Volume 8 Issue 12

LEAKED MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012

VOLUME 8 No. 12

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SIPT DOCUMENTS Website: www.suntci.com

Email: sun@suntci.com

Witness statements that were given to the Special Investigations and Prosecution Team (SIPT) by former Progressive National Party (PNP) Minister Karen Delancey and former People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) chairman Shaun Malcolm, are being widely circulated over the internet in the Turks and Caicos Islands and beyond.

In the two separate witness statements, both Delancey and Malcolm provided the SIPT with some damning information about their former colleagues in the PNP and PDM respectively.

Over the past week, some of the individuals who were mentioned in the statements have categorically denied the contents of the documents and some are even considering legal action.

Delancey’s statement is 26 pages long and was given on June 27th, 2011, while Malcolm’s 16-page statement was given on October 5th, 2010.

It is not known who leaked the documents, and up to press time, The SUN was unable to confirm whether SIPT or the Attorney General’s office will be launching an official investigation into the leaks.

Delancey said she was requested by SIPT to provide an outline of her career, her duties as a minister and to provide an account of certain incidents and occurrences he witnessed while in office.

She noted that since August 14th 2009 when the Constitution was suspended she has been”effectively unemployed” although she does occasional work for Windsong hotel, assisting with work permits.

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PARENTS FLOCK MINISTRY OF EDUCATION REGISTRATION ON PROVO

The Education Department in the Turks and Caicos Islands staged registration exercises across the Turks and Caicos for the next primary school year, between Tuesday, March 20 and Thursday, March 23. On Provienciales, registration was only for Kindergarten One took, as a result of the chronic shortage of space. Kindergarten One are children that were born by December 2008. Registration on that island took place on at the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex, which saw scores of persons turning out to register their children. Education Officer, Sarah Kennedy, who spearheaded the Provo registration, said that there was no guarantee that all the students registered would find space, while keeping her fingers crossed that space would be found. In photo, wrapping line is seen on the grounds of the sporting facility.

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TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012

SIPT documents leaked Cont’d

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

She also spoke about her “early discord” with the PNP executives dating back to September 2003 and the circumstances which caused her to be fired as Minister of Health because she did not support nepotism.

Delancey said former Premier Misick did not like her comments about nepotism which he felt had something to do with the resignation of Dr. Rufus Ewing and his wife Dr. Dawn Perry.

She told SIPT that on 26th September 2003, she was summoned to a meeting with Misick at his home on Grand Turk, where McAllister Hanchell, Jeffrey Hall, Norman Saunders Snr., Galmo Williams Arabella Smith and Royal Robinson were present.

“Michael Misick was very annoyed to hear that Dr Ewing and his wife were threatening to resign. Misick also made it clear that he was not happy about my comments relating to nepotism. He said that I did not give sufficient praise to the staff within my department…From the day I look

Shaun Malcolm

Karen Delancey

up my post…Dr. Ewing opposed everything that I had set out to do.

Misick said something to the effect of, 'We claim we are a better Government. Everyone has a role to play. If you and Dr Ewing don't get along I will change your Ministry.”

Delancey said the day after she did not support a gambling bill, Misick called her home and said: “Karen, you have put me in a very difficult position. You leave me no choice." I replied, 'Well, you will do what you want to do anyway: He said

I had to sign a letter of resignation. which he had brought with him, but I told him to go to Hell. He left for Grand Turk and I later learnt that Galmo Williams was sworn in as the Minister for Natural Resources and Social Services.”

Delancey also told SIPT she received a $10,000 campaign donation from convicted fraudster

David Smith, and a loan of $4,500 from his wife Tracey Smith.

She also give the SIPT information about her colleagues Floyd Hall, McAllister Hanchell, Jeffrey Hall, Lillian Boyce, Greg Lightbourne, Royal Robinson, Amanda Misick, Samuel Been, Wayne Garland, Norman Saunders Snr., as well as mentioning the names of Althea Ewing, Lisa Hall, Carlos Simons, Rex Messam, Alan Forest, Aulden Smith, Lord Ashcroft, Cynthia Astwood, Oswald Skippings, Ruth Blackman, Bishop Coleta Williams, Clive Stanbrook, and Mary Forbes.

Malcolm, who described himself as civic leader, told the SIPT about bribery for political purposes within the PDM and that a member received a $40,000 payment for an appointment in the House of Assembly. He also said the PDM received a $100,000 payment from a developer.

Most of Malcolm’s statement was blacked out.

Interim Administration denies tit for tat against Mike

BY VIVIAN TYSON SUN SENIOR EDITOR

Governor’s Office Spokesman Neil Smith is dismissing claims that the decision by the Turks and Caicos Islands Government to seek Interpol’s assistance to apprehend ex-premier Michael Misick on money laundering and corruption questioning was not triggered by the email spat that both men had last week.

Last week His Excellency Ric Todd was said to have used an explicit word while responding to callers on the popular call-in show Expressions, for which it was said he immediately apologized.

However, the ex-premier, who the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT) said was believed to be in the Dominican Republic up to the fall of last year, said that a simple apology was not enough, since the governor’s on-air utterances were disrespectful to the people of the country.

Misick also called for an inquiry into the operation of the Interim Administration and for Governor Todd to be recalled. But in response, Governor Todd, through a release, suggested that Misick returned to the TCI to answer the money laundering and corruption probe that he was wanted for, also making veiled swipe at the former premier’s moral authority on the issue.

On Monday, the Governor’s Office issued a news release notifying media houses that the SIPT was successful in obtaining an Interpol Red Notice to have Misick apprehended and returned to the TCI. Aware of the manhunt, Misick issued a statement late Monday, that he had applied for political asylum under the United Nation Convention, in a third country, which he did not name, citing persecution by the United Kingdom government.

Some memebrs of the public who had been following the back and forth between Misick and the governor, believed that the move to involve Interpol, which operated in 190 countries on every continent, was a tit for tat tactic.

But during his weekly press briefing, Smith said that the SIPT had applied to Interpol for the Red Notice from February, since the Dominican Republic and the United Kingdom did not have an extradition treaty. He described the period between the internet quarrel between Governor Ric Todd and Misick, and the announcement of the Interpol manhunt intervention as mere coincidence, rather than a spiteful act.

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012

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LOCAL NEWS

Police seize $189,000 in money laundering case

RTIC Police is celebrating another major victory in its on-going fight against crime. The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has seized $189,000 after successfully gaining its first ever civil recovery order.

The money, which represents proceeds from crime, was recovered by detectives following a suspicious transaction report made by a Turks and Caicos Islands financial institution in May 2008.

Officers were able to link the cash directly to a Taiwanese fugitive wanted in connection with the laundering of more than US$500m in his homeland.

Detective Inspector Willin Belliard, explained: “The financial institution in question became suspicious about the way the account was being handle and so reported the matter to the FIU. Our investigations led us to a wanted fugitive in Taiwan and after working with the Taiwan Competent Authority, it was confirmed that the subject was wanted in connection with the laundering of over US$500million, which his father is believed to have acquired through bribes and corruption while

employed as a senior official in the Taiwanese Government.

“Having gained this information, we then successfully gained a court order to freeze the account.

Further detailed investigations, and the examination of financial records, resulted in a direct link being made between the $189,000 and the $500million.”

Det Insp Belliard, who heads the FIU said he was delighted with the outcome. “A great deal of good police work was put into the case”, he said. “The investigation lasted over three years and a lot of international inquiries were made. We also made use of international intelligence databases to obtain the majority of our initial information. Obviously we are delighted with the outcome and to have recorded our first civil recovery order.

This case proves that you don’t need a conviction to recover the proceeds from crime. “Establishing the money is derived from criminal conduct is enough and this sends out a clear warning to others.”The money has now been deposited in the National

Parties express mixed reaction to election registration

BY VIVIAN TYSON SENIOR SUN EDITOR

The two established political parties - the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) and the Progressive National Party (PNP) have expressed mixed reactions at news of the Government’s intent to launch its voter registration exercise at the crack of April, with a view to have elections this year.

Governor’s spokesman, Neil Smith, while addressing a weekly press briefing on Tuesday, March 20, told journalists of the intention, but said that more details would have been provided to the public in the coming days, explaining that the move was in-keeping with government’s commitment to announcing local polls this year.

But while, Leader for the PDM, Derek Taylor was upbeat about elections this year, his PNP counterpart Clayton Greene was not as optimistic owing to a number of unanswered questions as it relates to the drawing of boundaries and the constituents for those boundaries.

Taylor told The SUN that his party was expecting for elections to be called this year, especially since it was the year of Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year on the throne.

“Definitely, I expect elections this year. I feel that it would be historic owing that it is the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty, and it would mark the British commitment to democracy in its Overseas Territories, and we have been disenfranchised for the

last three years. And there is a call from a number of parliamentarians in the UK to return the Turks and Caicos to democratically-elected government,” Taylor pointed out. He added: “The registration (of electors) will last three months, that would take us into June. We are saying that it is still possible that on Emancipation Day (August1) that we can have election. However, the PNP leader was not so upbeat about the election prospect, as he expressed a swathe of concerns, which he said was yet to be addressed, even though he was happy with the idea that things were beginning to be shifted in gear.

“We don’t know how they intend to go through that process. From my own part, I can’t see how you can begin go register people when the elections office is not up and running, as I understand it, also when there are no boundaries. What constituency are you registering them (electors) in?

I think it is a bit of putting the cart before the horse; the election ordinance is not even in place. How are people to know definitively whether they qualify to be in X or Y constituency, and on what basis or these going to be determined?” Greene queried.

He added: “So, while I welcome the idea, and I am happy that w e are moving forward to prepare for elections, I can’t see how we can be effectively registering people ‘absent, absent constituencies’, it is just like smoking mirrors,” Greene emphasized.

He said that the decision to begin registering electors was premature, while suggesting that the first move was to get the boundaries commission organized, appoint the requisite people, put the

Detective Inspector Willin Belliard Forfeiture Fund account, with the director of the Financial Services Commission appointed as trustee.

The FIU is an independent unit within the RTCI Police Financial Crime Unit and has been operating since 2007. It acts as the TCI’s national central agency for the receipt, analysis, dissemination and investigation of suspicious transaction reports and the request of financial information from the business sector. The unit is also responsible for cash seizures, civil recovery matters and money laundering investigations. boundaries in place and then call upon the political parties to assist with the registration process.

“I haven’t heard who is going to be in charge of this process; who will be registered and what their qualifications are – that is vitally important to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands,” Greene said.

In the meantime, the PNP leader said that the party would crank up its election machinery beginning with a rally tentative for Friday, March 30, at the PNP Headquarters on Airport Road in Providenciales.

“You shouldn’t be in any doubt, the PNP has been running campaigns for years now; we know how that is done. I think the administration – and people have been buying into it – is suggesting that the political parties are not ready. If the political parties are not ready, certainly, the PNP is ready, but the PNP can’t get the government to put the boundaries commission in place. The PNP can’t get the government to decide what the voting system is going to be, so we can plan intelligently,” Greene reiterated.

Meanwhile, Taylor said, as an indication of its preparation, the PDM held a street meeting last weekend in Grand Turk, which he said was to sensitize the populace on the party’s plans going forward.

He said, too, that the party had been receiving a great deal of expressions of interest from persons wishing to represent the party at the next elections, but noted that a number of those persons were not members of any of the branches, which he said the party was not wholeheartedly comfortable with.

“The bottom line is that we are dealing with the various branches, to making sure that they are active.

There are a number of people who want to represent the PDM but they are not members of the branches.

We are saying to them that you have to be members of the branches - they have been supporters of the party - but they are not members of the branches,” he added.

Governor Todd gone to UK Police question suspected sex offender

His Excellency Governor Ric Todd returned to the UK on Wednesday March 21st for meetings to update Department for International Development (DfID) minister Alan Duncan MP and senior Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Overseas Territory Department officials before taking a week’s pre-

Easter leave next week.

During His Excellency’s absence TCIG Chief Executive Patrick Boyle will assume the position of acting Governor.

He was sworn in this morning.

Governor Todd will leave the Turks and Ciacos Islands on 21 Mar, returning on 1 Apr 2012.

A MAN is being questioned by detectives about a series of sexual assaults and burglaries in Grand Turk.

The unnamed suspect was arrested by officers on Tuesday and is being held at the island’s police headquarters in Cockburn Town.

Deputy Commissioner, Brad Sullivan, said: “Following a reported burglary and attempted sexual assault that took place on

Saturday, a man was arrested and is now being questioned.

“As a result of this apprehension, Grand Turk officers, supported by members of the Sexual Offences/Domestic Violence Unit, are reviewing a number of unsolved burglaries and sexual assaults for similarities to this latest incident.

“The review is being conducted in preparation of further investigation.”

Turks and Caicos Islands

criminal. Why should they “go to of my 27 years as a public Tel: (649) 946-8542/ (649) 241-1510 servant and subsequently some 20 a gun fight with a knife”? TURKS AND CAICOS SUN MARCH 16TH - MARCH 23RD, 2012 941-3281 Fax: (649) Page 6 years in the private sector have I But is the arrogance of these Email: sun@suntci.com Page 6 seen a sitting TCI Governor under people seeping through!TURKS What they AND23RD CAICOS SUN30TH, 2012 MARCH 16THTURKS - MARCH 23RD, 2012 MARCH - MARCH & CAICOS SUN so much public duress. seem not to be able to deal with is Read us online at www.suntci.com This has come about because the quality and quantity of of the stance that he has taken educated Turks and Caicos with respect to public policy and Islanders that they have to deal Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Hayden Boyce the delivery of services to the with these days. I have yet to see a Senior Editor: Vivian Tyson people of the Turks and Caicos Governor with even a first degree Web Designer: Patrina Moore-Pierre Islands. It is abundantly clear to behind his name, but he would Graphics Editor: Joleen Grant alloyal andS. sundry that the man has come here and talk down ground for something that to

By R Robinson , MBE Office Manager:Turks Dominique Rigby Sun and Caicos not a clue as to what to do to persons PhD’s. is alienintoourusheritage wouldwith have Distribution Manger: Kelano Howell Suite # 5, Airport Plaza effectnow positive changes. all now The push back has started in ceased already.

I think that more than Itever Providenciales Advertising and Marketing ManagerTurks and Caicos Sun harks back to what said when earnest In now. order to rewrite we are seeing played outhebefore Turks and Caicos Islands Suite # 5, Airport Plaza Patrina Moore-Pierre first came here andofthatthe he did I was more encouraged history, you thanhave to a our veryheeyes the agenda Tel: (649) 946-8542/ (649) 241-1510 Providenciales know why he was chosen and few days the ago when I read the destroy institutional Fax:Caicos (649) 941-3281 Foreign notand Commonwealth Turks and Islands The Turks and Caicos SUN is241-1510 a subsidiary Email: sun@suntci.com surprised Department by his being chosen.

Editorial in the Weekly News in memory of all of the Office (FCO), for Tel: (649) 946-8542/ (649) ROYAL ROBINSON It is now Development apparent to Prize, which the Editorthat was chiding of Fax: The SUN Group Ltd. organizations make the (649)Media 941-3281 International CONTRIBUTER Read us online at www.suntci.com Email: sun@suntci.com he hasparticularly, now passed away, Governor for the double standard meaningful contributions (DFID) although and more that having become the that Minister thatsociety. he wasThat engaging the Interim Administration to is whatin iswith WePublisher are committed to excellence inHayden journalism, & Editor-in-Chief: Boyce Read us online at www.suntci.com of Everything Affairs in this country; he is finding respect to the incident between the AG, is on the ground here. systematically being done Mr. educating and informing our readers, serving Senior Editor: Vivian Tyson hard presstotosay deliver Theyhimself are continuing thatthe goods for us. What Shepherd and Crown hereCouncil now. It Mr. wasFranklyn. no mistake, and satisfying our advertisers and assisting Web Patrina Moore-Pierre Publisher &Designer: Editor-in-Chief: Hayden Boycein he has been able to do effectively is to alienate the This is the man who in his maiden these things are being done for us to first of all bring inspeech a newhere Graphics Editor: Joleen Grant the overall development of the Turks and Senior Editor: Vivian Tyson people of this and in thisofmatter, Manager: Dominique Rigby Office and in our names.

Thatcountry cannotthat be he is supposed to be espoused transparency Commissioner Policepromised and Caicos Islands.

Web Designer: Patrina Moore-Pierre Distribution to bring in an independent, Regional so as theyserving. have not consulted us on send home nearlyAG alltoofdeal thewith Graphics Editor:Manger: Joleen Kelano Grant Howell Advertising and Marketing Let usissues start with the NIB that the matter. He failed to doinsothe andsenior at his meeting Office Manager: Dominique RigbyManagerany of the recent that they aredebacle! WeRknow persons ranks. at OYAL ROBINSON PatrinaManger: Moore-Pierre Distribution Kelano Howell CONTRIBUTER at onefor point time NIB owed TCIG some sum Ona Glinton on Tuesday night,didtried to trivialize championing andinon ourthat behalf.

What that was to give the Marketing ManagerAdvertising and of money for services rendered to clients as aRresult incident. He wasthe sternly for his remarks We in the Turks and Caicos newchided Commissioner free as so vilified inTurks publicand in this country. and ROYAL OBINSON The Caicos SUNToisopenly, a subsidiary Patrina Moore-Pierre CONTRIBUTER they were inappropriate. on theasjobmany injury.opinions Islands of have rein to institute new policies to his face calloftheThe Governor a liar, must at the very SUN Media Group Ltd. thatother amount was agreed Having been, and admitted as much, one of the least as “on the As oneI have hand,said butbefore, on the hand” and Programmes without being challenged as to be disheartening.

WeSUN are isbyanature, a very The Turks and Caicos subsidiary

by TCIG and NIB thread and paid overbeing because the the process architects of bringingthat theisBritish into our accommodating We are committed to excellence in journalism, economists!

But a common is now or procedure being back instituted. group of people. of The SUN Media Group Ltd. and informing ourwhen readers, verifiable invoice submitted onInterim both occasions.

I was who glad has that lived formerinChief Minister weaved with respect to thewas things that the Buteducating as many before have found, you serving wake Even business, a small child, a certain and satisfying our advertisers and assisting in are committed tousexcellence invery journalism, Now thatis the Governor, as Minister of and Finance has not holdcan histell tongue further Skippingswhen couldasked, Administration doing here in the Turks the “sleeping dog” in that can be dangerous. environment, you any if you are and upWe theand overall development of theserving Turks and educating informing our readers, found himself in a bind,is hea has decided to look the lashed out at the Governor for mis-characterizing the This Caicos Islands.

That thread combination of to doing Governor has done just that.

He has sown the something right or wrong.

Caicos Islands. and satisfying our advertisers and assisting in pool of funds that“how has been from the The accomplishments of previous administrations “enough is enough” and far isaccumulated, too far”. andoverall he will certainly reap the whirlwind! same type of attitude prevailed when the in wind,the development of the Turks and He contributions persons living and working bringing development to this country.

Skippings told People from everymade walk by of life, every political started it and we certainly will finish it. right sizing of the public service was taking place.

Caicos Islands. in TCI, to hijack some of the funds. him in no uncertain terms that he had better stop stripe are beginning to see that the medicine that He was on this fool’s errand of trying to go around It was more of a “take it or leave it”, rather than What is veryto irksome is the approach taking for weakness and started the the country and saying thing that are not factually is being administered us is not good for us.that this how best do our youmeekness see the system being transformed takensaying to everything.

It is hiswas way or to themake Minister refrain is enough”!

That reminds mehas of the “the surgery correct and thought that the people would have lapped the“enough delivery of services effective and highway. mightdied”. work in some cases, but people of this no matter whatoftheir that up and think that they were being done well by successful, but theThat patient efficient. The Thatcitizens must be thecountry, overriding interest willbegan allow as thatatodrip, happen time “t”, and political stripes are, are certainly realizing that the his actions. That is not so, and he is finding out the What is for nowa small a rushing any government. did “charge” against them and their programmes. would thenbury push our back.heads That the actuaries for NIB and The Governor and his cohorts have the bestwehard way, up close and personal that that would not stream. We cannot in the sand and United Kingdom starteddo on not a programme We certainly would not like to, as a country NHIP do not agree is not uncommon.

What is needed interest of the people at heart.

