Ukraine, EU Sign Free Trade Agreement
Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko says his country has paid "the highest possible price" to achieve the goal of a free trade agreement with the European Union -- a goal reached Friday when he signed the deal at a summit in Brussels.
Earlier in the day Poroshenko called the signing "historic," despite negative reaction from Moscow. Russia's deputy foreign minister said Ukraine's move is "fraught with serious consequences."
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that controversy over the agreement, which led to the ouster of pro-Russian Ukrainian President Viktor Ya-nukov-ych earlier this year, has forced Ukrainians into an "artificial" choice between loyalties to Europe or to Russia. He called for a long-term ceasefire in Ukraine as a condition for talks between Ukrainian authorities and pro-Russian separatists.
At the Brussels summit, EU leaders set a Monday deadline for Putin to demonstrate support for calming the unrest in Ukraine.
In a statement issued Friday, the 28 leaders called for Moscow to meet several conditions, including visibly supporting the Ukrainian government's proposed peace plan, the French news agency AFP reported. Ukraine's government also should be granted oversight of three major border checkpoints, Reuters reported.
Iraq's Top Shi'ite Cleric Demands Maliki Replacement by Tuesday
Pressure continued to build Friday on Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, with the country's top Shi'ite cleric calling on political groups to agree on a new leader by Tuesday.
Iraq's recently-elected parliament is meeting Tuesday to begin the process of forming what many hope will be a more inclusive government that does not marginalize Iraq's Sunni minority.
Maliki is losing some Shi'ite allies. On Friday, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani called on political blocs to agree on a new prime minister, president, and parliament speaker by the Tuesday meeting.
The prime minister has rejected forming an emergency government, saying that would go against the country's constitution and the results of the April 30 parliamentary election.
Maliki's future is expected to be a topic for U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, who meet Friday in Riyadh to discuss how to confront Sunni extremists that have taken over large parts of Iraq and Syria.
Kerry met Thursday in Paris with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, in an effort to rally regional unity against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL.
White House Seeks $500M to Equip, Train Syrian Opposition
The White House is asking the U.S. Congress for $500 million to equip and train selected members of the armed moderate Syrian opposition.
National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said Thursday the money will also be used to help defend the Syrian people, stabilize areas under rebel control and meet the threat of terrorism.
Hayden said while there is no military solution to the crisis in Syria, the money would be another step toward helping the Syrian people defend themselves against attacks by the Assad regime.
President Obama had told the graduating class of the West Point military academy last month that the U.S. must push back against extremists who he said are finding safe haven in the chaos in Syria.
The Sunni rebellion in Syria has influenced Sunni extremists in their uprising in Iraq.
In New York Thursday, U.N. humanitarian affairs chief Valerie Amos said the Syrian government has put up bureaucratic obstacles and restrictions on where and when aid can be delivered.
She also blamed some rebel groups for attacking and threatening aid workers.
Amos says almost 11 million people in Syria need humanitarian aid.
Opposition boycotts Parliament In Antigua
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has warned that his administration is prepared for early by-elections as opposition legislators made good on their threat to boycott the first sitting of the new Parliament following the June 12 general election.
"I want to send a very clear message that we will ensure using our parliamentary majority that if members on the other side seek to undermine the work of this House and absent themselves for three consecutive sittings, then trust me you will have one or several by elections," he said to loud applause.
Former chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) Sir Gerald Watt was sworn in as Speaker of the new Parliament here on Wednesday after Opposition legislators kept their promise and boycotted the event.
The three Opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) legislators, including former Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, had indicated they would not attend the sitting, the first since the general election which the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party won by a 14-3 margin.
The Opposition legislators alleged that not enough notice had been given to them for the sitting.
Trinidad government to create 30,000 new jobs
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is projecting an expanding economy that will see a massive increase in jobs by 2020.
“With the pace we intend to drive the economy at over the coming six years, we project the creation of over 30,000 new, well-paying jobs,” she told a breakfast meeting with the Trinidad and Tobago business community on Thursday.
