VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2 by The SUN Newspaper

FEBRUARY1ST -FEBRUARY 8TH, 2014

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VOLUME 10 - No. 2

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PAYROLL TAX?

lthough there has been no ofﬁcial announcement by Government about the introduction of a payroll tax in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the fact that it has even been considered as a possible revenue earner has gone against consensus expectations and is causing outrage country-wide. In much the same way that the proposed Valued Added Tax (VAT) ignited a heated national debate which led to its eventual abortion, recent reports of a payroll tax have fanned the embers of a raging argument about the increasing level of taxation in a country that was once widely regarded as a low-tax jurisdiction. The Opposition People’s Democratic Movement, through its leader Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson, has served early notice that it is diametrically opposed to any payroll tax. Her sentiments have been echoed by several business persons and residents, many of who have been heard publicly condemning any such tax measure. Minister of Finance Hon. Washington Misick said it would be premature to comment on street talks that the government is considering payroll tax implementation to shore up the economy and avoid the country’s backpedaling to towards Value Added Tax (VAT). “I have no comment to make at this time. I don’t think any decision has been made about payroll tax. There has always been an agreement and an understanding that the government has to do some broad-based sustainable tax to substitute Value Added Tax. No decision has been made as to what it is going to be. Everything is on the table. I am not prepared to comment on that at the moment,” Misick said. He explained that the recommendation side of the blue ribbon commission work was done, and it is now for it to take those recom-

17 Haitian corpses still in TCI PAGE 6

MEET THE 2014 MISS UNIVERSE TURKS AND CAICOS CONTESTANTS The six contestants vying for the prestigious title of Capron, Codee Coalbrooke, Shante Williams and Shanice 2014 Miss Universe Turks and Caicos Queen were unveiled Williams. The six Miss Universe Turks and Caicos Pageant conat the Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort and Spa on Monday, January 17, at an event attended by Premier Hon. Dr. testants also tagged – the Sassy 6 – take time for a photo Rufus Ewing and some of the sponsors. The young ladies opportunity at Beaches Resort and Spa, where they were were allowed to introduce themselves to the public for the unveiled on Monday, January 27. The coronation’s grand finale is scheduled for Brayton first time and tell briefly about themselves. They are Todeline Defralien, Tashy Forbes, Gabieann Hall on April 26. mendations to the public to gather feedbacks and further make adjustment where necessary, but until that is done, he could not comment much. “The blue ribbon commission still has not done its public consultations yet. That is the next step, and all their decision would be put to the public and then the public would make a decision as to what

should be done. But we need money, and we have to ﬁnd a broadbased tax. “Basically, there is a whole list or menu of alternatives measures that was considered (by the blue ribbon commission). I don’t think it is useful to comment on any one of them until they are all been discussed with the public,” the Finance Minister said.

In the meantime, Opposition Leader Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson said that while she supports the appointment of the blue ribbon commission, she would not support any new tax measures proposal by that body. “We supported the appointment of the Blue Ribbon CommisCONTINUED ON PAGE 5

British Caribbean Lyndon Gardiner Lindsay Musgrove’s Bank loses case building new multi- case sent back to against Interhealth million-dollar FB0 Labour Tribunal Canada PAGE 7

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Jais at The Regent Village (649) 941 4324 ~ info@jais.tc ~ www.jais.tc

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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PAYROLL TAX?

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sion and are not in receipt of the ﬁnal report and cannot say whether this is raised in the Report. It therefore follows that there has not been an opportunity to debate this in any Forum. I am hearing the rumors as others. However, the FSPS required under the Constitution must make reference to the Government’s proposed taxes even before the budget, which must be laid on the table six weeks before debate and passage in parliament,” she said. The Opposition Leader urged government to embark on a more aggressive marketing campaign to get new investments into the country as oppose to creating tax measures, which she said could be burdensome to the people. She said that the present healthcare arrangement could save government hefty sums, and the administration should look in that direction. “In opposing VAT, we called for greater compliance and a complete review of the revenue streams with great consultations on seeking new and steady streams of revenue. Aside from this, there must be an aggressive marketing of our country for tourism and investment in order to attract fresh monies. We cannot continue to tax a shrinking base. The Government cannot and should not come to the people of these Islands with any additional taxes until it shows where it is addressing the huge costs of healthcare. “There are savings to be made I am sure and better management that can be put in place providing oversight of the healthcare system. It is simply bleeding this country and the Government must ensure that the Audits are done so

that we can identify areas of waste,” she said. Cartwright-Robinson asserted that in the event the government brings a tax bill to the House she would vehemently oppose it. She said: “I cannot stand in Parliament and support another tax on the people of these Islands. When I began in my profession to market TCI, I was given four points that gave us a competitive edge and the absence of payroll or income tax was a marketing tool that presented an edge. We need to listen to the cries of the people and also to see what we are doing to our marketing strategy as a country that is in dire need of fresh monies through new investments.” She added: “I will wait to hear this rumor go away and will wait to hear the Government address the unaffordable costs of this new healthcare system and I continue to eagerly await its aggressive plan to market these Islands.” E. Jay Saunders, President of the Providenciales Chamber of Commerce, CEO for Digicel TCI and a member of the blue ribbon commission, said the matter did come up, as all the possibilities were explored. However, he said such a tax could cripples people’s ability to take care of their families and run their households. “With payroll tax nobody is picking up the cap but you, it’s a tax on your payroll. It doesn’t matter about NHIP, NIB (payments), it (payroll tax) is coming out of your payroll. So it means that you are going home with a shrinking wallet. From the employee perspective, it is another burden that the employee has to carry. I am not sure if it going to be a ﬂat fee or it is going to be taken out of your pay by percentage. “If it is a ﬂat fee it is going to be harder on

the people who are making a little bit of money, and if it is a percentage of your payroll, which more than likely it will be, it will take a big chunk of your salary. It is an income tax – no matter what they want to call it, it is income tax. And what income tax does it makes it hard for the consumer,” he said. Explaining the effect on payroll tax on the employee, Saunders noted: “For someone who makes, say $1,500 a month, he has to go to the store and buy; he has to pay for fuel; food for the kids, school fees. Now (under payroll tax) you are going to have $1,200, so now you have to make do with that amount for the month. School fees are still ﬁxed, you are not using any less light, and you still need to feed yourself. “Take someone who is doing well; he spends $100 a week by going to the bar hanging out with friends and socialize. That is $400 for the month. Now, if that salary takes a $200 hit, his kids is still in school, his light bill is still the same. His social life will take a hit, and so his favourite bar now gets half of the money, and everyone likes him can’t go to that bar as often as they used to. And then the bar has to let staff go because it is not making the kind of money it used to.” Saunders added: Also, the consumer is now able to cut his hair just one a month down from four times a month. And so, instead of his favourite barber opening seven days a week, he now works two or three days of the week because it is slow, and he has to go home early. “If he goes home early he is going to turn off his light and use less power, and then Fortis is going to close shop on Fortis. The less money you leave on the table is the less money is going into the economy.”

Summary of January 29th Cabinet Meeting Issued on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary. His Excellency the Governor, Peter Beckingham, chaired the meeting of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ (TCI) Cabinet on Wednesday, 29th January 2014 at 9a.m. at the NJS Francis Building on Grand Turk. All Ministers were present. At this meeting Cabinet: 1. Approved, effective 1st April 2014, amendments to the Hotel and Restaurant Tax Ordinance to include independent tourism service providers (such as those offering water sports, diving, event management, boat trips, spa operations and so on.) The Ordinance will be renamed the Hotel and Tourism (Taxation) Ordinance; 2. Approved for public consultation a Tax Rationalisation Plan that has been developed as a result of the consolidated recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission. The consultation will seek to inform the public about the implications of the plan;

3. Approved the draft 2014/15 TCIG budget and directed that the annual appropriation Bill be prepared for consideration by the House of Assembly. In addition Cabinet approved the preparation of a supplementary appropriation Bill to make the necessary adjustments to the appropriated sums for the financial year 2013/14; 4. Approved in principle the long lease of 7.2 acres of Crown Land/Airport Authority Land located at the North side of Grand Turk aerodrome to Marina Aviation Services Ltd for the development of a Fixed Base Operation (FBO) and fire hall to accommodate the aerodrome and domestic fire services. A Memorandum of Understanding will be drafted to facilitate progress of negotiations and security of funds for the development ; 5. Approved amendments to the Dogs Control Ordinance to reflect a review of the Prohibited Breeds List and agreed that the Dogs Control (Amendment) Bill 2014 be introduced at an upcoming meeting of the House of Assembly;

6. Approved the membership of a Medical Tourism Steering Committee. The committee, established for a period of one year, will develop clear policies for the operation of medical tourism activities in the hospitals in Providenciales and Grand Turk; 7. Noted the recommendations of the Procurement Board on the award of the following contracts: Provision of RO plant equipment building on Salt Cay; design, supply and commissioning of RO plant on Salt Cay; well-drilling for Salt Cay water plant; sports track upgrade at Raymond Gardiner High School, North Caicos; purchase of Generator at Police HQ, Providenciales; appointment of consultants to develop a strategic plan for the TCI Tourism Industry; construction of a ﬁsh market on West Road, Grand Turk. All contracts were subject to open tendering in accordance with the Procurement Ordinance 2012. Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.

Ministry of Home Affairs responds to criticisms of hiring at prison I

n response to recent media queries about the recruitment practice at HM Prison, The Ministry of Environment and Home Affairs and Her Majesty’s Prison Service said theywork with the Human Resources Management Directorate to ensure that the hiring process is a fair one. “Policy dictates that Turks and Caicos Islanders are given ﬁrst preference in all situations however; individuals who do not meet core competency minimum standards or who fail a po-

lice records check are eliminated from the process,” a Government Press release said. “Speciﬁcally as it relates to the recruitment of Prison Ofﬁcers who are entrusted with the care and safety of others, TCIG must ensure that recruits satisfy not only the basic competency but also a level of ethical standards even as HM Prison strives to increase its recruitment of locals.” The release said records show that most recent recruits have come from the local population, adding

that since 2006 HM Prison has only recruited a teacher and a Superintendent from overseas. In 2013 another eight ofﬁcers were hired, of which ﬁve were Belongers and three were expatriates married to Belongers. All other appointments made were Belongers and PRC holders. The following gives a breakdown of the Prison Staff: 40 members of staff are Turks and Caicos Islanders (Local), 10 are Residency / Permanent Residency Holders and 15 are foreign

nationals of which 13 were employed before 2007. “It is the intention of the Ministry and HM Prison Service to continue to: 1) ensure that qualiﬁed Belongers are recruited into HM Prison and 2) work with TCIG and the Human Resource Management Directorate to build on the skills and experience of locals to help reduce the reliance on overseas skills and experience across the Public Service,” the Government release said.

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LOCAL NEWS

17 bodies from last Christmas Eve’s deadly Haitian boat accident still in TCI

Turks and Caicos Sun Suite # 5, Airport Plaza Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands Tel: (649) 946-8542 Fax: (649) 941-3281 Email: sun@suntci.com

BY VIVIAN TYSON

“What we are also thinking about is to find out if there is a way we could send the bodies back by boat, ore than a month after the because we believe it will be a little deadly 2013 Christmas Day bit cheaper. I am dealing with this boat accident that killed at least 17 ilthing right now. It is a really difficult legal Haitian immigrants, the recovsituation,” he said. ered bodies are still in a morgue in Pellissier said that since the incithe Turks and Caicos Islands. dent, he has been liaising with a govHaitian Consular to the Turks ernment official in Haiti to workout and Caicos Islands Karlo Pellissier interment preparation. That inditold The SUN that the cost to sendvidual, he said, was to have gotten ing the bodies back to Haiti was back to him before the week is out proving prohibitive, and while his because he was out of office. But at office is working with the Haitian press time it was not clear whether Government to hammer out a way or not a final decision was made. to repatriate the bodies, it is also “This is the person we are waiting working with the local authorities for to make a final decision, what we on the possibility of having the bodHaitian Consular to Turks and are going to do with the bodies. That ies buried here. Caicos Islands Karlo Pellissier (final decision) is what I am dealing “The cost to repatriate these people is very high, and I am trying to negotiate with with right now. The person that I am dealing with several people so see if I could get a better deal to is out of office right now. They are going to make a repatriate them back to Haiti. The cost is going to decision and tell me what to do. We would like to be between $50,000 and $60,000 for all 17 of them,” know some estimates for what some of the services are going to cost. After that is worked out, we will Pellissier said. He said the Haitian Government is not ruling make certain decisions,” he said. Pellissier said that the local government is workout applying to the local authorities to inter the bodies of the 17 Haitian migrants who drowned ear- ing with his office to see what it can do to have a ly Christmas morning after their intercepted sloop proper disposal of the bodies. He said that the Haitian Government is interestin which they were trying to make landfall capsized while being towed to shore by a police marine boat. ed in the outcome of the situation and requires dai“Yes, also this (seeking to bury the bodies in ly updates on the manner. He said that the Haitian TCI) is one of the considerations we are doing Government could not fully fund the return of the right now, because when I contacted several fu- dead at the current costs. “It has been a month (since the 17 persons neral places (in Haiti), the cost is about the same. So we are trying to see the best deal that we could drowned) and something has to be done, definiteget,” he said. “Because you have to prepare the ly. Bu the thing is I am new to the Turks and Caicos bodies for burial, you have to bear the cost for the Islands. I don’t know all the relevant people. I am caskets, transport cost for plane back to Haiti and learning a whole bunch of things and about people who I should deal with. The ones that I am familiar local transportation.” Pellissier said that he is also working out the cost with, I regularly go and see them; sometimes they with the Haitian Government as to whether or not would come to my office, we sit down together and it is cheaper to send the bodies back to Haiti by boat. talk,” he pointed out.

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Read us online at www.suntci.com Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Hayden Boyce Senior Editor: Vivian Tyson Office Manager: Dominique Rigby Information Technology and Production Manager: Kelano Howell Design by Design2pro.com The Turks and Caicos SUN is a subsidiary of The SUN Media Group Ltd. We are committed to excellence in journalism, educating and informing our readers, serving and satisfying our advertisers and assisting in the overall development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Asked as to whether the uncertainly of the bodies being returned to Haitia for burial puts him in a difﬁcult position he said: “That’s my job. I have to deal with it. I am not in a bad position. It is sad that you have 17 people who died. That is the saddest thing in that situation. But that is my job, I have to do it. But I can say that everybody in the Turks and Caicos Islands has been helpful. Everybody is trying to work with me to get something done, and I am very satisﬁed with the way people here are helping.” Pellissier could not say whether or not there is a cost associated with storing of the bodies at the local morgue.

DEMA secures grant from Governor’s office to provide training for officers The Department for the Environment and Maritime Affairs (DEMA) has been successful in its application to the Governor’s Ofﬁce for $10,000 of funding for two projects that will help build the technical capacity of DEMA ofﬁcers.

he ﬁrst of the two projects will see a DEMA ofﬁcer attend a weeklong Port State Control training conference in Southampton, UK. The conference is offered annually by The International Chamber of Commerce Crime Services and presents the latest developments to the major conventions, regulations and codes

related to shipping and maritime affairs. Such training is essential to officers working within maritime law enforcement. The second project will see the Governor’s Office pay for the equipment and certification necessary for ten DEMA officers to receive a fullday’s open-water training on lionfish control. Lionfish (Pterois spp.) are native to the Pacific Ocean but have recently been introduced into the Caribbean region, and have had a severe impact on the marine environment. The training, which is also being subsidised by the course providers Aqua Scene TCI and the Turks and Caicos

Reef Fund (TCRF), is an important step towards the development of a strategy to control lionfish numbers in TCI waters. “These two projects will provide DEMA with additional technical capacity as it seeks to continue to safeguard TCI’s natural resources,” commented Director of DEMA, Kathleen Wood. “It has become increasingly clear that lionfish are causing real environmental problems in the region given their high rate of reproduction and aggressive consumption of marine resources. We are pleased to be able to equip our officers with the expertise necessary to

NIB Court matters I

n the Magistrate’s Court in Providenciales on January 22nd, the following National Insurance matters were brought before the Honorable Magistrate Jolyon Hatmin: On Tuesday January 22nd 2014, Defendant Jonathan Gardiner appeared in the Providenciales Magistrate’s Court to answer to an application for a Writ of Execution ﬁled by NIB for the levying of $3,600.00. The Writ of Execution was issued to NIB for the said amount. On Tuesday January 22nd 2014, Defendant Jerry Skippings appeared in the Providenciales Mag-

istrate’s Court to answer to an application for a Writ of Execution ﬁled by NIB for the levying of $2,549.76. The matter was adjourned sine die pending settlement. On Tuesday January 22nd 2014, Defendant Barbara Hamilton was bond to appear in the Providenciales Magistrate’s Court to answer to complaints ﬁled by NIB for failing to pay contributions as a Self-employed person and Employer in the amount of $9,165.84. The matter was adjourned for March 12th 2014. On Tuesday January 22nd 2014, Defendant

address this issue. In addition, the Port State Control course will help keep us abreast of the latest advances and developments in maritime law enforcement. We are grateful to the Governor’s Ofﬁce for funding the work, and for Aqua Scene TCI and TCRF for providing their time and expertise.” Commenting on the grant of the funding, Governor Peter Beckingham said: “I am delighted that we have been able to assist DEMA by funding these two important projects as they continue their valuable work protecting and enhancing TCI’s natural environment.”

George Seymour was summoned to appear in the Providenciales Magistrate’s Court to answer to a Write of Execution ﬁled by NIB for the levying of $19,001.30. The matter was adjourned for March 12th 2014. On Tuesday January 22nd 2014, Defendants Terrence Robinson and Andre Lightbourne of Lorters Computer Services was bond to appear in the Providenciales Magistrate’s Court to answer to complaints filed by NIB for failing to pay as an Employer in the amount of $11,704.60. The matter was adjourned for March 12th 2014. Legal Ofﬁcer John Ewing appeared on behalf of the NIB.

