leader to onbeaeffective. hill, East, North, South, convince over, weuswere on can a progressive WeWest, all affect the people that we choose and path we have fine hair, course is tall can in the Turksthat andwe Caicos Islands.can We we meet, in one wayhair, or or another. change; as a people orPeople short.sense Now our thatattitudes, you have list challenge had children school, a anda are and going changeoff thetostructures by ourI thoughts, institutions thatprogram, deny us major our ofaffected differences, shall giveand youvice an and blossoming sports versa. No one can make more of an wholeness and dishonor the sacredness outline of action, but before that, I developments and a large sum of impact than a leader. and unity of life. shallTheassure you country willthat take DISTRUST its cue from our people doing very well. We IS TRUST have people who have sold us out the struggles to Footnote: you.STRONGER In the midst ofTHAN reminded devotions on demandENVY an election, avoid increased AND STRONGER THAN andI am only hold of thetheother at high morning before the taxation, insist on comprehensive ADULATION, RESPECT and OR Saturday regard with no respect for business the ones affordable education and health session of the party, it was one of the ADMIRATION. Theleader, Black MUST slaves events that they shouldmost. call The brother and I enjoyed singing policies. You, our after receiving this indoctrination sister. We are divided as a people, provide hope. Because of your actions was like healing for the soul and the shallattitude, carry on will become and bypeople areHowell divided are Rev Dr who Conrad on the and we and the people of the word theme “Moving Forward Together” Turks and Caicos Islands should self-refueling and self-generating bound to fall. command I believe it can and will done. maybe will Ifalways for HUNDREDS of be years, povertybe ora crime strikes You must both encourage and remember, and one I am determined THOUSANDS. Don’t you that bigger countries they it as we adhere to and putdon’t into feel action. insist that our people applyforget, themselves must pitch the OLD black male vs. hard as we the people of a smaller Dr Howell said (and I paraphrase), to do or to be the best that they can be it the duty a “we paradigm can would, create a itnew on a YOUNG national level. the blackIt is male, and ofthe nation could be ourand sister must be dedicated to preserving the leader to inspire his people. YOUNG black male against the OLD or brother on either side. We have Encourage innovation and an dignity of life rather than winning at black male.culture, You must use the DARK to cost startand looking out dividing and notus bad or further as enterprise especially in this any skin slaves vs. the LIGHT skin mouthing one another. Our eyes a people.” economy. slaves, andto the skin slaves areRemember, simply notifon the prize. We are everyone is moving Speak our LIGHT people and motivate together, each then success takesin them get up and harderYou thanmust the forward vs. thetoDARK skintry slaves. not supporting other and care of itself. last time to find a job. We need to hear use the FEMALE vs. the MALE, desperate times like these simply from someone who is speaking about and the MALE vs.sotheweFEMALE. “ we Boyce are all iswe have.” As Willie • Lillian a former Deputy great possibilities can be put You must also have white servants lynch saysofthey must wipe away our Premier the Turks and Caicos inspired. Islands and a prominent Let our people know that it is and overseers [who] distrust all original historical base. This means, businesswoman. important But to make in life, let take away Blacks. it changes is NECESSARY all, original historical THAT YOUR SLAVES TRUST knowledge of our past, without AND DEPEND ON US. THEY leaving a trace of who we are, and MUST LOVE, RESPECT AND replace it with other false histories. TRUST ONLY US.” Our celebrations have been Is seeking Allow me to break down watered down, our education is why I think this is exactly what is lacking and they are trying to take 1 Hairdresser happening here in 1the Turks and God out of the schools, they make a Cosmetologist Caicos Islands. Right now we have mockery out of our culture that we To work fulltime two main parties Salary and one$6.00 of theperuse to hold so dear to our hearts. Ask hour biggest differences between the two yourself if this is mere coincidence, is age. They dangled theEufemia call of Smith or is itat a rerun that we have all seen Please contact 231-3987 elections before of us as if it isn’t before. already our God given right to some Turks and Caicos Islanders let’s kind of democracy imaging/Brilliant and instead of put awayis ourlooking petty differences, Tropical for let’s us banding together, we talented are already not concern our self with things people at each other’s throats just as that can’t help us as a people to THEY want us to be and its almost move in the direction that we patronizing. desperately need to go. Let’s use Tropical an experienced Project In thisImaging countryrequires we have such a our time,Management energy, andspecialist great minds who will be heavily involved in the company’s “back end” client support difference services. in values and attitudes to build a bigger and brighter Turks between oneshould generation and another and Caicos. Let’s bridge and the begap Applicants have at least 7 years commercial work experience and notoone is taking the between generations, let’s work able demonstrate thetime abilitytotohelp manage multipleour ongoing tasks have welldefined communication skills in person, on the telephone and written bridge the gap. Age difference isn’t together now so that we can have be athe teamreference player and be a fanatic for attention to detail and thecorrespondence, only issue, but a next generation, Turks Islanders customer service. to You putting people against let useface thistoasface a stepping will bethe comfortable dealing each with customers as you arestone via to other based on where they live is be what we have the ability to be. email or video conferencing. Ideal applicants will also posses a commercial another issue that we have herecustomer’s on Great!!!! drive and acumen for satisfying needs. Putting together will be from something theproposals islands. for Weclients still suffer the you enjoy. Applicants will also need be if fastwe leaners “I andhave be willing to learn whole Caicos-Turks issueto as one life and Mac one based chance software. Applicants should be technology savvy” and comfortable in aren’t all one people. The point I am to make it count for working something a “high tech” and fast moving environment. making is resumes/links TCI is only soto big with a . . . I'm free to choose what that Email all ceo@tropicalimaging.com population that is only increasing in something is, and the something expats and not Belongers we should I've chosen is my faith. Now, my at least be sticking together. faith goes beyond theology and There are forces here in this religion and requires considerable country that are trying to keep us work and effort. from sticking together, Turks and Myfollowing faith demands -- this is not Is looking forbut persons to fill the positions: Caicos (2) Islanders must understand optional --inmy faith demands that I IT teachers with knowledge QuickBooks that we (3) are in a war that cannot be do whatever I can, Pre-school teachers with diploma (5wherever years I am, won if we keep fighting each experience) other whenever I can, for as long as I can and not the real enemy. with whatever I have to try to make (1) Part-time music teacher Most other Caribbean countries a difference.” – Jimmy Carter Please call: 241-2975 or 431-2975 or are moving ahead but we are still
IMPRESSIONS BEAUTY SALON
EXPERIENCED PROJECT MANAGER
The Master’s Academy
Email. themastersacademy@ymail.com to schedule an interview
Page 14
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
LOCAL NEWS
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Economic prediction for TCI period June to 31st March 2013 By William K. McCollum
None of the British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean (Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands or Montserrat) have Value Added Tax (VAT), so why is Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) being unilaterally singled out for VAT? Cayman Islands (much wealthier/populous) resoundingly rejected VAT in the Miller/Shaw Report. As Minister Bellingham stated in his London Parliament address on 18th June “this is a decision of the local TCI Government after consultation”. We were not consulted but just told “this is coming in whether you like it or not”. At the very least, we should have been offered a Referendum (this is no better than the infliction upon us of the Medical Tax without Referendum now sucking up “some 40% of the Nation’s income” per CFO Groves). We islanders have no representative voice in
this matter. Some 90% of TCI residents are opposed to this form of taxation. Which business is going to?: a) Make Returns each month; b) Pay VAT on all outputs whether they have been paid or even billed; c) Pay Tax on the export of services conducted from TCI when the competing jurisdictions don’t William K. McCollum exact such. They will surely just relocate (see Call Centre for Turks and Caicos Airways) “Those businesses that manage to survive the long, Why is London allowing their local team in TCI slow, hot summer will take whatever swift advantage to make this country non competitive with other they can of what hopefully will be a very active BOT’S? winter season and then close March 31st before Work St. Kitts and Nevis’s VAT riddled economy (the Permits, Business Licences (at these increased rates) TCI VAT model comes from St. Kitts and Nevis are due and some 21 days before the VAT Vulture however a democratically elected government lands with all the attendant disadvantages set out in voted in VAT) is nothing to “write home about” as “a)-c)” (above)”. it is experiencing a growth rate of ZERO % for this Already businesses are paying six (6) months year and is at a standstill due to a combination of the work permits fees as they don’t have the money or worldwide climate and the increase in costs brought are simply limiting their exposure to a very chancy on by VAT. economy. Given all of the above the bullying abuse VAT HAS KILLED THE CONSTRUCTION by CFO Groves of the Business Community some AND PROPERTY MARKET IN ST. KITTS. ten days ago is inexcusable and unrealistic.
Career Opportunities: Grace Bay Club is looking for candidates that have the requirements listed along with an outgoing professional manner. They love to work with different types of people, meet challenges with a positive attitude and live the standards of our organization. Their management style is one that balances a commitment to people and their development with business/financial accountability and delivers an exceptional guest experience Director of Owner Relations Requirements: • Relationship management at executive levels is a critical part of this role – 3 years experience • Communication expertise in dealing with executive management, ownership, investors and guests • Exceptional organizational skills coupled with a drive and ability to deliver customer service excellence • Negotiating skills and budget development and management • Understanding and experience with budgets and strata management • Comfortable with ambiguity and a wide spectrum of tasks
operations management.
•
The candidate must have knowledge of the business and industry, understand modern management theories, employ process/quality improvement techniques and have experience in driving businesses to success.
Qualified Belongers need only to apply Salary Range: Commensurate based on qualification and experience
Qualified Belongers need only to apply
PASTRY CHEF Job Requirements & Qualifications: • Oversee the day to day operation of the Bakery. • Responsible for new product development as well as maintaining existing recipes. • Creates new dessert items • Must be at least 18 years of age. • Requires a minimum of three (3) years pastry experience to include a minimum of one (1) year supervisory experience in the hospitality industry. • Requires working knowledge of methods and materials used in commercial baking. • Must be able to operate various types of ovens, mixers, and other kitchen appliances. Requires the ability to read, interpret, and follow complex recipes and directions. • Must be able to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, meeting strict deadlines, and have good interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with people. • Self motivate, detail orientated professional • Extensive experience with plated desserts, artisan breads and classic pastries. Belongers need only to apply
Salary Range: Commensurate based on qualification and experience
Salary Range: Commensurate based on qualification and experience
• Competency with Microsoft Office Professional products and Opera • Team player, motivated by providing the ultimate experience for clients. • Must read and speak English fluently. Additional languages an asset. • Past 5 star luxury experience needed in Housekeeping, Engineering, Finance, Front Office operations, Revenue Management and Interior Design • International Experience in Hotel Management needed
Maintenance Assistant Requirements: • Operate and maintain the waste water treatment plant • Cleaning and maintenance of pools, Jacuzzi and plunge pools services • Verify all sanitary lift stations • Cleaning and maintaining of water fountains • Maintain the proper use, cleaning, maintenance and storage of all tools • Assist with the garbage pickup and masonry work around the property • Assist on the repairs of the guest rooms, including plastering, painting, repair screens, replacement of water heaters and any additional plumbing work. Qualified Belongers need only to apply Salary Range: Commensurate based on qualification and experience Chief Operating Officer & Principal Requirements: •
A minimum of 15 years in luxury hospitality properties with a minimum of 5 years resort experience in the Caribbean with international experience in international 4 and 5 Star properties.
•
Minimum of Bachelor of Arts degree, ideally with graduate experience in Hospitality
•
Strong operational experience in all phases of the hospitality business as a senior corporate officer responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of a multi-property corporation and for
Food & Beverage Manager Requirements: • At least 5 years of 5 star Food & Beverage experience. Caribbean experience considered an asset. • At least 5 years five star restaurant management experience. • Degree in hospitality desirable. • International experience and multi-lingual to assist our International clientele would be an asset. • Knowledge of fine wines. • Energetic, positive visionary leader, dedicated to motivating and developing team members. • Must be competent with a PC and Micros experience is an asset. • Assists with strategy, budgeting, cost management and delivering on objectives. • Exceptional communication and customer service skills and lives the standard of the organization. Belongers need only to apply Salary Range: Commensurate based on qualification and experience Interested persons can contact our Human Resources Department no later than July 13, 2012 @ (649) 946-5050 Ext. 1050 Email: veronica.clare@gracebayclub.com Fax: (649) 946-5758 P.O. Box 128 Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 15
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
LOCAL NEWS
Clive Stanbrook takes TCI anti-VAT fight to UK Finance Minister By Hayden Boyce Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
Prominent businessman and Queen’s Counsel Clive Stanbrook is spearheading a team of businesspersons from the Turks and Caicos Islands who are sending a “clear warning” to Britain’s Finance Minister George Osborne that the imposition of a Valued Added Tax (VAT) would be inappropriate and undesirable in this British Overseas Territory. In a press statement issued from London on behalf of the newly-formed Turks and Caicos Independent Business Council (TCIBC), Stanbrook, who is the group’s chairman, stated: “We are sending a clear message to the British Government. It is the view of virtually the entire business community in the Turks and Caicos that a VAT tax is inappropriate, costly, cumbersome and unnecessary at this stage in the development of these Islands. In the short term it is clear that the existing taxation systems can be Queen’s Counsel Clive Stanbrook relied upon to raise such extra revenue as may be structure. As business professionals we do not needed. " have a problem with taxation and recognize the The press release said that the British Government “has a major battle on its hands over need to fund government.” The TCIBC said it has a major problem with the proposed implementation of VAT in The Turks this particular type of tax and its inappropriate and Caicos islands”, following the formation of TCIBC by a broad group of concerned individuals nature for the Turks and Caicos Islands and its from all sectors of the economy and business unique economy at this time and at this specific point in its young development. community throughout the TCI. “We believe that the recent gains in economic Stanbrook, is the owner of IGA Graceway, the largest supermarket chain in the Turks and Caicos sustainability will be lost with the imposition of Islands, and a former partner in the prestigious law this "boiler plate", cookie cutter, tax system,” the firms Misick and Stanbrook. An anti-VAT online TCIBC added. “This new VAT tax is not driven by petition, (www.ipetitions.com/petition/just-say- a "grass roots" initiative, but is a politically driven no-to-vat) was started on May 29, 2012. Its first tax imposed upon us by distant bureaucrats based signatory was a Fleur Stanbrook, the name of one in Europe without effective due process and regard to our specific economy and its future development. of Stanbrook’s daughters. Meantime, the press release quoted a TCIBC One size does not fit all. It is our intention to spokesman as saying: “We have a common purpose continue the debate on VAT through wider public in that we are all unified in our opposition to the education and dissemination of information and introduction of VAT in the Turks and Caicos to oppose and resist its introduction through Islands. We send a clear warning to Chancellor whatever legal mechanisms are open to us. This George Osborne that we represent the interests of will include public consultations and education all the leading businesses in the country and indeed through the press, TV and radio.” The TCIBC noted that this task has already it can be said that our views are representative of begun with over 3000 people having already virtually every business concern. We are deeply concerned about the expected negative effects of signed an on-line petition opposing VAT, adding the hasty introduction of VAT into the island’s tax that many more are joining us daily. “This is not a done deal as many think. No
Loretta Robinson Seeks
1 Labourer Salary $100.00 per week 5 days per week Contact 247-9675
government or administration can impose any policy upon a community if that community refuses to accept the policy,” the TCIB added. Discussion on the implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT) in the Turks and Caicos Islands has reached the House of Commons in England. On June 18th, MP Andrew Rosindell asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy on the introduction of VAT in the Turks and Caicos Islands; and if he will make a statement. Mr Henry Bellingham, who was recently in the Turks and Caicos Islands to announce that elections will be on November 9th, 2012, replied: “The introduction of VAT is a decision for the Turks and Caicos Islands Government. Their decision was based on thorough research and an assessment that VAT would offer a simpler, equitable and stable revenue source. A decision to introduce VAT was announced in the 2011-12 budget statement. A Green Paper on VAT implementation was published in May and consultation is under way on this.” Chief Financial Officer Hugh McGarel-Groves in response to a local anti-VAT campaign, said last week that introducing VAT in the Turks and Caicos Islands offers the opportunity to further strengthen the country’s fragile recovery by introducing a simpler, equitable and stable source of Government revenue. He said: “As the community of the TCI continues to discuss the implementation of VAT, critical questions must continue to be asked of both of the Government but also of the anti-VAT campaigners: what are their alternatives to the benefits of VAT to a renewed TCI; is opposition to VAT borne from a desire to continue not to pay tax at all in some business sectors? “Given the difficulties endured by the TCI economy since the collapse of the last Government, it is in the best interests of the entire community to ensure that Government finances are secure and that it can continue to develop expenditure plans in line with local peoples’ priorities – a process already begun in this year’s Budget. VAT is a proven system across the Caribbean. It is straightforward to administer and is beneficial here in that this single form of taxation replaces five different sets of ordinances that both Government and business need to keep abreast of.”
