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The Tribune
Volume:114 No.234, OCTOBER 27TH, 2017
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THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1
Friday, October 27, 2017 art books film fashion music food gardening weddings history
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BELLES OF THE BALL
Pages 14,15
From Bimini to ‘Black-ish ’
WEEKEND: BIMINI ACTOR GETS BIG SHOT IN US COMEDY SERIES
Local actor gets big break Celebrit
Christie - no need for public criticism Pindling speech was ‘wrong forum’ By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net FORMER Prime Minister Perry Christie suggested yesterday that Monique Pindling’s scathing assessment of the Progressive Liberal Party should not have been aired in a public setting, but added he did not feel personally attacked by her overview of the PLP. The day after Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador MP Philip “Brave” Davis defeated Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin for the leadership post by a huge margin of 1,004 to 300 votes, Mr Christie was also adamant that with the new executive team now elected, the party “could be the next government” in the next general election. Mr Christie said he was hopeful Mrs Hanna Martin, and former Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe, who was defeated by Senator Fred Mitchell for the chairman post, would not feel slighted and see they still have major contributions to make in the party. SEE PAGE THREE
y, page 7
CHAIRMAN MITCHELL COMES OUT FIGHTING By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
NEWLY elected Progressive Liberal Party Chairman Fred Mitchell has committed the party to meeting the governing Free National Movement “at every corner and on every street” as opposition party recommits to capturing an election victory in 2022. In a statement released after he was declared the winner of the PLP’s chairman race at the PLP’s 53rd annual convention, Mr Mitchell served notice to the FNM and its Chairman Carl Culmer that they should conduct themselves in a certain manner and use language “at the level which matches their role in the country and not down in the gutter”. SEE PAGE SIX
AIR SEARCH FOR BIMINI COUPLE CALLED OFF By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
MONIQUE Pindling at the first night of the PLP convention and, right, former prime minister Perry Christie at the final day of the event.
SARKIS RAISES NEW BAHA MAR QUESTIONS By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel, QC, revealed yesterday the government received a letter from Baha Mar’s original developer Sarkis Izmirlian in response to questions from The Tribune over whether the government would investigate the issuance of a casino licence to the resort’s purchaser Chow Tai Fook
Enterprises (CTFE). The letter, said to be dated October 17, and sent to the Office of the Attorney General purportedly called on the Minnis administration to look into the previous government’s April 5, 2017, issuance of the licence, a source told The Tribune. According to the source, the letter also referred to multiple agreements, records and documents outside of those, which
were already made public regarding Baha Mar. However, when this newspaper questioned to what the letter referred and its details, Mr Bethel would not say. “The office received a letter from Mr Sarkis Izmirlian and I have forwarded it to my senior officials for their opinion on the matter,” he told The Tribune in a brief telephone interview.
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
SEE PAGE SIX
THERE has been no trace of the Bimini couple missing at sea for a week, despite intense aerial and sea searches conducted by Bahamian and US officials since last Friday. Supt Henry Rolle, in Bimini, reported the aerial search had been called off, but rescue and recovery efforts continue for husband and wife, Alex and Aliseda Saintres. On Wednesday, concerned relatives flew to Bimini for answers concerning their missing parents. Supt Rolle said officials went out in a vessel on Monday, but so far there has been no sign of the couple. SEE PAGE SIX
FRANKIE BOLD AND BRAZEN?
A COMIC’S VIEW PAGE 8
PAGE 2, Friday, October 27, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
WEEKEND NEWS FOLLOW THE
ON YOUR MOBILE-FRIENDLY TRIBUNE242.COM Don’t miss breaking news throughout the weekend on tribune242.com. And, on Monday, start the week as The Tribune returns to newsstands with a round-up of all the weekend news, business and sport. Plus Insight – news, analysis and comment on the big issues of the day. Check out the latest properties for sale and rent in the Home Buyers’ Guide. And The Tribune’s Classifieds Trader – the best guide to cars for sale, real estate, help wanted and more.
