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The Tribune

Volume:116 No.47, MARCH 1ST, 2019

Established 1903

Weekend

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

A COMIC’S VIEW: THE THINGS OUR CHILDREN SAY

‘End this sexual violence epidemic’

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas has an “epidemic” of sexual violence, according to Bahamas Crisis Centre Director Sandra DeanPatterson who made the remark as the organisation plans to launch a campaign, #SilentNoMore, to destigmatise sexual abuse and encourage victims to share their stories.

Dr Dean-Patterson made this announcement during the BCC and Ministry of Social Services symposium, “Confronting Sexual Violence in Today’s Bahamas”, which was held at the National Training Agency.

The event brought together a number of key

stakeholders in an effort to create resolutions to solving the scourge of sexual violence in the nation.

The national 2015 “Strategic Plan to Address Gender-Based Violence”, which studied data from 2000-2013, found The Bahamas has “the highest incidence of rape per capita in the Caribbean”.

The report notes: “The UN Women narrative on gender-based violence in Caribbean cites: ‘While the worldwide average for rape was 15 per 100,000, The Bahamas had an average of 133, St Vincent and the Grenadines 112, Jamaica 51, Dominica 34, Barbados 25 and Trinidad and Tobago 18’.

SEE PAGE FIVE

WITH the $200m overhaul of Coco Cay nearing completion, executives from Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines were in the capital yesterday for the cruise line’s third job fair since November.

From as early as 8.30am, dozens of applicants started to arrive at the National Training Agency’s Gladstone Road office, hoping to secure employment aboard one of RCCL’s ships or as one of the scores of skilled workers being sought to

man the new Coco Cay. While at RCCL’s job fair yesterday, The Tribune spoke with several job seekers to gauge the country’s current labour climate.

Two of those applicants, Klee Allance, a first-time father trying to provide for a newborn, and Cason Adderley, a recently laidoff general worker, said the fair provided people with an opportunity to change their lives.

Mr Allance, who said he was fed-up with working odd jobs just to survive, applied to work as bar SEE PAGE THREE

By RIEL MAJOR NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames has suggested reports on his clash with Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine in the House of Assembly on Wednesday were overblown as he brushed off opposition calls for him to enroll in an anger management programme.

The Progressive Liberal Party released a press statement about Mr Dames’ “appalling SEE PAGE SIX

MPS RUSH TO MEET FILING DEADLINE

COCO CAY OFFERS HOPE TO JOBLESS

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

DAMES: I DIDN’T LOSE MY TEMPER

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

A CUT ABOVE TOP Italian butcher Dario Cecchini is opening a restaurant in Nassau, showcasing the finest meats for diners. He spoke to The Tribune about his family history in the business - and his goals for his restaurant. See today’s Weekend section for more.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

GOVT OFFERS NO EVIDENCE AGAINST RUFA

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

CANADIAN Bruno Rufa’s third judicial review against the Department of Immigration closed yesterday with no evidence or submissions filed by the government.

Mr Rufa and his partner, Sandra Georgiou, launched legal action against the government for its refusal to grant their multiple applications for homeowner’s

SANDRA GEORGIOU resident cards because they did not submit utility bills with their applications.

According to their attorney, Fred Smith, the pair did not receive letters authorising their entry to the country to attend their trial until hours before their flights were scheduled to take off.

On Tuesday, Justice Petra Hanna-Adderley refused a request from the government for an adjournment but granted counsel until the end of March to send in submissions before making a ruling.

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE TWO

PUBLIC disclosures from parliamentarians were flying in like “hotcakes”, according to Public Disclosure Commission Chairman Myles Laroda yesterday.

House of Assembly Speaker Halson Moultrie warned parliamentarians concerning their obligation to meet today’s deadline during a sitting of the lower chamber on Wednesday.

SEE PAGE NINE

TEENAGE PASSENGER KILLED IN CRASH

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net A SEVENTEEN year old is dead after a traffic accident yesterday.

Bernard Saunders was in the rear seat of a car when the driver lost control around 3am on Frank Watson Boulevard.

Three occupants of the car were taken to Princess Margaret Hospital and Doctors Hospital in serious but stable condition, police said.

SEE PAGE TWO

PAGE 2, Friday, March 1, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

FRED SMITH QC, left, with Sandra Georgiu and Bruno Rufa.

Government offers no evidence against Rufa from page one The application for judicial review was filed on June 14, 2018, and an originating notice of motion, inclusive of Mr Rufa’s affidavit in support of his application, was filed on July 11, 2018.

The government had six weeks to file its response but did not comply, and at a hearing on December 7, 2018, were ordered by Justice Hanna-Adderley to bring evidence on or before January 15.

Trial was scheduled for February 26.

On February 25, the government wrote a letter to the court requesting an adjournment and extension

of time to respond; however, no summons requesting an adjournment was filed.

The JR action by Mr Rufa is the latest in his long-running dispute with the Department of Immigration which has seen, according to his attorney, amongst other things, his illegal detention without cause; him repeatedly being subjected to unnecessary document checks at home without notice by uniformed officers in full view of neighbours; putting him on a “stop list” without cause and/or telling him that he was on such a list without cause; and him being deemed to be “undesirable” without cause.

After the review closed, Mr Smith said: “Sandra and Bruno have been the victims of rank discrimination.

“This is the third in a series of judicial reviews in which Immigration have been shown to be the Ton Ton Macoutes of The Bahamas.

“They have suffered, as the court of appeal said in it’s judgment in Mr Rufa’s favor last year, a ‘nightmare’ born of the hateful vitriol of Fred Mitchell’s unfounded political victimisation.

“Even though the FNM are now the government, it appears that Mitchell’s Macoutes still hold sway at immigration.”

Mr Smith lamented

that the couple had faced lengthy legal proceedings.

He said: “There seems to be no end in sight for the continued persecution of these innocent Canadian snowbirds that chose to make Freeport their home 18 years ago, selling their home in Canada to retire.

“These are the kinds of winter residents that Freeport has needed for decades and yet the ignorance of the government in so far as Immigration is concerned continues to show up The Bahamas as a dangerous nightmare nation for innocent visitors who get into the crosshairs of Immigration.

“I now understand that

because of the immigration department’s continued abuse of other directors and other American and Canadian homeowners at Coral Beach, it’s value is declining rapidly and it now has over 40 condominiums for sale at fire sale prices.

“Very regrettably for Freeporters and our reputation as a friendly and desirable place to winter, residents at Coral Beach are leaving by the droves as they sell their units.

“We continue to have Immigration to thank for Freeport’s floundering and insipid economy.”

Mr Smith called onn the government to stop any further victimisation of the couple or other

homeowners at the Coral Beach condominiums, saying it was “nothing short of a national disgrace” that immigration “continues to run rogue over people’s rights”.

He said that when the government was called upon to answer a case at court, they obstructed, delayed, and offered no defence - all at the expense of the taxpayer.

He added: “I beg this government to try to change this pattern of behavior and use Immigration as a tool of development to promote The Bahamas as a beautiful country populated by friendly and welcoming people. That is who we are!”

TEENAGE PASSENGER KILLED IN CRASH from page one

Chief Superintendent Craig Stubbs, officer in charge of the traffic division, told reporters: “We had a silver Note traveling

east on Frank Watson Highway when it veered off onto the southern, westbound shoulder of the corridor. The driver apparently lost control and collided with the casuarina trees that are situated

on the southern shoulder.

The vehicle then spun out of control and overturned (and) we had a female that would’ve been ejected from that vehicle.”

The fatality came a few days after a woman

was killed in a hit-andrun accident on Sea Link Drive off East Street South.

Chief Superintendent Stubbs said a Nissan Cube struck two pedestrians in that incident.

“Based on the initial report from our witness, it appears as though it might have been the result of a distracted driver,” he said, adding a 22-yearold woman is in custody assisting police with their

investigation.

