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VOLUME:116 No.28, FEBRUARY 4TH, 2019
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28 DEAD • Horror as Haitian vessel capsizes • Boat splits in two after hitting reef • 17 saved as sharks hamper rescue efforts WORDS: RASHAD ROLLE PICTURES: SHAWN HANNA IN MARSH HARBOUR, ABACO
IN THE worst migrant boating tragedy in Bahamian waters since 2013, officials said 28 Haitians are dead and 17 survived after their boat hit a reef on Friday night and sunk. Haitian survivors of the shipwreck told rescuers they were at sea for seven days when all hell broke loose near the Abaco cays. The vessel struck a reef well-known to be dangerous and the boat disintegrated into two halves, volunteer rescuers told this newspaper. The dead were first spotted by tourists in a 55ft chartered catamaran early on Saturday morning. The tourists saw two floating bodies and sent a mayday signal, according to Troy Albury, 48, SEE PAGE THREE
RESCUERS included officials from the United States Coast Guard, volunteers from Hope Town Fire and Rescue and officers from the RBDF.
GOVT TO APPEAL BACON RANCH SMITH ACQUITTAL By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames yesterday defended his role in the bribery and extortion trial against former PLP Senator Frank Smith, telling The Tribune he did not play political games. Mr Dames and Health
Minister Dr Duane Sands are both facing calls from the opposition for their resignations, after the two were criticised by Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt for the “egregious” way in which they interacted with chief prosecution witness in the case, Barbara Hanna. SEE PAGE SIX
MURDER LULL ENDS IN THREE KILLINGS By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net
THREE murders occurred within less than 24 hours this weekend, marking a bloody start to February and a trend that has left police concerned, Superintendent Joy Bosfield told The Tribune yesterday. There were also
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three non-fatal shooting incidents this weekend. All three are in hospital with two listed in serious condition. When asked if police are concerned about this recent spate of murder, Supt Bosfield said: “Yes, it will be a concern. It’s a concern that we only had three in total SEE PAGE FIVE
PAGE 2, Monday, February 4, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
TRAGEDY IN ABACO
THE SCENES over the weekend as people battled to rescue those who had been aboard.
CALLS FOR GREATER EFFORT TO STOP ILLEGAL MIGRATION FROM HAITI By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
LEAGUE of Haitian Churches president Dr Jean Paul Charles yesterday called for greater efforts to discourage illegal migration from ports in Haiti as he mourned the scores of Haitian nationals who drowned in a fatal attempt at entering the country this weekend. Dr Charles told The Tribune his league - which represents more than 70 pastors through the country - convened an emergency meeting on Saturday to determine how best to respond to the tragedy, particularly connecting victims’ families and fundraising for burials. “Our hearts go out to those that lost their lives, and their families,” Mr Charles said. “We sympathise with all of them. As you can see it’s an ongoing thing, as much as we do to spread our message, people will
still risk their lives to come. As you can see so many people have died, lost their lives.” Mr Charles said: “We don’t know any family members yet, because they will wait to see the others who are alive. Those in Haiti are calling to see if their family are alive but we don’t have any identifications yet. “We held an emergency meeting to see what we can do. After that tragedy, none of the family will show up because they know they will have to answer and also handle the burial.” According to immigration officials, the sloop is believed to have hit a reef around 9.30pm on Friday near Fowl Cay, off Man-OWar Cay and subsequently sunk. Rescue efforts began early Saturday morning, and up to press time, 28 people were confirmed to have drowned. The deadly incident invoked memories of a similar tragedy in 2013, when 30 Haitians died after their
packed 40-foot sloop ran aground and capsized off the Exuma chain during stormy weather. In 2013, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and US Coast Guard rescued some 110 people, but it was believed at the time that more bodies would be recovered. Most of the victims drowned, but lack of drinking water may have played a part in some of the deaths, as the vessel was at sea for more than a week and many survivors were severely dehydrated. The previous year, 2012, 11 Haitians - six adults and five children - drowned in waters off Abaco. The league was formerly called the League of Haitian Pastors, but has since been changed to reflect the expanded grouping of some 56 pastors in New Providence and more than 30 pastors in the Family Islands from various denominations ranging from Catholicism to Seventh-Day Adventists.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, February 4, 2019, PAGE 3
TRAGEDY IN ABACO
28 die as Haitian vessel capsizes from page one head of Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association on Guana Cay and the first rescuer on the scene. Mr Albury said more than four hours likely passed before anyone knew what had happened. Rigor mortis had set in by the time he neared Scotland Cay shortly after 9 o’clock that morning, he said. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force said 28 bodies have been recovered over the past two days, 13 on Saturday and 15 yesterday. Seventeen survivors were rescued, including two yesterday. The Tribune was told the two latest survivors waved down officers from an abandoned cay on which they likely hid when officers patrolled the area the previous day. Of the dead, 23 were recovered near Fowl Cay where their vessel was shipwrecked six miles off the coast of Marsh Harbour. The Department of Immigration said 87 people were allegedly on the vessel. However, volunteers said multiple survivors told them 45 people were on board. Rescue operations yesterday were hindered by tiger sharks that circled the wreckage and ate human remains. One volunteer said two bodies remained trapped under the wreckage because it was too difficult to get them out. Mr Albury, the owner of Dive Guana, was about to take guests on an excursion when the mayday call came in. The tourists who found the bodies stayed behind until his team arrived but they soon left to catch a flight out of the country. Mr Albury said: “I was in the boat getting ready to go on a trip when the call came in and I told the people get off the boat and just me and the crew went out. Five of my vessels were out searching for people. It took us seven minutes to get to the site. “We recovered four bodies floating in the waters at Scotland Cay. When we tried to determine the source of where the boat went down, we discovered survivors on a small cay. We saw four bodies but nine backpacks so we knew there was a lot more people in the water.” It was likely dark when the vessel shipwrecked, Mr Albury said. He added that the reef the vessel struck
PHOTOS: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff is particularly treacherous and boats often run aground there. “What’s so heartbreaking is they were so close,” he said. “They were less than 300 yards away from getting into North Man-O-War Channel. You have to know how to navigate that reef. The reef is on either side of the channel that comes in and the channel is almost about three and a quarter miles wide and it takes you into what’s called the sea of Abaco. “They were on the outer boundary of the channel coming in and if they got passed that reef they would’ve been inside the sea of Abaco. There are only certain places you could come through and if you trying to come in at night and don’t know the direction to come in from, it’s problematic. It’s like 40 feet reef that comes straight to the surface.” Mr Albury believes that while the survivors
successfully swam to a cay, those who drowned away from the wreckage were likely swimmers who didn’t get to land in time. “They probably went in the wrong direction,” he said. “They probably made it halfway because they were in the sea of Abaco but they drowned. All of the other people found between late Saturday night and this morning were right next to the boat so they drowned immediately.” The experience has been traumatising for Mr Albury. “I had a young boy with me, one of my employees and I don’t think he slept last night, just traumatised,” he said. “We have to somehow get the message out. I wanted to say, ‘let’s send a picture of the six dead bodies on the back of my boat, thrown in atop each other to Haiti so people could see what happens when you make this journey.’ I want to say ‘listen, if you decide
to get in a boat and come to The Bahamas, this is what might end up happening to you.’” Rescuers on Saturday included officials from the United States Coast Guard, volunteers from Hope Town Fire and Rescue and officers from the RBDF. “Luckily there was a defence force vessel already here because we didn’t have anywhere to put the survivors,” Mr Albury said. Yesterday, officials were challenged with determining where to put the dead bodies because the morgue on the island was full. It took hours before the bodies that were brought ashore were removed and taken elsewhere. The incident was the deadliest migrant shipwreck in Bahamian waters since 2013 when at least 30 Haitians perished on an overloaded boat headed for the United States. At the time, 110 people
were rescued, including 19 women. The Department of Immigration declined to let The Tribune interview survivors yesterday. Immigration Director Clarence Russell said: “All retrieved persons from the incident on Abaco are suspects in what might
eventually be charges of homicide once a captain and/or mate is identified. Until the police have concluded their investigations into this most tragic event, no suspect from said incident will be interviewed by any non-governmental official.” Editorial Comment - Page 4
PAGE 4, Monday, February 4, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
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What can we learn from tragedy? WHAT must it take? To board a boat overloaded with others and take to the sea for day after day in the hope of a new life. What must it take? The first sign of the disaster that struck off the shore of Abaco was seen on Saturday morning. Tourists saw two floating bodies and sent out a mayday. As rescuers arrived, the full picture of the disaster became horrifyingly clear. Survivors say there were 45 people on board the boat that was torn in half when it struck the reef off Abaco on Friday night. In the dark, those on board scrambled to survive. Only 17 did. Rescuers found themselves hampered as they tried to help those in trouble by tiger sharks circling the wreckage, feeding on those who didn’t make it out. Even those who survived were in a weak state, dehydrated by days at sea without enough drinking water. For those who died, a further sadness is that their bodies will go unclaimed. Family members in The Bahamas who come forward know they may have to answer awkward questions, as well as take on the cost of the funeral. These are the dangers these migrants face, each one, as they board the boats that head northwest towards our islands. Even with this tragedy, will that stop the boats? Will that stop the migrants? Or will the need to escape the life they have in Haiti keep driving this migration? We applaud the efforts of Dr Jean Paul Charles, the president of the
League of Haitian Churches, to raise awareness of the hazards that migrants will face, even as he recognises the difficulty of discouraging people from making the trip. “As much as we do to spread our message, people will still risk their lives to come… so many people have died, lost their lives.” Against that, we wish the government was more forthcoming in speaking about the tragic loss of so many lives. These may not be Bahamian citizens, they may have sailed into our shores from elsewhere, but the loss of lives must not be felt any less. We also wish the government would speak out on behalf of the rescuers, for those who worked to save people’s lives while surrounded by the most gruesome of scenes. Of course, the greatest way to make a difference is to make a substantial change in Haiti itself, to bolster a nation still scarred by the after-effects of disasters both natural and man-made. That may be beyond the powers of our solitary nation – but the world together can see the consequences of some of its own intervention. The worst of this boat tragedy is that it likely won’t be the last. Will it make a difference in how we tackle the problem of migrants trying to improve their lives even by risking them? Will it make us reach out with more compassion to ask our neighbour how we can all change things for the better? What must it take?
