Archive for August, 2012
Reporter takes away success story of local ‘blues’
(CNS): A British journalist who was in the Cayman Islands last month reporting on the premier’s proposal to introduce direct taxation also found time to write about the endangered blue iguana in an article which is beginning to be picked up by the international press. David McFadden, whose story about the expat tax went viral on the worldwide web, also wrote a feature piece on the National Trust’s Blues programme highlighting the work being done to preserve the country’s much loved unique reptile and the unimagined successes of its captive breeding programme. McFadden reports that there are now around 700 blues roaming free in the protected areas in East End.
"The kind of results that we've gotten show that it's practical and realistic to say you can restore a population of iguanas from practically nothing, just so long as you can capture the genetic variety from the beginning," Fred Burton, the director of the Blue Iguana Recovery Programme, tells the Associated Press journalist. When Burton began the breeding programme it was believed there were no more than a dozen blue iguanas alive in the wild.
In the feature piece Burton explains how in 2001 the first blue iguanas were released into the wild with an incredible survival rate. "When we started, we didn't know anything, so for years we just let the iguanas loose and we'd never see half of them again,” he said. “A year after we came up with this very low-tech method of anchoring iguanas to the park, we found all of them were still living."
Arthur C. Echternacht, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Tennessee, told McFadden that the Grand Cayman programme has succeeded by building unusually strong relationships with international scientists as well as support from local politicians and citizens, and because of the tenacity of Burton.
"Although Fred can seem to be a rather low-key, unexcitable Brit, he is passionate about the iguanas, very persuasive, and incredibly persistent," Echternacht said.
John Binns, of the International Reptile Conservation Foundation in Tucson, Arizona, said the basic infrastructure and steady focus of the Blue Iguana Breeding Program was a model on how to correctly restore a species.
Burton said he still hoped to have 1,000 blue iguanas living in the wild by as early as 2015.
"Once we hit 1,000 and we have a good genetic range out there we can just let the iguanas handle things themselves out in the wild without us messing around with all this complex genetic planning," Burton said as he pointed out that the breeding pens at the Botanic Park would eventually be redundant.
“That will be a very exciting day," Burton said.
Police warn public about latest cash prize email scam
(CNS): Online scammers are attempting to solicit money from people with a London Olympic international lottery, officers from the RCIPS Financial Crime Unit warned on Wednesday. The FSU said the email scam tells recipients that they are "lucky winners" of US$800,000 as part of a lottery programme. The recipient is asked to call a number to claim their prize within 21 days. Detective Inspector Ian Lavine is urging people not to be fooled into providing their personal financial details in the hope of swelling their bank account with a cash prize that does not exist.
“Every day we are seeing more and more fraudulent schemes circulating via e-mail. Some are very elaborate and set up fake banking sites to encourage people to provide passwords and banking details; others try to tempt people to provide those details as part of get-rich -quick schemes,” he said. “People should never provide any banking details via e-mail or on the phone and they should contact the RCIPS Financial Crime Unit if they receive any communication that appears suspicious.”
Anyone who wishes to speak to an officer in the Financial Crime Unit should call 949-8797
Man charged over dynamite
(CNS): The director of Midland Acres appeared in court Wednesday morning facing charges relating to the importation of dynamite. CNS understands that Suresh Bhemsein Prasad was charged by police on Monday with four counts of importing explosives without a permit as an individual and another four counts as the owner of Midland Acres. The case relates to an ongoing police investigation that includes Cayman Islands Premier McKeeva Bush, who wrote to the collector of customs asking him to release the explosives in question after the shipment was seized by officials. The crown asked for an adjournment as a result of "ongoing discussions" with Prasad's defense counsel and the continuing investigation.
The Midland Acre director was bailed over to return to Summary Court tomorrow morning (Thursday 16 August) by Magistrate Kirsty-Ann Gunn, when prosecuting counsel Candice James said both sides would be able to indicate how the matter was to proceed.
According to a letter that Prasad wrote to Bush on 4 March of this year (see below), he admitted omitting an important step in the importation process regarding the NRA and asked the premier to intervene and get the dynamite released in order to fulfill a major order for marl. Prasad pointed to the investment made in the blasting materials and the need to get people in work, as he appealed to Bush for assistance.
Three days later Bush sent a memo to Collector of Customs Carlon Powery, which was copied to NRA Director Brian Tomlinson, asking that the dynamite be released. However, given the failure of Midland Acres to go through the proper process, it is understood that the NRA director reported the matter to the police.
In April the police confirmed that the premier was under investigation in connection with the explosives issue and confirmed that this was the third police probe that McKeeva Bush was involved in.
Bush remains the subject of two other investigations, one which has yet to be explained but described as financial irregularities, and the first which concerns a land deal with US developer Stan Thomas and a payment of around $3/4 million for real estate advice.