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Provo Air Centre undertakes new multi-million dollar FBO BY VIVIAN TYSON

he Provo Air Centre (PAC) is to construct a new multimillion dollar state-of-the-art (Fixed-Based Operator) FBO that will not only be on par with the best in the world but also boost the guest experience. The announcement was made by Lyndon Gardiner, Chairman for the enterprise, during an interview with The SUN earlier this week. The facility is to be constructed in the vicinity of the former Skybase FBO at the corner of Old Airport Road, Providenciales. “Provo Air Centre has been around since 2001. Based on the service that we have been giving to our clients, we are considered a leader, not only in the Caribbean region but also on the international scene as a world-class FBO facility,” Gardiner said. He said that the two-storey facility will be approximately 9,350 square feet. On completion it will be able to house a more spacious reception area for the guests and visitors to the TCI, as well as promote a more enhanced environment for staff as well as customs and immigration officials. “It is a state-of-the-art building, so certainly we are going to have a lot more space. We are going to have a pilot lounge. We are going to have a proper flight-planning room. Over there we are going to have more ramp space so that during the busy times we would be able to accommodate all aircraft closer towards the facility. “Right now we are kind of spread out between right in front of this facility here and our satellite ramp. And now that would sort of bring all the FBO business together,” Gardiner explained. He said that existing building is to be refurbished and transformed into Inter-Caribbean Airways head office as well as accommodate the engineer company that supports the airline. “Turks and Caicos is a premier destination; we are a premier company. We are moving forward and growing the development of the Turks and Caicos. We feel that we ought to provide our customers with much better facilities. Certainly, as you can see, we have first class or world class hotels, and so we aim to give the customer that experience the minute he lands in the Turks and Caicos. “You land at a first class facility and you go and live at a first class vacation villa or hotel and have a

Lyndon Gardiner

An artist’s impression of the new Provo Air Centre

very first class vacation. So it is a complete experience that we are creating, as it starts with us as the person lands in the Turks and Caicos,” he said. Commenting on the construction, Gardiner said: “We have a very short window of construction. Its 10 months, and we should be operational, looking to move in by the 1st of December. That’s a little over 10 months because we are giving ourselves a couple of weeks to outfit the facilities after the contractors have left. “The financial undertaking is quite substantial. I don’t want to give the number, but I can say overall, once all the phases are done it exceeds $10millon.” He said that the architectural aesthetics of the facility should be eye-catching, since it will comprise the very best from top-class facilities world-wide. “This is not something that comes overnight; obviously it is something that we have worked on. We’ve visited a lot of (FBO) facilities throughout the world. We have also garnered a lot of feedback from our customers as to what they would like to see and the kind of enhancement they think would serve their needs better. And so we have to consider all of that,” he said. He rubbishes claims that the Provo Air Centre was forced to construct a new facility because of a neighboring rival operation now under construction at the Providenciales International Airport. “I don’t think I need to pay special attention to what the others are doing. We are the leader in our field. My staff offers the best of service that you can find anywhere on this planet, and I think the busi-

ness will speak for itself. For her part, Debbie Aharon Chief Executive Officer for the Provo Air Centre said that she is confident that the new FBO will be the standards by which others are judged. “We are benchmarked by the industry surveys that are put out every year, and we are always in the top five; we consider that our starting point and we try to go up from there. We also receive emails from customers pretty much every day, calling to our attention one particular concierge, another concierge, our excellent ramp service. So, as long as that keeps flowing in, then we know we are heading in the right direction,” Aharon said. In the meantime, Gardiner said that his intention to expand the FBO should be an encouragement to other Turks and Caicos Islanders to reinvest in their country and for the younger ones coming up to take note that they can develop businesses in their own country. “It demonstrates that there are Turks and Caicos Islanders that are capable and willing to reinvest in the Turks and Caicos. I am particularly proud that this accomplishment will also demonstrate to the younger Turks and Caicos Islanders that are coming up, that there are opportunities here, and that they can be part of the development. “And I would like for my humble achievements to be looked and measured by them, and they can take a cue from that in developing their own businesses and becoming rightly so successful business people in the Turks and Caicos,” said.

DEPUTY GOVERNOR LAUNCHES MONTHLY CIVIL SERVICE SPOTLIGHT T

he Ofﬁce of the Deputy Governor has launched a new programme called ‘Spotlight: TCI Civil Service’ to recognise the vital contributions of public servants across the Turks and Caicos Islands, today, Wednesday, 29 January 2014. This is part of the strategic vision and plan for 2014, outlined by Anya Williams last year, to celebrate the contributions of staff across the Islands and will feature a particular ministry, department or staff every month. “I would like to launch this programme by remarking on the hugely positive contribution to the nation made by our Ministry of Health staff, particularly our ﬁve in-house doctors,” said Mrs Williams. “This small team achieves so much, being responsible for looking after our Primary Health, Dental and Mental Health Clinics throughout the islands, as well as carrying out research and studying epidemiology.

From left to right: Dr. Alicia Malcolm; Dr. Jameika Harvey; Dr. Nadia Astwood; Dr. Shandey Malcolm; absent Dr. Terese Maitland “They have great responsibility and highly demanding roles. Through their commitment and hard work they have succeeded through challenging times,

with scarce and sometimes overstretched resources, including successfully managing the norovirus outbreak in 2012. “They have helped the social de-

velopment of the TCI too, by developing and revitalising several programmes and policies, including the Clinic Exploration Program for high school and college students, the National Epidemiology Unit Health Research Internship Programme, the Teen Challenge which seeks brings about awareness to the areas of substance abuse; revitalisation of the Grand Turk Chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous and the recent launch of the Healthy Lifestyle Curriculum to GSAT students across the TCI. “So, on behalf of the country, their fellow public servants and myself, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to the following remarkable individuals: Dr. Nadia Astwood - Director of Health Services; Dr. Jameika Harvey – Acting Director of Dental Health; Dr. Alicia Malcolm - Director of Mental Health and Substance Abuse; Dr. Terese Maitland - Chief Epidemiologist; Dr. Shandey Malcolm - Deputy Chief Epidemiologist.”

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Goldray Ewing and House Speaker Hon. Robert Hall in heated clash T

he impassioned contribution by Member of Parliament for the Blue Hills voting district Hon Goldray Ewing, in his opposition to the government’s proposing to end some holidays and establish new ones, landed him in hot water with Speaker of the House of Assembly Hon. Robert Hall on Thursday, January 30. Ewing’s clash with the House Speaker came after he openly questioned Queen Elizabeth’s birthday celebration relevance or observance relevance. The row began when Ewing raised opposition to a motion piloted by his brother and Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing, to rename Columbus Day – National Heritage Day; implement a new holiday in late November called National Thanksgiving day; while stripping National Human Rights Day of its public holiday status. “For God’s sake, we celebrate the Queen’s birthday. I don’t know nothing (sic) about Her Majesty,” Ewing charged. However, House Speaker Robert Hall interrupted him and asked him to watch his words. However, the adamant Blue Hills MP was militant in his stance, and as a result both men attempted to crescendo their voices above the other. “Take your seat, you don’t over-speak me,” Hall insisted. “Take your seat.” However, the opposition MP would have none of it and asked the speaker: “Mr. Speaker, what are you afraid of?” The speaker then threatened to take disciplinary action against Ewing if he did not yield. “Honourable Member, if you don’t behave, I will take the necessary order. Please take your seat. Do you want me to invoke the standing orders as far as given to me to take? Don’t challenge me, please. I am just urging you, you cannot or you should not, in this honourable House (speak ill of the Queen). “The Queen is the head of the House; as such you can’t refer to her in that manner. You may have your sentiments; I may very well have my sentiments.

House Speaker Robert Hall

Hon. Goldray Ewing

But the fact is, the constitutional arrangement that we have, it means respect is due and must be paid by this House. And we must lead by example. I am sure your honourable leader will tell you that privately,” the speaker emphasized. Hall them demanded that Ewing take back and repent for his utterance. He eventually made what some considered a distant relative of an apology. “Mr. Speaker, I will withdraw because we, in this country, are too afraid to move on and too afraid to advance. I will withdraw that statement and move on. But like I tell you before, I already said it, I can’t retract it, but for the record, if you want me to retract I will retract it,” he said. Earlier during his passionate speech, the Blue Hills Member of Parliament stressed that doing away with Columbus Day would mean that the years of hard work undertaken by TCI historians would be discarded. He said too, that instead of pushing especially for a National Heritage Day,

the country should seek to honour those who had played pivotal roles to tear down a number of past ills, including racism. “…And right now we are talking about different holidays. We are talking about national pride. We are talking about being patriotic, and we can’t think about these things; we can’t think about these guys and these events. Just because you feel like Columbus was an undesirable, (you say) ‘okay, let’s change the holiday and make it National Heritage Day’? National Heritage Day doesn’t point to any specific time in our history. There is no holiday I agree to right now unless we start respecting our own people. And I don’t care about what any say, it is not political. When we move JAGS McCartney Holiday on the 30th, we did this country a big injustice. That was political. That was selfishness, we lost our pride, we lost our self esteem,” he charged. The opposition MP not only questioned the relevance of having a thanksgiving holiday, but also the time of the year. “Why are we celebrating National Thanksgiving Day in the fourth Friday in November? Why so close to the American Holidays? Do we want more time to go shopping? What is the significance behind that day? We give thanks for two things, mental and physical freedom and for abundance. Let’s celebrate thanksgiving on the 1st of August; that’s Papa JAGS birthday. Bring this holiday back on schedule, man,” he suggested. The opposition MP also argued that there was no sense in going through the process of passing a human rights ordinance, then “yank the (public) holiday (status) from them”. “I feel like it is a total waste of time. I understand how important it is because it is embedded in our good governing principles that is also part of our constitution. Just observing it in December without celebrating it (will cause it to) just go and nobody will notice it,” he said.

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LOCAL NEWS

Lindsay Musgrove unfair dismissal case sent back to Labour Tribunal BY HAYDEN BOYCE – PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

he Turks and Caicos Islands Labour Tribunal was “irregularly constituted” when it ruled that former Director of Tourism Lindsay Musgrove was unfairly dismissed. That was the ﬁnding of the Turks and Caicos Islands Court of Appeal who ordered that the matter be sent back to the Labour Tribunal “for re-hearing before a properly constituted Tribunal”. “The decision of the Tribunal was a decision of a Tribunal which was constituted of two members and was therefore before an irregularly constituted Tribunal. Such a decision cannot be allowed to stand and in these circumstances the decision of the Tribunal must be vacated,” the Court of Appeal stated, while drawing reference to a case between Bennett Thomas and Island Telecommunications where the Court of Appeal allowed an appeal under such circumstances. The Court of Appeal decision which was delivered on Thursday January 30th, was written by President Edward Zacca who sat along with Justice of Appeal Elliott Mottley, QC, and Ian Forte, QC. Ms. Yaa McCartney appeared for the Tourist Board, while Chal Misick appeared for Musgrove. Musgrove started working with the Tourist Board in 1994 and was appointed Director of Tourism in 2003. Subsequent to his appointment, Ralph Higgs was appointed as a second director. In 2009 the Tourist Board started a redundancy and restructuring programme and Musgrove was released. On March 10, 2010, Musgrove ﬁled an application with the Labour Tribunal for wrongful and constructive dismissal but later amended it to one of unfair dismissal. The hearing before the Tribunal was completed

Former Director of Tourism Lindsay Musgrove on July 22, 2011. The Tribunal comprised President Arthur Forbes and members Alco Williams and Brian Cyrus. The decision of the Tribunal was delivered on March 21, 2012, but prior to this date on August 12, 2011, the membership of Brian Cyrus was revoked by the then Governor Gordon Wetherell, meaning that on March 21, 2012 the decision was arrived at and delivered by only two members, Arthur Forbes and Alco Williams. The Court of Appeal judges made reference to Section 94 of the Employment Ordinance which states: 94. (1) The Labour Tribunal shall consist of a President, and at least two other members appointed by the Governor as follows – a. the President shall be appointed after consultation with such trade unions, employers’

organizations and other persons or groups as appear to the Governor to be representative of the views of employees and employers in the Islands; b. one member shall be appointed after consultation with such trade unions and other persons or groups as appear to the Governor to be representative of the views of employees; and c. one member shall be appointed after consultation with such employers’ organizations and other persons or groups as appears to the Governor to be representative of views of employers. d. The Labour Tribunal shall be deemed to be fully constituted of three members one sitting at any hearing notwithstanding any temporary vacancy, absence or incapacitation, in its membership. They also referred to Section 95 (5) which states: “If a member of the Labour Tribunal begins to hear a matter and thereafter is for any reason unable to perform the functions of his ofﬁce, then the functions may be performed by such other person as the Governor may appoint under subsection (1) of section 94 except that the hearing of evidence shall be restarted.” The Court of Appeal judges noted that in England the same basic requirement of a three-person balanced tribunal is recognized at the Employment Tribunal Hearing. They pointed out, however, that there are statutory exceptions in England (but not in the Turks and Caicos Islands) where the parties may give their informed consent to a two-person tribunal. Court of Appeal President Zacca wrote: “ The purpose of having an employee representative and employer representative is to have equality of representation. The court has not been told whether Mr. Brian Cyrus was an employee’s representative or any employer’s representative.”

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS Assistant Financial Controller

Requirements: • BA/BS Degree or equivalent. • At least 3 years management/supervisory experience at a property of similar size and quality. • At least 2 years of international multi-unit property experience. • Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience • Advanced knowledge and skills in computer systems, most specifically, Excel Spreadsheet Solutions. • Complete understanding of Executive Committee level functions. • Demonstrated understanding of interdepartmental relations and expectations in the luxury hotel market. • Sound knowledge of both European and American Accounting Plans. • Previous and in depth experience, understanding and application of management contracts. • Thorough understanding of H.O.A. contracts and contractual management. • Solid training in all areas of Accounting from A/P, A/R, General Ledger, Credit, Collections, Audit, Inventory control, Payroll, Budgeting, Costing, P&L preparation and analysis, etc. • Ability to inspire, develop and train people for promotion. • Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Duties Include: • Managing the day to day operations of the accounting department and overseeing the staff. • Assisting executive management, ownership and related associations with the production of financial reports, detailed analysis and business outlook. • Directing departments in the preparation and consolidation of financial budgets and projections. • Prepare, present and provide interpretation of operational reports as they impact the business finances. • Developing and maintaining chart of accounts and master lists. • Actively involved in yield management and revenue enhancement. • Coordinating internal and external audits. Starting salary $40,000.00 per annum, not including service charge

Room Attendant/Public Area Attendant/Houseman

Requirements: • Ability to work with heavy cleaning machinery. • Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Duties include: • Ensuring that standards of cleanliness and organization are met at all times in assigned areas.

• Responsibility for care and maintenance of all equipment and machinery • Restock linens and amenities on carts • Run needed items to guest floors • Assist housekeepers as required Starting salary $5.25 per hour not including service charge

Pool and Beach Attendant

Requirements: • Must be able to work in all outdoor element, rain, sun, etc. as required • Must be able to work long hours on feet • Must be able to lift 30lbs or more • Must be trained and certified in CPR, First Aid. • Life guard experience is a plus • Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Duties Include: • Creating a luxury guest experience through delivery of high level service for all pool and beach services Starting salary $6.00 per hour not including service charge

Security Oﬃcer

Requirements • Detects potential sources of security problems, safety hazards and fire hazards by maintaining surveillance of resort • Patrols resort on a regular basis • Ensures all resort entrances are locked and unlocked per resort policy • Maintains resort key management procedures and ensures that all keys are accounted for • Closes and secures F & B outlets each night • Ensures that all meeting rooms and exhibit rooms are secured • Completes daily security log, including pertinent information from the shift • Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Duties include: • Handle ling complaints, investigating and thoroughly reports on guest or employee injuries, worker’s compensation claims, thefts, assaults, lost property, car accidents, loud parties, vandalism and other guest complaints in accordance resort policy and procedure • Responding to emergencies; coordinating the partial or completing evacuation of the resort such as fire, armed robbery, severe injuries, power failure or bomb threats in accordance with resort policy and procedures. Salary $6.50 an hour commensurate with experience, education & training

Executive Chef

Requirements: • 10 years experience as an executive chef in luxury resort • Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience • Formal culinary degree, or formal apprenticeship • Proven managerial experience in a fine dining environment • Practical creativity to provide innovative entrees and developing new, unusual market driven menus while meeting profit goals of property, and menu engineering. • Previous responsibility for food purchasing, including negotiating prices. • Prior experience standardizing recipes, plating instructions, and costing. • Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Duties Include: • Participate in the development and implementation of business strategies for Food and Beverage including development of annual budget, monitoring actual versus budgeted expenses and recommending menu pricing • Develop and implement menu and dining strategies • Prepare reports summarizing food and beverage profitability, customer satisfaction, etc. • Lead monthly staff meetings Salary $55,000/Commensurate with qualification and experience

Cook

Requirements: • 3 years experience with, and are comfortable preparing a variety of different cuisines in a fine dining environment • Understand the importance of consistency • Knowledge of food preparation techniques and health/safety requirements • Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Duties Include: • Prepare all food items according to recipe cards and correct handling procedures. • Maintain highest quality and appearance of all foods sent from kitchen and make sure plates are clean and appetizing. • Maintain orderly and clean refrigerators and work areas. • Rotate all foods and correctly fill out production charts. Starting Salary $7.50 an hour not including service charge

Interested applicants should apply by submitting an updated resume to the Human Resources Department, or by emailing marjorie.dorsett@regenthotels.com, not later than Friday, January 24, 2014.

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FEBRUARY1ST -FEBRUARY 8TH, 2014

LOCAL NEWS

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Cold US weather create mixed results for TCI BY VIVIAN TYSON

he adverse weather affecting several parts of the United States is yielding mixed fortune for the Turks and Caicos Islands, according to Director of Tourism Ralph Higgs. In an interview with The SUN, Higgs said that the cold weather has driven a number of people to the Turks and Caicos Islands but on the other hand, guests who have completed their vacation have been finding it difficult to go home because of airlines cancellations. “The inconvenience that it brings to the affected areas has caused them to think about warm climate and Turks and Caicos benefits from that. But conversely, it disrupts the movement of our visitors and our residents, and from time to time causes them to cancel or to be stranded away from their usual places of residence. We are not at all disappointed when they (tourists) have to spend extra days with us, but we would like to see the smooth flow of persons to and from the Turks and Caicos. But we also accept and embrace whatever hand Mother Nature deals us,” Higgs said. Higgs pointed out that the number of cancellations of outbound flights, based on feedbacks from

Director of Tourism Ralph Higgs local resorts, was not startling. “I am not fully aware of the number of cancella-

tions. We did not receive any huge numbers of calls from our partners that cancellations have reached an alarming level. But we were aware that the disruptions to ﬂights, particularly to out of some of our major gateways,” he added. “We should extend on the arrival numbers for last year. I think everyone would be pleased that the destination continues to perform the way that it does.” Higgs said that based on reports obtained from wholesalers at the Caribbean Hotels Association’s Marketplace Conference in Jamaica recently, the future for tourism in the Turks and Caicos Islands looks great. “We are very optimistic about the short, medium and long term. In a nutshell, forward booking for the TCI is looking very promising,” the tourism director said. Higgs revealed that the Turks and Caicos Islands broke the million tourism arrival mark for 2013, and based on current trend, that ﬁgure should be shattered by the projected 2014 number. “I can say that we have cleared the million mark for 2013, and with all things being equal – barring any unforeseen (disruptions) natural or man-made – the current trend refers to exceed the previous level of arrival for 2013,” Higgs said.

Statement issued jointly on behalf of His Excellency the Governor, Peter Beckingham, and the Hon., Ricardo Donhue Gardiner, Minister for Border control and Labour. H is Excellency the Governor and the Minister of Border Control and Labour met with the Consul General of Haiti to convey the concerns of the Government of regarding illegal Migration to these Islands from Haiti to Turks and Caicos Islands, Wednesday, 22 January 2014.

Peter Beckingham and Donhue Gardiner began by expressing sympathy to the Haitian Government and people for the 17 Haitian lives lost on Christmas Day. Consul Karlo Pelissier was told that the TCI Government does not believe that enough is being

Civil & Structural Engineering Ltd P.O. Box 158, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI. Tel: (649) 941 4437 Fax: (649) 946 4670 E-mail: cse@tciway.tc

CIVIL & STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING LTD.