POLICE officers at the scene at Potter’s Cay Dock where the body of a man was found floating in the waters. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
Bodies discovered in Abaco and at Potter’s Cay Dock By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net THE dead bodies of two people were found yesterday, one of a man found floating near Potter’s Cay Dock and another of a woman in Abaco. Police received a report of a body of a man submerged in water at the eastern end of Potter’s Cay Dock shortly before 3pm. Police found the man’s body submerged in water when they arrived on the scene. It is unclear if he drowned or died of other causes. Police in Abaco are also investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a partially decomposed body of a woman. Sometime around 2pm yesterday police were called to bushes off the Sherlin Bootle Highway where the discovery was made. The matter is under investigation, but a senior
ASSISTANT Superintendent Debra McClure, officer in charge of Potters Cay Dock, is pictured speaking to the media. police source said the person whose body was found had been reported missing.
Autopsies will have to be conducted in both cases to determine the cause of death.
THE SCENE at Potter’s Cay Dock where the lifeless body of a male was found floating in the water.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, October 27, 2017, PAGE 3
Davis ‘will encourage more women into frontline politics’ By MORGAN ADDERLEY THE Progressive Liberal Party’s newly elected leader will give women the encouragement they need so more of this demographic enters politics, former PLP MP Philip Galanis believes, adding the rough nature of the profession deters many women from entering. “Brave will provide women with the encouragement to come forward,” Mr Galanis said Wednesday, as he acknowledged the need for more female political participation in the Bahamas. Mr Galanis spoke at a Rotary Club of South-East Nassau meeting, where he was asked by a member about his views on the small number of women that ascend to top posts in the PLP. Mr Galanis replied: “The bench with women is deeper than you think – there are lots of women who are interested in politics, they have just not been provided with the encouragement to come forward.” Speaking to The Tribune afterwards, Mr Galanis elaborated: “Generally you don’t find women are inclined to get involved in politics because I think of the rough and tumble of it all, and you need to have very thick skin. So what has to happen is that more and more women need to be encouraged to participate at various levels, and I think that’s going to happen increasingly and remarkably with Mr Davis at the helm.” Mr Galanis also suggested more women become involved in politics by joining the women’s branches of their parties and also becoming directly involved in their local constituencies as opposed to offering themselves as election candidates. Glenys Hanna Martin, the first woman to challenge for the PLP’s
THE NEWLY elected PLP leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis pictured during his victory speech at the PLP convention. leadership position, was soundly defeated by Mr Davis in a leadership race on Wednesday. Despite his interest in more women entering the political fray, Mr Galanis supported Mr Davis for the PLP’s top post. Mr Galanis made it clear that while he has a “very high regard” for the Englerston MP, he supported Mr Davis because he is “best suited to rebuild, restructure, rebrand and
re-engineer the PLP and restore the Party to its former glory days.” International election observers have previously recommended an increase in the participation of women in front-line politics. For the first time in Bahamian history, a team of observers from the Organisation of American States (OAS) was invited to observe the 2012 general election. In a statement released in
a result of this will never happen again. “You make a speech in the way she did it and it becomes a speech where someone reports it and it’s titillating to people to listen to and to hear, but the organisation hasn’t given itself the best opportunity to learn from that experience and do something about it. “When people make speeches that are peculiar to certain circumstances that they experience if the organisation is going to benefit in a meaningful way, the right forum ought to be chosen for that speech (that’s) if you really want the organisation to have the best opportunity to benefit from it. “So my regretting for any sort of public utterance is not to prevent somebody from speaking their mind but to promote their organisation’s ability to hear what has been said and to ensure that a teachable moment comes about where you are able to use it to avoid that having to be said again,” Mr Christie said.