Soon after the announcement that the police were investigating the dynamite shipment and the circumstances surrounding the issue, Tomlinson was let go from his post as director of the roads authority. The official reason given by Board Director Colford Scott was that the authority was forced to downsize. However, the deputy is now acting in the position.
In the wake of the revelations, the premier denied any wrongdoing and said that the memo he sent to the collector of customs was merely an effort to assist a friend and local business person to get things moving in the economy.
See Bush's memo to customs here
See Prasad's letter to Bush here
UK seeks $20m more in cuts
(CNS): The Cayman Islands government continues to negotiate with the UK over budget cuts just days before the premier says he will deliver his spending plan to the Legislative Assembly. Sources have confirmed that the UK gave a verbal response on Monday evening to the details submitted regarding the latest proposed revenue measures that would replace the expat tax. However, it is understood that the UK wants more cuts and has asked for a further $20 million reduction on the spending side of the balance sheet. CNS understands that the local government has said it has gone as far as it can with cuts and, given the surplus budget it intends to present, it hopes the UK will ease up.
A memo released Tuesday evening stated that the Legislative Assembly will be reconvened this Friday. If the premier delivers a budget without UK approval, the governor who is currently off island, will not assent to the bill, McKeeva Bush said.
Last week at a public meeting McKeeva Bush said he planned to come to the LA on Monday 20 August, but speaking on Radio Cayman Tuesday, he said he was hopeful the UK would give its approval, allowing him to present the full year’s budget on Friday. Bush has made no mention, however, of the request for further cuts and continued negotiations.
The latest figure that are believed to be on the table show spending plans of more than $580 million as a result of an increase of more than 10% in CINICO costs as well as some $15 million that the UK has instructed CIG to pay down on the past service pension liability. The government faces a growing burden regarding civil service pensions, which has been neglected since the UDP took office in May 2009.
Meanwhile, in order to cover the operational expenses and produce a surplus budget, revenue projections are said to be a whopping $650 million from a combination of new measures and existing fee increases.
If the UK accepts that the latest revenue raising measures are credible and realistic, the budget will produce a surplus of $70 million, which is just $6 million short of the figure the UK economist had indicated would be required to satisfy the overseas territories minister.
The decision now hangs in the balance and it will be down to the economic advisor to recommend whether or not Henry Bellingham, who is currently on vacation, should give the OK for the premier, in his role as minister of finance, to finally deliver the most controversial budget of his political career.
Murder suspect named and remanded in custody
(CNS): Brian Borden from West Bay was remanded in custody by the Summary Court this week until 24 August when the 27-year-old man from West Bay will appear in Grand Court in connection with the murder of Robert Mackford Bush. Borden is charged with gunning down Bush in a gang related killing in September last year as he sat in his car at the junction of Capt Joe and Osbert Road and Birch Tree Hill, West Bay. Borden has not yet entered a plea to either the murder charge or a second count of possession of an unlicensed firearm. Police said Bush was killed after being shot multiple times by two masked gunmen.
The shooting triggered a series of tit-for-tat killings in which three other young men lost their lives and a fourth was seriously injured.
Borden was arrested some eleven months after the shooting following an operation in West Bay conducted by the RCIPS and based on new intelligence. No one else has been charged to date in connection with the death of Andrew Baptise, Preston Rivers and Jason Christian, although police have made several arrests.
Drivers escape major injury in morning smash
(CNS): Police have now confirmed that the female driver of a vehicle which overturned on Shamrock Avenue yesterday morning was treated for only minor injuries following the collision. No one else was hurt in the smash that took place shortly before 9am on Tuesday. Police are now looking for witnesses to the crash which happened when a silver SUCV exited Victory Avenue onto Shamrock Road and collided with an eastbound car before overturning. Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact PC Marcia Ellis at the Traffic Management Unit on 946-6254.
Snr cop under investigation
(CNS): A senior officer of the RCIPS is currently facing an internal enquiry after the director of public prosecutions (DPP) ruled that it was not in the public interest to pursue a criminal prosecution against him in connection with an alleged assault on a junior officer. The Police Association has raised its concerns about the internal enquiry as they have questioned who in police management is not already conflicted or compromised in connection with the case and in a position to fairly oversee the investigation. More than a dozen complaints have been made to the association against the same senior officer, who has not been suspended from duty and currently remains in charge of one of the largest group of officers in the RCIPS.
A spokesperson for the RCIPS has confirmed that the file in connection with the case is now with the Professional Standards Unit and as a result, she said, it would be inappropriate to make any further comment on the issue. The RCIPS also stated that the case had been referred to the DPP but that it had been returned to the police to handle internally.