The Prime Minister said the short and long-term prospects for the country are a far cry, “from a position of decline and instability in 2010″.
She said for that reason, this is the opportune time for more dialogue between the governing politicians and the business community. “It is now that our discussions [should be] on how Government can further work to provide an enabling business environment and a better platform for your growth, expansion and entry into new sectors.”
Contending that the business environment has improved tremendously in the past four years, she said, “Our economy is expected to maintain a positive momentum into 2014 with growth of 2.9 per cent forecasted in 2014, and up to 3.2 per cent in 2015″.
“We are now in a position of stability and growth, with projections of even stronger performance as we proceed into 2015 and beyond.”
“Today our nation’s exports and foreign direct investment are at their highest levels than at any other time in history.”
Grenada pleased with revenue from new taxes
The Grenada government says the increase in taxes under the three-year “home grown” structural adjustment programme, has resulted in a “reasonable” increase in revenue collection.
Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell, who administration is awaiting word from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) this week on whether it will provide financial support to the island, said that the taxes have seen a reasonable increase in revenue collection.
He said as a result, the EC$18 million monthly operating deficit has been cut by almost half and that “the signs are looking optimistic. The gap is being closed.
“It was EC$18 million, it is now down to EC$10 million; so almost half the gap has been closed,” Mitchell said, noting however that some of the taxes have not yet been implemented and will become effective from 2015.
The Haitian Revolution: What can we in TCI learn from it?
With the Haitian Flay Day celebrations having recently ended here in the Turks and Caicos Islands and worldwide, it has made me reflect on the Haitian Revolution and what could be learnt from it for us here in the TCI today. First, let me state that I have the utmost respect for the spirit and pride of the people of Haiti and their heritage. What they have done in the history of the western hemisphere, what they have gone and what they continue to go through is unparalleled. Think about it, the first Black Republic of the world! The United States of America as a nation is only a couple of decades older than Haiti. Haiti won its independence in an armed struggle from the colonial power of France during a time period of imperial power when monarchs and emperors ruled. The main difference between the USA and Haitian Revolutions is who led it.
So Haiti wins independence from France on the battlefield and rather than being embraced by the new republic to the north, the U.S.A. colluded with France and other European powers to isolate Haiti for over 20 years, with France eventually imposing a 150 million gold francs debt on Haiti for the cost of land, livestock, and value of lost slaves in exchange for French recognition of its independence. As a young nation, Haiti now had to find ways to pay France back, though it was just trying to find its way as a new country. Does this seem familiar? Had they not agreed to the pay back the debt, the worldwide trade embargo on Haitian goods would have continued and they would not be recognized as a Republic, resulting in stagnant economic growth. To boot, one of its’ greatest leaders, Toussaint L’Ouverture, was deceived by the French towards the end of the revolution and later killed while in prison at Fort-de-Joux in the Jura region of France. Still with me? Again, systematic obstacles put in their way. Remember the old adage, strike the Sheppard and the sheep will scatter. Does this not sound rather familiar?
Some might argue, well, that happened over 200 years ago and the world has changed so much. To this I say, the world may have become more globalized, however, history is in an all-time state of repeating itself in obvious and less-than obvious ways. That said, if we look at Caribbean countries’ independence history, you will see the influence of geo-political interference in our affairs pre and post-independence. England and the USA backed Forbes Burnham the capitalist, over Cheddi Jagan the communist, in Guyana and ensured that Burnham would be the first Prime Minister of Guyana. US President Ronald Reagan sent troops into Grenada to squash the revolution lead by Maurice Bishop who favored communism. Reagan again backed the Capitalist Edward Seaga over the sitting Prime Minister Michael Manley who professed Democratic Socialism as the best way towards equality in Jamaica. One can surmise that this was too close to communism for Reagan’s liking. Also take note of Cuba and Fidel Castro. I am not even going to discuss the countless African Leaders like Patrice Lamumba and many others who have tried to move their countries towards independence but were killed over the philosophies and ideologies they held and or shared. Some say the same has happened to our only national hero, JAGS McCartney; that he died in vain trying to free our people with a view of making the TCI a great nation. Nevertheless, the main difference today is that the character of our leaders is assassinated. A person cannot lead if they do not have the trust of the people whom they wish to lead. It is improbable.