Seeks A STRUCTURAL TECHNICIAN The successful applicant must possess: • BSc in Civil/Structural Engineering • 5 years post qualification work experience • Computer literate with experience in Word, Excel, Autocad Duties will include and candidates should have experience in: • Structural design calculations and drawing work • Structural surveys • Site Inspection & Report Salary will be $36,000.00 per annum. The suitable candidate will be able to work under their own initative, and be able to see through Design Projects from conceptional design to final drawing works. This position is available immediately and closing date for application is 31st March, 2014. Apply in writing to Civil & Structural Engineering Limited, P. O. Box 158, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands. Contact: Chris Conway on cse@tciway.tc Or fax to Labour Office, Providenciales on 946-7184

done to stem the ﬂow of illegal migrants. Further, he was informed that the costs of interdiction and repatriation, over $1.2 million dollars this year, is unacceptable to TCI. He was reminded of the deﬁciencies in travel and identity documen-

tation for Haitian citizens living in Turks and Caicos Islands. A request was made for a greater effort by the Haitian Government to authenticate documents and prevent the apparent prevalence of forged or irregular documents coming from Haiti.

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY1ST -FEBRUARY 8TH, 2014

Page 11

LOCAL NEWS

British Caribbean Bank loses million-dollar appeal case against Interhealth Canada Construction Services over two hospitals BY HAYDEN BOYCE PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

he construction of the two hospitals in the Turks and Caicos Islands has taken yet another controversial twist, with British Caribbean Bank (BCB) losing a significant case in the Court of Appeal against Interhealth Construction Services in a matter that also involved Johnston International Limited. According to the Court of Appeal decision, Johnston International Limited was engaged by Interhealth Canada Construction Services to build two hospitals, one in Grand Turk and one in Providenciales. In the contract it was provided that Johnston International may at any time after taking over the works or a section, provide a retention bond in relation to the completed section or sections and that the bond was to be in the form set out in a certain schedule of the contract and was to be held in place of Interhealth’s right to retain half of the retention money in relation to each section after taking over that section. Under the terms of the contract, Interhealth was entitled to retain 2.5 % of the construction sum until the end of the Defects Notification Period, which was 12 months after the issue of the taking-over certificate. In relation to the hospital in Grand Turk, the taking-over certificate was issued by Interhealth Canada Construction on or about November 28th 2009, with the defect notification period ending November 29, 2010 in the absence of any extension.

For the hospital in Providenciales, the taking-over certificate was issued by Interhealth on or about December 20th 2009, with the defect notification period ending December 20, 2010 unless extended. Pursuant to a clause in the contract, Interhealth gave notice of the extension of the defects liability period for one year. Johnston International entered into bond arrangements with BCB whereby BCB would provide bonds to cover any defects which may arise before the expiry of the defects notification period. This allowed Johnston to access the balance of the retention fee. Under the terms of the contract, Interhealth was entitled to retain 2.5 % of the contract price. Johnston entered into a bind agreement with BCB which would allow Interhealth to retain half of the retention fund in relation to each section after that section has been completed. On December 3, Johnston and BCB executed a retention bond in the amount of $480,000 that was not specific to any particular section. On December 17, a further bond was executed between Johnston and BCB in the amount of $630,000. This was also not referable to any particular section. The bonds expressly provided that upon service on the bank of a written demand setting out certain particulars, the bank “shall without proof or further conditions or any set-off, counterclaims or any other deductions ad within ten working days of receipt of such demand, pay the employer (Interhealth) the sum claimed by the employer” not exceeding the amount of the bond. On May 29, 2012, Johnston issued letters of demand under each bonds but BCB failed to pay

ACCOUNTANT CLERK Church Based Organization Accountant Clerk

Qualifications include: • Must possess a Bachelor Degree in Business • At least 10 Years working Experience • Should possess knowledge of Church Accounting • Must possess and uphold strong Christian values

Belonger preferable. Applications should be submitted by Tuesday 11th, 2014 to: The Human Resource Manager, P.O. Box 803 Providenciales

Big Al’s Island Burger Burger is currently seeking a Kitchen Helper to perform any of the following duties: To maintain kitchen work areas and restaurant equipment and utensils in clean and orderly condition: Sweeps and mops floors. Washes worktables, walls, refrigerators, and meat blocks. Segregates and removes trash and garbage and places it in designated containers. Steam-cleans or hoses-out garbage cans. Washes pots, pans, and trays by hand. Scrapes food from dirty dishes and washes them by hand or places them in racks or on conveyor to dishwashing machine. Polishes silver, washes and peels vegetables, using knife or peeling machine. Loads or unloads trucks picking up or delivering supplies and food. Interested persons should submit their applications to Mr. Douglas Camozzi, Salt Mills Plaza next to Goldsmith no later than February 7th, 2014.

any sum. Interhealth issued proceedings against BCB to recover the sum of US$1.1million with interest. On August 20th 2012 BCB filed an application for an order that all further proceedings in the action be stayed pursuant to Section 5 of the Arbitration Ordinance Cap 408. On that same date, Interhealth filed an application seeking summary judgment under Order 14 of the Rules of the Supreme Court in the sum of US$1.1million. It was the contention of BCB that at the time when Intehealth served on the bank a demand for payment, the bonds were not still in effect in accordance with their terms. According to the judgment, BCB is asserting that it has no liability under the bonds as they both expired in 2010 and were not executed in accordance with the terms relating to the extension of the contract between Johnston and Interhealth Canada. In the decision, Mottley stated: “In my view, the bank was required to pay the bond upon service of a written demand setting out certain particulars agreed without any proof of further conditions set-off counter claims or other deductions to pay within 10 working days. The bonds contain language which seems to me to make it absolutely clear that these bonds are intended to be met without the surety of having either the right or duty to make any detail enquiry provided the demand letter conforms with the conditions of the bonds.” Stephen Wilson and Tony Gruchot of the law firm Graham Thompson appeared for the BCB, while Ariel Misick, QC, of Misick and Stanbrook was the lawyer for Interhealth Canada Construction Services.

Page 12

FEBRUARY1ST -FEBRUARY 8TH, 2014

LOCAL NEWS

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Rats and cats threaten Little Water Cay iguanas BY VIVIAN TYSON

f swift action is not taken to rid Little Water Cay of rats and possibly cats, the iguana population there could be wiped out in the very near future, according to a United Kingdom environmentalist. Mike Pollard from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in the UK, told journalists that his research has found that rats and possibly cats are threatening the iguana population on Little Water Cay, and that immediate steps needs to be taken to preserve the reptiles and by extensions protect THE heritage of the TCI. “On Little Water Cay, which a lot of people know as the ‘Iguana Island,’ the main threat there to the wildlife family are the introduced cats and rats that are preying on the iguanas and threatening their long-term existence,” he said. He said that ways have to be found to stem the threat, but something needs to be done immediately. “The challenge on Little Water Cay is to make sure that we can control (and) if possible, eradicate those introduced mammals, and so conserved

Mike Pollard the iguanas and enable them to ﬂourish long term. It is a fantastic place to visit, very unique. People can go and see those rock iguanas, and have a wonderful experience,” he said. He said that rats, especially, could have been introduced to that island by boats which frequent the island. He did not go into details how cats found their way there. “That (rat problem) is a problem

on a lot of islands, particularly small islands because they arrived on boats that would have moored there in the past and it is a common problem to have rats on the smallest of islands. So world-wide there are a lot of initiatives to remove rats from small islands where there is lots of nesting birds,” he said. Pollard added: “The problem for Little Water Cay also is that it’s now more connected to the adjoining islands, so there are more opportunities for those mammals to get across and onto the island. So it needs constant sort of vigilance to ensure that those predatory animals are kept at arm’s length on Little Water Cay so that Iguanas can continue to ﬂourish.” He said that while there are a number of islands in the chain that Iguanas can be found, Little Water Cay is the most ﬂourishing but at the same time at risk. “I think there are about 50 sites where the iguanas still occur dotted around the more remote parts of TCI. But Little Water Cay is the most accessible and there is a thriving population there,” Pollard said. The environmentalist said that the

entity he represents is working closely with National Trust through the European Union to eliminate rats and other predatory mammals that pose existential threats to the iguanas. “The population could go up and down quite quickly. So we have to be very vigilant to prevent these mammals coming in. We know there are rats there at the moment but the National Trust has been working with the RSPB on plans to control and hopefully eradicate the rats for the next couple of years, and that’s a project funded by European Union - mega-funded project that we would see happening in the near future,” he said. In the meantime, Pollard is calling on those who visit Little Water Cay to treat the periphery with the utmost respect and adhere to the Trust’s rules and regulations when they visit. “It is also a fantastic island to visit – it is very popular with people paddling out in their kayaks and going on tours. But it is a nature reserve. It is a place that people need to respect and corporate with the National Trust, and making sure that they obtain permission or the tickets that are required to visit the site in a supervised way,” he said.

Applications are invited for the position of:

Financial / Management ent Ac Accounta Accountant tant LOCATION – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS – Bachelors degree in finan e and accounting or equivalent PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS – US Certified ublic Accountant or UK Chartered Accountant some practical experience in the financial se vices sector, management accounting and according IT Systems in preferred. ONLY BELONGERS NEED APPLY PLEASE SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO: HUMAN RECOURSES P.O. BOX 270 PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 13

FEBRUARY1ST -FEBRUARY 8TH, 2014

LOCAL NEWS

PROTECTED SITE TRANSFER HOLDBahamian boat captain’s ten-year UP THREATENS EU FUNDING sentence for drug possession overturned E A

Bahamian boat captain who was sentenced to ten years in prison for possession of illegal drugs, is now a free man after the Court of Appeal overturned his conviction on Thursday January 30th. George Young, of Winton Heights, in Nassau East, on the island of New Providence in The Bahamas was arrested on September 10th 2011 after several pounds of drugs were found on his boat which was on its way to Turks and Caicos Islands from Cap Hatien, in Haiti. Young was sentenced to ten years by Chief Justice Edwin Goldsbrough in August 2012. His lawyer Oliver Smith appealed the conviction and on Thursday the Court of Appeal judges, Edward Zacca, Elliott Mottley and Ian Forte allowed the appeal and entered a not guilty verdict against the Bahamian. Speaking to The SUN after the decision was announced, Young said he was happy to be free. He said his acquittal feels like a new life, and he thanked his lawyer Oliver Smith for the excellent manner in which he presented the legal arguments that won the appeal. Young also said he is very concerned about the fact that the authorities sold his boat which was worth about half-million dollars. In another matter, Delano Ferguson, who was sentenced to seven years and two months by Madame Justice Joan Joyner in 2012, had his sentenced reduced to four years by the court of appeal. Ferguson was charged with possession of drugs with intent to supply. He was given 4-and-a-half years on one count, and 2 years on another count. Judge Joyner had given Ferguson the sentences to run consecutively but the Court of Appeal ruled that the sentences should be combined. Ferguson was represented by attorney Lara Maroof, while Oreika Selver appeared for the Crown. The Court of Appeal also gave its written reasons for sending Five Cays resident Jamy “Quincy” Williams to jail for nine months. On November 25th, 2011, Williams was sentenced by Madame Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale after a

George Young jury found him guilty of unlawfully wounding Randel Grey on November 3rd 2009. The Court of Appeal said it cannot interfere with the sentence of the court unless it concludes that the sentence is excessive. The Court of Appeal judges said they looked at the sentencing remarks of Madame Justice Ramsay-Hale and they came to the conclusion that her sentence of Jamy Williams was not excessive and the nine months she gave him were appropriate. The Court of Appeal also reduced a three thousand dollar ﬁne which was imposed on attorney-at-law Chal Misick for disobeying an order from a High Court judge. The three judges said it is wrong for lawyers to take it upon themselves to vary court orders, and that this practice must stop. The Court of Appeal said the three thousand dollar ﬁne which Misick was supposed to pay in two weeks, was excessive and they reduced it to one thousand dollars. The Court of Appeal also gave its reasons for ordering a retrial for Lincoln Smith who was sentenced to nine years imprisonment for rape on February 24th 2012. The judges ruled that certain things happened in the trail that affected Smith’s right to a fair trial.

uropean Union funds granted to the National Trust to carry out preservation and research work on the Cheshire Hall Plantation has been sitting idle because of a protracted hold-up in the transfer of land from the Crown to the entity, according to its director. Ethlyn Williams-Gibbs, told reporters during a media conference to announce a national plan to be jointly developed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in the United Kingdom and the Trust, that more work could have been done enhance heritage sites around the islands, especially the Cheshire Hall Plantation, but not owning the land is proving to be tumultuous for the agenda. “We are working at this heritage site (Cheshire Hall Plantation) and we are working with international partners. We have also been fortunate to get a grant from European Union that would give us co-funding to develop the national plan and sustainable elements for the project. “However, the main thing for the national trust is that we are somewhat handicapped, in that, we cannot utilize all of the funding available to us from the European Union grant because we do not, to this day, have a lease on the site nor has been transferred to the National Trust,” she lamented. Williams-Gibbs said revealed that the process of trying to get sites categories as protected areas under the National Trust, but the process has been hitting snags since that time, and she is unsure as to when a breakthrough would come. “We actually started corresponding with Turks and Caicos Islands Government 2000, to raise the importance of this site (Cheshire Hall Plantation) and also to request a long term lease or transfer to the National Trust because part of the remit of the National Trust is to secure heritage sites for generations to come, and one way of doing that is to get ownership of the sites because whether we want to admit it or not, in Turks and Caicos, we still do have threats to habitats from unchecked development,” she said.

Are you a high performing, result driven Sales Professional? If so, we would like to speak with you to join our dynamic team in the capacity of: Applications are invited from individuals with a solid sales background who will work directly with key stakeholders to sell LIME’s Telecommunications solutions hardware, software and services to existing & new major corporate accounts.

Corporate Sales Executive (Based in Turks & Caicos) The successful candidate will be responsible for developing new & existing business opportunities directly to the end users. He/She will be also expecte d to meet or exceed assigned revenue quota through the selling of new & existing products and services from LIME product portfolio.

Minimum Experience and Qualifications: • Ideally, a first degree in Marketing/Business Administration/Sales or equivalent qualifications • Greater than five years field sales experience in the enterprise market, selling to ‘C’ Level • Knowledge of functions & operations of the Telecommunications industry • Knowledge of wireless, fixed voice & data products & service offerings • Working knowledge of Target Account/Solution Selling Methodology or equivalent • Working knowledge of CRM & contact management systems, ACT, Gold Mine or Salesforce.com

To explore this exciting career opportunity please send your application and resume no later than February 3rd 2014 to recruit@lime.com

Page 14

FEBRUARY1ST -FEBRUARY 8TH, 2014

ISLAND PLUMBLING & EQUIPMENT

GRATTEN WILLIAMS

Seeks 1 LABOURER

SEEKS

$5.00

Interested person should contact

Contact

WRIGHTFULLY FIT

ROYAL FOOTWEAR PLUS

Salary $200.00 per week plus 30% commission

Must be hardworking and reliable

per hour

344-8224

Must have at least 10 years experience

Salary $5.00 per hour

Salary

344-8224 SEEKS 1 Dance Instructor

1 Caregiver

1 Labourer

Salary $5.00 per hour

JAMES M STUBBS

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

SEEKS

1 Cashier To work six days per week 9-5 Salary

$5.50

per hour

Contact

Contact 331-0221

241-4134 DION RAMSEY/DRS BUILDING LTD LTTD

SEEKS

Salary $7.00 per hour 5 days per week

1 LABOURER

CONTACT

242-5334

Chiraag Ltd. Seeks a Sales Clerk Responsibilities include greeting customers, presenting and selling merchandise, and inventory control. The successful applicant must have a minimum of 3 years sales experience, be honest, hard-working and self-motivated. You must be available to work Monday through Saturday, with flexibility to attend training sessions outside work hours. Working holiday hours may also be required.

Chiraag Ltd. The Regent Village Grace Bay Road Providenciales, TCI

649-941-4374

Contact 242-0388 Air and Sea Agency is currently seeking

1 Account Clerk

Requirements: . At least 6 years experience in Accounting . Bachelors Degree in Accounting or Finance is preferable . Software knowledge: QuickBooks, Excel and Word. . Demonstrated ability to manage a large workload including completing multiple task to deadlines. Compensation: Based on qualifications and ability Deadline of submission of applicants if February 7, 2014. Kindly submit an applicant to: Air and Sea Agency Alliance Business Center Providenciales, TCI Email Address: airseaagency@gmail.com

BUGALOOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CONCH CLAW

SEEKS 1 Labourer Salary

$5.00

per hour 6 days per week

Contact 344-8224 Position Seeking to hire a

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Government calls out opposition on constitutional committee foot-dragging BY VIVIAN TYSON

Page 15

FEBRUARY1ST -FEBRUARY 8TH, 2014

he opposition Peoples Democratic Movement is accused by government of hijacking the assembling of a bipartisan constitutional committee to be charged with the responsibility of coming up with recommendations for a progressive constitution. Leading up to the election and following it, both parties agreed that the current Constitution is not in the best interest of Turks and Caicos Islands and there was a need for an overhaul. And so, Government suggested establishing a constitutional committee, which the opposition agreed to. However, it appeared that it has hit a snag and appeared to be going nowhere. The constitutional committee is to be made of seven persons three chosen by each party on the political divide, with the seventh to be agreed on by both sides. In Parliament last week, Cartwright-Robinson accused government of foot-dragging relating to the naming of non-partisan individual. Responding to questions from journalists at a post cabinet news conference following the House sitting last week in Providenciales, Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing said that he has become tired of submitting names, only to be rejected by the opposition led by Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson.

As far as I know, we have submitted all the members from our side in terms of Hon. Akierra Misick (Deputy Premier and Minister of Education Youth and Sport), Hon. Don-Hue Gardiner (Minister of Border Control and Labour) and Carlos Simons (QC). And I have submitted two additional names. I have submitted two names, only to be rejected by the leader of the opposition. “And I have not yet received an alternative name from the leader of the opposition. So if there is any foot-dragging it is the leader of the opposition dragging her foot, and you have to find out if that is intentional or not,” Premier Ewing said. The premier said that while the opposition rejected the names he presented, it has yet to recommend their neutral member. The premier said that at this point he is not concern who that person would because he just wants to move along with the process. Before the committee can go forward, we have to get the third name, and so we are waiting on the last name. “We have to agree on the last person. At this point I don’t really care who it is. If they recommend one I would say let’s go. I had the opportunity to submit two names already, and they were rejected by the leader of the opposition. So, at least give me some names that I can work with; let me see it and I’ll say yes. I am tired of submitting names and get rejected all the time and not agreeing on them,” the premier said.

LOCAL NEWS

$35,000 SCHOLARSHIP BOOST FROM HARTLING GROUP T

he Turks and Caicos Islands Scholarship Programme received a shot in the arm when the Hartling Group, through its latest project, the Shore Club Resort, presented $35,000 to the Turks and Caicos Islands Government to go towards scholarships for Turks and Caicos Island-

ers. The presentation was made Ben and Sam Hartling, sons of Hartling Group Chief Executive Ofﬁcer Stan Hartling, on Friday, January 17 on the courtyard of the Regent Palms on Grace Bay. The presentation coincided with ground-breaking of the long-awaited Short Club Resort to be sited in Long Bay, Providenciales. Responding to the cheque presentation, Minister of Education Youth and Sport Hon. Akierra Missick said that it would go a far way in assisting the students of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Hartling, Boys Sam (left) and Ben (right), make the presentation to Minister Missick.

