Opening statement to Constitutional talks by Leader of the PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT BY Mr. Douglas Parnel
Opening statement to Constitutional talks by Leader of the PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT BY Mr. Douglas Parnell 15TH June 15, 2011
Good morning Ministers. Thank you for bringing direct talks to this process; it is something that we have consistently called for.
The Peoples Democratic Movement stands for political and constitutional advancement of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. We believe in a system that is democratic and accountable. We therefore cannot support any measure that will cause regression of the Turks and Caicos people and our rights. We submit that the aims of improving integrity in public life, more efficient arrangements for government, and an improved justice system, achieving a parliament representative of the people, bettering public financial management and promoting an inclusive community are not at odds with constitutional advancement, however this draft does not accomplish this for our people.
In the spring of 2009 the three main political parties in the United Kingdom decided through consensus to intervene and partially suspend our constitution because there was deemed to be a high probability of systemic corruption in the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Most persons felt that the real purpose of the suspension of the constitution was to provide an opportunity for the British Government to fight corruption and bring to justice those who were accused of criminality in Government without local interference.
However, it was our system of Government and way of life that has also been put on trial and the measures to correct a system deemed inappropriate by HMG are being imposed against the will of the people. Out of a sense of love, compassion and duty to our people we have made efforts to at home and here in London to alter this approach but have been met with resistance on the part of the FCO officials, and the Interim Government in favor of forging ahead with an agenda to correct a “system” that has not been proven to be the problem but to the contrary in the case o f the Public Accounts Committee of 2007-2009 helped to uncover the wrongs of the old Government.
Simply put, it wasn’t our 2006 constitution or its organs that failed but those elected by the people and the decision makers at FCO that failed to act appropriately on behalf of the people. In fact, in a paper entitled Governance in the UK Overseas Territories: The Case of the Turks and Caicos Islands this point about UK Government neglect is well argued stating, “But the UK government can be blamed for not doing enough to pre-empt the collapse in governance in the TCI in the first place. There had been strong indications for several years that there were deep rooted problems in the TCI. Numerous studies were undertaken that highlighted issues of concern……After the last report the Governor of the TCI expressed serious concerns about what was happening and even suggested a Commission of Inquiry into Crown Land deals should be established (TCI Commission of Inquiry 2009: 94-95). However, despite these reports only limited action was seemingly taken by the UK authorities. The FCO was certainly aware of some of the problems in the TCI.”
Since our focus in these talks is the restoration of our constitution to aid a swift return to a democratically elected Government and Legislature it is important to note that there are very flawed and dangerous arguments that underpin the proposed changes which have been put forward by some of our own quietly ambitious Turks and Caicos Islanders, who have used our political misfortunes of having elected incompetent and venal Governments over the years as an opportunity to push a political agenda of obtaining power but in the guise of improving society. The false arguments we hope to address are: That our political parties are insular and control a monopoly on the Government and elections process, That there are individuals who have a contribution to make to the advancement of the Government and deserving people are being denied because they cannot climb the ranks of these political institutions, That our community is not open enough to allow residents a right to participate in the direction of the country, That transactional politics have corroded a system of free and fair elections, That Some islands and people in the Turks and Caicos Islands are unrepresented in the Parliament and deserve special status at any cost and That the political parties must be regulated because they cannot be trusted to put measures in place to police themselves. And finally, that we(the political parties) have no greater mandate than those appointed by the British Government.
During these discussions we intend to disprove these arguments and prove that through our history, though not perfect, our people have sought to advance constitutional measures to protect the rights of individuals, improve the checks and balances in the administration of Government, and most importantly promote the Institution of Integrity in Public Life, and that the proposed draft constitution is an overreaction to correct an anomaly in our history. We also intend to prove that the underlying assumptions bringing about the draft constitution are flawed. Effectively, our plea is for the UK Government to reconsider its approach and enact a constitution that gives the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands greater autonomy over our destiny, the Government the right and power to govern while giving the Opposition and the people of the country the opportunity to check the Government. We will address this situation through outlining our views on critical provisions of the draft including: a)Belongership, b) House of Assembly including its size (including committees), its functions and limitations and how it is made up (voting system).c) Powers of the Governor vs. 2006 constitution.
d) Public Finance and the Watchdog Institutions. e) Proposed constitutional Silence on trial by Jury.
f) Constitutional amendments that would give greater authority and responsibility to the electorate, the Legislature and the Executive including referendum provisions and delegation of certain reserve powers.
