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The 83-page report, carried out by prominent Barbadian jurist Sir Richard Cheltenham, was handed over to the Governor-General's Office last weekend, seven months after the conclusion of public hearings. Mitchell had consistently denied that he had done anything illegal after the opposition parties here called for an investigation into a 2004 article in a Miami-based publication that claimed the prime minister had received money for granting a diplomatic posting to German businessman Eric Resteiner. Addressing a political meeting here over the weekend, Mitchell quoted from the report which explained why he was not called as a witness despite appeals from the opposition for him to do so. "You will see that these were all allegations and they were concocted by people in this country for their own purpose. "But if you look on Page 44 of that report, the most telling statement made in that report concerning the evidence on this issue [is] there is no shred of evidence against the prime minister of this country. It went on further to say because there was no shred of evidence they could not call the prime minister before the commission." Mitchell was also critical of opposition Shadow Minister of Finance Nazim Burke over his recent claim that the Governor-General's Office had received the report since last September but was withholding it from the public. "This was a vicious attack on the Office of the Governor-General. This is not an attack on (Governor-General) Danny Williams. Let us not mistake this. This is an attack on you," he told supporters. "This is an attack on the highest office holder in this land. If this gentleman cared at all, in this day and age of telephone, fax, Internet he could have made one simple communication to the Governor-General's Office." Personal assistant to the Governor-General, Margaret Jawhir, who received the report said that copies would be sent to the relevant stakeholders, including the Leader of the Opposition and the lawyers who appeared at the inquiry. She also denied allegations that the report had been received in October last year. (CMC)
Seventeen senators voted in favour of Pierre while two abstained on Wednesday night. Former Prime Minister Jacques Edouard Alexis was dismissed after legislators said he failed to take steps to address the high cost of living. (CMC)
The deputy PNM leader Ken Valley has called for Mr Manning's removal as party head. He also suggested that the sacked trade and industry minister Keith Rowley make a bid for the leadership, at the PNM's annual convention in June. Mr Valley was one of several ministers not selected to contest last November's general election. It's not clear how much support there is for his call to remove Prime Minister Manning as PNM leader.
"I intend with the leave of the party to take up that appointment for the summer months and that of course, would allow me the opportunity to work with the top economists in the world. My intention is to use that opportunity to look back at the development challenges of the region and to do an additional piece of research and writing on the future direction of the Caribbean economy," he said.
The couple got engaged in front of a large television audience in December last year when Ross, who plays for NFL team New York Giants, proposed right before the team were to play a game against the Washington Red Skins, which was broadcast on television. "It was on December 16 last year right before they played the Red Skins. We were doing a TV thing for NBC and he thought it would be the best time to ask me, so it was actually on TV and broadcast during the game that night," she shared. The pair, who has been dating for five years, met while they were both student-athletes at University of Texas at Austin. "He played football there. I was actually a sophomore and he was a freshman because of some difficulties he had in school and had to leave for two years, so we met in my sophomore year," she said. Despite busy schedules, Richards said the timing works out well for them both. "It works out perfectly because right when his season is ending he gets to come and support me and when my season is over he is playing, so I get to watch him, so we get to spend time together and every time he is off he always comes back to Austin." Ross was with Richards yesterday watching her compete at the Jamaica International Invitational Meet at the National Stadium in Kingston. The couple has planned a wedding for 2010. They had initially thought about early 2009, but Richards said she didn't want to take her focus away from the upcoming Olympics. "We have a very small window that we can get married because he has a full season and so do I, so it's going to be February/March of 2010." 2008 promises to be a big year for the couple. Ross, who in 2006 won the Thorpe Award for being the NCAA's best defensive player while helping the University of Texas Longhorns to the NCAA Championship, was a first-round draft pick in 2007 and was selected by the New York Giants. In his first year with the Giants he helped the team win its first superbowl in 17 years by defeating favourites New England Patriots, 17-14, on February 3 for Superbowl XLII and the Vince Lombardi Trophy. "For him to go there in his first year and win a title is an amazing blessing," Richards told the Sunday Observer. Now, she said, she hopes she will be able to fulfil her end of the bargain by taking gold in the women's 400m at the Beijing Olympics in August. "We would definitely be a golden couple if I able to that, so it's really exciting," she said.
The World Health Assembly is the supreme decision-making body for the World Health Organisation (WHO) and is respected as the one of the most powerful instruments of the United Nations, second only to the General Assembly. Dr Ramsammy's appointment makes it the first time for a minister of the Americas to hold the post since 1972, and he becomes only the second representative from the region to do so. The Assembly this year meets from May 19-24 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Assembly meets once a year and is attended by delegations from all of WHO's 192 Member States. Its main function is to determine the policies of the Organisation. Minister Ramsammy has been a Post Doctoral Fellow (Neurochemistry) at the New York Institute of Developmental Disabilities and is a Senior Fellow, WINDRIF, St. Georges School of Medicine. He has more than 70 scientific publications and is the author of "HIV/AIDS A Public Health Challenge." Dr Ramsammy holds a PhD in Biochemistry and a M.Sc. in Biology from St. John's University, N.Y and a B.Sc. in Microbiology, Pace University, N.Y. He has been serving as Minister of Health since 2001. African Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu and Jordan's Princess Noor will be guests at this year's World Health Assembly.
Mr Preval has nominated economist Ericq Pierre to replace Jacques Edouard Alexis, who was ousted earlier this month over the high cost of living. Mr Pierre, a 63-year-old agronomist and agricultural economist, has served at the Inter-American Development Bank as an adviser for Haiti and Argentina. Senate leader Kelly Bastien said Mr Pierre is a non-politically biased technician, and therefore he's the right man to address the country's economic and social problems. However member of the lower chamber Jean Beauvoir Dorson has some reservations about Mr Pierre. Mr Dorson said because of the candidate's background, he might adhere to policies laid down by the International Monetary Fund, which they see as inappropriate for Haiti's weak economy.
Six conferrals will be made by the Mona campus in Jamaica, and five each at the Cave Hill and St Augustine branches in Barbados and Trinidad, respectively. Jamaican honourees Among the honourees are Jamaican entrepreneurs and philanthropists Douglas Orane and Michael Lee Chin, and Roderick Rainford, a former governor of the Bank of Jamaica. Also to be recognised at Mona are Havelock Brewster, Dame Karlene C. Davis and Gilbert Passos Gil Moreira, Brazil's minister of culture. An engineer by profession, Orane, head of the food and financial super GraceKennedy Group and director of The Gleaner Company, will also receive an LLD. Lee Chin, a billionaire business-man with empires in both Canada and Jamaica, will also receive a Doctor of Laws degree. Another Jamaican, Dame Karlene C. Davis, who lives in Britain, will be conferred with the Doctor of Sciences degree for her contribution to midwifery, education and development. Dame Karlene has led the United Kingdom's Royal College of Midwives for more than a decade. She is currently president of the International Confederation of Midwives. Other awardees Other awardees throughout the UWI campuses will be the Baroness Scotland of Asthal; England's first female attorney general; the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, king of Ghana; Barbadian physicist, Dr Cardinal Warde; Englishman Sir Peter Moores, visual arts educator and philanthropist; Barbadian entrepreneur, Dodridge Miller; Angela Cropper, an environ-mentalist; and Canadian professor, Kari Polanyi Levitt. Rounding out the group are Kynaston McShine, Trinidadian curator; civil rights leader and Bahamas' seventh governor general, Arthur D. Hanna; and Leroy Calliste, the Trinidadian calyp-sonian known as 'The Black Stalin'.
Dr. Lenny Saith was yesterday named as the replacement for Minister Keith Rowley. He takes over as trade and industry minister effective immediately. PM Manning did not comment on the reason for the firing yesterday but Rowley was definitely not staying mum. Instead he told the Trinidad Guardian he was fired after objecting to `certain things` the Urban Development Company of T&T was doing with project construction at the Princes Building grounds, where the Performing Arts Building is being built. The Prime Minister's office, merely stated that PM Manning advised President George Maxwell Richards to revoke Rowley's appointment as Trade and Industry Minister. No reason was given. Instead the office stated that Saith has been appointed `in place of Dr Rowley.` The statement added: `The new arrangement will ensure that government's programs continue without interruption since Dr Saith had been chairing a number of government's committee and with his vast experience, continuity is assured.` Rowley yesterday began occupying a seat with other PNM backbenchers in the House of Representatives.
