Jamaican ambassador calls on US to improve policy alignment towards Caribbean
Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States Audrey Marks has called on the US government to improve the alignment of the various aspects of US domestic and foreign policy targeted toward Jamaica and the Caribbean, in order to support development goals, and ensure that economic and social gains are not erased.
She pointed out that “often, actions taken by the US in pursuance of one aspect of domestic or foreign policy, have unintended consequences for our countries and undermines the efforts of other US agencies to achieve the overall goal of a more secure third border with the Caribbean.”
Marks made her comments on Wednesday as she testified on Capitol Hill before the United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics control hearing on US-Caribbean Security Cooperation.
She told the US lawmakers that “if the Caribbean is truly a valued ‘third border’ of the United States, then the region must be treated with the same degree of economic considerations as the other two if there is to be an improvement in the existing security cooperation between the USA, Jamaica and the Caribbean as a whole.
She said, “Jamaica believes that socio-economic development is the most critical pillar of the counter-narcotics, anti-crime strategy. Yet, for too long, scant attention has been paid to this pillar, which, despite our combined efforts amounting to millions of dollars and hundreds of expended human lives we have not been able to have the lasting effect that we desire.”
Marks noted that “Jamaica’s vulnerability based on its geographical location and porous national borders remain a major challenge since the security measures implemented at both our controlled and uncontrolled ports and at our unprotected coastline are currently insufficient to deal with the various ingenious methods employed by traffickers.”
The Jamaican envoy said to the US senators: “Our chief recommendation to you today, is to place social and economic development at the forefront of co-operation with the Caribbean in the area of security. Let us not ignore the umbilical relationship between an under-developed economy, social vacuums and narco-trafficking.”
“I would suggest that Jamaica’s effectiveness as a partner in the fight against drug trafficking can only be sustained by a clear policy alignment for Jamaica’s socio-economic development. I ask that the US take steps to ensure that its positions in the IMF, World Bank and IADB, are consistent and are focused on supporting socio-economic development as an effective weapon in the fight against drug-trafficking,” Marks said.
As an example, Marks pointed to the current threat to the nearly 70-year-old programme that provides US farmers with thousands of seasonal farm workers from Jamaica.
She said, “While one department of the US Government is strongly recommending to the government of Jamaica the importance of ‘even’ seasonal employment as an alternative to the narcotics trade for unemployed young men – another US department has, through unilateral action, caused major harm to the programme. This has resulted in my government being severely hampered in carrying out our obligations to protect our nationals and to ensure their welfare and that of their families in Jamaica.”
The ambassador further pointed to the “elimination of the tariff on imports of ethanol into the USA; with the bang of a gavel, the ethanol industry in Jamaica will collapse, and we will lose hundreds of millions of dollars in investment — an investment that was made based on the incentive of the USA 1981 Caribbean Basin Initiative”.
She noted that “given that as much as 80 percent of all Jamaica’s exports to the USA have, at one point, been ethanol, it is clear that our economy will suffer another massive economic blow, which will further erode our gains in the area of security.
The Jamaican ambassador emphasized that “fixing this problem of non-alignment of economic and security goals will not cost the USA any additional monetary expenditure.”
The Jamaican government, she said, “applauds the US administration for its timely recognition of the responsibility of the USA as the major source of demand for narcotics trans-shipped through the Caribbean sub-region, and further appealed to American government and people to strengthen their commitment to controlling the demand that continues to fuel this trade which has so adversely affected many lives in this hemisphere of ours.
Marks told the US lawmakers that her country welcomed the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) partnership between the USA and Caribbean Countries, which she said had definitely enhanced counter-narcotics cooperation.
Marks was invited to testify before the US Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, by chairman Senator Dianne Feinstein and co chair Senator Charles Grassley to provide an assessment of the current security situation in Jamaica and to offer recommendations for enhanced US-Caribbean counternarcotics cooperation.
Caribbean News Now
LIAT to review strategies to ensure survival
St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves says shareholder governments of the regional airline LIAT have come up with a short-term plan to ensure the survival of the airline.
