Archive for November 5th, 2009
Minister complains about missing flu vaccine
(CNS): Although the UK agreed to supply Cayman with the necessary H1N1 vaccine earlier this year, Health Minster Mark Scotland says he is concerned that the vaccine has still not arrived. As flu statistics are rising with the onset of the winter season in the northern hemisphere, officials now say the swine flu vaccine is urgently required to try and keep the number of cases down as Cayman heads into its own short cooler period. “I am worried because we have not yet received a delivery date. I have therefore asked the governor to intervene and request that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office sends the doses as agreed,” Scotland said.
He confirmed that the UK agreed to supply Cayman with the vaccine to treat local residents. “This agreement was made during a May 2009 meeting of Overseas Territories ministers and the FCO and was further confirmed by the UK Department of Health,” Scotland added.
In the wake of news from the US Centre for Disease Control that there will be more illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths this flu season than is normal and a spike in flu activity expected here in December and January, there is an urgency to get the vaccine here as soon as possible, the health minister observed.
At present no Caribbean country has receivedH1N1 vaccine. The vaccine is also not available on the open market, unlike the seasonal flu vaccine, which was ordered earlier this year and is now available locally. While the public awaits the H1N1 vaccine’s arrival, Scotland urged proactive measures.
“Practice good hygiene, wash hands often and cough or sneeze into tissues. Keep sick children home and do likewise if you become ill. Minimizing contact with others when you have flu is a powerful way to limit the spread of the virus,” he said. He also called on those in high-risk groups to get the seasonal vaccine: “This is the best step until the H1N1 vaccine is available here; we want everyone to stay as healthy as possible.”
Meanwhile, public health officials are also working with the Pan American Health Organisation to secure the vaccine. PAHO will distribute the vaccine within the region once supplies are on hand.
Once the H1N1 vaccine arrives in Cayman, the Health Services Authority will launch a vaccination programme that will start with high risk groups. The first phase of vaccinations will focus on children younger than five, persons older than 64, those with underlying medical conditions, and essential workers, including those in health care.
The second phase of vaccination will include healthy children between 5 and 19 years of age and then healthy adults.
Creditors meet in billion dollar Saad case in Cayman
(CNS): The creditors of Saad Investments Company Ltd (SICL) attended their first official meeting on Thursday, according to reports from Reuters. The accountancy firm Grant Thornton said the meeting took place in the Cayman Islands and marked the next step in the troubled firm’s restructuring process. Banks are said to be seeking repayment of a loan of up to $2.8 billion taken out in 2007 by Cayman Islands-registered SICL, a unit of Saudi investment firm Saad Group. Reuters said that a spokesman for Saad Group had declined to comment on the meeting.
Regulators and bankers are grappling with up to $22 billion of debt restructurings at Saad and a second Saudi firm, Algosaibi, viewed by some as the biggest financial blow to the region since the global credit crisis began.
The two groups are involved in a complex legal dispute, and Algosaibi has asked a New York court for a default judgement against the billionaire head of Saad, Maan al-Sanea, over allegations he defrauded the company out of $10 billion.
On 18 September the Cayman Islands court appointed Hugh Dickson, Stephen Akers and Mark Byers of Grant Thornton as joint official liquidators of SICL, the accountancy firm said, after hearing a winding-up order from creditors. In addition to SICL, the Cayman court has appointed Grant Thornton liquidators to a further nine Saad Group companies, the accountancy firm said.
One of these companies is Singularis Holdings, which acquired a 3 percent stake in HSBC in 2007. In July, the Grand Court in Cayman froze $9.2 billion worth of assets of SICL and a number of other international Saad units.
Jack tells Mac back off Dan
(CNS): Following the public attack on the auditor general on Wednesday by Leader of Government Business McKeeva Bush, the governor has now stepped in to the fray to back Dan Duguay’s decision to examine the tendering process of the new cruise port development. In a short statement released on Thursday afternoon, literally days before his departure from Cayman, Stuart Jack hit out at Bush when he said he firmly believes that one of the fundamental checks and balances in the system of government is an independent auditor Ggeneral and that Duguay has a legitimate right to investigate projects of this nature.
