Koreas to Discuss Family Reunions, But Talks Venue in Dispute
North and South Korea have agreed in principle to hold talks on resuming reunions of families separated by the Korean War, in the latest sign of an apparent easing of tensions between the two rivals.
But, there was disagreement about where the talks should be held. Seoul has proposed a holding a meeting of Red Cross officials of the two sides at the border village of Panmunjom on Friday. Pyongyang's state news agency KCNA responded to that proposal on Sunday, saying the meeting should be held at the North Korean resort of Mount Kumgang, a former tourism joint venture of the two Koreas.
The South Korean government said it views the North Korean response "positively" but insists that the talks about family reunions should be held at Panmunjom. It was not clear when or how the venue dispute will be resolved.
KCNA said Pyongyang's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea also wants to hold inter-Korean talks about restarting South Korean visits to Mount Kumgang.
The resort had served as a key source of foreign currency for the authoritarian rulers of impoverished North Korea until the South stopped sending tourists in 2008. Seoul suspended the visits in protest at a North Korean border guard's fatal shooting of a South Korean tourist who had strayed into a restricted area.
Seoul said the North Korean offer of talks on resuming Mount Kumgang tours is under review.
North Korea has made several gestures toward the South in recent days following months of high tension this year. Last week, Pyongyang agreed to cooperate with Seoul on re-opening a joint industrial complex in the North, near the inter-Korean border. The Kaesong zone was the last symbol of cooperation between the two Koreas until it closed in April when tensions peaked.
North and South Korea last organized family reunions in 2010. The 1950-53 Korean War divided the families of millions of Koreans, but only tens of thousands of them are still alive. Many of the elderly Koreans have been waiting for the chance to join reunion events to see their loved ones before they die. Previous reunions typically have been held in the North for small groups of several hundred people.
UN Chemical Weapons Inspectors Arrive in Syria
A team of United Nations inspectors arrived in Damascus Sunday to investigate the possible use of chemical weapons in Syria's civil war.
The 20-member team did not speak to reporters as they arrived at a hotel in the Syrian capital to begin their two-week mission.
The group will try to establish only whether chemical weapons - including sarin and other toxic nerve agents - were used, not who used them.
Led by Swedish arms expert Ake Sellstrom, the team's efforts to visit Syria had been repeatedly delayed since early April while negotiations continued over the access Damascus would grant them.
The mission will be limited to investigating the alleged use of chemical weapons in three areas, including a March attack in the Aleppo suburb of Khan al-Assal, which President Bashar al-Assad's forces and rebels blame on each other.
Khan al-Assal is under rebel control and the opposition says investigators will have full access. The other two sites have not yet been specified.
Assad's government and the rebels fighting him have accused each other of using chemical weapons, a step which the United States had said would cross a "red line" in the conflict which has killed 100,000 people.
GOVERNOR AND MINISTER OF BORDER CONTROL AND LABOUR TO VISIT HAITI TO DISCUSS ILLEGAL MIGRATION
His Excellency the Governor, Ric Todd, and the Minister of Border Control and Labour, the Hon. Don Hue Gardiner, depart on a two-day visit to Haiti this Sunday (11th of August.) The PS of the MoBC, Mrs. Clara Gardiner, will accompany them.
The Governor and the Minister will discuss further strengthening of joint work with the Haitian authorities to combat illegal migration and developing partnership and business and human relations between TCI and Haiti. Meetings are scheduled with President Martelly and the Foreign and Justice Ministers in Port au Prince, and there will be a visit to the new Coast Guard station at Les Cayes in the south west of Haiti.
“Building TCI’s relationship with Haiti has been our priority for some time. Most recently Haiti’s Premier Lamothe visited TCI. I am pleased to be travelling with the Hon. Don Hue Gardiner to continue to work with our Haitian colleagues to address illegal migration,” said Governor Todd ahead of the trip. “TCI and Haiti have a shared interest in ensuring that migration between our two countries is regulated and managed through the proper channels, and this visit is evidence of the continuing commitment of both countries to achieving this goal.”
“In addition to our migration discussions, there will also be the opportunity for me and the Minister to meet with a TCI business delegation, including officials from the Ministry of Finance, who will be in Haiti at the same time. The two visits underline the importance of the relationship between TCI and Haiti, and the efforts that are ongoing to strengthen the business and human ties between the countries.”
There will be a press conference following the Governor and Minister’s meeting with the President, and further details of the trip will be shared with the media throughout the visit.
Deputy Governor the Hon. Anya Williams will be sworn in as Acting Governor for the period 11th August – 13th August 2013.
Deputy Governor Announces New Senior Appointments in Government
Following the passage of the 2013/2014 Budget, the Deputy Governor Hon. Anya Williams is pleased to congratulate the following persons on their new TCIG civil service appointments, transfers and promotions.