Most observers to these talks including the international community, the UK Parliament, the TCI people, Caricom and our brothers and sisters in the other Overseas Territories are watching carefully to see if you continue to listen or whether they amount to a rubber stamping of a rejected proposal.
Shaq Sex Tapes at Center of Kidnapping, Robbery, Assault Case
TMZ is reporting that Shaquille O’Neal is caught in the middle of a criminal case in which seven gang members allegedly kidnapped, assaulted and robbed a man who claimed to have a tape showing Shaq having sex with other women while he was married to Shaunie.
Law enforcement sources tell the website that Ladell Rowles, a member of the Main Street Mafia Crip Gang in L.A. who is friends with Shaq, joined six other gang members on a search and destroy mission in L.A. on February 11, 2008. They believed a man named Robert Ross had the sex tape and they tried getting it back by force.
According to the police report, the seven gang members met up with Ross at the Sunset Strip convenience store Pink Dot. The men allegedly surrounded Ross’ Rolls Royce Phantom with guns drawn, jumped into Ross’ car and ordered him to drive to Rowles’ house in South Central L.A.
Once there, Rowles allegedly pistol-whipped Ross and demanded that he turn over the sex tape. Ross said he would get the tape and bring it back to them. The seven men then allegedly took Ross’ Rolex, diamond chain and earrings, along with $15,000 in cash — then let Ross go.
The seven men have been arrested and charged with robbery, kidnapping and other crimes. They are currently in the middle of a preliminary hearing and being held in jail.
According to TMZ, LAPD detectives interviewed Shaq to determine what, if any, involvement he had in the alleged crimes. When the case file went to the D.A. Shaq was not listed as a suspect.
TMZ is also reporting that Ross has a history with Shaq.
Shaq and his business manager, Mark Stevens, have a record label and allegedly told Ross they would give him a 50% cut in any artists he brought to them. Ross claims he delivered Ray J to Shaq but got cut out of the deal, according to the website.
Ross told cops after his falling out, he threatened Shaq by telling him about the sex tape, threatening to release it unless Shaq paid up.
As for the tape, Ross claims Shaq brought women to Ross’ home and had sex with them while he was married to Shaunie. Ross told Shaq a “security camera” captured the action and it was all on tape. But Ross told cops the security camera recycles periodically and the video no longer exists.
And there’s another twist. Around the time Shaq and Ross had their falling out, Shaunie separated from Shaq and Ross claims he began having an affair with her. Ross claims Shaq hired a private investigator to tail Shaunie and the P.I. caught the two together.
Ryno & Corey Todd Makes Peace, But Gets Threatened By Gaza Thugs
On Sunday afternoon resurgent dancehall artiste Ryno was threatened by men allegedly aligned to the Gaza camp. The artiste while at a recording session said his phone rang and men claiming to be Gaza affiliates said.”hey bwoy a yuh cause all a dis… ah yuh mek the whole a di man dem a lef Gaza and a diss teacha… memba yaw guh dead.”
Focused on his career and his newly formed Garrison Records, Ryno says he wants to make it clear that he will not be in the least intimated by Vybz Kartel or any of his associates.
“If any a dem feel seh dem a God tell dem try something” – A seemingly unfazed Ryno responded.
“I am not supporting or condoning any violence but I left that camp and have since refused many shows from promoters just to avoid any unnecessary confrontation with them----- them fight down me music and me low dem and seet deh, dem still a go out of them way fi look trouble.”
Meanwhile, Ryno and Corey Todd Makes PeaceMeanwhile, Ryno and Kartel’s former business partner Corey Todd has decided to make peace and put their differences behind them. The two met last week at an undisclosed location to quell the tension, following last year’s public brawl. The peace initiative was orchestrated by a mutual friend who was also instrumental in the truce that now exist between the Aidonia led J.O.P camp and Ryno.
Later this month Ryno will depart the island for the three-day St. Kitts Music Festival from June 23-25 where he is expected to share the stage with a number of local and international acts including: The Commodores, Fantasia Barrino, Bunny Wailer, Yellow Man, Maxi Priest, Cocoa Tea, Gyptian, Jah Cure, Konshens among others
Chris Brown on Doing it His Way
He released his latest album, “F.A.M.E.” at No. 1 on the Billboard’s 200 album chart and he’s not looking back. Chris Brown said he feels that this album is really a victory over the controversies that shattered his youthful image back in 2009.