The governor points to the independence of the office and the fact that the auditor general should be free to go about his business unhindered by political interference, as set out in the new Constitution: “In the exercise of his or her functions the Auditor General…shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority..,” section 114 [6] of the Constitution notes. “That applies to the elected government, the Governor or anyone else,” Jack stated.
He went on to say that Duguay was accordingly entitled to look into the tendering arrangements of the port development project. “That is particularly applicable in this case: a major project with potentially significant economic, environmental and other implications for the country; the non-traditional process that has been adopted; and the continuing lack of information.”
The governor said that this didn’t mean that the auditor general was trying to frustrate the project. “The Governor is sure that the Auditor General wishes only to check that it has been done in a proper way,” he went on to say. “Nor does it mean that the Auditor General is conspiring with anyone else to stop the project.”
The governor said that as far as he was aware, the AG had decided to examine the tendering process for the port independently and on his own initiative and with no other motive but to ensure a fair and accountable process and thereby, value for money for the Cayman Islands. The governor then said he looked forward to the full cooperation of the government and Port Authority with the enquiries of the auditor general.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday morning, Bush launched a full frontal attack on the government auditor for suggesting that he may wish to examine how the decision to award the project to Dart Enterprises Development Company (DECCO) was made, given the selection committee was made up of four politicians as well as two members of the port authority board.
The LoGB accused Duguay of conspiring to undermine the economic fortunes of the country and indicated he felt his co-conspirator was the governor and likely the FCO. He called the AG a cowboy, said he didn’t know anything about these kinds of developments, and accused him of shooting from the hip and running amok to serve some other agenda.
Despite the outburst, Bush had already said that he would be cooperating with the office and had told the post’s selection subcommittee to meet with Duguay and notify him on the processes and steps to be taken.
In the wake of the insults and accusations, Duguay told CNS yesterday that, since only an MOU had been signed so far, he would simply be gathering facts and would not undertake any audit unless a contract was signed which had not gone via the Central Tenders Committee. He also made it clear that if it was evident and transparent during his information gathering phase that this project provides value for money with no question marks, he would not necessarily need to proceed to a full audit after all.
Activist is ‘biggest’ sister
(CNS): Marilyn Conolly is the new Executive Director of the charity Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Cayman Islands. Having worked in the public and private sectors the NGO said that Conolly brings a wide range of skills and experience to the table and help the organisation chart a vibrant course for the future. BBBS Chair Chief Magistrate Margaret Ramsey-Hale said everyone was delighted that Conolly had decided to join as Executive Director. Conolly said she was very excited by the opportunity to work closely with the BBBS organisation which has been a valuable entity in the Cayman Islands for over 25 years.
“In the past, much has been quietly done to enhance the lives of our children by their contribution and I look forward to working with the current board to make even more of an impact in the future,” Conolly said.
Conolly has a long history of involvement with community organisations and national bodies such as the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman Sunrise, the Estella Scott-Roberts Foundation, the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre and the Cayman Islands Human Rights Committee. She has also worked as a ministerial policy advisor to the Cayman Islands Government on Women and Youth Affairs from 1995 to 1997 and again from 1998 to 2001. Conolly holds a BA from the University of Kent, UK and an MA from the University of Manchester, UK. She is married to Dr. Dax Basdeo and is the mother of three children.
Government feature reviews constitutional history
(CNS): In the final part of the government’s review of what changes the people of the Cayman Islands can expect as a result of the implementation of the new constitution, GIS reviews the journey the islands have taken since 1831. The constitution will come into effect tomorrow 6 November however, there are still legislative changes to be made to made the statute books compatible and a number of new committees to be established.
Accordingly, this fourth and final feature explores the significance of the new Constitution by taking a look at the Islands’ constitutional history and highlighting the new relationships this document brings.
Cayman’s road to constitutional democracy has been long and colourful, with much support given to the principles of freedom. Seventeenth century residents sought active participation in their government, demanding equality and local representation.
Thus in 1831 Caymanians first asserted the right to elect their own representatives, known as Vestrymen. However, the country’s political status remained uncertain until 22 June, 1863 saw the declaration of Cayman as a British Crown Colony. Two years later the Islands were recognized as a full dependency of Jamaica.
The status quo remained unchanged until the mid-twentieth century, when Cayman’s ties to Jamaica (then lobbying for independence from the United Kingdom) came into question.
In 1955, six local assemblymen petitioned the UK’s Colonial Secretary through the Governor of Jamaica, requesting the right to determine our own destiny. A series of conferences followed, after which on July 4, 1959, Cayman received the first written Constitution by Royal Order-in-Council. That was accompanied by universal adult suffrage, the right to vote and hold office.
A subsequent constitutional review resulted in the introduction of a new document in 1972. Periodic constitutional talks continued, leading to the modernization initiative and the current inauguration.
Previous constitutions served us well during the developing years. However, contemporary Cayman has little in common with the three peaceful and little known outposts of before.
The latest modernisation effort has therefore been a process which evolved over
more than a decade. A revised Constitution was drafted in 1992, but not passed. Another attempt in 2001 set the groundwork for future modernisations, and in 2007 a Constitutional Review Secretariat was formed to steer the initiative and take it forward.
A phased plan was devised and included research, public consultation, negotiation, and a first-ever national referendum. The first research phase identified areas of possible reform, and sought input from everyone, from grassroots to executive levels.
Public consultation comprised the second phase and during several rounds of district town-hall meetings the Secretariat received input and explained constitutional issues, options and implications. All proposals and suggestions were assessed for feasibility and many were factored into the final document.
A proposed Constitution document was then presented in the Legislative Assembly. It was reviewed and debated by elected representatives, before they unanimously passed it.
The next phase involved final negotiations and then agreement with the United Kingdom. Constitutional talks between Cayman and the Foreign Commonwealth Office were held between September 2008 and February 2009, with the outcome being the 2009 Draft Constitution. The Elections Office then prepared for Cayman’s first referendum.
That historic event would determine whether or not the people would find the draft Constitution acceptable. On 20 May 2009, of 15,361 eligible registered voters, 12,287 participated in the general elections. Most (11,244) also voted in the simultaneous referendum and a 62.66% majority decided in favour of the modernized Constitution.
With that, the local process was complete, and the document was forwarded to the UK for final consideration. Then on 10 June, the Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009 was made an Order in Council at the Court at Buckingham Palace by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty in Council (Privy Council).
Importantly, the adoption of the new Constitution will also reshape the relationship with the UK; in future, Cayman may independently enter into international agreements which don’t directly affect the UK. This will show the world that the Islands can self-represent in certain key international venues and take major decisions.
The winding road to modernization had involved numerous people, meetings, debates and discussions, making it a truly democratic and transparent – albeit lengthy – process.
Attention to detail also proved a critical element for, as the supreme law, the Constitution unifies the country, enshrines the fundamental principles under which it is governed and maintains the delicate balance of power necessary to preserve democracy.
In the Cayman Islands as in many democracies, the Constitution is superior to all other laws, serving as the ultimate protection for the people, while defining both lines of authority and rules for government.
Thus, while the Executive branch – the Premier and Ministers – makes policy, the Legislature in its entirety makes laws, approves budgets and monitors government. An independent
In short, the adoption of the 2009 Constitution begins a new chapter in Cayman’s governance, with adjustments to roles, responsibilities, and functions of elected and public officials. These changes will allow better representation for the people while exacting higher standards of accountability from leaders.
