Greece Appoints Caretaker PM, Sets Date for New Elections
Greece has sworn in a senior judge as the country's new caretaker prime minister.
Council of State head Panagiotis Pikrammenos was appointed Wednesday after major political parties failed to form a coalition government following several attempts to broker a deal.
The 67-year-old Mr. Pikrammenos will be tasked with organizing the country's repeat elections scheduled for June 17.
Analysts say the new elections, like those held earlier this month, are also likely to produce a hung parliament with no party securing enough votes to form a government. But a radical left coalition led by Alexis Tsipras, the Syriza party leader who fiercely opposes austerity measures, has gained enough support to have a major influence.
This could lead Greece on a collision course with the European Union, whose leaders have said the country will not get any more loans unless it adheres to the tough debt-reducing plan.
The Greek political impasse has rattled European markets and threatens to undermine the eurozone. The issue figured high in the first official talks Tuesday between France's new president, Francois Hollande, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. During the meeting in Berlin, the two leaders said they support Greece staying in the currency union.
"We have to respect the fact that there are new elections in Greece. So I speak for myself and have made it clear that we want Greece to stay in the eurozone and want its citizens to vote for this. Part of doing this is that the agreements of the memorandum [agreement with creditors] must be kept," Merkel said.
On Wednesday, the European Union Commission president, Jose Manuel Barroso, said that while the EU wants Greece to stay in the eurozone, there is no way to change the commitments the previous Greek government made for the austerity plan. As a result, he said Greek voters will have to decide whether to stay in the 17-nation currency union.
"This being said, the ultimate resolve to stay in the euro area must come from Greece itself. We are fully aware that the present situation is asking a lot of the Greek people and many sacrifices. But this is the result of policies made in the past," Barroso said.
The political stalemate in Greece has led to rising concerns among eurozone financial ministers that Athens will not uphold the austerity commitments it made as it secured the country's second financial bailout in the last two years.
The economic measures include deep spending cuts, tax hikes, pension cuts and eliminating thousands of government jobs. Greeks have taken to the streets in sometimes violent protests against the bailout requirements.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.
Wesleyan Methodist Church Basketball Game – ” The Men vs. The Youth in a “must see” basketball match
The team at the Wesleyan Methodist Church is gearing up for the match of the season. The young men from the Wesleyan Methodist Youth Fellowship will play a game against the men
of the church. It promises to be an exciting exchange. The game is scheduled to take place at the Gus Lightbourne Sports Complex on May 18, 2012 at 7pm. The Wesleyan Young Sharks will be playing against the Wesleyan Old School Ballers. One of the young men commented, “They will not beat us. We got this.”
Then the men of the church responded, “It will not be a walk in the park. They will need to work.” It will be a match up that should not be missed. Bishop Derek Browne stated, “It is always a great thing when we can be involved as a church in the lives of the young people. Everyone wins in these situations.” Bishop Browne went on to say,
“It is all in good fun and young people come to Youth Fellowship to be ministered to “whole man” and this is ministry beyond the walls.” Mrs. Martha Harris, Leader of Youth Fellowship commented, “The young people have been looking forward to this game and we are happy to do our part in making it happen.
The young people are being encouraged at the Fellowship and this demonstrates that we believe that it is everyone’s responsibility to pour into the lives of the youth.” 3 point shootout – 1 minute for each player will see: David Lee Walker Merlin Bowe Adrian Capron Devanio Bain Darel Hinson T’Jon Wilson Denzel Ewing Free Throws Shoot out: 1 minute will see Jennifer Moore Arnelle Carey Michelle Handfield Bro Earl Barranco Ahmad Williams Kadashio Williams The Dunk Competition competitors are: Shyon Parker Merlin Bowe In the actual match up between the Wesleyan Young Sharks against the Wesleyan Old School Ballers The starters are : Point Guard Merlin Bowe Shooting Guard-Shyon Parker Small Forward-Devante Wilson Power Forward-Adrian Capron Center-Ahmad Williams Bench David Lee Walker Darel Hinson Arsenio Harvey Maurice Bain Devanio Bain Khambrel Caley Kadashio Williams T’Jon Wilson Dudley Lightbourne Jr. Coach Mr. Kingsley Laborde Jr Captain – Shyon Parker Co-Captain – Ahmad Williams While for the Oldsters: Captain Ballers – Bro Princie Harris Co Captian – Bro Earl Barranco The team consists of: Centre-Princie Harris Edwin Capron Guards- Hugh Adams Charles Tipton Jermaine Fulford Forwards Audley Malcolm Floyd Seymour Earl Barranco RTC Sports spoke with the PRO Rachel Harvey who said, the team welcomes all to come and enjoy the upcoming games to see who would emerge victorious.
