CI premier voted VP on new regional council

| 27/04/2012

Caribbean OCT heads of delegation (300x293).jpg(CNS): The Cayman Islands premier was elected as vice chair of the Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories Council (COCTC) on Thursday by regional leaders at the council in Curacao. Despite McKeeva Bush’s difficulties on the domestic front, with three police investigations currently surrounding him, his regional high level colleagues offered him their support and confidence with the election to the new regional body. The ten Caribbean leaders have agreed to establish a regional Overseas Countries and Territories Council to coordinate their relationship with the European Union.

“The formation of this council is an important step for regional territories, as it is essential for our small territories to coordinate and cooperate if we are to make real progress in our relationship with the European Union, and other supra-national organisations,” Bush stated in a release from the premier’s office. “I appreciate the confidence shown in me by my counterparts, and I look forward to the vigorous development of this council."

The aim of the council, which was established through the signing of an MOU, is to work on a joint agenda for sustainable development and a roadmap to establish a Caribbean Agenda with respect to the new Agreement of the Overseas Countries and Territories that is currently being prepared by the EU and should come into effect January 1st 2014, government officials stated.

The council, it is hoped, will help the countries ensure their needs and interests are incorporated on the European agenda.

It also provides a formal institution to work together among all Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories on areas of common interest. Through this council, knowledge and experiences will be shared and joint initiatives will be taken to ensure project funding from the EU on topics that are of joint interest, officials stated.

During the discussions the participants were said to have “embraced the concept of sustainable development" as their starting point and specific areas for cooperation, included transportation and logistics, capacity building, human capital development, waste management, climate change and renewable energy, the development of public-private-partnerships, as well as disaster management and the relationship with the EU.

On each topic specific working groups have been initiated and will present a Working Plan by 1 September. The Cayman Islands will be represented on a number of the working groups of the council, and leading on at least two. The Caribbean OCT Council will meet again on 23 September, prior to the next EU-OCT Forum.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    I think my Caribbean travel plans will be confined to the Bahamas, St. Barts and the US Virgin Islands.

  2. EYE ON THE ISLAND says:

    Yes this will be more travel and more casino visits.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Thankfully it has been reported that Cayman Islands as a territory are the VP, not Bush as a person.  We might want to keep that seat at the trough in the very unlikely event that the EU can one day afford to finance some of our ill-judged ambitions.  Merkel would love that.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Wow…Mac is like a burger with 9 lives. It  appears the dumb will support the dumber. SMDH

  5. Anonymous says:

    Sad state of affairs when COC needs to appoint a VP who is under investigation for 2 incidents of possible financial irregularities and abuse of power.  Is Misick President? 

    Speaking of T&C has anyone had a look at land purchased by our Government and transfers since the purchase?  What about that hotel up in WB that was bought a few years ago for Goverment to supposedly get into running a dive school?  The tiny piece of land bought for millions across from the WB dock is probably still on the books but I'm wondering why we didn't apply the same policies of exprorpiation weren't applied as proposed for the WB cemetary expansion? Could it be the owner of the cemetary land is foreignor and therefore isn't connected?

  6. Truth says:

    Congradulations COCTC!  You have just lost all credibility.  P.S.  watch your financials.

  7. Anonymous says:

    Proactive thinking on Mac's part.

    Going to need a job soon as the #### hits the fan back home.

  8. Anonymous says:

    Didn't they get the memo?

  9. Anonymous says:

    For the sake of the entire region, would sombody please send a CNS link to the president of the COCTC?

  10. Aing says:

    This is not a show of support to Mr Bush so dont fool yourselves. It is the recognition of the importance of the Cayman Islands as an Overseas Territory and more significantly the size of its GDP and its presumed Treasury compared to the majority of the OTs.  It is as the Premier and representative of the Cayman Islands that he fills the post of Vice-Chair of the new group. It is not as McKeeva Bush. 