But while there are many changes, some things will remain. Most significantly, the UK’s ’Westminster System’ of parliamentary government continues. The Governor (and thus the UK) retains ultimate responsibility for the Islands’ defence and external affairs. The civil service and judiciary also remain independent under the Governor.
Ultimate executive authority remains with Her Majesty, but issues will continue to be debated and negotiated between local government and the Crown.
With more democratic, efficient and accountable local government, the new Constitution will thus bring more self-determination for Cayman. Some changes will be immediate while others such as the Bill of Rights will take time to implement.
The 2009 Constitution certainly affords government greater participation and accountability in managing internal security and the police, via the new National Security Council. This will enhance cooperation in these areas between the Governor, the Police Commissioner and Cabinet.
Looking forward, we can expect to see how this new Constitution will reinforce the principles of democracy, so long cherished by the people of the Cayman Islands.
Tomorrow’s observances are important in their own right, but they are even more significant as symbols commemorating the people’s success in modernizing the Constitution of the Cayman Islands. It stands tall as a textbook example of the highest exercise in democracy.
For more information on the process, and to review the new document, visit a local library or the official constitution website: www.constitution.gov.ky
Government feature reviews constitutional history
(CNS): In the final part of the government’s review of what changes the people of the Cayman Islands can expect as a result of the implementation of the new constitution, GIS reviews the journey the islands have taken since 1831. The constitution will come into effect tomorrow 6 November however, there are still legislative changes to be made to made the statute books compatible and a number of new committees to be established.
Accordingly, this fourth and final feature explores the significance of the new Constitution by taking a look at the Islands’ constitutional history and highlighting the new relationships this document brings.
Cayman’s road to constitutional democracy has been long and colourful, with much support given to the principles of freedom. Seventeenth century residents sought active participation in their government, demanding equality and local representation.
Thus in 1831 Caymanians first asserted the right to elect their own representatives, known as Vestrymen. However, the country’s political status remained uncertain until 22 June, 1863 saw the declaration of Cayman as a British Crown Colony. Two years later the Islands were recognized as a full dependency of Jamaica.
The status quoremained unchanged until the mid-twentieth century, when Cayman’s ties to Jamaica (then lobbying for independence from the United Kingdom) came into question.
In 1955, six local assemblymen petitioned the UK’s Colonial Secretary through the Governor of Jamaica, requesting the right to determine our own destiny. A series of conferences followed, after which on July 4, 1959, Cayman received the first written Constitution by Royal Order-in-Council. That was accompanied by universal adult suffrage, the right to vote and hold office.
A subsequent constitutional review resulted in the introduction of a new document in 1972. Periodic constitutional talks continued, leading to the modernization initiative and the current inauguration.
Previous constitutions served us well during the developing years. However, contemporary Cayman has little in common with the three peaceful and little known outposts of before.
The latest modernisation effort has therefore been a process which evolved over
more than a decade. A revised Constitution was drafted in 1992, but not passed. Another attempt in 2001 set the groundwork for future modernisations, and in 2007 a Constitutional Review Secretariat was formed to steer the initiative and take it forward.
A phased plan was devised and included research, public consultation, negotiation, and a first-ever national referendum. The first research phase identified areas of possible reform, and sought input from everyone, from grassroots to executive levels.
Public consultation comprised the second phase and during several rounds of district town-hall meetings the Secretariat received input and explained constitutional issues, options and implications. All proposals and suggestions were assessed for feasibility and many were factored into the final document.
A proposed Constitution document was then presented in the Legislative Assembly. It was reviewed and debated by elected representatives, before they unanimously passed it.
The next phase involved final negotiations and then agreement with the United Kingdom. Constitutional talks between Cayman and the Foreign Commonwealth Office were held between September 2008 and February 2009, with the outcome being the 2009 Draft Constitution. The Elections Office then prepared for Cayman’s first referendum.