In fact, someone be so. have a mistaken belief that what is being done is of reforming its public service in the 1980/90s. resort to such actions. The scene is set and ripe for independent bothit sidesThis to was remarked the man has noThey heart are at all, The Governor, for all of his bravado has been to punishisa an few Turks andarbiter, Caicosagreeable Islanderstothat calledthatNEXT STEPS. stilleven mischief. However, we have to change tactics in comedone up with a compromise that is fair to both sides. he professes to be of a Christian faith. though rattled!

That he misspoke and called the milestones is said have wrong.

The combined actions refining and reforming their service. In 1990, I order to survive. The one good thing that is coming Minister Todd does not want that, as he would But The people of this country are not going to sit by what they really are, millstones is a signs of the of these people go further than that. They want to participated in a number of these initiatives of these persecutions is the resolve of our upinstitution short. All he wanted was toofget his hands anyoflonger and allow oneofman to ruin this and countryouttimes.

His words are ringing hollow with every tear downcome every that the people this as part my programme Management people to unite in the common goal of preserving on $10M come what may.

He was prepared to, and and then cut and run.

Every move he makes will be pronouncement and are being viewed for what they country have built up over the years, question National Development ant Regent University, for future generations of Turks and did makethat a specific law,made, withoutparticularly public consultation interest.thisare,country challengedbyif The it is seen to beInstitute not in ourofbest signifying nothing! every decision has been spear-headed Royal Public Caicos Islanders.

They have crossed the proverbial to affect this.

I am not sure what his upbringing was, and would set of talking points as the ones He needs a new those that were designed to be of a beneficial Administration. The current approach of these and we are seeing them for what they are.

What heCaicos did notIslanders. bargain for was the fight back not even to figure it out.everything in sight Rubicon he is using are like old news and relegated to the nature to Turks and “experts” is to try slash and burn arebins beginning to come of the shadows Board NIB!toThat he the andrecent his henchman But what what they I would sayisisinthat in all of myPeople garbage from whence they out came.

Whatfrom theythe have beenofable do in and institute think ournever best interest. and be counted.

It is now so far and no further! trying tothesaypetty that differences NIB should not avail itself of Toyears God’s earthcrop haveofI seen a Governor past was are to exploit between say on that the green current Permanent PageIn6 all

COMMENTARY COMMENTARY LOCAL NEWS

HOW FAR IS TOO FAR?

us and escalate them into mountains behind which they have been able to hide while systematically destroying our society and country. We must understand one fact in particular. That is that it is far easier to break down than build up. It took the genius and innovation of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands to rise from a situation in which our tourism commercials were based on “Where in the Hell is Turks and Caicos”, to our being known as the rising star of the Caribbean!

All of a sudden, the work that we have been able to do without any assistance of the British Government, is now being made to look like it was stupid of us so to do. Our economic plan through successive governments, whether headed by PDM or PNP made the type of strides that allowed us not to have to resort to direct taxation as a means of raising revenue to meet the demands of an up and coming and thriving people.

We positioned ourselves in the market place as being a low tax jurisdiction, and framed all of our policies to continue on that path. Of course, as the world changes, we must act in accordance with that change and make the necessary adjustments. What we are now seeing here, with this group in charge, is a complete overhaul of our systems and a force feeding of another system that is totally foreign to us and to which we have not been able to make any meaningful contribution. If that were done, this hell bent strategy of erasing whatever is currently on the

Secretaries and Deputies do not have skills, abilities academic qualifications would be in the main untrue. However, I have a problem with how they are currently assigned.

My concern is if this is not being done to ensure that they fail in their mission because of the “square peg in a round hole” syndrome!

Persons are taken out of their natural comfort zone and pushed into the deep end. It is not that in time they cannot get up to speed. From what is being required, persons are expected to hit the ground running, and I do not see that happening in the short time. Time will tell if I am wrong. But in the meantime, can we continue to experiment?

The other issue that I would like to address is the application by the Attorney General to the Supreme Court to among other things tear down and destroy the PNP Headquarters on Airport Road, Providenciales. I must admit that I was disappointed that members of the Party that were responsible for following through when Cabinet approved the Conditional Purchase Lease, did not do so. Some times when “you snooze, you lose”! But in this instance, how can you justify such a claim of self–righteousness, when you are bending over backwards to rectify persons that are creating shanty towns in this country.

Lewis Astwood put it right a few days ago.

He said, “When you back a cat against the wall, the only thing he could do is to charge forward”.

He also reminded persons what happened in the 1970s when the British backed us in a corner and

EDITORIAL EDITORIAL CARTOON CARTOON EDITORIAL CARTOON

That line is now clearly drawn in the sand!

•

Royal Robinson was a former Deputy

• Royal Robinson was a former Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance and Health in Premier and Minister of Finance and Health in the the Progressive National Party (PNP) Progressive National Party (PNP) Administration.

Administration.

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN’S LETTERS POLICY The Turks and Caicos SUN welcomes Letters to the Editor.

Letters containing libelous or defamatory charges, personal attacks or abusive language will not be considered for publication.

We would prefer letters of 500 words or less, and we will not print anonymous letters or letters tagged with initials.

All letters are subject to the final approval of the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, who reserves the right to accept or reject submissions and to edit letters and headlines to meet our established standards for grammar, clarity and length.

TURKS CAICOS SUNSUN TURKS&AND CAICOS

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LOCAL LOCAL NEWS NEWS

MARCH 23RD MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012- MARCH 30TH, 2012

No new tax measures being considered in upcoming financial year The 2012/2013 Budget will focus on continued revenue growth in the tourism sector and will focus on enforcement and improved collection in the Immigration and Customs sector, says Chief Financial Officer, Hugh McGarel-Groves.

“With VAT coming on stream in April 2013, TCIG is currently not considering the implementation of any new tax measures in 2012/2013,” McGarelGroves said in a press release. “The 2012/2013 Budget presents an excellent opportunity for TCIG to continue its efforts to put TCIG’s public finances on track to achieve a fiscal surplus in the financial year ending March 2013.”

The timetable by which the Turks and Caicos Islands budget for financial year 2012/13 will be consulted upon and agreed has been revealed by

Chief Financial Officer, Hugh McGarel-Groves.

The Budget approval process has been extended to accommodate both the demands of the five new Permanent Secretaries’ work to set up the new TCIG Ministries, and the savings and changes made through the civil service Voluntary Severance Scheme.

Budget submissions were received from each Permanent Secretary on 13 Mar 2012. These are now being used to form a draft Budget against which revenue and expenditure figures will be checked against projections.

This will be finalised between the Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Department week commencing 26 Mar 2012.

His Excellency The Governor, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and PS Finance will then sign off on the Draft 2012/2013 Budget on 19 Apr 2012. This will be submitted to UK Ministers on the same date.

The Budget will then be submitted to both the Advisory Council and Consultative Forum on 7 May and will be approved by the Advisory Council on 14 May and the Consultative Forum on 21 May 2012. The Budget Team will also meet with the Consultative Forum in a closed session on 15 May 2012 to review the budget.

Once reviewed and approved by the UK Government, Advisory Council and Consultative Forum, the Governor will pass the budget into law on May 23rd, 2012.

Lillian Misick ‘shocked and dismayed’ by Governor swearing on RTC Consultative Forum Chairperson Lillian Misick says she “shocked and dismayed” when she heard the Governor use a profane word during Robert Hall’s call-in programme Expressions last week.

“This was ill-advised even if, as he claims, he was merely repeating what he thought he heard a caller say,” Misick said in a press statement. “It is important to appreciate however that the Governor not only apologized immediately but later issued a formal apology to the nation for the obvious offense he caused. He should be commended for this; not least because it stands in instructive contrast to the failure of some local leaders to apologise for

causing us far greater offense.”

Misick said she was troubled that while Mr. Robert Hall, the host of radio show, demanded an apology from the Governor for his “momentary lapse in judgment”, he (Hall) did not apologize to the Governor (and to the nation) for sitting by and allowing his callers to show such sustained and appalling lack of respect towards His Excellency.

“For it is short-sighted and misguided to think that aiding and abetting our people in showing disrespect for this Governor will not misled them into showing disrespect as a matter of course for all public servants (expatriate and local alike). I fear we will still be suffering the consequences of such

contempt for government officials long after this Governor is gone,” Misick said.

She added: “I have been asked by many to comment on the statement former Premier Michael Misick issued on this incident and on the Governor’s response to it. But given that he has yet to offer a single word of contrition for treating our national treasury like his personal piggy bank and is now a fugitive from justice, I do not believe Mr. Misick is in any position to offer anything constructive to our national debate on current affairs. Therefore, I shall not dignify his statement with any comment.

I regret that the Governor did not see fit to do the same.”

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LOCAL NEWS Page 8

MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012

LOCAL NEWS

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Former Premier Michael Misick seeks political asylum in undisclosed country

Michael Misick, the former and free nation.”

Misick said he is convinced that Premier of the Turks and Caicos he is being persecuted because of Islands, says he has sought political asylum in an undisclosed country his views and firm plan to move the because of “political persecution”. Turks and Caicos Islands towards Misick made the revelation Independence.

“This plan goes counter to the in a media statement on Monday British and their supporters in the March 19th, after it was announced by the Special Investigations and Turks and Caicos Islands. That is Prosecution Team (SIPT) earlier why stories were fabricated by the that day that they obtained an arrest opposition, the British and their warrant for the former leader and a supporters in order to call for a “Red Notice” which was authorized Commission of Inquiry,” he added.

Misick, who said he made the by the International Criminal Police announcement about asylum “with Organisation (Interpol).

“My reason for doing so (seeking a heavy heart”, stressed that there political asylum) is simple because of was no way he or any of the accused the political persecution that is taking could receive a fair trial.

He said: “There is no way that place to me and my family, former Cabinet Ministers and their families I, or any of the persons that have and a select few developers who been accused by Helen Garlick and supported me and my Progressive her team, can get a fair trial. The National Party during my tenure British Government, aided by two as Premier of the Turks and Caicos governors, Gordon Wetherell and Islands,” Misick said in a media now Ric Todd, have abolished our fundamental right to jury trial. They statement.

“Let be clear. I am not a fugitive, have also suspended democracy. The and will never be a fugitive. I have Governor and the prosecutor control applied for political asylum from the executive, the legislative and another country and I am merely the judiciary. They have changed seeking protection from political so many laws such as the Proceeds persecution. I will continue to bring of Crime Bill, laws pertaining to challenges to clear my name and that evidence, laws pertaining to hearsay of my government and colleagues. I all in an attempt to convict me and dream to return to my homeland as my colleagues.”

Misick continued: “If we have an independent, victorious, proud

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know, that the verdict has already been decided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Governor the prosecutor and the Judges that they have chosen. All of the laws and rules that have been changed, were done on the recommendation of the Special Prosecutor to ensure done something illegal why is there a conviction. This is a complete a need to change so many laws in set-up for a modern-day John Crow order to secure a conviction? Why political lynching. I will not be could we not be tried under the same part of that. I have therefore sought system that thousands of people were protection from another country in tried under over the years? Why did accordance with the United Nations they have to abolish our Parliament Convention on Human Rights and and the Executive? the human rights laws of that country, Is it so that they, including the as it is my right to do and the right prosecutor, can change the laws and of any person that is being politically the entire judicial system uninhibited persecuted.” without the normal checks and The former Premier said Robin balances that exist in a democracy Auld came to Turks and Caicos to ensure their goal which is the Islands with specific instructions conviction of me and my colleagues? from the Foreign Office as to what If another country had done this, the the outcome of the Commission of British would have been outraged Inquiry will be. and they would seek international “In short, the outcome was presanctions against that country. This determined,” Misick added. “To add is double-standard and political insult to injury, they have bypassed persecution of the highest order. the entire legal system by appointing They have sought to politically a Special Prosecutor whose primary persecute us because we desire to goal is to get rich of the backs of live in an independent Turks and Turks and Caicos Islands’ tax payers Caicos Islands, where the rule of law and to make a name for herself. applies to everyone; where the rules Helen Garlick has already collected and laws can’t be changed to get rid over $20 million of Turks and Caicos of a person or government because Islands tax payers’ money and is you disagree with their political slated to collect at least another $10 views and goals.” million in 2012, at a time when the Misick, who was in charge of the interim government is laying off Turks and Caicos Islands between hundreds of civil servants, cutting 2003 and 2009, added: “You have pensions and other benefits and the situation where the Governor increasing taxes. appoints the prosecutor, she will There is no way that I, or any of choose the judge and the Governor the persons that have been accused appoints who she chooses.

by Helen Garlick and her team, can Is seeking The Governor at a public get a fair trial. meeting has already announced that The British Government, aided we are guilty, therefore the whole by two governors, Gordon Wetherell Salary $5.00 to $7.00 per hour notion of a trial is a show. We know, and now Ric Todd, have abolished Dorothea @ 247-1554 or andPlease all Turkscontact and Caicos Islanders Malcolm our fundamental right to jury trial.”

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TURKS Page&8CAICOS SUN

Page 9

MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012

LOCAL NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012 LOCAL NEWS

Calls for Belonger preference in public school registration

Department of Education should have provided two lines – one for Belongers and the other for expatriates, so that Some of the locals who attended the chances of their children entering the public school kindergarten public school would be just as equal as registration for the next those of foreign nationals. school term at the Gustarvus “Turks Islands should be first in Lightbourne Complex in their country. Everywhere in the world, Providenciales between Tuesday, people come first in their country. If March 20 and Thursday, March you are in the Bahamas, Bahamians 22, believed that they should not come first; why do we, Turks and have to be jostling with foreign Caicos Islanders, need to be in a line nationals for the sign-up. with foreigners? It isn’t fair; it is a long For this year’s registration line, it’s a hot day, there are no places process, the Department of for kids to sit down. It is sad.

Education used a numbering system, “There should be two lines; one for which allowed the procedure to Belongers – Turks Islanders – and the operate on a first-come-first-serve next one for foreigners. It would be basis. But a number of locals much simpler, and much fairer. What who arrived after first batch of is happening now isn’t fair at all, and numbers were handed out and there is only one language you could were made to wait for the recycle, hear, and that is (Haitian) Creole; it said that the system was unfair as doesn’t make sense,” the parent said. it disproportionately placed them As a result of the lack of public at a disadvantage, saying that they school space, the Education Department had already been outnumbered by decided as of last year that it would only foreign nationals at the registration have registration for kindergarten one, centre. Some of the parents who which means that it would only accept spoke to The SUN said that the children born by December, 2008.

BY VIVIAN TYSON SENIOR SUN EDITOR

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Parents jostle to get their children registered for the new school term

Education Officer, Sarah Kennedy, “We would collect everybody’s who monitored the three-day event, stuff for the next three days, but as reminded the public that school spaces you know, we only have so many between kindergarten two and grade spaces in the schools to fill; so six in all public schools were filled to the process would go on, and the capacity hence the decision to register persons who are successful would be notified. We know that we cannot only K1 students.

“Schools are already full with accommodate the numbers that we infant two to grade six, so don’t expect are faced with, so it is all up to the to have another registration,” She said. powers that be to deal with that Kennedy reiterated that while situation,” Kennedy pointed out. particulars were collected for all the She added: “By the end of the children, there was no guarantee that third term the schools would know all would be given a place when the exactly who they would be getting, next school year rolls around, due to and then they would do their own the chronic lack of space. orientation.”

Page 10 Page 10

LOCAL NEWS NEWS LOCAL

MARCH - MARCH & CAICOS SUN TURKS AND23RD CAICOS SUN30TH, 2012 MARCH 23RDTURKS - MARCH 30TH, 2012

International arrest warrant issued for former LOCAL NEWS Premier Michael Misick Page 10

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

An international arrest warrant to an international arrest warrant in has been issued for former Premier use today. Interpol does not have the of the Turks and Caicos Islands, authority to issue arrest warrants in Michael Misick in connection the formal sense of the word, as this is with allegations of corruption and the domain of the sovereign member money laundering. The Helen states.

An Interpol notice or international Garlick-led Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT) in the notice is issued by Interpol to share Turks and Caicos Islands said they information between its members. obtained the arrest warrant and a There are seven types, six of which “Red Notice” which was authorized are known by their colour codes: red, by the International Criminal blue, green, yellow, black, and orange.

INTERPOL will only issue notices if Police Organisation (Interpol).

A statement Monday from SIPT it is satisfied that all the conditions for said: “For the past several months processing the information have been the SIPT has sought to secure the fulfilled.

For example, a notice will not be attendance of Mr Misick at its published if it violates Article 3 of offices in Providenciales in respect of allegations of corruption and money the Constitution, which forbids the laundering during his time in office. Organization from undertaking any Every opportunity has been given to intervention or activities of a political, Mr Misick to voluntarily surrender to military, religious or racial character.

A check with the Interpol website the SIPT’s jurisdiction for interview.

Despite previous indications from up to Friday March 23rd did not Mr Misick’s solicitors that he would have any information about Misick. attend for interview, he has failed to It was noted that at Libya’s request, INTERPOL has issued a Red Notice do so.”

The international warrant and for Colonel Gaddafi’s former director “Red Notice” was announced days of military intelligence, Abdullah Alafter Misick publicly criticized Senussi for fraud offences including Governor Ric Todd for swearing on embezzling public funds and misuse the Government-owned Radio Turks of power for personal benefit.

In his press release on Friday and Caicos. The former Premier which called for an inquiry into the also issued a press statement in which he called on the UK Foreign Brits, the former Premier said t is and Commonwealth Office and the only when such an inquiry takes Foreign Affairs Committee of the UK place that the British Government, Parliament to launch an investigation Prime Minister David Cameron, his into the Interim Government which deputy Nick Klegg, Queen Elizabeth II, Members of the UK Opposition was appointed in ASSISTANT August 2009 whenGOLF COURSE party, President Barack Obama and the UK imposed directSUPERINTENDENT rule in the prime ministers of CARICOM and Turks and Caicos Islands.

Caribbean countries will really and Interpol requests areCompany normally Turks & Caicos Water d.b.a. Provo Golf Club requires a finally understand what is taking place issued for the arrest of wanted professional Assistant Golfpersons Course Superintendant. with a view to extradition. An Interpol in the Turks and Caicos Islands under direct rule by the Brits.

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The successful applicant must have at least a Class C Membership with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America The candidate should have advanced knowledge of agronomy and (GCSAA).

turf grass management practices, a working knowledge of golf course construction principles and a thorough understandingwith of the rules of The salary range for this position is commensurate experience, the game of golf. training and education. Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by March 30, 2012 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by experience golf Only persons with aOnly minimum of five (5) years fax 649-946-5191. persons selected for an interviewon willa be course with years experiencetoasschedule a secondan assistant will be contacted bytwo email or telephone interview.

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

ONE LABOURER to work 6 days per week – The salary range for this position is commensurate with experience, hours vary. training and education.

Interested applicants should contact Veronica Must be proficient at gardening, yard work, able to at ronnie@habgroup.com or by Rigby via email by March 30, 2012 lift heavy objects. fax 649-946-5191. Only persons selected for an interview will be Contact Management at 941-3321 contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.

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He added: “There needs to be full investigation into the conduct and practices of certain past and present British Advisers, many of whom are involved or were involved in matters that are clear conflicts of interest. The FAC and the FCO needs to investigate the investments of British advisers, the concessions they have received and the deals that they have been cutting. The public also needs to have a breakdown and full disclosure of how the $11million per year is being spent by the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT) including how much they are paying for their luxury beach-front accommodation at the Veranda Hotel which is owned by a wealthy and controversial UK businessman Andre Serruys, who himself was under investigation for corruption in the UK.” Misick said there are so many aspects of the Interim Government that need to be investigated, but there is such a climate of fear and victimization under this direct rule by the Brits, that people are afraid to speak out because they don’t want to be arrested and charged by the SIPT, or lose their jobs or be deprived.

He added: “The Turks and Caicos

MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012

Islands has never has it this bad under the People’s Democratic Movement or the Progressive National Party, but people are afraid to speak out and therefore the region and the world do not know what we are really going through.

But as soon as I, as former Premier, have the courage to speak out against the injustices that is being done to my people and about the arrogance, disrespect and crudeness of this Governor Ric Todd, he wants to launch an attack on me.

Regional leaders, Caribbean people and the rest of the world need to know that what they are accusing us for in the Turks and Caicos Islands is nothing more or different that what happens in each and every Caribbean country where politicians look out for their people and their constituents and implement policies and programmes that are designed to empower their people.”

Misick said the people of the Caribbean and the world must be made aware of the fact that the image which the Brits and the SIPT are trying to portray about the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands is untrue.”