In 2018, 69 people died from traffic accidents, a 28 percent increase from 2017 when 54 people died. There were 63 traffic fatality accidents in 2018 compared to 49 in 2017.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 1, 2019, PAGE 3

Coco Cay offers hope to jobless from page one attendant at Coco Cay, while Mr Adderley, a native of Exuma, submitted documents for a lifeguard post.

The two men insisted the life of the young unemployed Bahamian male was more complicated than many care to understand.

“It is be rough, you know,” Mr Allance told The Tribune. “I ain’t trying to get in no problems. When it like that, ain’t much options. Trouble easy to get into when you willing to do whatever it takes to feed your people (sic).”

Contrasting the limited job market with the life of people willing to work odd jobs, he added: “When you have a regular nine to five, you have a system and things flow with an order.

“When you have to hustle, it can go wrong really quick because you have to start the day open to doing whatever it takes.

Everything is a possibility. You know, I want to do things the right way, but that’s hard because the money hard to come by.

“I doing good, but it would be better with a job,” he said.

Mr Adderley on the other hand said he had now grown tired of depending on those closest to him for monetary support.

“It’s not that they don’t want help,” he asserted. “I just want be a man about things, man. It don’t feel right asking and asking and asking. You want work for what you get man. That’s why I’m here. I’ll be so happy if I get hired.”

He added: “First of all, I’ll be in a different environment where I have sure job. Where I’ll be working and making my own money.

“I could then do for my people. I really want to be in a position to do that.”

In an interview with The Tribune, RCCL’s senior manager of talent attraction Cindy Williams-Johnson said recruiting teams had zeroed in the islands of The Bahamas as a “critical source” in the cruise line’s quest to grow and develop its workforce.

She said given the ongoing expansion at Coco Cay, and the “ever-growing collaboration” between The Bahamas as a tourism destination and RCCL as a cruise line, recruiters viewed the country as “practical” to source “as much local talent as possible.”

Mrs Williams-Johnson said RCCL, as a global brand dedicated to providing the best product possible, operates with the belief that a product is only as good as the talent that presents it, adding that the incorporation of Bahamians on board its ships and in its new “Perfect Day at Coco Cay” campaign, has proven to be a productive partnership.

“When we moved into this venture at Coco Cay we saw it as practical to reach out to the Bahamian government and all of the other relevant agencies and say, we want our talent to be gathered here,” she said.

“What you see here today is just a continuation of that process.

“We have a variety of positions that are open and that is what we are really excited about. We are not only hiring for just our ships. We are also hiring for Coco Cay.” Mrs Williams-Johnson continued: “But we aren’t limiting ourselves. Yes, our target is 100 between our ships and Coco Cay, but we are opened to hiring whomever we come across that fit our plans.”

She said RCCL was expanding “across the board,” explaining that in

KLEE Allonce (left) and Cason Adderley (right) at the job fair. addition to entry level positions such as bar servers, restaurant attendants and cleaners; the company is also interested in adding to its ranks of skilled positions: butchers, bakers and pastry cooks in addition to a host of opportunities connected with the ship’s vast entertainment offerings from sound and light technicians to technical broadcast staff and entertainers.

RCCL has partnered directly with the Department of Labour and the National Training Agency (NTA) to hire has many as 200 Bahamians to aid in its global expansion.

Candidates, once hired, will undergo specific training programmes organised

by RCCL. Once deployed, those workers contracted will either work a four-week on, one-week off schedule at Coco Cay, or a standard ship cycle on board one of RCCL’s ships.

On hand for yesterday’s fair was NTA executive director Gadville McDonald, who implored young Bahamians to come out “and make their mark’.

He told The Tribune that while NTA continues to work to “strategically display” its 900 annual trainees, the agency does recognise the need to present “standout opportunities” to the wider public.

“This is one of those opportunities where a company has come in and said give us your best and brightest. We have done that. But in line with who we are, we thought it necessary to go back to the public and encourage more Bahamians, our young men and woman in particular, to come out and see what is available to them,” McDonald said.

“We encourage young people on a daily basis to come out and connect with us. We develop them, often times in line with specific job skills, and other times in collaboration with companies eager to expand their respective workforce.

“Listen, we know that in the climate we are in right now, when you see a job there are often scores of persons after them. That’s why we tell those young persons we come into contact with to stay ready and be prepared.”

CAROLINA NOCHEA, Coco Cay recruiter.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

PAGE 4, Friday, March 1, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

The Tribune Limited NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI “Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”

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Publisher/Editor 1903-1914 Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

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C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B. Publisher/Editor 1972-

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EU demands and blacklist threats THE most recent action by the European Union to include The Bahamas in a list of 23 nations categorised as a “high risk” financial crime jurisdiction has brought to the fore once more the issue of our compliance with international standards in the fight against such crime.

Reportedly, we are on this list because we are among those nations that are currently being monitored by the Financial Action Task Force for “deficiencies” in their anti-financial crime defences – and this could lead to our being placed on a “blacklist” of countries that are judged to be “non-cooperative for tax purposes”.

To the ordinary person unfamiliar with the details of such a thorny subject, this may seem like a never-ending saga in which our nation is under unremitting pressure from the EU and the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development to satisfy demands that are forever changing so that we may never succeed in meeting their requirements.

It will come as no surprise that the Minister of Finance, Peter Turnquest, has explicitly accepted as a fact of life that the “playing field will never be level” for international financial centres in small territories like The Bahamas which lack the political strength and capacity to take on larger developed countries.

Predictably, the PLP Opposition maintains that the inclusion of The Bahamas in this “high risk” list is due to the FNM government’s incompetence. But the evidence is that the Minnis administration has significantly improved our anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism framework, and there is no doubt it is acting responsibly in pushing through appropriate legislation with the aim of meeting accepted international standards and protecting our cross-border trade and international transactions as well as our reputation as a financial centre.

However, we also need to consider our broader interest as a sovereign nation that takes its own decisions in its own interests. That includes determining the point at which should we make a stand and argue that, while we will always meet our international obligations, we have done enough to take ourselves to the same level as other jurisdictions and are not prepared to take further measures at the behest of the EU and OECD.

Mr Turnquest has made clear the FNM government’s commitment that our nation should remain a leading financial centre while at the same time standing firm in resisting further global regulatory initiatives, and the first evidence of a possible new and tougher approach was last week’s official statement in the name of the Prime Minister described as a response to the EU’s “high risk” list. This not only set out in detail the steps our government has taken in relation to its anti-money laundering/counter-terrorism financing regime but also drew attention to flaws in the EU’s process of determining the list. Such a statement could be too little too late, but it is a step in the right direction.

In considering its long-term strategy, the government might also do well to heed the recent remarks by the PLP former attorney general, Alfred Sears, suggesting elevating the issue, in concert with CARICOM, to a global level through the United Nations and mounting a legal challenge in the International Court of Justice.

US/N Korea summit cut short This week’s Hanoi summit meeting may have broken up with no formal agreement but many commentators had earlier praised Mr Trump for at least bringing Kim Jong-un to the negotiating table for a second time after years of fruitless diplomacy.

Despite its abrupt ending, holding the summit at all was an impressive achievement. As the world looks on with justifiable concern, most people will hope that the dialogue will continue and that denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula will eventually be achieved so that the existing threat to South Korea, Japan and others in the region will be removed or reduced.

Observers of US politics will despair, however, that the deep divisions in Washington prevent bipartisan support for Mr Trump in relation to such an important issue of global national security. Most agree that extreme political polarisation is not good for democracy, but there seems little prospect of even starting to mend the divide any time soon.

Walkabout won’t solve the mess EDITOR, The Tribune.

HOW we solve our problems is a pretence of questionable sense – get five – six ASPs from the police together and do a walk-a-bout downtown, if that reassures anyone - gather four-five ASPs do a walk-about and all is resolved like drinking down Alka Seltzer!

Did the police did not know the serious issues happen after dark?

Although during the day you have the petty

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net criminal pushing drugs and pick-pocketing and foul language.