That historic event would determine whether or not the people would find the draft Constitution acceptable. On 20 May 2009, of 15,361 eligible registered voters, 12,287 participated in the general elections. Most (11,244) also voted in the simultaneous referendum and a 62.66% majority decided in favour of the modernized Constitution.
With that, the local process was complete, and the document was forwarded to the UK for final consideration. Then on 10 June, the Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009 was made an Order in Council at the Court at Buckingham Palace by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty in Council (Privy Council).
Importantly, the adoption of the new Constitution will also reshapethe relationship with the UK; in future, Cayman may independently enter into international agreements which don’t directly affect the UK. This will show the world that the Islands can self-represent in certain key international venues and take major decisions.
The winding road to modernization had involved numerous people, meetings, debates and discussions, making it a truly democratic and transparent – albeit lengthy – process.
Attention to detail also proved a critical element for, as the supreme law, the Constitution unifies the country, enshrines the fundamental principles under which it is governed and maintains the delicate balance of power necessary to preserve democracy.
In the Cayman Islands as in many democracies, the Constitution is superior to all other laws, serving as the ultimate protection for the people, while defining both lines of authority and rules for government.
Thus, while the Executive branch – the Premier and Ministers – makes policy, the Legislature in its entirety makes laws, approves budgets and monitors government. An independent
In short, the adoption of the 2009 Constitution begins a new chapter in Cayman’s governance, with adjustments to roles, responsibilities, and functions of elected and public officials. These changes will allow better representation for the people while exacting higher standards of accountability from leaders.
But while there are many changes, some things will remain. Most significantly, the UK’s ’Westminster System’ of parliamentary government continues. The Governor (and thus the UK) retains ultimate responsibility for the Islands’ defence and external affairs. The civil service and judiciary also remain independent under the Governor.
Ultimate executive authority remains with Her Majesty, but issues will continue to be debated and negotiated between local government and the Crown.
With more democratic, efficient and accountable local government, the new Constitution will thus bring more self-determination for Cayman. Some changes will be immediate while others such as the Bill of Rights will take time to implement.
The 2009 Constitution certainly affords government greater participation and accountability in managing internal security and the police, via the new National Security Council. This will enhance cooperation in these areas between the Governor, the Police Commissioner and Cabinet.
Looking forward, we can expect to see how this new Constitution will reinforce the principles of democracy, so long cherished by the people of the Cayman Islands.
Tomorrow’s observances are important in their own right, but they are even more significant as symbols commemorating the people’s success in modernizing the Constitution of the Cayman Islands. It stands tall as a textbook example of the highest exercise in democracy.
For more information on the process, and to review the new document, visit a local library or the official constitution website: www.constitution.gov.ky
Finance sector promised better access to work permits
(CNS): The leader of government business has confirmed that employers in the financial services sector and support sectors will soon have access to permits of up to five years for their staff. Concerned that business has been lost in the Cayman Islands as a direct result of the burdensome nature and uncertainty of immigration policies, McKeeva Bush said that a number of changes are planned which he believes will encouraged business to come back, including the automatic grant of key employee status for senior professionals.
He said the Department of Immigration had made improvements to the administrative procedures but more needed to be done, and he explained that the Immigration Review Team had placed a number of proposals before Cabinet this week and directions would soon be issued to the Chief Immigration Officer, the Work Permit Board and the Business Staffing Plan Board to implement some changes.
“They will also make recommendations to the Business Staffing Plan Board on key employee designation applications. The dedicated focus on financial services industry applications by this committee will greatly improve the turnaround time for work permit applicationsand the fact that local industry experts are included in the committee will ensure that key employee applications are properly understood.”
“In the past month the department’s Enforcement Unit has arrested 22 persons, mainly for overstaying. In one case the person had been living illegally in the Islands for four years. Investigations are also continuing into several companies where there is evidence that employees have been working outside the terms and conditions of their work permit or working after a work permit has expired.”