Page 11

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS Page 11

MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012

LOCAL NEWS

Former Director of Tourism Lindsay Musgrove wins unfair dismissal case at Labour Tribunal

BY VIVIAN TYSON SENIOR SUN EDITOR

The Labour Tribunal, on Wednesday, March 21, ruled unfair dismissal in favour of former Tourism Director Lindsey Musgrove, who claimed that he was fired from the Tourist Board in the fall of 2009.

However, a financial judgment was yet to be made in the matter as the Labour Tribunal has given both parties option of addressing the issue of compensation, so as to allow the labour court to make an informed decision on its final ruling.

However, if both sides returned deadlock by the early April date that both parties were given to return, then the court would be forced to make a compensation ruling on its own.

Musgrove, who was being represented by Chal Misick of Chalmers and Co., claimed unfair dismissal with a constructive dismissal subtext. A constructive dismissal clause in the Employment Ordinance allows for an employee to resign on the basis of working condition becoming untenable.

However, the Tourist Board, who was being represented by Yaa McCartney of the Attorney General’s Chambers, said that the former tourism director resigned was not pushed out but left on his own free will.

Musgrove was employed at the Tourist Board in October of 1994, and parted company with the organization in October, 2009. He filed the application in the Labour Tribunal on March 17, 2010, claiming unfair dismissal.

Musgrove claimed that the Tourist Board disregarded his existing contract that both parties entered into, and opened the position for new applications, even while his contract maintained that he was still the legitimate director. Musgrove said he was told that if he wanted the job he should jostle with other applicants.

He instead opted for resigning the job since he was of the opinion that the decision by the Government was a slap in the face, owing to the consideration that was a longstanding director of that body.

In Response, the Tourist Board said that the former tourism director was not dismissed, but rather, tendered his resignation. It said Musgrove

resigned by giving notice in his letter submitted, and was not coerced into making that decision.

There was also some level of anomalies with respect to Musgrove’s salary and the dates which he was employed. In his originating application, Musgrove stated that he was employed on October 13, 1994 and severed ties with the statutory body on October 15, 2009. But according to the Tourist Board, the former director was employed on October 1, 1994 and left October 13, 2009.

Musgrove stated in his originating application that his basic wage was $8,342.78, plus 20 percent gratuity on gross salary and years of service. However, the Tourist Board noted that Musgrove’s basic salary was $6,492.72, plus four percent gratuity, housing allowance of $1,200 and responsibility allowance of $650.

Musgrove was originally the sole director of tourism for some time, but a few years ago his duties were split and he was given responsibility for administration, while Ralph Higgs, who was deputy director, was elevated to Director responsible for Marketing.

But Musgrove argued that that the Ordinance only gave directive for one director at a time.

The Gansevoort Turks & Caicos a Wymara Resort is actively looking to fill the following position:

FOOD & BEVERAGE DIRECTOR The Gansevoort Turks & Caicos, a Wymara Resort, is actively looking to fill the following position:

EXECUTIVE CHEF Duties and Functions: • will train and manage kitchen personnel and supervise/coordinate all related culinary activities • estimate food consumption and requisition or purchase food • select and develop recipes • standardize production recipes to ensure consistent quality • establish presentation technique and quality standards • plan and price menus • ensure proper equipment operation/maintenance • ensure proper safety and sanitation in the kitchen • organize and execute function menus for large scale special events.

The Chef must have the ability to manage in a diverse environment with focus on client and customer services are essential to success in this role. Previous experience with control food and labor cost, demonstration cooking, menu development, and pricing and development of culinary team is essential. Previous Caribbean experience is an asset.

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Salary Range: Negotiable (relative to experience) Interested and qualified candidates please contact Stephen Garland at stephen@stelletc.com

This position is responsible for managing all activities of the Food & Beverage Departments for the organization. The daily operation of vessel’s Beverage Sales Operation including the effective administration, supervision and execution of programs consistent with the company standards and goals of providing excellent service while generating maximum revenue.

Essential duties include but not limited to: • Directs the activities of restaurant service personnel, Bartenders, Beverage Attendants, Host/Hostess.

• Directs and ensures the implementation and execution of corporate policies and procedures.

• Controls, measures and reports Outlet sales performance on a daily basis and takes required corrective action to ensure operations are in accordance with the company standards and objectives.

• Creates new opportunities and maximizes existing ones to generate extra revenue.

• Maximizes profitability by increasing turnover (revenue and covers).

• Ensures that department’s operational budget is strictly adhered to and that all costs are strictly controlled.

• Recommends measures to control/reduce costs.

• Works closely with the Controller and provisioning in regards to inventory taking, cost control, loading, ordering and storing.

• Ensures that all bars are counted after each shift and investigates discrepancies.

Assures correct pouring and ensures proper void handling.

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4-6 years restaurant operational management experience in 4/5 star hotels, restaurants Fluent in English, both verbal and written. A second language is preferred.

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Extensive knowledge of Micros POS and Opera Salary Range: Negotiable (relative to experience) Interested and qualified candidates please contact Stephen Garland at stephen@stelletc.com

Page 12

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

WITH LILLIAN BOYCE

Issue #7 Whenever I sit down and think about the topic for my weekly Stepping Stones column I am beset by the myriad of ideas that come to mind. There are so many things going on in our Turks and Caicos right now: National issues to tackle and personal stories affecting families and communities that I hear every day. Many of these stories and concerns I hear are negative, but we must remember that the purpose of this column is to inspire; to inspire every reader to turn negatives into positives.

My goal is to empower and encourage you; to let you know that no experience in your life is too difficult to overcome; no defeat is permanent and that no failure should overwhelm you.

I have very dear friends from other countries living here in the Turks and Caicos Islands- people of different cultures, creeds and race. These are

persons I have embraced, loved and served. These are individuals who we can learn from and who, equally, can learn from us. So after listening to a few experiences I will share some with you. . I asked a very intelligent young lady this week to share with me what it is like for a foreigner living and working in the Turks and Caicos Islands during an elected government versus the present interim government. This Caribbean native was quite frank, and said that honestly there were few differences between the two periods.

However one difference that she could name was that under the Interim Administration times have gotten harder - for locals and expatriates alike. She said “combined with the general decline in the world economy and the Government’s conservative investment approach, new and raised taxes and fees (with more to come)- a

The Gansevoort Turks & Caicos, a Wymara Resort, is actively looking to fill the following position:

RESTAURANT MANAGER

This position is responsible for managing all activities of the Beach Bar + Grill, beach front and pool food + beverage service areas. The successful candidate would be responsible for the daily operation of these areas including the effective supervision and execution of programs consistent with the needs of the company as communicated by the F & B Director and Resort management.

Essential duties include but not limited to: • Directs the activities of on-floor restaurant service personnel, Bartenders, Beverage Attendants, Host/Hostess • Directs and ensures the implementation and execution of corporate policies and procedures as communicated by General Manager and F & B Director.

• Reports Outlet sales performance on a daily basis and takes required corrective action to ensure operations are in accordance with the company standards and objectives.

• monitors staff performance, disciplining and motivating when necessary • ensures customer satisfaction through application of Outlet and Resort service standards • Proactively attends to, and resolves, customer complaints and grievances.

• Inspects all aspects of the restaurant and bar environment ensuring compliance with standards of cleanliness and order. Directs respective personnel to rectify deficiencies.

Requirements: • A minimum of 1-2 years previous Restaurant Manager experience in a 5 star hotel restaurant or similar fine dining environment • Excellent food and beverage knowledge • Excellent wine knowledge. Formal training through a recognized organization such as WSET is preferred.

• Excellent communication and management skills • Ability to contribute towards and maintain high standards within the restaurant • Must be able to supervise a large staff • Must be able to effectively train floor staff and constantly refine service standards through staff education • Well groomed, friendly and presentable • Energetic and willing to interact with guests • Ability to work under pressure • Proficient with food and beverage cost controls • Must be hard working and dedicated • Strong knowledge of MIcros POS is an asset • Available immediately

Salary Range: $50,000 - $60,000 relative to experience

Interested and qualified candidates please contact Stephen Garland at stephen@stelletc.com

lot of persons have experienced salary cuts and/ job cuts. Usually the first set to go are expats, because of course employers will show preference to Turks and Caicos Islanders.”

She continued, “if positions do become available, Turks and Caicos Islanders would get preference over expats, if only because bosses are looking for ways to reduce expense and locals need no permits (which are set to increase).”

So there we have it, my fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders, a different perspective.

An increasing number of expatriates are leaving the country, and though the motto of “Turks Islanders First” stands proudly and strong, this mass exodus does have its disadvantages. The Turks and Caicos Islands is faced with a rapidly declining population.

Many of us can remember the rapid growth of the Islands a few short years ago. Everyone benefitted. More businesses got their start; there was a booming construction sector, more Turks Islanders became land owners in their own right- building apartments, plazas and office spaces.

Now resources are stretched thin.

Less demand and too much supply has resulted in more apartments standing empty, more offices spaces displaying dusty "For Rent" signs, less patronage for struggling businesses, and a smaller population to impose taxes

MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012

(which means each person pays more).

What can we take away from this?

We are all facing struggles alike. I am hoping that we can all try living together here in the Turks and Caicos Islands complimenting each other as one people who need each other.

Job opportunities are scarce and a few openings occasionally become available. What are Turks and Caicos Islanders doing to position themselves when these jobs become available?

We must use these stories and perspectives as Stepping Stones. We cannot allow ourselves to just be the complainers. Choose to test your talents and use your education to make yourselves the first choice for jobs.

Not because of Labour policies that dictate a preference for Turks and Caicos Islanders, but because you are the best at what you do. And for those of us, who are employed, show up at your jobs, do it to the best of your abilities and take your responsibilities seriously. You are a representative of what a qualified, motivated and driven Turks and Caicos Islander can do.

Side Note: I must commend Mrs. Sheba Wilson for writing such an important article which I am going to encourage you to read, (volume 8 no 11, page 17) of the Turks and Caicos SUN). I am going to also ask you to read the last paragraph of Mr. Royal Robinson’s article in the last week’s SUN Newspaper on page 6.

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012

Page 13

LOCAL NEWS

Police, pawn shops to forge anti-crime alliance

BY VIVIAN TYSON SUN SENIOR EDITOR

BY VIVIAN TYSON SENIOR SUN EDITOR

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is seeking to establish a closer working relationship with pawn shop operators in the TCI in an effort to avert the worrying trend of items which have been stolen from dwellings and businesses on Providenciales ending up at those enterprises.

Commissioner of Police Colin Farquhar, during an interview with The SUN, made the declaration.

A police report earlier this week declared that a construction item which was stolen from a site on Providenciales turned up at a pawn shop.

The police statement read: “Police are searching for a thief who stole a steel saw from a building site in Provo. The tool, which belongs to the Complete Construction Company, went missing from Fortis TCI three months ago and was found on Friday (March 16) for sale at a pawn shop.

Commissioner Farquhar agreed that pawn shops have the ability to be facilitators of crime as well becoming unsuspecting victims. Against that

background, the police declared that as time goes by, he and his charges would be forging an alliance with operators of those establishments to stem the tide of larceny.

“I think it (pawn shops being crime facilitators and victims) is a combination of both; we that all over North America also, and that is where the police have to have a working relationship with them.

Commissioner Farquhar said one of the ways of working with the pawn shops is to ensure that they have a registry of all the items that they take in, so as to make it easy for the police to make a complete scan of their inventory, so as to determine whether or not the items accepted as pawn are indeed legitimate.

“It keeps the pawn shops honest, and it also helps the pawn shops not to unknowingly accept suspicious products from people.

So, I think it is good for both sides; it is just about having a good relationship with the pawn shops. That has always been our intention – to have a good relationship with all the businesses – but especially with the pawn shops, because they can sometimes become the victim also,” Commissioner Farquhar said.

The SUN understands that in a number of cases, items stolen from homes and businesses across Providenciales ended up in the showcases of pawn shops. On a number of occasions, the pawn shop operators said they obtained the items from persons who claimed to be legitimate owners, but only to find out later that the items had been stolen.

A police source told this newspaper that housebreaking masterminds have been using teens and preteens to commit those crimes in exchange for especially drugs; they would then pawn the stolen items, in most cases, unbeknown to the dealers that the goods were stolen.

“This is a growing trend that we have seen emerging in recent times, and some of the teens, when we caught them, are not afraid to say that they have been involved in those forms of activities, because they said they have to get drugs, and most times we are talking about cocaine.

“There are children that we had to make preparations to get them out of the country to attend reform schools in other parts of the Caribbean because they have been caught committing crimes and found to have committed crimes on so many occasions, even after the court placed them on probation,” a crime investigation source said.

Page 14

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012

TURKS CAICOS SUNSUN TURKS&AND CAICOS

MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012 MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012

Page Page1515

LOCAL NEWS

Courtney Robinson fired from TCI Red Cross

BY VIVIAN TYSON SENIOR SUN EDITOR The Turks and Caicos Islands Red Cross has

BY VIVIAN TYSON broken itsSUN silence the termination of cameo SENIORon EDITOR director Courtney Robinson, who was axed a little less than three months after being appointed to run the charity organization’s affairs.

Robinson, in a news release on Thursday, March 22, said that he remained befuddled as to why he was asked to tender his resignation and subsequent termination from the local arm of that international body.

Robinson pointed out that he was asked twice, during separate meetings in February, to tender his resignation, for what he said still remained unambiguous reasons.

“I am indeed disappointed that TCI Red Cross Governance Committee has taken this action.

However, I must note here - that the Chair, Mr. Arthur Forbes, the esteemed Labour Tribunal Judge – has asked for me to submit my resignation on two occasions; one in a private meeting, and the other that was minuted in a Governance Committee meeting on Saturday, February 11th, 2012 (prior to my departure to the United Kingdom on Monday, February 13th 2012). Neither then, nor on the day of my termination, was I informed as to why, I should resign or why I was terminated,” Robinson said in the statement.

Robinson said that his axing, which took place on March 15, occurred two weeks short of

the ending of his probationary He said the Red Cross period, and also after he was committee refused to inter into the agreement for a number of reasons, highly recognized by United Kingdom Red Cross. including the question of how soon it would be able to realize “I entered (the job) with profits from the project, owing to zeal and enthusiasm, with an the consideration that the funds ambitious plan of action – that, that it had in its coffers were to along with working tirelessly prepare itself for events such as the with the various committee upcoming hurricane season. groups of this branch. It was my hope, that with their support Forbes said further that, the we could build a Red Cross that third party later demanded that the Red Cross pay over $1,000, which could potentially be a shining he said the charity organization example of what a branch of the complied with. As a result, he said British Red Cross is to be,” part the committee decided that it would of his press statement read.

But while the Red Cross said be best for the entity and Robinson Courtney Robinson it had always been the policy of to party company amicably, since it would not be in the best interest of that organization to steer clear of controversy, felt the need to address the issue the Red Cross to be embroiled in controversy.

“It was never the intention of the Red Cross out of concern that the general public would get the wrong impression of what led to Robinson’s to be involved in such controversy because we termination. have donors and we do not want them to believe Chairman, Arthur Forbes, told The SUN that that that is the way the organization was being run.

Robinson’s marching orders were stemmed from That was one of the reasons why we decided that a pricey unauthorized fundraising transaction that it would be best for Mr. Robinson and the Red he entered into, leaving the Red Cross to bankroll Cross to go separate ways without any problems,” the deal, even though it was not briefed about the Forbes stated. In the meantime, Robinson insisted transaction during its committee meetings. that his reputation remained intact even after his He said that the third party involved in the short stint as director for the local chapter of the project charged $7,000 to complete the project, organization.“I have left the halls of the TCI Red and asked that 50 percent be paid up front, with the Cross, the same way I entered; with my name, my remainder to be paid on completion of the project. dignity and my integrity (intact),” Robinson said.

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

Executive Chef

Duties and Responsibilities • Demonstrate a participative supervisory style which promotes effective use of subordinates calculating added value profit return against time and resources invested.

• To act in the manner of a business person as if the business was their own.

• To maintain exemplary cleanliness and hygiene standards in all food areas relevant to the kitchen department.

• Meet all company and statutory requirements with regards to food hygiene and employee health & hygiene.

• To remain alert to potential threats to life, safety and security of employees and guests, with particular emphasis being placed on fire prevention, training / awareness, evacuation and emergency procedures.

• To solve all complaints satisfactorily and to exceed customer expectations at all times.

• To show a positive attitude at all times and promote mutual respect within the Kitchen and through all departments.

• To ensure budgeted food costs are met by structured, conservative buying and produce utilization.

• To keep up to date records for compliance with health & safety regulations.

• To assist the F&B Director to monitor department’s performance against budget and GSTS, communicating feedback and providing appropriate support/action where necessary.

• Help to maintain appropriate levels of staffing, according to business levels and help to ensure staffs are motivated to deliver consistently high levels of guest service.

• To help in maintaining discipline within the department with standards implemented by the company.

• To maintain your personal equipment used to fulfill your job i.e. knives, shoes to the required standard.

• To be responsible for the day to day running of the kitchen.

• To assist the F&B Director in the maintaining of food cost percentage through control in wastage, purchasing, storing, portion control.

• To assist the F&B Director in implementing and carrying out the departmental training needs.

• To check mis en place is ready and is to the required standard for service.

• To support colleagues at all times to ensure team work is maintained and discipline.

• On a daily basis check with the function sheets and liaise with the F&B Director to the duties needed to be carried out that day.

• To be responsible for the writing of menus in the F&B Director’s absence.

• To be aware of Grace Bay Club and departmental objectives and to assist in achieving them.

• To comply with and act in accordance with all Company fire regulations and to adhere to the Company’s fire policy.

• To act in accordance with all Health & Safety and Hygiene regulations and to adhere to the Company’s Health &Safety policy.

• To attend all statutory training as & when requested.

• This JOB DESCRIPTION is not exhaustive; therefore the job holder may be required, from time to time, to carry out tasks as & when requested by Management.

Job Requirements • Minimum 5 years experience as Executive Chef.

• Extensive knowledge of International food including Asian, Indian as well as Mediterranean.

• Qualified first aid trainer.

Qualified Belongers need only apply.

Salary Range: Commensurate based on qualification and experience Interested persons can contact our Human Resources Department no later than March 23, 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

Page 16 16 Page

LOCAL LOCAL NEWS NEWS

NOTICE OF SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION Scotiabank (Turks & Caicos) Ltd. of Cherokee Road, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands hereby gives notice of its intention to sell by Public Auction the following properties pursuant to its power of sale as registered Chargee under the Registered Land Ordinance of the Turks and Caicos Islands: 1. Parcel 60907/229/K9, Leeward Going Through, Providenciales. Comprising of a two bedroom townhouse at the Provo Golf Club with kitchen and dinning area, 2 full bathrooms. The property benefits from view of the first tee and comes with half price golf membership and access to a pool which is shared between 9 units.

Registered Proprietor: Simon Richard Padgett 2. Parcel 60503/57, Blue Hills & Stamers Run, Providenciales. The subject property provides a range of residential buildings positioned on a prominent site fronting the Blue Hills coastal Road. There is a large single storey retail store in front to f the property. Altogether the property provides a total of 33 rooms; seven living rooms, one dining room, seven kitchen, seven full baths, one part, bedrooms and 1family room.

Registered Proprietor: James Calvin Williams 3. Parcel 60900/194, Leeward Going Through, Providenciales. The subject 0.65 acres development is comprised of two buildings. There’s a main twostorey residence providing a three bedroom, two bathroom house and three rental units. The adjoining semi-detached structure provides three apartment units each comprising of bedroom, bathroom, open plan Kitchen/dining/living area.

Registered Proprietor: Usril Alexander Morris 4. Parcel 60900/123, Leeward Going Through, Providenciales. The subject property is comprised of a main residential development and a guest house.

The main building provides 3 bedrooms, 2 full bath, living room and kitchen.

There is a deck and hot tub in the garden at the rear of the property.

Registered Proprietor: Carmen Rochelle Brown 5. Parcel 60609/68, Norway and Five Cays, Providenciales. Comprising of a partially completed two storey residential development. The property provides the following completed works; foundations, water cistern under building, internal block walls, internal concrete stair 95% completed , plumbing roughins, electrical first fix, formwork and rebar to upper floor ring beam, superstructure walls, concrete slabs to balconies and upper floor slab.