"I was honored to receive this award, because it highlights my personal commitment to social justice," Serrano said. "One of the main teachings of the Catholic Church on which I have relied in my 34 years in public office is that we must be guardians of the less fortunate and the downtrodden. The good people at NETWORK mentioned that some of the votes they scored were 'hard votes,' but I felt that while some may have been politically difficult; in terms of social conscience, they were easy choices. I commend NETWORK for the work they do to highlight these vital issues and to remind us politicians that there is far more than just a political calculation when we vote." Sister Simone Campbell, SSS, NETWORK Director, stated, "NETWORK congratulates Representative Serrano for maintaining a principled commitment to just government policies and programs. By supporting efforts for affordable housing, adequate nutrition, fair and just tax policy, and ethical agreements Representative Serrano has earned the appreciation and respect of the faith-based social justice community."
The ceremony was attended by dignitaries, nationals and the respective Chairs of the various SVG National Associations. The main speakers included: Prime Minister Gonsalves, Cenio Lewis, High Commissioner for SVG in London, Jacqueline Roberts, Chair of the National SVG Committee, David Gay, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University with prayers offered by Dr Charles Cropper. Gonsalves explained to the packed audience the government's commitment in building a modern, post-colonial economy on a national, regional and international level. Significant advancements have been made in public health, the education and wellness revolution, promotion of the youth needed to fill today's technical requirements, scholarships, Canouan and Argyll Airports, Constitutional reform, improvement and creation of further access roads, agricultural diversification, airline transport, as well as, numerous other tourism and investment projects that will provide employment. Today is about celebrating the impact Vincentians make on enriching society, not only at home but on a world stage. The Diaspora plays a huge role in the development of the SVG economy and should be proud to participate and assist us in our efforts. The Government of SVG will always be seeking to forge new partnerships and improving relations with other countries in implementing our foreign policy. The celebrations included steel-pan from the Wycombe Steel Orchestra youth, banquet of food with the Prime Minister entertaining questions from the audience. These questions focused on SVG's challenges and key areas, including climate change, technology, sustainability, education, development, and international governance and co-operation, through networking.
Opposition Leader Dr Kenny Anthony has called for changes to the electoral nomination process to identify politicians with dual citizenship. The opposition has charged that Health Minister Dr Keith Mondesir possesses dual citizenship and was, therefore, ineligible to sit in Parliament. However, Prime Minister King seemed unperturbed by the controversy, stating, "If the opposition believes it has a case, it should put it to the test. "I am not here to argue for or against the position of the opposition, so if they believe they have a case, then they should know how to put it to the test." Declared vacant Anthony said Mondesir's dual citizenship only came to the attention of the Opposition St Lucia Labour Party some months after the December 2006 elections and, therefore, it could make a case for the seat to be declared vacant. The issue has arisen here following a ruling by the Jamaica Supreme Court ruling that Jamaica Labour Party's MP Daryl Vaz was improperly nominated because he had sworn allegiance to the United States as a citizen. The court has ordered a by-election but the candidate for the opposition People's National Party, Abe Dabdoub, is appealing the decision, saying that the seat should have been turned over to him automatically. "I frankly would like to see changes to the nomination forms to demand politicians to declare their actual status, whether they are dual citizens or citizens of the country they are seeking to represent through the electoral process," Anthony said.
CARICOM Secretary-General Edwin Carrington said with the shortage of food now a global reality there may well come a time when, even though they have the money, Caribbean countries may not find food to buy. "We have a virtual crisis situation on our hands. All hands must now come on deck - governments, private sector and civil society in partnership. We are going to have to change our consumption habit. It may appear difficult but we have to," he said, speaking ahead of the June 6 to 7 Regional Agriculture Investment Forum. He added that the region's US$3 billion food import bill could be lowered with investments in agriculture. Meantime, Guyana's President and lead CARICOM Head of Government for Agriculture, Bharrat Jagdeo, stressed that the event is not a "knee jerk reaction" to the rising food prices across the globe. He added that for too long there has been talk about maximising the potential of agriculture but this has not come to reality. Mr Jagdeo said it is now time to put measures in place to attract more investors to the sector, adding that agriculture has a central role to play in regional countries seeking to reap the rewards of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). Chairman of the Task Force to plan the Forum and former executive of Grace Kennedy in Jamaica, James Moss-Solomon, added that the Caribbean has to develop the mechanisms to deal with the increasing challenges with regard to food security. The Regional Agriculture Investment Forum takes place in Guyana, and will bring together private investors from the Caribbean and elsewhere; fund managers and venture capitalists seeking to diversify their portfolio; bankers with clients operating in the agriculture sector and companies seeking strategic alliances with other businesses.
That`s the word from Guyana Ambassador to the U.S., Bayney Karran. Karran made the call during his recent remarks to The Third Annual Immigrant Heritage Week Symposium, held in New York City on April 19. Pointing to the contributions of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton and Secretary of State Colin Powell, Karran said it is time for New York City `to take stock of the strides which the Caribbean Diaspora has made in academia, in science and technology, in sports, art and culture, in social and political activism, indeed, in all aspects of life in this city.` He also urged Caribbean organizations to seek out and collaborate with Hispanic organizations. `It is time to begin building the platforms that would facilitate your interactions; and it is time to begin the dialogue about how to meet your common challenges, how to promote your common interests and how to embrace each other's causes,` said the ambassador. CaribWorldNews.com
Brown was released from Rikers Island Friday and reportedly picked up directly by City Councilman Charles Barron. But not before taking time out to hug and take pictures with the scores of fans and well-wishers who had come to the jail`s parking lost to cheer her on. Brown`s release was followed by some shopping in Harlem and some soul food before she was driven to her mother`s home in Brooklyn. Foxy, 29, born Inga Marchand, embraced her mother, Judith Marchand, outside the family's home in the Prospect Heights. And a VH-1 tv crew was on hand to capture the moment for her upcoming reality show. Brown was sentenced in September 2007 to a year in jail for violating the terms of her probation after she was accused of hitting a woman with a cell phone. She was on probation for an August 2004 attack on two manicurists at a Manhattan nail salon. She pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault in the 2004 incident. Brown is also expected to make some promotional rounds in support of her oft-delayed new album, Brooklyn's Don Diva, due out May 13. Her manager, Chaz Williams, told Billboard that his star client is eager and ready `to get on top of her career again.`She's ready to hit the ground running and do anything she needs to do to get her career back on point.`
"I feel sick and disgusted and I also hope the rest of the country feels disgusted, that's the real issue, you have to feel sick and disgusted to the point where you're going to do something about it," said Panday in a telephone interview yesterday. Panday and his wife Oma are currently in London where Mrs Panday is expected to undergo heart surgery. Asked to comment on the issue of high food prices and Prime Minister Patrick Manning's refusal to subsidise food in this country Panday said, "Quite frankly I think the first thing the people of Trinidad and Tobago should do is getting rid of Manning," "They're not (the people) going to have any ease up of their problems, they're not going to have any ease of of their problems at all, they have to face the facts, if they don't want to face the facts, well that's too bad for them,'' Panday continued. Questioned on whether he thought subsidising food was the way to go Panday said, "the Government should not have allowed this issue to reach this position at all, now they can't find their way out." Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar at the Parliament sitting on Friday issued a call for the Government to subsidise staples such as flour and rice. Panday stressed yesterday that Government will not do anything to deal with the issue unless they were forced into action, adding that the people of T&T do not have to wait until the next general election to get the remedy to their woes. "You don't have to wait five years for change, you can bring the Government down by demonstrations and marching, but the people must have the courage," he said. "If they do nothing, then they must simply be prepared to suffer the consequences," he added. At Friday's Parliament sitting, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Pennelope Beckles referred three Opposition MPs-Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, Subhas Panday and Roodal Moonilal-to the Privileges Committee of the Parliament for reportedly bad mouthing House Speaker Barendra Sinanan on public platforms. "I have been telling this country for a very long time, if you give the PNM a chance they will smother all freedom of speech in the country. Those who don't listen will feel obviously," said Panday.
