Turkey Allows Iraqi Kurds to Join Fight
In a reversal of policy, Turkey said Monday it allow Iraqi Kurds to use Turkish territory to support the besieged Syrian Kurdish city of Kobani. The announcement comes after U.S. forces air-dropped military supplies into the city currently under assault by Islamic State militants.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the Iraqi Kurdish fighters, known as Peshmerga, can cross Turkey's border with Sryia to join the fight for Kobani.
"We are helping the Peshmerga cross into Kobani," he said, speaking through an interpretor. "Our discussions are still under way."
With Kobani under fire on three sides by Islamic State forces, the Turkish frontier is the only possible ground entry for resupplying the border city.
Cavusoglu refused to give any further details on how many fighters and weapons will be given the green light to cross the border. But he said Ankara wants to eliminate threats along the region and is assisting the U.S.-led coalition fighting IS jihadists.
"We are fully cooperating with the coalition with respect to Kobani," Cavusoglu said. "We want to eliminate all kind of threats in the region and we see the military and medical aid, outfitted by our Iraqi Kurdish brothers and airdropped by the United States to all groups defending Kobani, from that perspective."
In Kobani, Syrian Kurds, known as the PYD, are calling for heavy weapons, in particular anti-tank missiles, to counter Islamic State tanks.
Ankara has been hesitant in allowing Peshmerga into Kobani to help the PYD. That's because Turkey accuses the PYD of being linked to the PKK, a rebels that both Ankara and the United States describes are terrorists. The PKK has fought for greater Kurdish rights in Turkey for three decades. On Saturday, Turkish president,Recep Tayyip Erdogan, made clear it believes the two groups have strong ties.
“At the moment, the PYD is equal with the PKK for us. It is also a terrorist organization," Erdogan said.
Cease-fire Falling Apart
The cease-fire deal announced by the Nigerian government on Friday appears to be unraveling as fresh clashes between soldiers and Boko Haram militants are reported in the northeastern town of Damboa.
The news comes as the government prepares for more regionally mediated talks in Chad to discuss the release of 219 schoolgirls still held by the sect.
Residents of Borno state said that since the cease-fire was announced Friday, militants have attacked several communities - killing at least 40 people and hoisting their black flag over the border town of Abadam.
The government said those attacks were the work of “fringe groups” who hadn’t yet gotten word of the cease-fire.
However, a member of a civilian militia group allied with the government and an army officer in Borno state, told VOA that on Sunday night Boko Haram militants stormed the town of Damboa. A state intelligence official in Borno told VOA the army drove back the attack and killed 25 insurgents.
The fighting casts even further doubt on the cease-fire.
The spokesman for the Borno Elders Forum, Bulama Mali Guide, said leaders in the three most affected states were not part of the talks and have been given no details.
“This deal, as announced by the federal government, is very sketchy because nothing is being spelled out. We are not told of the nitty-gritty of the peace deal," Guide said.
"I think they should come here to find out from us how the Boko Haram are because the real Boko Haram we know who are killing us, who are burning our towns and villages, I'm sure are not the Boko Haram they negotiated with," he said.
Only one purported Boko Haram leader has confirmed the cease-fire, and many said they have never heard of Danladi Amadu, the man who claimed to VOA's Hausa news service to be Boko Haram’s secretary general.
Some northern leaders and analysts told VOA they worried the cease-fire announcement was politically motivated.
President Goodluck Jonathan, who has been criticized for not doing enough to stop Boko Haram, is soon expected to announce his candidacy for re-election in 2015.
Nigeria and Boko Haram 'agree ceasefire and girls' release'
Nigeria's military says it has agreed a ceasefire with Islamist militants Boko Haram - and that the schoolgirls the group has abducted will be released.
Nigeria's chief of defence staff, Alex Badeh, announced the truce. Boko Haram has not made a public statement.
The group has been fighting an insurgency since 2009, with some 2,000 civilians reportedly killed this year.
Boko Haram sparked global outrage six months ago by abducting more than 200 schoolgirls.
The girls were seized in the north-eastern town of Chibok in Borno state, and their continued captivity has led to criticism of the Nigerian government's efforts to secure their release.
Members of the Bring Back Our Girls campaign said in a tweet on Friday: "We are monitoring the news with huge expectations."
Air Chief Marshal Badeh revealed the truce at the close of a three-day security meeting between Nigeria and Cameroon. He said Nigerian soldiers would comply with the agreement.