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LOCAL NEWS

Albray and Rosita Butterfield Foundation donates to Oseta Jolly BY VIVIAN TYSON

he Albray/ Rosita Butterfield Foundation made its maiden public presentation on Friday, January 24, when they doled out a number of school supplies including books, bags and pencils to Oseta Jolly students in Blue Hills, Providenciales. Royal Robinson, one of the directors for the organization and public relations officer, spearheaded the presentation exercise at the school. “On behalf of the Albray and Rosita Butterfield Foundation, we came to make a presentation to the school, to give back to the community. Education is important, education is key to augur the development of the community. And if we say that, then it is important to try as much as we can to make that contribution towards education. The Foundation is a new foundation,” Robinson said. The Butterfields are prominent citizens in the Turks and Caicos Islands, owning a number of businesses, served on a number of organizations, while finding the time to be humanitarians. Robinson explained that they wanted to be in attendance but they were but were forced to be absence because they were not feeling well. “Most people would have known the two patrons – Albray Butterfield and Rosita Butterfield. They could not make it this morning because they were not feeling well in body but they are here with us in spirit, and they are ensuring that their legacy to the Turks and Caicos Islands people and the Turks and Caicos Islands Community, particularly for educational purposes, will continue long into the future,” Robinson said. “There are a number of items for educational development for the students, from bags, pens,

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MOM JOINS FORMER PREMIER AT SUNDAY CHURCH WORSHIP:

Pastor Kenneth (left), Pastor Emanuel Rigby (partly hidden) and Royal Robinson, distribute school supplies to students of the Oseta Jolly Primary pencils, rulers and the like. Those sorts of things sometimes, even though they might be simple, some parents may not be able to afford them at these troubling and economic times. Now, we at the Foundation are not rich either. We try to give what we can from what we have,” Robinson said. He said that the foundation, which is under two years old, is geared towards uplifting the community in a number of ways. It is more than a year that we have started, but this outreach this morning is the ﬁrst presentation and outreach that we have given since the inception of the Foundation. One of the things that the Foundation is geared to is spiritual upliftment of the people. “And that is why this morning we brought with us Pastor Kenneth to pray for the spiritual part of these students, so they may be uplifted spiritually, educationally and mentally going forward in the Turks and Caicos Islands. And we also have Pastor Emanuel Rigby, who is the chairman of our foundation,” Robinson said.

isick matriarch, Mary Jane Misick, mother of former premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands Michael Misick (seated with legs crossed) joined her son in worship on Sunday (January 18) at the Abundant Life Ministries International Church located along the Leeward Highway in Providenciales. Accompanying her son at the front of the church through-out the service, Mrs. Misick, who recently celebrated her 93rd birthday, also participated in the service by leading a hymn. In photo, Mrs. Misick (seated in a wheel chair) leads the hymn. Also sharing in the moment are her daughter Sylvia Black (standing at centre) and a family friend affectionately called Lillie (at right).

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LOCAL NEWS

$100Million Shore Club a symbol of patience and tenacity BY VIVIAN TYSON

he $100 million Shore Club Development is a symbol of perseverance tenacity and patience, according to Stan Hartling, CDEO of the Hartling Group. Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony for the resort on Friday, January 17, in Long Bay, Providenciales, Hartling said that a great level of patience was exercised during the planning and execution of the project. He said that it was the subject of delay and setbacks, but way overjoyed to see it ﬁnally getting the green light to move on. “To say I anticipated this day for a long time is an understatement,” Hartling said. “ While projects always take a few years to get going, because of the economy and things that we all in Turks and Caicos face and around the world, this project started seven years ago. So this has been seven years in the dream. So please, take that with you today, don’t give up, the day will come when you will get there.” He said that the development will not only increase the number of tourist coming to the Turks and Caicos Islands and shovel more money into government coffers but will also empower the residents of Long Bay. “We are standing on the amazing Long Bay Beach which some of you may not even be familiar with. Part of this development is to empower Long Bay and make it a great neighborhood. I want it to be one of the nicest neighborhoods on this island; I want a model (community) a great success, and we are getting there,” he said. Hartling reminded the almost 400 ﬁfth-form students from the Clement Howell High School, Maranatha High School, West Indies British Collegiate, Wesley Methodist and Raymond Gardiner High School that the project is a big deal and one that in the future they could boast about partaking in. “Many of you here may look at this as a short ceremony and may

Stan Hartling think it is not a big of a deal and tend to overlook the significance of what is happening here today. The reality is, some of your grandchildren will be coming to this property and probably work here and would probably seek their livelihood here. And you would say ‘I was there when the first shovel went in the ground’. That is something to really take pride in,” he said. Hartling said he is hoping that the Shore Club project kick-starts the economic rebound of the Turks and Caicos Islands and return the country on the path to prosperity. “It is my hope that what the project signals is that it stirs the economic growth again and a rebound in Turks and Caicos. We are proud to be the one coming out of the gates; we are proud to be first, we are proud to lead the way and hope that many will follow behind us. We hope that this is an opportunity for all of you here in this room in some way or another,” Hartling continued. He added: “Another important aspect today I should mention and want you to know about is that it is not about the Shore Club; the amazing team out of the Cayman Islands – Decco – has joined us in this project to make it a reality and funded. “Decco has done some gorgeous projects in the Cayman Islands. For them to come here and have faith in all of us and bring their investment to this country is another sign that we are doing something right. So I

A number of persons, including Olympics 400m runner Sanya Richards (sixth from left) taking part in the ground-breaking of the Shore Club Resort. At third and forth fifth are Premier Ewing, Governor Beckingham and developer Stan Hartling respectively. really want to thank them for their faith in us. “With our talent and experience combined with Decco’s talent and their resources, I am going to actually brag a little to say that we have a virtual dream development team, and that team is going to build an amazing resort here.” In the meantime, Hartling said that the occasion was probably the first time that an entire graduating class comprising so many schools had been invited to such a project. “It is the first ground-breaking of its kind, and I am hoping there is more like this. The reasons why I want to do this (invite the graduating classes), first, I want you to feel empowered and not disenfranchised when it comes to business, large or small. I want us and other businesses to start communicating with you before you get into the work place, to help guide you where you want to go and to make you believe the things you want to do you can do,” he said. He added: “I know that not everybody here is going to want to be an entrepreneur, but I want to try for those who have that little bit in their head; I want to help you to take that barrier down. Next, I want

you to see this site empty. I didn’t want to bring you here when it is done. I didn’t want to celebrate that it is done.” He told the students that they should see a hotel more than just waiting for it to ﬁnish and then apply for a job. “It is a great industry, but maybe there is an industry within this that you can be part of. Maybe you can say ‘I want to be an architect, maybe I want to be on the accounting and due diligence side or maybe I want to be on the banking side’,” he said. Following the ground-breaking more than 20 businesses of all sorts had an exposé on the courtyard at the Palms resort later that day. Hartling urged the students to make the most of opportunity by collecting relevant information key to their future. “You are going to get to talk to those people. Use this day to your advantage! I want to get across to you, relationships, relationships, relationships are everything. Don’t talk about ‘my family is not rich, I can’t do it, I am not a straight A student’. Relationships with people in the community are known to have more inﬂuence than money. Use it to your advantage,” Hartling urged.

Governor announces more investment interests for TCI BY VIVIAN TYSON

overnor for the Turks and Caicos Islands His Excellency Peter Beckingham said that a new resort development could be on the cards for Turks and Caicos Islands as a team of British investors he met with recently said they favor this terrtory over all its Caribbean Neighbours visited so far. Speaking at the Shore Club ground-breaking ceremony in Long Bay, Providenciales on Friday (January 17), Governor Beckingham said that the British team of investors with whom he and the government met earlier this month showed tre-

mendous interest in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and with all things being equal, and agreement for construction could be reached soon between the potential investors and TCIG. “We had a group of visitors from London this month, and they met with the minister of ﬁnance (Hon. Washington Misick), and they told me afterwards that they have visited other Caribbean islands and they told me that they were more bullish for the TCI than any other of the islands they have visited recently,” Governor Beckingham revealed. Beckingham also congratulated Hartling for his patience and

tenacity to seeing the Shore Club project through to this stage, also lauding him for allowing almost 300 ﬁfth form students from ﬁve high schools on Providenciales and North Caicos to attend the ground-breaking and an ensuing careers fair headlined by Olympic and World 400m champion American Sanya Richards-Ross, at the Regent Palms. “…to be able to come here today and meet the class of 2014, they (potential investors) would be even more bullish about the future of the TCI. Congratulations to Stan Hartling and his group for this tremendous initiative to bring all these children here today. I am

very optimistic for the TCI, I think it has a great future, and I think the development today demonstrates that,” Beckingham said. The governor noted also that there is a strong link between the global 400m runner and the Turks and Caicos Islands, telling the audience that it was in England in 2012 that Richards-Ross conquered the world in the Olympics. “I was fortunate enough to go and sit down with her, and of course her triumphs, which I am sure many of you know, were mainly in the London Olympics in 2012, so there is a very nice link between the TCI and guest of honour, Sanya,” Governor Beckingham said.

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LOCAL NEWS

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Russian River Valley Wines want greater presence in TCI BY VIVIAN TYSON

igh-end California wine-maker Russian River Valley is seeking to make its presence felt even more in the Turks and Caicos Islands as representatives of that entity were in the country this past week making pitches at a number of resorts on Providenciaes and on Parrot Cay. The Graceway IGA Supermarket is already selling the Russian River Valley wines but would have liked for the wines to be more popular especially among the hotels hence the invitation to the wine-maker to visit the TCI and promote its product. Meredith “Merry” Edwards said that the Turks and Caicos Islands is the perfect place for Russian River Valley to sell its wines because of the number of high-end resorts that are here, which is the demographic the brand caters to. She said that she was invited by Graceway IGA for a onenight dinner at Grace Bay Club, but bargain for a week’s stay so that she would get the opportunity to better advertise her product to the hotels and restaurants here. “We were contacted by Graceway (IGA Supermarket) about ﬁve years ago, and we started selling a bit of wine down here. We like to be at high-end resorts across the world, so at some point the owner of Graceway asked me if I was interested in coming down here and do a dinner here at the resort (Grace Bay Club). “And I said that is a long way to come for a dinner. I said, ‘could I get a few nights at the resort’? And they said, ‘how many nights do you want’? And I said, ‘how about a week’? And I am here for a whole week touring all the resorts,” Edwards said. The 40-year wine veteran said that Russian River Valley’s are among the top wines in the world because of its rich texture, body, balance and full colour. As a matter of fact, she said that many people

He said that Russian River Valley Wines could be on display later this year at the Caribbean Food and Wine Festival he Left to right: Ajay Vyas, Executive Assistant Manager - Food & Beverage, Grace Bay Club; Wolfgang von Weiser, Group Director of Food & Beverage, Grace Bay Resorts; Thierry Grandsire, General Manager GRACE BAY CLUB & Group Director of Operations, Grace Bay Club; Ken Copperﬁeld; Merry Edwards; Elliot Day – Wholesale Alcohol Representative - IGA; Tina Williford – IGA; Nikheel Advani, COO & Principal, Grace Bay Resortsre in the Turks and Caicos Islands. have been blown away by the quality of Russian River Valley Wines. “Russian River is an incredibly wonderful place. I am 40 years in the business now; I just celebrated my 40th harvest. The wines are so exquisitely full-fruited; great balance in the wines; rich colour and a great texture which is a surprise to many people; especially the white wines, they are wonderfully rich. We started off with a single vineyard, now we have almost 100 acres we are working on,” she said.

In the meantime, Wolfgang Von Wieser, Executive Chef at Grace Bay Club, said that Russian River Valley Wines will be an added value to the Turks and Caicos Islands culinary experience. He said that guests will fall in love with Russian River Valley because of its richness in taste. He said that hosting the Russian River Valley is the ﬁrst of a number of events the Grace Bay Club would be having this year, explaining that in March there will be a beer dinner, and follow up with another wine dinner in the summer.

BCQS LIMITED • • • • •

Seeks A Chartered Surveyor The successful applicant must possess Associate Membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors or equivalent. BSc in Urban Estate Management of RICS-recognised qualification. Five years post qualification work experience. Computer literate with experience in Word, Excel, MS Project & Quickbooks.

Duties will include and candidates should have experience in: • Market appraisals and secured lending valuations. Development feasibility studies. • Facilities and Asset portfolio Management.

An annual salary of $42,000.00 plus performance related commission is offered for this position. The suitable candidate will be aged 33 -45 years old and be able to work under his own initiative and be able to see through projects from concept to completion. This position is available immediately and closing date for application is 28th February 2014

Apply in writing to BCQS Limited, P. O. Box 158, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands or fax to 946-7184. Contact Simon Taylor on email: staylor@bcqs.com

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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LOCAL NEWS The Regent Grand voted top luxury hotel in the Turks and Caicos Islands by the prestigious Trip Advisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards

AB Management is delighted to announce that The Regent Grand on Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, has again been voted as one of the top Luxury Hotels in the Caribbean by the prestigious Trip Advisor® 2014 Travelers’ Choice® Award. This is the fourth year in succession that The Regent Grand has been the recipient of this honor. “This is a marvelous achievement for our luxury boutique hotel. The Regent Grand Staff have worked exceptionally hard since the resort opened in 2008 to provide excellence in value and service. We will continue to strive for the quality that has become expected of us, with our goal being to make sure we secure this award for 2015 and future years”, said Development Manager, Paul Slattery It should also be noted that the Regent Grand has achieved the highest rating in the luxury category award of any hotel in The Turks and Caicos Islands. Voted #11: Top 25 Luxury Hotels of the Caribbean Voted #13: Top 25 Hotels in the Caribbean Voted #2: Grace Bay Beach, Best in the World Unlike any other hotel awards program, TripAdvisor® Travelers’ Choice® winners are based on the opinions of millions of real and unbiased reviews posted by the world’s largest travel community. In the 12th year of the awards, the world’s most outstanding properties were identiﬁed in the categories of Top Hotels, Bargain, B&Bs and Inns, Family, Luxury, Romance, and Small Hotels. Set among 4 acres of lush landscaping and stretching across 300ft of powder white sand and turquoise waters, the Regent Grand, a boutique hotel, takes you into a world of ele-

The Regent Grand on Grace Bay Beach gant luxury and privacy. All luxury oceanfront suites boast flawless views across Grace Bay, while the intimate pool-side villas overlook the lush landscaping and mosaic infinity pool. All suites are equipped with stateof-art fully equipped kitchens, including stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, coffee and tea, full laundry facilities (including full washer/dryers iron and ironing boards), bathrooms with marble finishing’s, Koehler fittings, hair-dryers and exclusive Clarins bathroom toiletries. Living areas have digital HD-TV’s with USA cable, CD players, a separate dining area for up to six people and private balconies or terraces. Expansive 20ft patio sliding doors seamlessly merge the living areas with the outdoor world. Hotel facilities include full Concierge service, security, flood lit hardcourt tennis, bikes and state-of-art Nautilus Gym. The customized and heated infinity edge swimming pool with two adjacent Jacuzzis and beach lounging facilities (hotel policy forbids reservation of loungers, so there

is never a shortage) provide for relaxing moments to bask in the sun’s endless radiance, or to partake in a cooling glass of wine from Harvey’s poolside bar. Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the resort, a small DVD library, daily Times Internet Newspaper and complimentary water is also available. The Regent Grand is afﬁliated with Provo Golf and Country Club, The Turks and Caicos only 18 hole championship golf course. Guest who vacation in an ocean front suite receive complimentary golf during their stay. A press release from the hotel said: “There can be no better way to get away from the stress of everyday life, than to unwind on one of the best beaches in the world. Grace Bay Beach is that beach, and The Regent Grand on Grace Bay is the perfect antidote to a hectic lifestyle. Independently owned, and with a passion for excellent customer service, the meticulous attention to detail and desire for getting things right, from the early morning “how are you”, to the welcome cocktail of choice, results in it standing out from

the crowd. At the rear of the property, The Vix Restaurant serves the coolest cocktails and an eclectic mix of dishes with a Caribbean twist from freshly caught local snapper to the ﬁnest prime Angus beef steak. The Vix provides room, pool and beach service to the hotel.” TripAdvisor® is the world’s largest travel site*, enabling travelers to plan and have the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers advice from travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 260 million unique monthly visitors, and more than 125 million reviews and opinions covering more than 3.1 million accommodations, restaurants and attractions. The sites operate in 34 countries worldwide. “We’re excited to recognize the world’s best properties, based on the opinions of those who know them best – the millions of travelers around the globe who come to TripAdvisor to share their experiences,” said Barbara Messing, chief marketing ofﬁcer for TripAdvisor

Prevent Child Abuse Walk/Run a smashing success BY VIVIAN TYSON

he 5k and 10k Walk/Run that Eva Care staged on Saturday, January 18 on Providenciales was not only about ﬁtness and staying in shape but also a show of support for our children, especially those facing all sorts of abuses. The predawn road-race which started at Men-

zies Building next door to Quality Supermarket, located at Windward Road section of the Leeward High (entrance to Glass Shack), saw more than 100 people turning out to support the event, including very young children. The route took the participants along the highway in an easterly directory on to Suzie Turn on Turtle Cove along that road and turn for home at the Beaches Round-a-bout.

Dr. Beate Gray (extreme right) take time for a photo op with members of the Provo Runners shortly after the Eva Care road race.

Coordinator for the event, gynaecologist and obstetrician Dr. Beate Gray of Eva Care, told The SUN that from her daily work she has seen where child abuses have become prevalent in the TCI, and so, she wants to play her part in engage the issue in a positive way. “As a gynaecologist and obstetrician I deal a lot with teenagers and children too. And I think there is a big problem on the island, like anywhere else too, about sexual abuse, rape, domestic violence. So, I thought to give it a try since I am involved in this. I know a lot of the teenagers, and I was thinking how I can help them, so I came up with a lot of educational items, everything to teach parents and children likewise about sexual abuse. Having the seen the effects of child sexual and other abuses of children, Dr. Gray decided to do something about it hence staging the event to raise funds to tackle the problem, and also to highlight the problem. “And our purpose (of staging the fund-raiser) is to then give to the Provo Children’s Home of girls, so we have to give back to the children, just to give them some sort of help,” Dr. Gray said. She said that the support from the public towards the event was tremendous. A number of persons braved the early morning light drizzle to take part in the event. “We had a lot of people who registered. We had over 100 people; I was really impressed. I really appreciate the support,” she said. The fun run was also about ﬁtness and staying healthy, and so, on display at Eva Care, a number of books about healthy lifestyle were on display for participants to purchase.

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“SAY SOMETHING” Say something, I’m giving up on you. I’ll be the one, if you want me to. Anywhere I would’ve followed you. Say something, I’m giving up on you. And I am feeling so small. It was over my head I know nothing at all.

Anywhere I would’ve followed you. Say something, I’m giving up on you. And I will swallow my pride. You’re the one that I love And I’m saying goodbye.