Maharaj and Prime Minister Patrick Manning clashed during the debate on the CCJ Bill in the House of Representatives yesterday as Maharaj claimed that many Caricom prime ministers were having second thoughts as to whether they should continue to pay the expenses of maintaining the court. Maharaj said also the judges of that court were unhappy because they had no cases and therefore no work to do. He asked the Government to consider whether the jurisdiction of the CCJ could be expanded as a Court of Appeal in a range of matters, but allowing for a further appeal to the Privy Council. He said Caribbean leaders knew that the populations did not support the CCJ and they were rethinking the wisdom of having such a court. Manning interrupted saying that he knew of no such position. He said Caricom leaders discussed the issue of making the CCJ independent of the respective treasuries of the region but at no time had there been any doubts as to whether they should proceed with the court. Maharaj countered that Barbados Prime Minister David Thompson noted that unless Trinidad and Tobago was part of the (original and appellate jurisdiction of the) court, it would be a waste of time. He called on the Government to give the population information on the kind of money spent so far on the CCJ. He also called on the Government to commit itself to a reassessment of the situation to see how best the court could be utiltised given the resources being dedicated to it. Manning said Caricom governments were careful to put financial arrangements to make the CCJ financially independent and as of now there was no additional call on the Treasury of Caricom countries to maintain the CCJ. But Maharaj challenged this, saying that Attorney General Bridgid Annisette-George had stated differently. Manning stated that there were only additional costs to Trinidad and Tobago and that arose solely out of the fact that Trinidad and Tobago was the headquarters of the court. Maharaj added that Sir James Mitchell, one of greatest supporters of the CCJ, was now saying that it should be looked at again. Manning rose again to challenge the statement saying to Speaker Barry Sinanan, "He can't get away with that". However, Sinanan suspended for tea. Debate on the Bill resumes on Wednesday.
In a press statement on Wednesday, Seymour said, "It is with deep regret that the Premier, the leader of the Turks and Caicos Islands has been implicated in a serious matter involving sexual misconduct. The entire country is in a state of shock and dismay and is at a crossroads because of the allegations." Seymour urged the authorities to ensure that the investigation into the allegations is carried out with the utmost integrity and expediency. "The eyes of the world are watching and justice must not only be served but must be seen to be done," Seymour said. He went on to call for Misick to step aside and allow someone else to act as premier while the investigation is continuing. "It is the only right thing to do," Seymour said. However, last week, Misick declined to step down and said that he will continue his duties as premier. Turks & Caicos Islands Premier, Michael Misick In a televised address last Thursday, Misick "strongly and categorically" denied the allegations against him. According to Misick, an American female made a false report to law enforcement officials in the United States that she had allegedly been sexually assaulted by him whilst visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands. "I deny these false allegations," he said. Because an American citizen is involved, as a procedural matter law enforcement officials from the United States are reportedly observing the investigation. Misick has expressed confidence that he will "be completely and fully exonerated of this false and outrageous allegation." Misick also said that he will not be commenting any further on the matter, due to the ongoing investigation. In July 2007, Seymour also called for Misick to resign following an alleged assault by Misick on another opposition Member of Parliament, Arthur Robinson. A confrontation between Misick and Robinson, had reportedly led to Robinson being punched in the chest several times by Misick. The subsequent failure by the Turks and Caicos authorities to prosecute Misick for the alleged assault led to claims of obstruction of justice by opposition politicians. The latest call for Misick to step down comes on the heels of serious misgivings over the situation in the British Overseas Territory, including reports of widespread government corruption, expressed just last month by members of Britain's Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC). The appointment of a Commission of Enquiry to investigate and report on issues relating to the Turks and Caicos Islands that "shocked and appalled" British Member of Parliament Sir John Stanley, a member of the FAC, is a possibility that has been widely canvassed in London in recent weeks, although no announcement has yet been made in this respect by the British government.
According to numerous media reports, Kalimuthu demonstrated extraordinary heroism on Friday, March 14 when a fellow New Yorker collapsed unconscious onto the northbound subway tracks of the No. 1 line at the 116th station. In a truly selfless act, he jumped down and crossed the tracks to hoist the much-larger unconscious passenger onto his shoulders and lifted him up to platform. "Today the Council of the City of New York honors a devoted family man and sterling example of the daily unsung contributions of immigrants to our city and nation," stated Council Member Comrie. "Kali serves as an inspiration to our community not only because of his act of heroism, but more importantly because of how he inspires each New Yorker to serve one another." Kalimuthu is a proud native of the Caribbean nation of Guyana, where he was raised by his now-deceased parents and has four brothers and two sisters. He immigrated to the United States in 1991 and has been a proud resident of Jamaica, Queens for 16 years. Additionally, he has been employed as a mechanic for Columbia University for 11 years. A passionate cricket player, Kalimuthu is married to the lovely Sunita and they are blessed with four children- Stephanie, Christopher, Shelly and Angela and two grandsons- Shawn and Eythan. In addition to the proclamation Kalimuthu and his family will be attending a performance of the UniverSoul Circus, thanks to the generosity of UniverSoul Circus founder/CEO Cedric Walker and his staff.
Justice Mayers also ordered that all parties involved bear their own costs. In delivering his 37-page judgement, Justice Myers noted that from what he gathered, Alleyne's intention was not "to gain a personal benefit from these proceedings. He did not seek damages. He did not ask to be reinstated..." Alleyne, 64, a retired banker, of Montserrat Avenue, Federation Park, Port of Spain, had his five-year term of office revoked on October 9, 2003, just 14 months after assuming the position, following a public fallout with the Government over the appointment of a new Executive Director of the financial institution. The former chairman took his case to the High Court, seeking the interpretation of provisions contained in the UTC Act, in an effort to establish boundaries to prevent politicians from interfering with the business of the now $11 billion organisation held by over 430,000 unit holders. Alleyne named Manning, in his capacity as Finance Minister, Junior Finance Minister Conrad Enill and the Attorney General as the defendants to the lawsuit. De Claude Denbow SC, Kelvin Ramkissoon and Donna Denbow represented Alleyne, while Jamaican constitutional expert Dr Lloyd Barnett, acting Chief State Solicitor Christophe Grant, Michael Quamina, Josefina Baptiste and Harran Ramkaransingh represented Manning, Enill and the Attorney General. Lawyers representing the defendants had argued that Alleyne's lawsuit lacked credibility, was contradictory and unsustainable in law, and the fact that he no longer wanted to return to his old job had no status in seeking the court's interpretation of the act. They also argued that the questions raised were not supported by any documentary proof and were academic and hypothetical. But in his defence, Alleyne claimed he was fired because he resisted attempts of the Government to appoint former UTC Marketing Manager Renrick Nickie to the post of Executive Director and refused to re-appoint then Executive Director Clarry Benn to another four-year term in office. Benn, whose term came to an end on August 31, 2003, was only given and additional six months in office in September 2003. Nickie was subsequently dismissed for allegedly breaching a board directive and making statements to the media on the proposed merger between the UTC and First Citizens, which had been proposed by Manning. Alleyne had claimed that his comments opposing the proposed merger between the UTC and First Citizens also contributed to his termination.
The Trust for Public Land said yesterday it plans to acquire the 115-acre former sugar plantation in St. Croix on behalf of the U.S.V.I. They eventually plan to transfer it to the National Park Service to operate as a historic site. The deal could become a reality later this year though financial terms remain undisclosed. Hamilton who was born in the Caribbean island of Nevis actually moved to the U.S.V.I and lived on the Estate Grange plantation from age 10 to about 17. He later migrated to New York and went on to become one of the most influential of the United States' founding fathers. As the first secretary of the treasury he placed the new nation on a firm financial footing. He was killed in a duel with Aaron Burr in 1804. He is buried at Trinity Church cemetery in New York City and each year is remembered by the Bowling Green Association and its chairman, Arthur Piccolo. CWN joined the celebration of Hamilton`s life two years ago and this January marked his birthday at Bowling Green.
"She's going to have surgery," was the response of her husband, Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday, when asked by the Express yesterday how his wife's visit to the doctor in London went. Panday accompanied Mrs Panday to the doctor, where further testing was conducted to determine if she needed heart surgery. After preliminary medical tests in Trinidad signalled that Mrs Panday required heart surgery, she and her husband left last Thursday for London. Panday told the Express that Mrs Panday was "all right" and that she has an appointment with the surgeon this week. Panday said a date has not yet been scheduled for the surgery and that he preferred not to divulge exactly what type of surgery Mrs Panday has to undergo. In 1989, Panday himself underwent triple bypass surgery. He also had angioplasty surgery in 1995 for a blocked artery. Both surgeries were conducted at London's Cromwell Hospital, the same institution where Mrs Panday is believed to be seeking treatment. Asked how Mrs Panday was taking the news that she has to undergo heart surgery, Panday said: "She's taking it well." Questioned how he felt, he responded: "I'm not worried." His wife's health problem is not the only matter facing Panday. He is in London but is scheduled to appear before a magistrate on two separate matters today. Both matters are, however, likely to be adjourned. Opposition Chief Whip Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj told the Express yesterday that the law states that a person can be excused from a matter if there is an emergency. Maharaj said he will be appearing before Magistrate Ejenny Espinet at the Port of Spain Magistrate's Court today at 10 a.m. to represent Panday in the Piarco Airport Enquiry case. He said given Panday's absence, the case is likely to be adjourned. Panday and his wife are charged with receiving £25,000 from Carlos John and Ish Galbaransingh, as a bribe to favour Galbaransingh's Northern Construction Ltd in the tendering process for the Piarco Airport. Galbaransingh and John are charged with giving the Pandays £25,000 back in December 1998. Panday is also scheduled to appear before Espinet to have a date for his retrial fixed. However, his attorney in this matter, Ravi Rajcoomar, will be representing him. Rajcoomar also told the Express that this matter will be adjourned, adding that the results of a judicial review are still pending. The Privy Council last week dismissed Panday's appeal against the Appeal Court's order of a retrial, on the charge of his failure to declare a $10 million bank account to the Integrity Commission. Panday was found guilty last year of this charge and given the maximum sentence of two years as well as a fine by Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls. The case was quashed before the Appeal Court and a re-trial ordered after it was found there was apparent bias on McNicolls's part.
The Forum, previously known as the Commonwealth Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Ministerial Forum, brings together Finance Ministers of the HIPC countries of the Commonwealth to discuss and advocate issues of common interest related to the achievement and maintaining of debt sustainability. Dr Singh will chair the Forum for the period 2008/2009, following a year during which the Forum was chaired by Mr. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Ghana's Minister of Finance and Economic Planning. "On behalf of my Government, and indeed on my own behalf, I am privileged to formally accept the Chairmanship of the Commonwealth Ministerial Debt Sustainability Forum (CMDSF) for the coming year. I thank you, the Members of the Forum, for the confidence reposed in me and my country through my nomination to Chair this Forum," the Finance Minister said.
The woman claimed that Mr Misick, who is married to American actress, LisaRaye McCoy-Misick, assaulted her two weekends ago. "Let me be clear - I will continue my duties as Premier. We have a lot yet to accomplish," he told the nation in an official televised statement. Misick said that the woman, "after leaving the Turks and Caicos Islands, made a false report to law enforcement officials in the United States that she had allegedly been sexually assaulted" by him. "I strongly and categorically deny these false allegations," he insisted. "I am confident that I will be completely and fully exonerated of these false and outrageous allegations." The matter is being investigated by the Royal Turks and Caicos Police Force, but Misick acknowledged that the probe is being overseen by US law enforcement officials. He said their involvement is a "procedural matter" since an American citizen is involved.
Sixteen of 17 senators who attended a special session of the chamber voted against Prime Minister Jacques Edouard Alexis, who was inaugurated in June 2006 along with a coalition cabinet meant to unite the fractious Caribbean nation of nearly 9 million people. "Now it's my turn to play," Preval said when he was told by journalists of the Senate vote against his ally. The vote came shortly after he and leaders of the private sector had revealed an emergency plan to cut the cost of a sack of rice to $43 from $51. Dealt what political analysts consider a serious blow by the senate vote but not a crushing one, Preval said he would be getting in touch with Senate leaders and legislators from the lower house to pick a new government. The clash with senators came after days of rioting over food prices in which at least five people were killed. Crowds of stone-throwing Haitians began battling U.N. peacekeepers and Haitian police in the south of the country on April 2, enraged at the soaring cost of rice, beans, bread, cooking oil and other staples. The unrest spread to the capital Port-au-Prince this week, bringing the sprawling and chaotic city to a halt as mobs took over the streets, smashing windows, looting shops and setting fire to cars. Preval, whose appeal on Wednesday for an end to the violence brought a tense calm to the capital, said $3 of the cut in the price of would be paid by businesses. The rest would be funded by international donors. "The situation is difficult everywhere around the world, everyone has to make a sacrifice," he told a news conference on Saturday in the opulent National Palace in downtown Port-au-Prince. "We are not going to lower taxes on food...," he said, reiterating that the poorest country in the Americas could not afford to cut its revenues or it would not have enough money to pay for longer term projects that create jobs and boost agriculture. Food costs have soared worldwide because of a combination of surging demand in emerging countries such as China, competition with biofuels, high oil prices and market speculation. Disturbances have broken out in a host of poor nations, primarily in Africa.
He made the comment as he told the Senate there were no Indian judges in the CCJ. "They have appointed between six and nine judges to the CCJ, not one single Indian, not one Indian in that balance," Mark said in his contribution to the Caribbean Court of Justice (Headquarters) Bill 2008 at Tuesday's Senate sitting at the Red House , Port-of-Spain. "And don't tell me that we don't have judges who are prominent and well established in the judicial landscape . . . even when you look at the composition of the CCJ, it leaves a lot to be desired." He said he knew people of Indian origin who had applied for the position, and they had received letters indicating that "their applications are under active consideration". "Tell me where is the justice," Mark said, as he argued that Parliament was being used as a tool by the Trinidad and Tobago Government and other regional governments. He added that the United National Congress Alliance would never support the CCJ, and pointed out that under the legislation, the head of the CCJ, Michael de la Bastide, could be removed from that position with a three-quarter vote of CARICOM Heads of Government. "We have no faith whatsoever in the CCJ. It is a play thing of CARICOM Heads of Government and it will never be able to deliver justice," Mark said. He argued that other CARICOM heads also did not have faith in the CCJ and the fact that only two countries Barbados and Guyana had lent their support was evidence of this. "The CCJ is a waste of time, a waste of taxpayers' money," Mark said. (Trinidad Express)
The awards, which are being presented for the second time tonight, will go to four men and women in three categories. The winners are Guyanese writer and academic professor David Dabydeen (Arts & Letters); Barbadian entrepreneur James Husbands (Science & Technology); and Guyanese conservationist Annette Arjoon and Jamaican child rights activist Claudette Richardson-Pious (joint winners-Public & Civic Contributions). Each award consists of a gold medal and a citation, and $500,000. They are given by the ANSA McAL Foundation, a charity funded by the profits of the ANSA McAL Group of Companies. "There is nothing like these awards in the region, either in size or scope," said the awards communications manager Lisa Allen-Agostini. "And the selection process makes it clear these winners are deserving of their prizes. The nomination and selection committees have impeccable credentials." The selection panel Sir Ellis Clarke, former president of T&T, chairs the Regional Eminent Persons Selection Panel. On the panel are its co-ordinator Michael K Mansoor (T&T); Sir Shridath Ramphal (Guyana) and Maj Gen (ret'd) Joseph G Singh (Guyana); and Sir Dwight Venner (St Vincent & the Grenadines); Justice Christopher Blackman (Barbados); Christopher Bovell (Jamaica); and Dr Wahid Ali (T&T), Judy Chang (T&T), and Sr Paul D'Ornellas (T&T). Committee chairs Nominees are picked by Country Nominating Committees in five territories: Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and T&T. Each territory is responsible for picking a nominee in each award field. The chairs of each committee take the nominations to the selection panel for the final decision. The committee chairs are Sen Hon Branford Taitt (Barbados); Dr Marlene Cox (Guyana); Hon Barbara Gloudon (Jamaica); His Excellency Charles Maynard (OECS); and Prof Kenneth Ramchand (T&T). Giants in their fields "If that wasn't enough, the work of the laureates themselves is a testament to excellence. You can't fault the work of these men and women, they're giants in their fields," Allen-Agostini said. A Guardian writer, Allen-Agostini has written about the awards in her column and described the work of two laureates there. She visited the laureates in their home countries and interviewed them about their work. The visits were undertaken to make video documentaries that will be shown tonight at the Awards ceremony. "Annette Arjoon is getting her prize not only for her work as a turtle conservationist-she is secretary of the Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society-but for her work with the Amerindian people of Region One, Guyana. She has helped them set up businesses manufacturing traditional products like cocoa sticks and cassava bread, packaged and labelled for sale in Georgetown and elsewhere. The money they earn helps these people tremendously, and the products are fantastic." She continued, "David Dabydeen is a brilliant writer, and he's so selfless. He has written over 20 books as a poet, novelist and academic. But I can't tell you how many other Caribbean writers owe him a debt. For example, he helped Willi Chen, a Trinidadian writer, get published. And Willi Chen's book Chutney Power was short listed for a Commonwealth Writer's Prize. "In Barbados they call James Husbands 'Mr Solar Dynamics'. He runs a company that designs, makes and sells solar water heaters. We're lucky in Trinidad because we have oil and gas, but in the rest of the Caribbean the cost of energy is really high. Solar power helps keep costs down for the governments and for the consumers, and it's also great for the environment." Finally, she said, "The Jamaican laureate is an amazing lady, too. Claudette Richardson-Pious runs an NGO named Children First. It started off getting kids, mostly boys, off the streets. Now it works in all kinds of different areas, helping children and parents, too. The organisation gives free training and education, HIV testing, parent support groups, and gives parents loans to start businesses to mind their families. She's a folk hero in Jamaica, and deservedly so." Past laureates The awards started in 2005 and the first batch of laureates received their awards in 2006. The inaugural prizes went to Trinidadian filmmaker Robert Yao Ramesar (Arts & Letters), Trinidadian RC priest and humanitarian Fr Gregory Ramkissoon (Public & Civic Contributions); and Jamaican medical researcher professor Terrence Forrester (Science & Technology). So far they have all used their awards to further their work: Ramesar to complete and distribute his first feature film; Ramkissoon to fund a new charitable project that helps families living in garbage dumps; and Forrester to continue researching obesity, diabetes and hypertension in Caribbean populations. Tonight's gala will include a cocktail reception, a formal dinner and culminate in the awards presentation by Sir Ellis and Dr Anthony N Sabga, the chairman of the ANSA McAL Foundation and the patron of the awards.
The leader of the United National Congress-Alliance, who turns 75 next month, will now have to try and convince a local magistrate why he should not face a new trial on charges of failing to declare a London bank account to the Integrity Commission for three consecutive years, while he held office as prime minister-on the basis of his fear of imprisonment, his deteriorating health and his increasing legal bill of close to $1 million. In an immediate reaction, Director of Public Prosecution Geoffrey Henderson said yesterday that while he did not usually comment on the ruling of courts, he would "respect the ruling and we will simply abide by the court's ruling". Panday is scheduled to appear before Senior Magistrate Ejenny Espinet on April 15, when a date for his retrial is expected to be fixed. The same magistrate has also refused to step down, on the basis of apparent bias, as the sitting magistrate in the corruption case against Panday, his wife, former government minister Carlos John and businessman Ishwar Galbaransingh. Panday and his wife are charged with receiving £25,000 from John and Galbaransingh as a bribe to favour Galbaransingh's Northern Construction Limited in the tendering process for the Piarco Airport. Galbaransingh and John are charged with giving the Pandays £25,000 back in December 1998. That matter is also scheduled to come up again on April 15. (See Page 5.) The Privy Council noted yesterday that the local Appeal Court decided "there were clear reasons why a retrial should be ordered. The imposition of a permanent stay (of the criminal proceedings) should be the exception, not the rule. The prosecution had not itself been at fault and based its case against (Panday) on apparently clear and cogent evidence. There is a substantial public interest in having offences of the kind alleged against (Panday) properly tried". Later on in the judgment, they said: "Certainly a considerable length of time has now elapsed since these complaints were laid (although one cannot but observe that the first three years were spent disposing of (Panday's) misconceived initial constitutional challenge) and plainly (Panday) is becoming older. "But there is no possible basis upon which the Board, as an appellate tribunal, could now properly accede to this last ditch submission and declare that the proposed retrial would constitute an abuse of process. Any such contention (which the Board by no means encourages) must obviously be addressed to the (new) magistrate. Frankly, it should never have been raised as a ground of appeal." In the 14-page judgement, five British Law Lords-Lord Hoffman, Lord Scott of Foscote, Lord Walker of Gestingthorpe, Lord Brown of Eaton-under-Heywood and Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury-ripped apart the arguments raised by the defence. Using unusually strong language, the judges found the submissions from Panday's lead attorney, Richard Clayton QC, to be "somewhat surprising", "absurdly far-fetched" and "puzzling". Fresh evidence of Panday's health and legal expenses was almost ignored by the Privy Council, since it had not been raised before the local courts and nothing had been put forward to suggest that Panday cannot afford proper representation at his retrial. A detailed medical report from Dr Mark Kinirons, a consultant physician at the St Thomas's Hospital in London, following an examination on May 4, 2007, stated that Panday suffers from a heart condition and diabetes. The doctor concludes "that (Panday) 'is under significant stress by virtue of a threat of retrial' and his health and well-being are affected not only by his medical condition, but also by his fears of future imprisonment and the 'shortcoming of the prison conditions'". The judges had reserved their decision on February 19, after just about three hours of arguments, mainly from Panday's legal team. They had set aside two days for the hearing, but their early adjournment spelt trouble for Panday. Panday's conviction and sentence of two years imprisonment, fine of $60,000 and payment to the State of $1.6 million, equivalent to the money deposited in the foreign account, was overturned by the Appeal Court on March 20, 2007. He spent six days in prison after his conviction on April 24, 2006, before he was released on bail in light of his failing health condition. Justices Ivor Archie (now Chief Justice), Margot Warner and Paula-Mae Weekes found there was a sufficient basis to quash the conviction, on the basis of an apparent bias on the part of Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls. They ordered then that Panday face a retrial before different magistrate and Panday remains free on bail. During Panday's trial, McNicolls had complained to then Attorney General, John Jeremie, that then Chief Justice Satnarine Sharma had tried to influence his decision to favour the Opposition Leader. Jeremie later assisted McNicolls in a private multi-million dollar land transaction. "Not a word of all this was mentioned to (Panday) before the Chief Magistrate's written judgment convicting him and this it was, which decided the Court of Appeal to find the case of apparent bias made out," the Privy Council stated. The judges also noted that the Appeal Court "was clearly influenced" by the fact that McNicolls declined to give evidence against Sharma, on a related criminal charge of attempting to pervert the course of public justice. Clayton first argued that the three charges, which were laid on September 18, 2002, were laid outside the six-month time frame from the time when the complaint first arose, but the judges held that it was "perfectly obvious" that the time limit was five years after the accused ceases to be a person in public life. Panday's lawyers had raised a somewhat similar argument before the local High Court and the Court of Appeal "at the very outset of these long protracted proceedings", and had been successively dismissed. "No purpose would be served by an analysis of the arguments advanced and judgments given in those two earlier decisions. The Board has sufficiently stated why the point is a bad one," the judgment said. The point was also argued by former UNC Energy Minister Finbar Gangar before the local courts and the Privy Council, on March 6, and has been taken into account. The Privy Council spared Panday of incurring the cost of the State in defending the appeal. On March 28, Speaker of the House of Representatives Barendra Sinanan suspended Panday, the Member of Parliament for the Couva North constituency, for failing to comply with an order to leave the chamber after he refused to put away his laptop computer. The order debars Panday from entering the Parliament until the end of the current Session, which expires on December 16, 2008.
Panday told the Express in a telephone interview yesterday that further tests are to be conducted on Oma in London to determine if open heart surgery is necessary. "For a little while she's been having pains in her chest and so on. We'll find out whether she requires surgery from the doctors there. Some preliminary tests have been done in Trinidad and they indicate that surgery is required," Panday said. Asked about claims that Oma's health woes and its timing were a ploy to get sympathy as he dealt with other issues, such as his suspension from the Parliament and yesterday's dismissal of his appeal by the Privy Council, Panday said, "... there will always be vicious, spiteful people who will say all kinds of things. I can't be part of the problem. If I'm to bother with them, I will increase my stress." He admitted that over the past years, both he and his wife had been through a lot. The Pandays are currently before the courts facing a charge of corruptly receiving $250,000 from two businessmen to favour a company in the Piarco Airport construction packages, a matter that has been ongoing for years. Asked whether he ever thought that all his problems and stress would also take a toll on his wife, Panday said, "Well I guess we're human beings and such pressures take a toll on our health." Questioned as to how his children, including his daughter, Oropouche West MP Mickela Panday, were dealing with their mother's heart problems, Panday said, "They are pretty tough. They have grown up in this kind of atmosphere all their lives so they're coping alright." He said Oma was "okay" and she "remains strong in the face of adversity". Asked whether his problems were now on the back burner given his wife's health problems, he said, "In life, one always have to determine priorities and those priorities change as time progresses." Panday also said they did not know how long they would have to stay in London. "Her (Oma) health condition will determine that." Asked about his own health, he said, "I am doing fine."
This follows the retirement of Minister Rudy Insanally from that position. Prior to her new appointment, Rodrigues was the Minister of Amerindian Affairs. Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Pauline Campbell-Sukhai has been handed the post of Minister of Amerindian Affairs. A press release from the Office of the President in announcing the new appointments stated that Rodrigues is the first woman and the first Amerindian to be appointed to the Foreign Ministry post in the history of Guyana and brings to the position a wealth of experience. Noting Rodrigues' academic qualifications in Social Work and Business Administra-tion, the release said her experience and highly respected leadership and management qualities as a Minister in the Ministry of Amerindian affairs over the last seven years "will add a new vibrancy to Guyana's foreign image". Meanwhile, Campbell-Sukhai has been appointed to Rodrigues' former post and the release in stating that she had been a community and political activist for women and Amerindian rights over the last 30 years also pointed out that Sukhai has a degree in economics and post-graduate development studies. "Her work experience in SIMAP as an economist and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Project as a socio-economist coupled with 15 years as a parliamentarian will serve her well in her new post", the release asserted adding that she will now demit her position at the Tourism Ministry. Both Ministers will be sworn in by President Bharrat Jagdeo in the Creden-tials Room, Office of the President today.
"What I think we really ought to do, I think Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, perhaps, need to get together and do a serious study of the causes of crime because I am not sure the causes are the same in both countries," Golding told reporters. The Jamaica prime minister, who along with his CARICOM colleagues ended a two-day special summit agreeing on a series of measures aimed at stemming crime in the region, said he would be holding talks with his Trinidadian counterpart, Patrick Manning, on the issue. Last year, more than 1,600 Jamaicans were murdered. Nearly 400 homicides were recorded in Trinidad and Tobago in 2007. "We need to determine what are the similarities, what are the differences and even where there are differences what are the commonalities and the approach, therefore, to take and it is something I intend to speak with Prime Minister Manning about." Agrees with amnesty Golding said he agreed with a report by the London-based human rights group Amnesty International that criticised the Jamaica Government for what it said was the administration's failure to protect inner-city residents trapped by the violence between armed criminal gangs and police. The prime minister also expressed dissatisfaction with the "significant levels of corruption within the police force, which undermines the effectiveness of the police (and) hampers its ability to enlist the cooperation of the public and get information from the public".
Laing's attorney Fred Smith said the junior minister had "no other choice" but to take legal action, after his name was dragged through the mud several times by the trio, whom Smith claimed did so with the intention to malign Laing's character. "These are extremely damaging, malicious and embarrassing comments and the minister was left with no alternative but to bring the matter before the courts," said Smith. Laing is claiming damages for defamation, and is seeking an injunction restraining the defendants from further publishing the defamatory words. Yesterday, he charged that both Smith and Nottage's accusations were politically motivated. The issue arose in February when allegations were made in Parliament by Frank Smith that Laing had abused his powers as the Minister of State for Finance, specifically to benefit his sister-in-law, by arranging for the reclassification of the nutrition drink Mona Vie, from a class that attracted a 45 percent customs duty, to one that attracted 10 percent duty. Then on March 18, the former comptroller gave an interview to The Bahama Journal in which he said that the instructions received by the Department of Customs from Laing to place the Mona Vie drink under the "wrong" classification, were both improper and illegal. According to the writ, Rolle "knew and intended" that his comments would be published and authorized its repetition. The writ further claimed that Rolle's comments indicated to the general public that Laing, in the discharge of his duties, acted unlawfully and improperly. Smith said Rolle's comments were calculated to disparage Laing in his office and profession as a minister. Smith also said, "It's obvious that the defamation spoken by Nottage and Frank Smith have been calculated, disparaged and biased, and in fact it was malicious in the criticism of Mr. Laing. And these defamations have outrightly stated the minister has placed his own interest and that of his family member above that of the public, and that he has displayed nepotism by exercising his powers for the primary purpose of a family member and in complete disregard of the public interest." Nottage, who is the second defendant, was also charged with disseminating information that Laing misled the public. He issued a press statement which was repeated on various occasions since March 19. Laing claims that the release contained words that were defamatory. Regarding Frank Smith, the writ alleges that he gave an interview to Island 102.9 FM in which he also used defamatory words. Specifically, it quoted him as saying: "The only thing is that he allowed his family to exploit their access to him...there is a word to describe that: Nepotism." The writ said Smith's words were understood to mean that Laing deliberately allowed family members to exploit his position as state minister. The writ further outlines the accusations being made, that Minister Laing's actions were motivated by the desire to benefit a family member and that he acted unlawfully, knew that he was acting unlawfully, and that he did in fact seek to induce to make the comptroller of customs to act unlawfully," said Attorney Smith. "It also outlines public statements by the defendants that Mr. Laing acted wrongfully, improperly and violated the public's trust in him as a minister. These are statements that cannot go without being challenged," he added. When asked if he put the matter before the court in an effort to silence his critics, Laing said he is not interested in playing political games. "That is not my life. My name and my reputation are important to me. That's why I put this mater before the court. Let us in that environment determine what the situation was. This is not a game for me or to silence anybody. Anyone who wishes to talk can continue to do so ad infinitum. That is not the issue for me," Laing said. He added that the situation has caused a great amount of distress for his family. Still, the minister said he does not regret making any of the decisions that he made. "If I were being selfish and thinking only about Zhivargo Laing, then I would have regretted it. But the reality is that as a public servant, I have a duty to the public of The Bahamas. And a complaint made to me by anyone, family, friend or foe would have been dealt with the same way. I did the right thing. I had a complaint made to me, I sent it to the secretary of revenue as I would do in any circumstance, and I do not at one moment regret having done so," Laing said. "What I do regret is that there are persons in this country who are trying to take matters and misconstrue them and for their own political purposes in what they do. I have no doubt whatsoever that in the pursuit of my responsibilities as the minister of state for finance, I did the right thing, and the people who ought to benefit, benefited. I have no doubts about that," he continued. Fred Smith declined to discuss the intricacies of the case as it is before the courts.
Balkrishna was at the time speaking with the Guardian on Thursday when he visited the Guardian's Central Bureau. Balkrishna is in T&T away from his home in Canada to promote his new book-The Other Side of the House-that he plans to launch on April 18, at Nalis, Port-of-Spain. The younger Naipaul, who said his cousin had never been secretive about his private life, stated: "The academic world is very familiar with it and there are many critics who have actually written about it." Balkrishna referred to VS Naipaul's Empty Chapel, written by John Kuar Persaud Ramphal, a book which spoke about the private life of the world famous author. He said: "This was not to denigrate him but was a matter of information that this man has a life and whatever he was doing with his life had no impact with his creativity." Balkrishna said ten years ago all of VS Naipaul's personal papers were sold to the University of Tulsa in the United States; he said the present biographer may have had permission from Naipaul to release their contents. He surmised: "I know people have tried to have access to it and have had difficulties getting to it, even though the papers were sold to the university. VS Naipaul had the right to say who would have access to it. What I can tell the biographer was working from the papers and if that is the case Vidia dhar wanted people to know about it in his own lifetime." Balkrishna said he knew about his elder cousin's romps with prostitutes and heard about it through interviews but had never asked VS about it out of personal respect for the author's privacy. "I regard him as a big brother," he said, "I cannot ask him about his private life and what he does with his private life." Balkrishna said the biography by Patrick French should not change public perception of VS Naipaul, his work and the immense contribution Naipaul made to literature. Balkrishna said VS Naipaul worldly experiences contributed immensely to the pathways he chose. He added: "After he finished his Trinidad-based books, material seemed to have had dried up and he began to travel, and in his journey, in his experiences, he came hand in hand with a "liaison" from Argentina (referred to as Margaret Murray the Anglo-Argentine woman VS Naipaul had a 20-year affair with in French's book). His wife (referring to Naipaul's first wife Patricia who he married in 1955) knew about that; she accepted it but the fact that she was devoted to him and had a tremendous impact on his creativity. If she accepted it, why should we be bothered by it." Balkrishna described Patricia as a reserved person, who was very quiet, deep and capable. He said: "She was his best critic and most of the things he wrote he would read it to her and watched her reaction. In many ways they were a literary couple until things went bad and he began to draw away from her, and eventually they lived apart for a while, even though he kept seeing her until her death. I have tremendous respect and regard for her." Balkrishna's new book is a compelling story about a young man in pursuit of an education which will enable him to follow in the footsteps of his uncle as a writer. However, the education system conspires against him and he is forced to retreat into the inner recesses of his self. Ramesh Naipaul, 55, another of VS Naipaul's cousin who lives in Chaguanas, said he remembered Patricia coming to T&T in the 70s for the trial of Abdul Malick, who was sentenced to hang for the murder of Gail Ann Benson, a UK socialite. He said Patricia Naipaul, formerly Patricia Hailes, was the niece of famous UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill. He said Patricia would join the family and even ate off a sohari leaf. "I used to call her bhougie," he recalled. He said Patricia was reserved and a gave no impressions that the couple had any marital problems.
The source said Williams took the decision on Friday. On March 13, St Vincent attorney Kay Bacchus-Brown filed indecent assault charges against Gonsalves on behalf of a Vincentian woman who now lives in Canada and who claimed the incident happened four years ago. "There are conflicting statements from the woman who made the allegation as to when the alleged rape occurred," the source said. The source explained that Gonsalves' accuser had recently claimed the incident occurred five years ago, which conflicted her subsequent claim that it occurred four years ago. Gonsalves had denied the allegations as he did the rape allegations made against him by a female police officer in St Vincent earlier this year. In that first matter, Williams also decided not to proceed with any criminal charges against Gonsalves. The female police officer filed a legal challenge against Williams' decision but it was dismissed by St Vincent High Court Judge Gertel Thom, who found there was not enough evidence for the matter to proceed in criminal court. The police officer's lawyers have filed for leave to appeal Thom's ruling. Gonsalves was in Trinidad and Tobago yesterday attending the Caricom Heads of Government special summit of crime and security at the Hilton Trinidad hotel, St Ann's. In an interview with the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) Gonsalves had said, "It is all falsehood I will let my lawyers deal with that." Approached by the Sunday Express for comment on this latest development, Gonsalves repeated the statements he made during his state visit to this country on March 1, that allegations by themselves are not enough grounds for anyone to resign high public office. During that state visit, Prime Minister Patrick Manning, a long-time friend of Gonsalves, also said no public official should resign from office based on allegations alone.
"We're going to hunt this guy down and we're going to get him, this gang. My government does not negotiate with criminals," Jagdeo said yesterday. He said there was a core of "white collar people" in Guyana who tried to justify the massacres saying the gang's leader was fighting for a cause. "There can be no cause for what he was fighting for. He is a criminal and he will be treated as such and they are offering to mediate on behalf of the Government, that you require power sharing to stop this kind of killing. We reject all of that. We're not going to mediate with criminals," Jagdeo said. He did so while speaking to reporters during the Caricom Heads of Government special meeting on crime and security at the Hilton Trinidad hotel. Twenty three people, including children and women, were left dead after gunmen opened fire in the towns of Lusignan and Bartica earlier this year. Trinidad and Tobago provided a helicopter and special weapons to the Guyana security forces to assist them in their manhunt following the slayings. Jagdeo said yesterday that a special law enforcement unit has been established "that will hunt this group down." He also called for the United States, which he called an important partner of Caricom, to do more to help better secure the region. In a separate media briefing yesterday, Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding also called for US assistance with regard to intelligence gathering and maritime and air security. "Ultimately, it is a matter that affects both the Caribbean and the United States," Golding said. He also responded to an Amnesty International report that severely criticized Jamaica for its human rights record in law enforcement and acknowledged there was a problem in this regard. "We accept that there are serious deficiencies in Jamaica in addressing human rights, particularly as it relates to the treatment of our citizens by our security forces. We have extra-judicial killings that are unacceptable," Golding said.
Surrounded by members of the Opposition, Panday attempted to enter the Parliament around 1.09 p.m. from the entrance on Knox Street, Port of Spain. A Parliament officer blocked him a few feet from the entrance of the Red House and told him that he could not enter. However, what could have been a peaceful episode turned into high drama, not with Panday and the police, but by an unidentified man who took Panday to task and started shouting and condemning him for his actions. The tension intensified as scores of Charlotte Street vendors assembled outside the Red House to protest their removal from the capital city. The man, presumably a vendor, criticised Panday as he spoke to the media. Panday was forced to leave immediately as the man moved in on him, pushing media personnel and members of the Opposition. Events started unfolding when Panday arrived at the Red House at about 12.55 p.m and immediately approached the Charlotte Street vendors and listened to their woes. After arranging a meeting with them for next week, Panday proceeded to the entrance of the Red House where he was blocked by a police officer. "The suspension was for one day, so I come to do my duty and I don't know who's stopping me from entering the Parliament...is it the Speaker? Did the Speaker order you to arrest me if I come here?" The officer, in a very soft and almost inaudible tone, said: "Yes Sir, the Speaker has said to restrain you from coming." Panday shot back, "Restrain me physically, with force and violence and that kind of thing." "No violence Sir," the officer immediately replied as Panday quipped , "How could you use force without violence?" Trying his best to control the situation the officer told Panday, "I know you are a man of wisdom." Panday replied: "Anyway, anyway...this is not your fault, I am not quarrelling with you, I assure you of that, OK. "I am here to do my duty because I received no communication from anybody and I presume that I was right to be here, if however you say you are instructed by the Speaker not to let me in, I will comply with your wish." "You have your duty to do and I have mine," he continued as he asked the officer, "May I ask your name please sir..because I am going to have to swear to [an] affidavit". Panday explained that if the Opposition takes legal action against the Speaker, the entire controversy will have to be documented. The officer gave his name as Senior Superintendent Lopez as Panday continued, "Thank you kindly and can you tell me when he (Speaker) instructed you." Lopez said he was given notice on Thursday by Sinanan to block Panday from entering the House and told Panday, "I appreciate your cooperation". "My pleasure, my pleasure," responded Panday. He then proceeded to answer questions from the media, suggesting that his suspension was a conspiracy. "Mr Panday! Mr Panday! That is a lie! It is not a conspiracy! You lie!" shouted the unidentified man. The man was restrained by some Charlotte Street vendors who told him to shut up and behave. He refused to listen and proceeded to shout and yell and verbally attack Panday, pushing media personnel in the process. "Just so! Just so! Let me have my say! Let me have my say!" shouted the man. As the fracas heightened, Panday calmly said, "Alright, alright...I'm going home". He then gently made his way through the crowd and disappeared in a blink of an eye. Police then took charge and restrained the man who continued shouting, "Parliament is about Government and Opposition...not the foolishness Panday getting on with, Panday doing this to glorify himself!"
Nevertheless Panday showed up at 1.30 p.m and was blocked by the police from entering the precincts of Parliament. Sinanan told the Express that Panday called the Acting Clerk Neil Jagessar to make enquiries with respect to his status. Jagessar then informed him (Panday) that in accordance with Standing Order 43 (10) he had been suspended from the service of the House from the remainder of the Session. Sinanan said pursuant to Panday's enquiry, he (Sinanan) directed Jagessar to reply to Panday in writing. That was done and the letter was sent to Panday around 11.30 a.m.
He claims it was a conspiracy between the Speaker and Prime Minister Patrick Manning. "I want to make it clear that this issue is not about the computer, it's not about a laptop,'' Panday told reporters yesterday after he was blocked by police from entering the Parliament. Panday was suspended last Friday by House Speaker Barendra Sinanan for disrespect to the chair and refusing to leave the House, an issue that was sparked over Panday's failure to request permission from Sinanan to use his laptop. Panday said that Sinanan allowed Sport Minister Gary Hunt last week to use his laptop, so the issue was not about the computer. He said what he objects to is Sinanan's circular to Parliamentarians informing them that they must seek his permission to use electronic devices. "If we comply with that circular, it gives the Speaker the right to amend and add to the standing orders, by his whims and fancies. That is what's at stake, the fundamental democratic process. "I think he's treating the entire Parliament with contempt, he's treating the members of the House with contempt...to simply send a memo and say by this decree I change and I add to the standing orders," Panday said. Panday said the Speaker has no right and no power to send circulars ordering MPs to seek his permission to use electronic devices. "What if he sends another note and says you cannot bring your briefcase...it's going to lead to a regime in Parliament in which the Opposition will not be able to perform its only function of the Parliament which is to speak," said Panday. "The democracy is that they are speaking through us and when you stop us from speaking.. you stop the people, this is a fundamental breach of democratic right," he continued. When asked what is his next step, Panday said , "My next step is to go to the people, I always believe the final arbiters in all political matters are the people. You go to them and they tell you whether you are right or wrong and what you must do..and if there is a need to escalate the struggle and it is the will of the people, we shall escalate the struggle." Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar said the action of the Speaker was wrong and illegal and the Opposition members were standing by their leader. She said it was decided that no Opposition member would attend yesterday's Parliament sitting "to protest... the illegal action on the part of the Speaker, an action that is high handed, unilateral and really designed to prevent the Opposition from having a voice in the Parliament". -Anna Ramdass
Just before court president, judge Cynthia Valstein-Montnor read the verdict, lawyers and several defendants left the court claiming that they were waiting in vain for the hearing to start without receiving any information from the court what was causing the delay. The hearing scheduled to start at 9.00 a.m. commenced around 11.30 a.m. By then only former army commander Arthy Gorre and a few suspects who are defending their own case were in the court room. "We are tired of being treated disrespectfully. This is not the first time," disgruntled attorney John Kraag responded to journalists when leaving the court house. "We were sitting here since 9.00 a.m. here and there's nobody around to tell us what's going on. We also requested for a meeting with the court president, but she refused to invite us and now we are leaving since we also have other business to take care of," he added. His colleague Irwin Kanhai, noted that if necessary the lawyers will tell the court why they had to leave. "If the court wants to know why we left, we will surely tell why," said Kanhai. After reading the verdict, the hearings were adjourned until further notice. Spokeswoman for the trial, Marjory Sanches, told reporters that a date for the continuation of the case has not been set since three other suspects are to appear before a civilian court. Sanches argued that those suspects, three former cabinet ministers, should also be in a position for them to present motions to the court before the trial would continue. Several relatives of the 15 victims expressed relief that ultimately the trial will continue and justice will be served. "I have the feeling that everything will be alright. I am very relieved," said Rani Sohansingh, sister of Robby Sohansingh, a businessman killed on December 8, 1982. Sohansingh, a lawyer of profession, said that given the nature of the exceptions she had expected the court's rejection. Former army commander Desi Bouterse, currently an elected member of parliament, and 24 others including former army officers, ex-ministers and politicians are facing lengthy prison terms if convicted for the extra-judicial killing of 15 businessmen, university lecturers, union leaders, journalists and army officers on December 8, 1982. In 2007 Bouterse publicly offered apologies to the relatives of the victims as former government leader, but denied any personal involvement in the killings.
The seat became available when Rep. Albert Wynn lost his bid for re-election in a primary election earlier this year and his decision to leave the seat early to return to the private sector. The Committee, which oversees a broad range of issues in the House of Representatives such as Health, Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, Energy and Air Quality, Environment and Hazardous Materials, Telecommunications and the Internet and Oversight and Investigations, is considered one of the most powerful in the law making body. "This committee which has oversight for healthcare including Medicaid and SCHIP, and also the environment and hazardous material, energy, information technology, and consumer protections, would give me the broad oversight to address most if not all of the challenges that we face in the Virgin Islands," Christensen said. "That is why it has been a goal of mine to serve on Energy and Commerce from my very first run for this office." Competition for membership on this committee is always stiff, but the CBC's unanimous endorsement and Congresswoman Christensen's seniority and background as a physician who has been active on health care issues in the Congress are major factors in her favor. On the downside, delegates to Congress are usually not given a seat on this committee because they do not have full voting rights in the body. However, Christensen has support in the House leadership for the position and she is expected to meet with top leadership next week to solidify her quest for membership on the panel. CBC Chair Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick told the National Journal on Thursday that Christensen is a "natural choice for the panel" as she brings "a lot of intellectual ability and a lot of consensus building to the table." "I think this is what we need in this Congress," she said.
During his stay in Miami, Barrow is also scheduled to meet with officials of the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID). In all meetings, Barrow hopes to discuss possible financial assistance for Belize.
The honour was officially made public on Wednesday at a ceremony at the Mona Campus in Kingston, Jamaica on Wednesday night.
The series of ads were created by the United Nations peacekeeping mission to Haiti and features Jean in Creole calling for an end to the crimes of kidnapping, rape and `restavek.` `If you love Wyclef, that means you love Haiti. So you should not be raping women, kidnapping people and children, because there can be no excuse for doing so. I reject these evil practices,` Jean states in one of the commercials. The ads have been distributed over the past two months to more than 20 radio and television stations across the country to boost public awareness over the rise in crime across the country. CaribWorldNews.com
Johnny Briceno was administered the oath of office by Governor General Sir Colville Young, during a brief ceremony at Belize House. Briceno was accompanied to the swearing-in by People's United Party (PUP) supporters from around the country, notable among them, Area Representatives Cordel Hyde and Mark Espat. Espat and Hyde did not attend Sunday's leadership convention in Belmopan. Following Wednesday morning's swearing-in, Briceno had a meeting with the delegates to convey his thanks for their support in Sunday's convention, during which he was chosen as PUP leader, over Francis Fonseca. The new PUP leader has embarked on a nationwide tour as he begins the process of reuniting the party which was heavily divided, going into this weekend's leadership convention.
He was responding to the latest Amnesty International report which accused the government of stigmatising and willfully neglecting people living in impoverished communities by failing to tackle corruption and violence affecting their neighbourhoods. The report, titled 'Let Them Kill Each Other: Public Security in Jamaica's Inner Cities', was released on Tuesday. Golding in a letter to deputy director of Amnesty International, Kerrie Howard, urged the rights group to be sympathetic to the real difficulties faced by a government that must find $723 million each day to service the national debt. "You will, I am sure, appreciate the extent to which this constrains our ability to address the urgent need to provide social services and economic opportunities in these areas," the prime minister said. Noting that much of the report pointed to the need for social intervention in communities which have suffered from benign neglect for many years and have been virtually taken over by local gang leaders', Golding said his government would continue its efforts to address this social deficit within the fiscal constraints.
The Keepers of the Dream awards, hosted by actress/comedienne Mo'Nique, kicked off a series of events commemorating the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Civil Rights legend Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The honorees for this year's awards also included Academy Award-nominated actress Cicely Tyson; New York Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli; Myrlie Evers Williams, widow of slain Civil Rights leader Medgar Evers; William Lucy, founder and president of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists; Civil Rights activist Wyatt Tee Walker; and Ian M. Cook, president and CEO of the Colgate-Palmolive Co. Upon receipt of his honor, which was presented by the Rev. Al Sharpton, Graves Sr. remarked, "This occasion is both solemn and celebratory. Solemn because we meet in Memphis in remembrance of perhaps our nation's greatest tragedy-the 40th anniversary of Dr. King's assassination. But we celebrate because Dr. King's dream did not die when he was taken from us. It lives in everyone who has accepted his challenge to fight injustice. This award tells me that somewhere along the way, I was able to make a contribution. It tells me that my contribution has mattered." Graves Sr.'s legacy as a business trailblazer and mentor has inspired millions across the nation. In 1999 he received the 84th NAACP Spingarn Medal, the highest achievement award for African Americans. He was inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 2007 and named one of Fortune magazine's 50 most powerful and influential African Americans in business in 2002. He also authored New York Times bestseller How to Succeed in Business Without Being White. Graves Sr., a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., received his bachelor's degree in economics from the historically black college Morgan State University. Earl G. Graves Sr. is a nationally recognized authority on black business development and the founder, chairman, and publisher of BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine, a business-service publication providing 3.9 million readers with information on entrepreneurship, careers, and financial management. Author of the autobiographical How to Succeed in Business Without Being White, Graves received the 84th NAACP Spingarn Medal in 1999, the highest achievement award for African Americans. In 2004 Graves was honored with the Business Pioneer Award from the 50th Anniversary Commemoration Committee for Brown v. Board of Education. And in 2007, he was inducted into the U.S. Business Hall of Fame, which recognizes |