Nigeria's chief of defence staff, Alex Badeh, announces the truce to the media
Nigerian presidential aide Hassan Tukur told BBC Focus on Africa that the agreement was sealed after a month of negotiations, mediated by Chad.
As part of the talks, a government delegation twice met representatives of the Islamist group.
Mr Tukur said Boko Haram had announced a unilateral ceasefire on Thursday and the government had responded.
New Turkish Ambassador to CARICOM
Sulé Oztunç has officially been accredited as Turkey’s Ambassador to CARICOM.
The move is part of what seems to be a larger push by Turkey to deepen its ties with the Caribbean region.
Accepting Oztunc’s credentials this week, CARICOM Secretary General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque said Turkey had a growing commitment to ensure the “immense potential” of its relationship with the Caribbean was “fully realized.”
The two sides held their first ever cooperation meeting in Turkey in July, and Turkey has signaled its desire to set up a diplomatic outpost in the Caribbean.
LaRocque said CARICOM and Turkey’s Foreign Economic Relations Board had recently concluded a Memorandum of Understanding to pave the way for the establishment of Turkey-CARICOM business councils.
Region Now Has a Common Fisheries Policy
The Caribbean Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) adopted a regional policy on fisheries to improve sustainable use and management of the region’s aquaculture and fisheries resources, at its meeting in Paramaribo, Suriname on October 10.
The Council, which comprises Ministers responsible for Agriculture from across the Caribbean Community, confirmed the Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy (CCCFP) which is aimed at fostering greater harmonisation and the sustainable management and development of the region’s fisheries and aquaculture resources. The Policy also places emphasis on the efficient use of shared resources and improvement to food security and poverty reduction in the region.
The Policy as with other CARICOM policies, is binding on all member countries, the Caribbean Court of Justice has advised. In giving its stamp of approval, COTED agreed that the Policy should be applied by Member States as far as possible.
The CCCFP seeks to operationalise Article 60 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas which created the Caribbean Community and Single Market. The provision allows for the collaboration of competent regional and international agencies in the promotion, development and conservation of regional fisheries resources on a sustainable basis. In addition, the implementation of a common policy on fisheries will contribute to the enhanced treatment of the Caribbean Sea as a special area in the context of sustainable development. The Policy recognises the importance of fisheries to social and economic development, food and nutrition security and the welfare of the peoples of the Caribbean.
The CCCFP is aimed at securing the maximum benefits of the resources for the peoples of the Caribbean. The Policy is expected to transform the region’s fisheries sector into a market-oriented, internationally competitive and environmentally sustainable one, based on the highest international standards of quality assurance and sanitary and phyto-sanitary systems
The recommendation for the acceptance of the policy came out of the 5th Special Meeting of the CRFM's Ministerial Council, which was held on Thursday, 9 October 2014, also in Paramaribo. Both meetings coincided with the Caribbean Week of Agriculture at which CRFM’s Executive Director, Milton Haughton, presented a paper on First CARICOM Strategic Plan (2015 – 2019).
The Secretariat as well as other CARICOM Institutions and member states countries will for the first time be following a single plan.
CRFM members are Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Kitts Nevis, St. Lucia, St Vincent and Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Nassau Grouper considered by US as threatened species
The Ministerial Council of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) has raised concerns over the recent decision by the US government to pursue the listing of the Nassau Grouper, a commercially traded species in the region, under the US Endangered Species Act.
At its meeting in Paramaribo, Suriname on October 9, the Council expressed grave concern at what it considered “extra-national activities and decisions” on the social and economic activities and international trade of CRFM member states.
On 2 September 2014, the US National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), issued its finding based on the petition from the US-based WildEarth Guardians to list the Nassau Grouper as a threatened or endangered species. The US Government Agency found that the Nassau Grouper was not endangered, but that it met the definition of a threatened species and proposed its listing as such under the Endangered Species Act.
The listing of the Nassau Grouper as a threatened species could impact the region’s ability to fish for and trade the fish. The Council has therefore called on member states to be “proactive in addressing the challenge” noting that the Nassau Grouper is an important commercial species with significant economic value to regional fishers.
The Ministerial Council has also called on Member States of the CRFM to compile the best available data and information on the status and active management of Nassau grouper in their countries, particularly information that could inform NMFS’ final listing and proposed conservation measures. The region must submit its comments to the NFMS by 31 December 2014.