Cayman faces long haul to resolve flooding problems
(CNS): According to the new director of planning, the Cayman Islands needs an extensive storm water management plan to deal with the island’s perpetual flooding problems. Haroon Pandohie says it is a priority issue but he does not yet know when it can be resolved. Planning is now working closely with the National Roads Authority on a storm water management plan, but the director told News 27 that it will take years before it is in effect. It will also cost millions of dollars to tackle, Pandohie told the television news station, and observed that dealing with flooding problems, even in the short term, is very complicated and there are no quick fixes.
For years now, residents have complained of increasing flooding problems in particular locations where the impact of development has exacerbated existing natural problems, such as in the Cumber Avenue area of Bodden Town. Just last month, residents in the swamp area of George Town were trapped in their homes or forced to wade through filthy water to get out.
Last December the director of the National Roads Authority (NRA) said that experts had been engaged to look at the problem to come up with a viable solution. Brian Tomlinson has explained that the problem in Bodden Town is a combination of local geography and more recent development in the area that has created a basin from which water cannot escape and the area has become a serious technical challenge.
“At the junction of Cumber Avenue on Bodden Town Road the elevation is around 17 feet above sea level, likewise at the junction on Gun Square Road it reaches 22 feet. However, if you travel down either of those roads into the area prone to flooding you arrive at land that is a mere three feet above sea level. With the new development in that area, the water that once found its own way to the wetlands is now trapped,” Tomlinson explained.
During the general election the flooding issue became a talking point at a number of political rallies and some people have suggested the area is not suitable for residential occupation and the only solution may be to compensate the home owners and relocate the residents.
A conspiracy too far
The growing attachment to the conspiracy theory that the United Kingdom is ‘out to get us’ is hardly surprising given the events during the tenure of the most recent representative from Her Majesty’s government but it is a misunderstanding of what is really going on. Despite how it may seem, there is no conspiracy just unofficial goals which the UK government doesn’t really try to hide very much.
In short, the British government wishes that all of its Overseas Territories would be more like Victorian children – seen and not heard. It would like them to conform to its perceptions of international standards on everything, from human rights to fairer tax systems, and essentially not cause any trouble. It is not involved in any plan to destroy the Cayman Islands’ financial services sector through subterfuge and convoluted plots.
The latest theory from the leader of government business that the UK is using the powers of the auditor general’s office to make the Cayman Islands government non-compliant with the Public Management and Finance Law again so they can “put the crunch” on McKeeva Bush is highly unlikely.
Dan Duguay has upset both political apple carts and even the governor since he came to office, which is as clear indication as any he is doing his job properly. If both the PPM and the UDP have accused him of hidden agendas, playing politics and demonstrating a bias, it’s obvious he must be straight down the line. Derision from both sides is always a comfort to those who wish to remain as objective and impartial as possible.
Bush’s latest attack on the AG, however, reveals far more about the wider frustrations that the people in the Cayman Islands are feeling about the relationship with the UK than it does about the relationship between Bush and Duguay. As Cayman’s latest constitution is implemented, it’s a good time for Caymanians to consider how much benefit they really derive from this relationship and being part of the last remnants of a faded empire.
The recent revelations regarding the governor’s perceptions of good governance with the special police investigation team (SPIT), the hypocrisy of the UK holding out on allowing us to borrow when it is billions of dollars in debt, and its desire to see Cayman introduce taxation so that it can rest easy that it will never have to bail us out have been tough to stomach but are part of the problem of being a colony.
If we are honest, most of us know full well that the UK could not care less about this island or the people. It is certainly not interested in sitting around in underground bunkers plotting the demise of the offshore sector. Duguay is not an MI6 agent disguised as an accountant (he really is an accountant). And what the UK really wants is for Cayman and other OTs just not to bring any trouble. As a result, the UK itself has got a little paranoid about where trouble could come from.
The situation in the Turks & Caicos Islands hasn’t helped, nor did the impact of the global financial crisis, both of which have fuelled the UK government’s own paranoia that these pesky territories could give a whole lot of trouble for the UK economically, in terms of global reputation, as well as its international commitments.