And I will stumble and fall. I’m still learning to love Just starting to crawl.

Say something, I’m giving up on you. And I’m sorry that I couldn’t get to you. And anywhere I would’ve followed you. Oh-oh-oh-oh Say something, I’m giving up on you.

Say something, I’m giving up on you. I’m sorry that I couldn’t get to you.

Say something, I’m giving up on you. Say something...

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FUN&GAMES HAB MANAGEMENT LTD.

HAB Management Ltd is seeking applicants for the following positions: RESERVATION ATTENDANT

LAUNDRY ATTENDANT

Job Description

Group Director of People Development To be responsible for the centralized Human Resources Department for Grace Bay Resorts by overseeing HR and Training & Development strategies for all properties from an operational and strategic standpoint. The successful candidate will work directly with the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s senior management team to develop and implement strategic long range initiatives that will support the growth of the Grace Bay Resorts Brand.

Minimum Job Requirements â&#x20AC;˘ 10+ years experience in a Senior Human Resources role within the hospitality sector â&#x20AC;˘ 10+ years experience in the Luxury Market, in Hotels, Resort or Cruise Line Industries â&#x20AC;˘ College or University degree in Human Resource Management, a related field or equivalent years of experience â&#x20AC;˘ Caribbean experience considered a definite plus â&#x20AC;˘ 3+ years overseeing a multi-unit Human Resources Department within an organization â&#x20AC;˘ Extensive knowledge in Training and Development, conducting Needs Analysis, designing, developing and facilitating training programs that meet the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strategic needs â&#x20AC;˘ Exceptional interpersonal skills working in a highly mixed cultural environment. Qualified Belongers need only to apply Salary Range: Commensurate based on qualification and experience

Qualified persons can contact:

Veronica CLARE Human Resources Manager, Grace Bay P: 1.649.946.5050 | veronica.clare@gracebayclub.com

Job Description

The successful candidates will be required to welcome and K>JN>Ă @M>KLKĂ BGĂ :Ă <ÍąMJL>ÍąMK Ă >Ë&#x2022;<B>GLĂ :G=Ă ?JB>G=EQĂ F:GG>J Ă ;ÍąLAĂ face-to-face and on the phone. The candidates will also be required to take reservations via the telephone, email and walkin requests. Candidates will also be responsible for promoting the resort at all times.

)JÍą<>KKĂ KÍąBE>=Ă EBG>GĂ :G=Ă =BKLJB;ML>Ă <E>:GĂ EBG>GĂ in accordance with standard operating procedures BGĂ :Ă K:?> Ă :<<B=>GL ?J>>Ă F:GG>J Ă :KĂ :KKB@G>=Ă ;QĂ management.

Requirements

Requirements :G=B=:L>KĂ KAÍąME=Ă A:N>Ă K>N>GĂ Q>:JKĂ ÍąJĂ FÍąJ>Ă >PH>JB>G<>Ă as a Reservation Attendant. Candidates should also have an >PL>GKBN>Ă DGÍąOE>=@>Ă Íą?Ă /BKM:EĂ (G>Ă )JÍąH>JLQĂ &:G:@>F>GLĂ ,QKL>F Ă Ă :G=B=:L>KĂ FMKLĂ ;>Ă HJÍąË&#x201C;<B>GLĂ BGĂ &B<JÍąKÍąË&#x2014;Ă (Ë&#x2022;<> Ă Ă Candidates will be required to check guests in and out; perform certain accounting procedures, such as preparing bills for guests, performing audit duties, balancing work and preparing H:H>JOÍąJDĂ ?ÍąJĂ LA>Ă ?ÍąEEÍąOBG@Ă =:Q Ă HJ>K>GLĂ :Ă ?JB>G=EQ Ă ÍąML@ÍąBG@ Ă energetic and guest service demeanor. Candidates will also be J>IMBJ>=Ă LÍąĂ OÍąJDĂ <ÍąA>KBN>EQĂ OBLAĂ <Íą OÍąJD>JKĂ :KĂ H:JLĂ Íą?Ă :Ă L>:F Ă Ă &MKLĂ ;>Ă :;E>Ă LÍąĂ KH>:D Ă J>:=Ă :G=Ă OJBL>Ă BGĂ G@EBKAĂ :G=Ă MG=>JKL:G=Ă N>J;:EĂ :G=Ă OJBLL>GĂ BGKLJM<LBÍąGK Ă Ă ,:E:JQĂ BKĂ Ă H>JĂ :GGMF

BARTENDER

Job Description

This is an enhanced position and J>IMBJ>KĂ :Ă ;M;;EQĂ H>JKÍąG:EBLQĂ :KĂ O>EEĂ :KĂ KÍąF>Ă @M>KLĂ K>JNB<>KĂ >PH>JB>G<> Ă Ă The successful candidates should be well versed in bar service and drink preparation.

Requirements :G=B=:L>KĂ KAÍąME=Ă A:N>Ă KBPĂ Q>:JKĂ ÍąJĂ FÍąJ>Ă >PH>JB>G<>Ă :KĂ :Ă :JL>G=>J Ă Candidates will be required to solicit guests drink orders from around the pool and on the beach area and deliver drinks to guests when G>>=>= Ă )E:GĂ :G=Ă F:BGL:BGĂ ;:JĂ BGN>GLÍąJQ Ă Ă &:BGL:BGĂ <E>:GEBG>KKĂ Íą?Ă :EEĂ OÍąJDHE:<>Ă :J>:KĂ LA:LĂ :HHEQĂ LÍąĂ the bar. Candidates will be required to be able to multi-task and assist :LĂ ?JÍąGLĂ =>KDĂ OA>GĂ G><>KK:JQ Ă Ă -A>Ă candidates will also be required to OÍąJDĂ <ÍąA>KBN>EQĂ OBLAĂ <Íą OÍąJD>JKĂ :KĂ H:JLĂ Íą?Ă :Ă L>:F Ă Ă &MKLĂ ;>Ă :;E>Ă LÍąĂ KH>:D Ă J>:=Ă :G=Ă OJBL>Ă BGĂ G@EBKAĂ and understand verbal and written instructions. Good presentation :G=Ă :Ă HE>:K:GL Ă ?JB>G=EQĂ H>JKÍąG:EBLQĂ J>IMBJ>= Ă Ă ,:E:JQĂ BKĂ ÍŹ Ă H>JĂ annum.

Job Description

:G=B=:L>Ă KAÍąME=Ă A:N>Ă K>N>GĂ Q>:JKĂ ÍąJĂ FÍąJ>Ă >PH>JB>G<>Ă :KĂ :Ă %:MG=JQĂ LL>G=:GL Ă Ă :G=B=:L>Ă OBEEĂ be required to receive and sort soiled linen; process KÍąJL>=Ă EBG>GĂ MLBEBRBG@Ă LA>Ă O:KA>JK Ă =JQ>JKĂ :G=Ă BJÍąG>JKĂ >GKMJBG@Ă Ë&#x201C;GBKA>=Ă HJÍą=M<LĂ F>>LKĂ LA>Ă IM:EBLQĂ KL:G=:J=KĂ Íą?Ă LA>Ă J>KÍąJL Ă Ă 'ÍąLB?QĂ KMH>JNBKÍąJĂ Íą?Ă F:E?MG<LBÍąGBG@Ă equipment, supplies needed, damaged linens, to ensure E:MG=JQĂ ÍąH>J:LBÍąGĂ BKĂ JMGGBG@Ă :LĂ F:PBFMFĂ >Ë&#x2022;<B>G<QĂ E>N>E Ă Ă &:BGL:BGĂ :KKB@G>=Ă OÍąJDĂ :J>:Ă BGĂ :Ă <E>:GĂ :G=Ă K:?>Ă <ÍąG=BLBÍąG Ă Ă &MKLĂ ;>Ă :;E>Ă LÍąĂ KH>:D Ă J>:=Ă :G=Ă OJBL>Ă BGĂ G@EBKAĂ :G=Ă MG=>JKL:G=Ă N>J;:EĂ :G=Ă OJBLL>GĂ BGKLJM<LBÍąGK Ă Ă &MKLĂ ;>Ă O>EEĂ HJ>K>GL>=Ă :G=Ă HAQKB<:EEQĂ Ë&#x201C;L Ă Ă -A>Ă <:G=B=:L>Ă OBEEĂ :EKÍąĂ ;>Ă J>IMBJ>=Ă LÍąĂ OÍąJDĂ <ÍąA>KBN>EQĂ OBLAĂ <Íą OÍąJD>JKĂ :KĂ H:JLĂ Íą?Ă :Ă L>:F Ă Ă ,:E:JQĂ BKĂ ÍŹ Ă H>JĂ :GGMF

HOUSEKEEPERS (7)

Candidates will be required to clean guest rooms as assigned, ensuring the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s established standards of cleanliness.

Requirements :G=B=:L>KĂ KAÍąME=Ă A:N>Ă KBPĂ Q>:JKĂ ÍąJĂ FÍąJ>Ă >PH>JB>G<>Ă :KĂ :Ă !ÍąMK>D>>H>J Ă Ă :G=B=:L>KĂ FMKLĂ A:N>Ă DGÍąOE>=@>Ă Íą?Ă HJÍąH>JĂ <E>:GBG@Ă L><AGBIM>K Ă Ă &:BGL:BGĂ HÍąKBLBN>Ă @M>KLĂ J>E:LBÍąGKĂ :LĂ :EEĂ LBF>K Ă Ă :G=B=:L>KĂ OBEEĂ :EKÍąĂ ;>Ă J>IMBJ>=Ă LÍąĂ OÍąJDĂ <ÍąA>KBN>EQĂ OBLAĂ <Íą OÍąJD>JKĂ :KĂ H:JLĂ Íą?Ă :Ă L>:F Ă Ă &MKLĂ ;>Ă :;E>Ă LÍąĂ KH>:D Ă J>:=Ă :G=Ă OJBL>Ă BGĂ G@EBKAĂ and understand verbal and written instructions. Good presentation and a pleasant, ?JB>G=EQĂ H>JKÍąG:EBLQĂ J>IMBJ>= Ă Ă ,:E:JQĂ BKĂ ÍŹ Ă H>JĂ :GGMF

SECURITY OFFICERS (2)

Job Description

The successful candidates will be responsible for the safeguarding of the ÍąOG>JKĂ HJÍąH>JLQ Ă AÍąL>EĂ HJÍąH>JLQ Ă :KK>LK Ă @M>KLK Ă NBKBLÍąJKĂ :G=Ă >FHEÍąQ>>K Ă Ă -A>Ă ,><MJBLQĂ (??B<>JKĂ OBEEĂ :EKÍąĂ ;>Ă J>KHÍąGKB;E>Ă ?ÍąJĂ BGKMJBG@Ă :Ă K:?>Ă >GNBJÍąGF>GL Ă H:LJÍąEEBG@ Ă =Íą<MF>GLBG@ Ă J>HÍąJLBG@ Ă :G=Ă ?ÍąEEÍąOBG@ MHĂ ÍąGĂ K:?>LQĂ :G=Ă K><MJBLQĂ hazards or infractions.

Requirements :G=B=:L>KĂ KAÍąME=Ă A:N>Ă >B@ALĂ Q>:JKĂ ÍąJĂ FÍąJ>Ă >PHĂ >JB>G<>Ă :KĂ :Ă ,><MJBLQĂ (Ë&#x2022;<>J Ă :G=B=:L>KĂ OBEEĂ ;>Ă J>IMBJ>=Ă LÍąĂ OÍąJDĂ Ë&#x201D;>PB;E>Ă AÍąMJK Ă Ă +><ÍąJ=Ă HJÍą;E>FKĂ >G<ÍąMGL>J>=Ă BGĂ LA>Ă :J>:Ă =MJBG@Ă LA>Ă <ÍąMJK>Ă Íą?Ă =MLQ Ă A><DĂ >Ë&#x2019;><LBN>G>KKĂ :G=Ă K:?>LQĂ :G=Ă :N:BE:;BEBLQĂ Íą?Ă K><MJBLQĂ :G=Ă K:?>LQĂ >IMBHF>GLK Ă +>KHÍąG=Ă BFF>=B:L>EQĂ LÍąĂ >F>J@>G<QĂ ÍąJĂ <JBKBKĂ situations. Candidates will be required to maintain positive guest relations at all LBF>K Ă Ă -A>Ă <:G=B=:L>KĂ OBEEĂ :EKÍąĂ ;>Ă J>IMBJ>=Ă LÍąĂ OÍąJDĂ <ÍąA>KBN>EQĂ OBLAĂ <Íą OÍąJD>JKĂ :KĂ H:JLĂ Íą?Ă :Ă L>:F Ă Ă &MKLĂ ;>Ă :;E>Ă LÍąĂ KH>:D Ă J>:=Ă :G=Ă OJBL>Ă BGĂ G@EBKAĂ :G=Ă MG=>JKL:G=Ă N>J;:EĂ :G=Ă OJBLL>GĂ BGKLJM<LBÍąGK Ă Ă ÍąÍą=Ă HJ>K>GL:LBÍąGĂ :G=Ă :Ă HE>:K:GL Ă ?JB>G=EQĂ H>JKÍąG:EBLQĂ J>IMBJ>= Ă Ă ,:E:JQĂ BKĂ Ă H>JĂ :GGMF Ă

Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by January 27, 2014 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Only persons selected for an interview will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.

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News

CARIBBEAN

Congresswoman urges President Obama to stop deporting Caribbean immigrants

ASHINGTON- Caribbean American Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke has written to United States President Barack Obama urging him to stop the deportation of Caribbean immigrants. In a joint letter with Arizona Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva, Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the 9 Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York, appealed to Obama to “respond to the crisis of deportation in the undocumented community” in his State of the Union address on Tuesday. “As your administration nears an astounding two million deportations, we write again to reiterate our initial request and inquire into additional steps the White House can take to provide relief to the millions of ‘Americans in Waiting’ , who live and work among us,” the letter noted. The lawmakers said there was “a great urgency to secure avenues for humanitarian relief for the millions of families that are currently suffering under the fear of detention and th

deportation and being subject to widespread violations of labor and civil rights. “Embracing administrative solutions to provide categorical relief from deportation is critical to alleviate suffering today,” they said, telling Obama that as a ﬁrst step in providing relief and paving the way forward on the path towards reform, he should suspend deportation of all immigrants. Clarke told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that the continued deportation of Caribbean immigrants who lack legal status has separated many families across the nation. “This policy must end,” she stressed, adding that, with the US Congress currently debating immigration reform, “the practice of continued deportation risks the very men and women who will have the ability to apply for permanent legal status and citizenship under a new system of immigration. “The current policy of deportation undermines the goals and principles

Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke of immigration reform.” The two lawmakers had sent a similar letter to President Obama on December 5. It was co-signed by 26 of their colleagues, asking the White House to halt deportations of Caribbean and other immigrants, which,

they claimed, have been “occurring at a record pace” since Obama took ofﬁce. The congressional representatives said there was consensus in Congress that the current immigration system was “inhumane and unacceptable in addition to being wasteful and ineffective. “If we act according to our principles, the ﬁrst step toward a reform must be to provide humanitarian relief. Every day that goes by is another day that 1,000 people are taken away from their families and another day that we failed in our commitment to immigrant families,” they added. Grijalva, who represents the 7th Congressional District in Arizona, said “waking up each morning wondering whether you’ll be separated from your family is not any kind of way to live your life in the United States. “We need a realistic policy,” he said, adding that he looks forward to discussing options with his Congressional colleagues and allies this week.

Jamaican Government blanks idea of increased taxes on fuel K INGSTON, Jamaica– The Jamaica government has dismissed speculations about an increase in fuel taxes as it outlined measures to ensure continued economic growth. Finance Minister Dr. peter Phillips, in a statement to Parliament on Tuesday said that the Portia Simpson Miller administration has no intention of increasing revenue collection from petroleum products, as he dismissed reports that the government was considering the imposition of an additional tax on fuel. He said a study was being conducted regarding the merits of collecting the tax on petroleum products by General Consumption Tax (GCT) or the Special Consumption Tax . “There are merits and disadvantages related to each approach…. let me state however that it is not the intention of the government to increase the net revenue take from petroleum products, the issue is about the most efficient means of collecting the revenue.” Phillips said the focus of the government was to maintain basic fiscal targets, specifically the primary surplus target of 7.5 per cent, saying this would mean adjustments either on the revenue or expenditure side. Phillips also told lawmakers that Jamaica’s next review by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would take place from February 5 -14. He said a team from the Washington-based financial institution would examine the country’s performance in the quarter which ended December last year and the future projections. Phillips said according to the government’s projection, all targets and structural benchmarks for that quarter

have been met. The government has so far accessed US$270 million from the IMF. Additionally, the Finance Minister said the Fiscal Policy paper would go before the Public Appropriations and Administration Committee of Parliament on Wednesday, following which, a report will be presented to a Tax Committee to be formed shortly. Regarding the growth of the local economy, Phillips said although the progress made has been modest, it stems from greater levels of confidence and the country’s performance under the Economic Reform Programme. “When the government reduces its borrowing, this should have a positive impact on the lowering of interest rates generally and more significantly on the lowering of the debt burden. “More immediately, the fiscal incentives introduced towards the end of the last year reflect our determination to support the productive sector by reducing duties and the effective rate of taxation on productive enterprises.” Phillips also pointed to positive developments in other areas of the economy including agriculture, the divestment and expansion of the Kingston Terminal, construction of new port facilities and industrial zones as well as arrangements to drive the process of public sector transformation. “All these elements and more constitute the growth agenda. It is this that will provide the improved quality of life for all Jamaicans. There have been positive performances and encouraging indicators all around which can be built on to ensure that economic growth is stronger in 2014 and beyond,” he told legislators.

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CARIBBEAN NEWS

Bahamians warned to take domestic violence seriously N

ASSAU, The Bahamas– Bahamians have been told that they cannot continue to “bury their heads in the sand’ and must deal with incidents of domestic violence. “To put it bluntly, many of the young males paraded before the courts today charged with violent crimes and many of the young girls committed for ‘uncontrollable behaviour were themselves likely victims of some type of abuse,” said Social Services and Community Development Minister Melanie Grifﬁn. “Over the years we have hurt ourselves by ignoring the problem, because studies show that unchecked domestic violence not only escalates, but manifests itself in many other different ways.” She told the audience attending the premiere of the docudrama “Get Out” that studies by the Bahamas Crisis Centre have shown that children who are abused, are desensitised to violence, more likely to carry weapons to school or social events, and more likely to carry weapons regularly. “The stark reality is that our crime problem will not be solved if we do not solve the problem of domestic violence,” Mrs. Grifﬁn said, adding that violence in the family, particularly against women and children, has been an “open secret” in The Bahamas for far too long. “All too often we have turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to the scars and screams of those who are regularly beaten and by doing so we have, in fact, hurt ourselves.”

