VOLUME 9 ISSUE 44 by The SUN Newspaper

DECEMBER 14TH-DECEMBER 21ST, 2013

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VOLUME 9 - No. 44

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‘BRING MIKE HOME NOW’ Family of former Premier frustrated over extradition delay

razilian authorities and the Helen Garlick-led Special Investigations and Prosecution Team (SIPT) are under mounting pressure to bring former Premier Michael Misick back to the Turks and Caicos Islands to face trial. Members of Misick’s family said they are deeply concerned about the lengthy delay in extraditing the 47-year-old politician who they said has been anxious to come back. In a press release, family spokesman and brother of the former Premier, Phillip Missick, said: “It is nearing two months now since the Brazilian Supreme Court ruled in favor of returning the Former Premier to this jurisdiction and nearly three weeks has gone by since the publication of the court’s order. It has also been nearly a week since the Brazilian Minister of Justice issued a signed certiﬁcate to the Foreign and Commonwealth Ofﬁce (FCO) stating that he (Michael Misick) is not wanted for any offences in Brazil and therefore they can arrange for his immediate transportation back to Turks and Caicos Islands.” He added: “Despite numerous requests from his British-based attorneys as to the when where and how he is to be transported back to these islands there has been complete and absolute silence on the part of The Turks and Caicos Government, The Attorney General, The Governor, SIPT and Helen Garlick on this matter. The slow nature in which they are moving to return him home, can only be seen as vindictive and punitive and smacks of unlawful detention, and goes against any and all laws of natural justice. This delay borders on violation of his constitutional rights and SIPT and their entities must give his family and the people of the Turks and Caicos islands a reason for the delay in bringing him home and must bring him home forthwith”. Both Special Prosecutor Helen Garlick and Commissioner of Police Colin Farquhar have stated that it is

up to the Brazilian authorities to determine when Misick is formally extradited and that this can only be done after the matter has been gazetted in Brazil. However, the former Premier’s brother is of the ﬁrm view that everything has been done by the Brazilian authorities to clear the way for the extradition. Phillip Misick told the SUN he believes that there is something sinister behind the delay in extraditing the former Premier and he accused Helen Garlick and British operatives of masterminding the stalling efforts behind the scenes. The plea and directions hearings for the SIPT trials is scheduled for

January 6th 2014, and it is believed in some quarters that the former Premier is being deliberately detained until very close to that date. The real estate executive said that his brother, who was the ﬁrst Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, has been in good spirits, despite the delay. In a press release issued last month, Commissioner of Police Colin Farquhar stated: “There are certain steps that must be followed before Mr. Misick leaves Brazil. These are requirements that are ﬁxed by Brazilian law and there is nothing that the Attorney General’s chambers or the Special Investigation Prosecution Team (SIPT)

can do to inﬂuence them. As soon as permission is received from the Brazilian authorities, he will be returned to the TCI to be charged and to face trial,” On October 29, 2013, the Brazilian Supreme court unanimously ruled that Misick be extradited to the Turks and Caicos Islands. In a hand-written letter from his maximum security cell in Brazil, Misick said his lawyers had written Special Prosecutor Helen Garlick and informed her that although he was legally entitled to be in Brazil until April 2013, he wanted to return to the Turks and Caicos Islands voluntarily, accompanied by police ofﬁcers.

New rules for children at cinema

Cabinet awards contracts

Shore Club to start in January

Mandela set high standard

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Samuel Forbes (right) Vice President for the TCI Community College and principal for the Providenciales Campus accepts a cheque for $54,778 from members of the TCI Community College Foundation from left Cecil Arnold – Treasurer; Lillian Boyce, member; and Claudette Clare Chairman. The money presented was raised from a banquet held recently.

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Blue Hills Police Post opens BY VIVIAN TYSON

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

he long-awaited police post in Blue Hills, Providenciales was commissioned into service on Friday, December 13, in the presence of His Excellency Governor Peter Beckingham, Premier Hon. Dr, Rufus Ewing and Commissioner of Police Colin Farquar. The post is located next to the Grant’s Gas Station at the entrance road to the Priton Housing Development. Declaring the station open, Farquar said that the post is a signal of the police’s commitment to the communities of Blue Hills. He said however that since the emphasis is on community police, where ofﬁcers are dispatched in the residential areas to interact with the residents and the thwart criminality, the

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 Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing (left)and His Excellency Governor Peter Beckingham cut the ribbon to officially open the Blues Hills Police Post. post would not open around the clock. The blue Hills Police Post will not open 24/7, but it is a place of contact for the police. The police will be on scheduled appointments to people to give witness statements, take complaints etc. It is also a place for the police to rest and to perhaps

have lunch during their shift. The ofﬁce will open sporadically and appropriate signs will direct people to call 911 if no one is at the ofﬁce. The emphasis is for the police to be in the community patrolling and engaging with the people in the community,” he said. Farquar said that

PUBLLIC NO OTICE The N National Health Insurannce Boarrd wishees to advisee the ressidents off Provideenciales that t the NHIB will no longerr be opeerating frrom the Cheshiree Hall Mediccal Centre. NHIP cards will now bee issued aat the Nationnal Healtth Insurance Boarrd Salt Mills officee 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m m. Mondday throuugh Thursday andd 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on FFriday. W We apologize for any inconvveniencee caused due to thhe changges.

Managgement of o the Natiional Heaalth Insurance Booard

the police tried their best to patrol the community as best as they possibly can but the rickety fleet of vehicles they currently have often prevented them. He said however that the expected new fleet to come early next year would change the current situation. “This area represents one of the largest residential areas on Providenciales and has needed an increase police presence for some time. We tried to offer patrols but we are hampered by our outdated fleet of vehicles. We look forward to receiving 18 SUVs and a 15 passenger van early 2013,” Farquar said. He added: “It is important that the police are in every community of the TCI, but this does not mean staffing a police station. Police station needs to be staffed, and having a staff in a police station takes away some officers patrolling and engaging the community. Police needs to be proactive and reactive, and it is going to be completed through trained community policing.” For his part, Premier Ewing said that since Providenciales, which he highlighted was called Blue Hills, has grown significantly over the past several years and the community now known as Blue Hills has been tremendously extended with the development of Wheeland, Phase Two of the Affordable Housing Development,

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.

Millennium Heights Affordable Homes Development, and developments along the Millennium Highway, the need for a police outpost became necessary. “This necessitated the need for increase engagement within the communities because of the increase in petty crimes and gang-related incidents. These are issues that will damage a community. And so I am very delighted that the opening of this police post here today will act as a centre of coordination of community-based policing. It will allow for our police ofﬁcers to better engage in the communities of Wheeland, Blue Hills and Millennium Heights, so that you, the citizens and residents of these communities, can be the eyes and ears of the police ofﬁcers, share information so that the police will not be reactive to crime but proactive in preventing crime,” the Premier said. Governor Beckingham, during his remarks, disclosed that security should be provided not only for tourists that grace our shores but those who live here. “The reputation of the TCI for a low crime rate is one of the biggest selling points that

we have as a community in North America. We know that if that reputation is to be tarnished then clearly the long term harm to our community would be severe. So to improve and to advance security in parts of the TCI is very important,” Governor Beckingham said. In the meantime, Member of Parliament for Wheeland, Hon. Delroy Williams said that the residents of the constituency had often called for a police station because of the number of burglaries that have been taken place there, and now that the post has been established, they can now rest assured that life could become easier. “ It (police post) is something that I promised the people that I will deliver, and I am happy today that it is open. It will bring some sense of security to most of the residents because as you know, there have been a lot of petty crimes in the area. And once the police come with an attitude to work with the community, the community would work with them. When we all work together we will make the community a better place,” Williams said. Inspector Mary Durham chaired the event.

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Report from last Cabinet Meeting H

is Excellency the Governor, Peter Beckingham, chaired the 26th meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday December 11th, 2013 at the House of Assembly Building in Grand Turk. All Ministers were present. At this meeting Cabinet: • Considered a proposal from IBC Airways to provide a bi-weekly passenger service from Grand Turk to Fort Lauderdale, Fl. Cabinet welcomed the proposal on the basis that it would assist greatly in expanding and diversifying airlift into the Turks and Caicos Islands and agreed to enter into discussions with IBC Airlines to further the proposal; • Approved a revised comprehensive Travel Policy for ofﬁcial travel by Ministers, Members of Parliament and Government Ofﬁcials. The policy will be published in the Gazette; • Received a presentation from the Senior Management Team of Fortis TCI setting out the company’s integrated strategic training and development approach. Cabinet welcomed the company’s approach to employment and training of local people and committed to work in partnership with them on this and matters such as renewable energy; • Received a report from the Premier and Minister of Tourism regarding an application to the University of the West Indies for Contributing Country Status and granted approval in principle for the Ministry of Education to submit an application. This will enable students

on Government scholarships as well as self-funded students from the Turks and Caicos Islands to beneﬁt from discounted rates. The matter will move forward for debate in the House of Assembly in due course; • Agreed that HE. the Governor appoint the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Home Affairs, the Permanent Secretary, Premiers Ofﬁce and Mr Mathew Timothy Stubbs as members of the National Trust Council in accordance with section 6 of the National Trust Ordinance; • Approved a number of contract awards as follows; L&L Construction in the amount of $28,000 for the relocation and repair works to the MBHS Trailer on South Caicos, Tropical Auto Rentals in the amount of $38,000 for the Purchase of vehicles for the Revenue Control Unit, MPL Enterprises Ltd in the amount of $48,803 for the supply of engines for patrol vessels in the Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs, Emerson Development Company in the amount of $3,340 for the installation of hurricane shelter shutters on Grand Turk, Carib Construction Company Ltd in the amount of $28,115 for installation of hurricane shelter shutters on Providenciales, Boxco in the amount of $11,287 for the installation of a generator at the Wellness Centre on South Caicos, Carib Construction Company Ltd in the amount of $11,385 for the installation of a generator in the SPPU, Grand Turk and Boxco in the amount of $7,237 for the installation of a generator at Blue Hills Clin-

ic Providenciales. All contracts were subject to open tendering in accordance with the Procurement Ordinance 2012; • Approved amendments to the Customs (Post Clearance) Order 2013, and Customs (Amendment) Bill 2013. The amendments make provision for the introduction of a post clearance audit function; • Approved recommendations from the Minister of Education, Youth, Sport, Culture and Library Services on the implementation of an Early Childhood Minimum Service Standards Handbook. The handbook sets out the minimum standards that will govern and guide the delivery of early childhood education in the Turks and Caicos Islands; • Approved a proposal from the Minister of Education, Youth, Sports, Culture and Library Services to establish a working committee to explore the potential for a Student Loan Scheme in the Turks and Caicos Islands; • Received a report from the Minister of Health and Human Services outlining preliminary plans to reform the organisation structure, systems and processes of the Ministry to achieve improvements in the quality of care provided at primary, secondary and tertiary levels, contain costs and increase revenue. Cabinet approved commencement of a programme of reform and agreed to establish a senior level steering committee; Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS CONDO OWNER SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS FOR SCAMMING MORE THAN 100 INVESTORS

Virginia businessman who prosecutors say cheated customers out of $35 million while he purchased condominiums in the Turks and Caicos Islands, a custom-built $3 million home, and a Lamborghini and a Ferrari was sentenced to 12 years in prison in the USA last Friday December 6th. According to United States Attorney’s Ofﬁce in the Eastern District of Virginia, William Dean Chapman, 44, of Sterling, Virginia, was sentenced to 144 months in prison, for orchestrating a $270 million stock loan scheme that defrauded his innocent clients. Over seven years, Chapman, the founder and owner of Alexander Capital Markets (ACM) and who was a regular visitor to the Turks and Caicos Islands, took in more than $270 million in stock, and 122 victims lost more than $35 million as a result of this scheme. ACM’s primary business was to offer a ﬁnancial product that provided customers with a purportedly fully hedged loan at an above-market rate of interest against a customer’s securities. This served as collateral for the transaction for a percentage – typically between 85 percent and 90 percent – of the securities’ value. For example, in exchange for a customer’s Apple stock, ACM would provide a cash loan to that customer worth 85 percent or 90 percent of the stock’s value. After a period of time – between two and seven years, and typically three years – the customer could receive back their securities, or the equivalent cash value, if they repaid the balance of the loan plus accrued interest. Alternatively, because the loans were non-recourse, the customer could walk away at the end of the redemption period having already received up to 90 percent of the value of their securities.

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Over 700 kids came out to see Santa on Provo BY VIVIAN TYSON

ore than 700 children turned out to the annual Kiwanis Club of Providenciales Christmas Tree lighting on Sunday (December 8) to get their hands on some of the toys and other goodies that Santa brought for them, and the majority of them went away fully satisﬁed. Each year the number of children increases and this year was no different. But Edward Taylor, President for the Kiwanis Club, said that the crowd was anticipated and so the club made provision for the gifts through the many sponsors who came on board this year. “This year we had a lot more sponsors than we had last year. We tried to make the event bigger and better than last year, and we had a lot more performances, and that is what we want to work towards – more performances and not just the gift-giving,” Taylor said. Taylor said that the Kiwanis Club packed 650 gifts, which he said fell a little short of last year’s number, while estimating the children turn-out to be nearly a little over 700. “It (number of gifts) was a little less than what we had last year. Last year we had close to 800 gifts last year. Hopefully we will have more sponsors to give more gifts next year,” Taylor said, add-

Santa doles out the gifts to children who were only too eager to collect them ing that Kiwanis has been staging the Providenciales Christmas Tree Lighting for more than two decades. He said that Kiwanis also does Christmas tree lighting on Grand Turk. This year’s event was scheduled to take place on Thursday, December 12. He said that an average 500 children were expected for the Grand Turk Christmas Tree Lighting. The highlight of the evening was the keynote address delivered by 11 year-old Joshua Daniel of Richmond Hill Preparatory School.

The primary school student managed to contrast Prince George, the Royal Baby’s birth with that of Jesus Christ. He was also able to balance and highlight the contrast that each birth generated, while capable enough to seamlessly establish both their signiﬁcance and what they mean to mankind. Taylor, when quizzed about choosing a child to deliver the main address at the event this year, said that it was about gathering a child’s perspective on the season and its signiﬁcance. “Next year we would like for the youth ambassador to give the main address. Moving forward it would be for the ambassador to come to Kiwanis (Christmas Tree Lighting) every year and give the giving the message. The four Ks of Kiwanis is all about young people, so we want to get the kids involved,” Taylor said. Giving his thoughts on Joshua’s speech, Taylor said: It was a good speech. For his age he tried to deliver a mature message. For the way he tried to put a message to the story, you wouldn’t think someone of that age would try to do something like that, so kudos to him, I think he did a great job on it.” The event also involved performances from schools across the island, including the Clement Howell High School, the Oseta Jolly Primary, Ianthe Pratt Primary and the Enid Capron Primary.