Registered Proprietors: Sean Gerald Rodgers and Nyoshi Natasha Rodgers 6. Parcel 60503/83, Blue Hills & Stamers Run, Providenciales. Comprising of a two-storey apartment building. The lower floor provides 3 (three) apartments each consisting of one bedroom, bathroom and an open plan living/dining room.

The upper floor provides a 3 (three) bedroom apartment comprising of open plan Living/dining room, kitchen, Master bedroom (with ensuite and walk in closet) Two bedrooms, and external patio.

Registered Proprietor: Georgia Rosemarie Williams 7. Parcel 10507/35/K8 South Suburbs Grand Turk, comprising of a one bedroom condominium unit at the White Sands Resort.

Registered proprietor: Wilfred Rattery Jr The auction will be held at the offices of Scotiabank (Turks and Caicos) Limited, Grace Bay Branch, Providenciales at 10 o’clock in the morning on Friday the 30th day of March 2012.

A reserve price will be fixed on all parcels. A deposit of 10% is due immediately upon all accepted bids.

Terms and Conditions of Sale by Auction are available by request from Scotiabank Collections Manager (649) 946-4750.

MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012 TURKS & CAICOS SUN TURKS AND CAICOS SUN MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012

Businessmen say Valued Added Tax (VAT) will be a nightmare An economic disaster is how many business persons feel will come upon the Turks and Caicos Islands if government goes through with the implementation of the Value Added Tax (VAT), which it aims to implement by April 1, 2013, as a means of eliminating distortions and providing a steady source of revenue for TCIG. In selling the VAT to the public, Government pointed out that such tax system would impose a single rate on domestic and imported goods and services with few exceptions and should also improve competitiveness.

TCIG said the implementation of the taxi would also lower capital investments as well as investment cost for many businesses, while creating a fiscal boost aimed at easing the country’s fiscal woes.

The government indicated, in its 2011/2012 estimates of expenditure, that, the Vat could raise in excess of $190 million between 2013 and 2014, which it said, with cuts in expenditure, could place the TCI on the road to financial sustainability, thereby allowing it to begin its debt repayment and build reserves for future investment, while protecting the country’s finance against external shocks.

That view, however, was not shared by a number of business persons across the Turks and Caicos Islands, who believed that such a tax system could spell doom for their business, since ultimately the cost would be passed on to the poorest among us, who represent the majority of persons.

“Given the economic model that we have in the Turks and Caicos, the implementation of that (tax) could spell ruination of the Turks and Caicos economy, you can trust me on that. We don’t have the size economy; and we don’t have the sophistication.

“There are more negatives, and especially in this climate, one of the fundamental impacts that this is going to have is increased inflation. Prices are going to go up, because the persons who pay this tax are the end users; and the end users represent the majority of the population, which are the poor people. So, it is going to be an economic disaster,” one businessman asserted.

Pointing to other parts of the Caribbean where it said VAT was successful, including Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, the Dominican Republic, Belize and Grenada, the Government stressed that such a tax would be successful here, since the local economy was similar to those neighbouring countries, which are, for the most part, is tourism based.

But another local business operator asserted that the VAT was not as successful in many of those countries as many were making it out to be, based on the countless reviews of the system, which often times resulted in increased taxations, because more times than not, it was not meeting government’s projections.

“One of the bigger concerns about this tax is the administration of it. So, what they are going to need in terms of personnel and the cost to police and to administer this (tax), is going to be so much, because, even with the simple taxation system that we have here, where the collection is so poor, how do they expect to be more successful with VAT?” the businessman queried.

Another business operator with whom The SUN spoke, suggested that government embark on a VAT pilot project, using some of the bigger businesses that already had structured accounting systems, to test its viability.

“If you have to implement it because it represents some kind of a mandate by the FCO or DFID, or whatever, my suggestion would be to pick three companies (such as) IGA and Beaches – three big companies that already have their accounting structures in place - and use them, and gradually do a test-run with the tax system, to see how it works.

“But to say that you are going to unleash this on a population such as ours that has no sophistication, it could spell disaster,” the operator said.

The businessman argued the viability of VAT if it would be introduced at a lower rate than that of its Caribbean counterparts, since the taxes and charges already implemented did not yield the desired results for the government.

“What it means is that, if inflation increases, more people are going to be laid off, more businesses are going to cut jobs, and it would eventually destroy the economy. And again, if they manage to successfully implement this (tax system), you (businesses) would have to produce books and financials; it’s in an invasion of your financial affairs. And nothing will prevent the government, three years from now, from introducing corporate tax. It is not going to work; it is an administrative nightmare,” the businessman argued.

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

Page 17

MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012

Interim Govovernment wants to demolish PNP Headquarters The British-appointed Interim Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands has filed documents in the High Court here, seeking to “pull down and destroy” the headquarters of the Progressive National Party (PNP) in addition to the repayment of nearly half-million dollars which the state says the party owes for illegally constructing the building on Crown land.

The announcement of the demolition of the PNO headquarters was contained in a Government press release which was issued Tuesday March 20th, a day after the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT) said it had secured an international arrest warrant through INTERPOL for former Premier and exPNP leader Michael Misick, who has since revealed that he has sought political asylum in an undisclosed country because of “political persecution” by the United Kingdom, Governor Ric Todd, the Interim Government and British Special Prosecutor Helen Garlick and her investigators.

The Government release stated that on March 13th 2012, the Turks & Caicos Islands Government served civil proceedings on the Progressive National Party seeking the recovery of the land upon which the PNP Headquarters is constructed, together with damages. The claim arises from the PNP's trespass following its construction of the PNP headquarters on Airport Road, Providenciales on Crown land to which it had, and has no

title, the government said.

According to the press statement, after construction of its headquarters in 2005 to 2006, the PNP subsequently appointed a management agent, Provident Management Services Ltd to manage the property.

The Interim Government is claiming that during the last administration, Provident sub-leased six offices in the headquarters to the six PNP MPs who were based on Providenciales for a total of $465,083.61 over approximately three years, which was paid by the Government at that time. The SUN was able to confirm that the six PNPs who were based on Providenciales took a decision that was approved by Cabinet and the then Governor, that they would pay the allowances to which they were legally entitled for rental of constituency offices to assist in paying the mortgage for the PNP headquarters which was a centralised location, instead of paying the money for rent elsewhere.

However, the Interim Government is seeking the return of that sum, to which they claim Provident was not entitled together with other damages.

According to the press release, Government is also seeking a number of remedies for the trespass, including: damages for the PNP's trespass on the land, based on a reasonable annual rent until possession of the land is returned to the Crown; the repayment of the $465,083.61; an order that the headquarters are pulled down and destroyed; damages for returning the

HAB MANAGEMENT LTD

WAITRESS

land to its former state; and interest and costs Attorney General Huw Shepheard commented: "When the current administration first became aware last year that the PNP's headquarters had been built on Crown Land to which the PNP had no title, my Chambers wrote to the PNP setting out the claim that the Government had. It had been our hope that matters could be settled amicably without the need for proceedings.

Unfortunately, discussions with the PNP have not been successful. In those circumstances, the Government has been left with no choice but to bring these proceedings for trespass and damages to recover this plot of Crown land and what is properly owed to the Government".

The Statement of Claim, which was filed in the High Court on January 13, 2012, stated that on 30 November 2004, Leroy Charles, the Director of Lands and Surveys prepared a memorandum that concluded that a previous lease over the land, held by Mr. DeOwen Higgs, had expired on 28 November 2004 and that Mr Higgs had failed to construct any development and was no longer in occupation of the land.

Mr Charles advised that the land comprised 0.75 of an acre and had an open market valuation of $50,000. It could be leased to the PNP at $1250 per annum and would incur a discounted freehold purchase price of $25,000.

Mr Charles concluded that the land could be leased to the Defendant for the construction of its headquarters once the lease to Mr. Higgs was cancelled.

LOCAL NEWS On 22 March 2006, Williams Drafting , on behalf of the Defendant, applied for Development Permission over the l and. According to the AG’s court papers, at Part 3(i) of the application, the PNP mis-represented that it was the owner of the land. The application was approved by the Physical Planning Board on 23 March 2006 on the basis of this misrepresentation, an on or about 23 March 2006, the PNP wrongly entered the land and as an act of trespass commenced construction of the headquarters.

On 9 June 2006, the Department of Planning received an application for temporary electrical connection during theconstruction of the Headquarters on the land and on July1, 2007, the PNP agreed six Commercial Leases for the rent of constituency office space in the headquarters, Each lease was agreed for the term of 1 July 2007 until 1 July 2010 at rent of $2,350 per month (totaling$28,200 per annum for each lease) as well as a security deposit of $2,000 to be paid by TCIG under each lease.

Ruth Blackman, Clerk of the House of Assembly, executed the leases for TCIG on behalf of the following Members of Parliament: Hon. Karen Delancey, MP for the Bight; Hon. Wayne Garland, MP for Richmond Hills; Hon. Gregory Lightboume, MP for Blue Hills; Hon. Amanda Misick, MP for Cheshire Hall; Hon. Lillian Boyce, MP for Five Cays and Hon, Galmo Williams, MP for Long Bay. The PNP was the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands from 2003 to August 2009, when the United Kingdom imposed direct rule, suspended parts of the Constitution including ministerial posts, the House of Assembly and the automatic right to trial by jury.

HAB Management Limited is seeking a suitably qualified individual to fill the following opening:

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

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

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

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

Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by April 10, 2012 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Only candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.

JOB TITLE:

Technical Manager

TECHNICAL MANAGER

Primary objective of the job: • Manage the overall operation of the Network Switching, IP Transmission, RF ensuring a high quality of service for the Digicel network.

• Oversee capacity planning for the various nodes within the Digicel network.

• Oversee budget Et spend for the various nodes ET operation of above responsibilities.

• Good knowledge of AXE for GSM/BSC/HLR/SCP. • Good knowledge of GSM voice and DATA roaming • Good knowledge of Charging system and VAS platforms.

Main Duties and responsibilities: Manage all Network Core Elements (MSC, BSC, HLR, SDP, Airserv, CCN 1-Gate Atram, ITP & VSTA and Power unit) Academic qualifications and experience required for job: Degree/diploma in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Science or similar.

15 years’ experience in the Telecommunication industry.

3 years’ experience in Management Role.

Functional Skills: • Ericsson AXE training • Veraz Training • Generic Telecommunication Training.

• Working knowledge of GSM & CDMA • Understanding IN platforms.

• Knowledge of GPRS and EDGE within the GSM network • Working knowledge of SMS, MMS and VMS • Billing function • Mediation International access • Roaming voice and Data • STP SCCP • Good trouble shooting and problem analysis skills.

• Good communication skill • SDP and PDH transmissions systems0

Page 18

LOCAL NEWS

MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

A citizen is a citizen

those persons who have obtained citizenship because we will need those very same persons to stand and were am I not a citizen because fight with us against the injustices

BY SHEBA WILSON my navel string is not buried here? that we face in this country.

SUN CONTRIBUTOR Am I not entitled to the rights and We will need them to share in privileges that each Turks and Caicos our vision for this country and to do Islander is entitled to? what is necessary to attain that vision.

We are at a time in our Country’s We need to seriously evaluate our We cannot marginalize them when history when there is much thinking in this country. As a matter we feel like and then ask for their uncertainty and many of us will no of fact, many of our children are support when it is convenient to us. doubt consider migrating to other American citizens, how would we feel If we have issues with the laws countries for better opportunities. if they were the ones being treated or policies regarding public office In fact we are all too familiar the way we are treating persons who / officials then we need to speak with migration to another’s country have obtained citizenship in our intelligently about those issues and for personal development and country? make recommendations for changes opportunities as we in the past we We cannot grow if we continue to be made. have witnessed many indigenous Sheba Wilson to segregate and tear apart our own Tearing down an individual is Turks and Caicos Islanders leave home in search of better lives in the Wesley and his siblings very well as I citizens whether they are citizens not the solution and it is immature United States and in the Bahamas, am a product of South Caicos where by birth, descendents or application. and unnecessary. Do not think for a his parents migrated many years ago. A citizen is a citizen; there is no minute that I do not have any issues particularly Grand Bahama.

In fact, I served as head girl along separation of citizenship based on with the laws regarding the issuance One might ask where I’m going of citizenship in this country. I do with this, well I am trying to educate with his younger brother Mikey the how it was obtained. head boy of the Majorie Basden High We cannot develop this country and I made my recommendations for and in some cases remind us that School graduating class of 1996.

The and become a nation with our small changes as I encouraged every Turks many of our people are citizens in minded thinking.

We have become Clerveauxs know no other home, and Caicos Islander to. I would really another country. I am reminding us they grew up with us, they went to so accustomed to this sense of like to know how many of us actually of this fact because with all that we entitlement that we have become anti school with us, and then they went took the time to think about the are faced with today, we still seek to away and furthered their education foreign even to the point of castrating issues and make recommendations. segregate and to tear apart persons who have gained citizenship in our and returned to us to make valuable those who we have given the right to My guess is very few, the real issue contributions to the only home they the same entitlements we have. in our country is we love to bicker country.

Can you see how this is and complain but ask us for solutions I sat in disbelief as I listened to know.

How could anyone dispute their nonsensical?

It is like giving a man and we have none. the popular talk show Expressions a business license for a category of citizenship and their right to apply We spend all our time about two weeks ago as callers spoke for and obtain jobs for which they business and then saying, you cannot complaining instead of thinking. Let about Mr. Wesley Clerveaux and are qualified in this their home, their operate that category of business us become a reading and thinking their disagreement with him being country of citizenship? because you do not have the right public instead of a country full promoted to Permanent Secretary Many of us were not born here, to do so.

If we had any sense of of sideline complainers with no because he is not an indigenous Turks and Caicos Islander. I know I was not born here but my parents forward thinking, we would embrace solutions to offer.

STANDFORD PIERRE is seeking a

1 DOMESTIC WORKER Interested applicant please call: 649-242-4805 ALBERT HIGGS Needed

1 LABOURER Salary $5.00 per hour Contact 243-7785 COUGAR HOLDINGS LTD Requires

1 LABOURER Immediate start $6 per hour Please call 946-5701 to arrange interview

Willy’s Barbershop Morris Plaza 345 7832

2 Barbers Needed Salary $5 per hour

TURKS&AND CAICOS TURKS CAICOS SUNSUN

Page 19 Page 19

LOCAL NEWS NEWS LOCAL

MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012 MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012

TCIs Fashion Designer Kazz Forbes presents at Clement Howell High School Career Day Sessions

Turks and Caicos Islands own international designer and photographer, Kazz Forbes of Saint George Fashion House (SGFH), has once again been instrumental in empowering, educating and inspiring the youths of the TCI. Forbes, who recently facilitated an eight-week after school fashion club program at the Edward C. Gartland Youth Center, spoke to nearly three hundred third grade students of the Clement Howell High School on the topics of 'What is Fashion Design?' and 'Fashion Careers'.

Under the theme: “Dream.

Explore. Discover: Your Path to the Future”, the school’s Career Day sensitizes the various career opportunities existing in the Turks and Caicos Islands and the wider Caribbean.

The objective of this annual exercise is to assist students in making informed and important career choices. In an effort to achieve these goals, personnel from various sectors are invited to make presentations about career

opportunities in their field.

Mr. Forbes says, “It was indeed an honor and a privilege to speak to the students, providing knowledge on what is fashion and careers in fashion and encouraging them to set goals and to follow their dreams, at such an early and important time of their lives”.

“It took about six minutes to get the students settled as they were screaming and cheering me on Kazz Forbes of Saint George Fashion House getting questions whilst delivering his speech at Clement Howell High School as I made my way to the podium to speak.

That spirit displayed immediately photographer and fashion designer Royele Model Management, to name motivated me to continue following based in Providenciales, Turks but a few. His work has appeared in my dreams and is indeed a signal of and Caicos Islands. Forbes has countless publications, broadcast, excitement and eagerness within that completed campaigns and projects print and digital media.

Saint George Fashion House body of students to endeavor to be a for Digicel TCI, TCI Top Model Contest & Fashion Extravaganza, (SGFH)

by Kazz Forbes - a high-end success”.

Mr. Kazz Forbes is a Alicia Shulman Jewel New York, fashion clothing label established noted fashion and commercial VH1 Save The Music Foundation, 2010 and based in the 'Beautiful by Jockey, Miss Earth Canada Nature' Turks and Caicos Islands.

Organization, MTV UK, Bahamas As Principal Designer, Forbes Islands of the World Fashion Week, endeavored to establish a Turks Mrs. Bahamas Pageant, Miss Turks and Caicos Islands first, a designer & Caicos Universe, Mrs. Turks & clothing brand for the discerning Caicos Pageant, Montreal Mode fashion conscious clientele from & Fashion Festival, Nu Woman his country's ‘Beautiful by Nature’ Magazine, Profile 98 Magazine and shores to the international market.

PRELIMINARY NOTICE OF AUCTION SALES

Charles Annuela

FirstCaribbean International Bank (Bahamas) Ltd, as Chargee, pursuant to section 72 of the Registered Land Ordinance, hereby gives notice that it will cause to be sold by Public Auction the scheduled property outside of its offices at 1271 Leeward Highway, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands at 9:30 am on Thursday, April 05th 2012.

1. Gecko House, Turtle Tail, Providenciales – title number 61004/5 Juba Salina, Providenciales. Residential property comprising 0.60 acres located on iron shore with spectacular panoramic ocean view property. Property comprises (i) a detached single-storey dwelling house with open plan living and dining area, kitchen, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, utility room and (ii) a detached two-storey building comprising a garage, a studio unit, office and upper level studio apartment with bedroom (good for rental), large living area, kitchen and bathroom. Total gross floor area of the two buildings is approximately 4,930 square feet.

Seeks

1 Domestic Worker Salary $5.00 per hour Contact 347-3638 Sheik N Sassy Hair & Nails Studio Seeks

Glenny’s Mini Market Needed

For more information please contact Mr. Corey Clarke, CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank, Head Office, Bridgetown, Barbados (Tel: 246 467 1654/email: corey.clarke@cibcfcib.com) or MCKNIGHTS International Law Firm, Attorneys at Law, 46 Salt Mills Plaza, Grace Bay, Providenciales (Telephone 649-941-2330/Fax 649-9412331/email: admin@mcknights.tc).

1 Domestic Worker

To work 6 days per week Salary $5.00 per hour Contact 342-1777

1 Hairdresser

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

English Paper 2

Choose ONE of the following topics A-D and write a composition of approximately 100-150 words in about three paragraphs. Marks will be awarded for content, punctuation, correct grammar usage, expression and spelling. Be sure to read over your work carefully.

1. Your parents are undecided as to whether or not you should have a cellular phone. However, you think you are responsible enough to have one.

A. Write a composition explaining the reasons why you should have a cellular phone.

B. Write an essay on the topic “lllegal immigration is a major problem in the Turks & Caicos”.

C. Imagine you are a reporter on the scene of an accident. You have to write for your newspaper. What are the facts? You should say WHO was involved and explain WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY and HOW it happened.

Choose ONE of the following topics A-D and write a composition of approximately 100-150 words in about three paragraphs. Marks will be awarded for content, punctuation, correct grammar usage, expression and spelling. Be sure to read over your work carefully.

1. The Governor H.E Rick Todd donated fifteen (15) computers to your school. Write a letter to the Governor to: (a) thank him for the donation (b) explain the various ways in which the gift will contribute to your education and the education of other students at your school.

2. As part of a new technology initiative, your school is increasing the number of computers in every school. The district plan provides for two computers in every classroom. Teachers at your school are lobbying instead to place all the computers together, creating two computer-based classrooms so that all students in a class can work at the computers together, rather than only one or two students at a time. The school is worried about the additional cost of creating and maintaining these special classrooms and is concerned about how access to the classrooms can be provided fairly and efficiently. (a) What is your position on this issue? (b) Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper stating your point of view and supporting it with three convincing reasons.

3. Your garbage has not been collected for the past three (3) weeks and because of this you are experiencing unhealthy conditions.

Write a letter to the Minister of Health (a) Explain the kinds of problems you are experiencing (b) State what you believe will happen if the problem is not solved and ask for her assistance.

4. Write a letter to the Principal of your school to (a) highlight some of the things you dislike about your school and (b) state what changes can be made to benefit the students’ who you will be leaving behind after you have moved on to high school.

5. The local school committee is seeking ideas to improve your school. These ideas will be discussed during meetings with students, teachers, parents, administrators, and other interested parties. The changes proposed by students will be seriously considered since students are the reason for the schools existence. (a) Choose one change that might improve your school for all students. Write a persuasive essay explaining why your suggested change is an improvement. (b) Give at least three reasons to support your suggestion.