Annual International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO)
In a release sent to RTC News by H.E Governor Todd highlighted the Annual International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.
Today, 17 May, is the annual International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. This is the day when the international community campaigns to stop discrimination, in all forms, against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Like many governments around the world, the UK Government is supporting this international day. The UK’s Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne and International Development Minister Stephen O'Brien have issued a joint statement celebrating this year’s world day, and supporting the international community effort to end this ‘hateful discrimination’. The United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay has also issued a video message calling for an end of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Equality for all, and equal treatment for all, is something that everyone should care about. For many of us the world is full of images and messages which affirm our rights: our legal rights and especially our everyday social rights to live our lives openly and without fear of reprisal. For the majority it is easy to enter into loving relationships and to celebrate our relationships with our family and friends.
This is not true for those people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. In many countries sexual orientation and gender identity are reasons to live a half-life, in secret: feeling or actually being unable to express who they are openly and confidently. Fear of persecution often means lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are forced to be an invisible minority.
This can be especially true for those who grow up and live in small island communities like the Turks and Caicos Islands. For those who are not heterosexual, it takes real courage to tell family, friends, neighbours, and work colleagues that you are different, and to do so without fear of rejection. Discrimination by national legislation is unacceptable. Where discrimination of this type exists, responsible governments should reform. Indeed, they find themselves subject to mounting international pressure - including from the UK and USA - to do so urgently.
Statements and events around the world to mark this International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia will underline the importance of the freedom to express who you are, to love who you want, and to be free to expect to do so without fear or discrimination. These are basic human rights that must be extended to all sections of our community without exception.
That is why the United Nations is taking this issue very seriously. Last year, the Human Rights Council passed a historic resolution, presented and led by South Africa, on the universality of human rights, and concern about acts of violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The United Nations resolution has been followed by a report by the UN’s Human Rights Commissioner.
These are very significant steps. Countries around the world are reviewing their laws and social norms to consider what needs to be done to support this invisible minority. Some countries are already well down this road already, others are just beginning their journey. To that end, in 2010 the UK Government published a policy report on working for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. This was followed by two action plans.
For the Turks and Caicos Islands the new 2011 Constitution is clear that no law shall make any provision which is discriminatory either in itself or in its effect. The Constitution is specific that there should not be discrimination based on ‘sexual orientation, birth or other status’. That is why I am today announcing three initiatives:
- that there will be a review of TCI legislation to ensure that it is non-discriminatory on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity;
- that the TCI Government will develop and introduce a ‘diversity policy’, as part of the ongoing reform of public sector human resources and staff management – this will set a standard for all managers and employees, and will be designed to ensure fair treatment for all staff and a zero tolerance for bullying; and,
- that the Government will launch a consultation on the age of consent in the Turks and Caicos Islands as a step towards ensuring that we take the right action needed to comply with both our legal obligations under the European Convention of Human Rights, and the incoming 2011 TCI Constitution.
Lastly, I encourage everyone to look at the website for the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, at www.dayagainsthomophobia.org
DR Todd
Governor
ADVISORY COUNCIL WELCOMES DRAFT BUDGET AND HURRICANE PREPARATIONS
The importance of signing off the draft Budget and this year’s hurricane preparations were the two most significant issues discussed at the Advisory Council (AC) meeting held by His Excellency The Governor on Grand Turk today, Wednesday, 16 May 2012.
One of the longest and most detailed discussions was on the matter of the $200m draft Budget. This was welcomed by the Council who commented upon its strong and credible revenue forecasts – including the 20% increase in revenue. They also appreciated that no tax increases are proposed, recognised the importance of the projected surplus of $4m after several years of deficit, the route to paying down debt and building up future financial reserves.