CASABLANCA CASINO & THE REGENT PALMS HOSTS FUNDRAISING POKER TOURNAMENT FOR MASKANOO 2013

asablanca Casino in collaboration with TCHTA, the Department of Culture, the Regent Palms and the Maskanoo Committee hosted a fundraising poker tournament in aid of the upcoming 4th annual Maskanoo festival, Sunday, December 8th at 6PM. The tournament took place in the Meisel Ballroom at the renowned Regent Palms Resort attracting 38 players. The buy-in for the tournament was US$100 which netted the Maskanoo Committee $3500. An additional $2900 was added to the pot for a grand total of $6490 as players bided on an incredible list of high valued items during the silent auction. Additionally, there were raffle prizes with lucky winner Kenny Gardiner, walking away with three of the four prizes including a custom make 2014 Maskanoo costume. The fundraiser also featured live music by David Bowen along with his wife Shara and several TCI Top models in glamorous masks. Maskanoo, an annual cultural festival spearheaded by The Maskanoo Committee along with the Department of Culture in collaboration with the Turks & Caicos Tourism & Hotel Association, is an event that showcases the best of the Turks & Caicos Islands musical bands and cultural heritage, mixing Junkanoo (taken from TCI’s Bahamian linked heritage) with masquerade to create “Maskanoo”. The fourth-annual Maskanoo will be held on Boxing Day, Thursday, December 26, 2013. This festive affair will once again be held in TCI’s tourism capital of Providenciales, following a route along Grace Bay road between the Regent Village and the Le Vele Plaza. Persons attending the Maskanoo will enjoy a street parade, local music, island food, cultural items on sale, arts, crafts and entertainment from Kino & Kazz, Elroy & Dez, Kew Band Links and the Ripsaw Allstars as well as a street jump-up and festive costume parades. Director of Culture and Maskanoo committee Chairman, David Bowen stated, “I am indebted to the management and staff of Casablanca Casino for putting on this fundraiser and for being such model cooperate citizens”. He further stated, “If more private sector businesses like Casablanca supported cultural events like Maskanoo, the entire country and it’s main industry, Tourism, would benefit greatly”. To find out more information on how you can sponsor or participate in Maskanoo kindly contact the Department of Culture on (649) 941-8434 or email maskanoo@gmail.com

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New rules for child cinema goers BY VIVIAN TYSON

igicel TCI Cinemas, operators of the movie theater along the Leeward Highway in Providenciales, is to implement a strict policy which bars children from watching certain movies, even if they are accompanied by an adult. This came in the wake of public backlash the theater received for adhering to the American system which allows children to watch certain restricted movies if they are accompanied by an adult. Managing Director of TCI Cinemas, Derek Handfield said that the TCI has been using the US system since its opening but because of concerns raised by many local movie-goers relating to children watching certain restricted movies, steps will be taken to address the issue. We have always been using the US rating system which is a little liberal and we have been getting public backlash specifically on the R-rated movies. In the US they allowed kids to go into rated R movies accompanied by an adult –it’s strictly the discretion of the parents. Here in Provo, we are experiencing a situation at the cinema, where a lot of our adult audience are not happy with that,” Handfield explained. He said that while persons raised the issue from time to time, the complaints intensified after children were allowed to watch Best Man Holiday,

which had sections of intense adult content. “These complaints come and go. We never had any serious complains about it prior to ‘the Best Man’ opening. Since ‘the Best Man’ it has become a conversation again. It comes and goes, and being from the Bahamas, it’s the same thing (in the Bahamas),” Handfield said. He said as a result of the new conversation, the theater would not be more vigilant in its offering and to whom. He said that a committee has been assembled to come up with a working rating system that would satisfy all concerned. “We basically now have to revisit exactly how we are going to facilitate that rating, and at present we are looking at a committee on island that is going to visit the US rating system, and with some kind of approval from the government, they are going to redefine what those ratings mean. But in the meantime, we have taken some steps as far as certain age in the cinema,” Handfield said. He added: “Adults don’t like to sit down in a room with children, watching some kinds of materials on the screen. And so, as a cinema, we have to implement a policy that until such time that the committee comes back to us with a proper definition that we both can work with. The truth is, in the US they have a rating called NC-17; the NC-17 rating prohibits children

into the cinema when that material is not for kids. However, rated R allows kids at any age to go in with parents. Then there is PG 13, which simply means that anyone under 13 must be accompanied by a parent or a guardian.” He pointed out he would love a rating mechanism tailored to local theater goers. He hopes to have that system in place by the summer of 2014. “I want to have a new rating system that is being approved locally at the beginning of summer, which will be the first week in April. And what is important for the public to understand is, in other countries this is not created or policed by the cinema. It is a local government body which comes under security, and I believe because we are a dependent country, that comes under the British,” he said. In the meantime, Handfield said that TCI Cinemas is looking for an agreement which itself and the committee could agree on but most importantly, one that the theater can survive on when implemented. “These ratings must not be biased. It cannot be run like how you run your house or how I run my house. We have to find as sensible line that makes sense. Either we don’t want the industry here or we want the industry here. We are going to sit down and discuss how we are going to address the age issue,” he said.

TCI SHINES CLEAN-UP COLLECTS NEARLY 200 BAGS FOR GARBAGE

n Saturday, December 07, 2013 volunteers proved that “Clean is Cool” when they participated in the TCHTA’s 5th annual TCI Shines clean-up campaign. Collecting approximately 180 bags of garbage volunteers not only played their part to ensure that TCI’s beauty and natural resources are protected to be enjoyed for generations to come but they also truly lived the Tourism Environmental Awareness Month message of “Tourism is Key - Clean is Cool.” Taking on a more focused approached this year the clean-up initiative saw persons assembling at Tropicana Plaza and working Westward along Leeward Highway. DEMA also spearheaded the beach clean-up, beginning at the Bight Children’s Park and extending 200 yards on both sides and Mills Institute cleaned up the Juba Sound area. TCHTA’s Executive Director Stacy Cox thanked all volunteers for their dedication and commitment year after year and stated “Protecting the environment is the message we have been advocating since TCI Shines’ inception 5 years ago. We are once again pleading with government to enforce penalties for littering but we as a nation need to save the

planet through the actions we take as individuals. We can all be a part of an environmental solution and that’s why TCHTA is so thrilled that this year’s message for Tourism Awareness Month focused on the importance of keeping our surroundings clean in order to have a proﬁtable and long-lasting tourism product. Tourism is indeed key to our livelihoods and we encourage as many people as possible to prevent unsightly litter by always disposing of it correctly and recycling where possible. Let us come together as a community to raise awareness to achieve a healthy environment.” TCHTA would like to thank all volunteers who participated in the initiative: Beaches, DEMA, Gansevoort, Grace Bay Club, Graceway IGA, Quality Supermarket, Hartling Group, Ocean Club Resorts, Regent Palms, Seven Stars, The Sands at Grace Bay, Villa del Mar, West Bay Club, Windsong Resort, Hayes Elevators, Mills Institute,T & C Sotheby’s International, TCI Waste Disposal Services, The Wine Cellar, Trail Enterprises and those members of the community who participated by cleaning up their immediate surroundings.

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IBC Airways wants to fly between Grand Turk and Fort Lauderdale BY VIVIAN TYSON

nternational ﬂights could return to the country’s capital Grand Turk early next year as IBC Airways plans provide service between the JAGS McCartney International Airport and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida courtesy of a 30-seater jet. Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing told a news conference on Thursday December 12 that Cabinet has received a proposal from the entity and has pledged support for the service. “Cabinet received a proposal from IBC Airways to provide twice-weekly jet service between Grand Turk and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, thereby facilitating increased airlifts to Grand Turk. Cabinet made commitment that it supports the ﬂight service to Grand Turk, and agreed to enter into further discussions with IBC Airways and other stakeholders such as the Turks and Caicos Airports Authorities, the Tourist Board and the TCHTA in considering this initiative,” Premier Ewing said. He said that service could start before the bottom of the tourism season, which is the end of February, stating that they would begin to operate as soon as the airline ties up some loose ends, including fuel sourcing and advertising. “They were hoping to start sometime in February or at least get some part of the tourist season. There are issues ranging from availability of fuel - I think they are sorting that particular one out; and to be able to market the destination. “As you know, Grand Turk is not marketed as a well-known tourist destination, and so you want to ensure that you have the relevant load factor, guaranteeing airlift. (They also want) to put in place a proper marketing plan. And so, we are seeking to look at that particular aspect of

Premier Hon. Rufus Ewing addresses the media, while looking at left his Deputy Premier Hon. Akierra Missick and Hon. Amanda Missick at right the programme,” he said. The premier said that other than possible additional staffing, there would not be many changes to the fire service at JAGS McCartney International Airport to facilitate the flight. He said the consideration is based on the number of seats the airline will bring into Grand Turk. Currently the fire service at the airport doubles as domestic fire service. In the meantime, Premier Ewing predicted that based on its size, IBC Airways stand a better chance at being more financial viable than low cost carrier Spirit Airlines, which did a cameo

between Ft. Lauderdale and Grand, but ceased operations because of financial viability reasons. “I think it stands a better chance of being more financially viable than a bit Spirit,” he said. Premier Ewing revealed that government is looking to market Grand Turk as a diving destination, saying also that South Caicos and Salt Cay are also being earmarked for marketing as tourist destinations, such as fishing and diving. IBC is known mostly for its cargo service. It has been operation such service to the Turks and Caicos for a long time.

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Former Deputy Premier Lillian Boyce says TCI must respect international Human Rights laws T

he Turks and Caicos Islands must strive to abide by international Human Rights laws, otherwise there can be a serious backlash that can go as far as affecting the country’s economy. That’s the view of former deputy Premier Lillian Boyce who was one of the speakers at the opening of the new Human Rights Commission Ofﬁce at the IGA Complex on Tuesday December 10th. “Now more than ever, we in the Turks and Caicos Islands must play fairly and squarely by the international rules and regulations. With today’s technology and with social media being so active and fast-moving, the slightest human rights infringement can now spread so rapidly, that it can even have serious implications for tourism, investment and ultimately our economy and our livelihood. An effective public awareness and public relations strategy therefore has to be developed and kept handy, in the event of any worse case scenarios which sometimes erupt at rather short notice,” said Boyce, who was a former Minister of Education, Youth Sports and Culture. Boyce said that Human Rights have always been a very sensitive issue, not only here in the Turks and Caicos Islands, but throughout the world. She noted that while the Turks and Caicos Islands can boast of having a fairly decent human rights record, it has not been without its challenges. She stated that there is much room for improvement in the area of Human Rights, and that going forward, these necessary changes will ultimately be for the beneﬁt of the country at large. “As we seek to modernize our thinking and our approach to the whole question of Human Rights,

Lillian Boyce – “We cannot build a strong economy or a strong democracy in the Turks and Caicos Islands without respecting and upholding human rights.”

one of the main issues that the new Human Rights Directors and we as a people will have to tackle with full force, is the misplaced and misguided perception that Human Rights is about giving foreigners more rights in this country than native people. The message must be sent loud and clear that nothing can be further from the truth,” Boyce added. “As we seek to create greater awareness, it must be instilled in the minds of all residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands, that Human Rights is about equal rights and justice for all, regardless of nationality, colour, class or creed. Nothing more and nothing less. Essentially, it is about treating others as we would like to be treated. We can even go further and say that it is about treating strangers or guests to our country in much the same way that we would want to be treated in a strange land. Of course, that respect and treatment has to be mutual and balanced. And above all, everything must be done within the four corners of the law.” The former Cabinet minister noted that Turks and Caicos Islands must do its part in ensuring that Nelson Mandela’s legacy is preserved. “I would like for us in the Turks and Caicos Islands to be among those who will strive extremely hard to keep an eternal ﬂame burning on the core values and strong, guiding principles which Mandela stood for. Let us therefore never, ever forget that Mandela fought and stood for equal rights and justice for all. Those important elements of life must not be buried with him. We must keep them alive. We cannot build a strong economy or a strong democracy in the Turks and Caicos Islands without respecting and upholding human rights.”

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LOCAL NEWS

Ambulance staff still not satisfied with working conditions D espite an unnamed Ministry of Health official telling The SUN that it is doing all it can to make the working condition of Emergency Management Services (EMS) staff as comfortable as possible, the employees said that some of their most basic concerns are apparently not being addressed. About two months ago, the employees highlighted the decrepit condition under which they were working, which included no running water, which forces them to seek alternatives means of cleaning up themselves after returning from an emergency. They complained also that they were unable to use the bathroom. The ministry official said that as soon as they were aware of the problem, they responded and some of the issues were addressed. But the EMS workers are once again disgruntled over some of the same issues as well as some new ones. Employees who contacted this newspaper by letter said that despite the recent fixes, much more needs to be done to relieve what they described as “the sickening conditions” that they said EMS to which employees have been subjected. They said that their concerns stem from overtime payment, inconsistent water supply at the facility and the situation where the compound is overgrown by weed. “The premises hasn’t been manicured literally in months. The EMS base still periodically has no running water for days, often weeks. Also, employees receive no official documentation of the amount of overtime wages they are actually entitled to. Patrick Riel, who is the Director of the EMS, while being commended by the staff,

also received a bit of ﬂack from his staff, who said that he could be around more often to address their concerns. “The EMS Director and supervisor Patrick Riel is always in uniform and on-call 24/7 with practically his own personal ambulance. However, he’s rarely physically in ofﬁce supervising and directing and assisting with hands-on daily operations,” the staff said through the letter. This SUN attempted to solicit a response from Riel, but we were told that he was on vacation and out of the country. The ambulance employees also called on the Ministry of Health and Human Services to look into their situation and take steps to address them. “The administration in the Ministry of Health appears to have left the EMS employees to fend for self. Employees’ complaints fall on deaf ears. The false hopes and broken promises is blatantly a disrespect and disregard for the welfare and concerns of the employees that work diligently and professionally to adequately serve the people of The Turks & Caicos Islands,” the staff said in the letter. The letter continues: “These and many other matters mentioned in this email are tremendously affecting the entire EMS staff and will inevitably hinder their performance and that will consequently affect the people of TCI society. The people deserve better. “The employees deserve better. Perhaps Patrick Riel, Portia Clarke Assistant Permanent Secretary, Dr. Nadia Astwood (Director of Health Services), Desiree Lewis, Permanent Secretary, and/or (Hon)Portia Stubbs, Minister Health can explain why these issues have yet to be resolved.”

UK MINISTER ALAN DUNCAN UNHAPPY WITH NO VAT, HAPPY WITH TCI’S FISCAL POLICY BY VIVIAN TYSON

lthough disappointed that the PNP Administration has rejected Value Added Tax (VAT), Allan Duncan, Minister responsible for the Department of International Development (DIFID) is so far happy with TCI’s fiscal policy, Premier Hon. Rufus Ewing said. The premier made the announcement while addressing a news conference to inform the country about his trip to the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) in the United Kingdom. The JMC is a summit of United Kingdom Government and its Overseas Territories to flesh out various issues affecting the Overseas Territories and work towards getting them better. He said that overall, the DFID minister was happy with TCI progress towards paying down on the $170m of the $260m guaranteed loan. The premier said that Duncan, before and during the JMC meeting, was encouraged by the TCI’s commitment on its fiscal policy framework to pay down on the debt. “He was very encouraged with our commitment with regards to the fiscal policy framework in order for us to be able to pay down the loan or at least contribute $80m to $100m that goes towards the paying down of the bond by 2016, that would allow us to borrow to pay off the

entire bond and refinance the loan going 2016 and beyond. “He is encouraged by that. He has expressed his disappointment that we did not implement VAT, but look forward to us, at some time, putting forward a simplified taxation system in place after public consultation,” Ewing said. The premier said that Duncan was supportive of the various projects that the Turks and Caicos Islands Government has already begun to take steps to undertake. “The UK Minister was also receptive to the idea of various infrastructure pipe lines that was being developed and the concept that we will have to undertake, given the fact that we are unable to borrow at this particular point in time, before 2016,” he said. He said also that meetings with FCO Minister Mark Simmons were fruitful, as the TCI team discussed with him a number of issues affecting the Turks and Caicos Islands, including illegal immigration and the employment situation in the country. “The bilateral meeting with Mr. Simmons, we basically had the opportunity to outline to him some of the challenges facing Turks and Caicos ranging from governance issues to immigration issues, financial issues, other social issues, and to put those out to the minister and to seek his assistance in a number of areas.

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Community College raises over $60,000 from banquet BY VIVIAN TYSON

he TCI Community College Foundation has doubled the targeted $20,000 sum from its fundraising banquet held last month at the Regent Palms Resort, raising a little over $40,000, its treasurer Cecil Arnold said. Arnold, together with other Foundation members, including former Minister of Education, Lillian Boyce and Chairman for the Foundation, Claudette Clare presented the cheque to the college on Thursday, December 5. By virtue of the banquet raising more than the intended sum, an unnamed donor, who is a customer of Scotiabank of which Arnold is the Managing Director, came good on his promise to match the $20,000, allowing the Foundation to rake in above $60,000 from the one event. “So that was an incentive for us at the Foundation to make sure that we exceed that $20,000. We netted $44,580, and so the goodly gentleman and his wife transferred $20,000 into our account, so we actually grossed from that initiative a total of $64,580,” Arnold said, adding that the cost to host the function 9,802.90, netting the Foundation with $54,778. For her part, Clare said that the Foundation would step up its effort to broaden its membership base, so as to attract wider support. I want to say that the support and the work of the Foundation is only going to continue to grow. We are extending membership opportunities for private citizens to come and join. Anybody can become a member of the Foundation.

Of this initiative, we intend to offer scholarships to deserving students. Very soon you are going to see the criteria what applicants are required to meet. You will see those coming in the newspapers. She said also that those who contribute to the Foundation would be highlighted for their efforts, which she said should come on stream in 2014. Accepting the donation, Samuel Forbes, Vice President for the Community College and Principal for the Provo Campus, lauded the efforts of the Foundation and individuals and businesses that support the fundraiser. He said in addition to providing scholarships for deserving students, the funds would make way for the consolidation of both the Grand Turk and the Providenciales campuses especially when it comes on to lecturing. “It (money) could never have been the success without those who gave up their time and the kind of efforts put into the exercise, and it speaks volume to support that the public has poured into it. The money that was realized is going towards a worthy cause.

“The very ﬁrst thing that comes to mind is to begin to consolidate the relationship between both campuses, and that we are going to procure the kind of equipment that would enable us to communicate quite easily on a daily basis without having to ﬂy everywhere,” Forbes said. He said also that the funds would go a far way in augmenting the hospitality department by purchasing some of its well needed equipment. He said that since an associate degree is an average $1,200 per semester, $20,000 could provide at least 10 scholarships. “There are so many individuals out there who need the support, and therefore, it is important that we raise funds to provide needy students with scholarships, especially the young people,” Forbes said. Meanwhile, Boyce lauded the Foundation’s efforts, especially those of Clare and Arnold, who she said did a tremendous job in ensuring that the event was a complete success. She also used the opportunity to thank those who supported the event while called on the wider community to support the college. She said that it is an opportune time for the college to more utilize for higher education since it is much more affordable other than to send students overseas. “I just like to commend institutions and individuals who come together when we are in need because our college absolutely is in need. We must come together to educate our people and we must not sit and wait for the government to do so,” she said.