The shop ladies story of the human excreta found along Prince George Wharf suggests PW needs to washdown that area daily.

Heading to Junkanoo Beach, exceptionally popular the sidewalk needs repair… drains cleaned so when the road floods after

rain the vehicles do not splash the visitors walking.

Whilst here surely there is a dress code for everyone. Post a police at the gate leaving Cruise Dock and have signs indicating the required proper attire…

I really don’t have to see some of those bodies - they are gross.

Sorry we have an unacceptable mess. Officials totally blind!

W THOMPSON Nassau, January 8, 2019.

Views on Johns Hopkins THE news that Johns Hopkins Medicine, one of the world’s top medical institutions, had expressed interest in exploring the merits of a strategic “Nation Health Services Agreement” with the Bahamas government sparked a mixed reaction from readers on tribune242.com.

Joeblow asked: “Trying to create efficient professionalism through association? When Johns Hopkins learns the truth they will gladly move on!”

TheMadHatter said: “PMH don’t need the world’s best to help them - they need to find out who is the world’s #2874th and beg them for even just one hour’s lecture on hospital administration.”

But there was this from Geostorm: “An excellent partnership.

Hope this works out for us.

We have excellent talent in our healthcare system, but we sure can use a boost in the way of cutting edge technology. Kudos Dr Sands for even having the discussions!”

DDK said: “Sadly, none of our ‘Majority Rule’ governments have been able to get it even half right. Avarice and corruption always get in the way.

Unfortunately, FDI AND management in ALL government

concerns may be the only way forward. It should not have to be this way. Looking at the monstrous global models, it will be a shame if our Bahamas ends up a slave to the mega corporations. We may be halfway there already . . .”

Truetruebahamian said: “This is progress. Thank you Dr. Sands!

Don’t let the opposition arguments deter you. A brilliant acquisition.”

Deputy Prime Minister K Peter Turnquest said the Minnis administration was on track to limit the full-year deficit to around $230m - some $5-$10m less than the “red ink” target set last May. Well_mudda_take_sic had this to say: “Turnquest continues to play with the numbers in a very selective and most deceitful way.

Once the dust settles though, he will proffer his usual lame excuses for unexpected increases

in the deficit. I’m not even going to waste my time punching holes in his deceitful (not wishful) forecasts, suffice to say the holes are so damn big you can drive a Mack truck through each of them.”

Dawes posted this comment: “Have they not thought that another reason for the VAT being under the estimate is they have maxed this area out? People are cutting expenditure now in order to deal with the VAT increase.

Going forward any new increases in VAT, whilst increasing the overall amount brought in will bring in a smaller percentage increase then the percentage increase in VAT.” Economist had this to say: “No matter what he may be doing with the numbers, at least he is making quarterly reports to the people.

This gives us the opportunity to challenge the validity of the numbers. So if there is anyone of us who wants to provide some facts that show what certain numbers really are, let’s get to it, let’s discuss it.”

Ports

Tribune Business also reported that Mehmet Kutman,

Global Ports Holding’s chairman, said the company planned to act as a “facilitator” by enabling Bahamians to transform Prince George Wharf and the wider downtown area into “a national monument” that will mirror the “landmark” effect the Sydney Opera House has had for Australia.

John responded with this comment: “WOW HOW ORIGINAL! Why didn’t they have a local design competition to come up with an original Bahamian-themed design? Maybe now the name should be changed to Port of Australia, at least to avoid confusion.”

And after Ian Goldin, the Oxford University professor of globalisation and development and a former adviser to late South African president Nelson Mandela, said he was “amazed” by the extent of Bahamian opposition to joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO), The_Oracle responded with this: “How could Bahamians be anything other than against when our successive Government administrations since 2001 have sequestered information and kept the public in the dark?

Even late last year presentations

made to the public and business community are fraught with statements of ‘we cannot reveal’ or ‘we cannot share that information because it would telegraph our position to the negotiators of other countries’. Given the total abject failure of these same Government administrations to even run a simple post office/hospital/clinic (insert your favourite peeve here) successfully one can well imagine the total lack of trust or confidence the public has. Further, while often touting their ‘consultations’ with the private sector (whom they treat like mushrooms) one cannot find any that have been consulted with!

18 years wasted in which the private sector could be properly informed and preparing.”

ThisIsOurs started with a quote from the story: “‘You don’t want a world of where you’re fighting for survival with the big guys dominating.’ This is the scenario everyday for the small man in the Bahamas. So when the same people say trust us this one will be good for you . . . well, we don’t believe it.

That’s why.”

• Don’t miss your chance to join the conversation on tribune242. com.

THE TRIBUNE

‘End this sexual violence epidemic’ from page one

which might give you a better ballpark figure, that’s a frightening thing.

“The 2007 World Bank That’s an epidemic for and UNODC report our country, but we don’t ‘Crime, XIV Violence, talk about it, the silence and Development: Trends, and denial that happens Costs, and Policy Options with sexual assault is in the Caribbean’ suggests phenomenal. that since rape is greatly “And it’s that silence and under-reported globally, denial that sustains it,” she when a high incidence of continued. “It’s that silence rape is identified from offi- and denial that causes cial statistics (most often there not to be justice for drawn from police records) victims. Many say they this usually represents a feel betrayed by a country serious problem. that doesn’t care that this “Annual police reports happened and so it’s so document 9,045 assault important for us to come female victims in together today. . five years from . to ensure we 2008 to 2012. ‘That’s an have a safe Embedded in epidemic for country.” these reports our country, Last year, are numerous police reported intimate partner but we don’t a six percent violence cases talk about it, rise in reported of a nonsexual the silence rapes, noting nature; an indithere were 55 cation of the and denial that reported cases in extent of the happens with 2018 compared problem.” to 52 in 2017. sexual assault Dr DeanYesterday, Mrs is phenomenal. Dean-Patterson Patterson referenced these And it’s that explained the findings in her silence and BCC’s upcomremarks yesing campaign to terday, calling denial that fight the stigma them “fright- sustains it.’ of abuse. ening” and an “The Crisis “epidemic”.

Centre is launching a cam“During those years, paign, #SilentNoMore, there were between 70 which will encourage vicand 100 adult victims who tims to come forward and reported being raped and say what has happened to 150-200 children each year. them. Don’t be ashamed, So when we added it up it don’t feel stigmatised. was about 6,000 reports of What has happened to you sexual assault that were has happened because a reported by police. Now if bad person did something you multiply that by three,

to you, an evil person did something to you. It’s not you.”

“So many (victims) feel like they live in a country that doesn’t care,” she continued. “They live in a country that has a headline that this thing happened, and then nothing else happens….We don’t see justice or we don’t see accountability. And that’s why we have the problems that we’re having.”

Dr Esther de Gourville, PAHO/WHO country representative, also said she is “alarmed but the frequent reports in the mass media about criminal acts of sexual violence”.

Of yesterday’s event, Dr Dean-Patterson told The Tribune: “What we thought to do is to bring all of the key players and what we call the gatekeepers in the country together. So we have doctors, nurses, social workers, prison officers, police officers, guidance counselors and persons who work with people, so that we can make them aware and understand sexual violence so that we can all work together to address this issue.”

She also called for support for both victims and perpetrators — particularly community-based interventions and treatment for the latter.

“So at the end (of the symposium) what we want is resolutions for action and we want to send them to the relevant ministers and we keep spending a lot of

MISSING MAN CASE ADJOURNED

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net THE habeas corpus application for a “missing” man who relatives believe was taken into police custody was adjourned to next month after the government was late filing its response.

Crown lawyer Ryan Sands told the court the police file and related submissions had been prepared but could not be filed ahead of court proceedings because the court’s registrar was not present yesterday morning.

Supreme Court Justice Andrew Forbes adjourned the matter until March 14 to allow for a review of those files, during which time counsel for Mr Pratt can also file additional documents.