Melanie Griffin She said Bahamian law defines domestic violence as physical, sexual, emotional, psychological or financial abuse committed by a person against a spouse, partner, child or any other person who is a member of the household or dependent. She said for its part, the Government has passed legislation in the form of the Domestic Violence (Protection Orders) Act, 2007 providing legal protection to victims and counselling intervention for perpetrators. In 2008, changes to the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act increased the sentence for the offence of rape to life imprisonment and criminal-

ised voyeurism, sexual harassment and pornography. “Last year the government established a National Task Force on Ending Gender-Based Violence and approved a State Accountability Study to end Violence against Women and Children funded by UNWomen. “These two initiatives are designed to co-ordinate the work of all agencies in the fight against violence and to produce a national strategic plan to eliminate gender-based violence. The work of the National Child Protection Council and the Child Protection and Urban Renewal Units of the Department of Social Services, as well as our community and school-based programmes are also ongoing. “We must all realise, however, that no government can do everything. We need the help of every man, woman, boy and girl to fight this onslaught. It is up to you to report the crime of domestic violence just as you would any other crime.” The Social Services and Community Development Minister said the docudrama was a step in “the right direction” as it seeks to raise the level of awareness of the problem and what can be done about it. “The organisers are commended for bringing the project to fruition and we pray for its success. I thank you. “The importance of this film cannot be stressed enough as it brings focus to a most pervasive global and national problem, domestic violence,” she added.

CCJ President welcomes moves by Dominica to join Court P ORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad– President of the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Sir Dennis Byron welcomed the announcement that Dominica had been given the nod by Britain to adopt the CCJ as its final court, replacing the London-based Privy Council. Sir Dennis told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that the nine-member Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), of which Dominica is a member, had long expressed a willingness to accept the CCJ as their final appellate court. “I am also aware that each country has its own constitutional hurdles to overcome and its own internal arrangements to adjust. I think there are steps that have to be taken to ensure that the national communities are on board…and there are others steps which need to be taken to facilitate the final political decision process. “I am pleased that Prime Minister (Roosevelt) Skerrit has now moved forward. I think it was towards the end of last year that he wrote the British government requesting their agreement. That’s the first constitutional hurdle that had to be overcome and he has done it”. Sir Dennis said the next constitutional hurdle for the Dominica government will be to have the necessary legislation passed in Parliament. “I am very happy that it has taken place, I rather hope that it would pave the way…for the other colleagues (in the OECS),” he said, acknowledging that some of constitutions of the member states of

the sub-regional grouping were each different from the other. “In some countries, the constitutions are not all identical. Each country has its own constitution and the provisions within vary from country to country. In the Eastern Caribbean there are two countries that require a referendum-Grenada and Antigua and Barbuda-, the others do no require a referendum (to join the CCJ). “But there is nothing anybody can do about that today because those are what the constitutional requirements are,” he added. Dominica’s Attorney General Levi Peters, speaking on the state-owned DBS radio Monday, said that the Skerrit administration would be bringing the necessary legislation to Parliament as soon as possible. “The Dominica Constitution Amendment Bill 2014 which is already drafted should be before the Parliament shortly, I suspect before the next parliament,” Peter said defending the decision to join the CCJ. He said between the ﬁrst and second readings of the legislation there must be a 90 day period before it is fully debated and passed by a three-quarter majority of the elected members. He said there were several advantages in adopting the CCJ, noting “one of the obvious one and which we often shy away from, but the reality is if we are independent it is ridiculous to be independent for somebody else to determine what you can do.

SIX CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN US VISA PROGRAMME

ASHINGTON – The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) says six Caribbean countries are among 63 countries worldwide that are eligible to participate in two visa programs this year. The H-2A and H-2B Visa programs allow US employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary agricultural and nonagricultural jobs, respectively. The USCIS identified the Caribbean countries eligible to participate in the visa programs as Barbados, Belize, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti and Jamaica. Generally, USCIS said it only approves H-2A and H-2B petitions for nationals of countries the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as eligible to participate in the programmes. USCIS also said it may approve H-2A and H-2B petitions for nationals of countries not on the list if it is determined to be in the interest of the United States. Effective January 18, 2014, USCIS said nationals of the identified Caribbean countries are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B Visa programmes. It said the notice does not affect the status of beneficiaries who currently are in the United States in H-2A or H-2B status unless they apply to change or extend their status. The USCIS said each country’s designation is valid for one year from January 18, 2014.

Sir Dennis Byron “You think about it…if somebody else if deciding what you can and cannot do, then how independent are you and I think this is an argument that has some merit,” he added. The CCJ was established in 2001 to replace the London-based Privy Council as the region’s ﬁnal court. But while many of the CARICOM countries are signatories to the court’s original jurisdiction, only Barbados, Guyana and Belize are members of the appellate jurisdiction. The CCJ also acts as an international tribunal interpreting the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs the 15-member regional integration movement.

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Trinidad PM breaks her silence on drug bust in the United States P

ORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad– Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar has broken her silence on the multi-million dollar drug bust in the United States that allegedly involves products from a leading manufacturer in Trinidad and Tobago. “Every nation in the world has issues with narco-trafﬁcking and therefore it’s (about) our response now. We learn every day,” she told reporters on Sunday night as she attended the launch of the National Week of Prayer. “The matter is under investigation. It is sensitive and it would be inappropriate to comment on it at this time. “I think with this being such a sensitive matter, information should be shared on a need to know basis. Therefore, this blanket in terms of sharing information is on lock down; I think it’s a good strategy because we’ve seen in the past where leakages could lead to compromising of the investigation,” Persad-Bissessar added. Earlier this month, US Federal ofﬁcials announced that they had found 732 pounds of cocaine last December 20 concealed in cans of fruit juice at the Port of Norfolk in Virginia. Investigators estimate the cocaine had a wholesale value of about US$12 million and a street value of up to US$100 million.

Kamla Persad Bissessar Ofﬁcials from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) are here conducting investigations into the matter and the local beverage manufacturer, SM Jaleel & Co Ltd, whose products have been used in the shipment of the drugs, has distanced itself from the shipment. Prime Minister Persad Bissessar said she does not believe the island’s international trade reputa-

tion would be negatively impacted as a result of the drug bust. “We were able through allies to bust this container of goods, unfortunately with a Trinidad and Tobago name on it. We still don’t know if it was something done here or elsewhere; that is under investigation. The shipment may have left Trinidad and Tobago, but what transpired after that is still sensitive and still under investigation. “Certainly there will be concerns, but I’m not sure we will be impacted so negatively that we will be branded everywhere and blocked everywhere and I’m fortiﬁed in that view that the manufacturer was able to show these labels were counterfeit, and that the shipment was not made by them,” she added. Trade Minister Vasant Bharath said a multi-million dollar scanner to examine import containers -purchased through a Chinese grant – is now being installed at the Port of Port of Spain. He said that three scanners that were to be acquired through the United States last year were delayed because of regulatory issues that had to be approved by the US Senate. But he told reporters the scanners are now due here in June.

St Vincent PM outlines increase taxes K

INGSTOWN, St. Vincent– Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has announced an increase in the excise tax on gasoline as he insisted that the government’s fiscal policy for 2014 will continue to be a mixture of prudence, patience and enterprise. Gonsalves, delivering the budget statement on Monday evening in the wake of the devastating Christmas floods that have left EC$330 million (One EC dollar= US$0.37 cents) in losses and damages, also announced lower gasoline price and increased diesel price as part of the government’s regular review of the retail prices of these fuels. Parliament on December 9 approved the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for 2014 totalling EC$911.57 million and Prime Minister Gonsalves said that the Christmas Eve floods have “altered profoundly the immediate socio-economic context of the 2014 budget. “The upshot of this is that the 2014 Estimates which were approved in December 2013, and upon which the 2014 Appropriation Bill is based, has to be supplemented with the next four to six weeks or thereabout,” he told lawmakers. He, however, said that while the budget was interim in nature, “this does not mean it is provisional or temporising on fact or law.

Dr. Ralph Gonsalves “This budget is aimed at strengthening our socio-economic base for recovery and reconstruction after a natural disaster in a context of on-going global economic uncertainty and downside risks,” Gonsalves told Parliament. He said that the supplementary estimates and appropriations bill to be brought before Parliament would contain “both altered and additional provisions to reﬂect the profoundly changed circumstances of our country. “Altercations and additions are to be expected on both the recurrent and capital sides of the approved Estimates,” Gonsalves said.

He said that preliminary estimates from the natural disaster, which left nine people dead and three others missing, tells “a horrendous story” as far as loss and damage to infrastructure and agriculture is concerned. The World Bank has estimated the damages and losses at EC$291.4 million or 15 per cent of gross domestic product GDP, but Gonsalves, however, said that the World Bank’s figure underestimates the damage to agriculture by nearly EC$5 million and does not include damage assessment to the forest. He told lawmakers that the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) estimates the damage and loss to the agricultural sector at EC$8.4 million, and to forestry at EC$24 million. “It is a monumental blow to our society and economy; damage of between 15 and 17 per cent of GDP is huge and devastating,” Gonsalves said. Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace will lead off the debate on the fiscal statement later on Tuesday. Prime Minister Gonsalves said the EC$0.50 cents increase a gallon in the excise tax on gasoline would not apply to diesel used in the production of electricity, which will continue to be exempted. He said the increase in the tax is not expected to have any “immediate, significant upward impact” on the piece of fuel at the pump, as prices have been trending downwards in recent months. In the case of gasoline, the entire 50 cents can be accommodated by the lower price of the fuel, which has moved from EC$14.08 to EC$13.95 per gallon. However, the price per gallon of diesel has increased from EC$13.32 to EC$13.67. Gonsalves said that in the current economic situation, globally and nationally, there was little room to raise taxes or large amounts of additional revenue. “Similarly, there is little room to lower tax rates or to make additional tax concessions,” he told lawmakers in the budget speech, which comes in the wake of the devastating Christmas floods.. “Our fiscal policy stance for 2014 will therefore continue to be a mix of prudence, patience and enterprise,” Gonsalves said, noting that in 2013, there were deficits on the current, pri-

mary, and overall balance of 2.3 per cent, 3.9 per cent, and 6.3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), respectively. “The recurrent expenditure was reasonably restrained save and except for the ballooning cost of pension and retirement benefits and salary increase occasioned by the built-in 2 per cent increment and the 1.5 per cent back-pay from January 1, 2011,” he said, in reference to a salary hike due to public servants since 2011 but paid last year. A 7.2 per cent decline in revenue during 2013 also contributed to the current account deficit. “The decline in revenue was disappointing coming as it did in a year when nominal GDP was estimated to have grown by approximately 5 per cent,” Gonsalves said, noting that while capital receipt increased almost four-fold, it was not enough to outweigh the increase in capital expenditure of almost 180 per cent. “As a consequence, the overall deficit widened,” he said. Gonsalves also said there was a decline in tax buoyancy, saying this was attributable to weakness in tax administration at the major revenue collection departments, low and declining level of tax compliance by certain taxpayers, and increased level of tax concession, particularly ad hoc concessions. Prime Minister Gonsalves said the need for continued institutional strengthening and capacity building of the major revenue departments has become more evident. He said it was unlikely that capital projects for which funding has already been specifically sourced and which are ready for imminent implementation would be shelved. “However, the scope of some existing capital projects is likely to be altered and additional allocations made,” he said, adding that the capital projects of an urgent and critical nature not now present in the approved Estimates for 2014 would be included in the Supplementary Estimates. “Clearly, there would be a reshaping of budgetary priorities in accordance with the requisites of addressing effectively the extant humanitarian challenge arising from the natural disaster and of implementing in a focused way the grand project of rehabilitation and recovery under the rubric Arise SVG with the six Rs: Relief, Reconstruction, Roads, (including bridges), River Defences, Reforestation, and Relocation (including housing),” Gonsalves said.

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News W

RLD

Obama Says Easing Marijuana Restrictions a Job for Congress

resident Barack Obama says in a new interview that that it’s up to Congress to remove marijuana from the federal government’s list of the most serious narcotics, implying but not explicitly saying that he might support such a move. In an interview with CNN that aired Friday, Obama was pressed on recent remarks he made to the New Yorker that marijuana is no more dangerous than alcohol, and on whether he would push to remove pot from the Drug Enforcement Agency’s list of so-called “schedule I” narcotics. “First of all, what is and isn’t a Schedule I narcotic is a job for Congress,” Obama said. “I stand by my belief, based, I think, on the scientiﬁc evidence, that marijuana, for casual users, individual users, is subject to abuse, just like alcohol is and should be treated as a public health problem and challenge,” Obama added. “But as I said in the interview, my concern is when you end up having very heavy criminal penalties for individual users that have been applied unevenly, and in some cases, with a racial disparity.” The DEA is required to make determinations, Obama said, but based on laws passed by Congress. A spokesman for the White House Ofﬁce of National Drug Control Policy tweeted

President Barack Obama Wednesday that the attorney general can reclassify marijuana after a scientific review, but that it was “not likely given current science.” But Obama wouldn’t specifically back congressional action to remove the schedule I classification for marijuana in the interview. The drug is already treated differently than other drugs in the schedule I category. It is decriminalized for medical purposes in almost two-dozen states, and Colorado and Washington state recently became the first to allow it for recreational use. The Obama administration has cautiously allowed those two states to move forward in implementing their new recreation-

Britain and France at odds with one another again I

t has not been news for several centuries to report that Britain and France are often at odds with one another and that tension hangs across la Manche like a stubborn mist on the sea’s face. But of late the relationship has been pretty dire. Tory ministers openly mock Francois Hollande’s high tax economic policies and mull using his image in anti-Labour election posters. The Tory chairman Grant Shapps says France’s economy has been “run into the sand”. Mr Hollande himself has accused David Cameron of being “a little phoney” over a claim at a summit that the European Union might be looking to develop its own military drone. The French president’s diplomats publicly dismiss the NHS as “ailing” and boast how many more hospital beds there are in France. So when British ofﬁcials insist that the “entente is tres cordial”, one must take it with a pinch of salt. Of course, both countries still do the business. At today’s summit in Oxfordshire, both leaders will sign a ﬂurry of deals so that their respective countries can cooperate more on defence, energy and space. But the tricky issue of Europe will hang over the unlikely summit venue that is RAF Brize Norton. Mr Cameron’s dilemma is this: he wants to reform the UK’s relationship with the EU. He hopes to use potential treaty changes following further Eurozone integration as an opportunity to negotiate his reforms. But to do all that, the prime minister needs to persuade the rest of Europe. And he needs to do this before a planned referendum on Britain’s membership in 2017. And that means he needs allies.

British Prime Minister David Cameron He cannot rely wholly on Chancellor Merkel of Germany. He has upset the Poles over immigration. So he needs French support too. But the French have made it clear they want his agenda like a hole in the head. The French do not oppose the principle of reform and are all for a little simplification and tidying up. But they reject any kind of wholesale unpicking of the EU framework and yet more unilateral opt-outs. They fear this could lead to Britain’s exit and a much weaker EU. Mr Hollande is also loath to allow treaty changes that could force him into an unwinnable referendum and a row just ahead of his own elections in 2017. So when the two leaders discuss all this in a pub in Oxfordshire today, the stakes will be high. Mr Cameron will have to find a way of winning some support from the French without making compromises that he could not sell to his party. Today’s meeting will not resolve this dilemma, it will merely be yet another difficult conversation in a long negotiation that could last years. But in the short term, the British hope is that a pint of ale, a little country air and a wet morning on a windy airbase might help melt away some of those cross channel mists.

al pot markets, while warning that it will react swiftly if the drug ﬁnds its way across state lines or into the hands of minors. “We’re going to see what happens in the experiments in Colorado and Washington,” Obama said. “The Department of Justice, you know, under Eric Holder, has said that we are going to continue to enforce federal laws. But in those states, we recognize that we don’t have… the resources to police whether somebody is smoking a joint on a corner. And we are trying to provide them structures to make sure that, you know, big time drug trafﬁckers, the spillover effect of the violence, potentially, of a drug trade are not creeping out of this experiment.” Obama has admitted to his own drug use as a student in his memoir, Dreams From My Father, writing of using marijuana and “maybe a little blow.” “But I do offer a cautionary note,” Obama told CNN. “…Those who think legalization is a panacea, I think they have to ask themselves some tough questions, too, because if we start having a situation where big corporations with a lot of resources and distribution and marketing arms are suddenly going out there peddling marijuana, then the levels of abuse that may take place are going to be higher.”

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Amanda Knox defiant after second murder conviction A

manda Knox vowed on Friday to fight her second conviction for the murder of British student Meredith Kercher in 2007 while the two were students together in the Italian university town of Perugia. Speaking on U.S. television a day after her conviction by a court in Florence, the 26-year-old American said that she would never willingly return to Italy to serve the 28-1/2 year sentence handed down by judges. “I’m going to fight this until the very end. And it’s not right, and it’s not fair and I’m going to do everything that I can,” she told ABC News’ “Good Morning America” program on Friday. Knox and her Italian former boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were both found guilty of killing the 21-year-old Kercher, who was found stabbed to death in an apartment the two young women shared in Perugia. Knox has remained in her U.S. hometown of Seattle since being released from prison in 2011 after an appeal overturned an original conviction and freed her and Sollecito after four years in custody. Neither her sentence nor the 25year prison term handed to Sollecito will have to be served pending further appeals, and a prolonged legal fight is now in prospect. Sollecito left the court hours before the verdict was delivered and was found by police in the early hours of Friday between the northern towns of Udine and Tarvisio, less than 10 km from Italy’s border with Austria.

It was aly but in not imher home mediately country is clear what commonhe was doly seen as ing in the the victim region. of a faulty Italian mejustice sysdia said tem and he briefthe prosly crossed pect of an into emotionAmanda Knox Austria beally fraught fore returnbattle to exing to Italy, but his lawyer denied tradite the student is now on the horihe was trying to escape, having left zon. Thursday’s hearing early due to stress. The family of the victim urged the “Raffaele Sollecito had no inten- United States to agree to extradite tion of fleeing. He went to the police Knox if her conviction is upheld after station in Udine voluntarily,” lawyer a final appeal process expected to conLuca Maori said. He said Sollecito was clude in 2015. still completing the formalities for the “It would set a difficult precedent surrender of his passport at the police if a country such as the U.S. didn’t station. choose to go along with laws that they Under the terms of his sentence, themselves uphold when extraditing authorities were confiscating his pass- convicted criminals from other counport and have instructed him not to tries,” Meredith’s brother Lyle Kercher leave Italy after the verdict. For the said. moment he is free to travel around in“It ... leaves them in a strange posiside the country. tion not to.” The Kercher family said the six years of legal wrangling since MereVULNERABLE Asked about her former boyfriend, Knox said: “He is vulnerable, and I don’t know what I would do if they imprisoned him. It’s maddening.” The case, which has hit the headlines around the world, has divided f work on the expansion of the Panopinion internationally. ama Canal is suspended, it could Knox has been widely vilified in Ittake up to five more years to finish, according to arbitrators helping to oversee the project that has been hit by a dispute over costs. Since the start of 2014, the Panama Canal Authority (PCA) has been embroiled in a public row with the consortium known as Grupo Unidos Por el Canal (GUPC) over $1.6 billion in additional costs the GUPC says have arisen during work on the project. Though the spat only recently went public, discussions over added costs have been going on since 2010, and advisers on the project’s Dispute Adjudication Board (DAB) said in a letter written in December that any hold-ups would be serious. “If GUPC was to stop work now, the canal would be finished, but not in 2015 - more likely in 2018, 2019, or 2020,” the panel of independent international advisers said in the document, a copy of which was seen by Reuters on Wednesday. “The enormous losses to (the PCA) - which have not only a severe financial impact but also would seriously damage its credibility and reputation - can only be imagined,” the DAB added in the letter that was sent to both sides of the dispute. The planned completion date for the expansion of the 50-mile (80-km) canal has already been delayed from 2014 to mid-2015. If the canal authorities do not help pay for cost overruns, the consortium of construction companies - fronted by Spanish firm Sacyr - has threatened to suspend work on the project that aims to double the waterway’s shipping capacity and bring in billions of dollars in new revenue for Panama. The PCA has refused, warning the GUPC it could be dismissed and that other contractors could finish the

dith was killed, which has done little to clear up the mysteries surrounding the case, had compounded their loss. Sister Stephanie said she had not been able to properly grieve due to a drawn-out struggle to establish the basic facts of the night their sister was killed. “It may be that we never know the truth about what happened that night,” she said. One man, Ivory Coast-born Rudy Guede, who is serving a 16-year sentence, was found guilty of killing Kercher but judges ruled that he had not acted alone, given the number and variety of wounds on Kercher’s body. Both Knox and Sollecito gave confused alibis in initial testimony to police, while DNA evidence linking them to the crime has been disputed by their defense lawyers who say it was contaminated in a botched investigation. Knox said she had reached out to Kercher’s family and that no verdict could offer her family consolation, given all the problems with the court case and the Italian judicial system. “I think the answers are out there, and I really, really ask that people try to look for those.”