INTERCARIBBEAN AIRWAYS INCREASES FLIGHTS TO CAP HAITIEN FROM PROVIDENCIALES

nterCaribbean Airways (interCaribbean) formerly Air Turks & Caicos, announces the addition of new afternoon flights from Providenciales (PLS) to Cap Haitien (CAP) on a Monday and Saturday with effect from January 20th 2014. InterCaribbean Airways attended the Airline Routes Conference in Las Vegas in October this year, where the ideas were discussed at meetings with the Ministry of Tourism representatives. interCaribbean held a follow up meeting with the Ministry of Tourism Delegation to Providenciales, together with the Consul for Commercial and Cultural Affairs from the Consulat d’Haiti in Providenciales in November where the Ministry indicated a willingness to support additional flights. InterCaribbean Airways will offer with this new service, for visitors, citizens and residents of The Turks & Caicos Islands the chance to be able to take a day trip, with a morning flight departure and an afternoon return flight. The new flights will afford the opportunity to visit the Citadel, take in cultural aspects of the Cap Haitien Area in Northern Haiti, and also enjoy the Creole Cuisine for Lunch, said Trevor Sadler, CEO of interCaribbean Airways. InterCaribbean Airways (formerly Air Turks & Caicos) is the national carrier of the Turks & Caicos Islands and operate a fleet of Embraer 120 and Beech 99 aircraft operating flights domestically to Grand Turk and South Caicos, and International flights to Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Santiago in the Dominican Republic, to Cap Haitien and Port Au Prince in Haiti, to Kingston, Jamaica and Nassau, Bahamas. Flights may be booked online at flyairtc.com, visiting the company Call Centers, Airport locations, or preferred Travel Agent. (our new website is under development at interCaribbean.com)

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Providenciales International Airport on target for 2014 opening BY VIVIAN TYSON

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espite experiencing a slight hiccup because of rains, the Providenciales International Airport phase two expansion is on target for opening before the 2014 winter tourism season, CEO John Smith said. Giving an update of the progress of work of the expansion and a subsequent media tour, Smith said that between 40 to 50 percent of work has already been completed. He explained that the extended car park that is to accommodate another 200 spaces has already been done inclusive of markings and lighting. Smith said, too, that any day now the new state-of-the-art bathroom facilities would open to the public. He explained that after they are open, the existing ones across from Gilley’s Café will be demolished to create space for check-in counters. In addition, Smith said that the roofing of the extended airport is well underway. He said that the new curved roof has been installed on both ends of the terminal and is made from environmentally friendly wood called “Glulam”. “We are on schedule. Previously we said that we were slightly ahead of schedule, but as a result

John Smith, CEO of Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority

of the torrential rains that we have had, we lost a bit of ground. The western side of the extension is well advanced. The centre of it is also well advanced – the upper floor. And the new bathrooms are will in their place. We expect them to be fully operational within the next 14 days. “I think you are going to be rather pleased when you see them because we have taken significant time and effort to put in something that is befitting the destination. We are on scheduled and on budget, and we will deliver as we said we would do,” Smith said. To meet the completion of the airport construction, Smith revealed that check-in kiosks would be placed at some hotels to facilitate hassle-free check-in of guests, which would significantly shorted lines at the airport. He said that airport drop-off will facilitate both left hand as well as right hand drive vehicles. “We are not dropping off in the road anymore; that is one of the things we have taken into consideration. When you drop off with the left hand drive, you drop off on an island at the drop-off area. For right hand drive you drop off directly into the terminal,” he said. The TCIAA CEO admitted that joining especially the roof of the existing building to the expand-

ed section would be a bit tricky, but said a way to achieve that goal has already been mapped. “It is a challenged for us, and that is why we look at it very carefully. We have regular meetings – scheduled meetings and unscheduled meetings. And we keep the stakeholders informed on what we are doing such as what areas are going to be available when; what areas are going to suffer more destruction from other areas; what mitigating factors are we putting in place. It is very much a partnership,” Smith said. He told reporters that the airport is constructed on a growth factor basis, and so would easily facilitate expansion when the need arises. In the meantime, Smith thanked the inconvenienced passengers for their patience, support and understanding. “We tried to do as much as we possibly can to minimize the disruption, but we have but one tunnel and we are developing it while we are operating. To date we have been rather successful in overcoming a lot of the challenges that we are faced with,” Smith said. Meanwhile, Smith said that a 100 percent of the contractors are Belonger-based companies, while more than 80 percent of employees are Turks and Caicos Islanders.

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LOCAL NEWS

Hartling Group gears up for ANTI-COAL-BURNING TASKFORCE FORMED January 2014 construction G start date on The Shore Club in Turks & Caicos Islands T he Hartling Group announced construction on the luxury Turks and Caicos resort The Shore Club will commence in January 2014, confirming renewed confidence in the islands’ development market. The January start date makes The Shore Club the first of several major projects recently announced in Turks and Caicos to put shovels in the ground, and indicates investor faith in the country’s post-2008 economic recovery. The US $80 million dollar first phase of the project is expected to create 200 jobs locally and generate some $8 million in government revenue from stamp duties. Phase One of The Shore Club spans nine acres and 820 linear feet of beachfront on Long Bay Beach on the island of Providenciales. At more than 60% sold, it has generated significant interest from real estate investors and those seeking an offshore property ownership. This is the third project for the award winning Hartling Group, which has been based in the Turks and Caicos Islands for over 15 years, employing around 400 people. Partnering on Phase One of The Shore Club project is Cayman Islands based DECCO Ltd, a privately

owned construction management and services company. DECCO is part of the Dart Enterprises organization, the owner of award winning Camana Bay, which recently commenced construction on the Kimpton’s first Caribbean hotel, on Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman. The Shore Club features the Hartling Group’s trademark commitment to design and construction excellence, and offers a compelling opportunity for ownership of a luxury home in the Caribbean. The low-density resort community will feature 38 two and three bedroom condos in two low-rise buildings, and six luxury villas. Prices start from $1.4 million for the condos and $5.8 million for the six bedroom villas. The Hartling Group has been a pioneer in the Turks and Caicos resort development industry. It developed one of the first condo-resorts on Providenciales, the landmark The Sands Resort on Grace Bay. The Hartling Group then followed their tremendous success with The Sands Resort by developing the luxury Regent Palms, which is often recognized as the top spa resort in the Caribbean and a leading Turks and Caicos resort.

overnment has assembled a taskforce spans many departments, including Immigration and the police, to tackling the problem of coal-burning in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Kenrick Neely, Director for the Environmental Health Department told a news conference last Thursday (November 28) at the Ministry of Health in Providenciales, that the cutting down of trees to burn coal is a concern that the department and other governmental agencies have and will be taking action to address. Some Providenciales residents have been complaining about the individuals cutting down trees to burn coal near their communities, and said that the smoke, which is unsightly, is also causing health problems for them. But Neely said that government is moving to address the problem and that it is becoming a health hazard. “We are aware of the coal kiln burning. We see it from Chalk Sound; we see it from other areas in Providenciales. It is being addressed by a taskforce. If you remember a couple of months ago, Kathleen Wood, the Director of DEMA (Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs) spoke to it in length. So it is being addressed by all concerned – Environmental Health, Police, Agriculture, DEMA, Immigration and other departments,” Neely said. In addition to causing health problems, Neely said that the act could render the Turks and Caicos Islands deforested, and so it is critical that the matter be addressed with urgency. “It is a serious concern especially when it comes to the cutting of our trees to make coal kiln, and we don’t

want to have that deforestation that has taken place in other countries. We only have a few trees, so we can’t afford for them to be cut down and use to burn coal,” he pointed out. He also said that the community has a responsibility to stem coal-burning in the community by exposing those who are behind the practice and refrain from buying the illegal commodity from traders. “Persons need to stop buying the coal from these persons, and they need to report it to the police if they see these activities taking place in their communities. Because somebody out there is seeing what is going on, or know exactly what is going on. I am sure somebody is taking water; somebody is taking food to these people. Or you might see these persons passing through your backyard or through your community and going into these areas,” he said. Neely hinted that some of the individual behind the coal-burning could be illegal immigrants, who might be carriers of communicable diseases, with which they could use to affect the Turks and Caicos Islands wittingly or unwittingly. “By virtue of not reporting the individuals behind the coal-burning exercise to the relevant authorities) you also stand the risk of harbouring diseases, such as cholera, which we, in the ministry (of Health and Human Services) are very concerned about, especially with our borders (being so porous). We have different ports of entry, and with the illegal sloops that keep on getting through. So it is a serious concern for us at the ministry,” Neely said.

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LOCAL NEWS

American Airlines launches Internet check-in for customers J

ust in time for the busy travel season, American Airlines customers traveling with a passport from Latin America or the Caribbean, including the Turks and Caicos, can now conveniently check in for their flights via the web from any Wi-Fi enabled device. With this new service, passengers are able to check in online through aa.com two to 24 hours before traveling, if they are traveling to the United States or to their citizen country. This new feature allows customers to conveniently check in, select or change seats and request upgrades when available, all from the comfort of your computer or personal device. It also reduces the time spent waiting at the airport, allowing customers to print their boarding passes at home or via the self-service machines at the airport. “We know that our customers value the convenience and flexibility of being able to check in for their flights from anywhere,” said Art Torno, American’s Vice-President- Mexico, Caribbean and Latin America. “We are pleased to expand our web check-in feature to our customers from Latin America and the Caribbean and we know it will help make their travel experience with American even better and more convenient.” Web check-in is available for customers with passports from: Antigua, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, Trinidad, Turks and Caicos, Uruguay and Venezuela. Before the launch of this feature, customers traveling from non-visa-waiver countries were not eligible to use web check-in.

American Airlines focuses on providing an exceptional travel experience across the globe, serving more than 270 airports in nearly 50 countries and territories. American’s fleet of nearly 900 aircraft fly an average of more than 3,500 daily flights worldwide from hubs in Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami and New York. American flies to nearly 100 international locations including important markets such as London, Madrid, Sao Paulo and Tokyo. With more than 500 new planes scheduled to join the fleet, including continued deliveries of the Boeing 737 family of aircraft and new additions such as the Boeing 777-300ER and the Airbus A320 family of aircraft, American is building toward the youngest and most modern fleet among major U.S. carriers. American’s AAdvantage® program, voted Airline Program of the Year at the 2013 Freddie Awards, lets members earn miles for travel and everyday purchases and redeem miles for flights to almost 950 destinations worldwide, as well as flight upgrades, vacation packages, car rentals, hotel stays and other retail products. The airline also offers nearly 40 Admirals Club® locations worldwide providing comfort, convenience, and an environment with a full range of services making it easy for customers to stay productive without interruption. American is a founding member of the oneworld® alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest airlines in the world, including global brands like British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Iberia Airlines, Japan Airlines, LAN and Qantas. Together, its members serve nearly 900 destinations served by more than 10,000 daily flights to more than 150 countries.

VIRUS-INFECTED PEOPLE SPREAD DISEASES AT WORK

any people enter their workplaces on a daily basis inadvertently putting themselves at risk of contracting a communicable disease from others who choose to work while inflicted with catchy viruses. And so, the environmental Health Department is asking persons to stay home when they are sick. Kenrick Neely, the Director for the Environmental Health Department, made the revelation and the appeal while addressing a news conference on Friday, November 29, at the Ministry of Health in Providenciales. Neely pleads to members of the public to first seek medical attention if they are sick, instead of braving the illness to get to work, since the ailment could spread. “We are seeing this all over; not just in schools, not just in restaurants, in the work place. Persons are coming to work sick, and you have to say to them, you should not be in the workplace or in school when you are sick. You should go seek medical attention. “If you are sick, whether it is the flu, vomiting or diarrhea, you should stay at home and go a visit your doctor. When your symptoms have passed you go back to the doctor to get a certificate to take back to work, to say you are fit to work. You shouldn’t be at school or at work sick,” Neely pleads. Neely also calls on the schools to enforce such rules, since parents, especially are still sending their sick children to school instead of taking them for medical attention. “It is also something that the educational institutions need to enforce because of the implications for other children as well. We have been trying to get that achieved; however, it is a collaboration. If you allow the child to go to school, even allow the teacher to go to school sick, and spread to other kids, it can result in the school having to close,” Neely said. For her part, Imterniza McCartney, Health Educator said that while it is not too difficult to bar sick students from public schools, the same cannot be said for private schools, by virtue of some parents believe that since they are paying their children should be in school. “You are paying for your child to come to my school, so why should I send that child home (some parents would argue). I am not saying that that’s right; I am saying that we all need to enforce the rules. When education does its part, when Ministry of Health does its part, when the community does its part, that’s what decreases the number of cases of illness,” she said. In the meantime, Neely said that all schools – public and private – are aware that sick students and teachers should not be allowed to attend school until after they are well again, having gone through such protocols with the institutions last year during the Norovirus episode.

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Human Rights in TCI is everybody’s obligation, says Doreen Quelch-Stubbs BY VIVIAN TYSON

he human rights for all who grace our shores should be paramount in the minds of all and be protected at all cost, Doreen Quelch-Stubbs, Commissioner of Human Rights for the Turks and Caicos Islands has reiterated. Delivering the opening address at the opening of the new location of the Human Rights Ofﬁce at Cabot House along the Leeward Highway, Tuesday, December 10, QuelchStubbs emphasized that all should see themselves as stakeholders in the protection against human rights violation. “I am here to emphasize to us all – government, non-governmental organizations, stakeholders, Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, our corporate community, citizens, boys and girls – let us be vigilant and see the promotion, protection and the furtherance of our human rights agenda as our collective responsibility,” she accentuated. She said that human rights issues should not be used as a political football nor should it be allowed to be dictated by personal feelings or agenda. Instead, she said that all must see the protection of human rights as their responsibility to undertake. “We cannot afford to politicize human rights. We cannot allow our personal feelings to get in the way of

our obligations to promote and preserve the human dignity of each and every citizen living in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Promoting human rights is one of the core purposes of the Human Rights Commission, and the Human Rights Commission has pursued this mission since its founding,” Quelch-Stubbs pointed out. She continued: “The (Human Rights) mission statement that is posted on the wall, and I will read quickly is that: ‘the Turks and Caicos Islands Human Rights Commission is dedicated to uphold the principles of human rights. We aim to encourage and facilitate a positive relationship between government and individuals and to ensure that the internationally proclaimed standards are protected in law and practice. We are committed to promoting awareness and education ﬁrst in diversity, eliminating discrimination and providing protection to all people living in the Turks and Caicos Islands’.” In the meantime, Quelch-Stubbs thanked successive Turks and Caicos Islands administrations for endeavouring to pursue and uphold the rights of all, stating that political will had a lot to do with its success so far. “Then and now, the key to our success is the political will of the government - a government that is determined to uphold the principles of human rights. The recognition of interdependence between democra-

Doreen Quelch Stubbs cy, development and human rights, for example, prepared the way for future corporations by international organizations and national agencies in the promotion of all human rights, including the right to development and protection of the environment,” she said. The opening of the Human Rights Ofﬁce coincided with International Human Rights Day, which is ob-

served in the Turks and Caicos for the ﬁrst time in December. The Rufus Ewing administration has also abolished Human Rights Day being a public holiday in the Turks and Caicos Islands. In the meantime, Sophie Stanbrook, Human Rights Commission member said that the body has begun visiting senior schools on Providenciales and Grand Turk to make presentation to students on their rights and how they should respect the rights of others. “It has been an interesting experience and has highlighted the need for much more to be done in schools with the teachers, parents and students. Much more generally needs to be done if we are going to inspire change and make human rights a reality in our country,” Stanbrook said. She said that education – bringing human rights to light - is one of four strategic objectives that the Commission has adopted and will expand into practical targets. The other objects are Implementation – ensuring that human rights is at the core of law, policy and practice; Consultation – entering into a dialogue with the community, civil society and leaders to develop a national action plan for human rights; and Effectiveness – introducing and maintaining good governance and management of resources in order to effective be the catalyst for change.