  11. NeoSurvivor says:

    I just have two simple questions that pertain to this prestigious appointment to Premier Bush:

     

    1.   What is it going to cost us (we, the Caymanian people who pay the bills)?

    2.   Will this appointment require increased travel by the Premier?

  12. Anonymous says:

    I can hear those COCTC Caribbean leaders now. Saying to our Premiere over there….what a bunch of arrogant people, you have to contend with over there in Cayman. Especially those blogging against your accomplishments. It must be a reliefe to be amongst real appriciative people when you visit other countries?

  13. Anonymous says:

    Boy this is goona make Austin and Gilbert stark raving mad come Monday morning! Lord help when the Ezzard and Arden show gets it on Tuesday…

    • Anonymous says:

      Don't worry. They'll all be happy that at least a little bit of his attention is gone from Cayman.

  14. Anonymous says:

    Prime Minister, lawd help us I hope not!

  15. Anonymous says:

    Congratulation Mr. Bush,  you not only being acknowledged by your loving  Caymanians, but also by your peer from across the Caribbean sea. What a great day for Cayman..you put us on the World  map one more time.

     

    God bless you Mr. Premiere. I have known for a long time that we Caymanians will get more respect in another man's country. Its no surprise to me…that we have Caymaninans in our midst that will try anything to tear you from your seat. We got your back..no worries.

     Thanks to all  you that thumb -up for the support of our Premiere, and keep up the support by posting more positive comments.

  16. Anonymouse says:

    In an older british sitcom two 'Men from the Ministry' were speaking and one asked "if we oppose the EU why are we joining it?" to which his more experienced colleague replied "well, how else can we break it up?" I imagine there was a similar discussion somewhere in the halls of Curacao last week.

  17. Anonymous says:

    He's only a dragon in your mind because of your hatred of him. All this criticism and show of hatred does is make more people want to support and rally around him.

    In a nutshell, the same group of people that hated him the in last election, hate him now, BUT more people love him than in the past. So keep pulling him down while we pull him up and continue to increase his voting base.

    Like they say in show biz ~ any publicity is good publicity.

    • Anonymously IRON CLAD says:

      I'm afraid you are nothing less than one among the billions of fools and tools(worldwide) of the Devil who have been used to plant the seed of Dictatorship, watering it with your sheer hopeless gullibility and the total lack of the ability to think past the personal favors, handouts and not seeing at all the obvious track record of UNDEMOCRATIC, UNLAWFUL and SHADY actions/incidences XXXXX, nuture it with your pathetic votes every election, prune it with your frustrating and unforgiving cluelessness and zombie-like support like you do and finally the Yields of Gains is distributed to the Rich and Elite cronies(and usually the FOOLISH supporters gets NONE) and the rest is just BAD Harvest(the RUINS of our little nation) that the rest of us, inluding yourself will have left to live with.

       

      And of course I do not expect YOU XXXXX to understand anything I just said here and see, that's just the real unfortunate and sad facts of this messed up Country and World we live in.

       

      God help us PLEASE!

  18. Anonymous says:

    I very seriously doubt that you or any body else on earth actually prayed for McKeeva to get this position. You would definitely be spending your time better praying for him to start behaving like the premier of the Cayman Islands. 

  19. Anonymous says:

    Now when the S*ugar H*oney I*ced T*ea hits the fan, the broadcast will be worldwide and not just regional. This is certainly a setup on the Premier but most importantly, the Caymanian people.
    Mr. Bush should have done the right thing a week ago, now it’s too late. All we can do now is sit back, cross our fingers, pray and hope for the best.
    Fortunately for the expats they will have somewhere to go. What will we do???

  20. Anonymous says:

    I guess we'll be paying for more trips and expenses as he leaves our shores to pursue the demanding tasks of vice     president.

  21. True Man legacy says:

    NO surprise here because it is only Cayman hanging on like sticky old chewing gum on the bottom of an old pair ofsneakers believing that colonialism and the UK is going to save us from having to deal with an uncertain future.How truly sad, promising the world and delivering nothing the old stalwarts looking after their interest as usual ,stil playing mind games on the ignorant. Mckeeva unfortunately is not alone in his loathing of colonial domination even though his situation is some what unique, most other nations have matured and move on. Cayman had best wise up and equip its self to deal with the treacherous path ahead. You go deh Star!