During proceedings, Mr Sands was asked by the

judge for a summation of the government’s filing, which he stated contained an affidavit from Chief Superintendent of Police Solomon Cash, and related documents indicating police attempts to locate Mr Pratt.

Mr Sands said the files demonstrated Mr Pratt was known to police but had not been apprehended, placed under arrest or in custody on December 5, 2018.

He further claimed Mr Pratt’s mother Barbara Saunders had initially filed a missing persons report with police, suggesting the habeas corpus application was a last resort.

Counsel for Mr Pratt, Callenders & Co lawyer Crispin Hall objected to this statement, and called for the statement to be included as evidence if it was the government’s position.

However, Justice Forbes advised it was not part of the record as he had only asked Mr Sands for a summation of the government’s response.

Ms Saunders took exception to Mr Sands’ comments outside court, telling media she never filed a missing person report for her son.

She insisted she visited the police station in search of her son because she believed he was in police custody.

The habeas corpus application is seeking to compel the Royal Bahamas Police Force to produce the 40-year-old Gambier Village resident police deny having in custody.

Mr Pratt’s family insists Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) officers arrested him on December 5, 2018, a claim Police Commissioner Anthony Ferguson has denied.

Friday, March 1, 2019, PAGE 5

DR SANDRA DEAN-PATTERSON money on things to prevent crime (or to) intervene with crime. What are we doing to ensuring that the person, the victims or the perpetrators also, have some assistance?”

Department of Gender and Family Affairs Director

Dr Jacinta M Higgs made recommendations for the symposium in her remarks.

Among these, she underscored the need to access and pursue the “billions” of dollars in regional and international funding and the importance of fostering

and strengthening local, national, and international partnerships.

Dr Higgs also called for a meeting to be arranged with the Commissioner of Police to gain more insight into how rape cases are handled and reported.

PAGE 6, Friday, March 1, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Dames: I didn’t lose my temper from page one behaviour and loss of temper,” saying this is another reason why he should resign.

However, Mr Dames told reporters at police headquarters yesterday that after watching television reports on the matter, he laughed and said, “Really, this happened?”

He said: “I was approached by the MP Mr McAlpine who obviously wanted to apologise for some comments he would have made and maybe give the impression that maybe he was misrepresented. I was not interested in hearing it because as I said before, I’m not in the business of playing games.

“We have a country to run, let’s run our country and some of us are getting caught up in these political antics and so I made my point. I left the floor and I went to the restroom and when I was done in the restroom I walked out and came back upstairs, and I answered some questions from members of the press.”

The minister said at no point on Wednesday did he have to be restrained and was in full control of himself.

“I’m one of those persons who is not in the business of dealing in nonsense. We were elected to do the job of the people and every day you have the opposition, the leaders of the

MINISTER of National Security Marvin Dames. opposition who are giving these outlandish press conferences and not focusing on what we ought to be doing to run this country.

“We inherited this country in a mess and we now have invested interest.

We’ve been given a mandate by the Bahamian people to correct all the

Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

wrongs that have been done to this country to bring back a level of respectability to this country.

“I am one of those who take my oath very seriously, very seriously so I’m not going to get involved in the side shows because that’s what it is. You will say something in the press

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and then when you’re done saying it…damage done you come back and try to butter up. That’s standing on a fence okay…let’s run this country and stop playing games.”

On Thursday, The Tribune and other media outlets reported on the verbal exchange that

occurred between Mr Dames and his party colleague as they attempted to leave the House of Assembly.

The dispute, both visible and audible to all those near the chamber when the House of Assembly suspended on Wednesday, seemed to centre around Mr McAlpine’s continued calls for Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis to address the roles Mr Dames and Health Minister Dr Duane Sands played in the Frank Smith bribery and extortion trial.

“Don’t butter me (up),” Mr Dames shouted at Mr McAlpine who was attempting to speak with him. “I am not with the sideshow.”

The confrontation was quickly acknowledged by several party personnel nearby, all of whom tried to diffuse the situation by moving in to separate the two men.

A visibly frustrated Mr Dames was ushered away, this newspaper reported, leaving Mr McAlpine with what one observer described as a “despondent” look on his face.

Yesterday, the PLP said Mr Dames’ loss of temper was inappropriate and claimed that he was unfit to hold the high position of national security minister.

“It is unsafe for him to remain in office,” a statement from PLP chairman Fred Mitchell noted. “We recommend that he enrolls

in an anger management programme for his own personal good. We therefore add this to the reason we are calling for the resignation of Mr Dames forthwith.”

When asked for a response on the PLP suggesting anger management, Mr Dames dismissed it.

He said: “Yeah they would want to say that…

Why, because Marvin Dames is addressing the issue. Marvin Dames is representing the people of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

“I’ve been doing this now for three decades,” Mr Dames said. “I’ve represented this country all over the world and I say to the leader of the opposition and all of those who stand up, let’s go anywhere this world over and let’s measure respectability. Let’s measure trust and see who will remain standing at the end of the day. Let’s see who will remain standing so my reputation precedes me.

“I listen to all of the nonsense and there is obviously a clear intent on their behalf. They want to see me gone, but I’m representing the people of this country and the vast majority of this country is not satisfied with the status quo.

“There are too many people in positions who believe that they own this country and who have raped it left right and centre. We have to fix that for the next generation.”

24-HOUR HOTLINE LAUNCHED TO TACKLE HUMAN TRAFFICKING

By RIEL MAJOR THE government has launched a 24-hour human trafficking hotline to help victims or those who aware of the crime to anonymously report it.

Minister of National Security Marvin Dames announced the hotline yesterday, which is the first of its kind in the country and will be used solely to investigate trafficking in persons (TIP) matters.

Mr Dames said: “This dedicated hotline will allow victims and those who suspect a friend or loved one is being trafficked to anonymously report the crime.

“The government of The Bahamas takes a victimcentred and human rights based approach to human trafficking and the introduction of the TIP hotline punctuates the government of The Bahamas’ commitment to combatting trafficking in this country.

“It is the intent of the TIP hotline to aid in

accelerating the response time by authorities to victims of trafficking, and thereby provide victims of trafficking and another lifeline to secure assistance.”

The minister said human trafficking is commonly referred to as a form of modern day slavery where human beings are being sold and exploited for profit.

He said: “This criminal practice is dehumanising and robs individuals of humanity and rights.

“Trafficking in persons is primarily a transitional crime although it can occur within the victim’s country.”

Mr Dames said traffickers and victims in The Bahamas are mainly from the Caribbean region, South and Central America and Asia.

The government enacted the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Act in 2008.

“Since in the inception of the TIP there have been four cases of trafficked victims that were investigated

in The Bahamas,” Mr Dames said.

“Moreover, for the past three years The Bahamas has maintained its tier 1 status (on the US government’s Trafficking in Persons Report). A status given to countries whose governments fully meet the Trafficking Victims Protection Act’s minimum standards.

“The Ministry of National Security and by extension the government of the Bahamas will continue to advocate for victims and by launching this hotline we are taking a crucial step towards empowering victims to report crimes and end this shameful and criminal practice.”

TIP secretariat personnel within the Ministry of National Security will oversee this new hotline.

Callers can access the 24-hour TIP hotline by calling 376-TIPS (8477), or call 326-0133 Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm. Residents in the Family Islands call the tollfree number, 300-3339.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 1, 2019, PAGE 7

Woman held over mall fire

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net A WOMAN is in custody assisting police in Grand Bahama with an arson investigation into a fire that destroyed a Freeport mini shopping

‘$255m from gaming’ since 2014

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Gaming Operators Association CEO Gershan Major said web shops represent probably the third or fourth most significant sector of employers in the Bahamas, and have contributed more than $255m since 2014 to the Bahamian economy.

While speaking at a recent Gambling Addiction Symposium in Freeport, he reported that the industry employs some 3,000 plus Bahamians as professionals across various disciplines from entry level to accountants, as well as legal, marketing, and IT professionals, and even graphic artists.