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LOCAL NEWS

Assistant Commissioner of Police Rodney Adams appears in court on corruption charges BY HAYDEN BOYCE PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

t was a strange twist of irony on Monday December 9th, when one of Turks and Caicos Islands’ top police officers found himself sitting inside the dock of the criminal court to answer five serious corruption charges. For 15 tense minutes, Rodney Adams, the Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police appeared before Magistrate Jolyon Hatmin on charges that were brought under the new Integrity Commission Ordinance. If found guilty, Adams faces up to five years in prison, a fine of 20 thousand dollars, and the possibility of being barred from holding public office. The corruption charges were all in relation to Adams’ alleged involvement in the Kaziah Burke murder investigation, in which his son Rico Adams was a suspect, but has since been cleared of any wrong doing. Dressed in a black suit and blue shirt and wearing spectacles, the well-built Adams arrived at Court # 2, which is located in the IGA Complex, around 9:30 a.m., accompanied by his lawyer Jahmal Misick of the law firm Misick and Stanbrook. In a new and interesting development, a Canadian Queen’s Counsel by the name of Andrejs Berzins is prosecuting the case for the Crown. In the other corruption cases which were spearheaded by former Attorney General Huw Shepheard, British prosecutors led by Andrew Mitchell, QC, were used. By way of coincidence, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Joanne Meloche, is also from Canada. Meantime, as the charges were read out to him by Magistrate Hatmin, Adams stood erect and had a very serious look on his face. He was not required to plea to the five charges and he continues to be on thirty thousand dollars bail with one surety. After reading out the charges to Ad-

Deputy Commissioner of Police Rodney Adams with his lawyer Jahmal Misick ams, the magistrate told the senior cop that he had the option of having the cases tried in the Magistrates court or in the Supreme Court, and that he should consult with his lawyer. Deputy Commissioner Adams leaned over the dock and had a brief conversation with his lawyer, then replied, “Magistrates Court, Your Honour!” However, Magistrate Hatmin said he would have to send the matter to the Supreme Court, because the Magistrate’s Court does not have sufﬁcient sentencing powers. He then told Adams that he will have to appear before the Chief Justice in Grand Turk on February 7th, 2014. A few of Adams police colleagues and family were in court for the hearing. Among them were his brother-in-law Superintendent Kenny Grant, Sergeant Willet Harvey, Sergeant Drexwell Porter, and Inspector Randy Ellis. Adams’ fatherin-law, former Commissioner of Police Albert Grant was also in court.

You could hear a pin drop in the court when the magistrate read out the very serious charges. The first charge of corruption was that Adams, in the performance of his duty as a public official, performed his duties in a public body, for the purpose of obtaining a benefit for another person. The charge stated that you, Rodney Adams, between April 13th and May 24th, 2013 in Providenciales, in the performance of your duties as the Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police in the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and for the purpose of exonerating your son Rodrick ‘Rico’ Adams, continued, and without recusing yourself, to perform your duties as Deputy Commissioner in charge of operations, while being well aware that your said son was implicated or suspected of being implicated in the murder of Kaziah Burke on or about April 13th 2013. The second corruption charge was recklessly allowing his private interest to improperly influence his conduct in the performance of his duties as a public official. That you, Rodney Adams, between the April 13th and May 24, 2013 in Providenciales, as the Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations, continued, without recusing yourself, to perform such duties, including obtaining information on the police investigation of the murder of Kaziah Burke, while being well aware that your son, Roderick ‘Rico’ Adams was implicated or suspected of being implicated in the said murder. The third charge of Corruption, was for interfering with the performance of a duty of a public official with a view to obtaining a benefit for another person. That you, Rodney Adams, between the April 13th and May 24th, 2013 in Providenciales, as the Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police, and contrary to the instructions of your Commissioner of Police, that you should not have any in-

volvement in the police investigation of the murder of Kaziah Burke, in which your son, Roderick ‘Rico’ Adams is implicated or suspected to be implicated, nevertheless, and with a view to exonerating your said son, interviewed and recorded statement from Dorell Williams, a suspect in or witness to the said murder, who was due to give and before he gave his statement to the Investigating Officers of the Police Force and thereby interfered with the performance of their duty. The fourth corruption charge was for recklessly allowing his private interest to improperly influence his conduct in the performance of his duties as a public official. That you, Rodney Adams, between the April 13th and May 24th, 2013 in Providenciales, as the Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police, contrary to the instructions of your Commissioner of Police, that you should not have any involvement in the police investigation of the murder of Kaziah Burke in which your son, Roderick ‘Rico’ Adams is implicated or suspected to be implicated, nevertheless, interviewed and recorded statement from Dorell Williams, a suspect in or witness to the said murder, who was due to give and before he gave his statement to the Investigating Officers of the police force. The fifth corruption charge was for delaying the performance of a duty of a public official with a view to obtaining a benefit for another person. That you, Rodney Adams between the 13th and 19th of April 2013 in Providenciales, well-knowing that your son Roderick ‘Rico’ Adams was implicated or suspected of being implicated in the murder of Kaziah Burke, accepted responsibility for ensuring that your son attend the office of the Investigating Officers Police Force investigating the murder at 10.00 a.m. on April 17th 2013, but did not ensure your son’s s attendance on April 17th 2013 or on April 18th, 2013 thereby delaying the arrest of your son by the said Investigating Officers.

Government committed to arresting discrimination in TCI BY VIVIAN TYSON

ntil the rights of everyone regardless of background is respected and upheld, the Turks and Caicos will not be the progressive nation towards which it is striving, according to Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing. Premier Ewing, addressing the opening of the new Human Rights Commission Ofﬁce at Cabot House along the Leeward Highway, said while the TCI has made great strides in its human rights record, more work needs to be done the problem of discrimination of varying kinds. “There are all sorts of discrimination, whether it is discrimination against HIV (persons); whether it is discrimination against someone because of their heritage or their race or nationality; whether it is discrimination with someone who has a disability or inability; that is something that we have to focus on in Turks and Caicos, if we are seeking to become that civilized nation,” he said. He added: “The respect and preservation of human dignity are the hallmarks and core elements of a progressive nation. We can consider ourselves as advanced, civilized and progressive when we respect human dignity and promote human rights.” He said that successive governments have worked towards making the Turks and Caicos Islands meet its international human rights obligations. “My government is indeed committed to ensuring that human rights, as one of the key institutions of good governance, is upheld, is ﬁnanced. We will ensure that we will work with you (Human Commission) as you create your relevant framework, the relevant policies for us to comply with the relevant international conventions of the United Nations, and also to uphold all of those human rights clauses in

Premier Rufus Ewing

Carl Simmons

our Constitution,” the premier continued. He said government showed its support to the rights of persons when it passed the Human Rights Bill recently, noting however, that government has much more work to do. He said also that the rights of children are a huge concern to the government. “As a government we have lot of legislations on our table that we have to advance to ensure that our future as a country is preserved. So I look forward to the human rights commission to ensure that we make good in these areas,” he said. To that end Premier Ewing implored the commission to conduct its work without fear or favour. “I would like to ask the Human Rights Commissioner to ensure that this building, which now represents the building of the people without any discrimination of nationalities, race, creed, skin colour or language; that this building represents your building, and to encourage persons to use these ofﬁces and to champion their cause,” he said. In the meantime, Carl Simmons, member of the Human Rights Commission said that the cutting of the

ribbon to the new office symbolizes the vow to protect the rights of everyone in the TCI. Highlighting a brief history of the Human Rights Commission in the Turks and Caicos Islands, Simmons said that in 1999 United Kingdom, through a white paper and together with its Overseas Territories reaffirmed its commitment to the establishment of high standards for the observance of human rights akin to the European Convention on Human Rights. He said that in 2003, under the leadership of ex-premier Michael Misick, the Human Rights Committee was established by the then Executive Council. The late Sterling Garland was appointed chairman, but operated without terms of references until 2006, when a new constitutional amendment came into force and a new chapter established. “The new human rights chapter provided a more comprehensive legal framework, for example, provide protection for detainees through human treatment; provide protection for the rights to marry; the right to education; and also provide a more inclusive framework in respect of the scope of the rights and its procedural guarantees. “The re-established Human Rights Commission, armed with the amended Constitution sought to determine its terms of reference as a matter of priority. In late 2007, the body became known as the Human Rights Commission and continue to work under the existing terms of reference but continued on an aggressive campaign to have the body with its own legal identity. It was not until 2008, when a Human Rights Commission Bill was introduced to the House of Assembly for debate and passage. The Bill conferred upon the body specific duties and powers to serve as a national institution vested with the competence and the powers human rights to protect and promote human rights,” Simmons said.

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LOCAL NEWS

Nevsky Been, Dee-Dee Hanchell win in Digicel’s Christmas promotion BY VIVIAN TYSON

s Nevsky Been and Darnell “Dee Dee” Hanchell have been declared the winners of the Digicel ‘Brightens Someone’s Christmas Promotion”, first presentation, held at the Crackpot Kitchen Restaurant, Bar and Grill in Grace Bay, Wednesday, December 4. Nevsky, a student at the TCI Community College, won a month’s bill payment of his mom - Lauretta Estimond, while Hanchell won a Samsung Galaxy SIII phone for her friend Lisa Chattergoon. The Brighten Someone’s Christmas Promotion allows persons to write a tribute on the Digicel Facebook page, telling why the individual chosen is deserving of the prize. Nevsky explained that he was searching for ways to make Christmas special for his mother, owing to her tireless support of him. “At first I was a little worried trying to figure out how I would try to make Christmas memorable for her this year. I remembered all the past Christmases that she surprised me with gifts galore, and I would wake up and find things in the yard and in my bedroom wrapped up and waiting for me,” he said. The Community College student said that as soon as he was aware of the Digicel promotion, his mother was first that came to mind. “I wrote a story about how the positive young man that I am today is because of her. I am the student body president of my college. I am one of the CARICOM Ambassadors for Turks and Caicos. And

From left – Nevsky Been, his mom Lauretta Estimond, Lisa Chattergoon and Darnell “Dee Dee’ Hanchell. when I say these things I don’t say it for myself, I say it so that people can see the hard work that she has been doing for the past 18 years with me,” Nevsky said. In the meantime, Estimond said that she could never be more proud of her son, based on his love towards her, which she said manifested in him nominating her for the Digicel prize. “I will continue my hard work with him. This is just the start with Nevsky. I am pretty sure his name will come up in big things in the Turks and Caicos. I can see it and I keep praying to God, and it is going to come one day,” she said. Hanchell, a cancer patient, said that she nominated Chattergoon for the love and support she continues to show her as she ﬁghts off the ailment. “Last year I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and was about October or November last year, I

met Lisa, who is a cancer survivor, and she has become a good friend. She encouraged me and assured me that everything would be okay, and I would get through it, just as how she got through it. Since then we have become good friends. We are now inseparable,” Hanchell said. In the meantime, Chattergoon thanked Hanchell for considering her as her ﬁrst choice for the Digicel promotion. “I ﬁrst met ‘Dee Dee’s ‘sister, that’s candy. And when I heard about it (her cancer diagnosis) I told her immediately I want her number? I am a twotime breast cancer survivor, and I am also battling cancer again for the third time. So I am also going through Chemo, I do know the situation. Giving a little help to others is very nice, and it inspires me. And I am very touched by these little thoughts inspired by Darnell or Dee Dee, and it is so nice that Digicel came on board,” she said. Trina Adams, Marketing Specialist for Digicel TCI, said that the ‘Digicel Brighten someone’s Christmas Promotion was launched on November 11, as part of Digicel’s overall Christmas promotion. “We brought the winners along with someone they nominated at Crackpot Kitchen for a complementary lunch and for the winners to present their nominees for the prizes they have won. The prizes are up to $400 in value. In the meantime, Crackpot Kitchen’s Chef Nik a Digicel Ambassador -said that his enterprise was delighted to sponsor the complementary meals, as he is always open to giving back to the community.

Digicel makes donation to Typhoon-ravaged Philippines BY VIVIAN TYSON

elecoms provider Digicel has donated just over $2,000 to the typhoon-ravaged Philippines from a texting campaign to raise funds for that purpose. Typhoon Haiyan was 300 miles across when it struck the Philippines on November 8, and was one of the most intense tropical storms to ever make landfall anywhere in the world. It brought torrential rain, sustained winds of over 195mph and a storm surge of up to 30 feet that devastated coastal areas. The island of Tacloban was the hardest hit. Chief Executive Ofﬁcer for Digicel TCI, E. Jay Saunders made the presentation on Monday, December 2, to Alfonso Palatino, Secretary of the TCI Filipino Community, at its ﬂagship store at Graceway House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales. Saunders said that Digicel made the donation, not only because the Philippines community makes up a chunk of its customer base but also because it is the right thing to do. As you know, a few weeks back they have a typhoon which devastated some of the Filipino communities. Our customer base consists of number of Filipinos living here. The Filipino community has contributed greatly to the TCI over the last couple of years. “We are also quite aware that their families and friends are among the citizens affected by the typhoon. And so the least we could do is give assistance to the Filipino community here to help their families, friends and loved ones back in the Philippines,” he said.

INTERCARIBBEAN AIRWAYS LAUNCHES NAME THAT PLANE COMPETITION

Digicel CEO E. Jay Saunders (right) makes a presentation to Alfonso Palatino, Secretary of the TCI Filipino Community. The funds are to go towards those affected by Typhoon Haiyan on November 8. Saunders said that the text campaign, which lasted for approximately three weeks, was well supported by the local community, raising a little over a $1,000. He said that Digicel then matched the total, to make it a little over $2,000. “Digicel decided to run a text-todonate promotion so you could donate using our text platform, to help the Filipino community, and all the money that was raised was given to them and we matched it. That’s the least we could do to help the Filipino community here to give back to their friends and families back at home,” Saunders said. Meanwhile, Palatino said that the assistance from the telecommunications company would go a far way, and the group here very much appreciate it, and so too would be the victims in that island chain. “From the time that we had the typhoon in the Philippines, we were able to put our act together, and we have seen the support of the

Turks and Caicos Islands community. And so we thank the Digicel family for helping us,” Palatino said. Palatino said that the Filipino Community acknowledged Digicel’s efforts and said that funds raised would be sent to the relevant authorities to ensure that they reach the affected. “The beauty of Digicel helping is that they really went out of their way to really give us something, and on behalf of the Filipino people, especially those who are affected by the typhoon, our heartfelt thanks to Digicel. Rest assured that the money that we have collected would go directly to the people affected by the typhoon,” Palatino said. The death toll from Haiyan, one of the strongest typhoons on record, has risen to 5,560 with 1,757 others missing, ofﬁcials said Thursday. The United Nations said at least 14 million people have been affected, including 1.8 million displaced children.

nterCaribbean Airways (interCaribbean) formerly Air Turks & Caicos, the national airline of The Turks & Caicos Islands has announced the launch of the “Name that Plane” Competition. Recently the company unveiled its new name, brand and colorful logo to reflect the Greater Pan-Caribbean along with the expansion of air service in Western Caribbean in the upcoming months. The company will shortly take delivery of its next aircraft painted in the new vibrant brand colors. InterCaribbean is pleased to invite the Citizens and Residents of the Islands to which we fly, to help the company select the name for our next plane. “As the winner of the competition we will fly you on one of our flights to Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands as our guest to officiate at the christening ceremony of this aircraft. As the winning entry, you not only have the opportunity to be a part of this special event, but in winning you will also receive (2) round trip tickets to any one of the exciting destination,” according to a press release. To enter simply visit flyairtc.com (our current website), and start your journey with interCaribbean Airways by entering the competition from the home page. Let your imagination run wild by giving us your suggested names. Please try not to use more than 25 letters but be inspired by the Islands you love, your travel style, perhaps your own name, or a memory and passion for the Islands. Just keep in mind the name has to represent a connection to one or more of the islands.

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AND A

The Insurance Center will be closed for the holidays from Tuesday, December, 24, 2013 until Tuesday, January 1, 2013. We will reopen for normal business on Thursday, January 2, 2014. Should you require our assistance during the period of closure, please feel free to contact either of the following persons via email or telephone: Rosemae Penn rosemae.penn@insurancecentretci.com 649-243-7156 Dwain Bayles dwain.bayles@insurancecentretci.com 649-232-3722

We apologize for any inconvenience caused.

www.insurancecentretci.com

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News

CARIBBEAN

Gunmen rob The Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister Brave Davis

ASSAU, Bahamas – National Security Minister Dr. Bernard J. Nottage says law enforcement officials are hoping for an “early resolution” in their investigations after armed bandits stormed the home of Acting Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis on Monday. Nottage said that three bandits also robbed and assaulted Davis’ chauffeur at gunpoint. “I am happy to report that we have a break in the case and we expect to have an early resolution with the help of the public,” he said, noting that the bandits led the chauffeur into the house where they subsequently accosted the minister and his wife “and robbed him of some money but did not assault them. “The bandits fled the scene in the silver Honda in which they arrived. It is suspected that the vehicle may have been stolen in a robbery, which took place in Western New Providence earlier,” Nottage said, adding that the police were following significant leads which include the faces of at least one of the robbers and an image of the vehicle which was used. “I wish the public of our commitment to ensuring the safety of all of our citizens and visitors alike but we will only succeed if there is a strong partnership between the police and the general public,” Nottage said, urging anyone with information to contact law enforcement authorities. In a brief statement, Davis said that, while a member of his security detail had received “minor injuries” he and his wife “were not harmed during the robbery, thank God. “But the number of Bahamians who are the victims of violence does remain unacceptably high. Fighting crime was a priority for us yesterday, and it is a priority for us today, and it will remain a top priority until all Bahamians are safe,” he added. According to the Nassau Tribune, no police aides were present when acting Prime Minister Brave Da-

Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Phillip “Brave” Davis vis and his wife Ann Marie were held at gunpoint and robbed. The Bahamas police issued dramatic footage showing two of the three robbers and the vehicle used in the high-proﬁle armed raid at Mr Davis’ Westridge Estates home. The incident comes ﬁve months after Mr Davis’ police aide was shot by armed robbers, and his own declaration that no one was safe from the unrelenting scourge of crime in the country. According to National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage, police aides “had not arrived to work yet” when the armed thugs drove up to the residence in a silver coloured Honda shortly after 7am. The thugs held up Mr Davis’ chauffeur in the driveway, according to Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade, who said the driver was robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash before he was forced to take the gunmen into the house. Mr Greenslade said the masked men insisted that the driver take them into “his house”, adding that the incident appeared to be a “crime of opportunity”. “(The chauffeur) took them into the house given the aggressive demands being made of him,” said Mr Greenslade. “They searched portions of the house where they found some cash.