Gonsalves, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer and Prime Minister of Barbados, Freundel Stuart, met in Barbados on Wednesday to discuss the way forward for the airline.
Gonsalves told members of the media that the shareholder governments have come up with a number of options to keep the cash strapped carrier servicing the region.
He said the issue of fleet renewal and fleet expansion also came up for discussions.
Gonsalves said that, last year, the airline lost an estimated EC$46 million for the year, compared with a loss of $20 million the previous year.
Caribbean News Now
HOVENSA refinery closure USVI’s ‘worst nightmare’
The sudden announcement last month that thousands of United States Virgin Islands residents would be on the breadline from the middle of this month has pushed the island government into crisis mode.
While not disclosing any details, government officials are assuring the public that the it has a plan to assist the thousands of people who will lose their jobs when the HOVENSA oil refinery, the largest in the Caribbean, closes.
However, Labour Department Commissioner Albert Bryan Jr. has been candid in his assessment of what the closure of the refining operations of the plant – a joint venture between the Hess Corporation and Petroleos de Venezuela SA – will mean for the USVI.
“Our worst nightmare is now a reality, and the serious implications for the Virgin Islands, especially the island of St Croix, is cause for grave concern,” said Bryan. “This event will affect every man, woman and child in the territory as its implications are far-reaching.”
The closure of the refinery, which is the largest employer in the territory, will mean the termination of employment for 1,018 employees, and up to 1,200 who work for HOVENSA’s contractors.
It could mean an additional 10 percent of the territory’s workforce is put out of work, and raising St Croix’s unemployment rate to 18.7 percent.
After formal shutdown of the refinery, most of those employed at HOVENSA will continue working through a transition period. Thereafter, approximately 100 people will remain to work at the oil storage terminal.
Bryan said the USVI was resilient, and would work together to forge ahead.
“When serious crisis strikes, we always pull together for the greater good of our people,” he said.
Officials at the refinery, which is one of the 10 largest in the world, announced last month that losses totalling US$1.3 billion in the past three years, and which were projected to continue, were the major reason for the closure.
Caribbean 360 News
Colts' Peyton Manning cleared for contact
Peyton Manning has received the OK from his surgeon to start taking hits again.
A spokesman for Dr. Robert Watkins said in a one-paragraph email sent late Thursday night that the Colts' star was cleared to play.
ESPN, citing unidentified sources, first reported Manning had been cleared.
The Colts contend that is nothing new because Manning was cleared to practice in December, a move that would have also allowed the quarterback to start playing again. But it backs up Manning's contention from earlier this week that his recovery from September neck surgery is on schedule.
"Peyton Manning underwent a thorough medical re-evaluation as part of a postoperative visit with his surgeon," Watkins' statement read. "As a result of this examination, Manning is medically cleared to play professional football."
Colts owner Jim Irsay responded in a tweet: "Peyton has not passed our physical nor has he been cleared to play for The Indianapolis Colts."
Irsay said a team statement was coming later Friday.
The four-time league MVP missed the entire 2011 season after having his third neck surgery in 19 months, a fusion of two vertebrae. There have been concerns that the injury might end Manning's 14-year NFL career.
However, Manning has sounded increasingly confident about his recovery and told reporters earlier this week that he was not planning to retire.
He's been throwing at least two months, including a session Tuesday with several of his teammates.
Even if Manning can take the hits, there is no guarantee he will remain in Indy. The Colts owe Manning a $28 million roster bonus on March 8. If they don't pay it, they could risk losing him in free agency.
There have been growing indications that the Colts may be ready to part with their longtime franchise player.
New general manager Ryan Grigson said Thursday the team must put aside the sentimental reasons for keeping Manning and make a decision based on what's best for the team. Team owner Jim Irsay is expected to make that call.
"You can't do things to where you are going to hurt the whole franchise with other decisions that you know might hurt at the moment, but in the end they help the sum of the parts," Grison said. "It is a tough deal in this business, and it happens at every position, it happens with coaching, it happens with people in personnel and it is completely part of the process and the business."
Irsay and Manning are scheduled to meet again next week. Irsay told reporters earlier Thursday that he had nothing new to report.