FLORIDIAN RENT-A-CARLIMITED WANTED
1 Assistant Manager 1 Receptionist 1 Car Rental Attendant Applicants must be honest, reliable and hardworking and must be able to communicate in English, French, Spanish and Vietnamese contact # (649)345-1235/ (561)827-0079
BIG JOSH FOOD SERVICES SEEKS
2 Sales Clerks
Elite Security Services Is in need of
2 Bartenders
Salary $5.00 per hour Contact 342-6297
Security Officer Call #231-0047
Page 16
LOCAL NEWS
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
Inspector Stephen Webb retires as Head of Police Cold Case Unit By Vivian Tyson
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is now searching for someone to head the Cold Crime Unit after the retirement of Stephen Webb. Deputy Commissioner of Police Brad Sullivan told The SUN that Webb’s replacement would come from the ranks of the TCI Police Force, even though there has not been a formal process to identify such a person from within its ranks. “We have not identified a replacement yet. We are looking at the restructuring a little bit to figure out how we are going to fill the vacancy that has been created within the organization. We have to do it carefully because it is an important spot. We are not looking to recruit anyone from overseas to fill that spot. There are capable individuals within the organization, and the options are many, and I am sure we can find someone to fill that void,” he said. The deputy commissioner of police pointed out also that at the moment, the police hierarchy was busying with other matters, and as a result was not, at this time, engaging in a robust search for a replacement. He said that the force hopes to find a suitable candidate in the short term, so that the unit would be able to effectively continue its work.
“He (Steven Webb) just left and we are busy with other issues and other items right now. We are furthering with our investigations, we are proceeding and we are monitoring, so we will be settling the position, but not just yet,” Deputy Commissioner Sullivan revealed. The two-member Cold Case Unit, comprising Webb and Sergeant David Wilson, was formed in 2011, with the mandate to focus on serious unsolved cases that the police were unable to crack. Webb, a very experienced and respected detective, was instrumental in helping the local police detect and solve a number of serious crimes. Inspector Stephen Webb, who once worked with the Central London Murder Team in the Metropolitan Police Force, also spent two years in Trinidad dealing with gang-related murders. Among the unsolved murders in the Turks and Caicos Islands are: * Police Constable Prince Smith, who was shot in Leeward , * Wesley Joseph, a Haitian national who was found dead in Kew Town; * Melissa Creese, whose decomposed body was discovered in Long Bay; * John Wynns, from North Caicos, whose body was never found; * John Tucker, who was found in a secluded beach near Five Cays with his throat cut; * Turkish national Murat Kilicer, who was
Page 17
LOCAL NEWS
Stephen Webb, former head of the Cold Case Unit, retires
killed at Pirates Cove, near the Providenciales International Airport; * Clean Simeon, a Haitian girl whose body was found near the Blue Hills dump; * George Moor, a Canadian national who was staying at Comfort Suites, went missing for three days and was found in the North West Point area with fatal shotgun wounds and the Dorsett Gardiner murder, which took place in 2009 and Constable Prince shooting death that occurred in 2005 at the Leeward Marina. A suspect was initially held in the Dorsett Gardiner incident earlier this year, but he was later released without charge.
Page 12
LOCAL NEWS LOCAL NEWS Page 18
TURKS AND CAICOS SUN
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
JUNE 16TH -JUNE 23RD, 2012 TURKS & CAICOS SUN
toand USGovernor plans more spyRic planeTodd’s flights nearletter the Turks Caicos Islands, over TheBishop Bahamas and the Caribbean Anglican Boyd
After quietly testing Predator drones over the Bahamas for more Dear Bishop Boyd than 18 months, the Department of Homeland Security I am grateful to plans you to forexpand your continued interest in the Turks and the unmanned surveillance flights Caicos and itsand peoples. We into theIslands Caribbean the Gulf discussed thisdrug in person and ofhave Mexico to fight smuggling, now I taketothe opportunity according U.S. officials. to reply to your letter yesterday. As you are The aware, move would dramatically well entirely valid increase U.S. drone flights in the differences of opinion should not be Western more than with a lack of respect. confused Hemisphere, doubling You the are number entitledof tosquare hold miles and express political opinions and tofleet set now covered by the department's out your views on economic policy. of nine surveillance drones, which areI respect your right do so but wishand to used primarily ontothe northern proffer a few comments in response, southwestern U.S. borders. providing factual corrections only Butnecessary. the high-tech aircraft have where had The limited success spotting drug 2012/13 budget is no longer runners in the open The drones under discussion butocean. was passed on 23 May.largely It sets realisticveteran and have failedout to impress achievable plans for a small surplus; it military, Coast Guard and Drug tax increases; and it contains no Enforcement Agency officers charged identifies theand keyboarding prioritiesspeedboats, for public with finding spending. fishing makeshift Thesevessels spendingandpriorities are submarines ferrying tons of cocaine widely supported across TCI, and marijuana toAdvisory America's coasts.and including by the Council "The question is: Will they are be the Consultative Forum, and schools, health, maintenance and effective? We have no systematic capital. The increases they spending evidence on budget how effective are," said Bruce Bagley, who studies U.S.
unique radio pulse in databases to identify boat and owner. was madethe redundant; everyone who In public defending thesouse of the left the sector did voluntarily drones in The Bahamas area, on terms negotiated and agreedformer with the Civil Service Association. 400 Minister of National Security people leftTurnquest with around $12m shared Tommy said: “Bilateral between them inand compensation. anti-criminal specifically And antiwe still receive regular requests from drug and anti-human trafficking public servants who want voluntary initiatives between our though government early severance even the and islaw-enforcement agencies scheme closed. with those of thealso United Your statement omits States relevantof pieces of information, the America government such have as a long consultation on citizenship, and gives and respected history. These are incorrect information, such as on joint and or approved surveillance university scholarships. (In 2012/13 in programs and “spying”, which addition to not funding existing would suggest and scholarships at unauthorized, the Community hence illegal, surveillance.” College and abroad there will be 50 Bishop Laish Boyd Governor Ric Todd new He scholarships at the Community added: “Particularly since An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft without a human College and 12 15 new scholarships the 1980s and the introduction globe.by computers in the vehicle, or under inpilot a number areasis either including social onboard. of Its flight controlled autonomously abroad.) And, unfortunately and of “Hot Pursuit” initiatives which the remote control of aadvocate navigator, or pilot (in military UAVs called a Combat Systems on Previously I urged youOfficer to take development. You increased avoidably, the statement contains UCAVs) on the ground or in another vehicle. public spending, such as on university time to establish the facts and collect inaccuracies placed Bahamian enforcement as well law as some claims scholarships and public sector a wider range of opinions, including that personnel on U.S. Department are simply untrue (eg that publicof public example remuneration, whileefforts saying that counter-narcotics at taxes the from droneTCI will be servants, deliveredforthis year servants takenCoast from Guard them Defensehave and had or U.S. in the voluntary early benefits are too high. is unrealistic. Many those University ofThis Miami in Coral Gables, to theinvolved U.S. Customs and Border which craft they were vessels to and to entitled). facilitate programme, would agree with you that fiscal severance conclusion, and I would like toof Fla. Protection's base in Cocoa before Beach, theIninterdiction detention reaching conclusions and issuing your thank consolidation and sustainable public you for your welcome Despite that, a new control Fla., for operations in the Caribbean. criminals operating in and through finances are incompatible with statement. Was this done? If not, an contribution to public debate on TCI station arrive this month in unfortunate The Federal Aviation TheI Bahamas, cooperation between result of this is that some and growth, will employment and good public look forward to our continuing Corpus Texas, has already approved our two countries has been critical of your comments on public sector dialogue. services. Christi, Many would not. allowing This is a Administration Predators to cover more a flight path for the on drones to fly to Bahamian anti-criminal initiatives, are based incorrect subject ofbased muchthere debate across the reform and misunderstandings. of the Gulf of Mexico. An additional information more than 1,000 miles to the Mona Yours especially as regards countering the For example, discuss "the impact of sophisticated trans-national Passage, the when strait you between Puerto redundancy programme". This is Ric Todd Rico and the Dominican Republic. criminal organizations. Even before Governor puzzling because there was "There is a lot more going onno in that time the U.S. government had redundancy programme and no-one Turks and Caicos Islands the deep Caribbean, and we would established a U.S. Drug Enforcement like to know more," said a law Agency (DEA) presence in The enforcement official familiar with Bahamas. And the formalization the program who was not authorized of the Operation Bahamas, Turks to speak publicly. The official said and Caicos (OPBAT) anti-drug Applications for vacancies which exist at the Wesley Methodist drones may be based temporarily at initiative resulted in the stationing Primary/High School for the following positions. airfields in the Dominican Republic of DEA agents and helicopters in (1)Puerto Secondary Education Teachers and Rico. both New Providence and Exuma. (2)The Predator PrimaryBSchool Education Teachers is best known as Today, millions of dollars are being Applicants a and degree and a teachers’ diploma the drone usedmust by thepossess CIA to find invested by the U.S. government from recognized and in a minimum of five years kill Al aQaeda terroristsinstitution in Pakistan constructing improved facilities experience. teaching and Yemen. An unarmed version for joint U.S. and Bahamas defence Emailthe vitae to Wesleyschool@tciway.tc patrols U.S. borders searching force operations in Inagua”. known overland smuggling routes. Turnquest said the Bahamas On the ocean, however, there government maintains a Bahamian are no rutted trails or roads to follow. police officer and a customs officer And the Predator cannot cover as presence in its Miami consulate much open water as larger, higher- general and an immigration officer seeking flying surveillance aircraft,Is such as or defence force officer presence in 1 Hairdresser the Global Hawk. its embassy in Haiti. "I'm not sure just because it's a 1 Cosmetologist “None of this is done secretly UAV [unmanned aerialTo vehicle] or covertly but rather with the full workthat fulltime it will solve and fitSalary in our $6.00 problemperknowledge hour of the host governments, set," the top military officer for the although I do not think that these region, Air Force Gen. Douglas M. Smith initiatives were the subject of public Please contact Eufemia at 231-3987 Fraser, said recently. announcements to the Florida or Fraser's command contributes Haitian public. ships and manned surveillance It is a matter of public record airplanes to the Joint Interagency that The Bahamas served as host to Task Force South. Last year, the task two U.S. government surveillance force worked with U.S. agencies and balloons beginning in the midother countries to seize 119 metric Requires 1980s. Indeed when plans to launch tons of cocaine, valued at $2.35 a third surveillance balloon was billion. abandoned in the early 1990s For the recent counter-narcotics because of prohibitive costs, the flights over the Bahamas, border Salary: $5.00U.S. perundertook, hour at the request of The agents deployed a maritime variant Bahamas government, to continue to Must be reliable, hardworking & honest of the Predator B called a Guardian provide aerial surveillance for joint Hours: 8-5 andthat some & holidays with a SeaVue radar system can weekends Bahamian-U.S. counter-criminal Apply scan large sections of open ocean.in person initiatives from radars located on the Drug agents can check a ship's U.S. mainland,” Turnquest said.
WESLEY METHODIST SCHOOL
Impressions Beauty Salon
Cairsea Services Limited
one (1) Labourer
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 19
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
LOCAL NEWS
Battle of the Bands Winners Announced
Islandcom’s Battle of the Bands competition was the event of the summer! The Turtle Cove Marina overflowed with people to the free concert event. Unlike music fest of the past the Islandcom Battle of the bands was a free event with all local bands. It was quite a show! Six bands performed that night for the top 3 spots. At stake was $4,000.00 for 1st place, $2,000.00 for 2nd place, and $1000.00 for third. The bands on the roster for the night were Roots, QBand Links, Justified, V6, Lee and the Force, and Rasta Generation. Each band was equally talented and gave great performances. They delivered their own style of music and performed lots of crowd favourites. Rasta Generation opened the show with smooth reggae music. They delighted the crowd with a favourite Bob Marley tune everyone sang to. Next up on the stage was Grand Turk’s Roots. They got the crowd going with popular soca songs from back in the days as well as new ones. The third band of the night Justified, delight the crowd with their mellow music. Their set included a song
of their own. Fourth group to play was rake and scrape band, V6 also out of Grand Turk. They rocked the crowd with a tribute song to JAGS McCartney that had everyone on their feet. Lee and the Force were a special treat as always; performed a tribute song to Whitney Houston. Q Band Links wowed the crowd with their rendition of Party Rock by LMFAO along with other hit songs. The winners of the night were determined by a point system that combined scoring from the judges and the number of text message votes from the crowd. The three judges for the night were Joan Astwood, Goddfrey Been, and Ramez Hakoura. The judges scored each band after their individual performances. After all the bands performed the crowd was given 2 minutes to send in their text to the band of their choice. After the numbers were calculated the top three were clearly established. In third place winning $1000.00 was duo Justified. In second place, winning $2000.00 and 6 months of Islandcom service was Qband Links. Taking home the grand prize of $4,000.00,
3rd Place winner Justified
1st Place winners V6 Band
Roots Band
All the bands
Junkanoo band preforming at the battle of the Bands
Techno Sounds
Activities from the event
These two ladies are obviously enjoying themselves
a year of service from Islandcom and Samsung Galaxy S phones was rake and scrape band V6. Chandra Craigg, of the Islandcom Marketing team talks about the event turn out. “Lee Ingham and I have put a lot into this event and are very happy with everything coming together as planned. We owe a large thanks to many entities on island. The Wine Cellar, of course, as our cosponsors of the event contributed quite a lot to its success. We also couldn’t have done it without the help of Dion Pratt and the Sky Juice Team. They really had us covered! Special thanks also goes out to our host David Bowen for keeping the crowd entertained and informed. Thanks also goes out to the judges for their fair voting. Security company CSS were excellent. They provided us with sea patrol, land patrol, as well as guard dog patrol. Other companies we owe thanks to are Crazy George and the Turtle Cove Marina, TCI Waste, Blue Loos, the TCI Sports Commission, Q’Deano Productions, William John, Silver Blue Productions, EMS, photographer Delphine Hartshorn, our wonderful DJ’s- Liqua Fox and Techno Sounds, and of course the bands.”
Islandcom HotSpot Guy
One of the Battle of the bands youngest fans
Dion Pratt Jr.