  22. anonymous says:

    It would be interesting to know exactly who spearheaded this all in the face of all the heat that's on.
    This smells very fishy, and perhaps there's some political or federated ploy to try to break away from the UK. Let us make it clear that We would not even remotely Independence from the UK to follow after socialistic ideologies and regimes that leads to misery, sorrow, bondage and complete loss of freedom and democracy. We are already fighting for democracy on a daily basis in this territory even though we are supposed to be a democratic country.
    Since the Cayman Islands is constantly struggling to find leadership we can trust, we must make it quite clear to this Premier and all others aspiring for such position to lead the Cayman Islands government that we are very happy that we have Mother UK to run to and keep a watchful eye on abusive governments and heads of state in the territories.

    The timing itself is very questionable and I'm sure there's much more to this that meets the eye.
    Something is up. The premier plans to stay in power as long as he can. With this recent announcement, it seems to me that that power is intended to control not only the Cayman Islands but also the territories uniting them against the UK perhaps to incite a mass advancement in the territories towards Independence?
    Lets make it emphatically clear, the answer is "NO!"

    We will not accept Independence.
     

  23. Anonymous says:

    It is only in Cayman that Caymanians can never see good in their ow. It is a shame how we make other people come to our country, contrive things about our own then we foolishly turn it into what we believe is the truth..Cannibalizing our own for our own greed and power..We are our wost enemies..

  24. Anonymous says:

    Mr. Bush, congratulations on your vice chair appointment ~ thank God others see the good in youthat  some in your own country refuse to see simply because of such hate for a self made man like yourself.

    Mr.  Bush could walk on water in Cayman and some would still find a reason to criticize him.

    I know that with everything that you try to do your heart is in the right place. Remember that you can't be all things to everyone, so don't even try to please the naysayers. Leave them to themselves to wallow in their own hatred.

  25. Anonymously IRON CLAD says:

    Aahh boy… This one will only serve to win himself back some merits and good favor, I suppose.

    This CHANGES NOT the DRAGON that he is, please remember that.

  26. Anonymous says:

    I hope he is not treasurer!

  27. Jonas Dwyer says:

    Hail to the Chief, congratulations Mr. Premier well done. It is obvious the OT leaders understand that the premise of a man is innocent until proven guilty is still an integral part of the justice process, but more importantly it is a right offered by International convention. All of those who oppose at home who claim to be so learned take note. If I had a hammer.

  28. Anonymous says:

    Shame and scandal at it's best.  Worldwide publicity of financial irregularities, incompetence, and downright stupidity.

  29. Anonymous says:

    Good Lord. Now the entire region is doomed.

  30. Tony says:

    It is good that the Premier has not made "investigations" that stemmed from allegations, stop him from doing his work. Continue Sir…

  31. Anonymous says:

    Well kiss my vice chair.

  32. Annon says:

    Prayers are being answered.  Way to go Mac. Cannot keep a good man down. 

    • I hop Mr Bush realizes says:

      I hope Mr Bush realizes that if he keeps shaking his accused ass at the FCO they are going to take him down hard. The announcement of the 3 investigations is only to give him the opportunity to voluntarily step aside, I cant wait to hear that tearfilled speech he is walking around with. "It is with great sadness that I must give up the Premier…."

      Bush is a disgrace, our first Premier and look what he does with it, you all should have left him in "Ole Bush" he does not belong in our Parliament.

       

    • The Deacon says:

      Not MY prayers, Brother. 

      • Anonymous says:

        Congratulations Mr. Bush. Very proud of you and greatful for your efforts in moving Cayman forward.continue to help your people and we will stand by you.k

  33. Empty Chair says:

    Well that should be one of the shortest spells as VP of the new regional council.

  34. Anonymous says:

    "sustainable development"

    As long as Dart takes care of Mac they can continue to sustain development.

    • Anonymous says:

      Anon 21: 14

      Thanks for admitting that without Dart's participation in our  development , Cayman would have no sustainable economy.