CRFM members are Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Kitts Nevis, St. Lucia, St Vincent and Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
A year of warm welcomes..says TCI Governor
His Excellency the Governor, Peter Beckingham has dubbed his latest blog, a year of warm welcomes.
He said it hardly seems possible that a year ago this October, that he and his wife Jill flew into Provo airport, took a connecting flight to Grand Turk, and 24 hours later were in the charming House of Assembly building for his swearing-in ceremony as the Governor of Turks and Caicos Islands.
“I said in my short speech then that I had a number of emotions about arriving in TCI, including humility about the challenges which lay ahead, and excitement about the prospect of working in one of the world’s most attractive destinations.
Those feelings still persist, as they should, but they are now mixed with gratitude and appreciation for the warmth of the welcome we continue to receive from all the islands, and a much greater awareness of how fortunate we are to be able to share this extraordinary environment of natural beauty,” he said.
He said challenges of course continue, and he would be amazed if some don’t remain throughout the time he lives here. “I saw the physical challenges for many of us with the 48 hours of continuous rain from Tropical Storm Cristabal, the tragic death of a Grand Turk citizen recently was another reminder of the risks from our environment, and we’ve been fortunate to avoid Category Three Hurricane Gonzalo.
Everyone I have met, without exception, looks forward to the time when the forthcoming “SIPT” trials are over. I hope that they will be concluded by next year, and that TCI can move ahead from them with confidence and self-belief, whatever the outcome,” he said.
Governor Beckingham said it is the enormous success of our resorts in attracting hundreds of thousands of well-off, and in some cases super- rich visitors that has been the biggest success over the last twelve months. “Frankly, although I thought I knew a good deal about the islands before I arrived, the up-market appeal they have to our US and Canadian visitors surpassed my expectations. Parrot Cay, Amanyara, Beaches and the Grace Bay Club, are brands which resonate in North America (and increasingly in the UK), and have helped the Tourist Board to position Turks and Caicos as one of the most alluring destinations in the Caribbean.
“It’s a cliché, but none of us from immigration staff, to resort owners and bar attendants and taxi drivers, can take any of this for granted: it only takes a few minutes of hostility at the airport, weeks of crime, or freak hurricanes, to wipe out the positive image of our destination built up painstakingly over years.
Instead I hope that we can polish our reputation. I aim to continue to ensure that our existing, as well as new, investors, realize that this is a business-friendly country welcoming more environmentally-friendly developments. I regard my links to those investors, backing up the work of the Government and Public Service, as of first-order importance, Governor Beckingham said.
Additionally, he said he is determined to support business and the government in their plans to make Turks and Caicos a more energy-sustainable place to live and work. “Our position of having among the most expensive energy costs in the world is not one to be proud of. I’m delighted that the Premier, Minister of Government Support Services George Lightbourne and I were able to welcome this month to Turks and Caicos the Carbon War Room initiative of British entrepreneur and billionaire Richard Branson to bring more alternative energy to our homes and resorts. That has to be a priority for all of us,” he added.
His Excellency expressed hope that he can continue to convey his sense of excitement and pleasure to be working here, to everyone who lives in Turks and Caicos, and to our visitors. He said that there are many other challenges and opportunities he could have mentioned, including healthcare costs, illegal migration and constitutional reform, for example – and can consider them in future blogs and meetings, but for now, he expressed thanks to every man, woman and child who has given he and his wife Jill, such a warm welcome and memorable year.
“We look forward to more: and please continue to come and say hello in that friendly manner when we do our weekly shopping in Grand Turk or Provo, or visit again one of the other beautiful islands every Turks and Caicos Islander should be proud to be a part of. I’m delighted many more of our friends and family will continue to visit the islands over the next year,” Governor Beckingham ended his FCO blog from the TCI.
Government Support Services Ministerial Delegation returns from Conferences
Minister of Government Support Services, Hon. George Lightbourne, has returned to the islands after attending the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) in Miami, Florida and the Caribbean Water and Wastewater Conference in Nassau, Bahamas.
CREF, held 6th – 8th October 2014, is known as “the largest and longest establish Caribbean renewables event in the hemisphere” with the “ability to connect Caribbean energy stakeholders to international capital and technology”. The objective of CREF was to bring together key stakeholders in an effort to exchange ideas and to forge a way forward thus reducing the carbon footprint globally with the promotion and implementation of renewables.