Tanis Wake-Forbes Provo Childrens Home
Dj Liqua Fox
Page 20
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
LOCAL NEWS
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Nigerian Missionary gets credit for anointing top GSAT student
By Vivian Tyson
Some persons in the community are convinced that the hand of God played a key role in Jyles Javier – the top Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) in the Turks and Caicos Islands for 2012 – attaining such feat because it was after a few days after a Nigerian Missionary laid hands and prayed for her success, that the good news came. Jyles was the first student that Pastor Sunday Adebamiro of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Nigeria, West Africa, laid hands on, when he went to the Ona Glinton Primary to pray for the success of the GSAT students. Pastor Adebamiro, who is currently in the Turks and Caicos Islands on Missionary assignment, said that he came here after receiving revelation from God that he should visit the TCI to pray for its total restoration. His journey initially took him
Pastor Sunday Adebamiro, lays hands on Jyles Javier, who later became the top GSAT student in the country
to the country’s capital Grand Turk, where he visited the parliament building and there held a restoration prayer for the political system along with local preacher, Ruth Ariza of the New Beginning Harvest Ministry.
He then visited the Ona Glinton Primary school where he conducted another special prayer of anointing on the students, especially those who were to sit the GSAT exam and on whom he poured oil. A few days later, Jyles, the students that he declared would exceptionally well, emerged the top candidate throughout the country. But while Pastor Adebamiro is not tooting his horn over the success of the school, many said that he was vessel used by God to bring success to the institution. The SUN caught up with Pastor Ademaniro this week, and he was full of praise to God to use him for his glory. “By the special Grace of God, myself and my family were led to the Turks and Caicos Islands. Actually, we had the revelation where we saw
a big ship, and the ship seemed to be sinking. And we tried to extend some helping hand by throwing some rope to the people in the ship, but they could not take the rope. The people in the ship were very strong and mighty people, so they don’t see the rope to be meaningful. But after we preached to them, they took the rope from us and the ship was able to bounce back. “And so that is the reason we came here; our coming to the Turks and Caicos is to give a helping hand. The people in the ship are strong, which means that the people in this nation are strong. The circumstances here do not mean the people are week are they don’t know what they are doing, because sometimes good things happen to bad people. “Even the strong sometimes fall, but no matter how strong you are, you are still weak when it comes to God, and God can only use for when we are weak. He said in our weakness he is going to be our strength, he said. Pastor Adebamiro said that based on his revelation, God will turn the Turks and Caicos Islands around in short order, in a way never seen before. Since arriving in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the African Missionary was invited by a number of churches in Grand Turk and Providenciales, to minister to their flocks. Prior to arriving in the TCI, Pastor Adebamiro was in the Bahamas. After his departure from the Turks and Caicos he is expected to visit Canada, and then back to Nigeria.
Seeking a WANTED Babysitter/ Housekeeper Recording Engineer Salary $5.50 per hour Mon-Fri Interested person should Contact 231-0971
For the summer holidays Hours are 8:30am-4:00pm Salary 5:50 per hour Interested persons please call Earlene Smith at 242-1063
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
Page 21
LOCAL NEWS
Page 22
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
LOCAL NEWS
Big success is on its way.
Chevrolet congratulates
Butterfield Motors ltD
on their grand opening in Turks & Caicos. chevroletcaribbean.com
ChevroletCaribbean
ChevroletCaribbean
ChevroletCaribbean ChevroletCaribbean ChevroletCaribbean
ChevroletCaribbean ChevroletCaribbean ChevroletCaribbean
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
Page 23
LOCAL NEWS
Page 24
LOCAL NEWS
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
Page 25
LOCAL NEWS
Page 26
LOCAL NEWS
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 27
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
LOCAL NEWS
Usher, baby Yeah, we did it again And this time I'mma make you scream USHER! Yeah, man... I see you over there, so hypnotic Thinking 'bout what I'd do to that body I'd get you like ooh baby baby Ooh baby baby, ah-ooh baby baby ooh baby baby Got no drink in my hand But I'm wasted Getting drunk of the thought of you naked I'd get you like ooh baby baby Ooh baby baby, ah-ooh baby baby ooh baby baby And I tried to fight it, to fight it But you're so magnetic, magnetic Got one life, just live it, just live it Now relax, and get on your back If you wanna scream, yeah Let me know and I'll take you there Get you going like ah-ooh Baby baby ooh baby baby Ah-ooh baby baby ooh baby If you want it done right Hope you're ready to go all night Get you going like ah-ooh Baby baby ooh baby baby Ah-ooh baby baby ooh baby If you wanna scream Yeah, come on Kill the lights, shut 'em off You're electric Devil eyes telling me "come and get it" I have you like ooh Baby baby ooh baby baby Ah-ooh baby baby ooh baby baby
Girl tonight you're the prey I'm the hunter Take you here, take you there Take you under Imagine me whispering in your ear Then I wanna take off all your clothes and put something on ya And I tried to fight it, to fight it But you're so magnetic, magnetic Got one life, just live it, just live it Now relax, and get on your back If you wanna scream, yeah
Let me know and I'll take you there Get you going like ah-ooh Baby baby ooh baby baby Ah-ooh baby baby ooh baby If you want it done right Hope you're ready to go all night Get you going like ah-ooh Baby baby ooh baby baby Ah-ooh baby baby ooh baby If you wanna scream Out, louder, scream louder Louder, louder, louder
Hey, tonight I scream, I'm on need [Beat break] If you wanna scream, yeah Let me know and I'll take you there Get you going like ah-ooh Baby baby ooh baby baby Ah-ooh baby baby ooh baby If you want it done right Hope you're ready to go all night Get you going like ah-ooh Baby baby ooh baby baby Ah-ooh baby baby ooh baby If you wanna scream
Like us!
Follow us!
Talk more. Save more. Extra Large Value, everytime!
Visit lime.com or call 1-800-804-2994 for details. LIME terms and conditions apply. See WWW.LIME.COM for detailed terms and conditions. Talk for 5 minutes on your LIME prepaid mobile to another LIME mobile number and get the next 25 minutes on that call FREE! Offer applicable to LIME prepaid mobile customers only. Offer available only on calls made to local LIME mobile numbers. Offer not applicable while roaming. Customers must fully exhaust 100% of their on-net local bolt-on or bonus minutes before the free mi minutes on this offer will apply. Regular rates include peak, off-peak and/or weekend rates applied on all billable calls. Prepaid Mobile customers must have adequate credit to participate on this offer. Customers must be on a single call and achieve the minimum talk threshold in order to beneet from the FREE air time in this offer.
Page 28
ENTERTAINMENT LOCAL FUN & NEWS GAMES
Ann Curry bids tearful farewell to viewers on final day as 'Today' anchor
I'm sorry I couldn't carry the ball over the finish line," NBC "Today" co-anchor Ann Curry said during her tearful farewell speech on Thursday morning's show. Whether Curry was apologizing to the audience or her bosses, or both, is unclear. But fairly or not, she has been pegged as the cause of NBC's ratings woes. Curry was tapped to replace Meredith Vieira as Matt Lauer's co-anchor a year ago and almost immediately ABC's"Good Morning America" started to close the ratings gap. Now with "Good Morning America" running neck-and-neck with "Today" and even winning on occasion, NBC and its parent company Comcast can't afford to risk any further damage to its news franchise. This season, "Today" is averaging 5.3-million viewers, which is a 4% drop from last season. At the same time, "Good Morning America" has gained 4% to 4.9-million viewers, according to Nielsen. "Comcast knows that news and sports are the only NBC properties that are going to make money for them," said Andrew Tyndall, a TV news consultant and analyst. While NBC does not break out numbers for "Today," people close to the show have pegged its profitability in the $200-million to $250-million range annually. The first two hours of "Today," which are the most vital, generate about $500 million in annual advertising revenue. So, being in first place is more than just bragging rights. Advertisers pay a premium for morning shows, and the first-place show gets better bookings in terms of celebrities and world leaders. "That is an advantage 'Today' had and they need to get it back," Tyndall said. NBC is banking on the Summer Olympics in London to energize "Today." While it has not announced
Curry's replacement, "Today" correspondent Savannah Guthrie, who cohosts the show's third hour and also is a legal reporter, is expected to get the nod. The decision to promote Curry to cohost from news anchor on "Today" was seen as a risk at the time. While no one questioned her reporting chops and hard-news background, there were always concerns about her chemistry with Lauer and whether she had the right touch for the softer stories, celebrity gossip and tabloid fare that has become a staple of morning television. "You have to know what’s fun and where you can roll your eyes," observed Tyndall. "Lauer knows how to be sarcastic as well as how to be concerned." One former NBC executive who was there at the time of Vieira's departure said there was a general consensus that Curry and Lauer would not be a match made in heaven. However, there was no immediate alternative, so rather than take the risk with someone unknown to "Today" viewers, a decision was made to reward Curry and hope that perhaps Lauer's loyal fan base could carry the show. The mishandling of Curry brings to mind NBC's about-face on Conan O'Brien, who was given the job of "Tonight Show" host only to have the network reinstate Jay Leno when Conan's ratings went south. But NBC News has always prided itself on smooth transitions, such as when Katie Couric handed off to Vieira or when Brian Williams took over for Tom Brokaw on "Nightly News." Because of the Olympics, the new "Today" team will get plenty of sampling. Come September, though, if the show is still struggling to hold off "GMA," the NBC brass may have to look at more than who's on camera in trying to figure out how to fix the show.
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Snoop Dogg busted with marijuana and cash in Norway
OSLO, Norway Norwegian media are reporting that Snoop Dogg was briefly detained after entering the country with marijuana and a large amount of cash. Customs officials declined to confirm, saying only that an American artist entered Norway with a small amount of marijuana that was detected by a sniffer-dog. Norwegian law prevents law enforcement officials from naming suspects. A customs officer who spoke on condition of anonymity said Thursday that the artist was also carrying more cash than is legally allowed and was subsequently fined 52,000 kroner ($8,600) for the violations. According to TMZ, Snoop Dogg was stopped at the Kjevic Airport in the southern town of Kristiansand. He's scheduled to perform nearby at the Hove Festival on Thursday. The rapper, whose name is Calvin Broadus, has in the past been arrested on marijuana possession charges.
Neil Diamond Back On Tour
Life after induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has been pretty sweet for pop star Neil Diamond. While many artists may consider that achievement the pinnacle of success, Diamond shows no signs of slowing down. When Neil Diamond turned 71 in January 2012, retirement was the furthest thing from his mind. In fact, today, the singer-songwriter is busier than ever. On June 1, he launched a three-month tour of the U.S. and Canada in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The tour includes five concerts at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, California, honoring the 40th anniversary of Diamond's sold-out run of 10 concerts there in 1972. One of those shows was captured on his live album Hot August Night which landed in the Number One spot for 29 consecutive weeks. Fans will hear concert favorites like “Sweet Caroline,” as well as many of the 23 songs from his latest release, The Very Best of Neil Diamond - The Original Studio Recordings. In the liner
notes, Diamond adds his personal recollection of each tune on the album. For instance, he reveals that he composed “Sweet Caroline” in a Memphis hotel room the night before it was recorded. He calls it one of his “biggest and most durable hits ever.” Diamond was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011, alongside Alice Cooper, Dr. John, Tom Waits and Darlene Love. He was one of five recipients of the 2011 Kennedy Center Honors. Diamond has been married three times, most recently to his manager Katie McNeil on April 21 in Beverly Hills.
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
Page 29
LOCAL NEWS
Page 30
FUN LOCAL FUN&&GAMES NEWS GAMES
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 31
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
LOCAL NEWS
Guyana cocaine worth $21million seized in Canada
The drugs, which have an estimated street value of more than $21million, were discovered in shipments arriving at the port on May 29 and June 5. Read More on PG 33
Former Trinidad Prime Minister Basdeo Panday freed of corruption charges
The sun rises again for former prime minister and United National Congress (UNC) founder, Basdeo Panday. The cloud of corruption was lifted from the veteran politician when he was acquitted of charges of failing to declare the assets of a London-based bank account to the Integrity Commission for three consecutive years. Panday said he felt vindicated after being discharged by Magistrate Marcia Murray who ruled that the Integrity Commission had failed to comply with the provisions of the Integrity in Public Life Act. The issue of the London bank account had greatly coloured the public perception of Panday and his administration, and was the subject of many barbs on the political hustings from 2002. Murray said the Commission had failed to advise the President to appoint a tribunal to enquire into Panday's declarations. "Mr Panday was not given the opportunity to which he was entitled, to be heard by a properly constituted tribunal. The referral of Mr Panday's declarations to the
Director of Public Prosecutions was of "misfeasance" in public affairs in lose political mileage. therefore ill-conceived and it matters dealings with Rowley, with respect "The background to this whole not that the Director of Public to an investigation of a complaint prosecution was mischief-making Prosecutions found that there was about Landate, a project owned by in the run-up to the 2001 general sufficient evidence to lay the charges. Rowley and his wife. election," Aaronberg said. In the court's view, failing to accord Aaronberg had also questioned Panday was facing three charges Mr Panday due process under the Act under the Integrity in Public Life why Panday was the sole person to amounts to misconduct on the part of Act of 1987 with failing to declare be charged under the Integrity in the Integrity Commission," Murray the assets of the account amounting Public Life Act despite a number of said. The magistrate further stated to approximately $1.6 million held other individuals also being referred that without misconduct on the part of at the National Westminster Bank by the Integrity Commission to the the commission, the issue of Panday at Wimbledon Hill Road, London, Office of the Director of Public being charged and brought before for the years ending 1997, 1998 and Prosecutions (DPP). the court would not have arisen. 1999 while he was prime minister. He further argued that Panday "It is the court's view that When the matter was last called was not the beneficiary of the account the misconduct of the Integrity on May 17, lead defence attorney but instead his wife Oma was. Commission was so serious that it David Aaronberg QC had made an Aaronberg had stated that under the would undermine public confidence application for a stay of proceedings Integrity in Public Life Act of 1987 in the criminal justice system and on the grounds of abuse of process, under which Panday was charged, bring it into disrepute. The court stating that Panday was not receiving one was not required to declare the therefore is compelled to stop these a fair trial based on a number of assets of their spouse. proceedings to protect the integrity issues, including pretrial publicity The prosecution, however, which of the criminal justice system," said and political "mischief-making." was led by Sir Timothy Cassell QC Murray. It is the second time that Aaronberg had argued that in the and included Renuka Rambhajan an Integrity Commission matter run-up to the 2001 general election and Anju Bhola, argued that Panday has come before the Court which which resulted in an 18-18 tie between was fully aware he was required to found that their procedures were the People's National Movement declare the assets of the account faulty. The Commission had found (PNM), led by Patrick Manning and in a last-ditch effort, he wrote a itself facing similar censure in a and the United National Congress letter to the bank in 2002, requesting matter involving PNM politician (UNC), led by Panday, Manning had that his name be removed from Keith Rowley, when the court ruled made statements with regard to the the account in order to evade local it acted "in bad faith" and was guilty account in order to cause Panday to authorities.