The Advisory Council welcomed several specific proposals in the Budget, which will now be debated by the Consultative Forum next week:
- Increases in the TCI capital budget from $5m to $16m, and that this will directly support the local construction sector
- Increases in maintenance from $3.7m to $5.3m, including an increase in road maintenance form $150k to $1m
- Increases in the social security budget from $1.3m to $1.7m with provision for a new juvenile offender centre
- The focus on key priorities such as primary health and education
- Recognition of the importance of more appropriate control mechanisms to ensure that the spending will be delivered effectively
His Excellency and the Council were also satisfied with preparations for this year’s Hurricane season which begins on 1 June 2012. This followed presentations from the senior team at the Ministry of Government Support Services: Permanent Secretary Wesley Clerveaux, Deputy Dr Virginia Clerveaux and Acting Director Horatio Tuit. Their report included:
- Confirmation that this year’s hurricane preparation awareness campaign had already kicked off. The theme of this campaign is that disaster management is everybody’s business.
- Thirty hurricane shelter managers have received up to date training in Providenciales with this now being rolled out across the other Islands.
- Informed the Council that the new $1m Community Centre on South Caicos opened by His Excellency this week also doubles as a hurricane shelter.
- That fit for purpose generators are being installed at all shelters ahead of this season.
- That 29 emergency staff have been trained in Urban Search and Rescue Skills including how to carry out searches in the event of collapsed roof or flooded buildings, as well as first aid, mass casualty handling, search techniques, hazardous material handling, rope rescue, stress management, lifting and shoring of loads.
- That European Union funding is being sought for a new multi-agency and departmental National Emergency Operations Centre on Grand Turk
- A reminder that there will be a major disaster management exercise on Providenciales on 31 May-1 June 2012.
Governor Ric Todd said: “The Council felt that TCIG had struck the right balance in its draft budget between paying off our historic debts, proving that our public finances are now better managed and that we can begin to reinvest in our infrastrucutre. I have often said that the sad state of repair of the Caicos Causeway, in particular, was an icon of the failure of Government, which is why I am so pleased that work will begin to repair it next month.
“Both the members of the Advisory Council and I were also extremely impressed by the udpate from the Minsitry of Government Support Services. Their message was unequivical – we must hope for the best but always plan for the worst. Significant progress is being made across a number of important areas and this gives rise to our increased confidence in the nation’s ability to repsond to a catastrophe.”
NEW TRACK FROM POLICE COMBO BAND
POLICE have been hitting the beat…….in more ways than one.
Aside from patrolling the streets of the TCI, officers are proving they have plenty of rhythm too.
The RTCI Police Combo Band has broken new ground by releasing a single which they hope will have islanders dancing the nights away.
And despite having only just hit the turntables, In The Party is already a big hit with fans.
Keyboard player, Sgt Carl Lightbourne, explained: “We are proud to have released this new single and we hope everyone enjoys it. It’s our first ever and we are really pleased with it.
“It’s a number designed to get people on their feet and having a good time, and so far the feedback has been really encouraging and supportive.
“The band is all about having fun and giving something back to the community. Recording In The Party was a great experience and we are hoping to write and record more of our own work in the future.”
The RTCI Police Combo Band has been going for many years and was particularly popular in the 80s and 90s.
In The Party was written by American-based record producer David Lightbourne, aka Jak – a TC islander and brother of Carl – and he’s hoping it will see the band’s popularity surge once more.
He explained: “For me it’s been a pleasure to have worked on this single. I grew up listening to The RTCI Police Combo Band and in those days people truly loved and appreciated associating with the police and listening to the music.
“As a result they were willing to support and help the police in their work and there was a really strong bond between the community and the force - something we hope we can help strengthen once more through this song.
“The band, and this project in particular, demonstrate the human, friendly face of the RTCI Police and I’m certain it will go a long way towards even better engagement, especially between officers and young people.”
The RTCI Police Band is made up of Sgt Carl Lightbourne (keyboards), PC Stanley Landy (drums/vocals), Sgt Malcolm Smith (bass), PC Michael Francois (vocals) and PC Jago Moore (vocals).
Commissioner of Police, Colin Farquhar, added: “This is a fantastic initiative and I congratulate The RTCI Police Combo Band on their excellent single.