“I don’t really think it’s a comeback album. I feel like it’s an album of triumph, like an underdog type of album,” Brown tells The Source Magazine for their Summer Heat issue. “It’s more of me showing and proving everybody wrong. I don’t think I ever went anywhere…”
He continued, “I recognize my music touches people and everything I do negative or positive affects people all over the world. So that’s definitely a blessing and a curse…,” says Brown. “The thing I dislike most about my life is living up to everybody’s expectations, never being able to be like, ‘F**( it,’ and do what I want to do, not care about someone’s opinion. As artists we’re opinionated, but we definitely do care about.”
Samuel L. Jackson to Narrate Audio Book for ‘Go the (Bleep) to Sleep’
Samuel L. Jackson will narrate the audio book for the profanity-laced hit nursery rhyme, “Go the (Bleep) to Sleep.”
The actor is already famous for the special manner in which he utters curse words – particularly “mother f*****” – in such film as “Pulp Fiction” and “Snakes on a Plane.”
“Go the (Bleep) to Sleep” is this summer’s surprise hit by tired dad Adam Mansbach. The hardcover book and audio version went on sale Tuesday, and pre-orders have kept the book high on the Amazon.com best-seller list for weeks.
Film rights have already been sold.
The 62-year-old Jackson was a presenter at Sunday’s Tony Awards. He’s set to make his Broadway debut this fall as the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in “The Mountaintop.”
Rihanna Picks Twitter Fights with Fans
Rihanna is steady telling the world of haters how she really feels, and it is through the new celebrity social club, Twitter that she makes it known.
She recently bumped into a fan on the social media site while satisfying a late night hunger crave at McDonalds.
A fan tweeted, “Rhianna in the housee at McDonalds LOL, she’s actually a rude stank girl. Such a shame for pretty girl! *Bitcch Dowwn*”
She also added: “Why you stormin out and bumpin in to ppl at McDonalds @rihanna ?? Not very nice of you, come to our city and act up!”
After being alerted of the tweets, Rihanna quickly tweeted at the fan: “I was in McD’z for 3 seconds! If I bumped into u, obviously it was an accident! Didn’t notice… #sensitive”
But the fan needed to press the issue saying Rihanna must have noticed.
The singer retorted with, “@iStan4Rihanna_ to peep at the menu b4 I “bumped into” these cunts, lol.”
Oh and the beef didn’t stop there. She actually took her rage out on a Beyonce fan too: “@BeyFierceIV F(*&^ u C*NT!!!! #unclassyNavy“.
As a result of her tirade, some of her fans stopped following.
Perhaps the superstar’s responses are getting a bit out of hand. There’s a time to fight and a time to simply ignore the ignorance. In fact, who knew RiRi had that much time on her hands?
Stevie Wonder Inducted into Apollo Legends Hall of Fame
Stevie Wonder took his place in Apollo history Monday night as he was honored during the famed theater’s spring gala with induction into the Legends Hall of Fame, which includes Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Ella Fitzgerald and James Brown.
Though Wonder was the main attraction, the audience was also wowed as he collaborated with a cast of friends and admirers including Tony Bennett, Chick Corea, Paul Shaffer and Doug E. Fresh, reports the AP.
“It’s a moment to cherish and remember, relishing in the memories of the times that I’ve been at the Apollo, as well as this night, the great people that came out to support me being here,” Wonder said in an interview. “It’s a great thing to be one of those people in the Hall of Fame for the Apollo.”
Bennett presented the honor to Wonder, who in turn lauded the legendary crooner for his commitment to the Apollo and to civil-rights causes.
“As much as I may never see the color of his skin, I’m able to feel the color of his spirit,” Wonder told the audience. “When it was not fashionable to hang out with the brothers and sisters, you did.”
He then recalled Bennett singing one of Wonder’s signature songs “For Once in My Life.” As Wonder began to sing the tune, Bennett joined in for an impromptu performance that ended with a standing ovation.
It was one of several during a concert that featured Raphael Saadiq, gospel singers Yolanda Adams and Kim Burrell, Melanie Fiona (see photo above), ?uestlove, Corea and others.
Beatboxer Fresh joined Wonder on an unusual and riveting performance of Wonder’s classic “All I Do,” while Wonder played the harmonica as Corea led on piano during a rendition of Wonder’s “Pastime Paradise.” Wonder also sang some of his other classics as well as a Barbra Streisand cover, “People.”
Wonder didn’t forget his political side during his acceptance speech, calling for better health care and criticizing those who fail to help others.