Sources close to the young police officer who filed the complaint told CNS that the victim has been informed that, despite evidence of the assault, it was not in the public interest to proceed with criminal charges. The junior officer is understood to have filed complaints relating to two alleged incidents, one of which was witnessed by several civilians who had reportedly agreed to give evidence. Other sources have told CNS that the senior officer routinely behaves inappropriately but many police officers on contract are reluctant to file official complaints for fear of losing their jobs.
A spokesperson for the police association, which represents the interests of serving officers, told CNS that there were a number of concerns about this particular case, not least the number of complaints against the senior officer in question, who remained in command of one of the largest group of officers in the service.
In addition, the association has said that any internal investigation needs to be seen to be fair to both the victim and the accused, but given public comments made by the police commissioner during a Finance Committee hearing about this case and other conflicts relating to police management, it is difficult to see how it can be fair to either of the officers involved.
The spokesperson said the association had raised its concerns with the commissioner and pointed out that the wider membership already has issues about the levels of inequality within the service. He stated that this case should have provided the commissioner with an opportunity to demonstrate the equality that he has said he is committed to providing, but there are very serious doubts that he will be able to deliver.
“Our wider membership has been concerned for some time about the inequality that exits in the RCIPS when it comes to the treatment of some officers over others,” the association told CNS. “We do not know exactly why the DPP decided that it was not in the public interest to pursue this case and return it to the RCIPS to be handled internally but we know that police management is compromised in this case. We are very concerned that there will be no one who will be in a position to supervise this investigation fairly.”
Local attorney Peter Polack also raised concerns about how this case was being handled. He said if there was evidence of a crime the DPP should have handled the assault as she would any other criminal chargeand it should not be treated differently because the accused person is a senior police officer.
"The DPP is charged with the responsibility of deciding whether a person is to be charged with a crime or not,” the local attorney stated. “It is an excess of her authority to make this ruling if this is the case as it is effectively deciding punishment, which is the exclusive purview of the courts. Only Commissioner Baines has the authority to decide if an officer is to face an internal disciplinary hearing.
"It would be a breach of her Constitutional duties to suggest a course of action outside her power or delay ruling on a pending case, for that matter,” Polack added, referring to the DPP’s alleged recommendation to the commissioner that the matter be dealt with internally.
“If a senior police officer can benefit from the discretion of the DPP, then every citizen of the Cayman Islands is equally entitled, including those presently residing at HMP Northward, to the same treatment,” he added.
Witchcraft child abuse in UK
(The Telegraph): 'Political correctness' is preventing police from stopping child abuse by parents and church leaders who believe in witchcraft, a minister warns. Tim Loughton, the children’s minister, said that a “wall of silence” was obscuring the full scale of cruelty in some communities where beliefs in evil spirits was common. He was speaking as the Government announced plans to introduce new training for social workers, teachers, police and church members to combat the abuse. It follows the conviction earlier this year of Eric Bikubi a London football coach, and his partner Magalie Bamu, for torturing and murdered a 15-year-old boy because they believed he was practising witchcraft.
The couple, whose families came from the Democratic Republic of Congo, subjected Bamu’s brother Kristy to a three-day ordeal because they were convinced he was practising “kindoki” or sorcery.
The case had echoes of that of Victoria Climbié, the eight-year-old girl who was murdered by her guardians who believed she was possessed by demons.
London 2012 was ‘biggest ever US TV event’
(BBC): NBC's coverage of London 2012 was the "most-watched television event in US history", the TV network has announced. Citing Nielsen ratings figures, NBC said more than 219 million viewers watched the Games on its networks, compared to the 215 million who tuned in for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. The network broadcast some 5,535 hours of Olympic coverage on TV and online. But it drew criticism for delaying the broadcast of popular events until primetime hours. Viewers also complained of problems with online streaming and edited versions of the opening and closing ceremonies. Sunday's closing ceremony – which was cut down by almost an hour and omitted such acts as Muse and Ray Davies – drew an audience of 31 million people.
Yet NBC enraged some viewers by leaving the ceremony at 23:00 local time to air a new sitcom, Animal Practice, and then half an hour of local news.
Cayman’s economic conundrum
As an independent candidate in the 1984 elections I had a vision that Cayman was heading for great prosperity and proposed the following: reduce the size and cost of government; work hard to create a vibrant private sector and establish by law a “lock box fund”, which would be funded with 10% of the total government revenue on an annual basis.
This fund would only be used for serious emergencies and if not needed would simply be carried forward as a savings account for the next generation.
At the time, many of the other candidates in the race denounced the idea as infeasible and instead criticized me for not knowing what I was talking about. I never once had a moment of disappointment about not getting elected and treated it as simply a good lesson in the learning curve of life. However, what has saddened me over the years is the inability of some of those whom we did elect (and appoint) to even recognize good ideas and do something with them. And the more things change the more they remain the same.