6. Write an essay stating whether or not the students at your school should be required to wear uniforms to school. Give at least three reasons to support your position. Remember, you must argue in such a convincing manner that others will agree with you.

7. Your parents are thinking of moving away to another island. You do not like the idea. (a) Write a letter giving at least four (4) reasons why you do not wish to leave your present home.

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LOCAL NEWS

Women of Wine Turks and Caicos Islands launched On March 15th was the event that officially launched WOW tci...

(Women of Wine, Turks and Caicos Islands). This lunch event was inspired by a previous Ladies Lunch that happened last year. The intention of WOW is to gather women in a relaxed and fun environment in order to explore and expand their knowledge of wine.

The soirĂŠe of 46 women took place at Fairways Steakhouse on Providenciales. WOW was completely wowed by chef, Lauren Redstone, who prepared an amazing bouquet of French food, that ranged from aperitifs to amazing salmon and filet of beef.

The French wine came from the Cote du Rhone region, and was donated from The Wine Cellar. To further highlight this gathering was special guest, Lori Mazziotta Gardet, a former resident of TCI who now lives in France and is the owner of a "ChefsDomicile"; a special catering service.

This function was wildly received, as it sold out in three days...

WOW is now anxiously awaiting the next one....

A few of the guests pose for a photo

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LOCAL NEWS

MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012

Fortis Inc. hosts evening reception Fortis Inc. Board of Directors visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands met with several business and Government representatives during their most recent stay while at a reception held at the Grace Bay Club. H.E. Governor Damian Ric Todd was in attendance along with TCIG Officials, various business partners and community members. Fortis Inc. who purchased what is now FortisTCI in 2006 has made substantial investments in the Turks and Caicos Islands and continues to advance the Utility industry throughout the country. The Board of Directors took the opportunity to interact with invited guests sharing their interest in the ever evolving beautiful by nature, Turks and Caicos Islands.

H. Stanley Marshall, President and CEO, Fortis Inc. and Doreen Stubbs, Turks and Caicos Human Rights Commissioner

Fortis Inc. Chairman of the Board David Norris and his wife Judy Norris with Frank Crothers, Fortis Inc. Director

Fortis Inc. Director Douglas Haughey and wife enjoy the evening with Cecil Arnold, Managing Director ScotiaBank Turks and Caicos Ltd.

Fortis Inc. Director Ida Goodreau with General Manager of International Banking Group (TCI) Ltd. Kenwyn Bovell

Fortis Inc. CEO H. Stanley Marshall and Twa Marcelin Wolf Partners

FortisTCI President and CEO Eddinton Powell and RTCPF Deputy Commissioner Brad Sullivan and Mrs. Sullivan

H.E. Governor Damian ‘Ric’ Todd

Fortis Inc. Board Member Harry McWatters and Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer Barry Perry

Fortis Inc. Director Roy Rideout alongside FortisTCI V.P. of Production & Engineering Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Jackson

Invited guest Josephine Connolly

FortisTCI Manager, Customer Service and V.P. of Customer & Corporate Service greet Yvette Marcelin, Twa Marcelin Wolf Partner

FortisTCI staff members Judy Missick, Director H.R. and Aisha LaPorte Director of Customer Service

Invited guest Keno Forbes with Director of T&D Operations, FortisTCI

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LOCAL NEWS

Fortis Inc. hosts evening reception

FortisTCI team members Talisha Simons, Corporate Communications Officer, Allan Robinson, V.P. Customer & Corporate Services an Daphne Penn, Manager Customer Service

Frank Crothers, Fortis Inc. Director

President and CEO, Fortis Inc. H. Stanley Marshall

FortisTCI

Mr. Sandy and Mrs. Fay Lightbourne

Directors, Fortis Inc. John & Debbie McCallum with Roy Rideout

H.E. Governor Damian Ric Todd engages in conversation with Fortis Inc. Director Michael Pavey and other Fortis Inc. guest visiting the TCI

V.P. of Customer & Corporate Services for FortisTCI Allan Robinson welcomes Ruth Forbes V.P. Finance & CFO FortisTCI and her husband Keno Forbes

TCIG CFO, Hugh McGarel-Groves, FortisTCI President & CEO Eddinton Powell and RTCPF Commissioner of Police Colin Farquhar

Sonia K. Williams, FortisTCI Executive Administrative Assistant

Sounds by Janardo Laporte

Price Water House Coopers Ltd. Partner Nick Haywood and CEO of Airport Authority John Smith

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

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MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012

LOCAL NEWS

Fortis Inc. hosts welcoming reception for TCI stakeholders

FortisTCI team members Talisha Simons, Corporate Communications Officer, Allan Robinson, V.P. Customer & Corporate Services an Daphne Penn, Manager Customer Service

Frank Crothers, Chairman & CEO, Island Corporate Holdings Nassau, Bahamas Speaks with Fortis Inc. Chairman of the Board

President and CEO, Fortis Inc. H. Stanley Marshall

FortisTCI

Corporate Directors, Fortis Inc. John & Debbie McCallum with Roy Rideout

L-R: Nick Haywood, Partner at Price Water House Coopers Ltd.; Guy Chapman, of Savory & Co. and Hugh McGarel-Groves, TCIG CFO

H.E. Governor Damian Ric Todd engages in conversation with Fortis Inc. Corporate Director Michael Pavey and other Fortis Inc. guest visiting the TCI

V.P. of Customer & Corporate Services for FortisTCI Allan Robinson welcomes Ruth Forbes V.P. Finance & CFO FortisTCI and her husband Keno Forbes

TCIG CFO, Hugh McGarel-Groves, FortisTCI President & CEO Eddinton Powell and RTCPF Commissioner of Police Colin Farquhar

RTCPF Deputy Comissioner Mr. and Mrs. Brad Sullivan and FortisTCI President & CEO Eddinton Powell

Sounds by Janardo Laporte

Price Water House Coopers Ltd. Partner Nick Haywood and CEO of Airport Authority John Smith

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MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012

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LOCAL NEWS

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LOCAL NEWS

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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LOCAL NEWS

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s down The sun goe e out m The sun goes down The stars co unts o c The stars come out And all that w The sun goes down o n And all that counts Is here and ill never be the same The stars come ou w t Is here and now My universe me And all that counts a c My universe will never be the same I'm glad you me Is here and now ca u o y d I'm glad you came I'm gla My universe will ne ver be the same on me I'm glad you came n me, spell e o m ll e n p o s ll a fe t , You cast a spell on me, spell on me s You ca ll on me I'm glad you came e the sky fe ell on You hit me like the sky fell on me, fell on me You hit me lik you look well on me, w d And I decided you look well on me, well on And I decide I'm glad you came me So let's go somewhere no-one else can see, e else can n -o me o So n you glad you came re e h omew So let's go s and me I'm glad you came d me see, you an I'm glad you came Turn the lights out now ts out now Now I'll take you by the hand Turn the ligh u by the hand The sun goes down yo Hand you another drink Now I'll take Th k e stars come out nother drin Drink it if you can Hand you a An d all that counts u can Can you spend a little time, , Drink it if yo e m Is ti he e re and now tl lit a nd Time is slipping away, Can you spe g away, M y un iverse will never be in the same Away from us so stay, Time is slipp so stay, I'm gl ad yo u ca m s e u m Stay with me I can make, Away fro e, I'm glad you came e I can mak Make you glad you came Stay with m e m a c u lad yo Make you g

men and women. Do men not realize this makes no sense? If you can't answer this, maybe your male readers can. -- NO FAN OF PORN

Men and Women choose different sides during porn discussion DEAR ABBY: At a recent dinner party the men and women got into a heated debate about porn. The men said men love porn because it shows women enjoying sex with abandon. We women protested that women who behave this way in real life are labeled "sluts" by both

DEAR NO FAN: Not being an expert on the subject of pornography or why men enjoy it, I posed your question to a recognized expert -Larry Flynt. His answer is different than the one given by the men at the dinner party. He said that men love porn because men are aroused by the visual. Then he added that women are more turned on by the written word, which is why torrid romance novels are so popular.

P.S. Women who enjoy sex with abandon are not necessarily "sluts."

Many of them have high morals, are very happily married, and find it stimulating to watch porn with their husbands.

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

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ENTERTAINMENT

Oprah Winfrey’s cable network facing big losses Oprah Winfrey might be calling on Dr. Phil to help her get through this dose of bad press.

Days after Winfrey revealed 30 people were laid off from her struggling cable network, the numbers crunchers at the a financial analyst firm SNL Kagan say the network could lose $142.9 million this year.

If that’s not an “Ah-ha” moment, nothing is.

Winfrey’s OWN is a partnership with Discovery Communications.

Last week the network canceled Rosie O’Donnell’s talk show long before the end of O’Donnell’s two-year deal. The numbers from SNL Kagan suggest OWN had paid $15 million out of what was to be a $40 million contract.

“It is difficult to make tough business decisions that affect people’s lives,” Winfrey said after the layoffs,

“but the economics of a startup cable network just don’t work with the cost structure that was in place.”

Winfrey said her role as CEO is to chart the network’s long-term success, and layoffs were a “necessary next step.”

The SNL Kagan report also suggests more drastic measures may be ahead.

“OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network’s staff reduction and the cancellation of ‘The Rosie Show’ are clear signs the network is struggling,” SNL Kagan analyst Derek Baine wrote. “Reining in costs will only do so much to keep Discovery Communications from pulling the plug on the network if ratings continue to remain low.”

Not so fast, says David Leavy, a spokesman for Discovery.

“The report is riddled with inaccuracies and bad information,”

Leavy said in a statement. “The venture is on more solid ground with more business momentum than ever before.

Last Sunday, OWN was the number one cable network for women and people at 10 p.m. We remain confident in the future of OWN and the long-term value we are building.”

Through last December, Discovery had invested $312 million into the channel, according to the report.

Baine’s predictions come as the network faces an onslaught of negative attention following the changes.

OWN launched 15 months ago with high expectations that Winfrey’s daytime dominance — and the theme of goodwill she brings to everything — would translate to a 24-hour cable network.

So far that hasn’t happened, and ratings have been weak at best. The only thing that has really worked is

Madonna vows to defy antigay law on Russian tour U.S. pop singer Madonna has promised "propaganda" that could "damage the to defy a recent law against homosexual health, moral and spiritual development of "propaganda" in Vladimir Putin's the underaged", defined as those under the hometown of St. Petersburg on her age of 18. upcoming tour through Russia this The law has caused concerns among summer. the gay community that it could be used Calling the legislation, which to clamp down on Russia's rare public imposes fines for promoting displays of homosexuality, such as gay homosexuality among minors, a parades. "ridiculous atrocity" on her Facebook Gay rights activists in Moscow and page, she said she would address the St. Petersburg, have scheduled two issue during her show.

"Slavic gay parades" during Madonna's "I will come to St Petersburg to tour according to the lesbian, gay, bisexual speak up for the gay community, to and transgender website GayRussia.eu.

Madonna support the gay community," she said.

Numerous attempts to hold gay Her Russian tour begins in August, protests in Moscow, ruled illegal by the months after the Moscow opening of her private gym authorities, have ended in multiple arrests and clashes named after the artist's 2008 album "Hard Candy". with ultra-Orthodox believers who say homosexuals Homosexuality, punished with jail terms in the should be punished or treated in hospital for "illness".

Soviet Union, was only decriminalized in Russia in In 2010 the European Court of Human Rights fined 1993, but much of the homosexual community remains Russia for banning homosexual parades in Moscow, in largely underground as anti-gay prejudice runs deep. what gay rights activists described as a historic victory.

The legislation was signed into law in March by St. Madonna sparked protests by Russian Orthodox Petersburg mayor and Putin-ally Georgy Poltavchenko. church activists on a visit to Moscow in 2006, when she It imposes a fine of up to 500,000 roubles ($17,100) sang "Live to Tell" on a crucifix while wearing a crown for spreading what the bill calls homosexual of thorns.

Robert De Niro apologizes for "white first lady" joke

Robert De Niro

Actor Robert De Niro on Wednesday apologized for joking at a Democratic fundraiser with Michelle Obama about the possibility of having a "white first lady" at the White House after November's presidential elections.

The Oscar-winning star of "The Godfather: Part II" and "Raging Bull" said he had intended no offense with the remark about the wives of Republican presidential contenders Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney.

"My remarks, although spoken with satirical jest, were not meant to offend or embarrass anyone -- especially the first lady," De Niro said in a statement.

De Niro found himself in hot water after Monday's fundraiser in New York when he introduced Michelle Obama as the main speaker.

"Callista Gingrich, Karen Santorum, Ann Romney. Now do you really think our country is ready for a white first lady?" De Niro said. "Too soon, right?"

Newt Gingrich called the remarks inexcusable and divisive. Michelle Obama's office said the joke was "inappropriate."

Oprah Winfrey

Winfrey’s “Next Chapter” celebrity interview show, and those numbers have been driven by how big a “get” she has in terms of the guest and subject matter.

The biggest question is: Can the folks at OWN build on what ratings growth there has been from Winfrey’s increased presence on the channel.

SNL Kagan’s analyst suggests not.

Insiders at Discovery are banking otherwise.

El DeBarge Cleared of Drug Possession Charges Looks like El DeBarge is off the hook after all. On March 20 the R&B singer was arrested for drug possession in a city just outside of Los Angeles, CA. Now, after being arrested and released on $30,000 bail, the D.A. has thrown out the case against him citing a lack of sufficient evidence.

According to documents from the L.A. County D.A.'s office, the arresting officers who searched DeBarge and the man he was conversing with under the 101 Freeway, initially failed to find any drugs on either suspect. According to reports cops said that they found a baggie of rock cocaine under a nearby car. In the end, the D.A. decided that this was not enough evidence to charge DeBarge with felony possession of narcotics with intent to sell reports TMZ. DeBarge has however, dealt with an ongoing drug problem over the years, attending rehab as recently as February 2011. The 49 year old star, who did over a year in prison back in 2008 as a result of his drug abuse, was interviewed for the "BET 30" special, where he spoke about his struggle with heroin and crack. He also performed with Wale and Rick Ross at the 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards, filling in for Jeremih on the Maybach Music Group hit "That Way."

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FUN and Games

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FUN and Games

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HIGHLIGHTS

• Two men arrested on gay cruise • REDjet faces financial problems • Allen Stanford seeks new trial

Dudus prosecutors willing to settle for less jail time United States prosecutors have indicated a willingness to accept a lower minimum prison sentence for alleged drug kingpin Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, even as they prepare to return to the US District Court in New York for his May 22 sentencing hearing.

Prosecutors now say they are willing to accept an 18-year prison sentence for the Jamaican, down from the 23 years they still think he deserves.

Last Friday a judge delayed the sentencing of Coke and ordered the prosecutors to provide proof of their allegations about his violent control of a drugs gang to back their demands for a lengthy prison term.

But, according to the prosecutors, even if the allegations about Coke's murderous control of an international criminal gang are not proven, an 18-

year prison sentence is deserved.

"The undisputed facts before this Court make (it) clear that the appropriate sentence, and one sufficient but not greater than necessary ... is 216 months (18 years)," the prosecutors said in a memorandum filed in court hours before last week's postponed sentencing hearing.

The prosecutors charged that in the plea deal Coke accepted last August it was stipulated that, "the applicable sentencing guidelines range is 262 to 327 months imprisonment, capped at 276 months".

According to the prosecutors, in pleading to charges of conspiracy and racketeering Coke admitted: "I was the leader and organiser of a group known as the Presidential Click in Jamaica. As such I directed certain criminal activity

on (Presidential Click's) behalf which included but was not limited to the distribution of marijuana, cocaine and crack cocaine both in Jamaica and the United States from 1999 through 2010.

"Some of these activities took place in the Bronx, New York in 2007. I also directed the purchase of firearms and the importation of those firearms into Jamaica for the purposes of furthering activities of the group."

Drug-related debt The prosecutors further charge that, "With respect to count two, Coke admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to assault a person who owed a drug-related debt to a member of this group which resulted in his injury".

Said the prosecutors: "The facts that Coke has admitted - his long-term

Christopher 'Dudus' Coke

leadership of a violent criminal organisation with an international reach that for at least 10 years trafficked in significant quantities of narcotics and firearms from Kingston, Jamaica, to New York City and elsewhere, and engaged in brutal assaults, such as a stabbing of an individual in his face over a drug dispute - call for no less than the statutory maximum sentence."

Haiti government orders former soldiers to clear old bases PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haitian authorities are ordering some army veterans and would-be soldiers to clear out of several old barracks they have taken over in recent weeks in hopes the disbanded army will be revived, the Interior Ministry said Tuesday.

The government office ordered individuals carrying illegal weapons and wearing military fatigues to leave the barracks of the Armed Forces of Haiti and other sites owned by the Haitian government. The Interior Ministry said it wouldn’t tolerate gunmen disturbing the peace.

It was the strongest statement yet by the Haitian government about the former soldiers who are pressuring Haiti’s President Michel Martelly to honor his campaign pledge to restore the army that was disbanded in 1995 because of its abusive past.

The campaign promise has proved

controversial. Some Western governments have said money would be better spent on developing the understaffed national police department and rebuilding the country following the 2010 earthquake. Martelly has countered that the force would be a modern one that would respond to natural disasters and protect the environment.

In recent weeks, hundreds of men have ventured out in public wearing fatigues and marching to step up pressure for the army’s return and for $15 million in lost wages and pensions. Their newly visible presence, confined to small training camps, has led international diplomats to suggest that they bear an uneasy resemblance to a private militia. Some have been spotted carrying handguns.

Against a backdrop of heightening political tension in Haiti, the U.N.’s top envoy, Mariano Fernandez, has called the bands of men an

“unnecessary provocation.”

The Interior Ministry said in its statement that the men wouldn’t receive compensation unless they leave the bases.

Samson Chery, a former sergeant, declined to say by telephone Tuesday night if the troops would heed the government’s orders.

“We are going to continue to fight for our rights to be respected,” he said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Chery watched as several dozen hopeful soldiers in mismatched camouflage uniforms marched in the old military barracks outside Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince.

His colleague Aubin Larose, also a former sergeant, said he was confident Martelly would bring back the army.

“He’s going to do it because he’s a good Haitian,” Larose said.

St Vincent is still source for most marijuana in the Caribbean, says US WASHINGTON – The United States says that the archipelagic nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines continues to be “the source for the majority of cannabis” in the Caribbean.

“According to officials, marijuana producers have recently started labelling their product for export,” said the US Department of State in its 2012 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report.

“Police have also observed a trend of younger nationals entering the trade,” it added. “Regional trade has also increased with Trinidad and

Tobago, sending drugs and guns in exchange for cannabis. Officials describe a ‘marked increase’ in remittance flows.”

The State Department said, based on information from local officials, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has over 300 acres under marijuana cultivation.

It said, during 2011, while Vincentian government officials encountered no drug laboratories, they eradicated 70 acres of marijuana, destroyed 1,696,021 plants and seized 10.2 million tonnes of cannabis, 39 kilogrammes of cocaine and 180

cocaine rocks.

The report also said that, during 2011, Vincentian authorities reported 522 drug related prosecutions, 322 convictions, and 432 persons arrested for drug offenses.

Police officials disclosed to the US that they need more vehicles, equipment, training and logistical support for their operations to be effective.

“Narcotics play a major role in the economy, causing a dependence on cannabis in large population segments,” the report said.

“The government officials have stated they cannot combat the long terms effects of the drug trade solely through enforcement,” it added, stating that while the DARE anti-drug programmes are employed in schools, there are no rehabilitation clinics.

The State Department said Vincentian officials estimate that 30 per cent of domestic drug abusers use cannabis, while two per cent use cocaine.

The US urged the seven nations of the Eastern Caribbean – Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines – to “participate proactively” in Washington’s Caribbean Basin Security Initiative and to pay up on their commitments to sustain the Regional Security System (RSS).

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CARIBBEAN NEWS

Low-cost airline REDjet grounded due to financial problems BRIDGETOWN, Barbados After just 10 months in the skies, low-cost carrier REDjet is grounded due to financial problems.

The Barbados-based airline needs an $8 million injection, and government support so it can take to the skies once again. Without such help, the future of the airline is uncertain.

The airline suspended all flights to its nine destinations with effect from 11:59 p.m. on Friday night until further notice.