“They are the engines of this industry; they are persons who drive and innovate this industry on a daily basis,” he said, adding that there are 256 plus locations across 17 islands, reduced from the 653 that previously existed before the industry was regulated in 2014.

“So, when you think about the gaming industry, I want you to think about the 3,000 plus Bahamians employed by the industry, some of whom are single mothers and some of whom are the only breadwinners in their family.”

He believes that

persons working in the web shop sector are no different from a Bahamian who is professionally qualified to deal as a croupier in a land-based casino owned by foreigners.

“It is no different from a teller in a bank or an accountant in financial services institution; the same level of respect and qualifications that are afforded to those professionals are no different from those who work in this industry,” Mr Major said.

Mr Major said BGOA exists to promote and educate the public on responsible gaming, and has now partnered with stakeholders to assist them in taking their message nationally.

“If we fail to educate and give awareness on what is the right way to do a certain thing, then it is subject to abuse,” he stressed.

“Our message is simply this, budgeting your gaming is no different from budgeting for your life,” he said.

“We don’t expect, promote, or encourage, even though it may happen from time to time, persons taking priority spend, like the mortgage payment, and school fee, and coming into the gaming establishment to game.”

He explained that every responsible adult has the freedom and the right to determine what they do with their

disposable or earned income, and ought to be aware of the ramifications when they abuse gaming or overspend.

Mr Major said that BGOA and its members are “responsible corporate citizens” who have contributed over $255m in taxes, corporate and social responsibility, and fees.

“We continue to do our part in the community through areas of wellness, education, culture, and sports; we one of the most prolific corporate minded citizens as a sector in this country,” he said.

The BGOA teamed up with Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre to help to provide upgrading for five of their professional clinicians to become certified specialists in gambling disorders.

Mr Major said that they would be expanding the certification process to Grand Bahama and throughout the Family Islands.

The symposium was held under the theme, “Responsible Gaming and Addiction Awareness.”

Dr David Allen, a clinical psychiatrist and founder of the Renascence Clinic and The Family, delivered the keynote address at the opening ceremony. Kimberley Miller, senior manager of group corporate affairs, Grand Bahama Port Authority Co, also spoke.

POLICE DETAIN FOUR MIGRANTS IN SWOOP IN GRAND BAHAMA

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FOUR migrants were arrested in East Grand Bahama on Wednesday, police said.

Assistant Superintendent Terecita Pinder said shortly before 9am, a team of officers from High Rock Police Station, acting on intelligence, went to an area in Felix Slope, High Rock, where they arrested three women – one from Venezuela, and two from

Ecuador – and one Ecuadorian male.

She said the immigrants were undocumented and handed over to the Immigration Department for further investigation.

Meanwhile Grand Bahama police are investigating an armed robbery incident in the Eight Mile Rock area.

Shortly before 9pm on Wednesday, a gunman entered a business in Martin Town and robbed it of cash before escaping.

In other news, nine persons were arrested during a joint operation called “Stay Ready” conducted by various law enforcement agencies on Wednesday.

ASP Pinder reported that arrests were made for various offences, including stealing, possession of dangerous drugs, warrants of arrest, goods on which customs duty had not been paid and expired work permits.

Investigations are continuing into these matters.

plaza valued at some $800,000.

Police Fire Services went to Rachel’s Britannia Mini Mall in Caravel Beach shortly after 3pm on Wednesday, where they met the structure ablaze, pictured. The building, housing about a dozen businesses, was completely destroyed.

Grand Bahama Airport Fire Services also assisted in extinguishing the flames, which also threatened another nearby shopping plaza. ASP Terecita Pinder said that arson is suspected and police are questioning a woman suspect in the matter.

DEATH ANNOUNCEMENT STUART WING RAY

Non sibi (not for self) is the motto of Phillips Exeter Academy.

Stuart Wing Ray, of Jupiter Island, Florida and Dark Harbor, Maine, who died on February 25, 2019 from complications from cancer, graduated from Exeter in 1962 and tried to follow this ethic throughout his life.

Stuart was born August 22, 1944 in New York City, to Kenneth Ray, a lawyer and chemical engineer, and Deborah Ray, a model and, in later years, a college professor. He grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut. In 1965, upon his graduation from Harvard College, he joined the U.S. Army, serving as an intelligence officer first in Europe, then Vietnam, where he earned a bronze star.

After he returned from Vietnam he entered Harvard Business School, and received an MBA in 1970. That same year he married Robin Tompkins. After graduation, Stuart worked as a securities analyst at State Street Research and Management Company, Boston until 1977. He then moved to Washington D.C., where he joined President Carter’s newly formed Department of Energy.

The family moved again in 1980 to Nassau in The Bahamas, where Stuart headed the YOM Oil Company. In 1982, the family moved to Manhattan where Stuart became a founding member of James D. Wolfensohn Incorporated, a newly formed investment banking firm. In 1996, Wolfensohn merged with Banker’s Trust, and Stuart moved to Houston, Texas to manage that company’s Houston Office.

In 2000, Stuart officially retired and returned to Nassau. There, in spite of his new status as a man of leisure, he continued to work as close to his old pace, holding directorships at a number of public and private companies, including Sonenshine partners, a newly formed investment banking boutique. With his longtime friend Philip Eisenberg, he helped to form Urban American Housing, a real estate company that provides work force housing in the New York metropolitan area.

While in Nassau, he served as head of the Lyford Cay Foundation, where he helped develop a number of innovative scholarship programs for Bahamians, and was instrumental in the rehabilitation and expansion of the Library at the College of The Bahamas. In addition to his charitable activities in the Bahamas, Stuart was President Emeritus of Christ Church, Dark Harbor.

Stuart was active in a number of Clubs, including the Owl Club at Harvard; The Harvard Club of New York City; the Somerset Club, Boston; the Metropolitan Club, New York; the Tarratine Club, Dark Harbor, Maine; the Lyford Cay Club, Nassau; and the Jupiter Island Club, Florida.

In addition to his spouse, Robin, he leaves a sister, Eloise Ray Johnson, two children, Christie and Oliver; and three grandchildren, Buzby, Huxley Robb and Oliva Ray.

PAGE 8, Friday, March 1, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

The odd things that our kids say MY youngest son Andoni and I were playing catch the other day.

I made a terrible throw that sailed over his head.

I said, “Sorry, that was a crappy throw.”

He stops, gives me a kind look and says, “No daddy, that was a wonderful throw.”

Then takes two steps towards getting the ball, stops again, turns back around and said, “When we say something nice, even when we don’t mean it at all, that’s called being polite, right?”

The father inside of me was perturbed, the comedian in me was laughing hysterically.

Through the remainder of the week, that seemed to be the theme, “smart mouthed millennials” with zero filter.

On to the doctors office, for routine check ups. It’s one of the few places my sons love to put on their best behaviour, because they love Dr Bassett.

While waiting to be seen, and being totally dumbfounded by my progenies, quiet good behaviour, I got

to take in other parents suffering with their offspring.

The nurse was asking a precocious little five-yearold girl, all the standard coordination type questions – touch your nose, put your hands up, jump, etc.

Being a healthy capable little rascal, she did everything fine.

Then, the nurse says, “stand on one foot”.

The little girl looks at the nurse, looks down, and without hesitation, stands on the nurse’s left foot, and says “Like this?”

In the food store on the checkout line, a father is holding his three-year-old son, who looks back at me, dead in my eye and says: “Nipples. I love ’em. What about you?”

With this totally serious expression.

It took major effort for

me to remain composed and not go straight into “comedian” mode.

All the while I tried to make it look like I was taking his question seriously.

If that wasn’t enough, on my way to pick up my sons from their class rooms, I overheard while passing the first grade class room : “Well when my Mom and Dad practice wrestling I get to eat a whole bowl of ice cream and watch whatever movie I want on Netflix.”

That one was an instant classic, on multiple levels.

My wife and I decided to give our oldest son, a timeout from ‘Fortnite’ and other video games of the like.