Several of these positions had been advertised and interviewed some time ago, but were tentatively placed on hold pending the approval of the 2013/2014 Budget. The Deputy Governor is now pleased to welcome these persons to their new posts, to congratulate them on their success and to wish them well in fulfilling their new roles.
“I am very pleased to announce the appointment of these senior leaders. These persons have demonstrated in abundance the skills and experience needed to fulfil these roles and I am sure they will help to strengthen leadership and build capacity within Government,” commented the Deputy Governor. “I wish them every success in discharging their duties, and look forward to positive results from both them and their respective departments going forward.”
The positions are:
Ministry of Health
Director of Mental Health – Dr. Alicia Malcolm
Deputy Chief Epidemiologist – Dr. Shandey Malcolm
Director of Special Needs – Mrs. Betty-Ann Been-Robinson
Ministry of Finance
Accountant General – Mr. Arnold Ainsley
Acting Collector of Customs – Ms. Chawa Williams
Ministry of Border Control and Labour
Acting Deputy Secretary BCL – Mr. Stuart Taylor
Office of the Premier and Ministry of Tourism
Senior Press and Protocol Officer – Mrs. Althea Simone Been
Ministry of Education
Education Officer – Ms. Talia Dara Thomas
Scholarship Officer – Ms. Garde Alleyne
Ministry of Government Support Services
Assistant Maintenance Manager (PLS) – Mr. Roger Harvey
Assistant Maintenance Manager (GDT) – Mr. Williams Francis
Internal Audit Division
Chief Internal Auditor – Mr. Marlon Shippie
Commissioner of Police comments on investigation involving Deputy Governor
In response to allegations of an incident or altercation at the Grand Turk Police Station on the 31 July 2013 between officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) and Deputy Governor Anya Williams, Commissioner of Police Colin Farquhar initiated an investigation by the RTCIPF Professional Integrity Unit.
Although, the investigation is not yet concluded, Commissioner Farquhar stated that he felt compelled to state that allegations the Deputy Governor verbal abused the officers at the station and made derogatory comments of being disrespected by the police officers are without foundation. None of the officers involved has reported any such comments by the Deputy Governor. These allegations appear to be fabricated.
The investigation continues and no further statement will be made until it is concluded.
Crime & Incident Reports for August 12, 2013
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police are investigating a Burglary which occurred over the weekend at a business located in the Bight Providenciales. The complainant informed officers that the business place was secured at 1:45am on Sunday 11th August 2013 and was discovered burglarized at 6am the same date. The culprit (s) damaged six (6) gaming machines stealing an unknown amount of cash and a quantity of alcoholic beverages.
Investigations are ongoing into this matter.
***
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police are also investigating a Burglary which occurred at a home located on Close Haul Road, Grand Turk. The complainant reported to Police that he secured the home at 7:30pm on Friday 8th August 2013 and went away. Upon his arrival later that night he made the discovery that his home was burglarize and two black Dell Computers, a tool bag and a Hawaiian Sling were stolen.
Investigations are ongoing into this matter.
***
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police are investigating a Burglary which occurred at a business place located on the Airport Road. The complainant informed officers that the business place was secured at 9:30pm on Friday 9th August 2013 and upon her arrival to work at 7:45am on Saturday 10th August 2013 she discovered that the place was burglarized. Missing are one (1) black CD player, one (1) black 32inch Plasma Television and a quantity of shoes and clothing.
Investigations are ongoing into this matter.
***
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police are also investigating a Burglary that occurred at a home on Barrack Hill Road, Grand Turk . The complainant reported to Police that her brother secured the residence on at 10am on Wednesday 24th July 2013 and upon checking the house at 9:50am on Sunday 11th August 2013 and discovered that the house was ransacked and missing are two (2) black flat screen television and a Silver and Black Acer Laptop. Investigations are ongoing into this matter.
***
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police are investigating a report of an Assault and Using Offensive Weapon as to cause fear incident which occurred in Five Cays Providenciales on Sunday 11th August 2013. The complainant told officers that whilst at home his cousin hit him in the face and left shoulder with a cutlass. The complainant was then taken to the Chesire Hall Medical Centre. They accuse a 43year old male of Providenciales was arrested for the offense. Further investigations are ongoing into this matter.
***
Arrests
On Friday 9th August 2013 at 7pm an 18year old male of Grand Turk was arrested on suspicion of wounding by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police officers on Grand Turk. This arrest was made in connection to a report that was made on Wednesday 7th August 2013 when the complainant stated that he was at the Palm Grove basketball where he was approached by two (2) males who begin to argue with him and resulted in a fight and he was struck on the head with a rock.