So what are the lessons from that brief history lesson? One, Haiti was systematically targeted to fail. They took over 100 plus years to pay off the debt. Also, they had to be made to be seen as a failure so that other colonies did not try to rebel on mass. This for the most part - largely worked owing to the fact that other colonial countries did not start seeking to gain their independence until over 150 years later. I can’t think about a worst time for a country to go into independence with the conditions Haiti had to endure. So a desire for independence in the TCI is more real and viable than many think. Some may say but what we have gone through in the TCI cannot compare to what Haiti has gone through. To that I say that is the whole point. I am sure that the fore fathers on the Haitian Nation would still take their chances with independence even if they knew ahead of time what was in their future. So if they would, why not us? Why not learn from the mistakes of the countries around us and do better? We merely have to have that resolute determination and spirit to plan and fight for it. And the burning desire and belief that it will be ours. At the very least any national conversation should start with us at a minimum striving to have the level of autonomy as Bermuda.
Remember the older adage ‘he who pays the piper calls the tunes’; let us imagine what Haiti could have been without being isolated and saddled with such a debt from the very outset. The equivalent of $150 million gold francs in 1825 would be in the neighborhood of several hundred billion dollars if not more today. Imagine what the TCI will be once we remove this British Loan Guarantee and are able to chart our own economic course once more. Also, we must be mindful that the Haitian Revolution was a 13-year struggle and not an overnight affair.
The moral to this story is that great feats can be accomplished by a people who have an unbreakable spirit. With all that the people of Haiti have endured over two centuries, it is hard to find a prouder people in the Caribbean Diaspora, if not the world. I’m sure Jamaicans may have something to say about this, but I digress. The point is not to confuse lack of pride with doing whatever it takes to survive and make a way for you and your family. This includes going to another “Man’s” country and doing jobs that he would not himself do.
None of this is to down play the roles of Bad Caribbean Leaders over the years, but to say you may be a Queen in your game of Chess but just a Pawn in someone else’s.
Stay Blessed,
Jamell Robinson
THE PDM’S OFFICIAL POSITION AGAINST THE INTRODUCTION OF PAYROLL TAX
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As the Minister has admitted that there are alternative revenue measures. We should be absolutely satisfied that any tax being considered is absolutely necessary.
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That the introduction of taxes in this climate is counter - productive to what the Government is trying to achieve in raising revenue. There are signs of recovery in the economy and we believe that the Government must be careful not to negatively impact this rebound by its decisions.
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That it will negatively impact already over taxed businesses sending some out of business while increasing the underground business world. A number of Business Licenses are being surrendered and many are not certain that it can pay the hiked rates in Licenses even after the Government has extended its payment by two further months. Unfortunately this is perhaps still not helpful as the Summer months are the slowest months for most businesses in these Islands.
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That it is not the broadest base possible and seeks to tax a very small pool of residents.
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That the tax is labour intensive and very difficult to police.
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That the concept of employers being included in payroll tax and benefits are philosophically wrong.
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That the Bill has conflict of interest issues. There are areas exempted who rate can be quantified and areas included such as rents which can prove challenging to quantify.
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That the Government has not demonstrated that it is serious or wants to collect its arrears. Even now, the Government has no accurate Arrears List.
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That the Government has failed to address measures to cut expenditure in the healthcare area. Its sluggish approach to conducting Audits that moves the cost overrun from TCIG to Interhealth is a major cause for concern. Any major fiscal strategy must include the reduction in healthcare costs.