Halt in expansion of Panama Canal could cause major delays

project to build a third set of locks for the canal, the heart of the expansion. The PCA, a semi-government entity, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the letter’s contents. However, earlier on Wednesday, Panama’s President Ricardo Martinelli vowed the work would be completed. “Panama has the resources, and will finish work by 2015 regardless of what happens, rain, thunder or lightning,” he said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The DAB letter described the GUPC’s shortfall as “genuine” but added the $3.12 billion bid which the consortium made to clinch the deal for the locks in 2009 was likely too low. That bid was $1 billion below the second-lowest offer tendered by a group fronted by U.S. engineering company Bechtel. Top Panamanian officials and others close to the deal have raised concerns that the bid was too low. “But horsewhipping or pointing the finger of blame will not save this project,” the DAB wrote. The DAB must help arbitrate the dispute over costs, which has been ongoing since 2010. But the letter stated its views on the potential delays did not have any bearing on the claims. The PCA held talks with GUPC earlier this week and canal administrator Jorge Quijano said a potential financing deal involving insurer Zurich North America had been proposed that could offer a long-term solution to the project. Nevertheless, the two sides have yet to agree on how much each party could provide to bridge the funding gap. The DAB letter said the GUPC appeared to need a cash injection of $250 million to $500 million to keep work going.

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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How Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Family Spent Their Money H

ow did the spending of Queen Elizabeth and the royal family get so out of control that they are down to their last million? Blame her people, at least according to a report published today. The British House of Commons’ public accounts committee released a 35-page report that said the queen received 31 million pounds, or about $50 million, from taxpayers for 2012-2013, but overspending had whittled down the royal Reserve Fund to 1 million pounds at the end of that period. The report criticizes the queen’s household and the treasury for its financial planning and management. “It is not clear to us that the Treasury is sufficiently challenging in its scrutiny of the Household’s financial affairs, or that the new funding arrangements sufficiently incentivise the Household to find greater efficiency savings,” the report states. It’s not the first time the royal family has been told to tighten its belt. Last October, the public accounts committee lectured the queen’s treasurer, Sir Alan Reid, about why the royals exceeded their budget of 31 million pounds and spent 33.3 million. Before 2012, Parliament didn’t have the authority to pry into the details of royal spending. But a law passed that year gave Parliament’s public accounts committee oversight and also changed the way the royal family gets its funding. Buckingham Palace

Queen Elizabeth II now gets a single yearly payment called a Sovereign Grant, based on a percentage of the income generated by so-called Crown Estates -- properties including farmland, mines and retail establishments. The money pays for royal travel, entertaining, home maintenance and other family expenses. On what kind of things are the Queen, Prince William, Kate Middleton and the rest of the royals spending money? The royal train service cost 200,000 pounds last year, but royal travel spending did fall to 4.5 mil-

lion pounds in 2012-2013 from 5 million pounds in 2007-2008. The royals have lower helicopter maintenance to thank for that, which was most recently 2.7 million, compared to 3 million in the previous year. The royals are spending more on their utilities: 9.9 million pounds in 2012-2013, compared with 8.2 million in 2007-2008. The report details increases in electricity and gas for Buckingham Palace and the Royal Mews. Of note, the Queen is worth an estimated $660 million, according to Wealth-X, a firm that researches ultra-high net worth individuals. “A significant financial priority for the Royal Household is to reduce the backlog in essential maintenance across the Occupied Royal Palaces,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement. “Recent examples of work include the renewal of a lead roof over the Royal Library at Windsor and the removal of asbestos from the basement of Buckingham Palace. The need for property maintenance is continually assessed.” A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace explained that the 1 million pounds left in the reserve was all planned and approved by the Treasury. “In 2012-13 the Household generated £11.6 million in comparison with £6.7 million in 2007-8. Work on income generation continues,” the palace said in a statement.

Syria talks end first round, government not committed to return

contentious week-long ﬁrst round of Syrian peace talks ended on Friday with no progress towards ending the civil war and the government delegation unable to say whether it will return for the next round in 10 days. Complicating matters further, the United States and Russia clashed over the pace of Syria’s handover of chemical arms for destruction with Washington accusing Damascus of foot-dragging, putting the plan 6-8 weeks behind schedule - and Moscow - President Bashar al-Assad’s big power ally - rejecting this. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Syrian authorities had no excuse for delays in shipping its poison gas arsenal abroad under a deal reached last year. Moscow said Assad was act-

ing “in good faith” and a June 30 deadline for eliminating the chemical agents remains viable. U.N. mediator Lakhdar Brahimi, who has tirelessly pursued a peace deal that other diplomats consider “mission impossible”, said the opposition delegation would be back on February 10, but President Bashar al-Assad’s delegates had told him they would have to check with Damascus before agreeing to return. “They didn’t tell me that they are thinking of not coming. On the contrary, they said that they would come but they needed to check with their capital,” Brahimi told a news conference. Brahimi listed 10 simple points that he felt the two sides agreed on in the talks and said he thought there

was more common ground than the sides recognized. But neither side has budged an inch from their main positions: the opposition wants the talks to focus on a transitional administration it says will remove Assad from power; the government wants to talk about ﬁghting “terrorism” - a word it uses to refer to all its armed foes. “Progress is very slow indeed, but the sides have engaged in an acceptable manner,” Brahimi said. Foreign Minister Walid alMoualem blamed the lack of tangible results on what he called the immaturity of the opposition delegation and their “threats to implode” the talks, as well as blatant U.S. interference. He said there was no pressure on his delegation from Russia, a key ally,

VENEZUELA OIL EXPORTS TO US HIT LOWEST RATE SINCE 1985

enezuela’s annual oil exports to the U.S. are on track to reach a 28-year low as the South American country faces declining production, rising domestic demand and increased shipments to China. Venezuelan exports of oil and petroleum products to the U.S. have averaged 792,000 barrels a day in the ﬁrst 11 months of 2013, the lowest annual rate seen since 1985, according to data through November published by the U.S.-based Energy Information Administration on its website today. Petroleos de Venezuela SA, the state-run oil company, sends hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil a day to China to pay back loans for billions of dollars made to Venezuela’s government. The company’s production, which averaged 2.9 million barrels a day in 2012, according to the company’s annual report for that year, averaged 2.45 million barrels a day in December last year, a Bloomberg survey showed. “Venezuela is losing out by selling crude to China, which is a market where they are netting back a

lower amount of money,” John Auers, a senior vice president at industry consultant Turner Mason & Co. said by telephone from Dallas on Jan. 27. Exports to India and China average 1 million barrels a day, Venezuelan Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez said. President Nicolas Maduro is facing a dollar shortage that has pushed annual inﬂation in the country with the world’s largest oil reserves to 56 percent and fueled a record 73 percent decline of the bolivar on the black market last year. Venezuela’s international reserves have fallen to a 10-year low of about $21 billion this year, as the country struggles to pay billion-dollar debts to food importers and airlines. Venezuela exported an average of 960,000 barrels a day to the U.S. in 2012, according to the Washington-based EIA. The country’s domestic market is consuming almost 700,000 barrels a day, which continues to rise because of increased demand for diesel, Ramirez said last year.

but there was coordination between Damascus and Moscow. Expectations had always been low for a breakthrough on political issues at the talks, the ﬁrst between Assad’s representatives and his foes in an almost three-year-old conﬂagration that has killed 130,000 Syrians and driven a third of the population from their homes. The sides also failed to achieve more modest aims, such as an agreement to allow aid convoys into Homs, Syria’s third largest city, where thousands of civilians are trapped with no access to food or medicine. “Homs was extensively discussed, although unfortunately there has been no breakthrough yet,” Brahimi said. reversed and revoked the offer.

MUSHARRAF’S PLEA TO LEAVE PAKISTAN REJECTED

SLAMABAD, Pakistan—A court trying Pakistan’s former military ruler Pervez Musharraf for treason Friday rejected his appeal to leave the country for medical treatment, his spokesman said.

The case threatens to rock relations between the civilian government and the powerful military establishment. A trial for a former army chief in Pakistan was unprecedented. Mr. Musharraf had seized power in 1999 in a coup and governed until 2008, as Pakistan’s fourth military ruler. Democracy was subsequently restored. Analysts had speculated that a face-saving way out for both the government and military would have been to allow Mr. Musharraf, 70 years old, to travel abroad for medical reasons. He has failed to appear in the treason case, which has been running since December. Earlier this month, when he ﬁnally seemed to be on his way to the court, he diverted to a hospital instead, complaining of heart trouble, and has remained there.

His lawyers had asked for permission for him to travel to the U.S. for treatment for heart disease. The court ruled Friday that Mr. Musharraf must appear before it on Feb. 7, and issued a bailable arrest warrant for him, said Raza Bokhari, a spokesman for the former army chief. Mr. Bokhari said he thought that the retired general would “not be medically ﬁt” to come to court on that date. “The court has acted in an unprecedented manner, perhaps outside its authority, to ignore expert medical advice,” said Mr. Bokhari. “They have shown inhumanity and ignored fundamental rights. It feels like they have prejudged this case.” Mr. Musharraf had ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the 1999 coup. Mr. Sharif is again in power, elected to ofﬁce in May last year. Many in Mr. Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-N party are determined that Mr. Musharraf be punished, according to party insiders.

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usiness B AND

T O

ECHN LOGY US Fed Chairman Steps Down After 8 Difficult Years

ASHINGTON — U. S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke stepped down Friday after guiding the world’s largest economy through years of tumult. Bernanke wins praise for crisis management and some criticism for unfinished reforms. Bernanke says managing the economic crisis in 2008 was like driving a car that narrowly avoids a terrible crash. “It is my nature, I think, to kind of focus on the problem,” he said. “You know, and I was so absorbed in what was happening and trying to find response to it that I wasn’t really in that kind of reflective mode. I mean, later on, you know, I was kind of like, you know, if you’re in a car wreck or something, you are mostly involved in trying to avoid going off the bridge; and then later on you say, ‘Oh, my God, you know.” Bernanke and colleagues took unprecedented actions to slash interest rates. Lower rates were intended to pull the economy out of a dive by making it easier for businesses and families to borrow the money they needed to make major purchases. The economy stopped shrinking and began growing.

Wall Street veteran and Adelphi University professor Michael Driscoll says Bernanke had to be courageous and creative to tackle new problems. “The things Bernanke had to face ... were so large, so big, and really I do not think it is an understatement to say ... the future economic well being of the United States and the globe were hanging in the balance,” he said. Critics say Bernanke failed to recognize that the U. S. housing market was growing in unsustainable ways. Severe problems in the housing market played a key role in the financial crisis. Others say the Fed should have rescued Lehman Brothers, the failing financial firm that collapsed and shook markets. And Boston University professor and former Federal Reserve official Cornelius Hurley says reforms intended to make the financial system less vulnerable to the collapse of any huge financial firm are inadequate and incomplete. “That reform agenda does not even

US Economy Advanced at Steady Pace in 2013’s Fourth Quarter T

he U.S. economy advanced at a steady pace in the last months of 2013, growth that was fueled by robust consumer spending. The government’s Commerce Department said Thursday the world’s largest economy grew 3.2 percent in the October-to-December period, following a 4.1 percent advance in the third quarter. With the favorable six-month growth, economists in the U.S. say the country’s economy could grow by more than 3 percent in 2014, a ﬁgure not reached since 2005. For all of 2013, however, the American economy grew a tepid 1.9 percent, weaker than the 2.8 percent increase in 2012. Higher taxes and government spending cuts held down growth early last year, while a 16-day partial government shutdown in October trimmed the fourth quarter advance. The government said consumers spent 3.3 percent more in 2013’s fourth quarter, the strongest growth in three years. Personal spending is an important barometer in the U.S., accounting for about 70 percent of the country’s economy.

President Barack Obama visited a manufacturing plant in the midwestern state of Wisconsin and told workers that the U.S. economy is “better positioned in the 21st century than any other country on earth.” But he said that even as corporate profits have grown and stock prices “have soared,” working class wages have stagnated and unemployment remains too high. “The middle class has been taking it on the chin even before the financial crisis — too many Americans working harder than ever just to get by, let alone get ahead,” he said. “And then there’s too many Americans who still are out of work.” The U.S. unemployment rate is 6.7 percent, a five-year low, but more than 10 million workers are looking for jobs. Obama has urged Congress to adopt his job-training proposals. But Republican lawmakers opposed to his economic policies say that he should instead support jobs legislation in the Senate that the Republican-controlled House of Representatives has already approved.

Ben Bernanke come close to addressing the too big to fail problem ... perpetuating the systemic risk that is in the six largest banks in our country,” he said. Bernanke, a former Princeton University professor, says his intense study of the history of the Great Depression helped him navigate this crisis. He says it will help critics and others understand his actions.

“We hope that as the economy improves and as we tell our story and as more information comes out about, you know, why we did what we did and so on, you know, that people will appreciate and understand that what we did was necessary, that it was in the interest of the broader public,” he said. “It was a Main Street set of actions aimed at helping the average American. “ That understanding may be helped by Bernanke’s drive to make the Federal Reserve’s actions easier to understand. During his tenure he used clearer language to describe the Fed’s actions and goals, and started holding regular news conferences in the hope that better-informed investors could make better decisions with more information and less panic.

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Facebook and Google Buy Two India-based Start-ups N

EW DELHI — Internet giants Facebook and Google have recently acquired two India-based technology start-up companies. This is expected to give a boost to entrepreneurship in India, home to tens of thousands of software engineers and a thriving information technology industry. Facebook clinched the deal to acquire Little Eye Labs, a company founded about a year and a half ago by four engineers in Bangalore, in early January. The company builds mobile app analysis tools and is believed to have been bought for $10-15 million. It is the first acquisition by the social media giant of an Indian start-up. Google has acquired the cyber security firm, Imperium, which has offices in both Bangalore and California. It was founded three years ago to tackle spam, fraud and abuse on the Internet. Media reports put the deal’s value at about $9 million. Although the two deals are fairly small, they are significant because they have put Indian start-ups on the radar of the global technology companies, which make regular acquisitions of small compa-

nies either for the technology they develop or the talent of their founders. Rutvik Doshi, with venture ﬁrm, Inventus Capital Partners in Bangalore, India’s technology hub, thinks the acquisitions are symbolically important. “Till date none of these large U.S. companies had ever acquired anything in India to write home about. If they both turn out to be successful for these respective companies, they will start looking at India more seriously, in terms of there is more talent, there is more technology, and entrepreneurship happening here. Even though these acquisitions may not be very large, but I think from the symbolic point of view, it is the beginning of a new era,” said Doshi. Analysts agree that the two deals will give a boost to entrepreneurship in India, where venture capital to fund start ups is not always easy to come by. India’s IT industry has attracted the country’s brightest minds and Indian software engineers have gained a reputation worldwide, including in Silicon Valley. Most work for big Indian technology compa-

nies, but the number of Indian technology start-ups is on the rise. Rajesh Sawhney, founder of GSF Accelerator, one of the companies which funded Little Eye Labs, said most of the start-ups in India so far have focused on developing products for the home market. However, the recent deals will inspire entrepreneurs and venture capitalists to broaden their vision. “The time now is to encourage these start ups to start thinking global and that is what [the] internet allows today. We need to encourage our bright, young talent in India to start building products for world markets like Israelis have done or like U.S. start-ups do. Just because we have a large domestic market does not mean we stay focused there,” said Sawhney. Bangalore’s thriving technology services and outsourcing industry mostly does back ofﬁce work for Western companies and has put India on the global technology map. It is the success and talent created by that industry which is eyeing the road of entrepreneurship.

Ericsson looks to Europe and China for growth A

completion of large projects in the United States weighed on Ericsson’s earnings in the fourth quarter, but the world’s biggest maker of mobile networks said demand was picking up in Europe and China. Ericsson shares rose 3 percent as the company reported improving underlying profitability and looked ahead to strong investment this year in 4G LTE networks that can cope with increasing data traffic from smartphones and tablets. The drive for faster networks is brightening prospects for an industry that has suffered a decade-long price war started by Chinese firms Huawei and ZTE. Sweden’s Ericsson made a push for more business in Europe a couple of years ago that weighed on its results. But the projects it secured at the time are nearing completion and it is securing more lucrative business building network capacity. Increasing the data power of existing networks using newer software tends to be more profitable than building radio masts and transmitters to extend geographical network coverage. “We have gained market share (in Europe), which was the whole point and now we can upsell on that,” Chief Executive Hans Vestberg told a conference call. “We have had some larger projects in the U.S. which are a little bit slower, as well as some coverage projects. On the other hand there are new mar-

kets coming up. China is coming up, Russia has (also) been.” Ericsson shares, which have underperformed those of its sector peers in the past six months, were up 3.4 percent at 80 crowns at 1319 GMT. The company has far to go to rediscover the profitability it once enjoyed. In 2005 and 2006, Ericsson’s operating margins were above 20 percent. In 2013, the margin was 6.2 percent. “There is still margin rebuilding going on throughout 2014, so I think that is the main positive for the share,” said Exane BNP Paribas analyst Alexandre Peterc. Peterc said he was unlikely to change his “outperform” rating and 95 crown price target for Ericsson stock. OPERATING PROFIT MISSES FORECAST Ericsson’s earnings before interest and tax jumped to 9.1 billion Swedish crowns ($1.4 billion) in the fourth quarter from 4.8 billion in the yearago quarter, excluding the company’s joint ventures. The figure missed a mean forecast of 9.9 billion in a Reuters poll of analysts. Its gross profit margin was 32.9 percent, excluding a patent deal with Samsung, against a mean analyst forecast of 32.7 percent and a margin of 32 percent in the third quarter. The increase in underlying profitability was due to a higher proportion of more lucrative contracts and the near-completion of low-margin European projects.