That would be a welcome respite in Indy after four chaotic weeks.
Last month, the Colts fired vice chairman Bill Polian, general manager Chris Polian, coach Jim Caldwell and most of Caldwell's assistants. The flurry of moves prompted Manning to go public with his complaints, which drew a strong rebuke from Irsay.
The two appeared to mend fences Friday.
And the Manning story has continually upstaged Indianapolis' first Super Bowl week.
Thursday was no exception. With speculation swirling about Manning's future, his presumed successor - Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, expected to be taken by the Colts with the No. 1 pick - came to town and told reporters he wants to start immediately.
A few hours later, Grigson acknowledged that he met with Manning for 20 minutes last week, calling it a straightforward conversation between two regular guys. New coach Chuck Pagano said he also spoke with Manning last week. Nobody provided details of the conversation, though.
"We're in a holding pattern in that respect," he said when asked if the uncertainty would prevent the Colts from doing business with their soon-to-be free agents. "Until it is (resolved), we're going to go about our business as usual."
Before the night ended, Watkins joined the chorus by confirming that Manning was healthy enough to play.
Source:AP
Lakers, Clippers, Heat each have two All-Star game starters
From Kobe Bryant to Chris Paul, Blake Griffin to Andrew Bynum, the NBA All-Star game is shaping up as an L.A. story.
Two Lakers and two Clippers were voted as starters Thursday for the game, the first time in 15 years that two pairs of teammates have been voted to start for one conference.
Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant prevented a clean Los Angeles sweep of the Western Conference starting lineup by earning a forward spot for the Feb. 26 game in Orlando.
Dwight Howard of the host Magic - unless he's traded first - was the overall leading vote-getter with 1.6 million. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are going together again from Miami, while MVP Derrick Rose of Chicago and New York's Carmelo Anthony round out the East starters.
The Clippers and Lakers are developing a spirited rivalry this season, but they'll have to get along for a night to give the West a second straight win in the NBA's midseason event.
Bryant and Paul will be in the same backcourt two months after the NBA, as owners of the Hornets, killed a trade that would have sent Paul to the Lakers. Instead, he was dealt shortly after to the Clippers, and he has teamed with Griffin to make them one of the league's most exciting and improved teams, leading the Pacific Division over their Staples Center co-tenants.
"It's an honor and a privilege to be voted as an All-Star starter," Paul said. "I want to thank the fans for their support. It's even more special to be starting with one of my teammates."
Griffin and Bynum are first-time starters, while Bryant earned his record-tying 14th consecutive nod.
It's the first time since 1997, when Houston had Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley, and Seattle sent Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp, that two pairs of teammates have been voted to start for one conference.
Bryant joins Shaquille O'Neal, Jerry West and Karl Malone - all one-time Lakers - with his 14th straight starting nod. He earned his fourth All-Star MVP award last year, equaling Bob Pettit's NBA record.
Bynum grabbed the starting center spot that for years went to Yao Ming, who retired last summer. Griffin was chosen as a reserve forward last year, when he became the first rookie All-Star since Yao in 2003.
Starters were chosen by fan balloting, and none of the races was close. The reserves will be chosen by voting of the head coaches from each conference and will be announced next Thursday.
Bryant led all West players with nearly 1.6 million votes. Rose collected 1.5 million to finish third among all players, a year after becoming Chicago's first starter since Michael Jordan.
"I remember not being in the All-Star game, just wanting to be in the game. It's something you should take to heart, that I take to heart," Rose said before the Bulls' game against the Knicks. "Just want to accomplish something special while I'm in the league, and one of the accomplishments is being on the All-Star team."
Howard will make his fifth consecutive start, and his status will provide much of the intrigue surrounding the event. He has told the Magic he wants to be traded and they have given his agent permission to talk to select teams, putting the franchise in a difficult position of deciding whether it should deal its superstar before hosting the weekend.
SI
John Terry: FA strips England captaincy from Chelsea defender
John Terry has been stripped of the England captaincy, the Football Association has confirmed.
The 31-year-old Chelsea centre-back was informed of the decision by FA chairman David Bernstein in a phone call at 1000 GMT.