This move placed over 90 employees on the breadline, resulted in a number of passengers being stranded and a strain on regional travel.

The latest turn of events has also

Major airlines join the fight against APD BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The fight against the Air Passenger Duty (APD) continues with Caribbean countries now getting support from international carriers and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

According to the WTTC, over the next 12 months the British government could collect £2.8 billion in extra tax from air travellers, far more than any country in the world.

In contrast, if the APD is removed, 91, 000 British jobs could be created and £4.2 billion added to the economy within the same time frame.

Last Monday, British Airways, Easy Jet, Virgin Atlantic and Ryan Air joined the petition against the tax, and called on the powers that be to suspend another scheduled increase for April 1.

According to airline sources, the eight per cent increase will reduce passenger numbers and hinder the UK’s economic recovery.

If the April 1 increases are implemented, a family of four flying from the UK to the Caribbean will have to fork out US$625.08 in taxes, compared with US$125.06 in 2005.

The airline sources warned that this could have a domino effect as fewer families flying would also result into less jobs within the tourism, aviation and hospitality industries. The sources added that the disproportionate tax on people’s holidays was also affecting business travel at a time when economies needed assistance.

Countries throughout the Caribbean and the Caribbean Tourism Organisation have been lobbying for a reduction and or the removal of the APD.

raised the question of whether or not the cost of regional travel will once again increase, or if air fare will remain low.

The airline which is owned by father and son Ian and Robbie Burns took to the skies last May, putting forward a model designed to bring affordable travel to the Caribbean from as low as $19.98 before taxes.

And the owners have given the assurance that they are willing to continue providing affordable air transport across the Caribbean if they could receive a small part of the state assistance given to other airlines.

Tourism Minister, Richard Sealy said the Barbados Tourism Authority was

willing to work with the airline in the area of joint marketing, and expressed hope that it would soon be up and running once again.

St. Lucia’s Prime Minister, Dr. Kenny Anthony, also noted that it was difficult for regional governments to continue subsidising carriers.

However, the grounding of the airline has not gone down well with passengers, some of whom purchased tickets within minutes of the airline’s announcement that all flights were being suspended.

Passengers flooded the airline’s Facebook page expressing their frustration over the airline’s lack of communication with them about what

was happening to allow them to better plan for their travel. Some passengers are also demanding their money back.

Meanwhile, LIAT has already stepped forward and made special arrangements to assist stranded passengers from Antigua, Barbados, Guyana, St. Lucia and Trinidad.

Caribbean Airlines indicated it would adjust its scheduled operations by adding additional seats on its aircraft to accommodate the numbers. REDjet served Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and announced the launch of service to Antigua and Barbuda on Thursday, one day before it closed its operations.

Harlequin Hotels spreads its Caribbean wings CASTRIES, St Lucia – Harlequin Hotels & Resort now has a base in St. Lucia.

This comes as owner and developer of the planned Marquis Estate in Babonneau acquired the Village Inn and Spa in Rodney Bay, St. Lucia.

The agreement to purchase the property from Rainbow Investments Limited was finalized in early February in Castries, and Harlequin Developments has already commenced an extensive refurbishment program for the property.

The hotel will reopen in April 2012 as “Blu” and will offer a new, quality experience.

In keeping with its philosophy of strong support and involvement within the local community, Harlequin Hotels & Resorts chose to donate all the furniture and fixtures from the former Village Inn and Spa to two much deserved local charities: Transit Home New Beginnings and Ciceron.

Commenting on the donations, Garrett Ronan, Vice president of Hotel and Resort Development for Harlequin Hotels & Resorts, said: “We are very fortunate to have found Transit Home New Beginnings and Ciceron, and to have this opportunity to work with two such worthy St Lucian children’s charities.”

He later added that Harlequin was looking to work further with both charities to develop youth programs in the community with its sports and arts programs.

These include the Pat Cash Tennis Academy, Liverpool FC Academy Soccer School, Harlequin Performing Arts Academy, and the recently announced Buccament Bay Resort Cricket Academy in association with WICB.

Last year, after purchasing the Allamanda Hotel on the south coast of Barbados, Harlequin made a similar donation to the St. Philip South Foundation for Education (SPSFE). That organization was able to distribute the furniture to less privileged families in the St. Philip area, where Harlequin is steadily progressing on The Merricks Resort Show Village development.

Once concessions were granted by Government, work on the show village progressed quickly on the first phase of the multi-million dollar venture. Construction of the Show Village is already at roof level and should be completed in May 2012.

Dave Ames (Chairman of Harlequin Hotels & Resorts) and his team have also been working on the certification and launch of Harlequin Air. Based in St Lucia, Harlequin Air will provide a swift and seamless transfer service for guests arriving and departing from transatlantic and US flights, as well as international transfers to Harlequin’s other hotels and resorts.

Commenting on the exciting plans, Dave Ames said: ‘Harlequin is redefining luxury in the Caribbean and with the launch of Harlequin Air we aim to provide guests’ with a seamless experience from arrival in the Caribbean through to resort. We pride ourselves on constantly looking for new ways and initiatives to improve the luxury service that we offer our guests.’

Harlequin Air’s first two planes are registered locally and ready to start on final certification, which is anticipated to take place over the next few weeks

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TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

CARIBBEAN NEWS

MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012

2 US men arrested on gay cruise in C’bbean ROSEAU, Dominica — Two California men on a gay cruise of the Caribbean were arrested Wednesday in the Eastern Caribbean island of Dominica, where sex between two men is illegal.

Police Constable John George said police boarded the cruise ship and arrested the two men on suspicion of indecent exposure and "buggery," a term equivalent to sodomy on the island. He identified the men as John Robert Hart, 41, and Dennis Jay Mayer, 43, but did not provide their hometowns.

George said the men were seen having sex on the Celebrity Summit cruise ship by someone on the dock.

The two were later charged with indecent exposure and are scheduled to appear before a magistrate Thursday morning. If found guilty, they could be fined $370 each and face up to six

months in jail.

The ship carrying about 2,000 passengers departed Puerto Rico on Saturday and arrived in Dominica on Wednesday. It departed for St. Barts without the men, who are being held in a cell at police headquarters in the capital of Roseau.

The cruise was organized by Atlantis Events, a Southern California company that specializes in gay travel.

The presence of gay cruises in the Caribbean has riled several conservative islands including Jamaica and Grenada, where anti-sodomy laws are enforced with strong backing from religious groups.

According to Cruisemates.com, no gay cruise lines sail to Jamaica or Barbados for fear of homophobia and possible violence. It said other places like the U.S. Virgin Islands welcome gay cruises.

Allen Stanford seeks new trial, blames Twitter Allen Stanford, the financier convicted of running an estimated $7 billion Ponzi scheme, has asked for a new trial, citing the media's use of Twitter in the courtroom and a lack of time to prepare his defense.

Stanford, who turns 62 on Saturday, was convicted on March 6 by a Houston federal jury on 13 of 14 counts related to what prosecutors said was the sale of bogus certificates of deposit from his Antigua-based Stanford International Bank Ltd. In a 71-page filing with the U.S. District Court in Houston on Tuesday, Stanford's lawyer, Ali Fazel, said his client was deprived of his Sixth Amendment right to a fair trial.

Stanford cycled through more than a dozen lawyers since his June 2009 arrest and was declared indigent by the court, allowing his defense to be funded with public money.

Fazel said he lacked time to prepare given the "voluminous" amounts of material. He and colleague Robert Scardino were retained to represent Stanford in October 2010.

Fazel also said the case turned into a "media circus" that left the Houston area "saturated with publicity prejudicial to Stanford" even before the six-week trial began.

He said this was perpetuated when U.S. District Judge David Hittner let reporters send Twitter messages from the courtroom, even while the judge and lawyers were talking outside the jury's presence, and failed to instruct jurors to stay off Twitter.

"This broadcasting is likely to have reached a juror, since Twitter does not require active pursuit of information, but rather, if a friend of the juror's was following the 'Stanford trial,' the tweets might automatically show up on a

Allen Stanford

juror's Twitter account," Fazel wrote.

Stanford's request for a new trial does not indicate whether such information actually reached jurors.

"It would be disruptive to the business of the court if such messages were making it to the jury," said Christine Corcos, a professor of media law at the Louisiana State University Law Center in Baton Rouge. "That's why more and more federal judges are saying reporters cannot bring in Blackberries or other devices."

Stanford was convicted of fraud, conspiracy and obstruction of a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigation.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 14 and could spend the rest of his life in prison.

The jury also found that federal authorities should try to seize $330 million of frozen funds that Stanford stashed in 29 foreign bank accounts.

President Rich Campbell, who is aboard the cruise, said in a phone interview earlier that he thought the two men would be released. He later said in an email that the company has organized many trips to Dominica and would "happily return."

"Many countries and municipalities that gay men visit and live in have antiquated laws on their books," he said. "These statutes don't pose a concern to us in planning a tourist visit."

Campbell said he expects the two men to be released on Thursday and that they only face misdemeanor charges.

"The guests' actions were unfortunate but minor in this case and have no bearing on our overall guest experience," he said via email.

The pastor of Dominica's Trinity Baptist Church, Randy Rodney, praised the police for their intervention.

"I am very pleased that the police were called in and have arrested the people in question. I have warned about gay tourism and its implications for Dominica," said Rodney, who is a vocal critic of homosexuality and lesbianism.

In 2010, the Cayman Islands rejected the arrival of an Atlantis gay cruise amid protests from religious groups even though homosexuality is legal on the archipelago.

The last time authorities in the Caribbean intervened on a gay cruise was in February 2011, when agents with U.S. Customs and Border Protection arrested a California man aboard the Allure of the Seas, which had docked in St. Thomas. The man, Steven Barry Krumholz of West Hollywood, pleaded guilty to selling ecstasy, methamphetamine and ketamine to fellow passengers.

Cuba to build three new hospitals in Haiti HAVANA, Cuba - As the Haitian people struggle to overcome the ravages of the devastating earthquake and the cholera epidemic aftermath, the Cuban government has committed to building three new hospitals in that Caribbean Community country. This announcement was made by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla following a meeting last Thursday in Port-au-Prince with President Michel Martelly and members of his cabinet at the beginning of a two-day day official visit to Haiti.

According to Radio Havana Cuba, the Cuban diplomat announced that Cuba will continue assisting the neighboring nation.

This assistance includes building three new hospitals in Haiti and increasing the number of scholarships for Haitian medical students, said Haitian Foreign Minister Laurent Lamothe.

“We had a very positive meeting,” Lamothe told reporters after participating in the meeting at the National Palace in the Haitian capital.

Lamothe added that Martelly and Rodriguez discussed the implementation of a reforestation project and a literacy program that could benefit nearly five million Haitians.

Cuban health professionals have been working in Haiti since 1998, but this assistance increased after the devastating earthquake of January 2010 and the cholera epidemic that followed.

In November 2011, President Martelly made his first official visit to Cuba, where he met with his counterpart Raul Castro and with the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro.

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012

HIGHLIGHTS

Page 35

• Marine faces dismissal for criticizing Obama • Coroners Report: Houston drowned with cocaine in system • New record for longest bride train

Two Florida officials step aside in teen death probe

The shooting ignited racial tensions in this Orlando suburb. Civil rights groups have held rallies in Florida and New York, saying the shooting was unjustified.

The police chief continued Thursday to stand behind his agency's investigation.

SANFORD, Florida — The police "As a former homicide chief and prosecutor who have been investigator, a career law enforcement bitterly criticized for not arresting a officer and a father, I am keenly aware neighborhood watch volunteer in the of the emotions associated with this shooting death of an unarmed black tragic death of a child. I'm also aware teenager both left the case Thursday, that my role as a leader of this agency with the chief saying that he is has become a distraction from the temporarily leaving his job to let investigation," Lee said. passions cool.

It wasn't immediately how long Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee's the police chief would step aside. decision came less than a day after city Martin's parents said that wasn't commissioners gave him a "no enough, and that Zimmerman should confidence" vote, and after a couple of be taken into custody. weeks of protests and uproar on social "We want an arrest, we want a media websites. Lee has said evidence conviction and we want him sentenced in the case supported George George Zimmerman claims the shooting was self for the murder of my son," Martin's Zimmerman's claim that the Feb. 26 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was shot to death defense father, Tracy, said to fiery crowd of shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon oversee any prosecution that develops Carroll is African-American. about 1,000 supporters in downtown Martin was self-defense. in the case, his recusal was aimed at Martin was returning from a trip to Sanford.

"I do this in the hopes of restoring "toning down the rhetoric and Some people believed the police some semblance of calm to a city preserving the integrity of the a convenience store when Zimmerman started following him, telling police chief should step down for good. which has been in turmoil for several investigation." Scott appointed Angela dispatchers he looked suspicious.

At "If they wanted to defuse a weeks," Lee said.

B. Corey, the state attorney for the About three hours later, Gov. Rick Jacksonville area, to take over the case. some point, the two got into a fight and potential powder keg, he needed to Zimmerman pulled out his gun. resign," said pastor Eugene Walton, Scott announced that the local state Scott also appointed a task force Zimmerman told police Martin 58, who was born and raised in attorney, Norman Wolfinger, had led by Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll to recused himself from the case. In a conduct hearings on the case and to attacked him after he had given up on Sanford. "His inaction speaks loudly to letter to Scott, Wolfinger said that make recommendations for any chasing the teenager and was returning the black community."

News of the police chief's decision while he thought he could fairly changes to state law or procedures. to his sport utility vehicle. to step aside spread quickly among the protesters, many of whom showed up more than two hours before the start of the rally. They chanted "The chief is gone. Zimmerman is next."

Some carried signs that said: "100 years of lynching, justifiable homicide.

Same thing." Others sold T-shirts that read: "Arrest Zimmerman."

"It's the norm around here, where LOS ANGELES - Pop star Whitney "We are saddened to learn of the anything involving black culture, they Houston died of accidental drowning toxicology results, although we are want to wipe their hands of it," said due to the effects of cocaine use and glad to now have closure," Patricia Shella Moore, who is black and grew heart disease, a Los Angeles County Houston, the pop superstar's manager up in Sanford. coroner's spokesman said on and sister-in-law said in a statement on The Justice Department and FBI Thursday.

Thursday. have opened a civil rights The 48-year-old singer, who spent Houston soared to the top of the pop investigation, and the local prosecutor years battling addiction to drugs charts in the 1980s, best known for a has convened a grand jury April 10 to including cocaine, was found string of hit songs including "I Will determine whether to charge submerged in the bathtub of her Always Love You." But her career Zimmerman.

Beverly Hills hotel room on February declined as she battled personal issues 12, the eve of the Grammy Awards. that included drug addiction.

Before the rally, Martin's parents An autopsy into Houston's death Patricia Houston told Oprah met with the local U.S. attorney, the found that the cause of death was Winfrey in an interview this month that deputy assistant attorney general for accidental drowning with she had believed the pop star's worst civil rights in Washington and the head Whitney Houston atherosclerotic heart disease and days of drug abuse were behind her. of the FBI's Tampa office to discuss cocaine use listed as contributing Members of the family told Winfrey the investigation. factors, Los Angeles County Coroner's spokesman Craig that Houston was found face down and naked in the bathtub, "We listened carefully to the Harvey said. and that attempts by her staff to revive her proved fruitless. concerns of the family and their Harvey said toxicology tests also turned up Houston was last in rehab in May 2011. But celebrity representatives," Special Agent Dave marijuana, an anti-anxiety medication, a muscle relaxant media reported that she was seen drinking heavily and Couvertier, an FBI spokesman, said in and an anti-histamine in Houston's system. behaving erratically in the three or four days before her Those drugs were not found to have contributed to death. a statement. "We continue to extend her death, and no trauma or foul play were suspected, the Sales and downloads of Houston's best-known songs, our deepest condolences to Trayvon's coroner's office said. A final report was expected to be including "Saving All My Love for You" and "My Love family for their loss." made public within two weeks. is Your Love" soared around the world after her death

Whitney Houston drowned with cocaine in system

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MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012

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BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY

Jobless claims fall to four year low WASHINGTON - The number of Americans claiming new unemployment benefits dropped to a four-year low last week, offering further evidence the jobs market recovery was gaining traction.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 348,000, the lowest level since February 2008, the Labor Department said on Thursday.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast claims rising to 354,000 last week.

A separate report showed a gauge of future U.S. economic activity rose solidly in February, pointing to strengthening growth even as China slows. Some euro zone economies are already in recession.

"The economy is entering a phase where more of the gains from growth

accrue to labor rather than capital and we believe that stronger job creation will be sustained throughout 2012," said John Ryding, chief economist at RDQ Economics in New York.

The four-week moving average for new claims, considered a better measure of labor market trends, declined 1,250 to 355,000. The data covered the survey week for March nonfarm payrolls. Initial claims dropped 5,000 between the February and March survey periods, suggesting another month of solid job gains.

Employers added 227,000 jobs to their payrolls in February, taking the tally for the past three months to 734,000. The unemployment rate currently is at 8.3 percent, having dropped 0.8 percentage point since August.

The Federal Reserve has said it expects the jobless rate to "gradually"

GM to invest $1 billion in Australia operations CANBERRA - U.S. car maker General Motors committed to invest A$1 billion (US$1.04 billion) in its Australian operations over the next decade after securing Australian government support to help it keep its car plant open until at least 2022.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the national and two state governments would inject A$275 million into GM Holden in the latest hand out to the country's struggling auto makers to protect manufacturing jobs.

Australia's three car makers - GM Holden and the Australian arms of Toyota Motor Corp (TYO:7203) and Ford Motor (NYS:F) - have all cut jobs due to falling sales and exports, blamed on the global downturn and a record high Australian dollar, which has traded above parity with the U.S. dollar.

"It is a strategic investment that will boost our economy," Gillard told reporters, adding that GM Holden's future was secure for the next 10 years.

"It will be making cars and competing in economic circumstances where we expect the Australian dollar to be around about parity with the U.S. dollar," she said.

The funding will secure the jobs of 12,000 people employed by GM Holden's Adelaide car plant and engine manufacturing plant in Victoria, and shore up thousands more manufacturing jobs in the components sector.

GM Holden cut 140 jobs from its Adelaide car plant in February, while Toyota said in January it was cutting 350 jobs at its Australian manufacturing operations.

The latest government figures show Australia produced nearly 250,000 cars in 2010, falling steadily from about 320,000 in 2008 and more than 400,000 in 2004.

The industry employs about 55,000 people and supports 200,000 other manufacturing jobs.

decline.

The data had little impact on U.S. financial markets as investors worried about the global economy after reports showed Chinese manufacturing slumped for a fifth month in March.

Factory activity in France and Germany declined sharply this month, suggesting the euro zone was probably back in recession.

While U.S. economic data remains relatively upbeat, analysts worry slowing global growth could hamper the domestic economy and dampen employment creation.

"With much of Europe already slipping into recession, the U.S. economy will be pushing against significant external headwinds to accelerate in the quarters ahead," said Jim Baird, chief investment Strategist at Plante Moran Financial Advisors in

Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Firming labor market conditions helped to lift the Conference Board's Leading Economic Index 0.7 percent last month.

In the claims report, the number of people still receiving benefits under regular state programs after an initial week of aid fell to its lowest level since August 2008, in the week ended March 10.

Despite the improving labor market picture, long-term unemployment remains a major problem and about 43 percent of the 12.8 million out of work Americans in February had been jobless for more than six months.

A total of 7.28 million people were claiming unemployment benefits under all programs, during the week ended March 3, the latest week for which data is available, down 142,499 from the prior week.

China strives to boost its slowing economy China is poised to loosen lending requirements further in hopes of stimulating its slowing economy after industrial activity declined for the fifth month in a row.

The HSBC Flash China Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index, which measures industrial sector conditions, fell again in March, hitting 48.1, itds lowest level since November.

The reading, which compares with 49.6 in February, is stoking fears of a sharper-thanexpected slowdown for the world’s secondlargest economy and top exporter. China’s strong economic growth drove the recovery from the 2008 global financial crisis, but its ability to pace an international economic rise during the present cycle is in doubt.

A so-called hard landing, however, remains unlikely according to experts and economists who said that policy makers still have plenty of options to boost China’s economy.

Housing sales in China’s once overheated real estate market have slowed significantly in response to government tightening measures.

Sales fell 14 per cent year-over-year in January and February. Car sales in the world’s largest auto market have also slowed and new loans and retail sales data have come in weaker than expected.