My own sources in the FCO have told me more than once that the Labour government in particular would love to see the back of every last territory it has because the potential and perceived contingent liabilities have a tendency to give the prime minster terrible indigestion.
Those who work for the FCO that want to ensure they get their place in Whitehall’s hall of fame for ‘jolly good chaps that showed the nativesout in the colonies who’s boss’ are therefore likely to want to seek out the potential pitfalls for the UK when they arrive.
It seems that almost the minute the current governor had hung up his seersucker suits and Panama hat he was sniffing around looking for potential trouble that may upset his bosses back at the Old Admiralty Building but which he could head off at the pass and get his ‘fine chap’ award before he retires.
This being Cayman, where the rumour mill churns with more power that a category five hurricane and the Marl Road seems longer than US1, the governor was very quickly sucked in and began imagining all manner of ills in every corner, hence his odd behaviour and selective judgement when it comes to good governance.
Although he went after the police, the judiciary and Charles Clifford — the far more mundane day to day but real problems of poor governance in Cayman were simply ignored. Not a single report by the Office of the Complaints Commissioner has ever been acted upon by the government, but the governor has never even mentioned them. When Duguay produced his report about government departments failing in their obligation to supply a set of accounts at the end of the year, he made one statement declaring his intention to get it sorted … then proceeded to do nothing and never speak about it again. And he has never even once questioned the undisguised misuse of the power afforded to board members in many areas of public life, to mention but a few examples.
The governor, it seems, is easily influenced and whosoever gets his ear at any one time seems to be able to manipulate him and steer him in a direction to suit their agendas, as very clearly demonstrated by SIO Martin Bridger.
This may all look like a conspiracy but ultimately it is about incompetence, misjudgement and unsubstantiated fears. The UK no longer has a motherly love for its colonies (personally I don’t believe it ever did) as they are these days an embarrassment on the international stage and a reminder of the British Empire’s brutal and cruel past — something left wing governments in particular find very uncomfortable.
The UK’s position is quite clear: it wishes to retain enough control over the territories to be able to clamp down on them if they look like they are about to cause any trouble while giving the appearance of autonomy to satisfy the UN, but what they really want is for each and every one of them to start plotting out their routes to independence.
Some of our politicians (and Bush is not the only one) are misunderstanding this situation and interpreting it as a conspiracy. It is not. It’s black and white — the UK wants us to either shut up and behave or take down the Union Jack.
Talk radio taking over the airwaves
(CNS): While Caymanians have long had the opportunity to vent their spleens on the airways every weekday morning and lunch times, they have not had the opportunity to rant during the evening. That is about to come to an end with the announcement by Rooster’s Crosstalk team that Walling Whittaker will be hosting an afternoon version of the phone-in show between 4 and 7 pm. The former director of Employment Relations and independent candidate for George Town in the last elections says Crosstalk PM will be about solutions.
Following the announcement on Crosstalk’s breakfast show, Whittaker said his afternoon show would be different as he would be focusing on resolving problems. The plan, he said, was for people to call in with their issues and he would attempt, without calling names, to find a solution.
Die hard fans of phone-in shows can now enjoy almost a full day of talk radio with Rooster’s two shows now sandwiching Radio Cayman’s long running lunch time talk show Talktoday.
According to a release from Hurley’s entertainment the new show starts on Tuesday 10 November and describing Whitaker as a rookie broadcaster Randy Merren, owner of Hurleys Entertainment, said whatever lack of experience he had as a broadcaster he made up for with his knowledge of government, politics and business in Cayman.
"I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to expand social commentary and explore contemporary issues from a different perspective," said Whittaker. "Crosstalk PM will not only examine current issues but more importantly we will also try to look for solutions to problems."
The show will be going out in the slot previously taken by the Big Kahuna but Hurley’s did not comment on what would happen to that show or whether the comedian would continue working with the station.