After a while, I went to check on him and found him building w/Legos.

I told him that I was proud of him for listening,

CHILDHOOD toy or weapon to destroy Dad?

I asked him what he was building.

He told me he was building an ultimate Lego weapon so that he could destroy me.

I think he may have missed the point, but at least he’s persistent, and once again, the father inside of me was perturbed, the comedian in me was laughing hysterically.

In closing, I must admit

I’m no better, I happened to be at my dad’s house while penning this week’s column, (yes, I was fleeing from my sons).

He asked me what is this week’s column about, and after learning this topic reminded me where my sons got it from.

Apparently when I was four, my dad told me that he had told me once “I don’t ever want to see you do that

again,” and I responded with “okay, you better close your eyes”.

He said he knew from that moment that I would be either a comedian, or end up in jail.

Or both!!

There’s an old saying: “Out of the mouths of babes, come words of wisdom.”

Safe to say in 2019, it’s a whole lot more than that!

Matriarch Hetlin Prescola Rolle Gaitor, 90 a resident of Seymour Street, Yellow Elder & formerly of Holmes Rock, Grand Bahama, will be held at Zion Baptist Church, Shirley & East Streets on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. Officiating will be Rev. T. G. Morrison assisted by Rev. Anthony Sampson & Rev. Dr. Carolyn Rolle. Interment follows in Western Cemetery, Nassau Street.

Left to cherish her memories is her daughter: Alfred [Michael] Cox; son: Apostle Vincent [Denise]; nine grandchildren: Raquel [Dwight] Cox, Indira, Sharmika and Ian Gaitor, Nikki [Roberto] Clare, Jacquell [Karno] Rolle, Takeelia [Ishmael] Curtis, Anwar Bonimy, and Latalia Munroe; six great grandchildren: Brandon and Breon Clare, Ianna and Gregory Cox, Durnika and Karno Rolle; 16 nephews: Rev. Dr. John, & Clarence Wallace, Claudius Woodside, Norwood & Leroy Rolle, Dea. Carlton Stuart, Gary Rolle, Rev. Arlington King, Henry, Charles, Aubrey, Redith and Cardinal Stubbs, Sebrin Culmer, Charles Farrington, Steven Gates [New York]; 15 nieces: Roseline & Verlene Hanna, Constance Missick, Daisy McPhee, Evelyn Sands, Christine Higgs, Olga Butler, Stephanie Rolle, Irean Storr, Ruth Russell, Birdie Stubbs, Sharon Gates, Yolanda Levy and Sylvia Munnings; Other relatives & friends including: Uncle Earnest Armbrister, Charles [Leon], James, Franklyn, Norman, Earnest Jr., Princess, and Julian Armbrister, Dorothy Pinder, Tamischa Richardson, David [Charmaine] Wallace, Maureen Wallace, Natasha Martin, Audley, Ricky, Kathleen, Carolyn, James Jr., and Jeffery Wilson, Joyann Williams, Deserene Jones, Paula Petty, Denise Mc.McIntosh, Roselyn Lightbourn, Seveletta Joseph, Lydia Cooper, Samuel, Jason and Zadoc Jones, Hermon, Rev. Lawrence, Rev. Alvin, Rev. Micah, Jonah, Ralph, Hepburn, Monica Kemp, Glenda Louis, Latoya Smith. John and Jerome Wallace, Monique Kelley. Treco Grant, Benson and Tashanna Knowles, Ruthnell and Romeo Ferguson, Shana, Monique, Nathaniel, Natalia, Andre’, and Natori Rolle. Robert, Cheryl and Rosenell Russell, Simon Sands and Family, Family of the Late Rev. Donald Martin, Glenn, Genymphas, Gadryn and Christelln and Gadareth Higgs. Alonzo Butler, Rev. Kenneth and Janet Lewis, Dorothy Hanna, Barry, Andrea, Sharlene, Renee, Margo, Craig, Cheryl, Derek Williams, Kim Stuart and Carla Stuart, Brittany Saunders, Cruise and Oliver Rolle Jr., Lennette Ballot, Tavara Johnson, Leslie Gray, Joel, Kenyon and Kenisha Missick, Gladstone [MOON], Yolett McPhee McCuin, Rev. Louise, Cyril and Pheyala Minnis, Lauritz Archer, Edward, Sandy, Monette, and Elvado Deveaux, Anthony, Sharon and Tiffany Bain, Minister, Sabrina and Oral Martin, Roscoe and Kendra Deveaux, Teora Collie, Lamona Gibson, Lamont, Tamika, Burshall and Tamara Bain. Oval Bain, Lavette Humes, Shavette Bain, Charlene Milfort, Conrad Franchell, Frankino and Charnique Andrews, Brenda, Daniel and Jaysayo Allaire, Mother Maria Wallace, Carla Wallace, Lenora Gates, Family of the Late Nelson Stubbs, Family of the Late Stella Stubbs-Saunders Of Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera. Family Of The late Jimmy Gaitor Of Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera. Kenneth Vincent and Family [ West End, Grand Bahama ], Eleanor Butler and Family, Eudene Mc.Queen and Family, Orie Rolle and Family, Doris Walker and Family, The Descendant’s Of The Holmes Rock Community [ Grand Bahama ] The Rolle’s Family, The Parker Family, The Walker’s Family, The Stuart’s Family, The Jone’s Family, The Martin Family. Mrs. Rosella Fountian and Family, Audie Murphy and Family, Ms. Ruth Cooper and Family, Vanrea Smith and Family, Charles Cox and Family, Cynthia Davis and Family, Rita Strachan and Family, Staff At The Sandilands Rehabilitation Center, Doctor and Nurse Female Medical #2, Oncology Staff at Princess Margaret Hospital, Sharon Moncur and Family, Sis. Ethlyn Cox and Family, Dept. of Local Government, Carloyn Yorke, Lulamie Smith and Family. Cheryl Ferguson and Elizabeth “ Queenie “ [God-Children ], Lydia Adderley and Family, Judy Roberts and Family, Beatrice McIntosh, Eureka Colebrook, Inez Stubbs, Pastor Kendyce Moss-Moultire, Shantel Saunders. Members of The Int’l Free & Accepted Morden Mason & Order Of The Eastern Stars “Martha Chapter # 12”, and a host of other relatives and friends. Apostle, Raymond Wells, Officers and Members Of Living Waters Kingdom Ministries. Rev. T.G. Morrison, Officers and Members of Zion Baptist Church, East & Shirley Streets.

Friends may pay their last respects at Demeritte’s Funeral Home, Market Street, from 12-6:00 p.m. on Friday & on Saturday at the church from 10:30 a.m. until service time.

THE TRIBUNE

Minnis is honoured by university PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis was honoured on Wednesday by the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies (AFUWI) for exemplary professional achievements.

The award honours graduates of the University of the West Indies who have excelled in their chosen fields and made significant national, regional or international impact.

Dr Minnis obtained his MBBs degree in medicine from UWI in 1980 and in 1985 completed specialised studies in Jamaica in obstetrics and gynaecology. He was one of two heads of government

honourees to be presented with the Legacy Award at the 22nd annual Legacy Awards Gala held at The Pierre Hotel.

Sharlene CartwrightRobinson, premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, was also a recipient of the Legacy Award.

In accepting the award, Dr Minnis said the honour has inspired him to continue his administration’s fight against poverty with a renewed energy.

“It is essential to use all of the energy and resources that we have to eradicate poverty, so that each and every person in the Caribbean territory will have the same opportunities to attain

the same level of achievement that I have achieved,” he said.

Dr Minnis thanked UWI, the entire Caribbean community and The Bahamas for the special honour.

He also paid special tribute to his late mother “who is responsible for me obtaining this position today.”

Dr Minnis was presented the Legacy Award by Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, UWI vice chancellor, and Doug E Fresh, chair of the Legacy Awards Gala.

The AFUWI, a registered US charity, annually hosts the Legacy Awards and other events in New York to raise funds for scholarships to UWI.