UK opens new embassy in Haiti By Hayden Boyce Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
Britain has announced the opening of a new embassy in Haiti, as part of the United Kingdom Government’s commitment to strengthening and reinvigorating Britain’s diplomatic network overseas. The announcement which establishes British diplomatic representation in Haiti for the first time since 1966, was made in the House of Commons on June 21st by Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Mr. William Hague, who also announced plans to open six new embassies and up to seven new consulates-general and to increase Britain’s diplomatic representation in more than 20 countries worldwide. “The new British embassy in Haiti will report to our ambassador in the Dominican Republic,” Hague said. “It will place us in a stronger position to support our objectives in Haiti and the region. The UK is a major contributor both to reconstruction and development in Haiti through multilateral agencies. We are also one of the major financial contributors to the United Nations
Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), the UN peacekeeping operation. It is in Britain’s interest as a P5 member of the UN Security Council to play a more active role in guaranteeing stability and creating the conditions for growth and prosperity.” He added: “The strength of our overseas network is a signal to the world of our engagement and commitment to international peace and security. And our posts themselves are the essential infrastructure of our country’s international influence and of our economic recovery. They provide an early warning system for threats to peace and security and assist British nationals in time of crisis. They support our economy and help British businesses, and they promote our values across the world. The strengthening of our global diplomatic network will therefore remain a central objective of the Government. On current plans by 2015 we will have deployed 300 extra staff in more than 20 countries and we will have opened up to 11 new British embassies and eight new consulates or trade offices.” On 2 February 2012, Hague announced additional plans to open an embassy in Liberia, and on 15 May 2012 he announced plans
to open an embassy in Laos and a British interests office in Burma in Naypyitaw. In announcing further steps to strengthen British diplomacy in Latin America and the Caribbean, Hague said the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will now reopen the British embassy in Paraguay which was closed in 2005. This, he said, builds on our decision to reopen the British embassy in El Salvador which was closed in 2003 and the new British consulate in the Brazilian city of Recife. “It amounts to a considerable diplomatic advance in Latin America and the reversal of the previous Government’s policy of closing posts in the region. Paraguay is the country with the largest economy in the world that does not have resident British diplomatic representation and was the fastest growing economy in south America in 2010. This new embassy will further strengthen British diplomatic engagement in the region. It will help to unlock commercial opportunities for British companies in this significant market. And it will allow us to work closely with Paraguay on regional issues such as counter-narcotics and organised crime,” Hague added.
Page 32
CARIBBEAN NEWS LOCAL FUN & NEWS GAMES
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister’s Cabinet reshuffle
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago- Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has made good on her May 24 promise to Trinidadians that she was going to carry out a “reconfiguration” of her Cabinet. Shortly before 8 p.m. last Friday (June 22), the Trinidad and Tobago prime minister announced her “major shifts in responsibilities and portfolios [in order] to get the most out of the best fit possible”, she read from her prepared statement. Her shifts saw the exit of outgoing Minister of National Security, Brigg John Sandy; outgoing Minister of Gender, Youth and Child Development, Verna St. Rose-Greaves; and outgoing Minister of Tobago Development, Vernella AlleyneToppin, who leaves Cabinet to become a junior minister in the Ministry of the People and Social Development. The high profile former Minister of Finance Winston Dookeran has also now been transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, the prime minister stressed that: “The changes made should not be seen for any one as an indictment on performance. Each member of my Cabinet has worked tirelessly in service to the nation and I am proud of their contribution. Our task was challenging from the very start.” Persad-Bissessar also introduced a few “new faces” into her Cabinet. New to the government are former Member of Parliament Ganga Singh as the new Minister of Environment and Water Resources, and Larry Hawai, is now the Minister of Finance and the Economy.
The prime minister defended her changes by saying: “as I see it, the government has two choices, we can pat ourselves on the back and say under the circumstances, ‘well done’, or we can look at all we did not achieve, we can choose instead to listen to those who are not satisfied, we can measure the way forward by looking at areas where we have gone wrong or not done enough, we can reassess approaches and strategies, improving upon everything in every way possible. We can choose to work harder, to do more, and to be urged on by the criticisms even as we are inspired by the congratulations.” She acknowledged that her reshuffle would likely meet criticism, noting that: “the reconfiguration of my Cabinet will meet with reviews from all over and everyone will have their say one way or the other. I ask one thing of every consideration made and that is to acknowledge what change is possible from within us all.” However, she charged her newly reconfigured Cabinet ministers, who she called her “performance team”, to “deliver a level of competence and performance for an impatient and expectant population”, adding that: “I have been very clear on what is required of each member of the new Cabinet”. She urged them to accept no mediocrity or arrogance, while adhering to “a leadership style that is firm, but humble, passionate and impatient for great achievements, but ever conscious of the correct procedures.”
Barbados Government breaks silence on failed RedJet airline
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – In a surprise disclosure, Barbados Minister of Finance Christopher Sinckler has revealed that bankrupt low-cost carrier REDjet had budgeted deficits throughout its operations. This was revealed by Minister Sinckler as he brought his government’s annual Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposal before the House of Assembly on Tuesday (June 26) evening. In drawing his budget presentation to a close, Minister Sinckler said he wished to “set the record straight” as he opened up about his government’s position on REDjet after facing much public criticism since the failure of the Barbados-based airline. The Minister stated that in a bid to come to the ailing REDjet’s assistance before it declared bankruptcy, the government had requested copies of its financial statements in order to assess how the airline could be kept afloat. According to Sinckler, after receiving financial accounts for the airline up to February 2012, the permanent secretary in his ministry made the following damning assessment: “…that not only has Airone Ventures Inc. been making substantial losses, but also the Company has been budgeting to make these losses. The actual revenues and budgeted revenues are not sufficient to cover the respective costs. More critically, the revenues are not even sufficient to cover the Company’s variable costs comprising passenger and aircraft costs and thus cannot make any contribution towards maintenance and overhead costs. This is not sustainable. As
a consequence of the foregoing the management accounts indicate that the Company is technically insolvent.” Sincker said that he immediately informed prime minister Freundel Stuart and his Cabinet colleagues of the findings of the financial review, but the decision was still made to financially assist the airline, as long as it remained flying. Furthermore, he said, the Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA) subsequently finalized a marketing and operational support programme for the airline, which was approved by Ministry of Finance, and instructions were given to the BTA to proceed to negotiate with a local financial institution to secure the financing necessary to support the plan for Redjet. However, said Sinckler, in the middle of these negotiations, while the BTA was awaiting the final term sheet from a preferred lender for submission to the Ministry of Finance for approval, Redjet stopped flying. He added that any further possibility of government rendering financial assistance to the airline was “snuffed out” when the company declared bankruptcy. The minister of finance insisted that it was untrue that his government had misled Redjet or reneged on any promise to lend financial assistance to that company. “Redjet was a private operation not a Government department. It had no right to any direct financial assistance from government and was promised none,” he pointed out. “Having given potentially million of dollars in
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Digicel boss reportedly receives big $300million payout
Following on the announcement earlier this month that the Digicel Group Limited grew its operating profit to a record US$1.08 billion, reports are coming from international sources that its owner is reaping a significant return on his investment. Both Bloomberg News and the Irish Sunday Times have reported that Irish telecommunications billionaire Denis O’Brien received a special dividend worth US$300 million from the Digicel Group for the year ending March 31, 2012. The chairman and founder of the Digicel Group reportedly received a US$115 million dividend from Digicel for the previous year and took US$800 million from the business in a refinancing in 2008, when he took full control of the company, which has operations across the Caribbean, Central America and the Pacific, the Sunday Times said. The most recent special dividend payment was disclosed in an analyst conference call this month, the report said. James Morrissey, a spokesman for O’Brien, reportedly declined to comment when contacted by Bloomberg News. Earlier this month, the Digicel Group reported that its revenues from 30 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and the Pacific, increased 14 per cent to US$2.54 billion and its subscriber base rose 27 per cent to 12.8 million. “The results announced today reflect the continued growth and development of Digicel in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific,” said O’Brien in a press release. Digicel advised that up to March its value added services and data revenues were up 47 per cent and now account for 20 per cent of overall service revenues. This growth was supported, in part by Digicel’s 4G mobile offering, which is now available in 14 markets across the globe – with further rollouts planned – and by the rise in smartphone usage. Digicel’s balance sheet and liquidity position has continued to improve with cash reserves of more than US$657 million. “Digicel has closed out another strong year in which, for the first time in our 11 year history, our annual EBITDA was over US$1 billion,” said group CEO, Colm Delves. Digicel has said to have invested more than US$4.5 billion in 30 markets since its formation and employs in excess of 4,700 people worldwide.
concessions to the company we still undertook to try to see how it would be possible to get it through a surprisingly early and difficult financial period. In the end the airline clearly did not have sufficient of its own private capital to survive and even if the eight million dollars were given immediately upon request it is clear that it would have only postponed the inevitable. May the company rest in peace,” Sinckler concluded.
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
Page 33
CARIBBEAN NEWS LOCAL NEWS
Clinton Bush Fund announces $3million in grants and loans to business and workforce training programs in Haiti
The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund announced US$3 million in grants and loans to four businesses and workforce development programs, including Regis College, Cap Lamandou Waterview Hotel, CLYF Quincallerie, and SOFIHDES. These investments highlight the importance of viable enterprises and a skilled workforce as Haiti continues to build a stable, healthy economy. As part of its continued effort to revitalize the tourism sector in Haiti, the Fund made a $349,000 loan to upgrade the Cap Lamandou Waterview Hotel in Jacmel. The hotel is owned by SIMACT Tourism Inc., a US company held by Haitian and diaspora investors dedicated to helping develop their country. The loan will enable physical renovations including updates to furniture and equipment, as well as an updated reservation system and training for hotel management. The seaside facility, which sits on a cliff overlooking the bay in the historic town of Jacmel, hopes to join the Comfort Inn brand of Choice Hotels International. “Jacmel is a vibrant town, and Haiti’s tourism sector is ready to grow here,” Clinton Bush Haiti Fund CEO Gary Edson said. “Smart investments in the hotel industry translate into successes for local restaurateurs, artisans, small enterprises, and the Haitian economy as a whole.” The Fund made a $463,000 grant to Regis College to educate faculty at six Haitian nursing
schools. The grant will help provide 24 Haitian nurse educators with a master’s degree in nursing. These teachers are expected to pass that education along to 3,300 students over the period of the grant. This program will benefit Haiti for years to come by sustaining nursing jobs, raising healthcare standards, and transforming the health sector, all while filling a need for skilled Haitian health workers. “Haiti is in dire need of indigenous health workers who are committed to their local communities. Long-term health and economic results can only be achieved by partnering with Haitians to build the health training and service programs that they own, operate in, and use,” said Clinton Bush Haiti Fund board member, Senator William H. Frist. Senator Frist is also a thoracic surgeon. The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund also made a second investment in SOFIHDES, bringing its total support to the long-established Haitian development bank to $2.25Million. With a new $1M loan, SOFIHDES will continue to provide loans to Haitian small and growing businesses. An additional $250,0000 grant will provide technical assistance for capacity-building, helping update SOFIHDES’ loan management system and reporting capacity, as well as reinforcing its credit process. SOFIHDES on-lent the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund’s first $1Million loan to a variety of
companies, reaching sectors from agriculture to communications. The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund also made a $525,000 investment in a Haitian for-profit commercial construction materials company, CYLF Quincallerie. The grant and loan will help CLYF provide access to reliable, quality hardware materials from a local Haitian source, building back better and promoting job creation. The $525,000 investment is comprised of a grant and a loan. The $375,000 loan will allow Port-au-Prince-based CLYF to purchase machinery to produce light-gauge steel metal studs. The $150,000 grant will support training for use of the equipment, creating at least 25 new jobs. The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund is a nonprofit organization founded after Haiti’s January 12, 2010 earthquake, when President Barack Obama asked former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush to lead a major fundraising effort to assist the Haitian people to “build back better.” The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund initially responded to the catastrophe with millions in humanitarian relief. By the time the Fund was officially formed in May 2010, it transitioned to primarily serving its longer-term mission of sustainable reconstruction efforts designed to promote jobs and economic opportunity, empowering Haiti to chart its own successful future.
Guyana cocaine worth $21million seized in Canada
Matthews Lane don, Donald 'Zeeks' Phipps
Zeeks loses appeal at Privy Council
INCARCERATED Matthews demise. Lane don, Donald 'Zeeks' Phipps Phipps and another man lost his appeal against a double — Garfield Williams — were murder conviction in the Privy jointly charged but Williams was Council yesterday. freed in 2006. Phipps was sentenced to life Phipps was sentenced in the for the April 2005 murders of High Court. Dayton 'Scotchbrite' Williams In his appeal Phipps argued and Leroy Farquarson of that Justice Horace Marsh's Bayshore Park St Andrew. He summation in relation to voice was ordered to serve 30 years recognition and the jury's verdict before being eligible for parole. could not be supported by The charred remains of both evidence. men were found at an open lot The Privy Council dismissed on Oxford Street in Denham the appeal on the grounds that Town. Homicide investigators Phipps had no basis to challenge noticed a trail of blood leading from Matthews Lane, suggesting the decision of the High Court that was where the men met their and the Court of Appeal.
ONTARIO, Canada – Acting on a tip from Trinidad, a total of 170 kilograms of cocaine from Guyana was seized in two separate drug busts by officials at the Port of Saint John, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has announced. The drugs, which have an estimated street value of more than $21million, were discovered in shipments arriving at the port on May 29 and June 5. The cocaine was hidden in hollowedout wood pallets used to transport food products from Guyana, said Don Collins, CBSA director of the southern New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island district. "These were grooved out on both sides," he said, holding up one of the boards for reporters during a news conference. Slim, plastic packages, each containing about one third of a kilogram of cocaine, were then glued inside the boards, Collins explained. While the cocaine came from Guyana — where cocaine-stuffed pineapples seized at the port last year also originated from — officials don't believe it was manufactured there. It's unclear where the drugs came from, but the shipping containers were destined for the Toronto area, they said. A Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer stationed in Trinidad got a tip about the drugs from Guyana, and border officials were advised to be on the
lookout, said RCMP Superintendant Rick Penny, drug enforcement commander for the greater Toronto area. On May 29, while conducting a secondary examination of a marine container, CBSA officers using X-ray technology detected anomalies with the wooden pallets in a shipment of sauces, seasonings and noodles from Guyana destined for Mississauga, officials said. The pallet boards had been hollowed out and filled with bags of cocaine, totalling about 121 kilograms. Five men have been charged in connection with that seizure and are scheduled to appear in court on July 9. On June 5, CBSA officers discovered similar concealment methods in another shipment of food products destined for a business area in North York and 49 kilograms of cocaine was seized. Three men have been charged in that case. New Brunswick RCMP Federal Operations West, CBSA, the RCMP in the Greater Toronto Area and Saint John police participated in the seizures. Last year, RCMP and border officials intercepted cocaine-stuffed pineapples from Guyana at the Saint John port in two seizures between August and October, totalling 28 kilograms. "It exits through Guyana and it enters into Canada. It's not that Guyana is a problem; it's part of the route," said Penny.
Page 34
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
LOCAL NEWS
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Kenya sea turtle project teaches conservation
Known by some as the “Turtleman,” Famau Shukry is passionate about his sea turtles. He works for LAMCOT, which was started in 1992 to help save the quickly-dwindling sea turtle population. The group receives support from the British-based Tusk Trust.