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That the Government has failed to present a sound Inward Investment Strategy and Plan which includes clear rules, simpler processes and aggressive marketing.
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That the rate will increase as soon the Government sees that it does not yield as much as it intends and with the proposed plan to get rid of revenue for Business License rates pre their attack on them will spell loss in millions of dollars.
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That this Bill creates a powerful Authority that we believe will not be able to manage this new tax and equally a powerful Minister who will have wide powers.
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That many loop holes will be found and especially in areas that are already difficult to police with persons avoiding temporary work permits by traveling here on Visitor’s Visa. Sec 5(2) exempts persons for low monthly hours and those who ordinarily reside overseas and does not work for 4 consecutive weeks a year.
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That this is in fact an Income Tax and will alter the landscape of TCI and how we market it. We further believe that a change from our no direct taxation status cannot be decided upon “willy nilly” and especially in the absence of laying all of the alternatives on the Table.
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That the creation of taxes and the approach to tax our way out of a financial mess is seriously flawed and is a lazy approach void of innovation and the widest possible consultation. The PM of France in 2011 admitted that austerity measures do not work in these type economic climates.
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That there must real efforts to seek ways to stimulate the economy and encourage spending and not to take away spending power.
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It will again affect negatively the cost of living as a result in an increase in overhead expenses for businesses that survive. This increase in operating business will be passed down to the consumer.
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That the people’s wishes ought to matter.
PUBLIC TSUNAMI MESSAGE NUMBER 2
TSUAK1
BULLETIN
PUBLIC TSUNAMI MESSAGE NUMBER 2
NWS NATIONAL TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER PALMER AK
113 PM AKDT MON JUN 23 2014
UPDATES IN THIS MESSAGE INCLUDE A REVISED MAGNITUDE.
UPDATES IN THIS MESSAGE INCLUDE MODIFIED ALERT AREAS.
...THE TSUNAMI WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT...
...A TSUNAMI ADVISORY IS NOW IN EFFECT...
WARNINGS/ADVISORIES/WATCHES - UPDATED
-------------------------------------
TSUNAMI WARNING IN EFFECT FOR...
* THE COASTAL AREAS OF ALASKA FROM NIKOLSKI ALASKA TO ATTU
ALASKA
TSUNAMI ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR...
* THE COASTAL AREAS OF ALASKA FROM UNIMAK PASS ALASKA /WHICH
IS LOCATED 80 MILES NE OF UNALASKA/ TO NIKOLSKI ALASKA
* FOR OTHER US AND CANADIAN PACIFIC COASTS IN NORTH AMERICA -
THE LEVEL OF TSUNAMI DANGER IS BEING EVALUATED. FURTHER
INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED IN SUPPLEMENTARY MESSAGES.
IMPACTS FOR TSUNAMI WARNING AREAS
---------------------------------
* WIDESPREAD DANGEROUS COASTAL FLOODING ACCOMPANIED BY POWERFUL
CURRENTS ARE POSSIBLE AND MAY CONTINUE FOR MANY HOURS AFTER
TSUNAMI ARRIVAL.
* THE FIRST WAVE MAY NOT BE THE LARGEST.
IMPACTS FOR TSUNAMI ADVISORY AREAS
----------------------------------
* A TSUNAMI CAPABLE OF PRODUCING STRONG CURRENTS OR WAVES DANGEROUS
TO PERSONS IN OR VERY NEAR THE WATER IS EXPECTED.
* CURRENTS MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO SWIMMERS... BOATS... AND COASTAL
STRUCTURES AND MAY CONTINUE FOR MANY HOURS AFTER THE TSUNAMI
ARRIVAL.
* THE FIRST WAVE MAY NOT BE THE LARGEST.
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS - UPDATED
-----------------------------
* IF YOU ARE IN A WARNING AREA - MOVE INLAND TO HIGHER GROUND.