“If you put all the signals together you begin to feel that the Chinese government is concerned about the economy,” Na Liu, the founder and head of CNC Asset Management Ltd., and China adviser to Scotia Capital, said in an interview.

The Chinese government is targeting economic growth of 7.5 per cent in 2012, the first time it has aimed at less than 8 per cent growth since 2005.

Even so, policy makers have been taking action to boost the country’s slowing economy.

They reduced reserve ratio requirements for China’s big banks twice since November, reversing a tightening policy that pervaded

through 2010 and much of 2011 because of persistent inflation. Mr. Liu is expecting another cut in April to reserve requirements, which currently stand at 20.5 per cent of deposits for the country’s largest banks.

In recent weeks, China has quietly relaxed mortgage requirements for first-time home buyers and has also reduced some capital controls on foreign money flowing into local equity markets. The Chinese yuan has been flat against the U.S. dollar so far this year after appreciating almost 5 per cent last year.

If China’s official purchasing managers’ index, which is based on data compiled by the government, also disappoints, Mr. Liu expects more easing measures from the government and a possible correction in commodity prices.

Even so, he doesn’t expect China’s central bank to cut interest rates any time soon because bank deposits have been weak and socalled real interest rates, which factor in inflation, have only recently turned positive.

Cutting the benchmark lending rate would “send a bad message” to Chinese consumers who are already cautious about the economy, Mr. Liu said.

Qinwei Wang, China economist at Capital Economics in London, said the flash PMI results show China’s manufacturing conditions remain soft but aren’t cause for panic yet.

“Fears about a hard landing also seem overdone, given monetary conditions have only started easing significantly in the last few weeks,” Mr. Wang said in a note to clients that predicted bank reserve ratio requirements will be cut again in coming weeks.

Commenting on the PMI survey, HSBC’s chief China economist, Qu Hongbin, said weak domestic and external demand were responsible for a slowdown in factory orders.

“Growth momentum could slow down further amid a combination of sluggish export new orders and softening domestic demand. This calls for further easing steps from the Beijing authority,” Mr. Qu said in a statement.

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WORLD NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012

Mali soldiers seize power in coup Renegade Mali soldiers shot their way to the presidency and forced the head of state to flee Thursday, claiming on television to have ousted an "incompetent regime" and dissolved state institutions.

The putschists, calling themselves the National Committee for the Establishment of Democracy, said they had acted due to government's "inability" to put down a Tuareg-led insurrection in the north.

Mali had been seen as relatively stable but the demise of Moamer Kadhafi turned the country into a tinderbox, flooding the region with weapons and sparking the return of former Tuareg rebels who had fought Renegade Malian soldiers went on state television on Thursday to declare they had seized power in a for him in Libya. coup after the government's failure to quell a nomad-led rebellion in the North.

Foreign powers voiced great Since January, Al Qaeda's north concern over President Amadou Bamako.

The group's spokesman, identified African branch upped its attacks on Toumani Toure's ouster and appealed on-screen as Lieutenant Amadou Mali government troops and for calm. France said that a Konare said the takeover was a result kidnappings of foreigners while presidential poll that had been due for of a "lack of adequate material to Tuareg rebels launched their largest April 29 should be held as early as defend the nation". offensive in years in the impoverished possible.

Claiming to represent the nation's landlocked country's north.

A group of a few dozen soldiers defence forces, Konare said the junta The leader of the junta was appeared on state television at about "solemnly commits to restore power to revealed to be one Captain Amadou 0445 GMT after a few false starts a democratically-elected president as Sanogo, who appeared briefly to battling to get audio equipment soon as national unity and territorial announce the imposition of a national working and hours of music videos curfew. playing after seizing the broadcaster in integrity are re-established."

Blood test could predict heart attacks: US study US researchers have found oddly-shaped blood cells in heart attack patients, indicating that a blood test could help predict whether a patient is at risk of an imminent cardiac emergency.

The study by the Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI) found that the endothelial blood cells from heart attack patients are abnormally large and misshapen, sometimes appearing with multiple nuclei.

That could make them reliable indicators of an impending heart attack, according to the study published this week in Science Translational Medicine.

"The ability to diagnose an imminent heart attack has long been considered the holy grail of cardiovascular medicine," said Eric Topol, the study's principal investigator and director of STSI. Doctors have long been able to identify risk factors -such as smoking, obesity and high cholesterol -- that can put patients at greater danger of heart disease, but cannot predict imminent attacks.

The study involved 50 patients who showed up at emergency rooms with heart attacks at four acute care hospitals in San Diego, California, and who were found to have the unusually shaped cells.

"With some additional validation, the hope is to have this test developed for commercial use in next year or two," said researcher Raghava Gollapudi.

"This would be an ideal test to perform in an emergency room to determine if a patient is on the cusp of a heart attack or about to experience one in the next couple of weeks.

"Right now we can only test to detect if a patient is currently experiencing or has recently experienced a heart attack."

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, causing some 800,000 deaths every year, according to the Center for Disease Control.

The appearance on television came shortly after the mutinous soldiers seized the presidential palace and arrested several ministers, including Foreign Minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga and Interior Minister Kafouhouna Kone.

"We are in control of the presidential palace," one of the rebels told AFP. Toure was initially holed up in the palace as shots were traded outside but he managed to flee the premises.

Loyalist officials told AFP the ousted president was unharmed and had been moved to safe location.

Toure, who has served two terms, was not a candidate in next month's polls.

The president is himself a former soldier who led the ouster of presidentfor-life Moussa Traore in 1991 before handing power to civilians. He later won an election in 2002 and was reelected in 2007.

Under his leadership Mali -- which has battled successive Tuareg rebellions since independence and more recently Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb -- has since been hailed as a growing democratic success in the region.

Rick Santorum reacts to Obama allowing daughter to vacation in Mexico: ‘Set an Example’

On Tuesday's Glenn Beck program, Rick Santorum responded to the news that the president allowed his 13-year-old daughter, Malia, to vacation in Mexico, despite a recent State Department travel warning for the country. According to Santorum, the president should be leading by example.

"What I would say is that the president's actions should reflect what his administration is saying," Santorum told Beck. "If the administration is saying that it's not safe to

have people down there, then just because you can send 25 Secret Service agents doesn't mean you should do it. You should set an example. I think that's what president's do.

They set an example. And when the government is saying this is not safe, then you don't set the example by sending your kids down there."

He also noted that he wasn't being critical of the president's daughter, but rather referencing the president's "higher duty."

Army sergeant faces 17 murder counts in Afghan killings Army Staff Sergeant Robert Bales, accused of killing Afghan civilians in a shooting rampage in Kandahar province last week, will be charged with 17 counts of murder, a U.S. official said on Thursday.

Earlier accounts of the incident, which has damaged U.S.-Afghan relations, had tallied 16 victims, including nine children and three women.

Bales, a four-tour combat veteran, will also face other charges, including attempted murder, but the official was unable to say how many additional counts there would be.

Legal proceedings would likely take place at Bales' home base, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, close to Tacoma, Washington, the U.S. official said.

Bales, 38, is being held in solitary confinement at a military detention center in Leavenworth, Kansas. His civilian defense attorney, Seattle-based John Henry Browne, was not immediately available for comment. Earlier this week, Browne said U.S. authorities had no proof of what occurred on the evening in question, and that Bales had "no memory" of the incident.

Browne, who has defended several multiple homicide suspects, including serial killer Ted Bundy, has indicated that stress may have played a role in his client's state of mind.

He is expected to evoke post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, as a factor in the trial, a technique he employed in the defense of a Seattle-area thief known as the "Barefoot Bandit."

The U.S. Army said this week it was reviewing the way it diagnoses PTSD among troops.Browne has played down the effect of Bales' financial problems, which include an abandoned property in the Seattle area and an unpaid $1.5 million judgment from his time as a securities broker.

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WORLD NEWS

French police kill 'AlQaeda' shooting suspect French police on Thursday shot dead a self-declared Al-Qaeda militant wanted for a series of killings of soldiers and Jews, ending a tense 32hour siege in the south of France.

The seven killings shocked France, home to western Europe's largest Jewish and Muslim minorities, and raised questions about intolerance and security failures in the midst of a hard-fought presidential election campaign.

Mohamed Merah, who admitted shooting dead three soldiers and three children and a teacher at a Jewish school, also tried to shoot his way out of the siege in Toulouse after police from the elite RAID force entered his flat.

Police said the 23-year-old burst out of the bathroom, opening fire on officers before jumping out the window of his first-floor apartment, still firing as he fell, in a desperate bid

to escape.

"He was killed by RAID shooters while trying to escape," a police source told AFP. "He was dead by the time he hit the ground."

Interior Minister Claude Gueant said Merah was "shooting very violently" when he emerged from the bathroom. ""RAID officers of course tried to protect themselves, to return fire, and then in the end, Mohamed Merah jumped out of the window with a gun in his hand, continuing to fire. He was found dead on the ground," he said.

Around 300 bullets were fired during the shootout, police sources said.

Merah, who told authorities he had been trained by Al-Qaeda on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, had previously fought off repeated attempts to storm his apartment after he was tracked down early Wednesday.

President Nicolas Sarkozy vowed after the end of the siege to crack down on extremism, saying he wanted legal action against people who regularly consult jihadist websites or travel abroad for indoctrination.

"Any person who habitually consults Internet sites which praise terrorism and which call for hatred and violence will be punished under criminal law," he said in a televised address.

Any person who travels abroad for "indoctrination into ideologies which lead to terrorism" will be prosecuted, Sarkozy said, adding that he was also asking authorities to investigate the promotion of extremism in French prisons.

On Thursday, the prosecutor confirmed that Merah had filmed all of the killings with a camera attached to a chest harness, and that officers had viewed the footage and

Mohamed Merah

confirmed it recorded the crimes.

Molins said Merah had taken responsibility for the shootings, claiming to be avenging Palestinian deaths and opposing the French military's involvement in Afghanistan and France's ban on full-face veils.

He said Merah had claimed to have been trained by Al-Qaeda in Waziristan, a tribal area of Pakistan known as a haven for Islamist insurgents connected to Taliban guerrillas.

Five more bodies found in wrecked Italian ship Five more bodies have been found in the halfsubmerged wreck of the Costa Concordia cruise liner, bringing the number of confirmed dead to 30, Italy's Civil Protection agency said on Thursday.

The giant vessel capsized off the Tuscan island of Giglio after hitting rocks on January 13.

Two people are still unaccounted for.

A spokeswoman for the agency said all the bodies were discovered at the rear of the vessel. It would probably be several days before they could be removed as it would be a complicated operation using robots, she said.

Prosecutors have accused captain Francesco

Schettino of causing the accident by bringing the multi-storey Costa Concordia, which was carrying more than 4,200 passengers and crew, too close to the shore.

The ship's owner, Costa Cruises, said salvagers would complete operations to pump more than 2,300 tonnes of fuel out of the capsized vessel on Friday, removing the threat of an oil spill in the surrounding marine reserve.

"The fuel problem is resolved," the head of the Civil Protection Agency Franco Gabrielli told a news conference on the island of Giglio.

Dutch salvage firm SMIT was hired by Costa Cruises to handle the fuel pumping, in

World’s longest bridal train: 1.85 miles

BUCHAREST, Romania -- Guinness World Records said the world's longest bridal train, measuring 1.85 miles, was displayed at a Wedding Fair in Romania.

The organization said the dress, which was displayed at the Bucharest Wedding Fair, was longer than the previous record holder, a 1.54-mile-long bridal train created by a Dutch designer.

The creators of the train, which was displayed by a model riding in a hot air balloon, said a team of 10 seamstresses spent 100 days creating the item.

collaboration with Italian firm Tito Neri.

Costa Cruises said in a statement that the operation to remove the fuel, which began on February 12, was carried out by 20 vessels and an international team of 100 experts.

It said Smit and Tito Neri would now monitor safety in the area around the ship in a "caretaking" phase, expected to last up to two months, before the removal of the vessel began.

Six working plans have been submitted for the lucrative contract to remove the wreck, which is expected to take up to a year. Costa Cruises said the best plan would be selected and announced in April.

Marine faces dismissal for criticizing Obama SAN DIEGO — The Marine Corps on Wednesday notified a sergeant who has been openly critical of President Barack Obama that he is violating Pentagon policy barring troops from political activities and that he faces dismissal.

Camp Pendleton Marine Sgt. Gary Stein started a Facebook page called Armed Forces Tea Party to encourage fellow service members to exercise their free speech rights. He declared a few weeks ago that he would not follow the unlawful orders of the commander in chief. Stein also criticized Defense Secretary Leon Panetta for his comments on Syria.

Stein, a nine-year member of the Corps, said he did nothing wrong and planned to fight the charges. He had applied to extend his service, which was set to expire in a few months.

"I'm completely shocked that this is happening," he said. "I've done nothing wrong.

I've only stated what our oath states that I will defend the constitution and that I will not follow unlawful orders. If that's a crime, what is America coming to?"

The Marine Corps said in a statement Wednesday that Stein's commanding officer ordered a preliminary inquiry on March 8 after receiving allegations that Stein posted political statements about Obama on Facebook in violation of the Pentagon's directives.

"After reviewing the findings of the preliminary inquiry, the commander decided to address the allegations through administrative action," the Corps said.

Stein said in addition to being discharged, he would have his rank reduced to lance corporal if he is proven to be in violation of the rules. He said he was removed from his job at the Marine Corps Recruiting Depot in San Diego on Wednesday and given a desk job with no access to computers.

According to Pentagon directives, military personnel in uniform cannot sponsor a political club; participate in any TV or radio program or group discussion that advocates for or against a political party, candidate or cause; or speak at any event promoting a political movement. Commissioned officers also may not use contemptuous words against senior officials, including the defense secretary or the president.

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HIGHLIGHTS

Jobless claims fall READ ON PAGE 39

Fed oďŹƒcials clash on view of economy The gap between the Federal Reserve's dovish core and its hawkish wing was on display on Thursday as a top Fed official said the economy is in better shape even as Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke focused on a source of weakness.

While growing "slower than we would like," the U.S. economy is expanding fast enough that it does not need further help from the central bank, Dallas Fed President Richard Fisher told Fox Business Network.

"We will not support further quantitative easing under these circumstances because there's a lot of money lying on the sidelines, lying fallow," he said, according to a transcript provided by the network.

"We don't need any more monetary morphine."

Bernanke, by contrast, sounded more cautious, saying U.S. consumer spending is still too weak to ensure a healthy pace of economic growth.

"Right now, in terms of debt and consumption, we're still way low relative to the pattern before the crisis," Bernanke told students in the second of two lectures at The George Washington University. "We lack a

source of demand to keep the economy growing."

Fisher is in the minority at the Fed, which last week reiterated its expectation that it will need to keep short-term interest rates near zero through late 2014 to help a lackluster recovery.

But his vocal opposition to further easing points to the challenges Bernanke faces as he seeks consensus on future policy in the face of subpar growth and high unemployment.

While Fisher does not have a policy vote this year, he participates in the Fed's regular policy-setting meetings.

In response to the deepest recession in generations, the Fed, under Bernanke's leadership, slashed short-term borrowing costs to zero and promised to leave them there until at least late 2014. The central bank has also sharply expanded its balance sheet through the purchase of some $2.3 trillion in Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed debt.

Although Bernanke has been highly visible this week, jumping between congressional testimonies and his lectures to students, he has not shed additional light on what investors are

primarily concerned with - the prospect for further monetary easing.

Analysts now see a third round of bond purchases or quantitative easing as less likely given recent improvement in the economic backdrop, especially in the job market.

Still, Fed officials have made clear they still see the 8.3 percent unemployment rate as too high for comfort, and the risk of contagion from Europe's financial crisis, while smaller, has not completely abated.

The U.S. economy grew 3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011 but that rate was seen slowing to just under 2 percent in the first three months of this year.

Among analysts and investors, however, expanding U.S. manufacturing and improving labor and housing markets in recent months have lifted hopes for recovery.

Traders have reacted by betting the Fed will start raising rates as soon as July 2013.

Fisher said he is not worried about inflation, which he expects to come down to around the Fed's 2 percent target.

"The real problem in our country

is job creation and prosperity," he said.

"And we need to get better fiscal policy to complement what we at the Fed have done, because it's not working as effectively as it should."

Separately, one of the Fed's most dovish policymakers offered an analysis of the central bank's verbal clues on the future path of interest rates, concluding they are effective at lowering borrowing costs.

Based on data going back to the mid-1990s, Charles Evans, president of the Chicago Fed, and three other economists, found that markets do indeed listen when the Fed speaks, according to the research, presented at a Brookings Institution conference on Thursday.

The paper from Evans lends support to the Fed's decision earlier this year to begin publishing policymakers' own forecasts for the path of rates, and to clearly state that the Federal Open Market Committee expects rates to remain near zero until at least late 2014.

"It seems possible for the FOMC to change longer term interest rates out of its control by promising to persistently lower the shorter term rates within its control," the paper says.

Sony to introduce Ernst & Young suit over 'touchless' Lehman heads to state court A lawsuit from New York's attorney general accusing accounting firm Ernst & Young of helping to hide financial problems at Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. has been sent from federal court to the New York state court where it was originally filed.

U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan said in a ruling Thursday that the lawsuit, which alleges that Ernst & Young conspired with Lehman in a scheme to shuffle tens of billions of dollars from its balance sheets in order to boost the appearance of Lehman's liquidity, does not fall under federal jurisdiction.

"This action therefore will be remanded whence it came," Kaplan wrote, referring to the Manhattan state court where the lawsuit was initially filed by New York's then-Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

The lawsuit is one of the first major government legal action stemming from Lehman's 2008 bankruptcy filing. In it, New York prosecutors cite violations of the Martin Act, a 90-year-old state law that gives regulators broad enforcement authority over securities fraud.

After the lawsuit was filed in December 2010, Ernst & Young moved it to federal court in Manhattan. While Cuomo's successor, Eric Schneiderman, initially opposed the move, the

state later dropped its objections.

The case has been consolidated with 47 others related to the Lehman collapse. Sending it back to state court may make the discovery process less efficient, Kaplan wrote.

"But the court nonetheless has come to the view that remand of this action is the only course open to it in the present posture of this case," Kaplan wrote.

The lawsuit seeks to recoup the $150 million in fees that Ernst & Young earned as Lehman's auditor from 2001 until its bankruptcy filing in 2008.

Ernst & Young has denied it acted improperly and said that Lehman's accounting complied with national standards. In his ruling, Kaplan noted that whether Ernst & Young complied with national accounting standards was the sole federal-law question in the attorney general's lawsuit.

But Kaplan found that the state "may obtain all the relief it seeks" without reaching the question of whether Ernst & Young violated those standards.

"We are disappointed by the court's ruling, and we are reviewing it," Ernst & Young spokesman Charlie Perkins said in a statement.

"We will continue to vigorously defend ourselves in the matter."

smartphone

Japanese electronics giant Sony says its new Xperia Sola smartphone allows users to browse the Web by hovering a finger above links they would normally touch.

Sony calls the technology in the Sola, set to go on sale in the second half of 2012, a "floating touch" user interface.

A number of firms around the world have been exploring gesture control technology.

Apple, Microsoft and U.S. mobile phone chip maker Qualcomm are currently developing camera-based touchless technology to allow users to answer the phone, navigate the Web and scan through photos using gestures rather than having to touch the screen.

Sony's new "floating interface" is not quite the same, however; the user's finger will instead act like a mouse cursor, highlighting a link that can then be activated with a single tap.

But some analysts say they wonder if the feature will be popular or even practical.

"It is certainly an original piece of technology, and may be useful, for instance, when your hands are wet, but we still need to see other practical implications of it," Chris Barraclough, devices editor at Mobile Choice magazine, told the BBC.

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Quality Supermarket Kings and Kischo record wins pg 41

AFC Academy turn back SWA Sharks

The AFC Academy got by the SWA Sharks by a 3-1 margin as the WIV Premier League continued last week, in the first two a double header.

It was an intriguing game with the Academy showing more cohesion and commitment while the Sharks lacking attack due to three missing forward players.

The Academy did well generally in the first half generally dominating midfield with the Sharks not really keeping a good shape and key in this were Jeff Joseph, David Jasmine, Wildens Delva and Glademy Prott who all played well.

Their hard work was reflected by a goal from Fred Dorvil being the difference at half time having been put through by Prott.

The second half saw an improvement from the Sharks who began to work harder and smarter following a couple of substitutions, including the introduction of the late arriving Alex Paul, the regular keeper with Chris Bryan coming out of

goal into midfield.