House votes to hold Eric Holder in contempt of Congress WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives found Eric H. Holder Jr. in contempt of Congress on Thursday, creating a bitter political break between the two branches of government. If successful, the action would force Holder to turn over 1,500 pages of material dealing with how he and other Justice officials dealt with the scandal after it became public in what Republicans suspect was a “cover-up” to hide their involvement in Fast and Furious. But how far they will get remained uncertain as President Obama has asserted executive privilege in keeping the documents under seal. Until the vote was cast early Thursday evening, no sitting Cabinet member had ever been found in contempt by Congress in the life of the nation, and the weight of history hung heavily over the chamber as Republicans charged the Obama administration was stonewalling and Democrats dismissed contempt as nothing more than partisan political theater. At the start of the voting, about 100 Democrats led by Congressional Black Caucus members, as well as House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), walked quietly out of the House chamber, in single and double-file, in solidarity for Holder and President Obama. Outside they walked down the Capitol steps and, holding hands, gathered at a small park on the south side of the House. “We are non-participants in what we believe
to be a calamity,” said Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II (D-Mo.). “This is a terrible day for the House of Representatives. We did not want to participate in something that had some kind of a smell to it.” On the House floor Rep. Dennis Ross (R-Fla.) fired back at Democrats. “The attorney general can stonewall all he wants,” he said. “He can misremember all he wants. But today responsibility will land on his desk.” Holder, standing before a photograph of President Obama, defiantly announced that he would not be deterred from his job, nor did he show any inclination to now provide the documents. “Today’s vote is the regrettable culmination of what became a misguided and politically motivated investigation during an election year,” he said. He added that the debate and votes were “good political theater” but also “at base, a crass effort and a grave disservice to the American people.” Fast and Furious, run by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, began in the fall of 2009 and ended shortly after U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry was killed in December 2010, south of Tucson. According to evidence collected by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), as well as acknowledgements from Holder and top Justice officials, firearms were allowed to be illegally sold in the Phoenix area with the hope that agents could track them to Mexican drug cartel leaders. Instead, most of the 2,500
Raging wildfire destroys hundreds of Colorado homes COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Colorado Springs officials said Thursday that hundreds of homes have been destroyed by a raging wildfire that has encroached on the state's second-largest city and threatened the U.S. Air Force Academy. Mayor Steve Bach said a more accurate account will be available later in the day of the damage from a blaze that has burned out of control for much of the week and forced more than 30,000 evacuees to frantically pack up belongings and flee. The cause of the blaze remains unknown and local authorities said Thursday that conditions are too dangerous for any such investigation to begin. El Paso County sheriff's Lt. Jeff Kramer said that U.S. Forest
Service agents are waiting for firefighting commanders to tell them when it's safe to enter the burned area. The wildfire was one of many burning across the parched West, blazes that have destroyed structures and prompted evacuations in Montana and Utah and forced the closure of a portion of Zion National Park. Colorado's Thursday weather forecast offered some hope for progress, with the temperature expected to reach into the mid-80s — about 5 degrees cooler than Wednesday — and humidity 15 to 20 percent, about 5 percentage points higher. Winds were forecast to be 10 to 15 mph out of the west. "It's not windy yet this morning. That's always a good sign," fire information officer Rob Dyerberg said Thursday.
Eric H. Holder
weapons were lost, scores turned up at Mexican crime scenes and two were recovered after Terry was killed. The vote for criminal contempt was 255-67, with one member voting present. Seventeen Democrats voted for contempt and two Republicans voted against it. A total of 108 Democrats did not vote.
War Crimes Court drops one genocide count against Karadzic
Judges at the United Nations war crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia have dropped one of two genocide charges against former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic. A tribunal spokesperson, Nerma Jelacic, aid the court found that prosecutors did not present enough evidence to support the genocide count in relation to killings by Bosnian Serb forces in towns and villages of Bosnia-Herzegovina during the early part of the country's 1992-1995 war. "The chamber found that the crimes themselves were indeed systematic and widespread and that they made irrevocable impact on the victims of the crimes in those municipalities, but that they could not be called by the name of genocide," Jelacic said. The judges, however, upheld another genocide count covering his alleged involvement in the
Srebrenica massacre of 8,000 Muslim men and boys. Karadzic also faces nine counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to his alleged plan to ethnically cleanse Bosnia of its nonSerbs through murder, extermination, deportation and genocide. Karadzic had asked judges to dismiss all 11 counts against him after prosecutors finished presenting their evidence against him in May. A lawyer for Karadzic welcomed Thursday's rejection of the genocide charge. "Dr. Karadzic and myself both thought that it was a courageous decision of the trial chamber to say at this stage of the case that there was no genocide in the municipalities in Bosnia in 1992." His defense is set to begin presenting its evidence on October 16. He faces life imprisonment if convicted.
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
Page 35
WORLD LOCALNEWS NEWS
US Supreme Court upholds healthcare law in Obama triumph
The Supreme Court upheld President Barack Obama's healthcare law on Thursday in an election-year triumph for him and fellow Democrats who championed the most sweeping overhaul since the 1960s of the unwieldy U.S. healthcare system. In a 5-4 ruling based on the power of Congress to impose taxes, the nation's highest court preserved the law's "individual mandate" requiring that most Americans obtain health insurance by 2014 or pay a tax. The justices also preserved, with some changes, a provision of the law expanding the Medicaid health insurance program for the poor. The decision - written by conservative Chief Justice John Roberts and joined by the court's four liberals - was a setback for Republicans who mounted unified opposition in Congress to the law before its 2010 passage and who deride it as meddling in the lives of individuals and in the business of the states. Obama and Mitt Romney, the Republican challenger in the November 6 presidential election, immediately responded, with the president calling the ruling "a victory for people all over this country whose lives will be more secure because of this law and the Supreme Court's decision to uphold it." "We will continue to implement this law and we'll work together to improve on it," said Obama, speaking somberly in the White House East Room, the same setting he used to announce the 2011 death of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. "What we won't do - what the country can't afford to do - is re-fight the political battles of two years ago or go back to the way things were. With today's announcement, it's time for us to move forward," Obama added. Romney, who pushed through a similar healthcare overhaul at the state level in 2006 as governor of Massachusetts but opposed Obama's law, called on voters to help him defeat the president in order to repeal the law critics derisively call "Obamacare." "If we're going get rid of 'Obamacare' we're going to have to replace President Obama. My mission is to make sure we do exactly that," Romney said on the roof of a building overlooking the U.S. Capitol. The healthcare law, known formally as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, is the biggest overhaul of the $2.6 trillion healthcare system in about 50 years. It was signed by Obama in March 2010 and promptly put to the test in the courts by 26 of the 50 states and a trade group for small businesses. The court's decision largely vindicates Obama and Democratic lawmakers in their attempt to fix a system that, while representing 18 percent of the economy, leaves 16 percent of Americans uninsured, a fact that sets the United States apart in the industrialized world. The U.S. system, unlike other rich countries, is a patchwork of private insurance and restrictive government programs. The United States pays more for healthcare than any other country, but about 50 million of the roughly 310 million Americans still have no insurance at all. The Obama law was meant to bring coverage to more than 30 million of the uninsured and slow soaring medical costs. Roberts was joined by liberal Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan in upholding the law's pivotal
President Barack Obama
"individual mandate" provision. The four dissenters, all from the court's conservative wing - Justices Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, took the unusual step of issuing one joint opinion and said they would have struck down the entire law. Kennedy, summarizing the dissent from the bench, accused the court majority of "vast judicial overreaching. It creates a debilitated, inoperable version of healthcare regulation that Congress did not enact and the public does not expect." 'CHARACTERIZED AS A TAX' Opponents said the individual mandate was an overreach by the federal government and that Congress had exceeded its powers. The court was deeply divided on this issue, but the majority ruled that Congress's taxing authority allowed the mandate. The law's "requirement that certain individuals pay a financial penalty for not obtaining health insurance may reasonably be characterized as a tax," Roberts wrote for the court's majority. "Because the Constitution permits such a tax, it is not our role to forbid it, or to pass upon its wisdom or fairness," Roberts wrote. In another part of the decision, the court said Congress went too far in a part of the law that requires states to expand the government's Medicaid health insurance program for the poor with the goal of covering more of the uninsured. The court said this problem can be fixed by precluding the federal government from stripping states of existing Medicaid funds if they did not comply with the expansion, and that this did not require striking down other parts of the law. DRAMATIC DAY AT COURT The court began its session much as it always does. At 10 a.m. sharp, the marshal's familiar cry of "Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!" rang out as the nine justices entered through heavy scarlet drapes and took their seats at the tall mahogany bench. The looks on their faces gave nothing away. As he took a seat, Chief Justice Roberts smiled slightly in the direction of the justices' guest seats, where his wife, Jane, was sitting. As he and other justices read statements, it
became obvious that Roberts, appointed by Republican President George W. Bush in 2005, had been the crucial vote upholding Obama's law. Roberts showed he had taken control over a divided bench. He highlighted flaws in the administration's arguments and stressed the majority was not commenting on the wisdom of the law. Rather, he said, if it could be upheld, the court must uphold it. He said it was not the job of the judiciary "to save" the nation from policy choices made by elected legislators. Romney and the Republicans had hoped the Supreme Court would gut the law. Deprived of that outcome, they can now continue pressing the attack on Obama on the campaign trail, but their hopes for a rollback or repeal will hang on legislation, unlikely before the elections, and on the voting public, whose views are mixed. "What the court did today was say that Obamacare does not violate the Constitution," Romney said. "What they did not do is say that Obamacare is good law, or good policy." About 56 percent of Americans said they opposed the law in a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Sunday. When asked about its individual provisions, however, most respondents said they strongly supported them, except for the individual mandate, which was opposed by 61 percent of those surveyed. Most respondents in the survey favored banning insurers from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions; letting young adults stay on their parents' insurance plans until age 26; and making companies with more than 50 workers offer insurance to their employees. All are parts of the law. So are the creation of state-based exchanges to offer health insurance; insurance premium assistance to poor people; and insurance tax credits for those just above the poverty line. Jamie Thompson of Harleysville, Pennsylvania, who has a daughter with cystic fibrosis, welcomed the ruling. "My daughter's healthcare costs a fortune. She's 10. We haven't gotten to the end of the line, but we've been told it's not uncommon for cystic fibrosis kids to discover they've used up their lifetime benefit from healthcare," he said. "It means she will have healthcare when she needs it." House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner, the top Republican in Congress, said, "Today's ruling underscores the urgency of repealing this harmful law in its entirety." Eric Cantor, the No. 2 Republican in the House, said the House would vote on July 11 on legislation that would repeal the law. The Democratic-led Senate is certain to block any repeal legislation coming out of the Republican-controlled House. Democrats hailed the court ruling as a posthumous victory for a longtime healthcare reform champion, Senator Ted Kennedy, who died in 2009. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said she called his widow Vicki Kennedy to say: "Now, Teddy can rest. Shares of hospital chains jumped, while large health insurer stocks fell after the ruling. Widening the pool of paying patients stands to benefit hospitals
Page 36
WORLD NEWS LOCAL NEWS
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Syrian president Assad says he has a duty to wipe out terrorists
Syrian President Bashar al Assad said in a rare interview broadcast on Thursday that his government had a duty to "annihilate terrorists" to protect its people and ruled out any solution to the crisis imposed from outside the country. His one-hour interview coincided with a sharp escalation of violence inside Syria and a flurry of diplomatic activity ahead of a planned meeting in Geneva that will try to end the bloodshed. Diplomats said the talks - involving U.N. Security Council members and key regional countries - would focus on a proposed transition plan to pave the way for a unity government. "The responsibility of the Syrian government is to protect all of our residents. You have a responsibility to annihilate terrorists in any corner of the country," Assad told Iranian state television. "When you eliminate a terrorist, it's possible that you are saving the lives of tens, hundreds, or even thousands," he said, referring to last month's massacre in the village of Houla in which more than 100 people, including women and children, were killed. Battling to crush a 16-month uprising against his rule, the 46-year-old Alawite leader demanded international observers speak out more about the
"terrorist operations" they witnessed. He had harsh words too for Syria's neighbor He also firmly rejected any solution imposed Turkey, relations with which have worsened from outside the country, emphasizing his own following the shooting down of one of its military planes by Syrian forces last Friday. commitment to reform instead. "The policies of the Turkish officials lead to the "We will not accept any non-Syrian, nonnational model, whether it comes from big countries killing and bloodshed of the Syrian people," said or friendly countries. No one knows how to solve Assad. While the United States and its allies have called Syria's problems as well as we do," he said. "We are moving forward with political reforms. for Assad to step aside to help bring an end to the But for terrorists and the governments that support bloodshed, allies Iran and Russia have continued to them, reforms have no meaning." support the Syrian leader and criticized what they say Assad accused Syria's foes of trying to interfere is foreign interference in the country. In recent years, Iran's Shi'ite theocracy has allied in his country's internal affairs with U.N. resolutions and by bringing about the failure of Kofi Annan's itself more closely with Syria's nationalist secular peace plan. government to widen its opposition to Israel and to But he said he did not believe the crisis would act as a counterweight against Sunni powers in the region such as Saudi Arabia. result in military action in Syria. Western diplomats say Tehran has boosted What happened in Libya was "not a solution to be copied because it took Libya from one situation its support for Assad in recent months, supplying into a much worse one. We all now see how the training, weapons and communications expertise to assist his forces fight rebel groups. Libyan people are paying the price," he said.
Queen Elizabeth’s historic hand shake
Queen Elizabeth shook hands with former Irish Republican Army (IRA) commander Martin McGuinness twice in an extraordinary act of forgiveness during her visit to northern Ireland. According to Daily Mail, her cousin Lord Mountbatten of Burma was killed in an IRA bomb attack while he was holidaying with his family 33 years ago. The gesture of mutual acceptance and acknowledgement was an astonishing act of forgiveness by the Queen who adored her "Uncle Dickie". The meeting in Belfast was a hugely significant step for McGuinness, too. Despite the tensions on both sides, their encounter which, after much negotiation, was "exceptionally gracious and even warm" insiders said.
"The Queen was relaxed, animated and interested to hear what McGuinness had to say," said one. McGuinness spoke to the Queen in Irish and paid tribute to the speech she gave on becoming the first British monarch to visit Ireland for a century. Sinn Fein sources said that McGuinness made clear that he had been moved by her words in which she acknowledged the "sad and regrettable" history of Britain's troubled relationship with Ireland. Asked how it felt to meet the Queen, McGuinness said as he feft it was "very nice" but reaffirmed that he was "still a republican". McGuinness has been open about his IRA past, but has always insisted he never killed anyone.
Merkel defends compromise deal on eurozone banks Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel says she is satisfied with a deal to help finance debt-laden eurozone countries. "I think we found a good compromise," she said after all-night talks which saw her come under heavy pressure from Italy and Spain. A new supervisory body will enable the European Central Bank (ECB) to "keep a very close eye on the banks", she said. Spain is awaiting a 100bn-euro (ÂŁ80bn; $125bn) recapitalisation of its troubled banks by the eurozone. Mrs Merkel said the deal on lending would provide sufficient safeguards for the taxpayers' money used by the EU bailout funds. The EU's existing bailout fund - the European Financial Stability Facility - will provide aid under the current rules until the new permanent fund, the
European Stability Mechanism (ESM), is ready to take over. The ESM is due to be launched next month. The funds will not only be able to lend directly to banks. They will also be used to buy bonds of countries like Italy and Spain whose borrowing costs have soared with the intention that those countries will not have to apply for a formal Greek-style bailout. Eurozone leaders agreed to begin implementing the decisions by 9 July. However, it could take until the end of the year before the new money becomes available. Germany, the biggest economic power in the eurozone, is reluctant to continue bailing out debt-laden countries. Its position is supported by the Netherlands, Austria and Finland.