Exhausted credit cards EDITOR, The Tribune Prince George Wharf Cruise Port Management- It seems there are some very high stakes in the current RFP from the Ministry…those seemingly bidding are certainly trying their hardest to influence those who have zero influence…Joe public! What a laugh. Positioning - lobbying what a waste of everyone’s time as there is singularly one and solely one issue.
Whoever can guarantee we receive more boats very early on their itinerary rather than being the usual except for the three-day econ-cruises, if possible and might a condition of winning this RFP - guarantee at least three-mega ships in Nassau port on the first or least second port of call of the cruise out of the US. Anything less a total waste of time…we are going to get a two-three percent natural increase as
the boats are getting larger and larger but that means nothing if the Nassau port of call is the last but one or worse the last port of call - take it from research the cruise takers are by then broke - credit cards exhausted as also the debit cards. The bidders who cannot guarantee this, need not bid. H GIBSON Nassau, January 16, 2019.
Thanks to the many who helped rebuild St Mark’s EDITOR, The Tribune IT IS with great humility that I embrace Diane Phillip’s heart-warming article The Fall and Rise of St. Mark’s. Diane is a gifted, compassionate writer who has so eloquently captured a time of great fear, an unknown future, and the faith and spirit of Anita Collie Pratt and her neighbours on Acklins in the bullseye of Hurricane Joaquin. Thank you for your role in publishing this article as I believe it imperative to not only keep the issue in the forefront as, indeed, there is still work to be done but, further, to share with our fellow Bahamians the difference a group of people with the desire to help can make. Kenny Cargill was a major driving force behind the restoration and I would like to share with you the names of the other
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net Bahamas Hurricane Restoration Fund members who – in their own niches – tirelessly laboured to raise funds, raise awareness, provide hands-on relief during our visits to the ravaged island, down to the administration of and activation of all the tasks that faced us. Together, our little team was compelled to help our neighbouring island rebuild and develop St. Mark’s as their Island Arc — a beacon of hope and safety for Acklins future. Our Board of Directors: Betsy Dingman, Chairman, David Munoz, Vice Chairman, Lacy Garcia Roosevelt, President and Secretary, Odetta Grant Morton, Treasurer. Our Advisory Board: Jean Chalopin, Chairman,
Bettina Anderon, Jessica Malms, Katrina Vanderlip Perlberg. Our Committee Members (in various capacities): Kenny Cargill, Tanya Melich Crone, Alannah Ginns, Gevon Moss, Peter Whitehead Jr.,Lacy Garcia Roosevelt, Katrina Vanderlip Perlberg, Michael Huffstetler, Cedric Storr. I am eternally grateful for the beautiful article and felt compelled to share my story of an amazing group of people who selflessly came together, pulling out all the stops, to help our fellow Bahamians in their time of need. Again, thank you for keeping the awareness of post-storm needs alive and in the forefront as it takes many, many years for our citizens to rebuild their lives and their homes. BETSY DINGMAN Nassau, February 3, 2019.
Lunacy we should have avoided EDITOR, The Tribune
A SCANT 54 days into his Prime Ministership in 2017, a buoyant Hubert Minnis went to Grenada on what was his foreign policy debut. Giddy from the adulation he got from his fellow University of the West Indies graduates as they welcomed the Bahamas (a petulant prodigal son) back into the fold, Minnis declared to the 38th Conference of Heads of Government that he was hitching our horse to Caricom’s wagon. “Our people need us to work together to harness the tremendous mutual potential of the region while facing shared challenges,” he declared. As he spoke those words Foreign Minister Darren Henfield must have been outside the hall because Henfield’s actions recently only prove he is either tone deaf to the agenda set by his PM (and presumably the Cabinet) or he thinks Caricom is a sacrificial lamb that can be offered up whenever we are stuck between our brothers to the south and our cousins to the northwest. The Bahamas has had a lovehate relationship with Venezuela that goes back decades. We loved it when they invested in BORCO on Grand Bahama via their national oil company and we hated it when the renegade coup
leader Hugo Chavez tried to buy Caricom’s love by splashing out oil revenues. But we remained friends with Venezuela and interacted with them on both the bilateral and multilateral levels. Venezuela shares a somewhat contentious land border with Caricom, the origins of which date back to 1841 and Britain’s then colony of Guyana. Trinidad and Tobago is less than seven miles off the northeast coast of Venezuela. On a good day you can stand at Chaguaramas, site of the signing of the original treaty of Caricom, and peer across the Gulf of Paria into the Peninsula of the Paria National Park in Venezuela. Equally disturbing is that in July 2001 the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, the legal basis for Caricom, was signed in Nassau. That revision contained the Treaty on Security Assistance Among Caricom Member States. It’s a loose adaptation of the three Musketeers principle – one for all and all for one. The Treaty has provision for 21 “Forces Commanders” inclusive of the Chief of Staff of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police Force. The situation on Caricom’s southern border has been deteriorating for some time, and thousands of Venezuelan refugees have flooded into Guyana and Trinidad.
Days after he was installed to a second term as President of Venezuela in January, the inept Nicholas Maduro faced a domestic kerfuffle when the elected leader of the National Assembly declared that as leader of the opposition, he was the new leader of Venezuela. On most days this would be a laughable prank. There is no provision for it in international law. By Venezuela’s constitution the next in line to the President is the Vice President and after the VP then the head of the National Assembly. If he was a true democrat, he would realize that toppling Maduro only opened the door for the Vice President and, presumably, a continuation of the same failed policies that have impoverished Venezuelans. But in the era of Donald Trump in the US, anything is possible. Mr. Trump, beset with personal legal problems and presiding over a completely dysfunctional government bickering over the lockout of some of their employees, decided to distract the world by recognizing this jokey Venezuelan who crowned himself King. Caricom was having none of it and immediately sprang into action. Currently, the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis sits in the chair of the Heads
of Government Group, but he wisely deferred to Trinidad and Tobago to take the lead in drafting Caricom’s response, since they were close to the problem. Dr. Keith Rowley organized a video conference with all Caricom leaders but surprisingly only two countries didn’t join the call – us and Haiti. Without us Caricom is resolute in staying out of the internal affairs of a sovereign country. Strangely this was, until now, the settled foreign policy of The Bahamas. But then our clueless Foreign Minister “recognized” the opposition leader as President of Venezuela and upset the whole diplomatic apple cart. We will never know what led to this ridiculous decision, but we do know that the government must reconsider its position and the Prime Minister must take direct control of what comes out of the second floor at the Goodman’s Bay Corporate Centre. A comedy of errors must have led to this decision which is the biggest post-independent stain on our foreign policy. How could a country that is a champion of human rights for all, so carelessly stomp on international law? Where were the diplomats who ought to have talked Mr Henfield out of this lunacy? In one stroke Mr Henfield undermined the leverage the
Prime Minister won in Caricom. This is far worse than when Fred Mitchell attempted to split Caricom over his reckless support of a British woman who became secretary general of the Commonwealth over a more qualified Caricom diplomat. Without us Caricom is pursuing a thoughtful policy with two prongs -- non-intervention in Venezuela alongside robust Caricom diplomacy, joined now by Mexico and Uruguay. When they went to New York to brief the UN Secretary General on the matter Dr Minnis was absent. Now Trinidad’s diplomacy is gaining traction with the international community and we are on the outside of our own club, looking in. PM Minnis needs to fix this. Embarrassing though it might be, we need to reverse course and observe non-interference in the affairs of others. At the same time our advocacy for the poor and starving people of Venezuela must be relentless. Perhaps there is a Cabinet shuffle coming soon, but at the very least the PM must dispatch a minder to the Foreign Ministry to prevent Mr Henfield tripping over his shoe lace again. THE GRADUATE Nassau February 3, 2019
THE TRIBUNE from page one for January, and then. in 24 hours we had another three.” However, she added there’s “no sign of connection” between the three killings. Around 11pm on Friday, a man was shot outside a bar on Miami Street, off Cordeaux Avenue. Around 3am Saturday, another man was shot off Rosedale and Mackey Streets. Shortly before 7am Saturday, a third man was shot off Fritz Lane. All three men were pronounced dead at the crime scenes. According to Supt Bosfield, the first two victims were in their 30s and the last was in his 20s. She added all three victims were known to police but said police don’t have any “exact suspects” at this time. The killings brought the country’s murder count to six for the year. In the first incident, shortly before 11pm on Friday, a man was standing outside a bar on Miami Street, off Cordeaux Avenue, when he was approached by a group of men, police said. One of these men was armed with a firearm, shot the victim and fled.
Monday, February 4, 2019, PAGE 5
After three murders in the whole of January, there are three within 24 hours before speeding away”. He was pronounced dead at the scene. In reference to the nonfatal shootings, according to police, the first occurred shortly after 9pm on Friday, at New Hope Drive, Joan Heights. The victim was “approached by a male on a bicycle, who produced a firearm and shot him, before speeding away.” Shortly after 2am on Saturday, police responded to Patton Street and Rupert Dean Lane, Bain Town, after receiving reports that a man had been shot and was transported to hospital. “Reports are that the victim was sitting in his vehicle in front of his home, when occupants of a blue Honda vehicle opened fire
In the second incident, shortly after 3am on Saturday, police arrived at Rosedale and Mackey Streets after receiving reports of a man being shot. Officers found the man with injuries to his body. Paramedics were called to the scene and attempted to revive him but were unsuccessful. The police noted the deceased had been in an altercation with two men when he was shot, according to “further reports”. The third incident happened shortly before 7am on Saturday. A man was walking on Fritz Lane off East Street when he was approached by the occupants of a grey vehicle, “who opened fired on him, hitting him about the body
in his direction, hitting him, before speeding away,” police said. Police are appealing to members of the public who may have information that can assist with these investigations to contact the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991/2, Crime stoppers at 328-TIPS (8477) or the nearest police station. • Police said last night are investigating a shooting incident on St. Charles Vincent Street, which has left an adult male with injuries, in hospital. No one else was injured. The incident is believed to have taken place after 9pm. No further details were confirmed at the time of going to press. Investigations are ongoing.
I’M GOING TO TAKE GOVT TO COURT - PRITON CHIEF By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
THE company at the centre of a heated parliamentary row last week is suing the government for non-payment. Documents concerning the engagement of Priton Bahamas Limited to do work in a Carmichael Road subdivision were tabled by Housing Minister Romauld Ferreira last week following a heated back and forth with former Works Minister Philip Davis. Priton Bahamas submitted an invoice for completed work in the
amount of $2,192,019.84; however, a valuation undertaken by the Ministry of Public Works purports that only $367,288.61 worth of work could be proven. The ministry recommended the bill be heavily reduced. An invoice for $4,744,359.41 from Priton was also tabled in Parliament. It was dated December 31, 2018 and notes this money was owed as of January 1, 2019. Yesterday, Priton Bahamas president Ralph Hanna told The Tribune his lawyers served the
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government with a writ last month, and declined further comment. “We have served the government with a writ related to non-payment,” Mr Hanna said. “They are protected by parliamentary privilege when they debate in there,” he added, “I am not.” Mr Hanna said his company has no affiliation with Turks and Caicos-based construction company Priton Development, which constructs pre-fab homes; however, he noted they did use their base building systems after perfecting
HOUSING Minister Romauld Ferreira tabled documents last week
“the problems that they had”. Responding to the documents last Wednesday, Mr Davis said the manner in which they were table imputed to him, some level of dishonourable conduct in his capacity as former works minister. Mr Davis went on to say that he was unaware of any such transaction when he held the post, insisting that Mr Ferreira had, in a sense, breached his privilege and misled the House of Assembly. The matter was referred to the House of Assembly’s Committee of Privilege for review.
PAGE 6, Monday, February 4, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
THE FRANK SMITH TRIAL
Government to appeal acquittal, confirms Bethel from page one The government has indicated it will appeal her ruling. Dr Sands declined comment on the matter yesterday. While making clear he did not wish to comment on the chief magistrate’s ruling, Mr Dames took exception to opposition calls for his resignation. He stressed Mr Smith’s case - for his part - did not have any special political significance over the scores of other matters under his ministerial remit, and pledged to continue his mandate against corruption. “As far as I was concerned,” Mr Dames said, “I was called to give evidence, I gave to the best of my ability. I will not speak to that case, I don’t want it to even be perceived that one case to me is more important than the others because it isn’t. “I don’t investigate matters, at one time I did, but my job as minister is to ensure that we provide those who investigate and prosecute with tools to create policies that will allow it to happen.” On Friday, the chief magistrate acquitted and discharged Mr Smith of all 15 criminal charges after finding fault with numerous “inconsistencies” and “discrepancies” in the Crown’s case, which she further said was “undermined” by its own witnesses. Mr Dames continued: “I’ve never met Mrs Hanna. I don’t know Mrs Hanna, never met her before she came to me. As I said before I referred her to the police, that was the extent of my interaction. So it’s clear that now that a ruling has been made. The opposition wants to play politics with it, that’s not my business, that’s not my concern. “I am a minister of national security,” Mr Dames said, “and part of my remit is to ensure the people of this country are safe and we bring some level of resect back to the nation. The Bahamian people continue to say the level of corruption is way too high, I take that seriously. As long as I sit in this office, I will do whatever it
FRANK SMITH, left, with his father-in-law, Sir Franklyn Wilson and wife, Sharlyn Smith after being acquitted last Friday. takes within the framework of the law to ensure we address this problem of corruption in this country.” Mr Dames further criticised what he felt to be the Progressive Liberal Party’s capitalisation on the recent ruling for political expediency, which he termed a “sad indictment”. When questioned by The Tribune whether the ruling presented a setback to the government’s anti-corruption track, Mr Dames said: “The magistrate ruled, that’s not for me to say. I gave my evidence and I gave as transparent as I possibly can and I’ve been doing it for decades. I’m not playing the game of the old politics and tricks that some politicians continue to play. It’s not for me to do an assessment.”
OUSIDE court last week are attorney Valentine Grimes, former PLP leader Perry Christie and PLP leader Philip Davis. Mr Dames added: “A ruling has been made. We’ll see what the next steps are, I’m not going to comment on a case because that’s not how I look at it. We have a serious problem in this country with corruption and at the highest level. When it involves the young man
(from the) Over-the-Hill community no one cares, but all of a sudden one case brings everybody out to say ‘oh this is politically driven.’ “What we as leaders in this country should be doing is looking at how we can use our voices to make this country a better place,
Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
to make it a more respected country, to work together in unison to reduce the level of corruption and violence that persists at all levels. I don’t see no one running to the rescue of the small man, what about him?” Attorney General Carl Bethel confirmed the government intends to appeal the judge’s decision to throw out bribery and extortion charges against Mr Smith. Mr Bethel declined further comment on the matter, telling The Tribune the ruling would be canvassed in the context of the government’s appeal as had been indicated by the Director of Public Prosecutions Garvin Gaskin. However, the attorney general did address opposition calls for a review
into his ethical conduct. At a press conference on Sunday, PLP leader Philip Davis insisted the matter should have been dropped long before it reached the “no-case submission” stage. To this, Mr Bethel said: “As a senior lawyer and parliamentarian, (Mr Davis) he should be in the best position to remember that he himself participated in vote of Parliament which legislated the only person lawfully entitled to discontinue a criminal matter is the director of public prosecutions. “(Mr Davis) He should not allow his wish to condemn ministers to cloud his legal judgement when making a public statement,” Mr Bethel added, “it does not sit well with him.”
THERE ARE GROUNDS FOR A CIVIL SUIT - DAVIS By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net
OPPOSITION leader Philip “Brave” Davis said yesterday there are grounds for a civil suit to be considered in the aftermath of the exoneration of former PLP Senator Frank Smith, although he added Mr Smith cannot be “compensated monetarily” for the ordeal he and his family have experienced. Mr Davis made these remarks yesterday during a press conference held at the Progressive Liberal Party’s headquarters, where he also doubled down on calls for the resignation of the Cabinet ministers who were involved in the bribery case – Health Minister Dr Duane Sands and National Security Minister Marvin Dames. Mr Davis also called for further scrutiny of the Office of the Attorney General in the aftermath of Mr Smith’s acquittal. On Friday, Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt acquitted and discharged Mr Smith of all 15 criminal charges after finding fault with numerous “inconsistencies” and “discrepancies” in the Crown’s case, which she further said was “undermined” by its own witnesses. When asked yesterday if there are grounds for a civil suit to be considered, Mr Davis replied: “There are grounds and I think efforts are now being made to review the approach that they’ll take. Counsel are now being instructed to look at the evidence as has been had. “I think it’s very important to get the written script, the written
judgment of the magistrate to aid in preparation of any case for malicious prosecution and the like going forward. And I think that might be the only, last piece of the puzzle, for counsel to give its proper advice on the way forward in respect to the damage to reputation incurred to Frank Smith, and of course the…uncertainty and anxiety visited upon his family over the last year with respect to this matter. “He cannot be compensated monetarily for it but I think… just for the purposes of the principle, to ensure things like this never happen again. This is (a) complete departure from the norm.” Regarding any possible parliamentary action, Mr Davis said: “We have not caucused on what action we will take in Parliament as yet, (with) regard to this. “This is our first step towards ensuring that the administration with justice could remain pure. And for it to remain pure, we have to purge the filthy water that (is) now flowing through a stream.” In her ruling, Chief Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt criticised both Dr Sands and Mr Dames for the “egregious” way in which they interacted with principle witness Barbara Hanna prior to a police investigation into her claims, charging that their conduct gave the appearance of a “political flavour to a curious bystander.” In the wake of these remarks, Mr Davis called for their resignations, saying it is cause for concern that ministers were “. . .acting out what seems to be a predetermined script written to fulfil a political narrative on corruption that was false from the start.” “The learned magistrate
PLP leader Philip Davis talkiing after Frank Smith’s acquittal on Friday. recalled how the minister of health had been given a campaign contribution by the virtual complainant (Ms Hanna) by the minister’s own admission under oath,” Mr Davis said. “The virtual complainant had a pending application for an extremely lucrative contract before the Public Hospital Authority, and based on sworn evidence, (Dr Sands approved) . . .that very lucrative contract and not the board. The board had concerns about this award and referred the process of the award to the internal auditor to investigate for impropriety.” Quoting the magistrate’s criticisms, Mr Davis said if these ministers do not step down on their own, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis should fire them. “He must fire them,” Mr Davis said. “We have made the call today. We say if they don’t do it of their own volition then the
prime minister must act. If the prime minister then (does) not act, then we know how to lump them all.” Mr Davis also criticised the Office of the Attorney General. “The behaviour of the attorney general must also be reviewed and appropriate actions taken in accordance with generally accepted principles of ethical conduct having regard to the outturn of this case and specifically the cited conduct of his office during the Frank Smith case. “Concerning the conduct of the attorney general, I note that lawyers are bound to act as ministers of justice before the courts,” Mr Davis continued. “There is no doubt in my mind that both the attorney general and the lead counsel for the Crown should have stopped this case before it reached the stage of a no-case submission. “This is certainly an issue to
look into to determine whether the attention of the ethics committee of the Bar Council should be engaged.” Mr Davis went on to say this matter reflects the “moral and ethical character” of everyone from the nation’s leader to the “ordinary back bencher” of the Free National Movement. “It appears that they are willing to do anything to win an election, even if it means exacting victor’s justice on their political opponents,” he said. “They would use the law and the police to exact vengeance on their political opponents.” Regarding whether this could set a precedent for any future incidents of Cabinet ministers being hauled before the courts should the PLP be elected, Mr Davis said he could not speak to that at this time. “All I could say to you is this: We follow the law. What they have done is a complete departure from the norm. They did not follow the law. That’s why the magistrate could have remarked that the process…was inappropriate. “So we will follow the law. There will be no filthy water contaminating our stream of justice.” He also provided the media with copies of a letter he sent to Dr Minnis on July 18, 2017, regarding the arrests of former Deputy Speaker Dion Smith and former PLP Housing Minister Ken Dorsett. In the letter, Mr Davis noted: “There are consequences for these things too. And mark me well: the persons responsible for what I had described will one day stand before the bar of justice to answer for what they have done — and are still doing.”
THE TRIBUNE
By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net FORMER PLP Senator Frank Smith was acquitted of all charges in his bribery and extortion trial on Friday, after the chief magistrate found that a case had not been made against him sufficiently to require her to compel him to answer to the allegations. Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt acquitted and discharged Mr Smith of all 15 criminal charges after finding fault with numerous “inconsistencies” and “discrepancies” in the Crown’s case, which she further said was “undermined” by its own witnesses. In particular, the chief magistrate said there were “inherent inconsistencies” throughout the evidence of the main prosecution witness in the matter, Barbara Hanna, and that her claims were “manifestly unreliable” and ran contrary to “reason and all common sense”. Chief Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt also criticised both Health Minister Dr Duane Sands and National Security Minister Marvin Dames for the “egregious” way in which they interacted with Mrs Hanna prior to a police investigation into her claims, charging that their conduct gave the appearance of a “political flavour to a curious bystander”. The chief magistrate especially criticised how a “serving member of Parliament” and Cabinet minister, Dr Sands, “entertained” Mrs Hanna in the circumstances despite her contributing some $300 towards his political campaign in the lead up to the 2017 general election. She further commented on how Dr Sands approved a $1.9m contract for Mrs Hanna’s business without the approval of the Public Hospitals Authority’s (PHA) board of directors, at a time he said he was fully aware that Mrs Hanna was a contributor to his most recent campaign. And, she said she could not “overlook” the fact that Dr Sands admitted Mrs Hanna told him about Mr Smith’s alleged acts of extortion sometime in November 2016, which he never reported to the police. Instead, Dr Sands referred the matter to Mr Dames, who ultimately met with the woman at his Mt Moriah constituency office between late May/ early June of 2017. However, the chief magistrate noted even the Crown’s lead attorney said Mr Dames could have found a more discreet venue to meet Mrs Hanna over her concerns other than his constituency office. She thus said the events that took place prior to the investigative phase of the matter involving both Cabinet ministers was “wholly inappropriate, to state it mildly”. “The conduct of the minister responsible for the police agreeing to meet the complainant instead of directing his colleague to refer the complaint to the commissioner of police is unorthodox to say the least,” Chief Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt said. “I sit as a judicial officer. I call it as I see it. I have no interest one way or the other. I remind myself of an ancient legal maxim. ‘Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done.’” The judge also said both Dr Sands’ and Mr Dames’ evidence, much like those given by the other key Crown witnesses in the matter, did not advance the prosecution’s case, as they all gave evidence of what Mrs Hanna said to them that she either never said in evidence, nor gave to the police during her initial interview. “On the whole, having considered the prosecution’s case, it is the opinion of this court, that the principle Crown’s witness, Barbara Hanna, is not credible,” the chief magistrate said.
Monday, February 4, 2019, PAGE 7
THE FRANK SMITH TRIAL
NO CASE TO ANSWER Claims by main prosecution witness were ‘manifestly unreliable’ and ‘ran contrary to reason and all common sense’, says magistrate FORMER PLP Senator Frank Smith speaking to the media after he was acquitted of all charges in his bribery and corruption trial last Friday.
“The court, having regard to Barbara Hanna’s demeanour and on her cross-examination, found her to be discredited and her evidence manifestly unreliable. Together with the inconsistencies and discrepancies and the key prosecution witnesses as a whole, in the circumstances, I do not consider that a sufficient case has been made out against the accused to call upon him to lead a defence.” She subsequently invited Mr Smith to stand, after which she declared: “Mr Smith, I hereby acquit and discharge you of all charges.” Mr Smith’s supporters in the courtroom, which included former Prime Minister Perry Christie and former Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald, clapped and cheered after the ruling, though they were warned to maintain their silence as the proceedings had not yet concluded. Mr Smith, in speaking with reporters after the ruling, did not comment much about being exonerated, though he offered his thanks to God, his wife, his family, his legal team and PLP Leader Philip “Brave” Davis, whom he dubbed “prime minister in waiting whenever the next election is called.” Mr Smith instead deferred to his lead attorney Keith Knight, QC, pictured above, to address the media for him. However, he indicated that there would be “many, many opportunities” to speak about what happened in the near future. Mr Knight, meanwhile, asserted that Mr Smith should be compensated for “all that he has suffered” as a result of the entire ordeal, which began in July 2017 when he was first arraigned on the charges. The Jamaican attorney also charged that persons in “authority” should “take heed” to observations that have been made of the way Mr Smith’s case was conducted, and asserted that the country’s judicial system could otherwise be reduced to a “laughing stock.” “For all that he has suffered, for so long, somebody ought to take some responsibility and insofar as money can repair his reputation, then there ought to be an appropriate sum, not that he should sue for, but should be offered to him as a settlement, and as a demonstration that there are still those who feel that when a citizen has been wronged, then something ought to be done to repair the reputation of
that injured person,” Mr Knight said. He added: “This is a finding not of not guilty, this is a situation where the end result today has shown innocence in Frank Smith. ‘Not guilty’ means a charge isn’t proved. ‘Innocence’ means that the charge should never have been launched, and what was launched could never ever result in a conviction. “And I hope for the sake of the Bahamas, that those in authority take heed because some observations have been made which, if not stemmed, then it will make the justice system in the Bahamas be a laughing stock. Justice is important to the survival of a democracy.” Meanwhile, former PLP Cabinet minister George Smith, Mr Smith’s uncle, lamented the Crown’s decision to fly in an English attorney in Edward Jenkins, QC, and pay him a reported $40,000 a day to “use the resources of the state to prosecute and to persecute a citizen of The Bahamas.” “I think that on behalf of our family, Sir Franklyn and Lady Wilson, my brother Richard and his darling wife, Elisa, and all of us, we Smiths and we Wilsons, when they messed with Frank, they took on the wrong people,” Mr Smith said. “…You’ll be hearing a lot about this over the weeks and months ahead.” In July of 2017, Smith was arraigned before the chief magistrate on 13 counts of extortion, and one count each of attempted extortion and bribery. It was alleged that between April 2016 and April 2017, in respect of his duties as a public officer, Mr Smith demanded and obtained $5,000 per month from Mrs Hanna, knowing that he was not lawfully authorised to do so. He was also alleged to have attempted to extort another $5,000 from Ms Hanna in May 2017. Concerning the bribery charge, it was alleged that he solicited $5,000 a month from Mrs Hanna for aiding her in getting a contract with the PHA. According to the evidence led at trial, in March of 2016, Mrs Hanna’s cleaning company, Magic Touch, was awarded a $500,000 contract by the PHA to clean the Critical Care Block (CCB) of the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH). Mr Smith chaired the PHA at the time. After she was awarded the contract, Mr Smith was alleged to have contacted her and requested a meeting. At that meeting, Mr Smith was said to have demanded the sum of $5,000 from Mrs Hanna. After receiving her first contract payment, Mrs
Hanna said she satisfied Mr Smith’s demand, believing it to be a one-time payment. Upon doing so, however, she claimed she was told she had to make monthly payments in that amount. Mrs Hanna subsequently paid Mr Smith the $5,000 every month between March 2016 and April 2017, save for August 2016, according to the now-rejected evidence. The Crown further alleged that a subsequent request for payment was made in May of 2017; however, Mrs Hanna refused that request because Mr Smith’s political party, the PLP was no longer in power. However, the Crown, later said that Mrs Hanna’s
assertion that she met with Mr Smith in March of 2016 after she was awarded the $500,000 contract was a “simple mistake”, and instead asserted that she met with Mr Smith in March of 2015. However, the chief magistrate noted on Friday that there was not “one scintilla of evidence” to suggest that Mrs Hanna met with Mr Smith prior to December of 2015, and further charged that the Crown’s effort at trying to establish that the two met in 2015 “casts further serious doubt on whether the conversation ever took place.” Chief Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt further noted that there was “force” in
Mr Knight’s previous argument that if the alleged extortion or bribery was taking place concerning a contract worth $500,000 annually, then it is likely that a similar arrangement would have been entered into for the award of the $2m contract Mrs Hanna unsuccessfully bid for to clean the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre (SRC) around the same time she was allegedly paying Mr Smith $5,000. Mr Knight had submitted that to prove that his client is an “innocent man”, a “dishonest person” would have taken advantage of that situation to “enrich himself” by ensuring Mrs Hanna got the $2m contract, just so he or she could tax her even more money on the back end because they would have known she’s a “willing participant.” The chief magistrate concurred with that submission on Friday, stating: “The circumstances presented an opportunity for the accused to extort her further, knowing, according to her evidence, that she was susceptible. It would not be unreasonable to be of the view that having not seized or attempted to seize upon this opportunity supports the proposition that the allegations by (Mrs Hanna) are false.” Damian Gomez, QC and Philip McKenzie assisted Mr Knight in Mr Smith’s defence. Kendra Kelly and AlLeecia Delany assisted Mr Jenkins in representing the Crown in the matter.
A Funeral service for the late Yves Victor Lourdin, age 66 of Lyford Cay, Nassau, The Bahamas, who died peacefully at his residence, on Friday 1st February, 2019, will be held at St. Paul The Apostle Catholic Church, Lyford Cay, Nassau, on Tuesday, 5th February, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. Reverend Kendrick J. Forbes will officiate. Yves Victor Lourdin was born in Geneva, Switzerland on May 15th, 1952. On June 27st of 1977, he married Matty Cecilia Morales in Nicaragua, after having met in London, three months earlier. In his early years, he completed military school in Switzerland, and became an officer in the Swiss Army in 1975.Yves started his banking career with Banque Pictet et Cie in Geneva as a young man and soon after, in the year of 1978, at the age of 25, he and his wife moved to Nassau. A mere four years later he became the Managing Director of Pictet Bank & Trust Limited, a position he held for many years until he finally retired as President & Managing Director as well as Equity Partner in December 2015. In 2016 he became the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pictet Bank & Trust Limited. Over the course of his distinguished career, Yves earned many awards culminating with the Bahamas Financial Services Board’s Lifetime Achievement Award in Financial Services which he proudly accepted in 2016. During this period, he and Matty raised their three children, Sabrine, Alizée and Yves-André in their adopted country, the Bahamas. Yves was fond of the outdoors and was an avid sportsman. He enjoyed tennis, cycling, fishing, boating and skiing. He considered the Bahamas the perfect place for his lifestyle. He touched the hearts of many and considered himself a local. Nassau has always been and will continue to be home to his family. He will be loving remembered by his wife, Matty Lourdin; his three children, Sabrine, Alizee and Yves-Andre Lourdin as well as his granddaughter, Sienna Blohorn. In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be sent to the Cancer Society of The Bahamas, P.O. Box S.S. 6539, Nassau in memory of Mr. Yves Victor Lourdin. Arrangements by Kemp's Funeral Home Limited.
PAGE 8, Monday, February 4, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
Coast Guard suspends hunt for veterinarian’s aircraft THE US Coast Guard suspended its search yesterday for a Piper Saratoga aircraft with two people aboard that crashed into the ocean 23 miles east of Palm Beach on Friday. The plane was said to be heading to Marsh Harbour, Abaco when it headed into a thunderstorm and crashed around 1pm. Two dogs were also said to be on board. Friends and family have identified the people on board as Ken Simmons and his wife Alice. According to a statement posted to Twitter, the Coast Guard said it conducted maritime and aerial searches for more than 32 hours and concentrated in an area of 1,164 square nautical miles before calling off the search. Numerous other searches were conducted by the Palm Beach Sheriff Office and partner agencies, the agency noted. “Suspending a search is one of the most difficult decisions we ever have to make, and it is never made lightly,” said Capt
VET Ken Simmons has been missing since the aircraft he was on with his wife Alice went down. Mark Vlaun, deputy commander of Coast Guard Sector Miami. “We have been in
regular contact with the family members throughout our search efforts and extend our sympathies for
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what we know is a very difficult time for them.” The Coast Guard began searching after its seventh
district command centre watchstanders received notification from the Federal Aviation
Administration on Friday the Piper Saratoga aircraft with two people aboard went down 23 miles east of Palm Beach. Dr Simmons, a longtime Palm Beach County veterinarian, would often pilot his own plane to pick up pet patients from the Bahamas, according to Florida media outlets. “Just heard very upsetting news,” a friend of the pilot posted to Facebook yesterday. ‘Kenneth Simmons, DVM, and his wife died in a plane crash on Friday night. Ken was a longtime friend and my vet since 1990. He was always on top of his business and cared for my dogs as if they were his own. I trusted him implicitly. He sold his practice several years ago and I missed having him caring for my dogs. RIP Ken Simmons. You will be dearly missed.” A neighbour, Candace Neff, told CBS12 News: “He was a vet. He helped us a lot with when our animals were hurt or injured. He just takes them in and makes it better.”
FOURTH JOAN THOMPSON LECTURE THE fourth annual Joan Thompson Memorial Freedom Lecture featuring Dr Richard Ebeling, Ph.,D. will be held on Friday, March 1, at Choices Restaurant, University of The Bahamas. Dr Ebeling‘s topic will be “Why the global economy needs more freedom and less government.” Economic globalisation, he contends, has successfully raised billions of people out of poverty by creating opportunities for employment, production and trading worldwide. The key to this success has
been relatively free markets that have unleashed incentives for work, savings and investment through personal liberty and freedom of choice. But the current antiglobalization sentiments and government policies threaten to slow down and possibly reverse the trend toward growing prosperity for all of humanity. “Tariff wars, increased government regulations and intensified immigration barriers will hinder the continued betterment of everyone, especially the poorest in the world.”
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2019
THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS
No more dangling carrots please, it’s time to deliver By MALCOLM STRACHAN
T
HE general commentary after the prime minister’s first official address of the year last week was that it was underwhelming. It lacked detail of how Bahamians would truly benefit. Despite indicating a major focus of the government was economic growth and expansion, it felt like what we’ve always had from Dr Hubert Minnis’ administration – dangling of carrots for some point in the future. However, with two years nearly in the rear view of this administration and no benefit to the country that can be directly attributed to the government’s work, it is difficult not to ask at which point the Bahamian people will be able to feel the trickle-down effect. Although the prime minister touted the 6.7 percent decrease in discouraged workers, a material increase in unemployment from May to November last year still causes there to be much concern because in a real sense more people are without jobs. What the Bahamian people truly need is for the government to embrace the present. Too often, we see shifting goal posts. And while the prime minister’s address was informative about prospects for jobs on the horizon, how does that assist the unemployed Bahamian today? Two years is more than enough time to effect this form of change. It has also become evident the government understands the importance that what it does this year will either make it or break it. Even staunch FNM supporters are regretting they voted in the current administration and are dreading the lack of a viable alternative before the next election. Fully aware of this, this FNM government has targeted the Family Islands to buoy its re-election hopes – as seen by the prime minister’s tours throughout the islands where he has conducted a number of political rally-syle town meetings. He has also created a great deal of excitement with some of the job prospects outlined through the various developments he announced in his address.
PRIME Minister Hubert Minnis making his first official address of the year last week. However, without any timelines for when these projects may start or when the jobs will become available, the Bahamian people are again reaching for those illusive carrots. Likewise, citizens may become more encouraged about the prospects of one day getting a job, but prospects do not satisfy bill collectors. People need a real means of income to take care of their families and financial responsibilities – not just in the Family Islands, but throughout the entire Bahamas. And while some leaders do a great job of building up enough goodwill with an electorate that they hang on to every word they say, this government has not done so. For example, the Minnis administration’s hard stance on corruption – or rather, lack thereof. As one of the pronouncements when the FNM government came into power, the statement that was powerful enough to send tremors throughout the country was nothing more than empty bravado. After publicly stating his government would be stalwart in its battle against corruption, we have not
seen more than hints from the government of what the anti-corruption legislation will contain. Do you see a trend here? Even after the prime minister attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting and stated The Bahamas loses up to $200m, and a week later upped the ante to $500m at the Summit of the Americas – figures that he has not yet been
able to substantiate – the government has been pedestrian, at best, in tackling corruption. So much so that Transparency International’s most recent statistics indicated the government’s stagnation in its anti-corruption agenda. The greater issue we face is the government has for too long been able to shift expectations further down the road and still garner
support, particularly in Family Island strongholds. However, they too, may lose patience if certain promises aren’t kept this year. Quite often we are able to tell as an electorate which way the pendulum will swing by this pivotal point of a government’s term. And if the government does not do something transformative in 2019, particularly with the economy
and joblessness, it will be a long road to 2022 with the hopes of re-election dissipating right before their eyes. Make no mistake, the government has a good chance to be re-elected if things go near perfect this year. Meeting their revenue goals and being on track for balancing the budget will certainly help, although doubters among the more technical circles exist. Likewise, if an increase in jobs cannot only be seen, but also felt by, the government will be able to live to fight another day – or in this case, another year. Additionally, enforcing and enacting anti-corruption legislation will bolster the government’s chances of being elected for a second term. Simply because of the allegations made by the prime minister on the campaign trail and his public declarations in relation to the outrageous sums the country loses as a result of corruption, this administration will always be linked with promising to stamp out malfeasance. The prime minister has a unique opportunity. In this make or break year, his administration needs to get back to the basics. Create jobs – now, not at some point in the future. Continue to make the country a safer place. Make the economy a vibrant space whereby local businesspeople can exist in an environment that doesn’t stifle but helps their enterprises to grow. And finally, focus on the social fabric of the country and how we can continue to evolve and become a better society.
PAGE 10 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4 2019
T
HE Heads of Government of the independent member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), who met by video conference on January 24 to consider the fast-moving events surrounding Venezuela, demonstrated an independent and principled stance. Absent from the meeting was any representative of The Bahamas and Haiti. It was clear that, collectively, the remaining 12 governments were not allowing themselves to be urged to support any other position than one they took themselves. The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley, summed up the position of CARICOM governments when he said: “We don’t want to end up in the situation where there is conflict and it results in consequences for our region.” The moment was a shining light in Caribbean history. Small though Caribbean countries are, the participating government leaders showed strength and courage in upholding principled positions entirely consistent with international law and the Charters of the United Nations (UN) and the Organisation of American States (OAS), although the latter has been ignored by several hemispheric governments. The effectiveness of their position was clearly manifest when, four days later, UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, met a representative group of CARICOM leaders, including Prime Minsters Mia Mottley, Timothy Harris and Keith Rowley (of Barbados, St Kitts-Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago) and agreed to offer his good offices “to facilitate dialogue and negotiation” between the parties in Venezuela. The UN SecretaryGeneral’s position is a far cry from that of the OAS Secretary-General, Luis Almagro, who, in a marked departure from the role of a Secretary-General, has promoted external intervention including military intervention in Venezuela. The position taken by
INSIGHT
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
Give Uruguay meeting a chance to bring settlement to Venezuela
VENEZUELAN opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has declared himself the interim president A MAN holds a painting depicting President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, speaks to supporters at a nationwide demonstration demanding the resignation and the late President Hugo Chavez, at a pro-government rally in Caracas. of President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas.
World View
By SIR RONALD SANDERS the 12 CARICOM governments was vindicated on January 30 when the governments of Uruguay and Mexico declared that, “by virtue of their neutral position” toward Venezuela, they are organising an
Death Notice For
Katherine Georgina Pearce, 82
of Treasure Cove, died at Princess Margaret Hospital on Wednesday, January 30 2019. Left to treasure her memory are her children, John Pearce and Robert (Irene) Pearce; grandchildren: Zoe, Ethan and Daniel Pearce; siblings: Christopher (Angela) Benson and family, Joanna (Louis)Grammatico and family, and Peggy Benson; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends including: Artemissia Zervos and family, and Collette and Edney Gibson. The family will have a private service.
international conference for February 7 in Uruguay “to lay the foundations for establishing a new mechanism for dialogue that, with the inclusion of all Venezuelan forces, will contribute to restoring stability and peace in the country”. It is good that Mexico and Uruguay have taken this initiative. They have since issued invitations to many countries and international organisations to participate. Undoubtedly, several CARICOM governments will participate in the meeting. It would be good if they did so in a unified way, responding to what is in the best interests of the region. CARICOM leaders on January 24 already laid down a few of the markers that should guide their contributions to the Uruguay meeting. These include: concern about the plight of the people of Venezuela and the increasing volatility of the situation which could lead to further violence, confrontation, breakdown of law and order and greater suffering for the people of the country; respect for sovereignty, adherence to the
rule of law, and respect for human rights and democracy; and commitment to the tenets of Article 2 (4) of the United Nations Charter which calls for Members States to refrain from the threat or the use of force and Article 21 of the Charter of the Organization of American States which refers to territorial inviolability. The “neutrality”, about which the new Mexican government and the government of Uruguay refer, includes not taking sides in the political conflict between the government and opposition parties in Venezuela. I have advocated that position within the Permanent Council of the OAS, as recently as January 24, when I said publicly: “My delegation discourages each member state and every official of this body, at all levels, from taking sides in the internal political situation in Venezuela by any public statements, including tweets. In our view, taking-sides emboldens one side or the other to eschew dialogue and to intensify conflict. It simply prolongs and worsens the situation that now exists”. A search for a sustainable and peaceful settlement to the political impasse in Venezuela, from which everything else has flowed, demands that those governments that decide to gather in Uruguay on February
7, do so with open minds; a willingness to listen to all participants, including every political party in Venezuela; no pre-conceived notions of which Venezuelan group they want to be in power; and with a firm understanding that peace and stability will only emerge and be sustainable from a settlement reached by the Venezuelan parties themselves – and it is such a settlement that they should want to facilitate, advance and help to implement. No one should assume that the Mexico-Uruguay proposed meeting will not attract hostility and efforts to undermine it. Such strong positions have already been taken by several governments, including declaring the Nicolás Maduro government to be illegitimate and recognising Juan Guaido as interim President, that it is difficult to see how they can stand back and allow a neutral process to take place. The pressures under which “neutral” governments will come was evident when, on the same day that Mexico announced joining with Uruguay to convene the Uruguay meeting of neutral states, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, on a state visit, invited Mexico’s new President López Obrador to join an ‘international contact group’ formed by European Union (EU) countries to discuss the organisation
of free elections in Venezuela. Obrador declined the invitation, but Spain has already joined leaders of other EU countries in stating that they would recognise Guaidó as Venezuela’s interim president on 4 February if Maduro does not agree to new elections before then. Unless all those who have made strong statements or threatened or imposed measures, including sanctions, decide to step back from the brink and give the Uruguay meeting a chance to achieve a means to restore peace and stability in Venezuela, the gathering will be blighted before it starts. It is unlikely that there will be any such stepping back. Nonetheless, the Uruguay meeting must proceed. For, accepting that dialogue no longer proffers solutions to a crisis is a most dangerous development; the alternative is deeply troubling. The writer is Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the Organisation of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own. Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
INSIGHT
FEBRUARY 4, 2019, 2017 PAGE 11
Help your child by being a net-savvy parent SOCIAL media sites such as, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and WhatsApp increases communication, access to information and help in developing a sense of self, however, the thoughts of what your child might come across online can be worrying. Here are internet safety advice to make sure going online is a positive experience for you and your child. Just as we prepare our kids for life in the real world, we should prepare them for life in the online world. Read on for tips that every parent should keep in mind. Using social media sites while underage Did you know that no one under the age of 13 is permitted to join Facebook? However, there is no real way for Facebook to truly enforce it, because anyone can lie about their year of birth. You should not allow your child to use social media until age 13 and until you are comfortable with him or her having an account. There are measures put in place, E3SPORTS
Urge Your Kids to Avoid Questionnaires, Free Giveaways and Contests
such as reporting an underage child, but ultimately, it should be the parent who has the say on when and if that account gets created. Create Ground Rules If your kids are old enough to be using the computer on their own, they are old enough to understand there are rules they need to abide by. Breaking them should not have a lesser consequence than if they broke a rule in the offline world. The best way for families to agree on ground rules is to create a contract that all parties must sign. Get To Know What Your Child’s HabitsFriday, Are September 30, 2016, PAGE 3 You do not need to be a super sleuth and spy on your kid’s every online
move, but it is important to be aware of the kind of sites they are frequenting and the people they are associating with. Get to know the friends they hang out with at school, and their online friends should not be any different. One of the contract rules should be that you have full access to his online friends and can take a look whenever you wish. Keep the Computer in a Central Location It is much easier to keep tabs on any online activity when the computer is located in a high-traffic zone than if your child is using a computer in the privacy of their own room. Place the computer in a central location like your kitchen or family room so that everything is out in the open.
A pop-up ad appears and tells kids they can win a free iPad by simply clicking the link. Anyone would be tempted by this kind of offer, but kids are particularly susceptible, so it is important to warn kids against falling for this kind of internet trick. Many of these scams are attempts to glean personal information. Inform kids that even if they are forwarded a fun questionnaire from a friend, it is best to close the window and not participate. Monitor the Pictures Your Child Posts Online In an ideal world, your child would never post a photo of herself online, but that might not be entirely realistic. If she wants to share photos with her friends via email or a social networking site, be sure you know exactly which pictures are being posted. Make sure the content of the photo is completely innocuous and that no identifiable locales in the background are noticeable.
Be a Good Example of How to Use Social Media
Talk to Kids about Online Dangers
If you are tweeting and updating your Facebook page at a stop light and taking every opportunity to “just check something,” you are setting a poor precedent for social media usage that your child will surely follow. Always remember to ask yourself if you are setting a good example and demonstrating proper technology etiquette as well.
You may feel like you are scaring your kids when talking to them about the dangers of being online, but it is better for them to be scared than to be unaware. Having an open line of communication is crucial the minute your kids start using the internet more independently. The best safeguard against online dangers is being informed. Jump in and learn the basics of the Internet—read articles, take a class, and talk to other parents. A good place to start with some basics is www.LearnTheNet.com. A good place to stay current with the latest in online technology is mashable. com. You do not have to be an expert to have a handle on your child’s online world. Kids have gained a mastery of technology so quickly and can pick up on the nuances that any new gadget has, far more easily that we can in some cases. It is every parent’s responsibility to know exactly which key features are included in the gadgets our kids are using.
Limit Cell Phone Use Just as you would limit use of a computer, TV or gaming system, you can do the same with a cell phone. Set rules for the device, only allowing cell phone usage at certain hours in the evening or after homework has been completed. If you have teens of driving age, the most important rule to enforce is that under no circumstances should cell phones ever be used while driving. Phones should be kept off so incoming text sounds are not a distraction or should be kept in the glove compartment, out of reach.
Telling the stories of A our nation’s history GAIN AN EDGE A NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON HIGHER EDUCATION
GAIN AN EDGE
A NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON HIGHER EDUCATION
S THE nation’s key centre of learning, University of The Bahamas offers higher education opportunities for Bahamians while also offering resources to explore the impact of our country’s rich history. The university’s Oral and Public History Institute, guided by guest writer Dr Tracey Thompson paints a vibrant picture of our legacy. Dr Tracey Thompson is a graduate in History of Yale University, the University of Saskatchewan, and the University of Toronto. Her interests centre on African and African Diaspora History and on Philosophy and Methodology of History. She began working at University of The Bahamas in 1990 as Assistant Librarian for Oral History. Because of her passion for research and for preserving Bahamian history, in 2013 she was appointed director of “From Dat Time”: The Oral & Public History Institute at the University of The Bahamas. The mandate of “From Dat Time” is to document the historical experience of Bahamians and project it to the world. What could be more pleasant than to sit with a community elder and to hear what people did and thought and talked about in days gone by? When you open your mind and spirit, what could be more inspiring than to learn of how people dreamed dreams for themselves, their children, and their communities and found ways to push past obstacles to make their dreams come true? What could be more bruising than to learn of how people abused other people and destroyed the hopes of generations? If you sit and listen often enough, if you do it in line with certain standards and protocols, and if you have it in mind to test what you learn, to link it to information that you get from other sources, and to weave it all into as accurate a picture
of some corner of the past as you can make it, then to listen and learn in this way amounts to doing Oral History. In oral history, gaining knowledge is the goal, but relationship lies at the heart of the process of interviewing elders. Out of relationship – nowhere else – comes your story. Deepening that relationship, protecting the integrity of it, and acknowledging the weaknesses that might impair it are central to working successfully. There are certain skills to learn of a technical kind, having to do with recording interviews. There you want to make sure, if you work alone, that you really do know how to use your audio recording devices, because your project cannot survive the loss of sound. You want to make sure as well that you use two devices, because malfunctions and mistakes do happen. In addition, in order to outfit yourself fully, there are skills to learn of an intellectual kind. Those skills mark the science, craft, and art of doing any branch of history. They have to do with acquainting yourself with scholarly and public conversations, framing questions, projecting and testing hypotheses, interrogating evidence, and presenting conclusions. But it is out of relationship – not out of technical or intellectual skill – that comes the network of people who will guide you to the individuals who can teach you what
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you want to know. Out of your relationship with the individual speaking on the porch comes your answers. Doing oral history is hard work. It is not leisure and not play. Chasing elusive narrators can be toilsome. Interviewing elders, while fascinating, is draining. Transferring, organizing, labelling, and storing recorded data is tedious. Doing research in archives takes time. So does weighing data and integrating it into an extended narrative argument. Knowledge and skill are important, therefore, but so is patience: patience enough to work for hundreds of hours before pieces of a puzzle start to form a pattern. And everything that is done calls for precision. The misspelled label, the forgotten citation, the careless inference – they waste time, waste energy, or undercut the integrity of the story.
clearly the collective story from which you emerge. There is the pleasure that comes from crafting a disciplined and well-told story. There is the satisfaction of helping to break public silence about people and times and places. That silence suffocates us. It plays a part in separating us from one another. It plays a part in separating us from a moral order of justice, equity, civility and harmony. If so pernicious a silence should be broken, what can be more valuable to our community?
DR Tracey Thompson paints a vibrant picture of our legacy. Having said that, however, the time spent and the care taken feel worth it when you count the impact of the process and the value
of the product. There is the exhilaration of making sense of what has taken place and why. There is the peace of seeing more
“Gain An Edge” is a weekly collaboration of the Lyford Cay Foundations, Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute and University of The Bahamas aimed at promoting a national dialogue on higher education. To share your thoughts, email gainanedge@tribunemedia.net.
PAGE 12, Monday, February 4, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
MICKY ARISON, left, with Dr Hubert Minnis and Minister of Tourism Dionisio D’Aguilar.
MINNIS AND D’AGUILAR AMONG THE GUESTS AT CRUISE SHIP DEDICATION PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and Minister of Tourism Dionisio D’Aguilar were among special guests at the dedication ceremony of Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam cruise ship on Saturday. Holland America Line is a division of Carnival Cruise Corporation & plc., the world’s largest leisure travel company. Carnival cruise ships call on ports around the world, including Nassau, Freeport, Princess Cays, Eleuthera and Half Moon Cay. During the event, Prime Minister Minnis and Minister D’Aguilar spoke with
Carnival Cruise Corporation executives, including chairman Micky Arison, president and CEO Arnold Donald and Holland America Line president Orlando Ashford. Minister D’Aguilar also met with Mr Donald following the dedication ceremony to discuss a variety of matters. Today, Carnival will unveil plans for Freeport’s newest cruise port. During Saturday’s pierside ceremony in Florida, Oprah Winfrey christened the nearly 100,000-ton cruise ship and was named godmother of the Nieuw Statendam.
PRIME Minister Hubert Minnis and his wife.
Part of the ship’s inaugural season featured an Oprah and O, The Oprah Magazine ‘Girls Getaway’ cruise, which included a stop at Half Moon Cay last Thursday. “We are pleased for the opportunity to witness such a special ceremony and get an up close look at one of Carnival’s newest ships,” said Dr Minnis. “The Bahamas has a strong partnership with the Carnival Corporation and we look forward to building on that relationship with new projects that will create jobs and expand economic opportunities for Bahamians.”
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, February 4, 2019, PAGE 13
Buju: I won’t be singing that song at my concert By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net BUJU Banton will not be performing his controversial song “Boom Bye Bye” at his upcoming concert, according to his publicist Ronnie Tomlinson, who confirmed the reggae star has not sung that song “for years”. Ms Tomlinson moved to set the record straight during a press conference on Friday to promote the Bahamian leg of Mr Banton’s Long Walk to Freedom Tour. Mr Banton will be performing at the Thomas A Robinson stadium on March 30. “As far as concerns (’Boom Bye, Bye’), one thing that we want to make everyone know is that Buju has not sung that song for years,” Ms Tomlinson said. “That song has been removed from his set, that song is also a song that he has never made a dollar off of. And he will not be singing or performing that song. So as far as any concerns, that’s just something that we just want everyone to know, that that song is not a part of the set.” “Boom Bye Bye” has
been a source of public debate in recent weeks after a prominent lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) activist Erin Greene said last month that Mr Banton should be allowed to perform in the country on the condition that he does not play it, as the song advocates violence towards those in the LGBT community. That interview with Ms Greene inspired a torrent of commentary, much of it venomous towards the activist who mostly welcomed Mr Banton and his show. In a statement released last week, Paradise Productions promised an epic show and weekend. “The anticipated concert promises to be more than just a concert,” the local promotion company said in a statement. “It’s a weekend of music, good vibes and a celebration of freedom. “On Friday, March 29, 2019, we welcome Buju back to his second home, the Bahamas with an all white party to be hosted at the FIFA Beach Soccer Stadium. “On Saturday, March 30, 2019, the night thousands have been waiting for as
BUJU Banton will not be performing his controversial song “Boom Bye Bye”.
Buju Banton will return to the stage in the Bahamas. As popular artists will set the stage, Buju promises to close out the show with a blazing performance.” Fernerin Hanna, public relations officer for Paradise Productions, said Mr Banton is set to perform for two hours, to an anticipated crowd of over 15,000. Ms Hanna added a few “friends” will also perform that night, including local artists. However, she said the names of these guests will be provided at a later date. Security will be provided by the Falcon Security/ Damas Group in conjunction with the police, with the promoter promising safety and quality production will be a priority. SuperClubs Breezes also will be providing special rates for the concert. Early bird ticket sales began February 1 and these prices will last through March 1. These prices are currently: general admission - $65; VIP - $125; platinum - $200; and all access - $350. Further information on tickets can be found at www. paradiseproductionsinc.com.