appropriate and convenient to reach out to them with a view to them continuing to play a role in the movement of the PLP and becoming the next government of The Bahamas. “This is something I regard as important in the aftermath of elections that where one side wins and the other side loses, leadership now must be demonstrated in being able to bring everyone together with the view to the PLP being able to fulfil its role in the democracy that we have. The goal now is to be the best opposition that we can be and to prepare ourselves to form the next government of The Bahamas and to act on the basis through planning and preparation that we could be the next government so that we are not ill prepared for governance if and when it comes,” Mr Christie said. Mr Davis was elected PLP leader following a chaotic final national convention day, which suffered an embarrassing voting delay and disorganisation brought on by the underestimation of delegate turn out and electricity failures. Addressing a crowd of elated supporters gathered in the ballroom who erupted into celebration and applause, Mr Davis thanked Mr Christie, who stepped down as PLP leader in May, and asked those in attendance to give admiration to Mrs Hanna Martin. He commended her work within the party. Mr Davis then referred to accusations of corruption which have dogged the PLP. He said the party must have zero tolerance in the party for such acts, but said false accusations in this regard do considerable harm. He also attacked the current administration for not having done much thus far since the May
May of that year presenting its preliminary recommendations, the OAS noted that while 18,574 more women were registered to vote than men, this level of female participation was not reflected in the number of women candidates. For that election year, only 22 of the 133 candidates who ran were women – about 16.5 per cent. “[The year 2012] marks the 50th anniversary of women’s suffrage in the
Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
Bahamas,” said Alfonso Quinonez, chief of the mission for the observation team at the time. “For this election there were, 18,574 more women than men registered as voters. However, the increased participation of women as voters has not yet translated into other key areas of political participation. Only 22 out of the 133 candidates for this election were women.” While there were more
women political contenders in the 2017 general election compared to the previous cycle, male candidates still made up the overwhelming majority. The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) had 13 women candidates, seven ran for the PLP, four represented the Free National Movement (FNM), and four also represented the fledgling Bahamas National Coalition Party (BCP).
CHRISTIE - NO NEED FOR PUBLIC CRITICISM from page one
On Monday night, Ms Pindling, the daughter of the country’s first Prime Minister Sir Lynden Pindling said the PLP “has become weak,” “dishonest” and allowed the political ambitions of a “few men to dash the aspirations of a whole people”. She also said some PLP members had become “anti-Pindling” but would invoke his name publicly to their own benefit. Her father led the PLP for more than 20 years. Her remarks were the most pointed critique of the PLP made during the party’s convention. When asked if he felt personally attacked by the comments, Mr Christie told The Tribune: “It would be unfair for me to attribute to her anything personal or peculiar to me because one I didn’t hear it, two I didn’t read it and three she is someone who is in the position to speak to me and would have spoken to me personally if I had been the cause of her anger. “She would have been able to speak to me. She would have had a lot of opportunity to do so and knowing the relationship we have I am sure she would have availed herself of that opportunity.” Earlier in the interview, the former Centreville MP said: “There are two types of speeches at conventions. One where people had particular experiences like someone is rude to them, someone didn’t pay attention to them, somebody didn’t honour their whatever and it’s a lot of regret and anger, that if you want it to be a teachable experience, that kind of speech is made to an internal session where you could question and you come up with
Way forward Regarding the way forward for the party with Mr Davis, Deputy Leader Chester Cooper and Mr Mitchell at the helm, Mr Christie said he looks forward to assisting in whichever capacity party officials desire. He said the PLP has to now be keen on rebuilding. “I express the hope that those who lost – Mrs Hanna Martin in particular and Obie Wilchcombe who served with me –- would not see that the role they could play in the party diminished in any which way. They still have major contributions to make and they should disregard any suggestion to the contrary, that the new leader would find it
FORMER prime minister Perry Christie at the PLP convention. general election. Calling supporters to work, Mr Davis outlined his plans for the party, adding that Wednesday’s voting process was proof the party needed reforms. Mr Davis said the party under his leadership will also seek to create a new candidates’ fund to support new leaders and to encourage those who are considering entering frontline politics.
PAGE 4, Friday, October 27, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
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The media needs to report world trends LAST week in this column, we commented on the US mainstream broadcasting media’s propensity to cover relatively trivial news at the expense of more serious topics. In returning to this today, we also draw attention again to the media’s tendency to give international developments less emphasis than their intrinsic significance demands, particularly at a time when America is heavily involved in the rest of the world in so many different fields of activity. The subject should be of interest to small Caribbean countries because they themselves are dependent on the US for their security, protection and economic wellbeing and they understand the importance of being kept informed. It is inevitable that the media should concentrate on domestic issues that are of direct interest to viewers and readers. It is, therefore, understandable that it should cover in detail the activities of the controversial Trump presidency, since these affect the nation as a whole. The subject is inherently newsworthy. But the public needs also to know about other important issues at home, including current success stories under his watch even though parts of the media are reluctant to report them when many in the US wish to bring this presidency to a premature end. While Mr Trump’s erratic behaviour is under constant attack and he faces opposition within his own party, people need to know about his legislative programme in relation to domestic issues like health care and tax reform or what is happening about other matters like deregulation or the opioid epidemic – and in the trade field, for example, there was little publicity given to last week’s announcement of a major order by Singapore Airlines for Boeing aircraft worth 13.8 billion dollars. On the international front the lack of news coverage is even more evident. Far from the isolationism of the 1930s, America’s leadership of the free world together with globalisation means that it has a widespread presence in other countries together with influence and links almost everywhere – politically, militarily, economically and culturally. With more than a quarter of a million service personnel in some 150 countries around the world, the extent of its military presence alone is remarkable. In such circumstances, events beyond its borders, both near and far, should be of major interest and concern to the American people. It is worth examining two recent examples of important international developments that so far seem to have escaped meaningful media scrutiny; namely, the US President’s tour in early
November of five countries in Southeast Asia – Japan, China, South Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines – and the recent significant rise of the far-right in Europe. Coverage of the build-up to Mr. Trump’s visits might have been expected because they ought to be of enormous public interest. Apart from the fundamental importance of China, the main issue will be North Korea’s dangerous nuclear threat, and his objective, presumably, will be to strengthen international resolve and support for denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. But other issues like terrorism and trade are also likely to be to the fore as, having pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, he seeks to show that the US is still fully engaged in the region. The recent re-election of the incumbent prime minister in Japan also ought to be of considerable interest in the US because of his declared aim to revise the nation’s pacifist constitution which renounces war and prohibits the use of its armed forces to settle international disputes. After seventy years of pacifism as part of a new constitution imposed on Japan by the USA during its post-Second World War occupation, any moves away from this might not be welcomed by other countries in the region given the history of Japanese military expansionism in East Asia during the 1930s. Meanwhile, in Europe there have been ominous new developments that could have implications worldwide. Social democracy across the continent looks to be in decline with the centrist parties in power since 1945 giving way to the rise of right-wing populist parties. The far-right AfD (Alternative for Germany) party is now the third largest force there. In Italy and France the socialists have been weakened, and elections in Austria and the Czech Republic have resulted in victories for far-right eurosceptic parties, while Poland and Hungary, which remain at odds with the European Commission over immigration, are critical of the whole European Union project. The destabilizing effect of all this, together with Catalonia’s bid for independence and requests for more autonomy by two of Italy’s richest regions, could cause serious damage to the EU which is already being harmed by Britain’s departure from the bloc. As America’s interest, role, presence and influence in the world all continue to expand, it seems that the public desire to be kept informed about events overseas as well as at home is steadily growing. So the need for accurate dissemination of information becomes more pressing. But it remains to be seen whether the media will react positively and move away from its current insularity and parochialism.