* IF YOU ARE IN AN ADVISORY AREA - MOVE OFF THE BEACH AND OUT OF
HARBORS AND MARINAS. WIDESPREAD INUNDATION OF LAND IS NOT
EXPECTED FOR ADVISORY AREAS.
* BE ALERT TO INSTRUCTIONS FROM YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY OFFICIALS.
* DO NOT GO TO THE COAST TO OBSERVE THE TSUNAMI.
* DO NOT RETURN TO THE COAST UNTIL LOCAL EMERGENCY OFFICIALS
INDICATE IT IS SAFE TO DO SO.
FORECASTS AND/OR OBSERVATIONS OF TSUNAMI ACTIVITY
-------------------------------------------------
FORECAST
START OF
SITE OF TSUNAMI
---- ----------
* ALASKA
SHEMYA 1324 AKDT JUN 23
ADAK 1334 AKDT JUN 23
UNALASKA 1443 AKDT JUN 23
SAINT PAUL 1504 AKDT JUN 23
PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS - UPDATED
-------------------------------------------
* MAGNITUDE 8.0
* ORIGIN TIME 1253 AKDT JUN 23 2014
1353 PDT JUN 23 2014
2053 UTC JUN 23 2014
* COORDINATES 51.8 NORTH 178.7 EAST
* DEPTH 68 MILES
* LOCATION 25 MILES NW OF AMCHITKA ALASKA
195 MILES W OF ADAK ALASKA
NEXT UPDATE AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
PUBLIC TSUNAMI MESSAGE NUMBER 1
TSUAK1
BULLETIN
PUBLIC TSUNAMI MESSAGE NUMBER 1
NWS NATIONAL TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER PALMER AK
1257 PM AKDT MON JUN 23 2014
...A TSUNAMI WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT...
WARNINGS/ADVISORIES/WATCHES
---------------------------
TSUNAMI WARNING IN EFFECT FOR...
* THE COASTAL AREAS OF ALASKA FROM NIKOLSKI ALASKA TO ATTU
ALASKA
* FOR OTHER US AND CANADIAN PACIFIC COASTS IN NORTH AMERICA -
THE LEVEL OF TSUNAMI DANGER IS BEING EVALUATED. FURTHER
INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED IN SUPPLEMENTARY MESSAGES.
PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
---------------------------------
* MAGNITUDE 7.1
* ORIGIN TIME 1253 AKDT JUN 23 2014
1353 PDT JUN 23 2014
2053 UTC JUN 23 2014
* COORDINATES 51.9 NORTH 178.8 EAST
* DEPTH 58 MILES
* LOCATION 30 MILES NW OF AMCHITKA ALASKA
195 MILES W OF ADAK ALASKA
IMPACTS FOR TSUNAMI WARNING AREAS
---------------------------------
* WIDESPREAD DANGEROUS COASTAL FLOODING ACCOMPANIED BY POWERFUL
CURRENTS ARE POSSIBLE AND MAY CONTINUE FOR MANY HOURS AFTER
TSUNAMI ARRIVAL.
* THE FIRST WAVE MAY NOT BE THE LARGEST.
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
-------------------
* IF YOU ARE IN A WARNING AREA - MOVE INLAND TO HIGHER GROUND.
* BE ALERT TO INSTRUCTIONS FROM YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY OFFICIALS.
* DO NOT GO TO THE COAST TO OBSERVE THE TSUNAMI.
* DO NOT RETURN TO THE COAST UNTIL LOCAL EMERGENCY OFFICIALS
INDICATE IT IS SAFE TO DO SO.
FORECASTS AND/OR OBSERVATIONS OF TSUNAMI ACTIVITY
-------------------------------------------------
FORECAST
START OF
SITE OF TSUNAMI
---- ----------
* ALASKA
SHEMYA 1336 AKDT JUN 23
ADAK 1349 AKDT JUN 23
SAINT PAUL 1517 AKDT JUN 23
NEXT UPDATE AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION