To glorify the Grenada Revolution is a continuation of abuse

By Hudson George



March 13, 1979, was a day in Grenadian history we must never forget, and whatever happened before and after that day must be discussed if we want to move forward and accept democracy and individual freedom.

However, it is unfair and very disrespectful for persons of influence due to their professional status within society to tell us that we must focus only about the good things of the revolution. Persons who are trying to give us such an advice do not seem to understand and respect human beings feelings.

They fail to realise that the March 13, 1979, revolution was successful because oppressed Grenadians were able to unite together because they shared the same human feelings on that day. The oppressed Grenadians came out without fear and overthrew the Gairy regime.

The evil deeds of Gairy’s regime were what the leaders of the revolution preached against and used as evidence against Gairy, to gain support from the Grenadian masses throughout the period of the revolution. The good things that Gairy did were not mentioned by the them, therefore it is very selfish and disrespectful for any Grenadian whosever they are, to be that boldfaced to tell us that we must focus on the positive side of the revolution and try to suppress our memories of the negative events.

The Grenadian revolution did not belong to one group of people. It was supposed to be a people’s revolution, and if some people feel that the revolution did injustice to them, they should have a right to give their side of the story.

Personally, as a Grenadian I can say that the revolution was like the old English Language nursery rhyme, Solomon Grundy, who was born on a Sunday and buried on a Saturday. The leaders of the revolution were intellectuals who wanted to lead the people, but refused to listen to the voice of the people.

I can say that there were some revolutionaries who were right to show their disapproval of what was going on within the revolution, but their approach was wrong, because they went about the whole process the wrong way, trying to remedy the situation through violence.

I can say that the leaders of the revolution were happy and ready to use brute force against disgruntled revolutionaries who picked up arms to fight against them, because the leaders of the revolution were always scared of former supporters who did not say too much and just went about their daily life of survival.

Additionally, I can say that the revolution did not allow influential persons with a strong rural base to represent the rural communities in the interest of rural people. However, I know that my critics will say that I am talking rubbish and they will make excuses and say that Bernard Coard and Unison Whiteman were born in rural parts of Grenada.

But the fact is that Bernard Coard and Unison Whiteman became urbanised at an early age, because they did not live most of their lives in the rural parts of the country where they were born. They spent most of their years in St George’s and in foreign countries where they went to school and work for some time as professionals.

Those among us who want to glorify the revolution must also glorify Eric Gairy and his GULP party regime too, if they want to avoid talking about our brutal political past. Both regimes had similar political culture of doing good and bad things that left a major impact on the Grenadian society.

Grenada is supposed to be a Westminster democracy, but unfortunately, up to this present time in our history, we are still struggling to enjoy media freedom. Some of our journalists continue to play politics with the social media privilege that they have in their domain. Those of us who have an opinion that is not politically in line with what those mini media lords want to hear are despised and sometimes they go as far as warning us not to make any comments on their internet websites.

Sometimes we try to blame Eric Gairy as the genesis of political oppression in Grenada, but based on my personal experience within Grenadian political culture, it seems as though the majority of Grenadians do not like opposition. Whenever they have the privilege to control important institutions, they become oppressors, and when they fall to disgrace, those who take their place continue the legacy of oppression.

Therefore, in order for us to create a healthy functioning democracy we must end that cycle of ignorance so that the next generation can take Grenada to the next level. As long as we keep trying to avoid addressing the evils of our political past, we are creating a climate to repeat the same old violent political culture again.

Young people must be encouraged to ask questions about the revolution and they must enjoy the freedom to listen the stories of what took place, and those who were involved in the process must give the correct answers. Our young people should have the right to get the right answers from the various groups that were involved in the revolution.

However, I personally do not believe that any one of the groups involved in the fight and strife during the revolution period want to tell the Grenadian people the true story. And as long as they continue to keep their mouths shut, they should avoid trying to be so boldfaced and telling us to glorify the revolution.

I believe that the truth must reveal, if we want to discuss that very important period in our history. Therefore, to glorify the Grenada revolution is a continuation of abuse.

March 22, 2012

caribbeannewsnow

The debate on the Freedom of Information Act in The Bahamas: ..."This freedom of information law has the potential to dispel fears about secret deals, cronyism, personal favours, preferential contracts, and other perversions of the public interest for private gain." ...according to Environment Minister Earl Deveaux in his contribution in the Bahamian House of Assembly

Warning over 'propaganda'


By CELESTE NIXON
Tribune Staff Reporter
cnixon@tribunemedia.net

Nassau, The Bahamas



OPENING the debate on the Freedom of Information Act, Environment Minister Earl Deveaux said while the bill increases the democratic process, he cautioned against the common practice of using the media, in particular social media, to spread propaganda.

During his contribution in the House of Assembly yesterday, Mr Deveaux singled out websites such as Bahamasuncensored and Bahamas Press, claiming that those and other similar sites lack journalistic decency.

He said: "The outright attempts at character and political assassination, which have come to be commonplace in our political discourse, are a danger to our way of life."

Mr Deveaux said his own personal experience illustrates the importance of nurturing a "culture of decency in journalism."

"I can cite many examples, but the efforts by some aspiring candidates seeking fame and their friends broadcast and social media who seek to destroy my character, hard earned reputation, and that of my wife stand out in my mind as individuals who will not use self imposed standards of ethics, decency or truth to deter them from gaining their political end or serving their paymasters.

"They will live to regret their behaviour," he said.

Mr Deveaux said the act seeks to reinforce and give further effect to the fundamental principles underlying the system of a Constitutional Democracy, including increasing governmental accountability, transparency and public participation in national decisions.

This is accomplished, he said by granting the public access to records held by public authorities, subject to various exemptions. Exemptions will be used to ensure public accountability while maintaining essential confidentiality in necessary or sensitive matters involving the government.

Mr Deveaux added that the act provides an opportunity for the general public to gain insight into how the government functions and how money is spent.

"This freedom of information law has the potential to dispel fears about secret deals, cronyism, personal favours, preferential contracts, and other perversions of the public interest for private gain," he said.

While urging journalists and civic leaders to use the Freedom of Information Act properly, Mr Deveaux said he also encourages civil servants and ministers to be open with the public, as they have a right to know what is being done on their behalf by their representatives.

March 20, 2012

tribune242

Bahamas Blog International

China vs Taiwan: Battle for influence in the Caribbean

It is of distinct importance for China to ensure that it maintains robust ties with Latin American and Caribbean countries for political reasons, while also managing to limit Taipei’s involvement in the region

by W. Alex Sanchez, Research Fellow, and Lynn Tu, Research Associate, of the Council on Hemispheric Affairs

China’s projection of influence in some previously unfamiliar regions of the world continues to grow, that much is clear.  When it comes to Latin America and the Caribbean, Beijing has strengthened its ties, particularly by means of comprehensive trade relations, with countries like Argentina, Brazil, Peru, and Venezuela.

This has been done not only to secure non-traditional trading partners and commodity sources like oil and soybeans, but also to corner established markets for its many traditional exports.  China’s relationship with the Caribbean is complex, as this region is particularly important to Beijing’s foreign policy goals regarding Taiwan, which has some of its greatest supporters there.  Several Caribbean states currently recognize Taiwan as an independent republic, instead of maintaining the “one-China” position that has been endorsed by the mainland government.

Investment and Development

Unsurprisingly, China has been able to establish strong economic ties abroad, particularly in the developing world, by means of a series of investment deals.  These include some major initiatives in the Caribbean in recent years.

In September 2011, Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu visited Jamaica to meet with Governor-General Patrick Allen and Prime Minister Bruce Golding.  While there, Hui put forward a five-point proposal for intensifying bilateral relations.

The goals outlined by both sides included: promoting high-level exchanges to deepen mutual political trust, strengthening economic and trade cooperation, improving agricultural cooperation, expanding people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and promoting coordination in international affairs.

[1] Also during the visit, Hui signed two separate agreements for grants valued jointly at RMB 21 million (USD 3.2 million), as well as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on agricultural cooperation.

[2] In November 2011, the Jamaican government approved a Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) with the Chinese island of Macao.  According to a high-ranking Jamaican official, Arthur Williams, the agreement will facilitate the effective exchange of tax information between Jamaican tax authorities and their counterparts in Macao.

[3] Regarding ALBA member Dominica, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, publicly praised his country’s relationship with Beijing in October 2011.  Skerrit commented that “China has demonstrated to all of us its sincerity and willingness to assist us in time of need [sic] and we will thank them profusely for that kind of assistance.”

[4] This statement was in reference to Chinese investments in resettlement projects to aid the citizens of Dominica that were affected by floods on its west coast that year.  Other Chinese projects on the island include the construction of the Dominica State College, the State House, and a housing program, under a USD 14 million loan agreement.

In Guyana, President Bharrat Jagdeo told the Caribbean Community back in September 2011 that the entire bloc should make efforts to deepen their relations with China.

The head of state declared during the two-day China-Caribbean Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum that “in the last 10 years, China’s exports have consistently accounted for more than 70 per cent of Dominica’s total trade.

In 2008, 93 per cent of Caribbean-China trade consisted of Beijing’s exports to the region.  The region itself exported significantly (over US$60 million in goods) to China in that year.”

[5] China has exhibited a growing demand for the region’s raw materials, including gas and asphalt from Trinidad and Tobago, and timber, bauxite, and other minerals from Guyana.

In December 2011, Florida International University’s Applied Research Center published a Findings Report entitled “Guyanese Strategic Culture: Leaders Leveraging Landscapes” by renowned Caribbean expert Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, which highlighted how Beijing has a great interest in Guyana’s uranium reserves (p. 9).  In 2011, Georgetown and Beijing signed a framework agreement for the Amaila Falls Hydropower project.

[6] During the aforementioned China-Caribbean forum last September, Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan reportedly pledged up to USD 1 billion in preferential loans to support the local economic development of Caribbean countries.

[7] In addition, Vice Premier Wang also met with Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, and stated that “China encourages its businesses to invest in Trinidad and Tobago with the win-win objectives of mutual benefit,” and an inter-governmental agreement between the two governments that was signed at the end of their meeting.

[8] Another country that has benefited from Chinese investment is Antigua and Barbuda.  In January 2011, the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) reported that Beijing will provide USD 45 million to build a new terminal at the V.C. Bird International Airport, which will take three years to complete.

A delegation of the Chinese government was sent to the Caribbean state to sign an agreement that finalized this investment deal.  Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer used the visit “to re-state his country’s ‘determination to remain a true friend of the People’s Republic of China.'

[9] One member of the Chinese delegation that visited Antigua was State Councilor Liu Yandong, who remarked that “since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Antigua and Barbuda on Jan. 1, 1983, the two countries’ cooperation [has] developed in a sustainable and stable way.”

[10] In November 2011, a 20-member delegation from China’s National People’s Congress visited the island, which again included “officials from the country’s Standing Committee and a member of the NPC’s Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee.”

[11] The delegation met with Prime Minister Spencer and visited local sites like Nelson’s Dockyard, and signed cooperation agreements.

Finally, in a January finding by the Associated Press’ Jeff Todd, he explains how China’s state-owned Export-Import Bank has agreed to finance a new port and bridge in the Bahamas’ northern island of Abaco.

[12] Chinese financial aid for both projects will consist of a USD 41 million loan, of which USD 33 million will be used for a thirty-five acre port, while the rest will be used to build the Little Abaco Bridge, which “will allow the government to remove the causeway connecting Great and Little Abaco as well as restore natural flow to the mangrove forest and other natural habitat in the area,” according to Environment Minister Earl Deveaux.

Diplomatic Support and Cooperation

Aside from developing an economic presence, China also has shown its diplomatic support, as well as sympathy, for Latin American and Caribbean initiatives, particularly those that are trying to detach regional nations from Washington’s diplomatic sphere of influence.

For example, in December 2011, Chinese President Hu Jintao congratulated Presidents Hugo Chávez of Venezuela and Sebastián Piñera of Chile on the formation of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

The Chinese state news agency, Xinhua, reported that “Hu said that the establishment of CELAC represents a major milestone in regional integration and that China appreciates the positive role of Latin American and Caribbean countries in international and regional affairs.”

[13] As He Li explains in a 2005 article entitled “Rivalry between Taiwan and the PRC in Latin America”

[14] Beijing also “wants to use the Third World to construct a multi-polar world based on China’s terms.  Since the end of the cold war, Beijing wishes to see changes in the global balance of power, and to do so requires a network of allies from the Third World, including those from Latin America and the Caribbean.”

Beijing has also improved relations with a number of Caribbean nations outside the realm of trade and investment.  In October 2011, China pledged military assistance worth USD 1.1 million to the Jamaican Defence Force (JDF).

JDF Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Antony Anderson stated that the “allotment that has been apportioned, and discussions over the next few months with members of the Chinese government, and the People’s Liberation Army, will determine how best it will be spent.”

[15] As part of a series of regional diplomatic initiatives last November, Prime Minister of Guyana Samuel Hinds received the “Medal of China –Latin America Friendship.”

The award was bestowed by a delegation of the Chinese Peoples’ Association for Friendship with Peoples from Foreign Countries (CPAFPFFC) that was visiting the area at the time.

Additionally, Premier Wen Jiabao had the patience to describe Barbados as a “good friend” and an “important partner” to China, which is logical since the country supports the “one China” policy.

This statement took place during a visit of Barbadian Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, who called Beijing a “reliable partner.”

[16] These non-earth-shaking events are understandable when one is aware of the tentacles of Beijing’s “One China” policy and its search for reliable partners throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

Lastly, it is important to note that China has sent security personnel to Haiti as part of its participation in the controversial United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).  Groups like the Haitian Action website have been critical of the contingent that has been serving in the UN mission since 2004, stating that:

“They were accused of involvement along with Brazilian UN forces in a week-long siege of the community of Bel Air in June 2005.  After that operation, the Haitian police had burned down more than twelve homes in the area and more than 30 people were reportedly gunned down in the panic that ensued.

The Chinese were also accused by members of Aristide’s Lavalas movement of taking video and photographs during peaceful demonstrations that were later used to persecute them for their political stance.”

[17] According to MINUSTAH’s website, four Chinese nationals working for the UN police were tragically killed during the January 12, 2010, earthquake.

[18] Then again, there have been several diplomatic incidents between China and Caribbean states, particularly in Haiti.

Writing for the Brown Journal of World Affairs in a 2006 article, University of Miami professor June Dreyer explained that: “in 1996, Beijing, angry because the vice president of Taiwan had been invited to Rene Preval’s presidential inauguration, threatened to use its veto in the United Nations Security Council to end a UN peacekeeping operation in Haiti.”

[19] Beijing vs. Taipei

Certainly a critical aspect regarding the extent of Chinese interests in the Caribbean, as previously has been reflected upon, is Beijing’s interest for Caribbean islands to adopt mainland China’s negative stance on Taiwan.

In the past few years, China has taken an aggressive approach in attempting to dissuade Taipei’s ability to invest in this region.  Since eleven out of twenty-three of Taiwan’s surviving diplomatic relationships can be found within the Greater Caribbean.

[20] it is of distinct importance for China to ensure that it maintains robust ties with Latin American and Caribbean countries for political reasons, while also managing to limit Taipei’s involvement in the region.

Without including the Central American states, the Caribbean nations that currently recognize Taiwan are the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, as well as Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Currently, the longstanding diplomatic competition between the two Chinas seems to be cooling down, due to incumbent Taiwanese president Ma Ying-jeou being re-elected.[

21] It seems clear that President Ma wants to promote a peaceful path towards cross-strait relations development, and hence the subtle tug-of-war over diplomatic recognition seems, at least for the time being, to be coming to an end.

Taiwan’s Victories and Losses

The diplomatic battle described as “Money Diplomacy” being Beijing and Taipei usually encapsulates investment and lending, development aid, technical assistance, and academic cooperation.

Taipei sees such initiatives as paramount and aims to maintain it via investment and economic aid initiatives, though there has been concern in the past that Santo Domingo may terminate its recognition of Taiwan.

In October 2010, the Bank of China and China’s Foreign Trade Bank stated they would extend USD 462 million in financing for an exclusive tourism complex in Punta Perla in the eastern part of the Dominican Republic.

In response, James Chang, a spokesman for the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that “our embassy will closely monitor the situation.

However, the Republic of China does not oppose trade relations between the private sectors of our allies and those in China.”

[22] Another recent discussion between Taiwan and one of its Caribbean allies is Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.  In mid-February, Ambassador Camillo Gonsalves, St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations, met with Taiwanese officials over the construction of the Caribbean country’s international airport and other issues.

The airport is scheduled for completion in 2013 and is largely dependent on foreign investment; Taiwan signed a MoU in 2006 for a $15 million grant and a $10 million soft loan.

[23] Taiwan lost an ally last decade when the Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit, decided to sever relations with Taiwan in favor of China last decade.

Writing for NACLA’s Report on the Americas, Professor Diana Thorburn, a lecturer at the University of the West Indies, explained that the Taiwan-China issue had become an election issue in 2005.

Thorburn explains that the issue “overshadowed” the general elections and that “Taiwanese flags adorned the homes of opposition supporters.”

[24] A March 2004 BBC report explained that, at the time, “China had agreed to give Dominica more than $100 million in aid over the next five years.  Taiwan’s Foreign Minister, Eugene Chien, condemned what he called China’s dollar diplomacy in so aggressively wooing away Dominica.  He said it was a huge sum for a country with just 70,000 people.”

[25] In addition, Taiwan is currently at odds with Grenada, as the Caribbean government seems to be currently unable to pay a loan owed by St Georges after the closure of Maurice Bishop International Airport.

[26] Grenada recognized Taiwan until 2005, when the Caribbean state had a crippling debt and took Beijing’s financial aid to switch diplomatic recognition.

A March 5 report by Ezra Fieser in the Christian Science Monitor explains that “seven years later, playing up to China’s game of dollar diplomacy has come back to haunt Grenada. Taiwan is now calling in loans it made when the countries were diplomatic allies.”

[27] At least, Taiwan can rest assured that its relations with Saint Lucia remain in good standing.  In January of this year, there were rumors that Castries would sever relations with Taipei after a new government came to power last November.

A CaribDirect report explains that “Kenny Anthony, the island nation’s new prime minister, had previously accused Taiwan’s Ambassador Tom Chou of influencing St Lucia’s election by supporting the then-ruling United Workers Party (UWP) and added he would review the diplomatic relations with Taiwan after taking power.”

[28] However, the new Prime Minister, member of the Labour Party, reverted the island’s policy after coming to power and has sustained relations with Taipei.  Saint Lucia is one of those countries which has switched its recognition back to Taipei from Beijing in the past.  It first established relations with Taiwan in 1984, switched to recognizing China in 1997 and then switched back to Taiwan in 2007.

In order to foster more trade, between Taiwan and the Caribbean, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) sent a trade mission to Saint Lucia and Puerto Rico last October to carry out meetings and exhibitions.

In a press release at the time, TAITRA explained that the mission would “[bring] the latest products as well as new opportunities for business and trade.  The delegation comprises 6 dynamic enterprises representing various industries, including industrial machinery, electronics, hardware, toys, and foods.”

[29] Finally, Taiwan has been very active in the reconstruction efforts in Haiti after the devastating January 2010 earthquake that struck the Caribbean state.  In February 2012, Food for the Poor, the largest charitable organization in the United Sates, publicly praised Taipei’s post-disaster efforts, going as far as inviting Ray Mou, director-general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami, to take part in a charity dinner that would raise funds to build villages in Haiti.

[30] Chinese Migration: A Topic Not Often Discussed

There is an issue regarding Chinese presence in the Caribbean that is relatively under-studied, and that is Chinese migration to these island states.

Large segments of the Chinese population have moved, lived, and flourished throughout the world, and the Caribbean is no exception.  Unfortunately, not much has been written about Chinese migration to the Caribbean; hence more in-depth field research is needed in order to begin building a much more complete picture of the situation in the region.

In an interview with COHA, a Puerto Rican lawyer who has researched Chinese migration patterns explained that “there was little migration to the island in the 19th century, particularly compared to the migration that occurred in the 1990s and early years of this century.”

According to the 2010 U.S, census, there are around 2,000 individuals who regard themselves as Chinese in Puerto Rico, but Bu Dey Chen (who goes as Carlos Chao), a Chinese government official in Puerto Rico, has stated that the number is closer to 6,000.

[31] The aforementioned lawyer explained that the Chinese community is a tight nit group so not much is reported about them.  In any case, Chinese migrants to the island have, for the most part, managed to flourish, opening their own restaurants and businesses, quickly becoming part of the upper middle class.  There are also professors of Chinese descent in institutes of higher learning like the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez.

An important academic text that has researched this issue is The Chinese in Latin America and the Caribbean (2009), edited by Walton Lok Lai and Tan Chee-Beng.  This important research project includes chapters that touch on Sinophobia in the late 19th century/early 20th century in the Americas and the Chinese in Central America.

An interesting chapter of the edited volume was authored by Kathleen Lopez and discussed the Chinese in Cuba; the article starts with explaining how each June 3rd, elderly Cubans and diplomats from the PRC meet in the Regla port to commemorate the arrival of the first shipload of 200 Chinese laborers in 1847 (p.211).  The article gives a very complete picture of the migration waves that have settled in Cuba, particularly in Havana.

Another academic text that touches on this issue is a 2008 piece by Shin Yamamoto, a professor of Yoccachi University in Japan.  In his analysis, the academic explains that: “the Chinese community is counted as one of the three major races in the Caribbean alongside Africans and East Indians because of their economic power.  Many chain restaurants or film developing stores are run or owned by Chinese; the youngsters in Jamaica, respectfully or just from their desire to get money or bottles of Coke, call them ‘Sir Chin’ or ‘Miss Chin.”

[32] Yamamoto highlights the case of Sean Paul, a famous Jamaican reggae artist, who is an example of intercultural relations in the Caribbean.  The artist’s mother is Chinese Jamaican and his father is Portuguese Jamaican.

Nevertheless, as previously mentioned, understanding the Chinese diaspora in the Caribbean and how well it has merged with local cultures over the years is a field that has to be researched in greater depth.

One academic that has carried out important research on the topic is Lok Siu, an Associate Professor at the University of Austin, that co-edited (with Rachel Parenas) Asian Diasporas: New Formations, New Conceptions.

A September 2011 article in the Jamaican Observer explains, according to an official of the European Delegation in Trinidad and Tobago, that the Caribbean attracts a large number of illegal immigrants from China, among other poor countries.

[33] The article quotes the Charge d’Affaires at the European Delegation in Trinidad and Tobago, Stelios Christopoulos, as saying that “very little data is available to establish the in and outflow of people from and to Caribbean countries.  From what we do know however, the Caribbean has one of the largest diasporic communities in the world, in proportion to the population.”

[34] Conclusions

The Caribbean states, due to their lack of abundance of supply of natural resources, and its scant potential for economic growth, and the controversial nature of Taiwan’s recognition, means that many regional states can expect to be actively courted by Beijing and Taipei simultaneously .

Currently, a number of regional governments recognize Taiwan as an independent state, but this could certainly change in the future, particularly if China threatens to take its business elsewhere unless these nations alter their stance to reflect the one-China policy.

The issue of Chinese migration to the Caribbean, both historical and current, is an important topic which is worthy of further research, particularly as Chinese laborers continue to permanently relocate to the Caribbean.

In any case, the speed of globalization means that the Caribbean, so geographically distant from Asia, nevertheless is becoming a very important front in the struggle for political influence, financial investments, as well as an important component of the struggle over state recognition dispute between China and Taiwan.

To review sources, please click here



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March 19, 2012

caribbeannewsnow

Will Haiti survive?

By Jean H Charles



This question seems presumptuous since Haiti, which lost some 300,000 people (more than the combined population of Dominica, Montserrat, Anguilla, BVI, Turks and Caicos, St Kitts, Cayman Islands and Antigua) in the earthquake of January 12, 2010, bounced back almost immediately in terms of daily survival.

I am talking instead of the survival of the moral fiber of the country. I am observing the minute by minute decline of the sense of morality of the citizens. Yet, it is no fault of the religious authorities. The Catholic Church through its priests on Sunday Mass does its best to preach the lesson of solidarity, love and redemption.

My parish church of St Louis king of France, destroyed by the earthquake accommodates three times its attendance prior to the goudougoudou in the parking lot transformed into a revered makeshift church.

Father Kennel, the priest in charge, is funny, deep and full of spirituality. The protestant churches, Baptist and Adventist, are very active and filled with devoted participants at almost every day of the week. Attending a voodoo experience at the French Institute gave me hope that voodoo can be converted from a religion into a Creole or black mythology, reverting to the domain of the heritage of humanity its song, its drums and its sensuality.

Haiti is in a situation where the fin de regime still has strong control of the wheels, fighting with the new government on who will lead the destiny of the country.

In the last two years since the earthquake four billion dollars donated by the international community has been spent without much output to show for the expenditure. Haiti is the theatre of activity of almost all the non- profit organizations in existence in the world. To the educated eye as well as to the common citizen they seem to go back and forth as chickens without heads, seeking a mission and a purpose.

As said by Amy Wilentz, the author of The Rainy Season Haiti Then and Now: “For Haitian political heads as well as some major international organizations the billions in international aid that have been promised to Haiti is an irritable prize. In a way misery is a natural resource as corrupting as any diamond or gold mine.”

The life of the ordinary man has not been improved since the advent of the new government. It may have reached a lower platform. In a country where unemployment is floating around 78%, the men and the women were surviving on a graft and patronage mode. This scheme has been dismantled by the new government without a ready new model to provide sustenance to a population that must survive every day.

I have in mind the story of two young men who told me that after nine months of no income coming into the house their alternative was either to engage into a paid subversive organization bent on destabilizing the government or unwelcome paid homosexual activities to bring the bacon home.

Most of the institutions of the nation are parading without shame or contrition on the mafia system of functioning. They are not there to serve the citizens but to request more toys for their use and abuse.

The police institution, darling of the international community, with more equipment and more policemen than the former Haitian army ever had, has no effective control of the territory.

The MINUSTHA, the giant UN agency introduced into the country to facilitate its stabilization, has brought anything but. Its Nepal contingent infected Haiti with the cholera germ, killing some 3,000 Haitians. Constant demonstrations demanding its withdrawal from the country are a regular staple of the Haitian landscape. Insecurity is on the rise, with all sides taking a ride on a fragile political situation.

The board of the national university, decried by the students for its inability to run an efficient and hospitable institution, unable to put together an effective management of a brand new campus donated by the Dominican Republic, has found a way to re-elect itself, perpetuating the squalid picture of indecency.

The management of the national soccer federation, the favorite sport of the Haitian people, is at war with its main funding agency, Digicel, for alleged malfeasance and self serving by the board with the funds provided for expansion and competition of the sport in the country and international matches. Yet the same management under the label of heritage has been able to perpetuate itself, defying the odds of the new blood that comes to clean up the field.

The legislature that used to cut dirty deals with a corrupt executive is playing roadblocks with the new government. The issue of alleged dual nationality of the president and some of his ministers takes precedence over the resolution of the national budget as well as the ratification of the new prime minister.

The executive, elected under the banner of the political platform, Repons Peyisan, is playing hide and seek with the party that represents its best white hope to obtain a majority in the Senate in the next legislative election as well as sabotage the subversive actions of the clan that swears to destabilize and strangle the new government in its infancy.

It has not rained since November in Haiti. The first rains arrived this week. Every night big and strong, it will continue as such until July. The relief for my garden, where I experiment with winter citrus (orange and grapefruit interlaced with poinsettia) spring corrosol and sapodilla, summer mangoes and fall avocados, is saddened with the curse of flooding on the streets because of lack of maintenance of the sewer system. Adding to that, the misery of the tent city people is suffocating.

April is around the corner, spring is not too far. I am reminded of the verses in Genesis 8 -20-21 where Noah, after the deluge, having built an altar to the Lord, took every clean animal and every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar and the Lord smelled a soothing aroma, then the Lord said in his heart: I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done.

Maybe Haiti after all will survive!

March 17, 2012

caribbeannewsnow

Bahamas Blog International

ON Monday, March 26 the Cuban people will warmly and respectfully receive Pope Benedict XVI, Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church and head of state of Vatican City, as a guest of the government and the Cuban Conference of Catholic Bishops

Welcome to His Holiness Benedict XVI

GRANMA EDITORIAL:



ON Monday, March 26 the Cuban people will warmly and respectfully receive Pope Benedict XVI, Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church and head of state of Vatican City, as a guest of the government and the Cuban Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Cuba is honored to welcome his Holiness with hospitality and demonstrate the patriotism, culture, solidarity and humanist vocation of its people, which sustains the history and unity of our nation.

We will also welcome, with our characteristic friendship, the thousands of pilgrims present for what doubtless will be highly memorable days.

Fourteen years ago, with the same sentiments, the Cuban people received Pope John Paul II who, before leaving, spoke of "the profound impression" his stay made on him and gave thanks for the "cordial hospitality, a genuine expression of the Cuban soul."

The apostolic visit of Pope Benedict XVI, which will continue through March 28, is motivated by the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the image of the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre.

Recently, her statue toured the country in the company of believers and non-believers.

We are confident that His Holiness will retain warm memories of the island and will value his visit as a demonstration of confidence and a renewed expression of the excellent and uninterrupted relations between the Holy See and Cuba.

In recent months, authorities of the Catholic Church, the Vatican and the Cuban government have all been working toward making Pope Benedict XVI’s visit a success.

From his arrival in the eastern province of Santiago de Cuba, the cradle of national independence struggles, the Pope will be welcomed and accompanied by Cuban men and women.

The mass presence of the population in Santiago de Cuba and Havana, joined by compatriots from other provinces, will express the country’s satisfaction given the opportunity to receive the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church and will demonstrate our unity, community spirit and culture.

His Holiness will meet with a people secure in its convictions, noble, educated, impartial and organized, who defend the truth and listen with respect.

From his reception in Santiago de Cuba’s Antonio Maceo y Grajales Plaza de la Revolución and the José Martí Plaza de la Revolución in Havana, to his farewell, Pope Benedict XVI will find a nation fighting for human dignity, freedom, independence, solidarity and the common good, in order to win justice and a better world, which is not only possible, but essential.

Havana. March 12, 2012

granma.cu

Bahamas Blog International

The rights of a child

By Dr Oswald R. Thomas

 

On March 1, 2012, a Caribarena.com headline: “Education minister has little to say on deportation caught my attention.” The story detailed an 11-year-old child who was ordered deported to his homeland of Jamaica. The minister was at the time attending a conference in Suriname when she posited to caribarena.com that “the law will take its course, and she has nothing to add from her youth affairs portfolio.” The hon. minister took the stance the decision to send home the 11-year-old boy “is the judgment of the court.”

According to the facts, the primary school student appeared before Chief Magistrate Joanne Walsh on Monday (2/27/12) and pleaded guilty to two counts of larceny. It was also stated that this was the young man’s second appearance for the same offence and his attorney, Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin, told the court that the child’s parents were fed up with him and had no interest in affecting the court’s decision.



Not surprisingly, this story got the local media's attention.



“Media reports (Observer and The Gleaner) quote Magistrate Walsh as saying, ‘He is already broken into being a thief. If his own parents can’t cope with him, why should the state cope with him? It is obvious that he does not listen to them (his parents)… I am seriously contemplating on sending him back to Jamaica and he can steal there.’ It was also stated that the child came to Antigua to visit his parents and overstayed and his status was never renewed.”



As a mental health professional who has spent a considerable portion of my professional life attending to young people's needs, around issues of self-development, empowerment initiatives and healthy coaching, I firmly believe in the home, community and state establishing positive approach plans to help teenagers believe in themselves, pursue their hidden dreams and, more importantly, never lose sight of core values of faith, hope, personal responsibility, collective goodwill, compassion, perseverance, courage, honesty and hard work.



Because our youth represents both the present future and the future good, there is no excuse for our obvious lack of a culture for collectively raising our children to reach their maximum potential, in any desire for self-fulfillment, great or average. Against my doctrine of empowerment, I agree with the minister of education that she could not speak on the matter adequately since her ministry does not have the human resources nor was designed to develop the institutional capacity to respond to teenagers in crisis.



Perhaps Dr Jacqui Quinn-Leadro should have redirected the media to seek answers from the minister of Health and Social Transformation in the spirit that, as a government minister, she is duty bound by collective responsibility.





The good judge's decision appears on the surface to be insensitive to the larger picture of moving beyond the confines of the law to creatively think of solutions designed to filter out negativity and turn punitive consequences into child consciousness opportunities that place teenagers on second chances pathways. There was no mention that the judge relied on a report from the probation department or ordered such a report before making her decision.



I think this situation is reviving the urgency for Antigua and Barbuda to establish without delay a “Family Court” to address these and other issues faced by families. Family court judges are not only trained in law but in such areas as domestic violence, child support, marriages, divorce, custody, and range of human related concerns that plague family life.



Such wider exposure to the full realities of family life serve to provide judges with options for interventions when laws are violated by teenagers, other than simply resorting to callous act of deportation, especially when the rationale of transferring the problem of stealing to another Caribbean country is offered, as opposed to how can the state help to raise successful, happy and holistic teenagers. It is sad that the judge did not see that this young man needed far more than deportation.



More than the need for a Family Court in Antigua and Barbuda, this case highlights another important issue. That is, to what extent is this 11-year-old entitled to enjoy some form of protection under our constitution as well as the protections of the United Nations convention pertaining to the rights of the child? If this child's parents are in Antigua, to whom is the judge deporting the child?



Perhaps the good chief magistrate should have considered making this child a ward of the state, while making sure that parents maintain their responsibility to provide for their child, regardless of the young man's illegal behaviour.



The ministry of social transformation could have stepped in via the Citizen Welfare Division to place the child into foster care and seek a further order from the court to have parents pay child support to assist with meeting the needs of the child while in foster care.



When I worked with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Citizens Welfare Division, there was one case where a 15-year-old Antigua child was sent to visit her father in the northeastern United States. Soon thereafter, her father was arrested for child abuse and was removed from the home. The child was made a ward of the state and the state petitioned the federal government for a green card and placed her in foster care. After the child was able to contact her mother and indicated that she wanted to return to Antigua, the mother came in to see the welfare officer and the Citizens Welfare Division made representation on behalf of the mother, and the government of Antigua paid to have one of its citizen return home.



The Convention on the Rights of the Child can't be ignored by the court when judges are asked to decide the fate of children. These rights underscore that children must be given the social space to develop their full potential, free from hunger and want, neglect and abuse. It reflects a new vision of the child. Children are neither the property of their parents nor are they helpless objects of charity. They are human beings and are the subject of their own rights.



The Convention offers a vision of the child as an individual and as a member of a family and community, with rights and responsibilities appropriate to his or her age and stage of development. By recognizing children's rights in this way, the Convention firmly sets the focus on the whole child -- UNICEF (2011). Perhaps the good chief magister should begin to focus on the welfare of the whole child the next time a law-breaking teenager is brought before the court. Doing anything less rejects the notion that it takes a village both to raise and break a child.

March 15, 2012

caribbeannewsnow

Bahamas Blog International

Cruise lines need a watchdog agency

By Rene A. Henry

The traveling public needs an official agency to gather and report on safety, health, security and environmental issues, customer service and complaints against cruise lines. Nearly 13 million Americans took a cruise last year and not all of them had a Love Boat experience. The US Department of Transportation regularly publicizes and ranks US airlines on their on-time performance, lost baggage and customer complaints but there is no central source for consumer information regarding cruise ships.

The US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation will hold hearings to review whether current cruise ship industry regulations sufficiently protect passengers and the environment. Ships have run aground and sunk. Engine and mechanical problems have left ships stranded at sea without power and working toilets. Fires and explosions have killed and injured passengers. Outbreaks of Norwalk Virus, also called Norovirus, and other illnesses have ruined cruises for thousands more. Some passengers have been seriously injured, robbed or died on shore excursions. Add to this those who have fallen overboard and reports of assault and rape.



“When accidents do occur and lives are tragically altered, passengers have little recourse,” says Sen. John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-W. Va.) committee chair. “Complicated ticket contracts limit passenger rights and antiquated laws prevent passengers from collecting fair compensation. Our laws have not kept up with the changes in the industry, and I believe we must revisit them.”



The world’s two largest cruise lines are headquartered in Miami – Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Carnival had revenues last year of $14.4 billion, more than 10,000 employees and 75,000 crew. Its combined fleet of more than 100 ships controlled a 49.2% share of the worldwide cruise market sailing under brands including Carnival, Costa, Cunard, Holland America, P&O, Princess and Seabourn. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd is the world’s second largest with 40 ships sailing as Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Club and other brands.



The Department of Transportation should create a database to list all incidents and complaints regarding cruise ships but such a website would be fiercely opposed by the cruise lines. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, in 2011 Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), the industry’s trade association, Carnival and Royal Caribbean spent a combined $3.6 million on lobbying. This does not include money given directly to members of Congress, PACs or Super PACs or routed through law firms. In the past four years alone CLIA spent $8.562 million and Royal Caribbean $6.847 million on lobbying.



Rockefeller has concerns that without numerous government services that the industry couldn’t operate and says that the environmental practices of cruise lines are unconscionable. “We deserve to have the industry pay its fair share,” he said. “Just three miles from shore, a cruise ship can discharge thousands of gallons of raw sewage. In addition, they dump a significant amount of solid waste at sea. The Coast Guard has limited resources to police against these devastating discharges. We cannot continue to let our oceans fill with trash and debris. We must adopt stronger laws to protect our fragile marine ecosystems.”



Many cruises may be more like the movie Titanic than television’s Love Boat. The January 13 sinking of the Costa Concordia required the evacuation of 4,252 people on board, killed 32 and injured 64. According to internal company documents leaked and published in several Italian newspapers, this was the second cruise ship crashed by Captain Francesco Schettino. He also damaged the Aida Blu cruise ship in June 2010 after sailing too quickly into the German port of Warnemunde.



In November 2007 the MS Explorer, operated by Lindblad Expeditions and the first cruise ship built with a double, ice-hardened hull for sailing in the Antarctic, hit submerged ice just south of the South Shetland Islands and sunk. All 154 passengers and crew were rescued. Earlier in the Antarctic cruising season in January that year, 294 passengers on the Norwegian ship Nordkapp had to be evacuated after the ship struck a rock. A third incident happened in December when another Norwegian ship, the MS Fram, lost power and drifted into a glacier wall.



While almost all of the tourist ships sailing the Antarctic are small, Carnival’s Princess Cruises’ Golden Princess with 2,425 passengers plus crew sailed the icy waters in 2006 and was the largest tourist vessel to operate in the areas. In response to the fact that Princess does not sail ice-strengthened ships, Julie Benson, a company spokeswoman, said: “We don’t believe that [ice-strengthening] is necessary because we cruise in the summer months when it’s relatively ice free and our ships transit only in open water areas with very limited ice flows.



But like the MS Fram, ships lose power and drift without any control. Last month a fire knocked out the power and disabled the Costa Allegra, Carnival’s sister ship to the sunken Costa Concordia. It was adrift for four days in the Indian Ocean without lights, working toilets, water, air conditioning and hot food until it was towed to a port in The Seychelles. There were safety concerns for the passengers because of Somalian pirates. In 2005, after the Seabourn Spirit came under attack by two boats firing automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades, many cruise lines adopted security plans for ships that sail in the area.



In November 2010 an early-morning fire in the engine room of the Carnival Splendor left the ship and its 3,299 passengers and 1,167 crew in a similar mess. Stranded in the Pacific 130 miles West of Ensenada, Mexico, it took several days to tow the ship back to San Diego. Both Holland America and Norwegian Cruise Lines have had ships lose power on cruises to Alaska.



Nothing could be as embarrassing to cruise line management than when the new, $500 million Crown Princess departed for New York from Port Canaveral, Florida in July 2006 with 3,100 passengers and 1,200 crew. The ship rolled and listed badly to its portside, throwing passengers and crew to the decks; water flooded several upper decks and gushed from the swimming pool; gym equipment and television sets were flipped over; and shattered glass was strewn across the decks. The ship righted itself before returning to port. Initially the incident was attributed to a steering problem and the cruise line posted a letter on its website blaming human error for the tilt.



For more than a decade cruise lines have worked hard to prevent any outbreak of a virus. Most now require passengers to use hand sanitizers before boarding the ship and in all areas serving food. Nothing can ruin a vacation more than Norovirus, a contagious gastrointestinal illness that causes vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhea for one to three days. This past February 5 a virus struck more than 100 people on the Ruby Princess sailing from Ft Lauderdale to the Caribbean. The week before another Carnival ship, the Crown Princess, was afflicted by the same virus.



The virus is spread through food and water and close contact with infected people, or things, they have touched. It afflicts more than 23 million Americans year. As more people sail on cruise ships the number of illnesses has increased and doubled since 2000.



All cruise lines offer shore excursions but disclaim having any liability or responsibility for the quality, safety and security or for anything that happens with the land based operators even though the cruise line was responsible for selecting or recommending the shore operator. Land tour operators advertise their services to vacationers while they are on the ship or the cruise line does it in advance on a website. Some ship passengers have died on shore excursions.



This is one area where passengers have almost no recourse except through litigation. The way cruise ships market shore excursions has been the subject of lawsuits. Charles Lipcon, a Miami lawyer, has filed class action suits against Carnival Corp., Royal Caribbean Cruises and its Celebrity Cruises unit, and Norwegian Cruise Lines. “The companies say the excursion operators are independent, and the ship is booking the activities as a convenience for its passengers,” Lipcon said. “What they don’t tell you is they’re keeping up to half of the money. It’s an undisclosed charge. A kickback.”



In March 2006, 12 American tourists sailing on Celebrity Cruises’ Millenium from Valparaiso, Chile to Ft Lauderdale were killed and four injured on a shore excursion when a bus plunged 300 feet down a mountain ravine near the border of Peru and Bolivia. A press release from Royal Caribbean was quick to point out that they “were on an independent private tour, not affiliated with the cruise line.” The cruise line obviously had a crisis plan in place that it followed because it immediately responded and reported the incident to the US Consulate in Santiago, the US Coast Guard and Bahamian authorities. It sent a special assistance team to the ship to help guests and crew, immediately issued a sympathy apology, had toll-free phone lines for family members and guests in both the US and on ship, flew family members of the victims to Chile, and kept information about the accident posted on its website.



This February 27 passengers sailing on the Carnival Splendor, which was adrift without power for four days off the Mexican coast two years ago, were robbed while sightseeing in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. Bandits robbed 22 people of their valuables and passports. Just two weeks earlier the US State Department issued a travel warning to Americans to avoid all but essential travel to all or parts of 14 Mexican states, including Jalisco. Carnival suspended the tour for future sailings.



Most ships have a physician on board but that does not assure you of the capability or quality of emergency care if your appendicitis ruptures or other surgical emergencies arise. While the ship may have facilities for surgery, the doctor may not be qualified. Lawyers have written fine print on most tickets with a disclaimer that the doctor on board is only for the convenience of passengers and is not to be considered in any respect an employee or agent of the cruise line. Most doctors are independent contractors whose name and photograph are in promotional materials and who are in uniform and introduced at on-board welcome parties. “This is a very important question for millions of passengers,” says Lipcon. “Unless cruise lines are responsible for their doctors, there is basically no recourse for passengers.”



A frequent passenger complaint is a change in itinerary, ports being skipped and delays in arriving home which can cause missed airline flights and connections. Some changes and delays can be because of weather and others because of mechanical problems or engine failures. Before you sign on for a trip, ask if the cruise line will reimburse you for an airline ticket change and get answers in writing. If you deal through a travel agent, do the same due diligence.



Cruise ships have as many different prices for cruises as do airlines for flights. Be sure where your cabin is located and what deals you are getting. Unlike airlines, trains and hotels, most cruise lines discriminate against single travelers and impose an additional surcharge of 135 percent, 150 percent or even 200 percent. The most blatant form of gouging is when cruise lines charge single travelers a penalty for hotel rooms for pre- and post-cruise stays even though no hotel ever charges a single customer a penalty.



Until the US government has a watchdog agency compiling information and reporting it to the media, when you are wronged here are some options:



* File a complaint with the travel agent who booked the cruise.



* Go to www.cruiselines.us and follow instructions. The website suggests letting travel media know of the complaint and provides you with email addresses as well as other travel message boards and consumer sites.



* www.travelcomplaint.com will contact the company on your behalf and seek a negotiated solution for a one-time fee of $19.99.



* www.consumeraffairs.com is an independent web-based consumer news and resource center supported by advertising. Click on cruise lines under travel and follow instructions.



* www.complaints.com is a free site for all visitors and the entire content of email messages it receives are posted to its website. The complaints are indexed by Google, Yahoo and other search engines.



* www.thesqueakywheel.com has a one-time $5 charge per complaint, which is added to the five biggest Internet search engines. It designs a complaint webpage and sends emails to the company you have a complaint against every time the page is viewed.



* www.econsumer.gov is a consumer database maintained by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. There are 13 participating countries and complaint information is shared with participating consumer protection law enforcers.



* The Federal Maritime Commission at www.fmc.gov. The commission has very limited jurisdiction over cruise lines but has on-line forms for filing complaints.



* Your state consumer protection agency.



* Your local Better Business Bureau.



* If you have a complaint about unsanitary conditions on a cruise ship, write the Chief of Vessel Sanitation Program, US Public Health Service, National Center for Environmental Health, 1850 Eller Drive, Suite 101, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33316 or phone 954-356-6650.



* Let the travel editor of your local newspaper know of your complaint.

March 14, 2012

caribbeannewsnow

Bahamas Blog International