UK police demand that WikiLeaks Julian Assange turns himself in LONDON - British police served Julian Assange on Thursday with a demand that he report to a police station as the first step in his extradition to Sweden to face sex crime allegations. The letter was delivered to Ecuador's London embassy, where the WikiLeaks founder has been holed up for nine days. The Metropolitan Police said it had "served a surrender notice upon a 40-year-old man that requires him to attend a police station at a date and time of our choosing. This is standard practice in extradition cases and is the first step in the removal process." The force did not identify Assange by name but offered the statement when asked about him. Assange is seeking political asylum in Ecuador in a bid to escape extradition for questioning about alleged rape and sexual assault against two women. He denies the claims, and says the case against him is politically motivated. Assange has said he fears the United States plans to charge him for leaking hundreds of thousands of secret U.S. documents via the secret-spilling WikiLeaks website. A U.S. soldier,
Julian Assange
Pfc. Bradley Manning, a 24-yearold Crescent, Oklahoma, native, has been charged with aiding the enemy by passing the secret files to WikiLeaks and is awaiting trial. The 40-year-old Assange was arrested in London in December 2010 at Sweden's request and has spent the last 18 months on bail fighting extradition. He has exhausted legal appeals in Britain, and has been ordered deported to Sweden. British officials say he is beyond their reach as long as he stays in the embassy, but police say they will arrest him if he leaves for breaching his bail conditions. Ecuador, whose left-wing President Rafael Correa has offered Assange words of support in the past, says it is considering his asylum request.
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 37
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
WORLD LOCAL NEWS NEWS
Kenya sea turtle project teaches conservation LAMU, Kenya - There are seven species of sea turtle in the world - all of which are either critically endangered or threatened. Two of them, the Green and Hawksbill, are found in the Lamu archipelago of Kenya. To assist in their preservation, the Lamu Marine Conservation Trust (LAMCOT) has implemented a successful sea turtle tag-and-release incentive program. It is also educating locals and foreigners on the value of environmental consciousness. Known by some as the “Turtleman,” Famau Shukry is passionate about his sea turtles. He works for LAMCOT, which was started in 1992 to help save the quickly-dwindling sea turtle population. The group receives support from the British-based Tusk Trust. “Because now they are facing the specter of extinction. So should the turtle do also again then there will be no turtle all over the island. That’s why, I’m very keen to do this," explained Shukry. Sea turtles are poached for their meat, shells, and eggs - to be used for medicine, food and even aphrodisiacs. They face deadly obstacles from fishing nets, pollution of the oceans and destruction of their nesting beaches. Newly-hatched turtles also face natural predators like the ghost crab. To help reduce poaching, LAMCOT's tagand-release program gives fishermen financial incentives for returning sea turtles caught in their nets. Tag-and-release helps to determine migration
routes and timing, growth rates, and frequency of egg-laying. According to Shukry, a turtle weighing 20 kilograms can fetch almost $60 on the black market. That same turtle can be returned to LAMCOT for tag-and-release for about $24. “I think if you sell it, you’re gonna make a lot of money, but if you give it to me, it’s like, you’re going to have a, I mean, you are getting incentive at the same time you are conserving it," Shurky said. "Because we are not making fisherman to go and fish for turtles, in other words. We’re just convincing them, should they come accidentally with them, they should bring to us…Do not poach, but at least you’ll get something out of it. And, you’ll be doing the conservation at the same time.” But there could be another reason. Yusuf Ali, a Lamu boat captain who works with many fishermen in the area, says that criminal penalties are high for those who are caught poaching sea turtles. “The meat now, we don’t sell. We don’t get it no more," he said. "Because there’s nowhere they can try to find. Because, the security’s proper.” Education is a key part of LAMCOT’s mission, so Shukry invites tourists to visit the turtle hatchings on the beach for about $18. This money is used to help pay for the tagand-release incentives, as well as salaries for the beach patrollers - ex-poachers themselves - who
French government to cut staff and operating costs
France's new Socialist government will cut staff at most ministries by 2.5 percent annually for the next three years as it seeks to reduce its budget deficit to meet European Union targets, the prime minister's office said on Thursday. Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault also wrote in a letter to the ministries that government operating costs - which exclude staffing but cover things like car fleets and office supplies - would drop by 7 percent on average in 2013 versus 2012. Ayrault, however, did not provide a target figure for overall central government spending. Ayrault is poised to submit an adjusted budget to his cabinet on July 4, with an expected 7.5 billion euros in tax hikes to counteract lower state revenues due to flagging growth, government sources have
told Reuters. Economic growth is falling short of a 0.7 percent estimate on which the previous conservative government had based its 2012 budget, making it crucial to curb spending while raising new revenues. France's six-week-old government has vowed to steer clear of austerity measures, but still needs to plug a budget shortfall of 7-10 billion euros if it wishes to meet its deficit target of 4.5 percent of gross domestic product for 2012. To comply with an EU-mandated deficit target of 3 percent in 2013 the government will likely need to find some 20-30 billion euros, depending on the level of economic growth. Ayrault said the government's operating costs
protect the beach and monitor nests. The tourists, like Melissa Martinez, 23, from San Antonio, Texas, seem to enjoy the experience. “We got to ask, like, a million questions about all the sea turtles and the Turtleman was answering them with like a really big smile. So, it’s pretty cool. I learned a lot,” she said. But the tourists aren’t the only ones learning. Mohamed Ahmed, a former member of one of LAMCOT’s school environmental clubs, now helps teach other local children how to care for the environment and why they should help the sea turtles. “So they clean the beach. Whatever, the plastic, and then they sit down [under] the tree, eat, join hands, bring them together, create more motivation for them, like, what they’re doing," he explained. "We try to educate them, because then they can catch it very easy. You know, when they’re young, they can catch much easier.” As for the Turtleman, well, he loves his work. “I was hoping if I was originated from the sea turtles because I love their characteristic and the system and the life cycle and everything. But when I’m releasing the baby, it’s like genetic, I feel like also crawling myself to the sea,” Shukry said. The turtles seem to be responding. Shukry says that, before the project, about four to five nests were discovered each year. Now the group discovers between 40 and 60.
in 2014 and 2015 would each drop by 4 percent over 2013 and 2014, respectively. Also on the chopping block, and included in the operating cost target, are special funds given to ministries that help pay for one-off contingencies, such as subsidies to farmers or employment incentives. The health, education and interior ministries - which the Socialists have identified as priorities - will be excluded from the staff reductions. But the Socialist government is still committed to a campaign pledge of creating 60,000 new teaching jobs over his five-year mandate, a move that is sharply criticized as impractical and expensive by the opposition. Labor Minister Michel Sapin has said that, taking the new hirings into account, the overall level of government staffing will remain flat. Immediately upon taking office, President Francois Hollande cut his own pay and that of his ministers by 30 percent, a symbolic move to show that France was committed to controlling government spending.
US grants Iran sanctions exceptions to China
The United States gave China a sixmonth reprieve from Iran financial sanctions on Thursday, avoiding a diplomatic spat with a country whose support it needs to try to quell violence in Syria and rein in Tehran's nuclear ambitions. With the decision to grant exceptions to China, which buys up to a fifth of Iran's oil exports, and Singapore, which buys Iranian fuel oil, the Obama administration has now spared all 20 of Iran's major oil buyers from its unilateral sanctions. The sanctions themselves are designed to pressure Iran to curb its nuclear program, which the West believes aims to develop nuclear
weapons but which Tehran says is for peaceful purposes such as generating electricity and medical isotopes. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said both China and Singapore earned the reprieve by cutting imports of Iranian crude and argued the reductions by all 20 countries showed that Iran was paying a high price for its nuclear program. "Their cumulative actions are a clear demonstration to Iran's government that Iran's continued violation of its international nuclear obligations carries an enormous economic cost," Clinton said in a release. Earlier this month the administration granted exceptions to
India and six other economies. Japan and 10 European Union countries got exceptions in March. The sanctions seek to pressure Iran by choking off its oil revenues, the life blood of the Iranian economy. Iran's exports have already fallen about 1 million barrels per day, worth about $630 million a week, on the threat of U.S. and EU sanctions. But the impact on oil markets has been muted by a surge in production from the world's largest exporter, Saudi Arabia, and signs of economic troubles in Europe and China. Geng Shuang, a spokesman at China's embassy in Washington, said his country "will continue working
with parties concerned to find a peaceful solution of the issue through dialogue and negotiation." Under the law President Barack Obama signed late last year, the administration can cut foreign banks from access to the U.S. financial system if they perform oil transactions with Iran's central bank. The law also allows Obama to grant 180-day exceptions to any country that has "significantly reduced" purchases of Iranian oil. The administration has not specified the levels each country must cut, but officials have said Japan had trimmed imports by about 15 to 22 percent.
Page 38
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
LOCAL NEWS
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Rupert Murdoch splits his companies Read more on PG 39
Oil heads for worst quarter since 2008 crisis
Crude oil futures fell as much as 3 percent on Thursday, heading for the worst quarterly performance since the 2008 financial debacle, on worries that an EU summit will not find durable solutions to the euro zone crisis, stifling global growth prospects. Weaker U.S. equities on Wall Street after the U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding key elements of President Barack Obama's healthcare reform law added to the day's pressures on crude futures. Despite recent gains, Brent crude futures were on track to end the second quarter with a drop of about 25 percent, the worst since the last quarter of 2008, at the height of the financial crisis after the collapse of Lehman Bros. U.S. crude futures, meanwhile, were poised to see a fall of about 24 percent, also the biggest quarterly loss since the last quarter of 2008. Trading on Wall Street was volatile, with healthcare stocks hit after the Supreme Court upheld the centerpiece "individual mandate" provision of the Obama healthcare overhaul. Equities were already lower on skepticism that the European Union Summit will result in concrete measures. .N "It's the euro zone problems, the strength of the dollar and the weak equities, said Stephen Schork, president of the Schork Group in Villanova, Pennsylvania, commenting on the reasons for the day's price drop. The euro fell against the dollar on doubts about the outcome of the EU summit, denting investors' interest in buying riskier assets such as oil and other
commodities. <USD/> In London, Brent crude oil futures for August settled at $91.36 a barrel, dropping $2.14, after having slid to a session low of $90.88. U.S. August crude fell to an eight-month low, closing at $77.69 a barrel, down $2.52. "The further fall in equities triggered by the Supreme Court decision ... exerted selling pressure on crude futures," said Addison Armstrong, director of market research at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut. Technical support for U.S. crude at around $79 was breached in the surge of selling after equities slid further, Armstrong said. Trading volumes were light, with Brent crude nudging up 1 percent against its 30-day average while U.S. crude volume was down 2.5 percent against its 30-day average, according to Reuters data. Brent's premium against U.S. crude widened to $13.67 against $13.29 on Wednesday, as U.S. crude having fallen faster than its London counterpart. Economic data released on the day also weighed on crude futures. U.S. GDP for the first quarter grew at a 1.9 percent annual pace, but consumer spending and export growth were not as robust as previously thought. Norwegian oil production has been further cut by 290,000 barrels per day, according to a union official, from 240,000 bpd earlier this week, as an oil workers' strike that began on Sunday continued, with no signs of a resolution. But the government of Norway, the world's eighth-largest oil exporter, has said it is not about to
Nike profit fall of estimates, and shares fall
Nike missed quarterly profit estimates for the first time in at least two years as high spending and costs of raw materials used in its shoes and T-shirts hurt margins, sending its shares down 11 percent. The company also saw some tempering in demand, especially in China. Futures orders, which are a closely watched metric for its swoosh-marked products, rose 7 percent. That is less than half of the rise in the third quarter. Analysts and investors have been worried about a cooling in demand, especially in China, as footwear trends typically last about two to three years and Nike is almost at the end of that cycle. The company earned $549 million, or $1.17 cents a share, in the fourth quarter ended May 31, compared with $594 million, or $1.24 a share, a year ago. "While we had expected some gross
margins decline and some increase in spending with the Olympics and soccer championships, both are higher than expected," said Morningstar analyst Paul Swinand. Gross margins fell 150 basis points in the quarter. "The recovery in the gross margin is something that continues to elude them," said Camilo Lyon, analyst with Canaccord Genuity. The analyst said the numbers showed that Nike was not immune to the slowdown that was hitting other brands. Analysts, on average, had been expecting the company to earn $1.37 share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Revenue rose 12 percent to $6.5 billion. Shares of Nike, based in Beaverton, Oregon, were down 11 percent at $86.19 Thursday after the bell. They closed at $96.89 on the New York Stock Exchange.
intervene, a local industry association said. State-controlled oil and gas company Statoil (STL.OL) shut its key Oseberg field center on Sunday and other fields including Statoil's Heidrun field and BP's (BP.L) have also been affected by the strike. Crude futures have fallen about 30 percent from their year's high of $128.40 for Brent and $110.55 for U.S. crude, both hit in March, despite a slated embargo of Iranian crude beginning July 1. The fall in prices has been largely due to a rise in the output from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, mostly with higher supplies from Saudi Arabia, which is countering the threat of a sudden drop in Iranian supplies. In a meeting earlier this month, however, OPEC agreed to adhere to its output target of 30 million bpd set in December. But Venezuela's energy minister said that OPEC could hold an extraordinary meeting in the third quarter of this year if global crude prices remain low. Venezuela wants the group to set an oil price band of $80 to $120 a barrel to stem crude's recent tumble, seeking to revive a policy the cartel scrapped seven years ago. Iran is at loggerheads with world powers over its disputed nuclear program that earlier this year had raised fears of that Tehran would block the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping lane. Keeping an eye on Iran, Saudi Arabia has reopened an old oil pipeline built by Iraq to bypass Gulf shipping lanes, giving Riyadh scope to export more of its crude from Red Sea terminals should Iran try to block the strait, industry sources said.
JPMorgan trading losses may reach $9B
NEW YORK â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. tumbled Thursday as a published report said that the bank's losses on a bad trade may reach as much as $9 billion â&#x20AC;&#x201D; far higher than the estimated $2 billion loss disclosed last month. In May, JPMorgan said the loss came from trading in credit derivatives designed to hedge against financial risk, not to make a profit for the New York bank. The New York Times, citing sources it did not identify by name, said that the losses have grown recently as JPMorgan has been unwinding its positions. The newspaper said its sources were current and former traders and executives at JPMorgan, which is the largest bank in the U.S. by assets. The New York Times story cites an internal report that JPMorgan made in April that showed the losses could reach $8 billion to $9 billion, in a worst-case scenario. But the newspaper added that because JPMorgan has already been unwinding its positions, some expect that the losses will not be more than $6 billion to $7 billion.
A JPMorgan representative declined to comment. At the time of the loss, JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon apologized to shareholders. And just days after the loss was disclosed, Chief Investment Officer Ina Drew left the company. Drew oversaw the trading group responsible for the trade. JPMorgan has lost about $23 billion in market value since the losses came to light on May 10. The loss has heightened concerns that the biggest banks still pose risks to the U.S. financial system, less than four years after the financial crisis in the fall of 2008. In a hearing before the House Financial Services Committee last week, Dimon was dismissive when asked if JPMorgan's losses could total half a trillion or a trillion dollars. He replied bluntly: "Not unless the Earth is hit by the moon." While Dimon avoided putting an exact number on the bank's trading loss, he did say that JPMorgan will have a solidly profitable quarter.