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis during Wednesday’s ceremony honouring him for exemplary professional achievement.

MPS RUSH TO MEET FILING DEADLINE from page one

“Vast majority were coming in like hotcakes today,” Mr Laroda said.

“We are far ahead of last year. Last year we gave a month extension.”

The Public Disclosure Act empowers only two people to act on delinquent filings: the prime minister and the leader of the opposition. Either of them can publish the information through a communication in the House of Assembly or cause for it to be laid in the Senate. Either can authorise that the

YOUR

information be presented to the attorney general or commissioner of police so those who failed to disclose could face a penalty.

The penalty for not disclosing is a $10,000 fine and/ or up to two years in prison.

Last year, the deadline was extended to the end of March but three people, two senators and a parliamentarian, still failed to make their disclosures in time.

Yesterday, Mr Laroda added: “The three outstanding by the time (commission) met they came in that same day, so they were all in.”

CHOICE FOR THE FAMILY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JOYFM1019

Friday, March 1, 2019, PAGE 9

PAGE 10, Friday, March 1, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

After fighting for freedom abroad they went home to demand the same

By MARIA HÖHN Professor and Chair of History, Vassar College UNTIL the 21st century, the contributions of African-American soldiers in World War II barely registered in America’s collective memory of that war.

The “tan soldiers,” as the black press affectionately called them, were also for the most part left out of the triumphant narrative of America’s “Greatest Generation”. In order to tell their story of helping defeat Nazi Germany in my 2010 book, “Breath of Freedom,” I had to conduct research in more than 40 different archives in the US and Germany.

When a German TV production company, together with Smithsonian TV, turned that book into a documentary, the filmmakers searched US media and military archives for two years for footage of black GIs in the final push into Germany and during the post-war occupation.

They watched hundreds of

hours of film and discovered less than ten minutes of footage. This despite the fact that among the 16 million US soldiers who fought in World War II, there were about one million AfricanAmerican soldiers.

They fought in the Pacific, and they were part of the victorious army that liberated Europe from Nazi rule. Black soldiers were also part of the US Army of occupation in Germany after the war. Still serving in strictly segregated units, they were sent to democratise the Germans and expunge all forms of racism.

It was that experience that convinced many of these veterans to continue their struggle for equality when they returned home to the US They were to become the foot soldiers of the civil rights movement – a movement that changed the face of America and inspired millions of repressed people across the globe.

As a

CORPORAL William E Thomas and Private First Class Joseph Jackson on Easter morning, 1945. scholar of German history and of the more than 70-year US military presence in Germany, I have marvelled at the men and women of that generation.

They were willing to fight for democracy abroad, while being denied democratic rights at home in the US. Because of their belief in America’s “democratic promise” and their sacrifices on behalf of those ideals, I was born into a free and democratic West Germany, just ten years after that horrific war.

FIGHTING RACISM AT HOME AND ABROAD By deploying troops abroad as warriors for and emissaries of American democracy, the military literally exported the African-American freedom struggle.

Beginning in 1933, when Adolf Hitler came to power,

AfricanAmerican activists and the black press used white America’s condemnation of Nazi racism to expose and indict

the abuses of Jim Crow at home. America’s entry into the war and the struggle against Nazi Germany allowed civil rights activists to significantly step up their rhetoric.

Langston Hughes’ 1943 poem, “From Beaumont to Detroit,” addressed to America, eloquently expressed that sentiment: “You jim crowed me / Before hitler rose to power- / And you are still jim crowing me- / Right now this very hour.”

Believing that fighting for American democracy abroad would finally grant African-Americans full citizenship at home, civil rights activists put pressure on the US government to allow African-American soldiers to “fight like men”, side by side with white troops.

The military brass, disproportionately dominated by white Southern officers, refused. They argued that such a step would undermine military efficiency and negatively impact the morale of white soldiers. In an integrated military, black officers or NCOs might also end up commanding white troops. Such a challenge to the Jim Crow racial order based on white supremacy was seen as unacceptable.

The manpower of black soldiers was needed in order to win the war, but the military brass got its way; America’s Jim Crow order was to be upheld.

African-Americans were allowed to train as pilots in the segregated Tuskeegee Airmen. The 92nd Buffalo Soldiers and 93rd Blue Helmets all-black divisions were activated and sent abroad under the command of white officers.

Despite these concessions, 90 percent of black troops were forced to serve in labour and supply units, rather than the more prestigious combat units.

Except for a few short

weeks during the Battle of the Bulge in the winter of 1944 when commanders were desperate for manpower, all U.S. soldiers served in strictly segregated units. Even the blood banks were segregated.

‘A BREATH OF FREEDOM’ After the defeat of the Nazi regime, an Army manual instructed US occupation soldiers that America was the “living denial of Hitler’s absurd theories of a superior race,” and that it was up to them to teach the Germans “that the whole concept of superiority and intolerance of others is evil”. There was an obvious, deep gulf between this soaring rhetoric of democracy and racial harmony, and the stark reality of the Jim Crow army of occupation. It was also not lost on the black soldiers.

Post-Nazi Germany was hardly a country free of racism. But for the black soldiers, it was their first experience of a society without a formal Jim Crow colour line. Their uniform identified them as victorious warriors and as Americans, rather than “Negroes”.

Serving in labour and supply units, they had access to all the goods and provisions starving Germans living in the ruins of their country yearned for.

African-American cultural expressions such as jazz, defamed and banned by the Nazis, were another reason so many Germans were drawn to their black liberators. White America was stunned to see how much black GIs enjoyed their time abroad, and how much they dreaded their return home to the US. By 1947, when the Cold War was heating up, the reality of the segregated Jim Crow Army in Germany was becoming a major embarrassment for the US government. The Soviet Union and East German communist propaganda relentlessly attacked the US and challenged its claim to be the leader of the “free world”. Again and again, they would point to the segregated military in West Germany, and to Jim Crow segregation in the US to make their case.

COMING ‘HOME’ Newly returned veterans, civil rights advocates

Photo: NARA, College Park, MD and the black press took advantage of that Cold War constellation. They evoked America’s mission of democracy in Germany to push for change at home.

Responding to that pressure, the first institution of the US to integrate was the US military, made possible by Truman’s 1948 Executive Order 9981.

That monumental step, in turn, paved the way for the 1954 Supreme Court decision in Brown v Board of Education.

The veterans who had been abroad electrified and energised the larger struggle to make America live up to its promise of democracy and justice. They joined the NAACP in record numbers and founded new chapters of that organisation in the South, despite a wave of violence against returning veterans. The veterans of World War II and the Korean War became the foot soldiers of the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s. Medgar Evers, Amzie Moore, Hosea Williams and Aaron Henry are some of the better-known names, but countless others helped advance the struggle.

About one-third of the leaders in the civil rights movement were veterans of World War II. They fought for a better America in the streets of the South, at their workplaces in the North, as leaders in the NAACP, as plaintiffs before the Supreme Court and also within the US military to make it a more inclusive institution. They were also the men of the hour at the 1963 March on Washington, when their military training and expertise was crucial to ensure that the day would not be marred by agitators opposed to civil rights.

“We structured the March on Washington like an army formation,” recalled veteran Joe Hairston.

For these veterans, the 2009 and 2013 inaugurations of President Barack Obama were triumphant moments in their long struggle for a better America and a more just world.

Many never thought they would live to see the day that an African-American would lead their country.

To learn more about the contributions of AfricanAmerican GIs, visit “The Civil Rights Struggle, African-American GIs, and Germany” digital archive.

• theconversation.com

MEMBERS of the Women’s Army Corps being given an orientation lecture and, above left, Private First Class Eugene Davis painting over a swastika on a railroad car in Germany.

THE TRIBUNE

CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS SURVEY DAMAGE AS HISTORIC FLOODS RECEDE

By TERENCE CHEA AND JANIE HAR, Associated Press GUERNEVILLE, Calif. (AP) — Tom Orr began moving lyrics and scripts, clothes and photo albums from his apartment as authorities ordered evacuations along a rising Northern California river threatening to hit a historic crest.