“Subsequently these bandits accosted other residents at the house, including the acting prime minister, of whom they demanded additional cash. “They received additional cash,” said the Commissioner, “and upon receiving the cash left the residence in a silver Honda vehicle.” Mr Greenslade said no one was assaulted during the incident, aside from the driver who was gunbutted while inside the home. At a later press conference, Dr Nottage said: “The person who was accosted was a chauffeur. He was not a police ofﬁcer, he is certainly not a serving police ofﬁcer.” Dr Nottage added that the culprits appeared to be “young people”. In the surveillance video released to the public, one man is shown wearing a mask and pointing a gun as he got out of the silver coloured vehicle and ran towards the entrance to the home. A second man, without a mask, is shown in another video clip. The thugs escaped with an undetermined amount of church funds, The Tribune reported. In an interview with The Tribune, Anglican Archdeacon Keith Cartwright questioned whether the situation could have turned fatal if Mrs Davis did not have funds from a recent St Christopher’s church event to hand over to the culprits. Mr Greenslade did not identify the other occupants of the home, He also declined to comment on whether the automated gate at the entrance to the driveway had been left open at the time of the attack. Despite police claims that Mr Davis did not appear to have been targeted, the incident sparked widespread public concern over security measures for government ministers. In an earlier incident, Mr Davis’ aide, Sergeant Andrew Sweeting, was shot in his lower abdomen and the left palm of his hand while in front of a residence behind the Prince Charles Shopping Centre on June 24.

Cayman Islands public pensions in $178M hole T

he government will have to increase payments to its main public sector retirement plan in each of the next two ﬁnancial years to ensure a funding deﬁciency is addressed, Finance Minister Marco Archer said Wednesday. According to the Cayman Compass newspaper, the increased payments would come from government coffers, not from additional salary contributions by government workers, Mr. Archer said. Currently, civil servants contribute 6 percent of their salary toward the retirement system and government contributes a matching 6 percent. According to an actuarial review of Cayman’s three public retirement systems, projected liabilities were outpacing projected assets in the retirement funds by some $178.3 million in a 20year rolling period. That’s according to an evaluation of the funds conducted as of Jan. 1, 2011 – the latest data available. This means Caymans’ public sector retirement system has an unfunded pension liability. If the country were to continue along the same path with pensions, the system would eventually run out of money. However, Minister Archer said Wednesday that is not going to happen.

“[The unfunded liability] is not a reason for immediate concern because the government does have some time to address it.” Mr. Archer said Cabinet had accepted some recommendations with regard to future pension liability payments. He said government made a “short term financial arrangement” that involved putting more cash into past service pension liability payments. In the current budget year, Mr. Archer said government would pay $19.7 million into the civil service retirement fund, including civil servant salary contributions. For the next two government budget years, that payment would increase to $23.75 million each year, including worker contributions. There are currently two retirement plans for civil servants. Those who joined the service prior to April 2000 are in a defined benefit retirement plan and receive monthly pension payments, similar to salary, for the remainder of their lives upon retirement. Their spouses would also continue to receive the same benefit - if they outlive the retired civil servant – for the remainder of their lives. Those who joined the civil service after that date participate in a defined contribution plan, which oper-

ates more like a savings account from which withdrawals can be made at various times after retirement. This plan does not apply to any civil service employees who were hired after April 2000. The unfunded liability of the public retirement system applies only to the defined benefit plan. A Cayman Islands Public Service Pensions Board evaluation made public in January noted that massive increases in pension contributions would be required to keep the government’s civil service retirement fund afloat over the next decade. As of Jan. 1, 2011, the pensions board actuaries noted that the actual cost of the defined benefit portion of the civil service retirement plan would require government to increase employee contributions to the fund from the current 12 percent of salary to 44 percent of salary. The retirement plan is for all government workers. Separate plans for members of the Cayman Islands judiciary and elected lawmakers operate under different laws and have different funding requirements. “The actuary has determined that a continuation of the current level of

contributions to the defined benefit plan is projected to result in the depletion of the defined benefit allocated fund by the year 2026,” the board’s evaluation, contained in an annual report, noted. To offset those concerns, Minister Archer said the Public Service Pension system would continue generating “robust” earnings in its investments to complement government increasing payments into the retirement fund. The following recommendations were made regarding pension payments for participants in the public sector retirement plans, Mr. Archer said: Payments for members of the judiciary in the defined benefit plan would be 10.7 percent of pensionable pay, while payments for those in the defined contribution plan would be 30 percent of pensionable pay. Payments for members of the parliamentary pensions plan would equal 119.15 percent of pensionable pay for the defined benefit participants and 12.4 percent of pensionable pay for defined contribution plan participants. Payments for civil servants in the defined contribution retirement plan would be 12.4 percent of pensionable pay.

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CARIBBEAN NEWS

Bermuda Premier reduces size of Cabinet to cut costs H

AMILTON, Bermuda- Premier Craig Cannonier shuffled his cabinet on Wednesday in a cost-cutting measure that reduces the number of government ministers from 13 to 10. Cannonier told a news conference the changes were “part of a process toward better governing and greater efficiency” and that the cuts would save the taxpayer around US$240,000. The changes take immediate effect. Demoted in the shuffle are Education Minister Nalton Brangman, who will now be junior Minister of Tourism in the Senate, while Grant Gibbons will take over Education and also keep the Economic Development portfolio. Also out of the cabinet is Leah Scott, the former Minister Without Portfolio. She will become the new junior Minister of Education in the House of Assembly. Sylvan Richards has been dropped as Environment Minister. He will be the new junior Minister

of Home Affairs in the lower house and in another move, Trevor Moniz and Patricia Gordon-Pamplin have traded places, with Gordon-Pamplin now Minister for Public Works and Moniz being handed Health. In addition, Moniz will also take on the Environment Ministry. Almost a year since the One Bermuda Alliance (OBA) took office, the Premier said the changes were not “a fly-by-night decision” but had been under consideration for many months with a view to producing a more efficient government. “As Premier, it is my responsibility to lead by example and make some tough decisions from the top down,” Cannonier said. “The changes reflect recommendations made by the UK National School of Government from 2011, my own observations over the past twelve months and indeed it will fulfill part of our platform promise. We are making the tough decisions that the previous

administration would not make. These Cabinet changes are part of a process toward better governing and greater efficiency. We started the process of shared sacrifice and change earlier in the year when my Cabinet Ministers all took a 10% pay cut, effectively saving the Government hundreds of thousands of dollars.” He added: “It is important to understand that the process of identifying efficiencies will be an ongoing initiative for this Government. I want people to understand that we need to get better, that we need to face up to our challenges and make the required changes. Each one of us has to also commit to making sure we do all we can to make Bermuda succeed, because the challenges confronting Bermuda are serious and real, and there should be no doubt about that. This announcement is a further demonstration of our commitment and respect to the prudent management of the public purse.”

CARICOM Reparations Commission identifies six key areas for priority action K

INGSTON, Jamaica– The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Reparations Commission has identified six key areas for priority action as it gets ready to present its first interim report to regional leaders in February next year. Commission chairman, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles told a news conference following a meeting of the Commission with law firm, Leigh Day, earlier this week that public health was identified as one of the six areas for reparatory diplomacy and action. “The African descended population in the Caribbean today has the highest incidence in the world of chronic diseases such as hypertension and type two diabetes,” he said, adding that this was the direct result of their nutritional exposure, endemic inhumane physical and emotional brutalization and other aspects of the stress experience of slavery and post slavery apartheid. The Commission has also said education was another area identified with Sir Hilary stating that at the end of the colonial period, the British left the African descended population in a state of general illiteracy. He said this illiteracy continued to plague Caribbean societies and accounted for significant parts of their development challenges. Speaking to cultural institutions, Professor Beckles said there was no development of institu-

tions such as museums and research centers to prepare Caribbean citizens for an understanding of their history. He spoke of cultural deprivation as another issue that needed to be addressed and outlined that the primary cultural effect of slavery was to break and eradicate African commitment to their culture. Sir Hilary said the Commission was of the opinion that African culture had been criminalized and pointed to how Caribbean people have been affected as a result. He said this included low ethnic self-esteem; the devaluation of black identity; broken structures and diminished family values; delegitimisation of African derived religious and cultural practices, and disconnection from ancestral roots and culture. Psychological trauma was another area identified by the Commission that needed to be addressed, with the Commission chairman noting that during the time of slavery, Africans were classified in law as non-human, chattel, property and real estate. He said they were denied recognition as members of the human family by laws and practices derived from the parliaments and policies of Europe. This history, he said, has inflicted massive psychological damage upon African descendants and is evident daily in social life.

Sir Hilary Beckles The sixth issue which the Commission said needed to be remedied was that of scientific and technological backwardness. It was highlighted that for 400 years the policy of Britain and Europe had been that the Caribbean should not participate in any manufacturing or industrial process, and should be confined to the production of raw materials. Sir Hilary said that this policy “has rendered the Caribbean a technologically and scientifically illequipped civilization for which it continues to experience debilitating backwardness in a science and technology globalized world”. Additionally he said that the

subjection of the Caribbean to this state has denied Caribbean youth membership and access to an enhancing science and technology culture that has become the world youth patrimony. The Commission, which will hold its next meeting in January, re-afﬁrmed the argument that CARICOM should request reparatory dialogue with beneﬁciary slave-owning European states with a view to formulating a new development agenda for the Caribbean. A statement issued following a meeting of the executive of the Commission on Monday, noted that a call had been made for the former slave-owning nations of Europe – principally Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Denmark – to engage Caribbean governments in reparatory dialogue to address the living legacies of these crimes. “The Commission noted that Caribbean societies also experienced the genocide of the native population, which was also declared a crime against humanity by the United Nations. The victims of these crimes and their descendants were left in a state of social, psychological, economic and cultural deprivation and disenfranchisement that has ensured their suffering and debilitation today, and from which only reparatory action can alleviate their suffering,” the statement added

JAMAICA LAUNCHES NEW INITIATIVE TO DEAL WITH CRIME

INGSTON, Jamaica– The Jamaica government has launched a new initiative that it says will empower law abiding nationals and improve their level of safety and security. National Security Minister Peter Bunting said the initiative titled “Unite for Change” would allow for the introduction of a mobile phone application (app) that will enhance the resources currently available to empower citizens. Bunting said the application would offer each person the opportunity to play his or her part by engaging either the iReport, Panic Mode, The Law or Alert icons on their mobile devices in order to report incidents of crime, seek assistance from the police or be informed about their rights. He said the initiative was part of a threepronged approach predicated on interrupt-

ing the transmission of crime and violence as well as preventing future spread by improving capacity of our security force to respond to crime in addition to changing group norms. “Much like the approach that would be taken in the event of an epidemic, the first/immediate response would be to identify and isolate instances or cases of infection. With respect to crime, the operational arm of the national security apparatus, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), is actively responding to the high incidence of violence crimes via a comprehensive crime control programme,” Bunting said. He referred to the recent Operation Resilience which he said has curtailed a spike in murder and violent crimes earlier in the year. “In a bid to prevent a further increase in violent crimes in Jamaica, the Ministry of Nation-

al Security is focused on capacity building. “The Revised National Security Policy outlines six main imperatives to effectively reduce crime; namely, removing the profit from crime; reforming the justice system; policing by consent; dismantling gangs; focusing on atrisk individuals and strengthening governance and oversight structures.” Buntin said the third and most lasting phase of eradicating the epidemic of violent crime was to put programmes in place to change behaviour and establish new norms. “In this respect the Ministry has embarked on an intensive programme of public education and resocialisation to displace the dysfunctional elements in our culture,” Bunting said adding that crime is an outcome of failures at varying levels of the society including the family.

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CARIBBEAN NEWS

Protest in Haiti condemn Dominican court decision on citizenship question H

undreds of protesters gathered Friday to criticize a recent court decision in the Dominican Republic that could strip the citizenship of generations of people of Haitian descent living in the neighboring country. The crowd peaked at about 2,000 people but thinned out during the march uphill to the Dominican Embassy to protest the decision passed two months ago by that country’s court. The demonstrators urged people to boycott travel to the Dominican Republic. Riot police set up metal barricades on a major thoroughfare that block protesters from reaching the district where the diplomatic mission is located. The ruling has been met with sharp objection, from Caribbean leaders to the United Nations. On Friday, the Inter-American Commission on Human

Rights became the latest international entity to oppose the court decision, calling on the Dominican government to take urgent measures to guarantee the rights of those people affected. Advocacy groups estimate 200,000 people, many of them of Haitian descent, could lose their Dominican citizenship because of the court ruling. Dominican ofﬁcials say only about 24,000 would be affected. Haitian ofﬁcials have said little about the matter. President Michel Martelly has called it a “Dominican issue” and Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe posted on Facebook that a lot “is being done to solve the problem.” The lack of a robust response from the Haitian government was cited as one reason for the protest, which started out to oppose the Dominican court

ruling, then turned into an anti-government demonstration. Protesters carried a white wooden cofﬁn spray-painted with the slogan “Down with Martelly,” then later burned it. Friday’s march is the latest of recent protests in Haiti, many of them critical of Martelly’s government. A few have turned violent, with anti-government demonstrators last week burning tires outside the U.S. Embassy as they pressed for the departure of Martelly, accusing the U.S. of interfering in Haiti’s domestic politics. Haiti and the Dominican Republic have long had a volatile relationship as neighbors on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. But the Dominican Republic put aside such differences and was among the ﬁrst responders after Haiti’s devastating 2010 earthquake.

Higher economic growth predicted for the Caribbean in 2014 S ANTIAGO, Chile- The Economic Commission for Latin American and the Caribbean (ECLAC) is predicting that the Caribbean will experience a recovery and post a 2.1 per cent economic growth next year after recording a 1.3 per cent growth in 2013. ECLAC said the economies of Latin America and the Caribbean will expand by 3.2 per cent, on average, in 2014, higher than the 2.6 per cent predicted for 2013. In it new report titled “Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean 2013,” ECLAC said that “less buoyant external demand, greater international ﬁnancial volatility and falling consumption” were the factors determining the more modest economic performance of countries in 2013. “The next year is expected to see a moderately more favourable exter-

nal environment help boost external demand, and, in turn, the region’s exports,” ECLAC said, adding “private consumption will also continue to grow, although more slowly than in previous periods”. The UN body said that, in the meantime, increasing investment in the region “remains a challenge. “The world economic situation in 2014 provides opportunities and threats for Latin America and the Caribbean,” said ECLAC executive secretary Alicia Bárcena, who presented the report. “Opportunities include increased international trade and the possibility of harnessing currency depreciations to ensure sustained changes in relative prices,” she said. “This, along with industrial policies to support growth, boost regional integration and help small and me-

ST VINCENT PM SPEAKS OUT AGAINST SANITISATION OF MANDELA’S STORY

INGSTOWN, St Vincent- Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has spoken out against the “sanitisation” of Nelson Mandela’s story, saying the allies of the former South African President, who died last week, included left wing countries, such as the former Soviet Union, Cuba, and Libya. “The ANC (African National Congress), in order to respond to the racist repression, had to up its game, in terms of its military operations. And in that regard, it received assistance from the then Soviet Union, from someone who is almost universally reviled, Moammar Gadhafi, in Libya, and someone in the western press who is demonized, Fidel Castro,” Gonsalves told Parliament while paying tribute to Mandela. Mandela, 95, who spent 27 years in prison for his fight for freedom and equality for all South Africans, and resorted to peace and reconciliation after his release, will be buried on Sunday. An official memorial service was held on Tuesday attended by world leaders and his body is now lying in state ahead of the private burial. “We cannot sanitize the history, because if we do so, we will be doing a disservice to Mandela and his ideals,” Gonsalves told leguislators. He noted that Mandela himself had said that his cell door was opened principally by a massive defeat suffered by the South African Army at the famous Battle of Cuito Cuanavale, at the hands of the joint