He is due to stand trial in July over racial abuse allegations after an incident with QPR's Anton Ferdinand.
Terry, who lost the captaincy once previously, has entered a plea of not guilty to the charge.
In a statement, the FA said Terry would not "captain the England team until the allegations against him are resolved".
It continued: "The FA board expected the trial to be concluded prior to the European Championship.
"Further to Wednesday's confirmation that the trial will not take place until after the tournament, the board has discussed the matter in detail and has collectively decided it is in the interests of all parties that John has the responsibilities of captaincy removed at this time.
"This decision has been taken due to the higher profile nature of the England captaincy, on and off the pitch, and the additional demands and requirements expected of the captain leading into and during a tournament."
The FA said Capello was free to select Terry for the Netherlands friendly in February and Euro 2012.
"FA chairman David Bernstein has spoken to both John Terry and Fabio Capello to explain the facts to them," the statement continued.
"Fabio Capello has not been involved in the FA Board discussions which reached this conclusion, but understands that the FA Board has authority to make this decision.
"Fabio Capello will take the decision as to who will be made captain moving forward.
"This decision in no way infers any suggestion of guilt in relation to the charge made against John Terry. The FA will be not be making any further comment on this matter."
BBC Sport understands the majority view among FA board members was that Terry should be stood down.
Capello had until now maintained the position that Terry was innocent until proven guilty and that he should be free to select him as his captain until his trial is over.
There was some nervousness among board members as to how the Italian would react, with some fearing he will see it as undue interference in team affairs.
But there was an acceptance among the FA hierarchy that the matter should be taken out of his hands.
Sports minister Hugh Robertson backed the FA's decision, saying it would have been "impossible" for Terry to continue.
Robertson said: "I completely support the FA's decision. It would have been impossible for John Terry to have continued as captain with this charge over his head."
The FA was forced to act after Terry's case was adjourned until 9 July - a week after the Euro 2012 finals end - ensuring that the affair will dominate the build-up to the championship.
For some time now, Bernstein has been growing increasingly concerned at the FA's position on Terry.
Some board members have lobbied him to take decisive action to ensure the FA is not accused of being weak on racism.
Black players within the England squad have also been putting pressure on the Professional Footballers' Association to take a stronger stance on Terry. This is believed to have also played a part in forcing the FA to act.
Terry was previously stripped of the captaincy when Capello removed him from the role in February 2010 following allegations he had an affair with an England team-mate's ex-girlfriend.
Terry was reinstated 13 months later with Capello saying "one year of punishment is enough".
Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas said he did not agree with the FA's decision and revealed Terry would miss Sunday's game against Manchester United because of the knee injury which kept him out of Tuesday's match at Swansea.
"You have to ask the FA about it and the people responsible for the decision," he said. "The statement from the FA is pretty clear on what was their decision-making. John will continue to be our captain and I have no further things to say."
Harry Redknapp prosecutors say NOTW tape 'extremely telling'
Harry Redknapp's admission of lying to a News of the World reporter is "extremely telling", a court has heard.
In closing statements, prosecution lawyers asked the jury for a "cold, clinical analysis of the issues".
Mr Redknapp, 64, denies allegations £189,000 paid into his account was a bonus for profits on transfers while at Portsmouth FC.
He and ex-Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric, 73, deny cheating the public revenue.
The prosecution said while Mr Redknapp had "many qualities", the key question surrounded the Monaco account, named Rosie 47 after Mr Redknapp's dog.
'Tell police truth'
"Did it arise from employment income? Was it a bonus?," they asked. "If [it was a] bonus, [it] should have been taxed."
The prosecution explained that during a taped interview with the News of the World, Mr Redknapp "couldn't have made it plainer" that the money was a bonus.
Jurors were told the way Mr Redknapp answered the reporter's questions was "extremely telling ... and will assist you enormously in determining the truth".
Under cross examination on Thursday, Mr Redknapp said he lied to reporter Rob Beasley about the source of payments to the account because he did not want negative stories ahead of a cup final.
The Tottenham boss said: "I have to tell police the truth, not Mr Beasley - he's a News of the World reporter."