When asked about his comments, he later joked: “I just did it, I wasn’t even thinking about it. It was on my mind. I kind of did the Kanye (West) and expressed myself.”
The Apollo spring gala raised over $1.2 million. The funds will be used for its educational programs and to preserve the historic theater’s legacy, organizers said.
Mavado charged, Bounty released - Manager complains of false reports following shooting incident
Mavado was yesterday charged with assault and given bail following an incident at a nightclub in New Kingston.
According to reports, the deejay was charged with assault and given $30,000 station bail while fellow deejay Bounty Killer was questioned and released. This was after both of them were named as persons of interest and asked to report to the Half-Way Tree Police Station.
During initial checks with the police, it was said that a member of Mavado's entourage was involved in an altercation with a police officer on the steps of the Quad nightclub in New Kingston. It is alleged that the officer was slapped in the face after which the man was shot.
However, Mavado and Killer's manager, Julian Jones-Griffiths, disputed the reports that were being circulated yesterday.
"Obviously, we can't say too much at this point in time as it's the subject of an ongoing investigation but we need to clarify one thing; false reports have been circulated by the media that this incident stemmed from Mavado refusing a search upon entry to Quad nightclub," he said.
He further said; "That is completely untrue, Mavado and his party were already inside the club, past the search area where there was no issue with anyone. We are asking for fair and balanced reporting of this incident, there is always a lot of false information propagated when these stories break but that doesn't mean to say we must blame Mavado automatically."
The manager said that Mavado was not travelling with 20 or 30 people, as is being reported. "He was with his girlfriend, a couple of family members and a handful of friends," he said.
He added that the man who was shot, underwent surgery yesterday morning in order to stabilise his condition. However, "he lost a lot of blood and the bullet is lodged in him. His condition is very serious and doctors hope to try and remove the bullet once he is well enough."
disappointment
He also expressed disappointment with Bounty Killer being named as a person of interest and being asked to report to the police.
"As it relates to Bounty Killer it's incomprehensible as to why he has been made a person of interest by the police. He was nowhere near the vicinity where the incident happened and it's very regrettable that he has been caught up in this situation, especially on his birthday," he added.
The Quad nighclub also issued a statement. However, they said the incident occurred outside the establishment.
"According to preliminary police reports, a member of the entourage of a popular entertainer was shot outside the nightclub. We regret the incident, however, the shooting happened as a direct result of an altercation between a member of the security forces and the entertainer's entourage. The management of the club continues to go to great lengths to ensure the safety of patrons inside the nightclub, and ask members of the public to respect our policy that all patrons must be searched before entering the club," the release stated.
JA STAR
Traffic horrors as gas tanker flips in Trinidad
An accident involving a gas tanker caused a traffic pile-up, stretching from the Churchill-Roosevelt and the Solomon Hochoy Highways junction to the Oropouche Junction, as the north and south-bound lanes of the Solomon Hochoy Highway were shutdown. The accident, which occurred shortly after noon near Gasparillo on the Solomon Hochoy Highway, left hundreds of motorists and commuters stranded in traffic that stretched for several miles and lasted for several hours. The situation got the attention of Works and Transport Minister, Jack Warner, who assessed the scene from a helicopter. Warner later ordered an additional 6.30 pm sailing by the water taxi to ease the situation. Tickets for the 4.30 pm sailing of the taxi from Port-of-Spain to San Fernando were sold out yesterday evening and only a few were left for the 5.45 pm sailing.
The additional sailing at 6.30 pm was an effort to alleviate the traffic congestion on the highway.
Warner urged motorists to use access roads at Carlsen Field, Couva and Freeport to get away from the congestion. Police said the tanker, owned by Ramdial Transport Services and contracted by National Petroleum (NP), was driven by Glenn Ramkhelawan, of Santa Cruz. The tanker, loaded with 36,000 litres of super unleaded gas, was on its way to make deliveries to several stations in San Fernando and Princes Town when it capsised on the south-bound lane of the highway. According to reports, a vehicle which also was proceeding south suddenly drove in front of the tanker. In an effort to avoid a collision, Ramkhelawan pulled to the right and lost control of the tanker which skidded off the wet road and onto the median.
The tanker turned on its side with gas leaking out. Another tanker from Ramdial Transport responded and attempted to transfer the fuel out of the leaking truck but with no success. Shortly after, a vacuum tanker arrived on the scene and began to transfer the fuel. Personnel at the scene said all health, safety and environment procedures were followed and the spill was eventually contained. Emergency personnel from the Fire and Police Services, as well NP health and safety officers, were on hand to deal with fuel containment issues. There were no reported injuries or loss of life. Fire officers from Divisional Headquarters in Mon Repos, as well as Savonetta and Chaguanas, responded with a Hazmat appliance and sprayed foam onto the road and median to stop gas fumes from spreading.