St. Vincent Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves forces of the Cuban Armed Force, the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola, and ANC patriots, who fought to defend Angolan independence. Gonsalves said that was why when Mandela was released from prison, among the places he visited were the former Soviet Union, Libya and Cuba. “And when asked by certain right-wing American journalists why he was going to those places, he said in our epic struggle against Apartheid, they were my friends and I am loyal and I am grateful … to those who have helped us,” Gonsalves said. “So that, Mr. Speaker, the notion that is spread by some that a few members of the Apartheid regime had a Damascus like conversion and with the support of construc-

dium-sized enterprises ? could help to increase investment in diversifying production in tradable goods and to reduce the region’s structural heterogeneity,” Bárcena said, noting the threats facing the region include ongoing volatility in the global economy and higher external ﬁnancing costs, as well as a smaller contribution by consumption to gross domestic product (GDP) growth and a worsening regional current account. According to the report, regional growth in 2014 would be led by Panama followed by Panama and that the main challenge facing Latin American and Caribbean governments would be to “drive through social covenants for investment to boost productivity and growth with equality. “These social covenants must have an institutional framework that provides certainty and clear rules, short-

tive engagement that that is what brought about the end of Apartheid, history will show that that is not so. “And we must speak the truth, because our children and the young people may get a view that Nelson Mandela is just a digniﬁed man who suffered and who is being embraced by celebrity — a sort of Oprah Winfrey. That is not Nelson Mandela,” Gonsalves said. He said the other matter “which we must not forget is that Mandela was so convinced of supporting all tendencies towards liberation, it did not matter him the ideological colouration of his allies. “Those who supported him in freedom and democracy, he went with them,” Gonsalves said, adding that’s why Mandela made important strategic alliances with the South African Communist Party. Gonsalves said commanders in the military wing of the ANC were members of the South American Communist Party. “We have to remember those who were with him. … but we must not also in honour of Mandela forget person who are not black Africans in South Africa who gave their lives in the struggle…. “Mr. Speaker, we should make an effort in the process from now on, to educate our people more, especially our young people about Mandela, his principles, his time, his work, to lift our understanding and consciousness for the present and for the future, because, of all time, only the future is ours to desecrate. We must try not to desecrate it,” Gonsalves told Parliament.

term policies to provide nominal and real stability and long-term policies that encourage more diverse investment in tradable goods sectors.” ECLAC said in 2013, consumption made a smaller contribution to regional growth because of a slowdown in the wage bill and credit. “The slightly higher contribution by investment and the smaller negative impact of net exports failed to offset reduced consumer buoyancy,” it said. In terms of the labour market, ECLAC said the unemployment rate remained “more or less stable,” going from 6.4 per cent in 2012 to 6.3 per cent this year. ECLAC said this dip was caused by a “lower overall labour participation rate,” adding that inﬂation remained below ﬁve per cent in most of the countries

NEW WORLD BANK STUDY SAYS DIASPORA COULD PLAY LARGER ROLE IN CARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT

ASHINGTON- A new study by the Washington-based World Bank says the diaspora could play an even larger role in contributing to the Caribbean’s development with the “right incentives and policies”. The study titled “Diaspora Investing: The Business and Investment Interests of the Caribbean abroad” was conducted by infoDev, a global innovation programme at the World Bank. The international financial institution said the assessment brought together knowledge and data gathered from over 850 self-identified members of the Caribbean Diaspora, and sheds light on their characteristics and investment interests. It said the Caribbean Diaspora was already “significantly engaged in the region,” with some 70 per cent being formal or informally affiliated to organizations in their home countries. The Word Bank said half of those surveyed send remittances and 85 per cent give back to the Caribbean either through financial help, or other support in kind. Moreover, it said nine out of 10 would like to be even more engaged in the future, potentially as investors. “With nearly one Diaspora member living in North America or Europe for every resident still in the region, this ability to engage represents a significant untapped potential,” the World Bank said. “There is also a growing community of angel investors among the Diaspora that are already actively involved both where they live and back home,” it said, adding that about 23 per cent of respondents have already invested in a start-up company of some sort in the Caribbean region. Looking forward, the World Bank said investors have expressed strong interest in financing sectors, with high development potential for the region, such as green energy, mobile applications, education, and agribusiness. But the bank said challenges remain, stating that the gap between real engagement and expressed interest “remains significant”.

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News W

RLD

Nelson Mandela set a standard that his successors have struggled to match

s the days passed and the news sunk in that Nelson Mandela, the country’s first black president, had died peacefully at his home in Houghton, a pleasant suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa reacted at first with sadness but quickly shifted to celebrating an extraordinary life. People congregated through the night outside Mr Mandela’s home, as well as at his former residence in Soweto, an urban sprawl a half-hour’s drive away. Some came to sing songs; others to light hundreds of candles in remembrance. A very different form of memorialising could be heard during one of the many Sunday prayer services held in honour of “Madiba”, Mr Mandela’s clan name. Thabo Mbeki, who served as president after him, said a proper celebration should also include a reflection on whether the country’s current leadership was liv-

Nelson Mandela

US President Barack Obama pauses while speaking during the memorial service for late South African President Nelson Mandela at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg on December 10, 2013.

A sea of umbrellas in the arena as rain lashes down during the memorial service for former South African president Nelson Mandela at the FNB Stadium in Soweto, near Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday Dec. 10, 2013.

A boy with “Rest In Peace Nelson Mandela” painted on his face looks up to the skies during the memorial service for former South African president Nelson Mandela at the FNB Stadium in Soweto, near Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday Dec. 10, 2013

Nelson Mandela’s widow Graca Machel, right, pays her respects to former South African President Nelson Mandela during the lying in state at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013.

ing up to the standards set by Mr Mandela and his contemporaries. The theme of leadership was taken up by Barack Obama, the star turn at a rain-soaked memorial service held on December 10th in a football stadium in Soweto. Speaking in front of leaders from 91 countries Mr Obama said Mr Mandela set a high bar. “While I will always fall short of Madiba’s example, he makes me want to be a better man.” The crowd greeted Mr Obama’s arrival with cheers. By contrast Jacob Zuma, South Africa’s president, was booed by sections of the stadium. It was the first discordant note since Mr Mandela’s death on December 5th. It was also an audible gauge of how far the standing of the presidency has fallen since Mr Mandela held the office. The ruling African National Congress (ANC), with Mr Zuma at its head, will next year face its toughest election campaign since coming to power in 1994. In the week before Mr Mandela’s death the news in South Africa was dominated by a furore over an official report leaked to the Mail & Guardian, a weekly newspaper, concerning the 215m rand ($22m) of public money spent on Mr Zuma’s private home at Nkandla, in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. An investigation led by Thuli Madonsela, the public protector, found that Mr Zuma had derived “substantial” private benefits from publicly funded building works to make his home secure. A new swimming pool, amphitheatre and cattle enclosure were part of what was supposed to be a security upgrade. Mr Zuma told parliament in 2012 that his family had paid for all the building work on his Nkandla home, bar the security features. The report of Ms Madonsela’s provisional findings suggests otherwise. Mr Zuma’s allies had been trying to delay publication of the report, only for a version of it to be leaked. The damage was compounded by an earlier government edict, on November 20th, forbidding the publication of photographs of Mr Zuma’s home. That was met with defiant front-page splashes of the Nkandla compound. As a consequence many more taxpayers are now aware of its grandeur.

This is one of a number of scandals that have dogged Mr Zuma. In April a private plane carrying 200 wedding guests of the Guptas, an Indian family with business interests in South Africa, was allowed to land at an air-force base near Pretoria. A link was soon made in many people’s minds between this preferential treatment and the Guptas’ close ties with Mr Zuma, though an inquiry found that he did not personally approve the landing. And Mr Zuma has never quite shaken off the taint of his close association with another businessman, Schabir Shaik, who was convicted of bribery in 2005. The poor state of the economy has not helped his popularity. Unemployment, at nearly 25% of the workforce, is higher than it was when Mr Mandela took office in 1994. If the 2m or so adults who have given up looking for work are included, the jobless rate rises to 37%. The economy is growing too slowly to create many jobs, even as much of the rest of Africa is booming. Angry protests about a lack of basic amenities are common, although there has been a steady increase in the reach of municipal services. The ranks of the black middle class have swollen in the years since Mr Mandela’s presidency. But many others lower down the income scale feel they have been left behind. One of Mr Mandela’s strengths was his ability to get disparate groups to work together in a common interest. The ANC fought against apartheid in tandem with the South African Communist Party and, from the mid1980s, the Congress of South African Trade Unions, known as COSATU. This tripartite alliance continued into government but has more recently shown signs of fracturing. The pressing need to fix the economy puts the ANC at odds with the unions. The bulk of the unemployed are young adults, many of them unskilled. Even so it took more than three years for the government to bring to parliament a modest scheme to subsidise untried workers, because of union opposition. Education also needs urgent reform. Only 70% of pupils who stay on to take the school-leaving certificate are able to

pass it. Yet teaching unions have stood firm against a no-strike rule and performance reviews. Mr Zuma owes his position to support from the unions, and his party relies on them to get voters out on election day. Relations have been strained since Zwelinzima Vavi, a popular figure on the left and a vocal critic of ANC corruption, was suspended as general secretary of COSATU earlier this year. His allies suspect a plot to silence an awkward figure and to turn COSATU into a lapdog of the ruling party. Some unions, including the National Union of Metalworkers (NUMSA), one of the largest, want Mr Vavi reinstated. NUMSA will hold a conference later this month to decide whether to quit the federation and withdraw its support from the ruling party. A split within COSATU could eventually lead to the formation of a breakaway labour party, an option said to be favoured by a majority of union officials. The ANC already faces a challenge to its left flank from the Economic Freedom Fighters, a new party launched in October. It is led by Julius Malema, a populist left-winger who was boss of the ANC’s youth wing until he was expelled. Mr Malema faces fraud charges that could land him in prison. He nonetheless has support from sections of the poor who feel they lack a political voice. The ANC won 65.9% of the vote at the most recent general election in 2009. The Democratic Alliance (DA), a liberal party that is its nearest rival, took just 17% but is gaining in popularity. In 2014 the ANC could also lose moderate voters to Agang, another new party, led by Mamphele Ramphela, a veteran of the fight against apartheid. Losing the election seems inconceivable but the ANC is unlikely to retain such a commanding lead. Until this week many political pundits had believed that Mr Mandela’s death would work in the ANC’s favour by reminding voters of the party’s central role in attaining racial equality and political stability. Yet it could also free its erstwhile supporters from a debt of loyalty to the party. Comparisons can be unflattering. Entreaties by the ANC at election time to “remember Madiba” might not prove a very reliable way to win votes.

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WORLD NEWS

Pope Francis is Times Person of the Year T

ime magazine selected Pope Francis as its Person of the Year on Wednesday, saying the Catholic Church’s new leader has changed the perception of the 2,000-year-old institution in an extraordinary way in a short time. The pope beat out NSA leaker Edward Snowden for the distinction, which the newsmagazine has been giving each year since 1927. The former Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected in March as the ﬁrst pope from Latin America and the ﬁrst Jesuit. Since taking over at the Vatican, he has urged the Catholic Church not to be obsessed with “small-minded rules” and to emphasize compassion over condemnation in dealing with touchy topics like abortion, gays and contraception. He has denounced the world’s “idolatry of money” and the “global scandal” that nearly 1 billion people today go hungry, and has charmed the masses with his simple style and

wry sense of humor. His appearances draw tens of thousands of people and his @Pontifex Twitter account recently topped 10 million followers. “He really stood out to us as someone who has changed the tone and the perception and the focus of one of the world’s largest institutions in an extraordinary way,” said Nancy Gibbs, the magazine’s managing editor. The Vatican said the honor wasn’t surprising given the resonance in the general public that Francis has had, but it nevertheless said the choice was a “positive” recognition of spiritual values in the international media. “The Holy Father is not looking to become famous or to receive honors,” said the Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi. “But if the choice of Person of Year helps spread the message of the Gospel — a message of God’s love for everyone — he will certainly be happy about that.” It was the third time a Catholic pope had been Time’s selection. John

Pope Francis Paul II was selected in 1994 and John XXIII was chosen in 1962. In Argentina on Wednesday, Padre Toto, one of the many “slum priests” the pope supported for years as arch-

bishop of Buenos Aires, praised Time magazine’s selection. “I think the recognition of Time magazine is good news, because Pope Francis embodies one of the values of a church that’s more missionary, closer to the people, more austere, more in keeping with the gospel,” Toto said. “He had the genius of knowing how to express this sense of the church and hopefully his way of being will catch on with other political leaders, business executives, sports figures. His leadership is inspiring.” Besides Snowden, Time had narrowed its finalists down to gay rights activist Edith Windsor, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Syrian President Bashar Assad. President Barack Obama was Time’s selection for 2012. Time editors make the selection. The magazine polled readers for their choice, and the winner was Egyptian General Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who didn’t even make the top 10 of Time’s final list.

Uruguay set to become first country to legalise marijuana trade

ONTEVIDEO - Uruguay’s Senate is expected to pass a law on Tuesday making the small South American nation the world’s ﬁrst to allow its citizens to grow, buy and smoke marijuana. The pioneering government-sponsored bill establishes state regulation of the cultivation, distribution and consumption of marijuana and is aimed at wresting the business from criminals. Cannabis consumers would be allowed to buy a maximum of 40 grams (1.4 ounces) each month from state-regulated pharmacies as long as they are over the age of 18 and registered on a government database that will monitor their monthly purchases. Uruguayans would also be allowed to grow up to six plants of marijuana in their homes a year, or as much as 480 grams (about 17 ounces). They could also set up smoking clubs of 15 to 45 members that could grow up to 99 plants per year. The bill, which opinion polls show is unpopular, passed the lower chamber of Congress in

July and is expected to easily pass the Senate on the strength of the ruling coalition’s majority. Uruguay’s attempt to undo drug trafﬁcking is being followed closely in Latin America where the legalization of some narcotics is being increasingly seen by regional leaders as a possible way to end the violence spawned by the cocaine trade. “Our country can’t wait for international consensus on this issue,” Senator Roberto Conde of the governing Broad Front left-wing coalition said as Senate debate opened. He said organized crime had turned Uruguay into a transit country for drugs, such as marijuana from Paraguay and cocaine from Bolivia. Rich countries debating legalization of pot are also watching the bill, which philanthropist George Soros has supported as an “experiment” that could provide an alternative to the failed U.S.-led policies of the long “war on drugs.” The bill gives authorities 120 days to set up a drug control board that will regulate cultivation standards, ﬁx the price and monitor consumption.

US VOWS SUPPORT FOR SYRIAN OPPOSITION DESPITE TROUBLES

he United States is concerned about troubles facing Syria’s Western-backed opposition but it will keep supporting Free Syrian Army leader General Salim Idris and the moderate opposition, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Thursday. The United States and Britain suspended non-lethal aid to northern Syria after reports that Islamist fighters seized Western-backed rebel weapons warehouses, highlighting fears that supplies could end up in hostile hands. The opposition to President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday said its military arm had invited Islamist fighters to secure its weapons depots on the Turkish frontier after an attack by al Qaeda militants. “What has occurred here in the last couple of days is a clear reflection on how complicated and dangerous this situation is and how unpredictable it is,” Hagel told a Pentagon news conference. Hagel explicitly stated that Washington still supported Idris

and would keep helping with humanitarian relief. “But this is a problem, what has occurred here, a big problem. And we’re going to have to work through it and manage through it with General Idris and the moderate opposition.” Still, the U.S. and British aid cut-off underlined a crisis in the rebel leadership, which seeks international backing to reinforce its credibility and to keep ﬁghters from joining al Qaeda-backed groups now leading the struggle against Assad. The opposition’s inability to control its own storehouses without help from Islamist groups has exposed its military weakness. The 2-3/4 year conﬂict has killed more than 100,000 people, driven more than 2 million abroad as refugees and left many millions more dependent on aid. Asked what the solution might be, Hagel said: “When the moderate opposition is set back, that’s not good. But that’s what we deal with.”

The use of marijuana is legal in Uruguay, a country of 3.3 million that is one of the most liberal in Latin America, but cultivation and sale of the drug are not. Other countries have decriminalized marijuana possession and the Netherlands allows its sale in coffee shops, but Uruguay will be the first nation to legalize the whole chain from growing the plant to buying and selling its leaves. Several countries such as Canada, the Netherlands and Israel have legal programs for growing medical cannabis but do not allow cultivation of marijuana for recreational use. Last year, the U.S. states of Colorado and Washington passed ballot initiatives that legalize and regulate the recreational use of marijuana. Uruguay’s leftist president, Jose Mujica, defends his initiative as a bid to regulate and tax a market that already exists but is run by criminals. “We’ve given this market as a gift to the drug traffickers and that is more destructive socially than the drug itself, because it rots the whole of society,” the 78-year-old former guerrilla fighter told Argentine news agency Telam.