ACCUSED DENIES HE HAD SEX WITH BOY By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net THE Grand Bahama man who is accused of having unlawful sex with a 14-year-old boy told police he knew the teenager and had given him a ride in his car several times but claimed he did not have sex with him, the Supreme Court heard on Friday. Detective Sgt Dominique McKenzie, who is attached to the Central Detective Unit, said he was present when Fred Williams, of West End, was interviewed at CDU in reference to an unlawful sexual intercourse allegation in 2017. According to Sgt McKenzie, the police record of interview was conducted at CDU around 5.35pm in September 2017. He said that interview was conducted by Detective Inspector Campbell who cautioned Williams. He said Det Inspector Campbell asked a series of questions, including whether the accused at the time knew the boy Sgt McKenzie said Williams said he knew the
victim and what school he attended and that he was 15-years-old. Sgt McKenzie said Williams told Inspector Campbell he had given the boy a ride from West End to his home in Eight Mile Rock. On another occasion he had given him a ride in a company vehicle from Eight Mile Rock to Freeport to a Junkanoo event. “He said that on several occasions he had given the complainant a ride and had given him a ‘chicken in the bag’ and a bag of dog food from his workplace,” Sgt McKenzie recalled. According to earlier testimony, Williams worked at the A&B Convenient Store in West End. The police sergeant said Williams denied having unlawful sexual intercourse with the victim. Sgt McKenzie said Williams signed the record of interview in his presence, and he also signed it. A medical practitioner at Rand Memorial Hospital also gave evidence in court on Thursday. On examining the boy, the doctor noted there was no sign of penetration. The doctor said
the complainant told her he performed oral sex and a hand job on the accused. A guidance counsellor also gave evidence, telling the court that when he came to his office he found the teenager crying. He said the boy told him what happened to him and he told him he would have to inform the head of his department, call the Department of Social Services, his parents and the police. The guidance counsellor said he told the youngster to write down what happened to him on a sheet of lined paper. Williams is represented by Carlson Shurland. He is charged with having unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor of the same sex between October and November 2016, through February 2017 and November 2017. He was arrested for the offence on December 11, 2017. Erica Kemp of the Attorney General’s Office is representing the Crown. Senior Justice Estelle Gray Evans is presiding over the case. The trial resumes today.
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PAGE 14, Monday, February 4, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
PENTAGON SENDING ANOTHER 3,750 TROOPS TO SOUTHWEST BORDER WASHINGTON Associated Press THE Pentagon said yesterday it will send 3,750 more troops to the US-Mexico border to put up another 150 miles of concertina wire and provide other support for Customs and Border Protection. The additions will bring the total number of active-duty troops on the border to 4,350. The announcement is in line with what Acting Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan had said on Tuesday when he provided estimates for the next phase of a military mission that has grown in size and length. Critics have derided it as a political ploy by the White House as President Donald Trump seeks billions to
build a border wall. Shanahan said othat several thousand more troops would be sent mainly to install additional wire barriers and provide a large new system of mobile surveillance and monitoring of the border area. Yesterday’s announcement said the mobile surveillance mission would last through Sept. 30. Members of Congress have question whether the border mission is distracting troops from their main work of fighting extremists abroad and training for combat. The first active-duty troops were sent to the border last October for a mission that was to end on December 15. It has since been extended twice. “What impact does it have to readiness to send several
thousand troops down to the Southern border? It interrupts their training. It interrupts their dwell time,” Rep. Adam Smith, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee said at a hearing on Tuesday. Vice Adm. Mike Gilday, the director of operations for the Joint Staff, told the panel that he does not believe military readiness has been significantly affected. He said some units have missed training opportunities because of the deployment and others have seen less time at home between deployments than the military likes to provide. But he said there is an effort to rotate service members in and out of the mission every six to eight weeks in order to minimise any impact.
TROUPS installing concertina wire along the banks of the Rio Grande late last year.
• PRESIDENT Trump says Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is “absolutely not leaving” the Cabinet even as top Republicans make a pitch for him to run for the Senate in Kansas. Pompeo, who served four terms in the House and was Trump’s CIA director before moving to the State Department, avoided the subject altogether in a tweet he sent following Trump’s comments. The decision by longtime Republican Sen. Pat Roberts to retire has prompted an effort by other GOP senators to recruit Pompeo for 2020. He’s said that push has included a call from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. Trump says McConnell may have spoken to Pompeo but “I asked him the question the other day. He says he’s absolutely not leaving.”
Venezuelan opposition targeted by censors CARACAS, Venezuela Associated Press OPPOSITION leader Juan Guaido’s calls for Venezuelans to abandon Nicolas Maduro’s government are booming across the world outside, but the self-declared interim president is having a harder time delivering his message at home. Watchdog groups in Venezuela and abroad say Guaido’s efforts to reach citizens via the internet have been hindered by the dominant provider — state-run CANTV — in a country where critical newspapers and broadcast media already have been muzzled. Since January 23, when Guaido proclaimed himself interim president and when protests against Maduro’s rule broke out, CANTV has blocked access to social
media sites at least four times, according to the monitoring groups. Those disruptions have coincided with politically significant events, including a rally attended by thousands of people last week and a January 27 night speech that Guaido livestreamed on Periscope to call for a new round of protests and urge members of the military to defect. CANTV accounts for about 70 percent of Venezuela’s fixed internet connections and 50 percent of mobile, and Netblocks, a non-government group based in Europe that monitors internet censorship, found that the government provider blocked Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube during 12 of the 13 minutes that Guaido’s speech lasted, so the stream could only be seen without interruptions by
ANTI-government protesters take part in a demonstration demanding the resignation of President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela people using privately run internet providers. The organisation runs tests from its headquarters
with software that captures evidence of connection failures. It also has designed a scanner app that volunteers in affected countries can use to run tests from their own phones or computers. “We built tools that could diagnose the problems and differentiate between overload disruptions and actual blocking,” said Netblocks director Alp Toker. VESinFiltro, a Venezuelan internet monitoring group that uses technology developed by the Open Observatory for Network Interference, published similar findings on the Guaido speech. Rights groups say the targeted disruptions show that methods to silence critics are becoming increasingly sophisticated in Venezuela, where internet providers have been hindering access to news sites and illegal currency exchange sites since 2014. VESinFiltro director Andres Azpurua said that while internet providers previously restricted access to websites through a technique known as DNS blocking, methods have evolved to allow just-in-time disruptions during different stages of a computer’s connection to websites, making it harder
for site administrators to evade. He also said other civil liberties advocates have been urging Venezuelans to try to avoid blockages by using virtual private network software that encrypt data and often hide the origin of a connection, and he said use of VPNs has increased over time. A study by Venezuela’s Press and Society Institute found that 53 websites were partially blocked by internet providers in Venezuela last year, including an investigative news site and the website for one of the country’s last remaining opposition newspapers. Analysts say that this year, Guaido’s Wikipedia page and social media sites have suffered blocks. “The previous modus operandi was to place longterm blocks on certain web addresses,” Azpurua says. “But the most recent forms of blocking are more tactical.” While some analysts have speculated the know-how could come from Russia, Toker points out that technology developed by Western countries to block sites run by terrorist groups can also be reconfigured to block other sites. Sir Ronald Saunders - Page 8
POPE ARRIVES IN UAE FOR HISTORIC TRIP ABU DHABI, UAE Associated Press POPE Francis yesterday landed in Abu Dhabi on the first-ever papal trip to the Arabian Peninsula, where he is seeking to turn a page in Christian-Muslim relations while also ministering to a unique, thriving Catholic community. Francis earlier in the day called for the urgent observation of a limited cease-fire in Yemen reached in December and for food and medicine to get to its people, who are suffering the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. He made the appeal at the Vatican before boarding a plane to the United Arab Emirates, which has been Saudi Arabia’s main ally in its war in Yemen — a way to avoid embarrassing his hosts with a public call while in the region. Abu Dhabi’s powerful crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, greeted the pontiff with smiles along with Cabinet ministers and an honor guard when he landed around 9:50 p.m. in the Emirati capital. “The people are exhausted by the long conflict and many children are hungry, but humanitarian aid isn’t accessible,” Francis said in his noon-time blessing. “The cries of these children and their parents rise up” to God. Francis travelled to Abu Dhabi to participate in a conference on interreligious dialogue sponsored the Emirates-based Muslim Council of Elders, an initiative that seeks to counter religious fanaticism by promoting a moderate brand of Islam. It’s the brainchild of Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, the grand imam of Egypt’s Al-Azhar, the revered 1,000-year-old seat of Sunni Islam that trains clerics and scholars from around the world. In a video message to the Emirates on the eve of his trip, Francis paid homage to his “friend and dear brother” el-Tayeb and praised his courage in calling the meeting to assert that “God unites and doesn’t divide.”
VIRGINIA GOVERNOR CLINGS TO OFFICE IGNORING CALLS TO RESIGN RICHMOND, Virginia Associated Press
GOVERNOR Ralph Northam was clinging to office yesterday amid nearly unanimous calls from his own party to resign over a racist photo in his 1984 medical school yearbook, going silent after a bizarre 24 hours in which he first admitted he was in the picture, then denied it. The Democrat’s stunning about-face — at a weekend news conference where he also acknowledged putting on blackface for a dance contest decades ago and appeared to briefly entertain the notion of doing the Michael Jackson moonwalk for reporters — only seemed to make things worse. The chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus declared that
GOVERNOR Ralph Northam Northam “still does not understand the seriousness of his actions”. The photo shows someone in blackface and another person in a Ku Klux Klan hood and robe. “I think he’s been completely dishonest and disingenuous,” Rep Karen Bass, D-California, said “He knew this picture was there, and he could’ve come clean and talked to AfricanAmericans that he’s close to decades ago.”
Northam worshipped at his home church, the predominantly black First Baptist in Capeville, but otherwise kept out of sight as calls intensified for him to step down. Even if Northam doesn’t resign, the scandal threatens to cripple his ability to govern. He has lost the support of virtually all of the state’s Democratic establishment. Top Republicans in the Virginia General Assembly also urged Northam to step down, as did many declared and potential Democratic presidential candidates. Virginia governors can be removed for “malfeasance in office, corruption, neglect of duty, or other high crime or misdemeanor” under the state constitution, but top Democrats said they don’t believe it will come to that.