The game changed however, after the dismissal of Arlindo Serpa following a second yellow card.

This pegged the Sharks back somewhat but they managed to score against the run of play with a Peggy Derilien free kick.

The introduction of Ralph Pierre and Basil McGregor gave some much needed strength to the flagging Sharks who started to press for another goal.

The Academy, however, stuck to their task even after Coach Hurdle had to go off with an injury.

Dorvil scored again with a crisp finish following some slack defending by the tiring Sharks.

The game was sealed towards the end with a fine goal from a shot outside the penalty area.

In the second game the high-flying Cheshire Hall turned back HAB FC 5-1. The game started evenly with both sides looking threatening and indeed HAB could have gone ahead had both Chris O'Neill and Dukens Dorisca not dashing good

chances. Equally dangerous were Samuel Nacius, Lenford Singh and company.

The HAB defence was equal to it for the first 20 minutes and it took a defensive lapse from HAB to allow Kevaughn Brown to score the opener. A second goal came also through another defensive mistake when the goalkeeper came but failed to collect a long ball and allowed a free header for Navar Cumberland.

Dukens Dorisca pulled one back after a good move down the left. The game continued in a similar vein in the second half but more goals came for Cheshire Hall from the pace of Navar Cumberland and Singh.

Cumberland went on to get his hat-trick in the 90th minute. The win put Cheshire Hall in the homestretch for the for the title, unless both the Academy and the Sharks can beat them in the remaining games.

The President’s Player of the Week was Jeff Joseph, of AFC Academy.

Net Rockers still celebrating successful season

Net Rockers FC has successfully defended the TCIFA Women’s Football League for the 2012 season. The hard working and improving Net Rockers FC finished the season with 23 points, ahead of TCIFA Hurricanes on 20 points, Revolution FC on 9 points and in the cellar is the improving TCIFA Strikers with no points.

Net Rockers FC also took the Cup Finals with a come from behind 2-1 victory in overtime over the TCIFA Hurricanes. The vastly improving Net Rockers FC went to the Cup Finals with a convincing 7-0 victory over the TCIFA Strikers, while the TCIFA Hurricanes beat Revolution FC by 3 goals to 2 in an exciting encounter. The victory by the TCIFA Hurricanes and Net Rockers FC paved the way for the keenly expected Cup Finals between the two teams and the teams did not disappoint their fans.

The coach of Net Rockers FC, a former National Coach of Guyana Senior football team, Mr. Rawle Gill, said “the best is yet to come from my team”, he said. “The clean sweep of this year’s competitions is as a result of the teamwork and commitment of the players, It’s hard to single out an individual player since our goal keeping department was excellent, the defensive line was very strong since we have conceded only three goals, and the midfield was very creative with very good finishers.

“The team finished the season unbeaten with a goal difference of twenty six (26). In two (2) years the team has lost only two (2) games.

The successful Net Rockers Team. Standing (from left) Jacinda Alfrena, Lencie Wilner, Dicula Lorionne, Gaya Smith, Josul Noel-Jeune, Patrice Senior, Ava Robertson, Jancilla Cox, Philene Pierre and Niquita Rosemane. Kneeling: Tonacia Gill, Carmela Giordano, BerthaLee Belle, Gerline Azemard, Dixie Smith and Gerline Heulen. Not included in photograph: Wisline Bien-Aime, Kayla Gardiner, Timolin Gill-Irwin and Vanessa Beaute.

“This organization is very thankful to God for His goodness and mercies; it’s because of His grace that we have reached thus far.

Also we would like to say thanks very much to our sponsors, Air Turks and Caicos, Mango

Reef Restaurant, The Weis Guys of Pine Cay and Dr. Ewing and family, for taking good care of us and who saw it fit to assist with the development of football in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

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LOCAL SPORTS LOCAL NEWS

Quality Supermarket Kings and Kischo record wins Page 9

LOCAL NEWS

Man of the match Pawan Kumar for Sunday game

Victorious Quality Supermarket Kings

Bowling for Beaches, Yohan Grant Quality Supermarket Kings washed away Beaches on Saturday 17th March 2012 as the claimed 3 wickets for 22 runs from 3 HabGroup/ Gansevoort Resort T20 Cricket overs and Christopher Mcfarlane took Competition continued at the downtown ball 2 wickets for 28 runs from 3 overs.

Man of the Match was Park.

Thirumalaiyandi (Andy) Kuthalingam Quality Supermarket Kings won the toss and asked Beaches to take first strike who then from Quality Supermarket Kings.

Meanwhile, as the competition posted 159 runs for 5 wickets from 20 overs, with Christopher Mcfarlane top-scoring with a continued on Sunday, March 18, pugnacious 61 runs, which comprised 10 4s and another exciting match was held two 6s. Osmond Sicard gave great support by featuring KB Home and Kishco.

KB Home won the toss and elected scoring 25 runs and Yohan Grant adding 21 runs.

Bowling for Quality Supermarket Kings, Ian to field. Kishco scored a formidable Heath, Robert Johnson, Nagarajan Kuthalingam, 196 runs for 4 wickets from 20 overs.

Top scorer was Pawan Kumar Austin Etienne and Lloyd Lynch took one wicket belligerent a piece.

ASSISTANT GOLF COURSE unbeaten 70 runs, which Quality Supermarket Kings in reply, being 134 consisted of five 4s and six 6s. His for 8. Beaches seemed toSUPERINTENDENT have the game in the bag teammate Winston Callum punched Thirumalaiyandi (Andy) Kuthalingam with his Man of the Match Award but a spirited unbeaten 18 runs, comprising three an elegant 43, which included five 4s Caicos Water Company Provo Golf requires a 38 runs, comprising andClub AJesh Vargesh 4’sTurks from& Thirumalaiyandi (Andy) d.b.a.

Kuthalingam professional Assistant Golf Course Superintendant.

Gareth Butler at the crease scoring array of shots, and 16 runs from Lloyd Lynch saw the team home. eight 4s. forand KB Home, Gareth Butler, and KB Home were well in the target, but faltered when Other contributors Jitinder Ganglani, The candidate should were have advanced knowledge ofBowing agronomy Butler was bowled in the 20th over, having scored Craig James took one wicket a piece. who runs, which practices, had three 4s and 6, and turfscored grass26 management a working knowledge of golf course When KBrules Home Kevin Hinds who knockedand onea two 4s forunderstanding his 20 construction principles thorough of the of batted and reached 83 for 5 a brilliant 91 runs from 66 balls, punching nine 4s the Nagarajan game of golf. runs.

Kuthalingam 13 , snatching two wickets it seemed that the things were not going and 6s.

Paul McKenzie was left unbeaten on 35 runs. in KB Home favour, but with Paul McKenzie and 4s in the process.

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

The West Club The West Bay Bay Club

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

1 Kitchen helpers HELPERS 1 Labourer 2 KITCHEN The salarySalary range for this positionto is commensurate with experience, $5.00 $7.00should perhour hour training and education.

Interested contact Veronica Salary $5.00 toapplicants $7.00 per March 30, call247-1554 2012 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by Rigby via email byPlease or247-1554 Please contact Dorothea Malcolm @ or fax 649-946-5191. Only persons selected for an interview will be Email irisdm2011@hotmail.com contacted Email by email oririsdm2011@hotmail.com telephone to schedule an interview.

HAB MANAGEMENT Wanted LTD.

CLEANER

ONE LABOURER to work 6 days per week – hours vary.

Must be proficient at gardening, yard work, able to Responsibilities: lift heavy objects.

The successful applicant will be responsible for the general cleaning of Contact at 941-3321 communal areas, sweeping andManagement mopping of floors, cleaning of windows The Proprietors, Plan No. 38 and removal of trash.

The applicant will Strata also be responsible for any other duties assigned (The in regards to general cleaning.

Grandview on Grace Bay) Requirements: The successful applicant must be able to work with little to no supervision, capable of performing manual labour outside

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Jets complete deal for Tebow READ STORY ON PAGE 44

NFL Players Union wants to conduct its own inquiry into Bounty Program The N.F.L. players union said Thursday that it still wanted to conduct its own investigation into the New Orleans Saints’ bounty system after Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Coach Sean Payton for a year. Goodell has not yet disciplined the 22 to 27 players the league’s investigation says were involved in the bounties. Among them is the Saints’ defensive captain, Jonathan Vilma, who the N.F.L. said put up $10,000 that would have been paid to anyone who knocked Brett Favre out of the N.F.C. championship game in January 2010.

“N.F.L.P.A. leadership looks forward to meeting with the commissioner to discuss the league’s ‘bounty’ investigation,” a union statement said. “To date, neither the league, nor the Saints, have helped us facilitate interviews with members of management or the coaching staff. We expect the league to provide all information so that we can ensure a fair process for all who were involved.”

According to a person briefed on the conversations between the league and the union, the N.F.L. told union representatives that Saints coaches and other employees were free to speak to the union if they wanted to. The union has no disciplinary authority over players, coaches or front-office executives in this situation. But several weeks ago, when the investigation first came to light, Goodell asked the union’s executive director, DeMaurice Smith, for his recommendation about player discipline. The league has not received an answer.

Disciplining players is a more delicate matter for Goodell, who said in a statement Wednesday that he was troubled that players were enthusiastically involved in a program that encouraged injuring opponents.

But the union would probably fight any discipline it deems overly harsh, a situation Goodell, and perhaps the union, would probably prefer to avoid.

Given the severe penalties leveled against members of management and the coaching staff, most observers

expect a suspension for Vilma.

Another tricky wrinkle: the former Saints linebacker Scott Fujita, who is now with the Cleveland Browns and is active in union matters, has become enmeshed in the scandal.

The manner in which discipline is issued will affect how appeals can be made. If discipline for bounties falls under on-field activity, it will be issued

by Merton Hanks and Ray Anderson, who are in charge of the league’s football operations. Their decisions could be appealed to people mutually chosen by the union and the league. If the discipline falls under the heading of off-the-field activity, it can be issued by Goodell and can be appealed only to him.

Whatever Goodell’s decision on player discipline, the issue of bounties is not likely to go away. Senator Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois who is the assistant majority leader, announced Thursday that he would be chairman of a hearing on bounties in sports before the Senate Judiciary committee’s Subcommittee on Crime. The hearing

would try to determine whether federal sports bribery laws should be expanded to include sports bounty programs.

Representatives from the N.F.L., the N.H.L., the N.B.A., Major League Baseball and the N.C.A.A. will be asked to testify.

The union also announced that Smith, whose contract was due to expire this month, had been re-elected in a unanimous vote of player representatives at a union meeting in Marco Island, Fla. Smith, a lawyer, was originally elected in 2009 as a virtual unknown in the sports world. He is likely to serve another three-year term, the standard length for such agreements, despite some criticism of the collective bargaining agreement he negotiated with the league to end last year’s lockout.

The most public criticism came from the sports lawyer David Cornwell, who is now the head of the coaches association. Smith was also criticized by some players upset about how personalconduct and drug-policy punishments were handled in the wake of the lockout.

Eyes on Masters, Woods hopes to block out pain ORLANDO, Fla. — It was a sight seen too often lately: Tiger Woods wincing in pain on the golf course. On Wednesday, during the Arnold Palmer Invitational Pro-Am, Woods was about to hit a tee shot on Bay Hill’s par-5 sixth hole when a click of a photographer’s camera prompted him to stop his swing, defying the laws of motion, during his downswing. Woods doubled over in pain.

“I guess one of the so-called professional photographers took a picture right in the middle of my downswing,” Woods said. “I stopped it, and then felt a pretty good twinge in my back. Walked it off and then tried to hit one down there; hit it in the fairway, but didn’t feel very good. But after a couple of holes it loosened up, and I’m good to go now.”

That is the way it has been for Woods lately, the focus more on medical updates than scoring updates.

When he withdrew from the W.G.C.-Cadillac Championship with a tight left Achilles’ tendon after hitting a tee shot at the 12th hole at Doral, it was the third time in 22 months he had to quit in the middle of a round because of an injury.

With the Masters in two weeks, the question is obvious: Is Woods, who has been stuck on 14 major championships since the 2008 United States Open,

about to miss another major, just as his game is rounding into form? Having missed four majors since his victory on one healthy leg at Torrey Pines, Woods said he had no doubt he made the correct call by walking off the Blue Monster instead of stubbornly trying to play the last seven holes.

“I just kind of monitor things a little bit more than I used to because I used to be able to just kind of play through it,” he said. “But then again, that’s also set me back, and one of the reasons why I had surgeries is that I would ignore those and just kind of play through it. I had success, but the problem is, it was also detrimental at the same time, physically.”

With the Arnold Palmer Invitational serving as his final tuneup for the Masters, the next four days will reveal plenty about the state of his game. Woods, who used to own a home in Isleworth about three miles from Bay Hill, has won the event six times in 14 starts as a professional.

When Woods shot a final-round 62 — his lowest closing score as a professional — three weeks ago at the Honda Classic to make Rory McIlroy work for his two-shot victory, his playing partner, Ernie Els, declared Woods was back to his dominant self. Then came Doral. Now what?

Tiger Woods

“I see some moments of the old-fashioned Tiger that are very good,” Palmer said. “I think he’s strong enough and he’s smart enough and he’s got all of the equipment to do the things that he always did do, and I think it’s just a matter of getting it in the proper order to make him play the kind of golf that he played in the past 20 years.

“If I were making a prediction, I would say, look out, because one of these days, he’s going to come back and play pretty good golf.”

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After hours of uncertainty, Jets complete deal for Tebow About eight hours after announcing a trade for Tim Tebow, the Jets actually completed it Wednesday night, ending a surreal day in which one of the most popular and polarizing athletes in the country was sent to the N.F.L.’s most prominent city. After a brief but fierce pursuit that was almost derailed by a disagreement over money with his former team, the Denver Broncos, the Jets acquired Tebow, whose unorthodox quarterback style has divided football coaches and executives even as his public displays of faith have earned him a fervent fan following.

In joining the Jets, Tebow becomes the highest-profile backup quarterback in the N.F.L. A Heisman Trophy winner at the University of Florida, he burnished his image last season by leading the Broncos to several last-minute victories during the regular season and an overtime win in the playoffs against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Tebow is a crossover phenomenon who will diversify the Jets’ offense, but his presence could undermine the incumbent, Mark Sanchez, who recently agreed to a lucrative new contract. Tebow is also a somewhat incongruous fit: an outspoken Christian playing in a city known for its extensive night life and a member of a franchise made famous by the bachelor stylings of Joe Namath and currently known for the profane speeches of its coach, Rex Ryan.

“I think New York is unique; if

Tim Tebow

there’s anyone that can handle it, it’s Tim,” said Urban Meyer, who coached Tebow at Florida. “He’s going to handle it the same way he’s handled everything since I first met him: up front and first class and humble about everything. It’s probably a whole different animal in New York, but he handles everything the same way.”

In truth, it is the football aspect of the trade — the Jets acquired Tebow for two draft picks — that is more jarring than the prospect of Tebow in Times Square. New York has been cleaned up in recent years, and the improbable ascension of Jeremy Lin,

Pakistan fast bowler Amir accuses captain and agent of entrapment LONDON - Banned Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has accused former captain Salman Butt and agent Mazhar Majeed of tricking him into bowling deliberate no-balls in the 2010 Lord's test against England. Amir, 19, returned home last month after serving three months in a young offenders institution in Britain for his involvement in the spot-fixing scandal.

Butt, Majeed and pace bowler Mohammad Asif are still serving prison terms.

In an interview with Sky Sports screened on Monday, Amir, who has been banned from all cricket for five years, said he had sent his bank details to a businessman identified only as Ali during the 2010 tour. He had also sent text messages to Ali asking why he wanted the information.

Amir said on the day before the Lord's test that Mazhar had asked him to meet in his car. Butt later joined them.

He said Majeed had told him the International Cricket Council (ICC) was investigating the calls and texts to Ali but the case could be stopped if he bowled two no-balls in the forthcoming test. At practice subsequently, Butt had told him to practise bowling no-balls.

Amir said he had not been offered money at any stage but on the evening of the first day, after he had bowled the first no-ball, Majeed had come to his room and given him 1,500 pounds.

"He was happy...I knew why he was happy," he said. "No one is so stupid not to realise that if he was getting to deliver no-balls it must because of some sort of bet."

But Amir said he did not realise until the News of the World newspaper published details of a sting operation involving Majeed that it was the noballs and not his relationship with Ali that were being investigated.

He said he knew nothing about a no-ball delivered by Asif and had not bowled his no-balls for money but because Majeed and Butt had told him he was in trouble over the texts to Ali. "How was I manipulated? How was I made to do a thing like that? How was I trapped?," Amir said "Why did those people do what they did to me? Up to now I have not been able to figure it out. However, I never did it for money."

the point guard for the Knicks, has proved that the city is as good a place as any for a Christian athletic sensation to succeed.

For the Jets, Tebow could emerge as a change-of-pace quarterback who never threatens Sanchez, excelling in a role that maximizes his talents. Or he could add another layer of madness to 1 Jets Drive, where Ryan, the team’s flamboyant coach, and outspoken players rarely hold back their oftendivisive opinions.

The holdup in consummating the trade stemmed from a clause in Tebow’s contract that required any

team trading for him to pay Denver a portion of his salary for the next three seasons — more than $5 million. The sides eventually compromised, with the Jets kicking in $2.53 million that will be paid over the next three years.

In a conference call Wednesday night, General Manager Mike Tannenbaum called himself “an impatient spectator” for most of the night and said the parties were glad they could reach a compromise. He said the Jets read the contract, but there was a disagreement about how the $5 million in question would be handled after Denver received the trade papers.

News of the deal surfaced at 12:50 p.m. Wednesday, when the Jets’ official Twitter feed announced that the team had acquired Tebow. At 1:03 p.m., reporters who regularly cover the team received a text message acknowledging that the Jets and the Broncos had agreed in principle to the deal.

And then it stalled, ostensibly because the Jets failed to fully understand the provision in Tebow’s contract that would cause them to owe so much money to the Broncos. Into the mix came the Jacksonville Jaguars, leaving the Jets to face the possibility that a high-profile trade would collapse in the most public of manners.

The day’s uncertainty almost thwarted Denver’s hopes of arranging a tidy and quick exit for Tebow, who was made expendable by the Broncos’ recent signing of Peyton Manning.

Allen Iverson to Join Dominican Republic Team SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Former NBA star Allen Iverson is joining a regional basketball league in the Dominican Republic for a month.

Team president Milton Nunez told The Associated Press on Thursday the 36-year-old guard will play for Pueblo Nuevo. He declined to say how much Iverson will be paid.

Iverson is to arrive Sunday and play for his second-place team that same day against GUG in Santiago province, Nunez said.

"He and his agent have told us that he has been training a lot and that even if he hasn't been playing anywhere, he has what we need to help Pueblo Nuevo," Nunez said.

Iverson had been considered a potential recruit for the Santo Domingo Lions last year, but no contract was signed.

Iverson left the NBA in 2010 and spent part of that year playing in Turkey.

He was the NBA's MVP in 2001, when he led the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA finals. In 14 seasons in the NBA, he averaged 26.7 points.

Yankees’ value up, Mets’ down The Yankees are worth $1.85 billion, up nine percent from 2011.

The Mets value of $719 million is four percent less than last year’s.

The Mets have lost some $120 million the last two seasons and suffered attendance declines at Citi Field. The team’s owners last week received $240 million from the sale of minority stakes that amount to 48 percent of the franchise. With that money they have paid off loans to Bank of America, Major League Baseball, and debt to a syndicate of banks.

The team also settled for $162 million the lawsuit filed by the trustee for Bernard L. Madoff’s victims.

The team’s value as calculated by Forbes rose to $912 million in 2009, the inaugural season of Citi Field, but fell to $858 million and $747 million, respectively, in the next two seasons.

The biggest one-year leap in value is for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite a year of financial turmoil that included a Chapter 11 filing, Forbes said they are worth $1.4 billion — up 75 percent. The reasons are twofold: the team is close to being sold for a price that is likely to exceed $1.5 billion and a new TV deal to be negotiated later this year might bring in annual average rights fees of $100 million or more.

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LOCAL NEWS

Page 48

LOCAL NEWS

MARCH 23RD - MARCH 30TH, 2012

Published by SUN MEDIA GROUP, Turks & Caicos Islands | Tel: 649.946.8542 | Fax: 649.941.3281

TURKS & CAICOS SUN