***
Also, on Saturday 10th August 2013 at 11:45pm, a 38year old male of South Caicos was arrested for Malicious Injuries to property, Resisting Arrest and Assault on a Police Officer by Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police officers on South Caicos.
Jamaican athlete arrested and charged in America
Jamaican 400m athlete Ahkeem Gauntlett was arrested and charged for theft by police in Arkansas, USA, in June, days before competing at Jamaica’s National Championships, The Gleaner has reported.
Details of Gauntlett’s arrest along with his personal information are currently available on several state and county corrections and criminal records websites and resources, the paper said.
Gauntlett, who finished third in the men’s 400m final, secured a spot on Jamaica’s team to the IAAF World Championships starting in Moscow this weekend but pulled out citing personal reasons.
“At this point we can only repeat that the athlete withdrew from the World Championships team because he told us he had some personal matters to deal with,” Dennis Gordon, Press Liaison representative for the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association , in Moscow for the games, told The Gleaner.
“The offense that he is accused to have committed happened before our championships and we were not informed of it.”
Gauntlet represented Jamaica at the Central America and Caribbean Championships in Athletics in Mexico last month and attempts by the local media to contact him have been unsuccessful.
Caribbean Media Corporation
Saint Lucia police chief sent on required leave
According to local sources, Commissioner of the Royal St Lucia Police Force, Vernon Francois, has been requested to take accumulated vacation leave totalling some 400 days.
This latest development comes on the heels of reports that Francois was not permitted to board a flight from Hewanorra International Airport in St Lucia to the United States to participate in US-organized and financed training programmes.
In a statement of Friday, the government of Saint Lucia said it is aware of the concerns and anxieties expressed by the public over what it described as the decision by the United States to disallow officers of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force from participating in several training programmes arranged or financed by the US.
The statement said that Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony will, on a date to be announced early next week, explain and address the issues of concern and, in particular, the reasons for the actions of the United States against officers of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force.
There is widespread speculation locally that the US crackdown may have something to do with the US State Department’s 2011 human rights report on St Lucia that described 12 potentially unlawful fatal police shootings during the year, some reportedly committed by officers associated with an ad hoc task force within the police department.
There was only limited progress by the director of public prosecutions (DPP) in reviewing and other investigations of unlawful killings dating back to 2006, the report added.
The report also said that the government did not implement the existing anti-corruption law effectively, and officials sometimes engaged in corrupt practices with impunity.
During Francois’ absence, it has been suggested locally that former Deputy Commissioner Hermangild Francis, who was responsible for crime, prosecution and discipline, will be brought back on a three-year contract.
Francis joined the Royal St Lucia Police Force in May 1975, and retired in April 2008, at the rank of deputy commissioner. Presently he is the director of security at the Windjammer Hotel. He is the holder of a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of the West Indies.
He comes from a family deeply rooted in law and order and politics. His brother is president of the St Lucia senate, Claudius J. Francis.
Caribbean News Now
World Athletics 2013: Christine Ohuruogu wins gold
Christine Ohuruogu produced another thrilling late surge in the 400m to become the first British female to win two World Championship titles.
The 29-year-old also broke Kathy Cook's long-standing British record by two hundredths of a second as she beat defending champion Amantle Montsho in a photo finish.
Both Ohuruogu and Montsho clocked 49.41 seconds, but it was the Briton who was deemed the winner by four thousandths of a second.
Ohuruogu, the 2007 world champion, gasped in astonishment as she learned of her victory.
Montsho, 30, had victory within her grasp and even as the two athletes stood on the finishing line, anxiously awaiting the final result, Ohuruogu gave the impression that her perfectly-timed dip had not been enough.
But after closer inspection, it was revealed that the Londoner had crossed the line in 49.404, while Montsho, who failed to dip, finished in 49.408.
Ohuruogu, who had been fourth coming round the final bend after a steady start, shook her rival's hand before draping herself in a giant union flag to celebrate her victory.
The Briton told BBC Sport: "I can't believe I've done that, it feels like a dream. It is what I have been working towards all season.
"It was so tight on the line and I was so desperate to win it. I just wanted my name to come up.
Source-BBC
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Obliterate The 100m Finals To Win Gold
Jamaica has a new sprint queen and her name is Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce obliterate her competition in the 100 meter finals at the Moscow World Championship games to win gold.
The Jamaican sprinter stopped the clock at 10.71 seconds leaving everyone else way behind.
Murielle Ahoure captured the silver medal and American sprinter and defending champion Carmelita Jeter won bronze.
“I had my obstacles – I was starting to feel pain under my left butt cheek,” Fraser-Pryce said. “I am surrounded by great people, I came here and did my best and actually won. It was really hurting but I knew what I worked for.”
Usain Bolt captivate the world on Sunday when he won gold in the men 100 meter finals.