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
Page 39
BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY LOCAL NEWS
Rupert Murdoch splits his companies
Rupert Murdoch's decision to become chief executive of a new, separate entertainment company split off from News Corp but not to head the new publishing business sparked speculation he was setting the stage for the return of his eldest son Lachlan as an executive at the company. News Corp said on Thursday that its board had approved a plan for the $60 billion media conglomerate to be split into two publicly traded companies, publishing and entertainment, with the Murdoch family retaining control of both. Analysts said that the separate publishing company, with some assets in Australia, lends credence to speculation over Lachlan Murdoch's return as an executive, given that it is widely known that he prefers Australia to the United States. Should the break-up of the company be completed without the elder Murdoch or Lachlan in the chief executive role at the newspaper operation, it would mark the first time in News Corp's history that someone other than a Murdoch family member was in charge of that business. But even if Lachlan did return or if someone else took the CEO role, Murdoch, who loves the newspaper business, has already said he would be an "active chairman" of the publishing unit. "With Rupert Murdoch you can have the title on your business card, but you know who's really in charge," said Ken Doctor, a media analyst at
Outsell. "He doesn't want to run it he just wants to tell them what to do." In an interview on Thursday, Murdoch, who will serve as chairman of both companies, said he would be pleased to have Lachlan back. Lachlan Murdoch, who was deputy chief operating officer at News Corp, left the company in 2005 after clashes with senior executives. He has remained on the board but has been reluctant to return to the company's headquarters in New York. "He's got his hands full with his own businesses at the moment, but as a father I hope he'll return. He spent his life at my knees as we built this company so we shall see," Murdoch told Reuters. However, in an interview on News Corp's Fox Business Network on Thursday, Murdoch moved to dismiss some of the speculation, saying it was "highly unlikely" Lachlan would return to the company as a publishing executive. Another likely contender to run the new publishing company is News Corp executive Joel Klein, a former New York City schools chancellor. Meanwhile, Rupert Murdoch will remain CEO of the new, faster-growing entertainment company, with long-serving lieutenant Chase Carey remaining as chief operating officer. But the executives jockeying for key roles at the family- controlled businesses under Murdoch and Carey is expected to be intense. Company insiders are already raising questions about what roles Murdoch's children
Elisabeth and James -- both senior entertainment executives -- will play within the new company and what that will mean for a succession plan to the 81-year-old patriarch. James Murdoch, who has been embroiled in the UK phone hacking scandal from his previous role as chairman of News International, currently oversees the international TV business. He is also a director of the company. His older sister Elisabeth runs a News Corp-owned TV production company out of Los Angeles. Last year, she declined to join the board as the phone hacking scandal escalated. Top Fox executives, including Peter Rice and Kevin Reilly, will also be expected to be fit into senior hierarchy at the entertainment business. "I think it shows what a rich company we are to have so much talent," Murdoch told Reuters. He said the issue of succession will be addressed by the board. "This move does not affect succession thinking at all." Murdoch said his mind had been made up for some time on the decision to break up his 60-year-old company. "It's a very big move and very big decision for me," he said on a conference call. It's a reversal from his long-held belief that News Corp's assets worked best as a cohesive whole. The transaction is expected to take about 12 months to complete. News Corp shareholders will receive one share of common stock in both new companies for each of the same class of News Corp shares currently held.
RIM posts huge loss and delays BlackBerry 10 launch
Research In Motion Ltd posted a steeper than expected operating loss, its first in eight years, and delayed the make-or-break launch of its next-generation BlackBerry phones until early next year, in a potentially devastating setback to the embattled company. RIM said its next-generation BlackBerry 10 devices were delayed because the integration of features and a huge volume of code into the platform had "proven to be more time consuming than anticipated." Earlier it had said it would release the new lineup in late 2012. "Wow - what a disaster," Edward Snyder, managing director of Charter Equity Research in
San Francisco. RIM is in a "handset death spiral." RIM, which has pledged to slash $1 billion from its operating costs this year, said it plans to cut 5,000 jobs, or about 30 percent of its workforce, as its BlackBerry smartphone shipments fell sharply for a second straight quarter. Its adjusted net loss came in at $192 million, or 37 cents a share, in the three months to June 2. Revenue declined 33 percent to $2.8 billion. The company had warned it would post an operating loss but had not provided specifics. Analysts, on average, expected a loss of 7 cents a share on revenue of $3.07 billion, according to an informal Reuters poll.
A year ago RIM reported net income of $695 million, or $1.33 a share, on sales of $4.91 billion. "From a numbers point of view it could hardly be worse and it's going to deteriorate from here," Snyder said. RIM shipped 7.8 million BlackBerry smartphones in the period, down from more than 14 million two quarters ago. It was the first quarter shipping less than 10 million devices since late 2009. Shares of RIM, which have dropped about 70 percent over the past year, were halted soon after the close of regular U.S. trading hours.
Nestle in talks for 7 billion euro acquisition loan
Nestle, the world's biggest food group, has been talking to banks about raising a new 7 billion euro ($8.7 billion) syndicated loan to help fund its $11.85 billion takeover of Pfizer Nutrition, banking sources said. Nestle said in late April the acquisition would be fully debtfinanced through internal cash resources, existing facilities and the bond markets. The new loan would give the company enough liquidity until the deal is approved, which is expected to be in the first quarter of 2013, if the acquisition goes ahead, bankers said. Nestle was not immediately
available for comment. The new loan is expected to have a short-term maturity of one year, with a one-year extension option, which could lead to a quick bond market refinancing, they added. The loan could be raised as an undrawn revolving credit which would support the company's shortterm money market Commercial Paper program - a borrowing route that Nestle has taken before. Bankers are confident that the company will be able to raise the money after holding extensive discussions for the last couple of months, but are less confident about making money on the deal. "Nestle has been talking to banks
for the last two or three months and and the fact that it is additional could round this up in 24 hours if borrowing or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;new money' for Nestle needed. There is not a single concern mean that the company is likely to that it could raise the money, it's just be unable to replicate those lows, it timing and whether they want to do will still be an unprofitable piece of the M&A deal," a senior banker said. business on a stand-alone basis. Banks are still struggling with Nestle is one of the most aggressive borrowers in the loan high funding costs, and a painfully market and has historically been low rate on the loan will need to be able to raise funds at the cheapest offset by bond fees and whatever rates. Nestle last tapped the loan other ancillary business that Nestle market in October 2011 for a 4.5 is able to offer. "This is a very, very unattractive billion euro revolving credit facility which paid an initial margin of just piece of business from a return point 10 basis points (bps), the lowest of view. Even if it is outstanding for margin for a European loan in 2011. a short time, no bank is able to fund Undrawn commitments on that deal at those rates," the senior banker paid just 1 bp. said. While the size of the new loan
Page 40
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
LOCAL NEWS
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
West Indies favourites for T20 World Cup
Australian all-rounder Shane Watson believes that the West Indies will be the team to beat in the ICC Twenty20 World Cup which kicks off in Sri Lanka in September. Watson feels Darren Sammy's side's all-round strengths make it the favourite for the event. "I actually think the West Indies are going to be the team to beat. They have got a really well balanced team that has played a lot of high quality Twenty20 cricket around the world and they certainly know how to perform under pressure. I think they have got the firepower to give a lot of teams a big surprise," said Watson. However, Watson thinks the experience gained by Australia's players in domestic T20 competitions across the globe, means his side may be able to go one better than its runners-up spot at the 2010 event in the Caribbean. "It is a format in which we still haven't been able to play well consistently against other countries in the world. We made the final in the last ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies and in the end we were pipped by England but since then we haven't played consistently well, so we are really going to have to step up our Twenty20 game. With a change in players and the experience of playing in different Twenty20 leagues, it means hopefully we can step up when we really need to," he said. Meanwhile, Watson admits he is excited about the upcoming ODI series against England that begins Friday. "It is going to be a huge series. It is a great lead-in to next year's Ashes and there is no doubt we have to be at our absolute best for
Darren Sammy
that one-day series so our preparation is going to be very important, as is the way we perform. It is the first time for us with a slightly newer group of cricketers, a new coach Mickey Arthur and a new structure around us," said Watson. Watson, who missed much of the Australian summer through injury, is hopeful that he is now over the string of injury problems that have hampered his career.
Australian all-rounder Shane Watson
"I've learnt a lot about the way I am going to get the best out of myself as an all-rounder, about my bowling workload and what my body can do. I am trying to find the best ways to give myself the best chance of not getting injured." "In the three months during the summer when I was injured, I learnt a lot and I have put a few things in place again to make sure that I am doing everything I can to give myself the best chance I can of staying fit," he said.
Up to US$1,382 to watch men's 100m final at London Olympics
It could cost Jamaicans up to $2,000 to watch Usain Bolt compete at the National Trials, but a whopping $121,000 (US$1,382) to witness the sprint phenomenon and company compete in the 100m final on August 5 during the London Olympics. But if you haven't secured a ticket already for the 2012 Olympic Games, don't bother try as the six million tickets are sold out. Don Anderson, head of delegation for the Jamaican Olympics team, pointed out people all over the globe have taken unto Jamaica, mainly through Bolt's exploits, and obtaining a ticket at this point weeks before the big Games, is impossible."It's a virtual impossibility to get tickets and we are working with the best. There are thousands of Jamaicans that are going to be disappointed," said Anderson, who was the guest speaker at the Kiwanis Club of Kingston luncheon on Tuesday. "Jamaicans and the Diaspora are trying to get tickets and if they printed another six million tickets they would not have hands for them. They printed six millions tickets for the entire Olympics
and they had 24 million requests," Anderson noted. course by Usain Bolt. "Everybody just love Bolt and want him to win "These games are going to be dominated by track and field...you can get tickets for football, regardless of whether nine of their countrymen you won't be able to get for swimming," he added. are in the race. His personality is so dynamic," Jamaica will participate in four sporting said Anderson. The much-anticipated men's 100m disciplines in track and field, swimming, final will be on August 5 and incidentally, the taekwondo and equestrian in a London area that medal presentation will on August 6, Jamaica's is expected to have thousands of Jamaicans there. Independence Day. "The sixth of August is going to be the "We are going to have tremendous home court advantage. We will have so many Jamaicans in presentation for the 100m men and when the national anthem is played and Jamaican flag is London cheering us on," said Anderson. "Usain Bolt is not just a Jamaican individual, raised, that it will be coinciding with our 50th Usain Bolt is larger than life. We have a number of anniversary celebrations," he noted. But Bolt, although he might seem larger than tremendous athletes, but the fact is people go out there to see Bolt," argued Anderson. life, he will have to be on top of his game to firstly, "Look at how many non Jamaicans we see make the Jamaican team so he can defend his waving Jamaican flags. We are going to have three gold medals earned from the 2008 Beijing support in London like we never had before. This Olympics. Bolt will start his 100m defence on 7:15 pm is the closest we will come in running inside the today and is expected to be challenged by Asafa National Stadium," the renowned pollster added. "Expectations will not be only from the Powell, Yohan Blake, Nesta Carter, Michael Diaspora or the Jamaican public, but from people Frater and Lerone Clarke. The four-day Supreme all over the world, who just love Jamaica for the Ventures Jamaican Senior Championships to sporting personalities that we have, headed of qualify athletes for the Olympics starts today at the National Stadium.
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
Page 41
LOCAL NEWS
Page 42
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
LOCAL NEWS
Beckham left out of Britain Olympics squad
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
British coach ready to pull teenager Adam Gemili out of Olympic Games
Adam Gemili, Britain’s teenage sprint sensation, was left an "emotional wreck" after qualifying for the Olympic 100 metres at the Aviva Trials in Birmingham and, even though he wants to run in London 2012, there is still no guarantee because his coach fears he could be "burned” by the mental trial. Mike Afilaka, coach to the 18-year-old Londoner, says he will not make the decision about whether the former footballer, who has taken domestic athletics by storm over the past month, would take up his 100m place until later this week. But he was adamant that if he felt the youngster had not recovered well enough from this weekend’s heroics and if he was convinced Gemili could not do himself justice in London, then he would not hesitate to withdraw him. Afilaka is doubtless aware that he would come across as the man who shot Bambi if he
fails to allow his man of the moment to take up a once-in-a-lifetime place at a home Olympics which he earned on Saturday by finshing behind a rejuvenated Dwain Chambers in the 100m final. But the coach says he has seen the progress of too many fine young athletes calamitously set back by being hurled into major championships before they are ready. "We have an issue with good young kids who just don’t develop. You throw Adam into the cauldron of the Olympics and he gets burned and he might never recover," Afilaka said. "I’m talking about being mentally burned, not physically burned. I mean, you have a number of British athletes that do well on their own but sprinkle a couple of Americans in the mix and they can go blank. The development of any athlete is not just physical, it’s mental as well. "I’m not saying we’re not going to go to London. I’m just saying right now the priority
Alan Isaac named president of International Cricket Council
New Zealander Alan Isaac has been named as the eighth president of the International Cricket Council (ICC), succeeding Sharad Pawar. Isaac, the former chairman of New Zealand Cricket, has spent the past two years as the ICC's vice-president. "I look forward to serving the game with honesty and integrity and to the best of my ability," he said. As expected, former South Africa wicketkeeper Dave Richardson was named as chief executive. Like Pawar, Isaac will serve a two-year term and will be the last person to hold the post in its current guise. It will become a ceremonial role after he steps down in 2014. "When I look at the list of previous presidents, I am reminded of the importance of this office," he added. "I believe that the challenges ahead are no less daunting than those we have faced in the last two years if we are to maintain the vibrancy and viability of the three formats of the sport." "I look forward to handing on the guardianship of the sport with the game enjoying even greater health." Richardson played 42 Tests and 122 oneday internationals between 1992 and 1998 and was general manager of cricket at the ICC since 2002. He succeeds Haroon Lorgat, who stood down after four years in charge. "It is a real honour to be confirmed as the ICC Chief Executive and I want to pay tribute to Haroon Lorgat. I have learnt much in the
last four years and I inherit a game in great health with much to be optimistic about. I look forward to building on that and tackling the challenges ahead," he said. The ICC Annual Conference agreed to create the post of ICC chairman, remove the role of ICC vice-president and vary the role and powers of the ICC president, all with effect from the close of the 2014 Annual Conference. The formalisation of these amendments give effect to the principles agreed by the ICC Board earlier this year. Until the end of the 2014 Annual Conference, the role of the ICC president will remain in its current form, but from the end of the 2014 Annual Conference it will become ceremonial in nature with a term of only one year. A new role of chairman of the ICC will be created from the end of the 2014 Annual Conference. The term of office will be two years and the chairman will be appointed by the Board at its first meeting following the 2014 Annual Conference. Russia and Hungary were confirmed as new Affiliate Members of the ICC but Switzerland was removed as an Affiliate Member having been suspended at the 2011 Annual Conference for failing to comply with the ICC's membership criteria and remaining unable to do so by the 2012 Annual Conference. There are now 106 members of the ICC.
is the World Junior Championships and then we’ll adjust accordingly.” Afilaka gave an indication of just how much Gemili still has to learn in the most pressurised of arenas as he outlined how drained the youngster was after booking his place. Gemili had been scheduled to run in yesterday’s 200m but Afilka said: "The higher the intensity of the competition, the more demanding it is on the emotions. If you’d seen him in the evening after the race, he was an emotional wreck. Without even asking him there’s no way he could do the 200. You’ve got to be very sensible." Gemili will tomorrow be named for the 100m and possibly the 200m for the world juniors in Barcelona in a fortnight’s time and would be favoured to win medals in both events. The event had been his target all year until his remarkable 10.08sec run in Germany at the start of the month, a time which has still only been bettered by one European Christophe Lemaitre this season, hurtled him into the world’s top 30. Afilaka understands that, naturally, Gemili wants to run in London, especially because it is a home Games but he feels that the location “actually makes no difference whatsoever, it’s irrelevant” and that the pressure imposed by the Games remains the same wherever it is staged. "I’m very clear what the competition is at the Olympics. It’s brutal. From getting kitted out to walking into the Olympic stadium, it’s very unforgiving. I’ve been there, I’ve seen it. He’s not just a young kid, he’s young to athletics and we’ve got to manage that. "Yes, he wants to go. I want to too but I’m too fat! The priority at the moment is 9.45pm, July 11th, final of the men’s 100m at the world juniors. And then we’ll take a measure." Meanwhile, another 18-year-old sprint sensation Delano Williams, the Jamaican schoolboy from the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) who had travelled 4,500 miles to seek selection, failed in his audacious bid, beaten by an injury, cold weather and the worst start imaginable in the 200m final. After qualifying as a fast loser for the final despite another woeful start in his heat and struggling with a groin problem, Williams, who was unable to compete for TCI because this British Overseas Territory is not recognised by Olympic chiefs, was saddled with an inside lane draw and then got stuck in his blocks. But despite only finishing seventh in 20.91sec, the man tipped in Jamaica to be another big sprint star, kept smiling and promised to be back. "In 2016, I want to come back and do something special. Making the final here was a great experience for me. "I’ve loved it here but sometimes it gets too cold for me! But I did my best. I will go back to my school in Jamaica on Tuesday, because, as a prefect, I have duties and responsibilities as a prefect to take care of back home." And if he is fit enough, he will be looking forward to possibly competing against Gemili in the 200m at the World Junior Championships, this time proudly wearing the colours of the TCI.