In addition, a backhoe from the Ministry of Works and Transport was brought in and a trench was dug to stem the flow of fuel. A contractor from Petrotrin siphoned approximately 40 barrels of gas out of the trench. Acting District Fire Officer Tajudeen told the T&T Guardian it was necessary to close the highway as the gas spillage posed a high risk to motorists. He added: “What we did was to blanket the entire area with a foam cover to ensure the mopping up operations were done safely. “The capacity of the tanker is 8,000 gallons and there are two vacuum trucks. “There is an attachment area where there is a residue of gas running out and also there were some contents in the tank.
Bearing the circumstances there was no alternative,” he said. Although the incident occurred on the highway, there was also a traffic pile-up on the Southern Main Road, stretching from San Fernando to Chaguanas. To add to the chaos, there were several minor accidents, including a five-vehicle smash-up on the highway near Couva. St Margaret’s Police confirmed there were only minor injuries. By 3.30 pm police had re-opened the shoulder of the south-bound lane of the highway but motorists on the north-bound lane remained in traffic gridlock for another hour.
Jamaican PM calls for special regime for indebted middle income countries
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Bruce Golding has emphasised the need for multilateral financial institutions to create a special regime for indebted middle income countries.
Addressing a high powered team of United States senators at a special meeting called in his honour on Capitol Hill, on June 9, the prime minister said it is a long-standing concern of the government that Jamaica be accorded more “space” by the multilateral institutions, given its inherent vulnerabilities as a small, heavily indebted country.
“Although being one of the most highly indebted countries in the world, Jamaica is classified as a middle income country, which meant that it is not eligible to receive many of the concessions or considerations available to countries which are classified as poor, even though the combined effect of the high indebtedness and the vulnerabilities, create many of the same effects as those experienced by ‘poor’ countries,” Golding told the senators.
He said that Jamaica is not asking to be included in the Least Developed Country (LDC) category; rather, “We have been making the case at the international level, for middle-income countries like Jamaica not to be penalised for their successes."
The prime minister also raised with members of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as well as the Vice Chair of Homeland Security, Senator Frank Lautenberg, a proposal he made to both President Barack Obama during the G8 Summit last year and Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, which urged the US to come up with creative ways to effectively stem the flow of weapons into Jamaica.
Golding told the meeting that the illegal gun trade has contributed to the major challenges of security in Jamaica and the region.
Democratic Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey noted the concerns highlighted by the prime minister and enquired how the US could assist with the other challenges related to security.
The prime minister welcomed the request and noted that due to resource limitations, the government is in need of assistance in a number of areas, for example, satellite tracking technology, which could improve the country’s anti-narcotics efforts.
He said this assistance would facilitate more information being shared on the movement of drug traffickers, particularly in Jamaican waters.
While agreeing that this concern needed further consideration, Democratic Senator, Tom Udall of New Mexico asked whether the tourism sector had been negatively affected by the security concerns being discussed.
In response, the prime minister pointed out that the sector had performed well, in spite of the recession and security concerns. The prime minister also noted that approximately 70 percent of stop-over tourists to Jamaica came from the US, followed by Canada and Europe.
The prime minister explained that tourism had significant scope for investment and singled out heritage tourism for particular mention. He also noted that the government has embarked on an investment drive in this area, and expressed a desire for more US investors to take advantage of the opportunities in the sector.
Menendez, who is current Chairman of the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Global Narcotics Affairs of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, chaired the meeting.
Among the senators of the Foreign Relations Committee in attendance were Senator Christopher Coons (D, Delaware); Senator Marco Rubio (R, Florida); Senator Benjamin Cardin (D, Maryland); Senator Robert Casey (D, Philadelphia) and Senator Udall. Senate majority leader, Harry Reid (D, Nevada) also attended the meeting.
Golding, who was in Washington on a five-day visit, held talks with president of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Luis Moreno; president of the World Bank, Robert Zoellick and the deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Naoyuki Shinohara. He also held bilateral talks with Clinton.
The prime minister presented a lecture at the Brookings Institute, held talks with several high-level US-based investors, and attended a reception in his honour, hosted by Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Audrey Marks. Golding also launched the IDB’s art exhibition, which featured works of nine Jamaican artists.