Today, it is estimated the fund would have somewhere in the range of $400-$700 million or more through the magic of compound interest over 28 years. (The actual financial data was not available from either the statistics dept or the financial secretary’s offices.)
Cayman’s financial dilemma did not start this year, last year or five years ago; it started 25-30 years ago when we failed to realize the opportunities this country was starting to enjoy and to heed the advice of the older generation: “Save for the rainy day.” Respective governments failed to plan, which in reality is planning to fail.
Once again we find ourselves scrambling to prepare and balance a budget, while our liabilities keep increasing and the sources of revenue are drying up because the private sector and middle class are shrinking. It does not matter from what angle you examine this; we have serious financial challenges ahead.
In 2007 the world’s economy started on a downward spiral with very few ingovernment, commerce or economics having the foresight to see it coming. Five years later there are many in leadership positions who do not fully understand the causes, effects or implications of this crash. The failure to understand the big picture while focusing on the smaller parts will probably not result in viable solutions.
What we have experienced over the past 5 years is not a normal “down market cycle”, followed by an “up cycle”; instead it is a shift in economic fundamentals, which are evolving and taking us to a new place. But policy makers and many experts are treating this as the former and not the latter, assuming that we are soon on the verge of a recovery.
Cayman is no exception; many believe that all we have to do is wait and hope and things will return to the good old days like 2005-6 when we were rebuilding after Ivan. But this time is different and the sooner we realize this better off we will be.
In the USA there were six interconnected economic bubbles – stocks, housing, private equity, discretionary spending and, more fundamentally, the government debt and the dollar bubbles.
While these bubbles were expanding they created much wealth, opportunities and jobs to millions in the USA and around the world. Since 2008 these bubbles have been bursting one after the next, bringing the overall economy down. The two last big ones, the dollar and debt, have yet to burst.
The US government has injected billions into their economy in an attempt to prevent the latter two major bubbles from bursting; however, it has delayed but will not prevent it. The American annual deficit has increased from $250 billion in 2007 to $1.6 trillion, with a corresponding increase of 200% in the money supply (from $800 billion in 2008 to $2.4 trillion) and a total debt of $16 trillion, the largest in history by any nation; not to mention the record high unemployment across all sectors. There will be no equilibrium until the two final bubbles burst, causing even more turmoil in the world’s economic order. In addition, inflation in commodities (food) and other products along with higher interestrates are on the horizon.
Why is all this important to Cayman? Simple — we are part of the global economy.
The next time you go to the grocery store take note of where our food comes from; look around to see where our tourists come from along with much of our investments. The Cayman Islands financial umbilical cord is tied to the USA and always will be as long as we are located 500 miles from Miami.
There is another very important event taking place in less than 3 months time which will affect the Cayman Islands, perhaps more so than any previous; i.e., the Presidential elections. When was the last time we saw an advert by a sitting president criticizing his opponent with references to the Cayman Islands? In 2013 Caymanians with US citizenships will have start filing and paying the US taxes. If someone had told us this 10 years ago we would have thought they were smoking something.
There is little doubt that the re-election of President Obama will result in a tougher stance towards the Cayman Islands, particularly in relationship to our financial services industry. While on the other hand, a win by Mr Romney could re-energize the free market system on which America was founded and ultimately create better times ahead. While these are events over which we have no control, we should be aware of all external conditions and factor them into our plans.
Cayman has been living in denial for too long. Because things have been so good in recent years, it’s hard for many people to accept that they would not continue to be good.
But the world has changed and now it’s past time for us to change — our thinking, attitudes, behavior, expectations, and the way we have been managing our affairs and stop squandering our scarce resources. Our mantra now should be “do more with less” and work smarter not just harder, while demanding greater efficiencies and accountability.
Government must be reformed from top to bottom; our debt must be brought under control; privatization and joint ventures should have been embarked on long ago; solicitation of the best ideas should be a way of doing business; instead of panic rescue missions by a few (while they may be helpful).The measures announced so far to remedy our budget deficit are only temporary and we will face this situation again next year, if not earlier, unless the tough decisions are made now. One cannot expect a band aid to cure cancer.
When speaking to businessmen and folks in this country, one gets the feeling that there is finally a realization that this is no ordinary recession and that new thinking and actions are overdue in order to help us position ourselves into a sustainable mode and hopefully chart a better future. Now, if only our government would realize this and make the tough decisions necessary to secure some hope and opportunity for the next generation, instead of hedging their bets for the next election.
I believe there is nothing wrong with Cayman that the people who live on Cayman cannot solve, but a new vision and approach is needed for that to happen. Unfortunately, the scarce ingredient is “time”; we are running out of it. For us to leave a better life for our children and grandchildren we have to become less selfish and be prepared to sacrifice, as our parents and grandparents did for us.
We are running out of options, Cayman.