The jury has been told it will retire to consider its verdicts on Tuesday.
The trial continues.
GB defeat Dutch in Fed Cup match
Great Britain battled hard to defeat the Netherlands 2-1 in their second Fed Cup Euro/Africa Zone Group I match.
British number two Anne Keothavong lost 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 to Bibiane Schoofs.
Elena Baltacha responded from being a break down in the second set to beat Michaella Krajicek 6-3 6-3 before doubles duo Heather Watson and Laura Robson secured victory 7-5 7-6 (7-5).
"I am absolutely delighted and very, very proud of them - it was a fantastic day," captain Judy Murray said.
Great Britain need to win their group if they are to qualify for the World Group play-offs and Baltacha remains confident they can achieve that.
"Today was a result of all the work that the team have put in behind the scenes," she said.
"All the analysis that Judy has been helping us with has helped enormously.
"As for the overall team win, well, what can I say? I'm so proud of our team. The girls all did brilliantly and we're just so excited."
Great Britain had won their first Group C match against Portugal on Wednesday 3-0.
They will now play Israel in their third and final match on Friday at 1400 GMT, seeking the win which will make sure they finish top of their pool and earn them a place in Saturday's promotion play-offs.
The format sees 15 nations form four round-robin pools, played from Wednesday to Friday. The nations that finish top in each pool will go through to the promotion play-offs.
The two winning teams will go through to the World Group II play-offs, while the bottom nations contest the relegation play-offs to decide which two teams are relegated to Euro/Africa Group II
US economy creates 243,000 jobs in January
The US economy created 243,000 jobs in December, the highest total for nine months, official figures show.
The rise was much more than expected. Analysts had forecast an increase of about 150,000 jobs.
The unemployment rate dropped to 8.3%, which was the lowest rate in nearly three years, and down from a revised rate of 8.5% in December.
Job growth was widespread, with large gains in business services, leisure and hospitality, and manufacturing.
Leisure and hospitality, which includes restaurants and hotels, added 44,000 jobs.
Retailers added nearly 11,000 jobs, and professional and business services, which includes higher paying jobs in accounting, architecture and engineering, gained 70,000, the most in 10 months.
Upbeat data
Lindsey Piegza, economist at FTN Financial, said: "It was a better-than-expected report, the strongest report that we've seen in quite some time.
"The big question is whether the reason we're seeing the unemployment rate drop is because more and more people are dropping out of the labour force.
"I know the market wants to rally on this number but remember we need a minimum of 250,000 just to cover demographic change."
The figures add to a range of data pointing to a gradual US economic recovery.
Last week, it was announced that the US economy expanded at a 2.8% annual pace in the October-December quarter, a full percentage point higher than in the previous quarter.
Earlier this week, a survey from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) indicated that the US manufacturing sector expanded at its fastest pace in seven months in January.
Eurozone service sector grows after four-month lull
The eurozone's service sector has grown for the first time in four months, although Spain and Italy have continued to post falls in business activity.
The Markit eurozone services purchasing managers' index (PMI) was 50.4 in January, up from 48.8 in December. Any score under 50 represents a contraction.
It follows a manufacturing survey of 48.8, up from 46.9 in December.
Markit said the survey suggested a recession could be kept at bay.
Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit said: "The final eurozone PMI data indicates that business conditions stabilised following declines seen in the final four months of last year and that the region may avoid a slide back into recession."
The two surveys helped improve the composite index for January, which includes services, construction and manufacturing, increase to 50.4 from 48.3 in December.
'Slower decline'
The survey also found an increasing gap between the stronger eurozone economies, such as Germany, and weaker countries such as Spain.
The survey found growth hit a seven-month high in Germany and a five-month high in France, while ongoing downturns were seen in Italy, Spain and the Irish Republic. However, the rates of decline fell for Spain and Italy.
Mr Williamson added: "Confidence may have risen but remains very low by historical standards of the survey, linked to the fact that inflows of new business continued to fall and that lower prices often had to be offered to win sales, which will dent profit margins.
"The region's debt crisis is also by no means resolved, and any setbacks in current negotiations could easily cause confidence to slump again."