  35. We support Our Premier says:

    MAC VOTED VP ON REGIONAL COUNCIL.    Everyone else can see the good in the Premier except the PPM and FCO.  Why are thewe people trying to destroy the Cayman Islands. and why did Ezzard, Arden and Alden let them pull the woll over their heads into not seeing the truth.

    Ezzard, Alden, Arden Kurt, Anthony, Look around and see how many Caymanian men of your calibre is left around.  There is only a hand full.  What do you think will happen in 10 years from now to your children and grandchildren.  Think about it.

    Please stick together.    I am so saddened to see and hear you all bickering this way.  Dont you see that you are being set up by outsiders.  Please Pray and stop talking.  Your word is being used by the devil to destroy Cayman. Please gentlemen I beg you.   I am a Caymanian, and I do not have anywhere to go, and I only have you guys to protect me and all the rest of Cayman.  Please have a meeting among your selves and Pray, and discuss how you all can deal with with what is happening.   How can you guys be so blind to fall for the low talk of outsiders, cant you see we are the envy of the Caribbean.  What do you think will happen with apolitical unrest.   My children and your children will be talking about it, and only God knows what will happen.  I have never in my life felt to ashamed and saddened.    All the Bloggers and commenters are not Caymanians they are foreigners making trouble, cant you people see that.

    • Anonymous says:

      Hope to God we see more women run in the next election – women bring a perspective and balance to events that only they can.  Most men are egotistical and narcisistic and are always out to prove who has the biggest set of b####.

      Next election, I am voting for the women who run, and I live in the heart of West Bay.

    • B.B.L. Brown says:

      Dear "We support Our Premier,"

      You say, "Everyone else can see the good."  Sorry, but I can't.  You say there are "people" trying to destroy the Cayman Islands.  I haven't seen that either.  I do agree that we should "stick together" but for the preservation of our islands, not the give-away.  You ask, "What do you think will happen in 10 years from now to your children and grandchildren.  Think about it."  Well, I thought about it and as it's going now, some day it will all be owned or controlled by outsiders, not Caymanians!  And it's not outsiders that are anti-Bush.  They could care less!  You say you are Camanian.  I am Caymanian andI can't believe you are or you wouldn't want to see our islands given away.

  36. Anonymous says:

    Congratulations to Cayman's Premier –  Hon. McKeeva Bush on being selected by a body of his peers to be the Vice President of this regional council.

     

  37. Anonymous says:

    I am tired of laughing!  You all serious?  West Baya's na want de man no more and they appoint him?  Father forgive them for they know not what they do.  LOL.

    • Anonymous says:

      You post foolishness. We in West Bay are going to vote Mr. Bush back in next year. You just wait and see. He is the best man for the job.

  38. Stiffed-Necked Fool says:

    Soon got to resign from that too! How truly embarrassing to Cayman!

  39. Anonymous says:

    How is this possible as he is the shame of Cayman? Perhaps there is a tempest in a teapot on this little island.

  40. Jordanian says:

    We have great trust in mr bush so the leaders of the world

  41. Just Me says:

    Well, obviously this group has confidence in our Premier.  I wish Caymanians would also recognise him but as they say "a prophet is without honour in his own country."

  42. Anonymous says:

    It's so unfortunate,  for Caymanians to get any respect they have to  go to another country to find it.

    That's one of the problems we as Caymanians face today. We show disrespect to each other and then get upset when the expat do the same thing.

    I say, united as Caymanians we stand, divided we ALL fall. 

    And another thing – it goes to show that what with all the so called investigations going on, the Cayman Islands still has the respect of the international community. So all you nay sayerswho hoped that the world would lose respect for us just becaust you hate the premier – da wha ya get!

    Congrats Mr. Premier, when your  people show you hate, others who understand and recognize your skills and talent salute you.  Kudos to you!

     

  43. Anonymous says:

    Congratulations Prime Minister on being elected to this prestigous position.

    • Anonymous says:

      Guess you don’t even know his proper title, but then again you must be educated. LOL

  44. Anonymous says:

    boy are they in for a surprise!