Accompanying Minister Lightbourne were Permanent Secretary of Government Support Services, Ian Astwood, and Energy and Utilities Energy Analyst, Sparkle Prentice. While at this forum, Minister Lightbourne also liaised with Carbon War Room representatives, whom he, along with H.E. Governor Beckingham, had previously met at a Creating Climate Wealth event in the British Virgin Islands in February 2014.
The Caribbean Water and Wastewater Conference was held from the 5th and 10th October. Minister Lightbourne also attended a High Level Session of Caribbean Water Ministers, on the 9th – 10th under the theme ‘Caribbean Water Security – Risks and Opportunities’. This forum provided Ministers “with one of the few opportunities for policy discussions on water, wastewater, and waste management in the Caribbean…..more specifically that of Small Island Developing States, in particular within the context of climate change”.
Also attending technical workshops and presentations was Mr. Omowale Harvey, Water Engineer with TCIG Water Undertaking Department.
“It was an eventful week. It was very useful and refreshing to have collaborated with fellow regional Ministers and other stakeholder, particularly at this critical time when water security and affordability is of utmost importance to our people,” says Minister Lightbourne.
He further expressed his determination to “relentlessly pursue, in a collaborative effort between the Carbon War Room, TCIG and Fortis TCI, measures to reduce the cost of energy to consumers.”
Turks & Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) Issues Ebola Travel Advisory
The Government of the Turks & Caicos Islands Disaster Policy Group Co-Chaired by the Governor and the Premier met on Thursday, October 16, 2014, and issued the following travel advisory on the advice of the Public and Environmental Health Board and Ministry of Health and Human Services:
The advisory states; The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands strongly urges all TCI residents to avoid all travel to the West African countries of Liberia, Guinea, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Nigeria that are currently experiencing an unprecedented outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).
The Government further issued a Public and Environment Health (Control Measures)(Ebola Virus) Order 2014 on the recommendation of the Public and Environmental Health Board that advises travelers that enhanced screening measures are being implemented by Public Health Officials at TCI Ports of Entry. The Public Health Ordinance empowers Public Health Officials to screen and examine individuals to assess risk. Persons considered at risk, including persons entering the TCI within 21 days of having visited an Ebola affected area, shall be subjected to quarantine for up to 21 days by Public Health Officials.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak a ‘Public Health Emergency of International Concern.’ These measures are, therefore, taken in the interest of the public health and safety of the residents of and visitors to the TCI. TCIG will continue to review the situation as it relates to EVD and decide on additional measures such as prohibition or banning travel to affected countries as appropriate.
Minister for Health and Human Services, Hon. Porsha Stubbs-Smith stated “Whilst the TCI is currently Ebola free, the MoHHS will continue its efforts. We have been monitoring movements globally, and note that each day additional cases of Ebola are identified in various countries.
“We are not isolated from the world; therefore TCIG has issued a travel advisory as a precautionary measure to persons travelling outside of the TCI and to countries with suspected and confirmed cases of Ebola.”
TCI receives support from the World Bank for National Risk Assessment
The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) is undertaking a National Risk Assessment (NRA) this year in line with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations that each country assesses its own money laundering and terrorist financing risks.
The TCI NRA which aims at creating a comprehensive and evidence-based understanding of the risks the jurisdiction is facing will start this month.
Around fifty stakeholders and representatives from both the public and private sectors will convene for a three day workshop at the Regents Palms in Providenciales on 21, 22 and 23 October 2014.
The workshop is to facilitate comprehensive exchanges of views and analyses to allow for a consistent approach to assessing the levels of risks, controls and supervisory oversight in each sector.
Participants will be divided into a number of working groups following a risk assessment methodology developed by the World Bank. The methodology encourages delegates to consider factors related to money laundering, terrorist financing threats and vulnerabilities in their individual areas of expertise. A risk rating will be assigned based upon quantitative and qualitative data discussed and evaluated during workshop sessions.
Announcing the launch of the National Risk Assessment, The Attorney General Ms. Rhondalee Braithwaite Knowles said: “This is a major initiative here in the Turks and Caicos Islands which will enable us to develop an effective framework to prevent money laundering and combat terrorist financing.”
World Bank experts Ms. Lisa Bostwick, Ms. Francisca Fernando and Mr. Roberto Biel will lead the various workshop sessions. A data gathering process across sectors will follow the initial workshop. Subsequently the last phase of the initiative will consist of a risk assessment report combined with an action plan addressing shortcomings or necessary change of focus for the TCI. The National Risk Assessment is expected to conclude by June 2015.