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Ericsson’s Networks unit has gradually recovered from the global economic downturn. But the end of large projects in the United States and Japan hit revenue in the fourth quarter. Networks sales fell 1 percent despite a boost from the patent deal with Korea’s Samsung. The division’s operating margin was a worse than expected 9 percent, compared to 10 percent in the third quarter. This year, the boundless appetite of smartphone users for faster data is likely to underpin the Networks business. Vodafone, the world’s second-larg-

est mobile operator and a big Ericsson client, has said it will spend 7 billion pounds ($11.6 billion) to boost coverage and accelerate its networks through March 2016. Ericsson will also beneﬁt from a massive rollout of 4G in China, but to a lesser extent than Huawei and ZTE. Total spending on 4G LTE networks in the country may reach $16 billion in 2014 Fourth-quarter sales at Ericsson were 67.0 billion crowns, against a forecast of 69.3 billion. Sales and proﬁts were boosted by a 4.2 billion crown patent deal with Samsung.

US SEEKS $2.1 BILLION FROM BANK OF AMERICA IN FRAUD CASE

he U.S. government has raised the amount it is seeking in penalties from Bank of America Corp (BAC.N) to $2.1 billion after a jury found the bank was liable for fraud over defective mortgages sold by its Countrywide unit. The request in a court ﬁling late on Wednesday for $2.1 billion was based on gross revenue generated by the fraud, the government said. The Justice Department had previously asked for $863.6 million. The initial request was based on gross losses it said government-sponsored mortgage ﬁnance companies Fannie Mae (FNMA.OB) and Freddie Mac (FMCC.OB) incurred on loans purchased from Countrywide Financial Corp in 2007 and 2008. A spokesman for Bank of America had no immediate comment. In a December hearing, a judge asked the bank and the Justice Department to brief him on how he might base the penalties on Countrywide’s gains rather than losses resulting from the mortgage sales. A federal jury in New York in October had found Bank of America and Rebecca Mairone, a former mid-level executive at Countrywide, each liable for fraud in the civil lawsuit. The case focused on a mortgage lending process at Countrywide, which Bank of America acquired in July 2008, called the “High Speed Swim Lane,” or alternatively “HSSL” or “Hustle.” “PUNISH DEFENDANTS” The government contended that Countrywide’s program emphasized and rewarded employees for the quantity rather than the quality of loans

produced, and eliminated check lists designed to ensure that loans were sound. Bank of America and Mairone denied wrongdoing. Bank of America has said it was evaluating options for an appeal. Any penalty would be assessed by U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff. At the December hearing, he asked for a “more full presentation” on how to calculate the penalty on Countrywide’s gains, calling it a simpler approach. At the time, the comments suggested the bank might face a lower penalty than initially sought by the government. Evidence the government presented at trial indicated Countrywide earned $165.2 million selling the loans. But in its filing Wednesday, lawyers working in the office of U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said the penalty should be based on Countrywide’s gross gain, rather than net gain. The government urged the judge to set the maximum penalty to “punish defendants for their culpability and bad faith, and to deter financial institutions and their executives who would engage in similar fraudulent mortgage schemes”. In its brief, the government said it continued to also seek a $1.1 million penalty from Mairone based on her ability to pay. Marc Mukasey, a lawyer for Mairone, in an email said the government had made his client a “scapegoat” when her supervisors and risk managers all approved the mortgage origination process at issue.

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JOB FAIR : Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital have vacancies in the following departments: Domestic Department â&#x20AC;&#x201C; general cleaning duties in wards, clinics and public areas of the hospital Portering Department â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to support with patient movement, movement of clinical items and equipment around the hospital, and supporting with general cleaning, waste and laundry services Catering Department â&#x20AC;&#x201C; producing, serving, cleaning and cash handling within our restauarant and patient feeding areas Previous experience within these areas is essential. Full training, induction and uniform will be provided. Staff transport provided out of hours. Â&#x2021; [ &DWHULQJ $VVLVWDQW &RRN [ KRXUV IOH[L VKLIW IRU KROLGD\ DQG VLFNQHVV FRYHU Â&#x2021; [ .LWFKHQ SRUWHU VWRFN FRQWUROOHU [ KRXUV RYHU

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Sports W

RLD

Super Bowl Is Largest Weekend in US Prostitution, Advocates Say

ne of the biggest sporting events of the year also means one of the biggest events for sex trafficking of the year. “Any type of major sporting event or major convention, homecomings, any major event where there is going to be a lot of men, a lot of money, a lot of alcohol, there is going to be an increase in demand for commercial sex, which leads to more sex trafficking,” Andrea Powell, founder and executive director for FAIR Girls, a nonprofit that prevents the exploitation of girls worldwide, told ABC News. The $32 billion a year illicit industry, second only to drug trafficking, victimizes between 300,000 to 400,000 American children every year in some form of sex-trafficking, according to the Blue Campaign, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security program aimed at educating the public about the crime. The average age for entering into child prostitution is only 13 years old, according to the Department of Justice. Pimps will transport women and children to New York against their will, advocates said, not for the biggest weekend in football, but for the largest weekend in prostitution in the United States. The number of prostitution ads in New York websites jumped by 50 percent over the weekend and is expected to triple by Sunday, advocates told ABC News. “They’re not even old enough to go to a prom, not even old enough to get a driver’s license and yet we still are seeing more and more of it on the Internet,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., who re-

cently introduced a bipartisan bill with Sen. John Cornyn of Texas focusing on providing a “safe harbor” for children of sex trafficking. “During the Dallas Super Bowl in 2011 there was a 300% increase in the Internet ads regarding sex trafficking on some of these sites. In the Florida Super Bowl in 2009 they were actually advertising a young woman as a Super Bowl special,” Klobuchar said. Klobuchar said she met with NFL officials last week, who pledged their support for strong sex trafficking laws. There are new billboards this week in Times Square, at Madison Square Garden, and videos playing in major train and bus stations to raise awareness of the issue. With the Super Bowl less than a week away, the new campaign’s purpose is to help the public — and those working in transportation, look out for and recognize the signs of sex trafficking. “These are places we know that victims end up. They will see billboards, they will know someone is out there to help them,” Keeli Sorensen with the POLARIS Project, an organization that works on all forms of human trafficking and serves victims of slavery and human trafficking, told ABC News. Flight attendants and airport workers are among those trained to recognize sex trafficking among the thousands heading to the Super Bowl. Delta Air Lines, the official airline sponsor of Super Bowl contender the Seattle Seahawks, will fly the Seahawks to the big game. And company officials told the House Foreign Affairs Committee at a

Furious Kenyans threaten to defect over taxes T

op Kenyan athletes may consider defecting to other countries if the east African nation goes ahead with plans to tax athletes’ earnings, they said on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters in the North Rift Valley athletics hub Eldoret, Wesley Korir, who won the Boston City Marathon in 2012, and is now a legislator, led a group of athletes who are furious with the Kenya Revenue Authority’s (KRA) plan. “If this matter goes on like this, I will defect to another country which will appreciate my effort,” said twice Berlin Marathon winner Florence Kiplagat. KRA said in a statement that athletes should pay taxes like other taxpayers. “We are taxed abroad. Then we invest our remaining earnings here although the Government does nothing to support us. We work hard to give this nation a positive image abroad yet we get nothing in return. I can chose to change my nationality now,” said Kiplagat. “We would rather invest in other countries that appreciate our effort than in a country where our earnings from our sweat is taxed,” the former Boston Marathon champion said. Korir noted that majority of the athletes are civil servants and have invested heavily in real estate and other businesses, which attract taxation, saying a further taxation would be double blow for the development of athletes.

The MP stated that the oil-rich countries pay handsomely for gold medals won in competitions yet Kenya’s tax collector wants to ﬁnd ways of making money from the athletes’ earnings. “Qatar pays her gold medallists 100 million Kenyan shillings ($1.17 million) while this country is trying to devise ways of ﬂeecing the athletes of their hard-earned money,” a furious Korir said. He said that, contrary to common belief, they earn huge sums of money but pocket only 15 per cent of their winnings. “The breakdown for taxation and deductions is as follows: 30 to 35 per cent for the country of origin, 15 per cent for the agent, 10 per cent for the manager, and now the KRA wants to add salt to injury by slapping a 30 per cent tax of that amount,” he said. “That is exploiting us.” KRA spokesperson Maureen Njongo said they would ensure athletes do not pay the same taxes in two countries. “Sportsmen should furnish us with details of their taxation abroad to be factored in our records,” said Njongo. Twice world 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop said the taxation plan would spell doom for the already impoverished athletes. “Athletes live in debt and pay so many bills to those who make them run, including air ticket refunds that if the taxation plan is implemented, it will kill the sport,” he said

hearing this week that the company trained nearly all of its 8,000 employees who work and live in the New York area to be “the eyes and ears to spot potential cases of human trafficking and point them out to the police for action.” Polly Hanson, Chief of Police for AMTRAK, said the railroad will soon start airing 30-second human trafficking videos on all television screens in its stations. And the training has been working. In Boston, a child prostitution ring was smashed and 86 children were freed after an airline worker noticed a man traveling with two crying children. Nancy Rivard, a flight attendant for American Airlines and founder of Airline Ambassadors, said thanks to training they have “caught a dozen trafficking cases that I know off.” Flight attendants often see “girls that are coming in to get nanny jobs or think they are coming in for a modeling situation” that isn’t real, Rivard said. “If we can catch that situation before it becomes a reality, that girl’s life is saved.” All because the airline worker had been trained to look for tell-tale signs, such as someone who doesn’t have control of their own ID, appears under the control of another, or looks lost, advocates said. “The everyday public can look for signs of [gang] branding, girls that look like they don’t belong,” Powell with FAIR Girls added. “It’s better to be a little nosy and be wrong than to let a victim walk out of your life and then she never gets the help that she needs.”

USAIN BOLT, MO FARAH AND SERENA WILLIAMS UP FOR TOP PRIZE

TELLAR NAMES in the world of sport, including Usain Bolt, Mo Farah, Tiger Woods and Serena Williams, are going head-tohead to win the prestigious Jesse Owens International Athlete Trophy. The honour, which was created in 1981, has shortlisted 10 stars for a chance to take home the coveted award. It recognises professional athletes across all sports, and this year’s roll-call sees a diverse number involved, such as cross-county skiing and speed skating. Established in memory of track and ﬁeld’s most celebrated sportsman Jesse Owens, the award’s founder Herbert Douglas is happy to see the accolade still going strong over 30 years since its beginning and hailed the man who inspired its conception. He said: “The impact that Jesse Owens has had on the world, using sports as his springboard, is immeasurable.” Douglas, who won gold at the London 1948 Olympic Games, added: “Through this award we’re honouring Jesse’s legacy and championing a new class of athletes to follow in his footsteps.”

Usain Bolt Apart from Bolt, Farah, Woods and Williams, there are six other world renowned stars hoping to claim the gong. They are footballer Lionel Messi, swimmer Michael Phelps, basketballer LeBron James, athlete Liu Xiang, cross-country skier Marit Bjoergen, and speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno. The International Athletic Association will reveal the winner, chosen by a panel of sports writers and experts from across the world, on March 10.

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Sportswear industry predicts boost from Olympics and World Cup T

he soccer World Cup and next month’s Winter Olympics in Sochi will help sportswear sales to recover in 2014 after an unseasonably warm winter hit demand for cold-weather kit in Europe, industry representatives said on Wednesday. The World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI), which includes companies such as market leaders Nike, Adidas and Puma, expects growth of between 3.5 percent and 4 percent this year, president Frank Dassler said. “We can already see that retailers’ demand for football products is rising strongly and we expect

further growth,” Dassler told reporters ahead of next week’s ISPO sports trade fair in Munich. The WFSGI represents companies with turnover of about 200 billion euros ($271 billion), about three quarters of the sportswear industry. The industry has beneﬁted from a shift to more active lifestyles, prompting faster growth than in the broader apparel industry in recent years. That has also served to increase competition from new players to the market, including fashion retailers H&M, Uniqlo and Gap. Though the Winter Olympics, starting on Feb-

ruary 7, are less likely than the World Cup to have a measurable impact on sales, Dassler said it still helps to raise visibility of products. European sports retailers are less upbeat after a disappointing 2013, with sales expected to grow by 1-3 percent this year, according to Werner Haizmann, president of European sporting goods federation FEDAS. “Winter was totally absent. That was a catastrophe,” Haizmann said, estimating that European sales fell 4 percent to 36 billion euros in 2013, declining 2 percent in Germany to 7.2 billion euros.

Federer Grand Slam record under threat M

elbourne - Roger Federer traipsed off Rod Laver Arena with his head bowed, barely smiling for the fans and cameras. And it’s not hard to see why. Defeat to Rafael Nadal on Friday evening did not just rob him of a great chance of winning his 18th Grand Slam title. And it did not just end his 13year reign as Switzerland’s number one. For Federer, it halted a promising revival in his tracks, exploded a much-vaunted new tactic against the Spaniard, and would have left him wondering if he can ever beat his nemesis on the big stage again. Worse, it left Nadal on the verge of his 14th major win, and gunning for both Federer’s Grand Slam titles record and the unofficial mantle of greatest of all time. Afterwards, the Swiss star was slow to arrive at his post-match press conference, and when he did, he cut a despondent figure. “He did a good job. He didn’t make many errors, even though I was trying to hit hard and flat. I tried to play my game,” the glum Federer said. “Sometimes I did play very well and sometimes I didn’t. But he overall was more consistent. He deserved to win tonight. I mean, he was better.” It was an honest assessment of a straight-sets 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 6-3 mauling by Nadal which stretched their career head-to-head to 23-10 and gave their highly anticipated semi-final an anti-climactic feel. Federer came into the match with his confidence high. His new, bigger racquet was working well, he was fully fit, and temporary adviser Stefan

Roger Federer Edberg had put some zip in his game. The old master, at 32, was back to his brilliant best in taking apart Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Andy Murray, coming repeatedly to the net in shades of six-time major-winner Edberg. But hopes of ending his seven-year Grand Slam drought against Nadal, 27, soon looked less optimistic and as the night wore on, the Spaniard was beating him in all departments. When Federer came to the net, as often as not the ball was zipping back past him. His winners were being returned with interest and his backhand was ﬁnding the net. Nadal’s groundstrokes,

INDIAN WELLS ORGANIZERS HOPE WILLIAMS SISTERS END BOYCOTT

NP Paribas Open organizers were hopeful that Serena Williams would end a 13-year boycott of the event at Indian Wells when the world number one’s name was listed on Wednesday among the entries for this year’s edition. Williams and older sister Venus have never returned to the tournament in the California desert after being jeered by spectators in a controversial ﬁnal in 2001 but Serena hinted at the Australian Open last week she might lift the boycott. “While it is too soon to know whether she will play or not, we are pleased to see Serena’s name on the entry list,” tournament director Steve Simon said in a statement. “Based on her comments at the Australian Open, we know playing in the tournament is something she is thinking about.” Williams, who suffered a shock fourth round loss to Ana Ivanovic at the Australian Open on Sunday, raised the possibility of lifting her boycott of Indian Wells after being inspired by a movie about Nelson Mandela. “It actually crossed my mind a couple days ago, or after I saw the movie,” the 32-year-old American told reporters at Melbourne Park. “I thought about it... Right now I don’t know. I just have to focus on this tournament.

“But I think Mandela was a really amazing man. I felt really honored to have a chance to meet him, get to know him a little bit, and get to know his story a little better.” “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”, a movie about the anti-apartheid hero, opened just days before his death at 95 last month. Serena and her sister had been scheduled to play each other in the semi-ﬁnals at Indian Wells in 2001 but Venus pulled out minutes before the match, citing injury. Spectators vented their displeasure with the late withdrawal during the ﬁnal, booing Serena in her match against Belgian Kim Clijsters and also jeering her sister and father Richard Williams when the pair arrived to watch the match. Richard Williams alleged he had heard racist taunts from the crowd and the family have not returned to Indian Wells since. The women’s entry list for the March 3-16 Indian Wells event includes all of the top-10 ranked players, among them Victoria Azarenka and defending champion Maria Sharapova. The men’s entry list for the elite ATP Masters 1000 event includes defending champion Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Roger Federer and the rest of the top-10 ranked players.

off each wing, simply had more pace and venom. So much for the new Federer. Afterwards, Nadal said he had seen it all before, including in the 2012 semi-final which he won in five sets, and which he watched on YouTube earlier in the day. “Sure he’s trying to play more aggressive, but I think he tried against me in the past, with success,” said Nadal, who will play Switzerland’s new number one, Stanislas Wawrinka, in the final. “It’s nothing completely new that he’s playing aggressive. He’s a very aggressive player. He’s one of these players that he’s able to win the point in one shot, in two shots.” Uncharacteristically, Federer hit out at Nadal’s grunting and slow play, indicating the depth of his frustration. “It goes in phases. One point he does and he doesn’t,” grumbled the Swiss, who was so annoyed he complained to the umpire. But he insisted he was on the up, and looking forward to the rest of this year’s Grand Slams. “I think this is a very good start to the season for me overall. I played some really good tennis here. I still feel my best tennis is only ahead of me right now,” he said. “So I’m looking forward to the next couple of months, how they’re going to play out for me, and hopefully by April I feel like I’m going to be at 100 percent again.” So don’t write Federer off for another Grand Slam title -- unless of course he comes up against Nadal.

PHIL JACKSON PREDICTS STRONG RETURN FOR KOBE

ven Phil Jackson gets sticker shock when considering the $48.5 million contract extension the Los Angeles Lakers gave to a 35-year-old Kobe Bryant, but the legendary coach still sees merit in the move. “They paid him more than I would have gone for, but what he’s given to this organization, what he gives back, he brings a certain sense of, ‘We’re going to win!’ “ Jackson said during an interview that aired on NBA TV on Thursday. “You got to have a guy on the team that doesn’t settle for second. That’s one of the areas where the value of Kobe, even at this age, is terrific.” Jackson, who teamed with Bryant in Los Angeles to win five of his record-setting 11 NBA championships, has confidence that the injured guard will return to form after he recovers from the fracture of the lateral tibial plateau in his left knee that will keep him out at least three more weeks. “I think he’ll be back,” Jackson said. “I think Kobe is going to be still a scorer. He can score. We saw Michael Jordan at the end of

his career still scoring 20 points a game and he was 37-38, I think. Maybe he was 38-39, I can’t really remember. But I think Kobe can still post up. I think he can still be a good screen-roll player. He’s going to hit shots. He can still shoot the 3-pointer. I think he’s really realistic about it. He’s really pleased. He felt like, you know, I will come back.” Bryant is averaging 13.8 points, 6.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 42.5 percent shooting in six games this season. “Kobe’s minutes he’s played, the time he’s been on the ﬂoor, the duress and the way he’s played has taken a toll, obviously,” Jackson said. “And his injury, I think , was part of the chain of events that happened because of his Achilles tendon. Unfortunately it set him back and now he’s got a knee injury.” Jackson, who was passed over by the Lakers last season for their head coaching vacancy after Mike Brown was ﬁred, said that Dwight Howard might not be on the Houston Rockets today if he had been given the opportunity to return to the Lakers for a third stint as head coach.

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