PROBATION FOR DRUNK TEXAS TEEN DRIVER WHO KILLED FOUR SPARKS BACKLASH

decision by a Texas judge this week to give an affluent teenager probation after he killed four people while driving drunk has sparked a backlash and complaints of a miscarriage of justice. State District Judge Jean Boyd on Tuesday sentenced the 16-yearold boy to 10 years probation and ordered him to get therapy. The teen was driving a pickup truck when he ran down four people who were helping fix a vehicle at the roadside in the Fort Worth area. A psychologist for the defense said the teen suffered from “affluenza”, a condition where a person feels shielded from problems by money, having led a life of privilege paid for by his parents, local media reported. The four people killed in the June incident were Breanna Mitchell, whose car broke down, Hollie and Shelby Boyles, who lived nearby and came out to help and youth minister Brian Jennings, who stopped to help, the Fort Worth Star Telegram reported.

The paper has been ﬂooded with comments on the sentence, almost all of which were critical of the judge. “It is a slap in the face to people who rely on the justice system and just reinforces the idea that the best defense is loads of money,” Shirley Watson wrote in a comment to the paper on Thursday. The teen driver had three times the legal limit of alcohol in his system at the time arrest, prosecutors said. They were looking for a sentence of 20 years in jail. Eric Boyles, whose wife and daughter died in the incident, said on CNN on Wednesday night that he was shocked at the sentence. “There are absolutely no consequences for what occurred that day,” Boyles told the broadcaster. “The primary message has to absolutely be that money and privilege can’t buy justice in this country, that it’s not okay to drink and drive and kill four people, and severely injure another, and not have any consequences.”

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WORLD NEWS

North Korea executes Jang Song Thaek, uncle of leader Kim Jong Un N

orth Korea said on Friday Jang Song Thaek, the uncle of leader Kim Jong Un and previously considered the second most powerful man in the secretive state, has been executed after a special military tribunal found him guilty of treason. The announcement came only days after Pyongyang announced through state media that Jang Song Thaek -- long considered the country’s No. 2 power -had been removed from all his posts because of allegations of corruption, drug use, gambling, womanizing and leading a “dissolute and depraved life.” The state news agency KCNA said a tribunal examined Jang’s crimes, including “attempting to overthrow the state by all sorts of intrigues and despicable methods with a wild ambition to grab the supreme power of our party and state.” The report called him “a traitor to the nation” and “worse than a dog.” “The accused Jang brought together undesirable forces and formed a faction as the boss of a modern day factional group for a long time and thus committed such hideous crime as attempting to overthrow the state,” the North’s ofﬁcial KCNA news agency said. The ofﬁcial Rodong Sinmun newspaper on Friday carried a photograph of Jang in handcuffs and being held by uniformed guards as he stood trial. Earlier this week North Korea stripped Jang of all posts and expelled him from the ruling Workers’

Jang song-thaek, Chief of the Central Administrative Department of the Workers’ Party of Korea Party, accusing him of criminal acts including mismanagement of the state ﬁnancial system, womanizing and alcohol abuse. “From long ago, Jang had a dirty political ambition. He dared not raise his head when Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il were alive,” KCNA said, referring to leader Kim’s grandfather and father, who were previous rulers of the dynastic state. “He began revealing his true colors, thinking that it was just the time for him to realize his wild ambition in the period of historic turn when the generation of the revolution was replaced.” The execution caps a spectacular downfall of the husband of leader Kim’s aunt. Jang had previously

suffered purges but fought his way back to the power circle to hold influential positions in the ruling party and the military. Jang was seen as helping Kim Jong Un consolidate power after the death of his father, Kim Jong Il, two years ago. Jang was the latest and most significant in a series of personnel reshuffles that Kim has conducted in an apparent effort to bolster his power. Some analysts see the purge as a sign of Kim Jong Un’s growing confidence, but there has also been fear in Seoul that the removal of such an important part of the North’s government -- seen by outsiders as the leading supporter of Chinese-style economic reforms -- could create dangerous instability or lead to a miscalculation or attack on the South. Tensions are still high on the Korean Peninsula following a torrent of threats in March and April by Kim Jong Un’s government against Washington, Seoul and Tokyo, including vows of missile and nuclear strikes and warnings that Pyongyang would restart nuclear bomb fuel production. Jang was married to Kim Jong Un’s aunt, Kim Kyong Hui, the younger sister of Kim Jong Il. He was earlier described by state media as “abusing his power,” being “engrossed in irregularities and corruption,” and taking drugs and squandering money at casinos while undergoing medical treatment in a foreign country.

Mexican Congress passes radical shake-up of oil industry M exico’s Congress on Thursday overwhelmingly voted to open up the country’s oil and gas sector to private investment in the biggest overhaul of the industry since it was nationalized in 1938. After a whirlwind final passage through Congress, President Enrique Pena Nieto’s bill will offer companies the chance to operate oil wells, commercialize crude and partner with state oil giant Pemex as Mexico seeks to revive flagging output. It aims to entice oil majors such as Exxon Mobil Corp and BP Plc with production- and profit-sharing, service contracts and licenses. Mexico’s two biggest parties faced down accusations they were

betraying their homeland to foreign oil ﬁrms, and approved a series of changes to the constitution that could radically transform the fortunes of the world’s No. 10 oil producer. At more than 10 billion barrels, Mexico has Latin America’s third-largest proven oil reserves after Venezuela and Brazil. It also has nearly 30 billion barrels of prospective resources in territorial deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico. “The energy reform marks a fundamental transformation that will allow us to increase our energy sovereignty and self sufﬁciency in Mexico,” Pena Nieto said in a Tweet after the reform’s approval.

“It will also drive productivity, economic growth and job creation in Mexico,” he added. Pemex has struggled to exploit Mexico’s oil reserves due to a lack of investment, high taxes and persistent allegations of corruption. Mexico’s crude output peaked at 3.4 million barrels per day in 2004, and has fallen by more than a quarter. Proponents of the reform said Mexico would fall further behind its peers without ﬁnding new investors to help exploit its deep water and subterranean oil and shale reserves. “Today, the name of the game is greater economic competitiveness,” Javier Trevino, a lawmaker in the rul-

FORMER THAI PM ABHISIT INDICTED FOR MURDER OVER RALLY CRACKDOWN

ANGKOK: Former Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was indicted for murder Thursday in connection with a deadly military crackdown on mass opposition protests in Bangkok three years ago, prosecutors said. The move comes as fresh political turmoil rocks the Thai capital, with protesters backed by Abhisit’s opposition party seeking to oust Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and rid the kingdom of the inﬂuence of her brother, deposed former leader Thaksin. “We have indicted him (Abhisit),” Nanthasak Poonsuk, a spokesman for the attorney general´s ofﬁce, told AFP outside the Bangkok court where the closeddoor hearing was held. “The court accepts to hear the case.

Abhisit Vejjajiva “Under Abhisit´s government, more than 90 people died and nearly 1,900 were wounded in street clashes in the capital in 2010 between mostly unarmed pro-Thaksin “Red Shirt” demonstrators and security forces ﬁring live rounds. A small group of Red Shirts shouted “Murderer!” as the Democrat Party leader arrived at court, without speaking to waiting media. There were about 10 Abhisit supporters outside the building,

some holding bunches of ﬂowers. Thailand has seen several bouts of political turmoil since Thaksin was ousted in a military coup in 2006, with rival protests sometimes resulting in bloody unrest. Prosecutors have accused Abhisit and his former deputy Suthep Thaugsuban of issuing orders that resulted in murder and attempted murder by the security forces. Oxford-educated Abhisit -- who was formally charged in December -- insists he is innocent and has described the accusations against him as politically motivated. Some observers doubt British-born Abhisit will go to prison given his links to the Thai elite, and see the case as part of the country´s political brinksmanship.

ing Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) on the lower house energy committee, said in a debate that went through the night. U.S. oil giant Exxon sees an opening up of Mexico’s oil sector as a “winwin”. “To put it bluntly, we believe that would be very good for the people of Mexico,” William Colton, the company’s vice president of corporate strategic planning, told reporters on a webcast from Washington before the reform’s ﬁnal approval. Experts said the world’s leading oil companies will need to see ﬁnal investment terms and new regulations before deciding whether to do business in the country.

UN REPORT CONCLUDES CHEMICAL WEAPONS USED IN SYRIA

hemical weapons have been used at least five times during the Syrian conflict and in some cases children have been slaughtered, according to a UN report released Thursday. The report cites “credible evidence” and “evidence consistent with the probable use of chemical weapons” in the Syrian sites of Ghouta, Khan Al Asal, Jobar, Saraqueb and Ashrafieh Sahnaya. But the UN said it could not corroborate their use in two of seven sites studied -- Bahhariyeh and Sheik Maqsood. “The United Nations Mission concludes that chemical weapons have been used in the ongoing conflict between the parties in the Syrian Arab Republic,” said the report, prepared by a team of experts led by Swede Ake Sellstrom. However, the report does not attribute blame for the attacks, as this was beyond the mandate given the team by the UN Security Council. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has admitted his forces hold chemical weapons, and has vowed to surrender them to international experts. But he insists his forces did not target civilians.

Western and Arab governments, human rights groups and Syrian rebels accuse the regime of carrying out the attacks. Assad and his allies in Moscow and Tehran blame the rebels. Sellstrom, who led an investigative mission to Syria, had already provided a preliminary report to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on September 16. That report concluded that banned chemical weapons had been used on a wide scale and that there was clear evidence that sarin gas was used in an attack in the Eastern Ghouta neighborhood near Damascus on August 21. The ﬁnal report said the mission “collected clear and convincing evidence that chemical weapons were used also against civilians, including children, on a relatively large scale” on that day in Ghouta. “A number of patients/survivors were clearly diagnosed as intoxicated by an organophosphorous compound,” the report said. “Blood and urine samples from the same patients were found positive for sarin and sarin signatures.”

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WORLD NEWS

Obama shakes hands with Cuba’s Castro at Mandela memorial S

oweto (South Africa) - President Barack Obama on Tuesday shook hands with Raul Castro, leader of America’s Cold War foe Cuba, in a rare gesture at the memorial service in South Africa for Nelson Mandela. Obama offered the handshake before taking the stage to eulogise Mandela, but minutes later, made a clear swipe at states like Cuba, saying those who proclaim Mandela’s legacy must honour its meaning by easing curbs on freedom. The handshake between Obama and the brother who took over the duties of longtime Cuban dictator Fidel Castro was seen by millions around the world on live television. A White House official said it was not “pre-planned”. The Cuban government hailed it as a hopeful sign, writing on its website: “May this... be the beginning of the end of the US aggressions.” But it remained unclear whether the gesture would presage a meaningful thaw in relations across the shark-infested waters off Cuba. It comes as Obama seeks to live up to his campaign promise made in 2007 to reach out directly to US enemies as president -- and after he spoke by phone to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in September. The United States maintains a five-decadesold embargo against the communist island nation, which Havana says has cost the economy $1.1 trillion and have only limited ties owing to the iron-fisted rule of the Castros. Obama quickly faced some domestic backlash

US President Barack Obama shaking hands with Cuban President Raul Castro from his gesture, as Cuba is a ﬁercely divisive issue in US politics. “It gives Raul some propaganda, to continue to prop up his dictatorial, brutal regime,” Republican Senator John McCain told reporters in Washington. “Why should you shake hands with somebody who is keeping Americans in prison?” Vehemently anti-Castro Cuban-Americans make up a sizable portion of voters and political donors in Florida, a battleground state where US presidential elections can be won or lost Obama’s clear jab at states like Cuba, which claim kinship with Mandela but do not follow the example of a man who forgave his enemies and built a pluralistic state, may have been intended to insulate him from some domestic criticism. “There are too many leaders who claim solidarity

with Madiba’s struggle for freedom, but do not tolerate dissent from their own people,” Obama said, stabbing his finger in the air in the rain-sodden stadium hosting the event. A White House official said the handshake was not a “pre-planned encounter”, emphasising that “today is about honouring Nelson Mandela, and that was the president’s singular focus at the memorial service.” It was unclear whether Tuesday’s gesture would significantly thaw relations. In 2000, then president Bill Clinton shook the hand of Fidel Castro at the UN General Assembly in New York. There was no picture of the moment and the White House initially denied it had occurred. Havana and Washington have not had diplomatic relations since 1961, two years after Fidel Castro came to power in the Cuban revolution. Tensions have eased since Obama took office, with both countries reaching a series of agreements seen as confidence-building measures including cooperation on air and maritime rescue and migration issues. In 2011 Obama eased restrictions on visas, remittances and travel. The move was designed to expand religious and educational travel, allow any airport to offer charter flights to the country and restore cultural initiatives suspended by the previous Bush administration. Talks are under way to resume a direct postal service between the two countries.

Britain’s Cameron defends ‘selfie’ with Obama at Mandela service

ONDON - British Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday defended his behaviour at Nelson Mandela’s memorial service in South Africa after he was criticised at home for posing with U.S. President Barack Obama for what some said was a disrespectful photograph. The self-portrait - known as a “selfie” in online social media - was taken on Tuesday in Soweto at the memorial event for Mandela, who died last Thursday aged 95. It captured Cameron and Obama who suffered a similar ticking off in the U.S. media - smiling broadly either side of Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt.

This selfie of three world leaders had tongues has been a hot topic worldwide All three appeared to be in high spirits and sharing a joke as a sternfaced Michelle Obama looked away. The image graced the front pag-

es of many of Britain’s newspapers on Wednesday, with the mass-market Sun tabloid newspaper calling it a “gaffe” that betrayed a lack of respect for the late South African politician. Cameron, who is trying to court the Sun’s readers ahead of a 2015 election, was asked about the incident during his weekly question and answer session in the British parliament. “You should always remember that the television cameras are always on,” Cameron told parliament. “In my defence I’d say that Nelson Mandela played an extraordinary role in his life and in his death in bringing people together.”

So when asked by the Danish prime minister to join the photograph he said he had thought it only polite to agree since she was married to the son of a former leader of the opposition Labour Party. Separately, Cameron’s spokesman stressed the event had been a “celebration” of Mandela’s life rather than his funeral, which is due to take place on Sunday. Across the Atlantic, the New York Daily News said Obama had committed “a funeral faux pas” by participating in the photograph, which the Washington Post said had detracted from the U.S. leader’s eulogy to Mandela.

SOUTH AFRICA ADMITS ERROR OVER ‘SCHIZOPHRENIC’ MANDELA MEMORIAL SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER

South African sign-language interpreter accused of miming nonsense as world leaders paid tribute to Nelson Mandela defended himself as a “champion” signer on Thursday but said he suffered a schizophrenic episode during the event. The interpreter, 34-year-old Thamsanqa Jantjie, told Johannesburg’s Star newspaper he started hearing voices and hallucinating while on stage, resulting in gestures that made no sense to outraged deaf people around the world. “There was nothing I could do. I was alone in a very dangerous situation. I tried to control myself and not show the world what was going on. I am very sorry. It’s the situation I found myself in,” he told the paper. The government admitted Jantjie was not a professional interpreter but played down security concerns at his sharing the podium with world leaders including U.S. President Barack Obama at the memorial on Tuesday. “He was procured. He did not just rock up,” Deputy Disabilities Minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu told a news conference. “Did a mistake happen? Yes. He became overwhelmed. He did not use the normal signs. We accept all that.” After the memorial, South Africa’s leading deaf association denounced him as a fake, making up gestures to be put into the mouths of Obama and

False interpreter said he suffered a schizophrenic episode during the Mandela memorial his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma. Jantjie said he did not know what triggered the attack and said he took medication for his schizophrenia. At the White House in Washington, a Secret Service spokesman said it was up to the host organiz-

ing to handle program items such as stage participants or sign language interpreters. “For the purposes of this memorial service, this would include vetting them for criminal history and other appropriate records checks,” said the spokesman, Brian Leary. He said security measures agreed upon by the U.S. Secret Service and South African government security ofﬁcials had been in place during the memorial, where President Barack Obama had delivered an address. “Secret Service special agents are always in close proximity to the president whether he is overseas or in residence at the White House,” said Leary. In a radio interview, Jantjie said he was happy with his performance at the memorial. “Absolutely, absolutely. I think that I’ve been a champion of sign language,” he told Johannesburg’s Talk Radio 702. When contacted by Reuters, he said he could not understand why people were complaining now, rather than after other events. “I’m not a failure. I deliver,” he said. The publicity surrounding Jantjie’s unconventional gestures - experts said he did not know even basic signs such as “thank you” or “Mandela” sparked a frenetic hunt for him and his employers.

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usiness B AND

T O ECHN

LOGY Ban on in-flight calls could be lifted next year

ASHINGTON — A divided Federal Communications Commission agreed Thursday to collect public comment on lifting a 22-year ban against cellular service on planes, but the Department of Transportation will consider its own ban on voice calls, texts or data. The FCC voted 3 to 2 on the proposal, even as the chairman said he hopes to lift the ban in 2014. The secretary of Transportation said his department will consider its own cellular rule, which could continue the ban, at least on voice calls aboard ﬂights. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said new technology that allows planes to carry essentially their own cell towers made the 1991 ban obsolete, because it was adopted to prevent interference with groundbased communication. The FCC proposal would allow cellular service, so long as planes carry equipment to provide the service, but that can block voice calls, allowing text and data service. “Nothing will be different on your ﬂight tomorrow,” Wheeler said. “We’re just seeking comments on the proposal.” At a House hearing earlier Thursday, Wheeler was asked whether his goal is to lift the ban during 2014. “Strongly, yes,” he said. “This is the responsible thing to do,” he told the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on communications. “Where the rationale for the rule doesn’t exist, the rule shouldn’t exist.”