But the actor and writer couldn’t move costumes, computers and performance videos. So he shifted those to his loft bed about 10 feet up and prayed they would survive. On Wednesday, television news footage showed muddy brown water nearly swallowing his ground-level unit and much of the tiny town of Guerneville, part of Sonoma County’s famed wine country and a popular tourist destination.

Residents awoke Thursday to sunshine and began assessing the damage while the water started receding.

Orr, 48, was among those still unable to get into his house after the rain-swollen Russian River reached nearly 46 feet (14 meters) Wednesday night, its highest level in more than 20 years.

“I feel so helpless just sitting here and waiting before I can go back and start salvaging whatever I can,” Orr said in text messages to The Associated Press before preparing for a friend to take him by canoe to work at the Main Street Bistro, one of the few places in town that did not flood.

Sonoma County officials said they expected the communities of Guerneville and Monte Rio to be accessible by car Friday. The two-day storm rendered the towns reachable only by boat on Wednesday.

One National Weather Service station measured 20 inches of rain in 48 hours.

Friday, March 1, 2019, PAGE 11

Democrats eye new inquiries, witnesses after Cohen testimony

By MARY CLARE JALONICK, ERIC TUCKER AND LAURIE KELLMAN, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — After three days of grilling Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump’s former lawyer, Democrats are quickly using his words as a roadmap to open new lines of investigation into the president’s ties to Russia and summon additional witnesses.

Cohen completed a third day of testimony on Capitol Hill Thursday, one day after publicly branding his former boss a racist and a con man who lied about business dealings in Russia and directed him to conceal extramarital relationships. He was interviewed behind closed doors by the House Intelligence Committee for more than eight hours.

As he left the House intelligence interview, Cohen said he would be returning to Capitol Hill on March 6 for another round of questioning with that panel.

The weeklong gauntlet of interviews with Cohen launched what is expected to be months of investigations of Trump and those connected to him. Multiple Democrat-led House committees are pledging to investigate not only Trump’s campaign’s ties to Russia, which are also the subject of special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe, but presidential conflicts of interest, possible money laundering and other oversight matters that Democrats say were ignored under GOP control.

House Intelligence Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff called the closed-door session with Cohen productive and said lawmakers were able to “drill down in great detail” on issues they are investigating. Another Democratic committee member, California Rep. Eric Swalwell, said Cohen “has been asked, based on a lot of new evidence we learned today, to bring corroborating materials that he believes he has.”

Schiff said the committee will hear from Felix Sater, a Russia-born executive who worked with Cohen on an ultimately unsuccessful deal to build a Trump Tower in Moscow, in an open hearing March 14.

In addition, a committee aide said the panel also anticipates inviting Trump Organization chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg to testify.

Cohen mentioned the Trump Organization chief financial officer several times in his public House Oversight

MICHAEL COHEN, centre, President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer, arrives to testify before a closed-door hearing of the House Intelligence Committee accompanied by his lawyers, Michael Monico, left, of Chicago and Lanny Davis, right, of Washington, on Capitol Hill, Thursday. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon. testimony, linking him to hush money payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels, who alleged she had an affair with Donald Trump. Trump denies the affair.

HOUSE Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., right, leaves the closed-door meeting of the House Intelligence Committee with testimony from Michael Cohen.

(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

The Oversight Committee is also planning on calling additional witnesses after Cohen’s testimony. The committee’s chairman, Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings, indicated the panel could bring in a broad swath of people that Cohen mentioned in Wednesday’s hearing. He told reporters that his panel is poring over the transcript and anyone mentioned multiple times has a chance of hearing from them.

Based on who was mentioned in the hearing, possible witnesses could include Weisselberg and two of the president’s children, Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump. Daniels was also mentioned frequently.

Cohen, who pleaded guilty last year to lying to Congress about the Moscow real estate project and reports to prison in May for a threeyear sentence, gave harsh testimony about Trump on several fronts Wednesday. He said Trump knew in advance that damaging emails about Democrat Hillary Clinton would be released during the 2016 campaign — a claim the president has denied — and accused Trump of lying during the 2016 campaign about the Moscow deal.

Cohen also said Trump directed him to arrange the hush money

payment to Daniels. He said the president arranged to reimburse Cohen, and Cohen brought to the hearing a cheque that he said was proof of the transaction.

He said prosecutors in New York were investigating conversations Trump or his advisers had with him after his office and hotel room were raided by the FBI last April. Cohen said he could not discuss that conversation, the last contact he said he has had with the president or anyone acting on his behalf, because it remains under investigation.

Two of Trump’s most vocal defenders, GOP Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Mark Meadows of North Carolina, sent a referral to the Justice Department alleging Cohen lied in his testimony. Their letter to Attorney General William Barr details several Cohen statements they said were false, including claims that he “never defrauded any bank” and did not want a job in Trump’s White House.

They pointed to Cohen’s guilty plea for making false statements to a banking institution and to court filings that say Cohen told friends he wanted a White House job.

Cohen’s testimony unfolded as Trump was in Vietnam meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Trump said he tried to watch as much of Cohen’s marathon hearing as he could. Trump called the hearing “fake” and said it was a “terrible thing” for Democrats to hold it during his summit.

He seized on Cohen’s concession that he had no direct evidence that Trump or his aides colluded with Russia to get him elected, the primary question of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation. Trump said he was a “little impressed” that Cohen had said that to the House Oversight and Reform Committee.

Cohen, shaking off incessant criticism from Republicans , was the first Trump insider to pull back the curtain on a version of the inner workings of Trump’s political and business operations. He likened the president to a “mobster” who demanded blind loyalty from underlings and expected them to lie on his behalf.

“My loyalty to Mr. Trump has cost me everything: my family’s happiness, friendships, my law license, my company, my livelihood, my honor, my reputation and soon my freedom,” Cohen said. “I will not sit back, say nothing and allow him to do the same to the country.”

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PAGE 12, Friday, March 1, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Bahamas Press Club 2014 Bahamas Press Club 2014. - Broadcast journalist Deandrè Williamson has been joining media professionals at the 7th World Conference Against Death Penalty in Brussels this week.

The Bahamas Press Club was invited to send representation to the conference - which ends today - because it is a charter member of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Press Clubs Federation (ACP-PCF), founded in October 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda.

The club was represented by then president Anthony Newbold, who was appointed vice president and a member of the executive council of the newly-formed African Caribbean & Pacific Press Clubs Federation.

Miss Williamson is a former ZNS news reporter, and a former editor and reporter for The Bahama Journal newspaper/JCN. Club president Anthony Capron said her presence at the conference is a proud moment for the organisation and the country.

“We in The

JOIN THE CLUB OUR Clubs and Societies page is a chance for you to share your group’s activities with our readers.

To feature on our Clubs and Societies page, submit your report to clubs@tribunemedia.net, with “Clubs Page” written in the subject line.

For more information about the page, contact Stephen Hunt on 502-2373 or 826-2242.

DEANDRÈ WILLIAMSON

‘The Bahamas’ own street philosopher’

Bahamas Press Club 2014 are extremely proud of our member Deandrè Williamson,” Mr Capron said.

“With the wide views that will undoubtedly emanate from this universal coalition, Deandrè should be better equipped and prepared to deal with the pros and cons in any discussion about the death penalty.”

The event, organised by the Ensemble Contre La Peine De Mort - Together Against the Death Penalty, is expected to bring together representatives from over 140 countries.

Rotary Club of New Providence Rotary Club of New Providence. - The club hosts its Rotary Festival on Saturday, March 23, from noon to 5pm.

The event will be held at Perpall Tract, with funds raised going towards club community projects. There will be steak, chicken, hamburgers and hot dogs, conch fritters, cotton candy/snow cones and there will also be the dunking for polio dunk tank.