“We are a diverse service with many talented people from many different backgrounds and our officers do so much great work out in the community such as music, sport and charity events.
“I am sure everyone will thoroughly enjoy listening to the song and here’s hoping the band will go on to enjoy many more successes in the future.”
Anyone wishing to download the track can do so at http://www.mediafire.com/?5n03zeenss8p81z
POLICE RECORDS INCREASE
FEES for obtaining police records and certificates of character are set to rise.
RTCI Police will raise the cost of the service from $5 to $10 from June 1.
The move comes as part of an efficiency drive within the force, being overseen by new Director of Corporate Services, Peter Davis.
But despite the increase, Mr Davis insists the service represents ‘good value for money’, with the TCI’s fees remaining one of the lowest in the Caribbean.
He explained: “We have recently undertaken an extensive review of this service and what is clear is that the $5 we charge for police records and certificates of character doesn’t actually cover the cost of producing them.
“The $5 fee has been in place for many years and it has not changed despite continued inflation and other revenue considerations.
“Producing police records costs a lot of money in terms of staff hours, facilities and critical resources and so the increase is long overdue. But I would like to stress that even at $10 there is no profit and so the RTCI Police will not be making money from this.”
He added: “We acknowledge that this is an essential public service with people needing these important documents for immigration and employment purposes. But even at $10, the service remains great value for money and one of the cheapest in the Caribbean.
“I know of many other places where the public are charged more for similar police services and making money from this is certainly not our motive. Instead, it is simply a case of covering costs in production and making the best use of the budget in service provision.”
Meanwhile Mr Davis revealed that a corporate service review within the police service is on-going and will bring further changes.
He added: “The budget for the RTCI Police service is increasingly under pressure and ways of achieving savings and best value have to be found. The focus of maintaining police services whilst reducing cost and wastage.”
“We are looking at many different aspects of the organisation to see where savings can be made and where more resources can be directed towards day to day policing on the streets of the TCI.
“It’s a challenging process in change, but one that will remain ongoing as we seek to make this public sector service as cost effective and efficient as possible.”
Digicel, International Banking Group and Enid Capron Primary School Partner to Clean Up Five Cays.
The settlement of Five Cays is shining a little brighter thanks to Digicel, International Banking Group (IBG) and the Enid Capron Primary School who teamed up on May 5th to give the community an extra shine shortly after Earth Day. The cleanup campaign attracted participation from over 90 persons from the three organizations who came out to volunteer their time and clean trash from along the roadsides in Five Cays.
The partnership between the three organizations came about after Digicel announced its Go Green campaign to become the ecofriendly telecommunications GREEN leader in the Turks & Caicos market. IBG who are pursing similar initiatives contacted Digicel to forge a partnership in its Go Green efforts. The Enid Capron Primary naturally joined the cause since the Five Cays community was the selected area for the cleanup campaign.
“International Banking Group’s decision to partner with Digicel in this event is a result of our awareness of the needs within our community”, said Kenny Bovell, General Manager. “We are pleased that we can continually make a difference in our community and especially one that deals with environmental awareness. It is our hope that this event will become an annual event and that this will encourage the entire community to become more environmentally conscious”, he said.
As a result of the volunteers’ hard work and dedication to the cause, some 250 bags of garbage were collected, including bottles and cans which were separated into recycle and non-recycle materials by the students.
Trina Adams, Marketing Specialist for Digicel, stated that the cleanup campaign was indeed a success and it was especially great to see so many students from Enid Capron Primary take part in the cleanup. Adams further stated that she thought the students learnt the importance of keeping their community clean and volunteering their time for a good cause.
Additionally, Mrs. Rachel Taylor, Principal of the Enid Capron Primary stated that she is always enthused when it comes to community initiatives especially in the area of helping to maintain a cleaner community. The support of the students are always encouraging as this creates an opportunity not only for the students to give back to the community but to allow them to model the behaviours that will remain with them as they learn to keep their environment clean, green and pristine. The introduction of the Recycling Programme at the school works hand in hand with the numerous Cleanup Campaigns creating a greater awareness of cleanliness. Thanks to DIGICEL for their relentless efforts in helping to improve the lives of the students and residents of Five Cays. Together we can make a big difference.