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
Page 43
WORLD SPORTS LOCAL NEWS
Wade withdraws from US basketball team
Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade withdrew his my doctors for a round of comprehensive medical Wade's exit from the U.S. squad left 17 players name from the player pool for the U.S. Olympic tests, and the recent results dictate the need for in the mix for 12 spots on the Olympic team basketball team on Thursday because his injured surgery. following injuries that removed several players "While every part of me wants to be in London, from consideration, including Derrick Rose of the left knee will require surgery, USA Basketball said. After receiving the diagnosis from the Heat I need to take this time to do what's best to Chicago Bulls and Dwight Howard of the Orlando team physician, the All-Star guard, who helped improve my health and allow me to continue to Magic. Miami win the NBA title in five games over the play the game I love." Wade was the U.S. team's The remaining candidates for the U.S. team Oklahoma City Thunder, informed USA Basketball leading scorer in their run to 2008 Olympic gold will start training camp next week in Las Vegas. Miami will still be represented in London, as chairman Jerry Colangelo that he was having the in Beijing, scoring a game-high 27 points as the surgery soon and would be unable to compete in Americans beat Spain 118-107 in the Olympic three-time NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James, who was also MVP of the championship London. final. "As many people may know, throughout the Despite having his knee drained during the series, has said he will definitely play in the season, I struggled with a recurring knee issue," NBA playoffs, Wade averaged over 22 points Olympics. His Heat team mate Chris Bosh, however, a game during Miami's championship series was still undecided about the Olympics due to an Wade said in a statement. abdominal injury that sidelined him during the "After the championship game, I visited with triumph over the Thunder. NBA playoffs.
Rafael Nadal upset by 100th-ranked Lukas Rosol in 2nd round at Wimbledon
WIMBLEDON, England - Rafael Nadal made his grumbled to the chair umpire during a changeover, earliest Grand Slam exit since 2005 when he was apparently irritated by Rosol's movements as he overpowered Thursday by big-serving Lukas Rosol awaited serves. Two games later, Nadal bumped into Rosol 6-7 (9), 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in the second round at - and didn't acknowledge the contact - as they Wimbledon. Rosol, a 26-year-old Czech ranked No. 100, walked to their chairs for a break. earned the biggest win of his career playing in Rosol exhaled before hitting his final shot, Wimbledon's main draw for the first time. He lost which was his 22nd ace. He fell to his knees, arms each of the past five years in the first round of up, then collapsed face down on the grass. He then rose and shook hands at the net with a frowning qualifying. As the match stretched beyond dusk, the Nadal. conclusion came with the retractable roof closed for Rosol became the lowest-ranked player to the final set on Centre Court. The upset on tennis' defeat Nadal in a major tournament. The 6-foot-5, biggest stage was no fluke: Rosol served brilliantly 178-pound Czech lost only 16 points on his first and repeatedly hit aggressive groundstrokes, while serve, returned well and won 22 of 28 points at Nadal found himself pinned deep and on the the net. In short, it was a complete performance that defensive. Nadal saved three set points to win the opening had spectators wondering why they'd never heard set, but his demeanor grew glum as Rosol overtook of him before. Nadal lost despite committing only him. After falling behind in the third set, Nadal 16 unforced errors in 276 points.
The Spaniard had reached the final in the past five Grand Slam tournaments, and had played in the final of his past five Wimbledons. After Nadal broke twice in the fourth set to even the match, gathering darkness made lights necessary for the final set, and tournament officials suspended play for 45 minutes so the roof could be closed. Nadal was clearly unhappy that the delay interrupted his momentum, shaking his head and frowning when advised of the situation by an official. Serving to start the final set, Nadal shanked a groundstroke on the first point and was broken when he failed to put away an overhead. Rosol easily held from there, winning his final 13 service points, seven with aces. Nadal won a record seventh French Open championship this month and was bidding for his third title at Wimbledon, where he was runner-up last year to Novak Djokovic.
Beckham left out of Britain Olympics squad
David Beckham has been omitted from Britain's Olympic soccer squad in a blow for the former England captain's dreams of crowning his career in style. The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder had been widely expected to win selection as one of the three over-age players in Stuart Pearce's Under-23 squad for the London Games in July and August. "Naturally I am very disappointed, but there will be no bigger supporter of the team than me," Beckham, 37, said in quotes relayed by his spokesman on Thursday. British media reports said Manchester United's long-serving Welsh winger Ryan Giggs, Wales striker Craig Bellamy and Manchester City right back Micah Richards, who missed out on England's Euro 2012 campaign, had been chosen. An official explanation for coach Pearce's decision has yet to be issued by the Football Association (FA). The FA will hand a final team list to the British Olympic Association (BOA) early next week. "As with every sport, player selection is the responsibility of the National Governing Body, the coaches and performance personnel," a BOA statement said. "With respect to men's football, the BOA has not yet received from The FA the list of players
who are being nominated for Team GB, so we cannot enthusiastic support right to the end," said Coe. confirm who is, and is not, under consideration for "He really gets this. He is from East London and the side. We are expecting the list no later than the knows how important the Games and sport are to early part of next week." young people. Beckham, who has played for Manchester "He is a great role model and we are lucky to United, Real Madrid and AC Milan in a glittering have such an advocate. I will be talking to him career, was watched by Pearce during a recent about a Games time role." match for the Galaxy and was included in his initial As a result of the decision to leave Beckham 35-man squad. out of the Team GB football squad, odds have Beckham told reporters last month: "I don't want been slashed for him to light the Olympic cauldron. to be picked on a shirt sale or a stadium filler. I want British bookmakers Ladbrokes quoted odds of 5/1. to be picked because of what I can bring to the team." Critics, who believe football has an uneasy Beckham was England's most capped outfield place in the Games because of the vast sums of player with 115 appearances but has not played for money professionals earn, have said they would the national team since 2009. be uncomfortable with the Olympics becoming a The world famous trend-setter now misses the "David Beckham show". chance to captain an England side at World Cup, The Olympic soccer tournament, originally European Championship and Olympic level. designed for amateurs but now the only Games LOCOG chairman Sebastian Coe said he would event to have an age limit, is not so highly regarded now discuss a "Games time role" with the globally in Europe where the World Cup and European recognized sports figure who played a role in Championship are seen as the elite tests. London winning the Olympics. Olympic football is popular among South Beckham has been used extensively in the American players, however. buildup to the event and helped to bring back the Hosts Britain, taking part in their first Olympic flame from Greece. soccer finals since 1960, will kick off their bid for "David has been an extraordinary supporter, gold against Senegal at Manchester United's Old probably our number one supporter, of the Games Trafford stadium on July 26. from the very beginning and is keen to continue his
Page 44
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
LOCAL NEWS
The TCI Centre for Excellence Team
It’s a Northern Star, AFC National final
The TCIFA Men’s Beach Soccer League will conclude next weekend as defending champions Northern Star will play the undefeated AFC National team in the championship final. AFC National have dominated the league this season winning all six of their games but were pushed all the way by Northern Star in their last game. Northern Star got off to a flying start as Steve Wilson scored two early goals. However, some poor marking allowed AFC National to get back in the game and found themselves down 4-3 after the first period. The second period was very closely fought as both team’s defences had tightened up but Northern Star went into the final period with a slender 7-6 lead. AFC National then hit form in
the final period and were leading 10-9 before Chris Bryan’s volleyed goal ensured there would be a period of extra time. The fitness of the younger team proved to be the deciding factor as they managed to score twice in overtime to secure a hard fought 12-10 win. Goal scorers on the day were: Chris Bryan 4, Steve Wilson 4, Matt Green , Jon Flanagan for Northern Star and Michael Laird 4, Fred Dorvil 3, Wildens Delva 2, Myrohn Pereira, James Rene 1 for AFC National Despite the defeat the reigning champions will feel that they have a good chance of retaining the title although they will have to be at full strength if they are to cause an upset by defeating AFC National, something that has not been done this season. MVP for week 6 was Stephen Wilson.
TCIFA to run summer camp The TCIFA will be running a Summer Camp next month for children between the ages of 5-16 from the 9th-13th July. With the success of last years camp where eighty children participated, Technical Director Matthew Green was pleased to offer young people a chance to keep themselves active during the summer months. “As we know children tend to get bored and restless during the summer vacation so we are more than happy to give them a chance to do something worthwhile during the summer break”. The camp will focus on the development of skills and will be conducted by qualified TCIFA coaches and national team players. In addition to the skills training, players will get a chance to work with visiting coaches from the USA as well as players from Bethesda SC
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
( Washington ) and CPUSA ( Florida ). Sessions will be conducted from 9.30am-2.00pm and players will receive refreshments and a light lunch every day. The camp is open to children of all ages and abilities. Green’s aims are to ensure that players can experience what it is like to play at a high level as well as have as much fun as possible. “We want to make the players feel what it is like to be a professional player for a week, where they have to train every day. However, we will also give them a Certificate of Attendance as well as a report on their skills so they will know the areas in which they need to improve”. “The week’s activities will include World Cup Tournaments and skills competitions so that everyone can enjoy themselves. Although we want the kids to learn, the emphasis will be on having fun.
Usually the summer months are less active for the TCIFA, but this year is different as there will be fourteen games involving foreign opposition being played during the months of July and August as the national football association hosts four visiting teams from the USA . With so many programmes up and running the TCIFA is keen to ensure that it’s most dedicated and committed players are given an opportunity to test themselves against more experienced players from around the world. The first set of games will see the U17 / U20 AFC Academy boys take on Rockledge Steelers from Florida between the 6th and 11th July. The Steelers visited the islands in 2007 and are excited about returning this summer. Team manager Paul Villalpondo said this year’s team will be stronger than the team they brought in 2007 and as they have been training all year round they are in good shape. Ian Hurdle, who is the head coach of the TCI Academy team is excited about the games ahead as it will give him a chance to assess just how much his players have improved since their successful trip to the Bahamas in April of this year. A certain amount of pressure is to be expected on Hurdle’s boys as they have been working closely with him for about a year now, but when one considers the improvement they had made under his leadership they should be up for the task. The second group of games will see the association’s young female players in action as part of the TCIFA Girl’s Festival of Football (13th-16th July). They will face stiff opposition
Jaguars are HAB/Gansevoort T20 Cricket champs By Vivian Tyson
Defending champions Police were dethroned of their HAB Group/ Gansevoort TCI Cricket Association Providenciales T20 title after the Guyana Jaguars defeated them by 23 runs in the final at the Downtown Ball Park on Sunday, June 24. Guyana Jaguars were sponsored by Island Escapes Turks & Caicos Ltd. The Jaguars won the coin toss, and after deciding to take first knock, posted a competitive 170 from their allotted 20 overs, Nuwan Bodhinayake hitting a top-score of 64 runs, which included four 4s and six 6s. George Niles contributed thirty nine runs,
Busy summer for TCIFA teams
comprising five 4s, while Winick Caleb added an unbeaten 20 runs. Bowling for the Police, Ira Baptiste was the pick of the bowlers, bagging three wickets for 23 runs off four overs. Damian Young took two wickets, for 21 runs from four overs. In reply, Police galloped to fifty four runs in the first four overs, but were eventually pegged back courtesy of fine bowling from the Guyana quickies and slow blowlers, who ate into their batting lineup. The dangerous Gavin Bruno and stubborn Desbourne Young, who together posted a 36-run partnership, were beginning to pose a headache for the Jaguars teams. However, with the departure of
from CPUSA ( Florida ) and one of the top 3 teams in the USA in the shape of Bethesda SC , who will be making their third trip to the Turks and Caicos Islands . Both touring teams contain players who regularly play at the highest levels in the USA and it will give the TCI U15 Girls a chance to test themselves against quality female opposition. Technical Director Matthew Green was philosophical about the games saying. In addition to the game the visiting coaches and players will conduct sessions with some of the TCIFA’s youth players as well as hold Q and A meetings in order to help encourage local children to see the opportunities that football may have for them. The final set of games will see the U14 Center of Excellence boys play against MSC Boca from New York during the 15th-18th August. The boys will compete in three exhibition games as well as have an afternoon of Beach Soccer. This is the first time that the TCIFA’s Boys Center of Excellence has been given an opportunity of this kind and everyone is eager to see them in action. Green had the following words to say about the games. As if these games weren’t enough the TCIFA will also be running a Summer camp for ages 5-16 from Monday 9th-Friday 13th July. The cost is $25 per child and is open to all children, irrespective of ability and experience. Sessions are held from 9.30am-2.00pm and players will receive drinks throughout the day, a light lunch as well as a certificate of attendance and an individual player report card.
the latter, the eventual champions began to see the light at the end of the tunnel. However, Jerry Grant, who joined Bruno at the crease after Young’s departure also proved to be a pesky customer for the bowlers. Grant and Bruno posted 40 runs before he was dismissed. Grant’s departure was heralded by a sharp collapse in the Police batting, and in the end the lawmen were all dismissed for 127 in 17 overs. Gavin Bruno was the principal contributor with 69 runs, which comprised nine 4s and two 6s. Young was the second high run-getter on the police team with 21 runs. Bowling for the Jaguars, the youthful Mark Henry, who was eventually named man of the match, made a six-wicket haul, while giving up 42 runs in four overs. Bruno was named man of the series, after collecting trophies for scoring most runs. Young and Munesh Bhagwandas walked away with the award for taking most wickets while the Best Junior Player went to Kevaughn Brown.
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 45
LOCAL SPORTS LOCAL NEWS
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
The trophies that were awarded to deserving individuals
The victorious Jaguars and their fans celebrate the victory
Jaguars celebrate after dismissing Police Daphne Penn presents the championship trophy to the ;Jaguars team
Jaguars celebrate the dismissal of Gavin Bruno (left)
Colin Sterling, President for the Turks and Caicos Islands Cricket Association presents Gavin Bruno with the man of the series trophy
Best Youth Cricketer, Kevaughn Brown, collects his award from Daphne Penn
Robert Johnson of Quality Kings accepts the third place trophy from Maxine
Damian St. Ange also collected his trophy from Michael Pereira for performance during the competition
Mark Henry collects his man of the match award from executive member Leroy Tull
Page 46
LOCAL NEWS
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
Page 47
LOCAL NEWS
Page 48
LOCAL NEWS
JUNE 29TH - JULY 6TH 2012
Published by SUN MEDIA GROUP, Turks and caicos Islands | Tel:649 946 8542 | Fax: 649 941 3281
TURKS & CAICOS SUN