If the FCC does away with its ban on in-flight phone calls, U.S. telecom companies could rake in billions. Get ready to pay extra for it, though. The reason cellular service might be more tempting for travelers than Wi-Fi service — even without calls — is that cell service on overseas ﬂights is typically cheaper than Wi-Fi service that is allowed in the USA. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel voted for accepting public comment, but she opposes the proposal, saying she takes a lot of ﬂights and is often banished to a middle seat in the back row where a neighbor’s call would be even more uncomfortable. “This commission does not need to add to that burden,” she said. Even if the FCC lifts its ban, the DOT, Federal Aviation Administration and airlines would have to decide whether to allow cellular service on planes.

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said he has heard concerns raised by travelers, flight attendants, airlines and lawmakers troubled about voice calls on flights. The department will determine whether allowing calls is fair to consumers and whether a ban on in-flight calls is warranted, he said. “I am concerned, as well,” Foxx said. “As part of that process, USDOT will give stakeholders and the public significant opportunity to comment.” Voice calls have been allowed for years on airlines in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The prospect remains contentious in the USA, where flight attendants — and a majority of Americans — are strongly opposed to voice calls. Two national polls released Wednesday, from the Associated Press and Quinnipiac University, each found 59% opposed voice calls, and 30% supported them. The chairman of the House Transportation Committee, Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Pa., introduced legislation this week that would prevent voice calls on planes. Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., introduced legislation Thursday that would block voice calls on planes, while allowing texts and data. “This legislation is about avoiding something nobody wants: Nearly 2 million passengers a day, hurtling through space, trapped in 17-inch-wide seats, yapping their innermost thoughts,” Alexander said.

Solid US retail sales boost economic outlook U

.S. retail sales rose solidly in November, adding to signs of a strengthening economy that could draw the Federal Reserve closer to reducing the pace of monetary stimulus. The upbeat picture was clouded somewhat by other data on Thursday showing the biggest jump in a year in first-time claims for jobless benefits. Economists, however, largely dismissed that report as skewed by a late Thanksgiving and other factors. The Commerce Department said retail sales increased 0.7 percent last month as Americans stepped up spending on a wide range of goods from automobiles to electronics. November’s increase was the largest in five months and followed a 0.6 percent rise in October. “It should provide more confidence to the Fed that the economic recovery has emerged from the political-induced uncertainties of recent months essentially unscathed and reinforce the expectation for the recent improved performance in the data to be sustained,” said Millan Mulraine, senior economist at TD Securities in New York. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast retail sales advancing 0.6 percent last month. So-called core sales, which strip out automobiles, food services, gas-

oline and building materials and correspond most closely with the consumer spending component of gross domestic product, rose 0.5 percent after gaining 0.7 percent in October. The core sales gain was consistent with consumer spending rising at an annualized rate of at least 3.5 percent in the fourth quarter, economists said. That would be a big step-up from the third quarter’s 1.4 percent pace. “There are signs of an earlier pick-up in consumption that is also likely to be the heart and soul of a future growth acceleration,” said Alan Ruskin, head of currency strategy at Deutsche Bank Securities in New York. U.S. stocks were trading lower as investors’ attention remained focused on next week’s Fed policy meeting. U.S. government bond prices fell, while the dollar rose against a basket of currencies.

INVENTORY BUILDING CONTINUES The relatively strong sales last month deﬁed industry expectations of a slow holiday season. Reports early this month suggested shoppers spent less during the Thanksgiving weekend, the traditional start of the holiday shopping season.

Middle-income shoppers have been careful in their spending, waiting for the right promotions and in many cases shifting a lot of their spending to big-ticket items like their cars or home repairs and away from items such as clothing. Home improvement chains Home Depot and Lowe’s Inc last quarter reported far better sales gains than chains such as Macy’s Inc or Target Corp. Spending is being supported by solid job gains and steady income increases, and could help shield the economy in the fourth quarter from an expected effort by businesses to reduce inventories that piled up during the July-September quarter. The data prompted economists to raise their fourth-quarter GDP growth estimates by as much as half a percentage point to as high as a 2.2 percent annual rate. Economists also said a second report from the Commerce Department suggested businesses were not being as aggressive in selling off inventories as had been expected, which could mean any correction spills into the new year. Inventories increased 0.7 percent in October, the largest gain in nine months, after a 0.6 percent rise in September. Lower gasoline prices are also helping, though they were a drag

on the retail sales figures, which are not adjusted for inflation. The firming growth tone was tempered somewhat by a report from the Labor Department that showed initial claims for state unemployment benefits surged 68,000 to a seasonally adjusted 368,000 last week. That was the largest weekly increase since November 2012 and surpassed economists’ expectations for a rise to only 320,000. However, the four-week moving average for new claims, which irons out week-to-week volatility, rose only 6,000, suggesting that a recent strengthening of the jobs market remains intact. “Through the volatility, the trend in claims is likely still flat-to-down, consistent with no let-up from the recent solid pace in payrolls,” said Jim O’Sullivan, chief U.S. economist at High Frequency Economics in Valhalla, New York. Nonfarm payrolls increased strongly in October and November, and the jobless rate hit a five-year low of 7.0 percent. The steady stream of fairly upbeat data should give the Fed cover to start cutting back its monthly $85 billion bond buying program soon, and could fuel some speculation a move could come as early as the central bank’s meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY

Hilton Exploring New Hotel Brand for 2014 H

ilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., which began trading shares on the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday, expects to introduce a new hotel brand in 2014 aimed at affluent, young travelers by emphasizing style and design. Chief Executive Christopher Nassetta said Hilton is exploring plans for a boutique hotel, or “lifestyle” brand. It would aim to compete with W Hotels, a brand developed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. Marriott International Inc. ‘s fledgling Edition hotels, which the company is developing with famed hotelier Ian Schrager. “It’s something we’re working on,” Mr. Nassetta said in an interview at the stock exchange, where Hilton shares rose 7.5% to $21.50 on their first day of trading. Hilton sold 117.6 million shares Wednesday, raising about $2.35 billion in the largest-ever hotel initial public offering. Hilton has 10 brands and a wide range of hotels, from limited service properties like Hampton Inn to luxury names like Waldorf Astoria and Conrad. But Hilton has been mostly frustrated in its efforts to add a boutique brand to its roster. About five years ago, the McLean, Va., hotel operator identified a lifestyle brand as a major growth initiative for the company, and Mr. Nassetta and his team were developing one that was dubbed Denizen. Hilton already had begun talks with developers in Abu Dhabi, London, Mumbai and New York about establishing Denizen hotels when it was hit with a 2009 lawsuit by Starwood, which alleged that Hil-

The sign of Hilton Mid-Town Manhattan ton was using stolen conﬁdential documents to develop the new chain. Hilton eventually settled with Starwood, which included a cash payment to Starwood and an agreement that prevented Hilton from entering the lifestyle segment for two years. That prohibition expired in January, but Hilton has been quiet about any plans for a boutique brand since then. Mr. Nassetta also said in the interview that Hilton doesn’t plan to sell any properties next year. Green Street Advisors, a real-estate research ﬁrm, put the value of the company’s properties’ at roughly $13 billion, including debt, and has suggested that Hilton might look at some point to sell assets to pay

down more debt. The company’s hotels include the Waldorf Astoria in New York and the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki. But Hilton thinks it is better not to sell in the short term, even though in recent years the company has focused on growing by adding franchises, rather than by adding properties. That is in part because when the hotel business is strong, as it is now, there is more money to be made as an owner than as a franchiser. Most of the Hilton-owned hotels are large properties with hundreds of rooms, and group travel especially is showing signs of improving. Mr. Nassetta said some of these properties could be converted to timeshare or residential properties. Mr. Nassetta also said additional Hilton full-service hotels likely will end traditional room service. The New York Hilton Midtown made waves over the summer when it stopped round-the-clock food delivery from a separate kitchen, replacing it with a more casual “grab and go” food service that could be delivered to rooms throughout the day and evening but not overnight. “We are deﬁnitely going to do it at other places,” Mr. Nassetta said. The move by the prominent Manhattan hotel surprised hotel traditionalists. But Mr. Nassetta said the switch was both cost effective and popular with guests, who wanted more casual dining and faster delivery. Hotel analysts say other major brands are watching closely and could experiment with their own version of room-service light.

Instagram unveils private photo-sharing, messaging P

hoto-sharing service Instagram unveiled a new feature Thursday that allows users to send images and messages privately, as the Facebook-owned company sought to bolster its appeal among younger consumers who are increasingly using mobile messaging applications. The new Instagram Direct feature allows users to send a photo or video to a single person or up to 15 people, and to have real-time text conversations. “Sometimes you want to be able to share, not with everyone, but just with a speciﬁc group,” said Kevin Systrom, Instagram co-founder and chief executive during a presentation in

Instagram Chief Executive Officer and cofounder Kevin Systrom smiles during the launch of a new service named Instagram Direct in New York December 12, 2013. New York. “Instagram Direct is a simple way to send photos and videos to your friends.”

AMERICAN AIR ORDERS REGIONAL JETS WORTH ABOUT $4 BILLION

merican Airlines Group Inc said it ordered 90 regional jets from Embraer SA and Bombardier Inc in deals worth about $4 billion at list prices as it upgrades to a more efﬁcient ﬂeet to lower operating costs. The new carrier, formed when AMR Corp and US Airways completed a merger this week, is buying 60 Embraer E175 planes valued at $2.5 billion, and 30 Bombardier CRJ900 NextGen planes worth about $1.42 billion. American has options for an additional 40 Bombardier jets and another 90 Embraer planes. If all of the options are exercised, the total deal value could top $9 billion. After the American announcement, Embraer said it expected a “good year” for commercial jet sales in 2014, with Eastern Europe and Russia among the most promising regions for new business. Paulo Cesar de Souza e Silva, Embraer’s head of commercial aviation, said he expects commercial jet deliveries in the coming years to be in line with or even better than in 2013. This year was an especially

strong year as the company secured more than 300 ﬁrm orders for its regional E-Jets. The Bombardier CRJ900 has a range of 1,048 to 1,515 nautical miles, while the Embraer E175 has a range of up to 2,000 nautical miles, according to the websites of the manufacturers. American’s new regional jet orders come on top of hundreds of other airplanes that the carrier plans to add over the next few years as part of a major ﬂeet upgrade. The company is taking delivery of at least 59 new planes this year, including the Boeing widebody 777300ER, narrowbody Boeing 737-800 as well as the Airbus A319 and A321. American also expects to take delivery of the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner late next year. The carrier said the 76-seat regional jets it ordered will replace smaller 50-seat aircraft that are being retired. The Bombardier CRJ900s, which will be delivered starting in the second quarter of 2014, will be operated by regional carrier PSA Airlines, a unit of US Airways.

Instagram claims to have more than 150 million monthly users who have shared 16 billion photos on the service. Until now, the photos could only be shared publicly, allowing them to be seen by anyone using the service. Facebook Inc, the world’s No. 1 Internet social network, bought Instagram for $1 billion in 2012. The new features come as Facebook and Instagram face increasing competition from a new crop of mobile messaging services, including WhatsApp and Snapchat. In October, Facebook said it was seeing a decline in daily use by younger teenagers in the United States, al-

though it said overall use by teenagers was stable. “Bottom line, this is a catch-up move for Instagram,” wrote Forrester Research analyst Julie Ask in a blog post. “Apps like WeChat already allow users to share videos, photos, messages, cartoons, voice clips to individuals, groups, groups created around an event.” Instagram made the announcement Thursday in a swanky two-story event studio in midtown Manhattan, which some industry observers speculated was picked to lure the attention of ad ﬁrms on Madison Avenue. Systrom didn’t address advertising or any revenue-linked potential of the new features.

WIRELESS CARRIERS AND FCC AGREE ON UNLOCKING CELLPHONES

.S. wireless carriers will make it easier for consumers to “unlock” their mobile phones for use on a competitor’s network, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler said on Thursday. Wheeler told members of Congress an agreement was reached between the carriers and the agency, and details will be presented at an FCC meeting later on Thursday. Industry sources have said the agreement would ensure that providers notify customers about the eligibility of their phones for unlocking - by text message, for example - and could also cover some pre-paid phones. The deal would also require carriers to process or deny unlocking requests within two business days, according to FCC’s earlier guidance. U.S. wireless carriers often “lock” smartphones to their networks as a way to encourage consumers to renew their mobile contracts. Consumers often get new devices at a heavily subsidized price in return for committing to longer contracts. The new deal would assure consumers that they could get their phones “unlocked” at the end of their

contract and make the process more uniform among carriers. The ﬁnal sticking points in reaching the agreement among carriers and FCC were said to include questions on how fast the new policy would be rolled out, how pre-paid phones would be handled and how to keep unlocked phones off of black markets. Top providers like Verizon Wireless, AT&T Inc, Sprint Corp and T-Mobile US have long allowed consumers to unlock devices and take them to another network at the end of a contract term - commonly, two years - though the process varies by company and can be quite painstaking. What changed in 2013 was an unexpected ruling from the Library of Congress, which oversees U.S. copyright law and reviews exemptions every three years, that effectively made unlocking illegal. The ruling surprised many telecom observers, outraged phone users, and ﬁnally landed on the White House’s agenda thanks to an online citizen petition that gathered 114,322 signatures, more than the 100,000 needed to spur a response. And in its response, the White House sided with the petitioners.

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PUBLIC NOTICE Mr. McArthur McDonald Swann of North Backsalina Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands British West Indies is not authorized to deal with the property described below in any context whatsoever:Undefined Parcel comprising by admeasurement Three(3) Acres, Northwest & North Central Section, Providencials, Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies ( Title No. 60000/12; Instrument No. 3156/13). Any Third parties choosing to contract with Mr. Swann is contravention of this notice do so at risk of civil liability. Swan’s Spokes Person

Yvonne Swann-Walton

The BLUE HAVEN RESORT

The Alexandra Resort & Spa

is inviting applications for the following position:

Restaurant Supervisor

FINISH CARPENTER

SUMMARY: REQUIREMENTS Reporting to the Restaurant Manager, responsibilities • Previous Food and Beverage and essential job functions include but are not Supervisory experience limited to the following: • Degree or Diploma in Hospitality Management RESPONSIBILITIES • Excellent written and verbal • Consistently offer professional, friendly, hospitable communication, interpersonal and service leadership skills • Oversee restaurant operations ensuring compliance • Fluency in English (1 additional with departmental standards and meeting / language desirable) exceeding guest expectations • Ability to work independently, multi • Knowledgeable of all food and beverage products task and prioritize responsibilities • Ensure proper staffing and scheduling in • Strong guest service orientation and accordance to productivity guidelines training skills background • Communicate through pre-shift briefings, and • Ability to supervise a diverse staff departmental meetings all necessary information to compliment support the operation • POS experience – (IQ Ware • Train Team members in all job aspects – service, desirable) product knowledge and technical skills • Computer proficiency in Microsoft • Cash handling and daily accounting Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) • Capitalize on revenues by upselling and controlling • Basic First Aid expenses • Handle guest concerns in a timely and professional PHYSICAL ASPECTS: (include but manner are not limited to): • Follow resort policies, procedures and service • Constant standing and walking standards throughout shift • Ensure compliance with all Health & Safety policies • Lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs. • Other duties as assigned • Pushing, pulling, lifting Salary for this position will commensurate with qualifications and experience

Please Submit Applications to: hr@alexandraresort.com A copy should also be submitted to the TCI Labour Department. Submissions to be no later than December 28th, 2013

RESPONSIBILITES • To perform layout fabrication, repair of equipment and structures using wood, glass, plastic, sheet metal and lead. • General rough inside and outside carpentry work. • Performs carpentry on new construction jobs. • Must be able to manually lift 50# on an intermittent basis. Heavier loads will be handled using other methods • Provides general maintenance, which includes but is not limited to minor electrical, plumbing, mechanical repairs, appliance repair, drywall, painting • And any other duties as may be assigned by the Chief Engineer

REQUIREMENTS: • At least 5-10 years experience with at least 3 or more those years in a four star resort property • Three or more years experience in a resort or condominium environment • High school diploma • Completion Certificate of a recognized apprentice program • Equivalent combination of education, training and experience in carpentry trade. Salary will commensurate with experience.

All resumes along with references should be faxed to 941-4240 or emailed to hr@alexandraresort.com A copy should also be submitted to the TCI Labour Department. Submissions for these positions are to be received no later than December 28th, 2013. While we would like to thank, every applicant for their interest in the Alexandra Resort & Spa, only short-listed persons will be contacted. At that time a complete compensation package and job description will be discussed.

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