The organizations hope to continue their partnership going forward and look forward to partnering with other organizations in the TCI which are attempting to go green.
Thirteen to compete at Shanghai Meet
Thirteen Jamaicans, including former 100-metre world record holder Asafa Powell, are listed on the provisional entry list to compete at Shanghai Diamond League meet on Saturday.
Powell will be trying to return to winning ways after losing the men’s 100-metre dash on the line to American Justin Gatlin in Doha’s Diamond League meeting last week.
Gatlin won in 9.87 seconds, one hundredth of a second ahead of Powell.
Powell heads the men’s 100-metre field in Shanghai. There are three other Jamaicans down to compete in the sprint. They are Nesta Carter, Mario Forsythe and Michael Frater.
400-metre hurdler Kaliese Spencer has switched to the women’s 400 metres to compete with world leader Novlene Williams-Mills and Shericka Williams.
Anneisha McLaughlin and Aleen Bailey are down to compete in the women’s 200 metres, while Dwight Thomas will run in the men’s 110-metre hurdles.
The other Jamaicans down to compete are Isa Phillips, Mardrea Hyman and Sheree Francis.
Panday to know fate tomorrow on his UK bank account charges
Former prime minister Basdeo Panday is expected to know his fate tomorrow after a second trial into charges of failing to declare a London bank account. Magistrate Marcia Murray is expected to deliver her decision when the matter resumes at 10 am in the Port-of-Spain First Magistrate’s Court.
At yesterday’s hearing, Panday’s lawyer, David Aaronberg, QC, continued legal arguments that the lead investigator had failed to interview people pertinent to the matter and therefore the case was incomplete. Aaronberg argued the prosecution failed to prove Panday had benefited and at the time of signing the statutory declaration, he had not been “deliberately evasive or untruthful about the accounts.”
Aaronberg said Panday’s wife, Oma, was the “true beneficial owner of the account.” On Monday, Aaronberg made an application to have the matter dismissed on the basis the prosecution had failed to prove its case. Panday is on trial for allegedly failing to declare a London bank account, contrary to the Integrity in Public Life Act, and is accused of failing to disclose the account at National Westminster Bank plc, Wimbledon, London, to the Integrity Commission for the years 1997 to 1999.
In March 2006, Panday was found guilty and sentenced by then Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nichols to serve two years in prison, the maximum penalty under the law. He appealed the decision and the conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal and a retrial ordered, which was upheld on appeal to the Privy Council.
On Monday, Aaronberg hinted the investigation against Panday was politically motivated and said the former prime minister had not committed any wrong by failing to declare the accounts. Aaronberg said Panday was being prosecuted under the Integrity in Public Life Act 1987 but that prior to the Integrity in Public Life Act 2000 public figures were not required to declare assets belonging to their spouses.
Responding to Aaronberg’s closing arguments, prosecutor Timothy Cassel, QC, said monies being deposited and withdrawn from the account during the years 1997 to 1999 were “wholly disproportionate” to Panday’s yearly earnings as the prime minister.
Caribbean islands fingered in Croatian drug ring.
Nine Croatians, one Serb and a Columbian have been arrested in police raids on Martinique and in the Dominican Republic as the net closed on an international drug ring last week.
The major bust took place on Martinique where the drugs were hidden in packages of mustard and coffee on a yacht rented by the Croats in Martinique.
In all, 11 people suspected of smuggling 174 kilos of cocaine from Columbia to Europe were arrested in a multi-state international police operation according to media reports.
It was the first major cocaine smuggling operation masterminded and carried out by Croats, Dinko Cvitan, the head of Croatian anti-drugs agency, was quoted as saying.
Croatian, Dutch, Italian and French police and the US anti-drug agency DEA were involved in the bust following investigation that opened in October 2011 at the behest of the Croatian police.
The cocaine, estimated to be worth eight million euros, was destined for three potential buyers in Europe, whose identity wasn’t revealed, the reports said.
Cvitan said the suspects were known to possess property whose value far exceeded their legal earnings, and which will be confiscated if they are found guilty.
The Balkans has become a major route for cocaine smuggling from South America to Europe in recent years, a business mainly involving Serbian and Montenegrin citizens.
Caribbean 360 News