Take our Chance EDITOR, The Tribune. JUST a few years ago every month there used to be one fund raising Lottery or Game of Chance for established charities or churches - today I believe that one is now three per month and usually the individual one has to obtain an extension of time to sell their tickets because there is so much competition out there. Name them from the Red Cross - every Catholic parish - Crippled Children AIDS/RED Ribbon and on and on all able to sell an average in the case of the larger exercises some $5060,000.00 worth of tickets. So three-games of chance a month with revenue/sales of $50,000.00 = $150,000.00 monthly. The incredible groups who daily feed over 50,000 residents of Nassau at say an average cost of $3.00 a meal (although some are
the donated food from the great programme supplied from the hotels and restaurants) that means daily somehow $150,000.00 a day is found or a whopping $1,050,000.00 a week or $54m a year it comes from somewhere and certainly these figures combined from the games of Chance to this feeding programme does not come from an unchristian people as this is massive in any language. If we did not have this christian generosity imagine what would be the state of certain urban areas in the centre of our city of Nassau - you think we have problems now imagine without this enormous act of Christian love pouring from us and the Corporate community and the non Bahamian residents who give without getting any business tax deduction, that is right off the top of their profits of their shareholders. The scholarships granted
by various groups - aren’t they also acts of Christian love? I find it very questionable that anyone is questioning whether we have changed and trying to deduce because there is a large local community still hurting from our own storms they seemingly don’t have rights to ask – well we still have leaky roofs, other damage to our homes some destroyed totally or beyond repair. It is clearly evident the public would have preferred Government to write a cheque and let that be our commitment, but is it Christian that we know there are other islands, smaller than Dominica, that have also been severely damaged and we don’t even mention their names in passing? We feed almost more than the total population of Dominica a day. W THOMPSON Nassau, October 5, 2017.
In praise of Ellison Greenslade EDITOR, The Tribune. WOULD you kindly provide me with some of your space in your very popular newspaper to praise a great Bahamian, former Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade? I first met this dynamic man many years ago when he was in the computer section of the Force. We remained friends over the many years. I believe that we were fortunate to have had a man of unparalleled integrity and crime fighting initiatives such as our sixth Commissioner of Police in an Independent Bahamas. Commissioner Greenslade joined the Executive Management Team of the force upon being promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police in July of 2000 after serving in a number of Divisional command positions in the Royal Bahamas Police Force. He served the country with distinction, and he put his life on the line every single day, because
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net of what he was called to do. He responded effectively to the challenges and trials and crises that naturally surrounded the gut-wrenching and debilitating moments of the lives of Bahamians and visitors alike. When called upon to be on the front line whether in Bain Town, Kemp Road, Fox Hill, East Street, Grants Town, Pinewood, Blair, Nassau East, or Cable Beach, he reacted with the utmost professionalism. He was the kind of law enforcement officer who was always available to aid and to validate , never maligning, nor judging but listening with a third ear. Former Commissioner of Police Greenslade treated me as a professional with the utmost respect. He quickly recognised that I had a gift to inspire and motivate people and he
contracted my services on a number of occasions. I thank him today for raising the ceiling on my possibilities. Former Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade succinctly understood that “turning to his officers with a caring heart surely sustained the life force for those assigned with guardianship of public safety.” His career as a law enforcement officer was truly a calling and he ‘did not take the tasks inherent in the very noble and distinguished undertaking lightly. And so he followed in the footsteps of some great Bahamian Commissioners of Police from Salathiel Thompson, Gerald Bartlett, BK Bonamy, Paul Farquharson and Reginald Ferguson. I salute these great sons of the soil and I wish Mr Greenslade much success and happiness in the next chapter of his illustrious career. SPENCE FINLAYSON Nassau, October 16, 2017.
M
Diplomatic passport EDITOR, The Tribune. IN order to put rumours to rest concerning dual citizenship, Frankie Campbell produced his Bahamian
passport and his diplomatic passport. One is forced to ask, is dual citizenship having two passports for two different countries or having
two passports country?
for
JB Nassau, October 5, 2017.
one
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, October 27, 2017, PAGE 5
Inspection team flies out to examine abandoned barge
THE LONG Island Barge Spill Assessment on October 25, showed no oil spill or environmental damage causing a threat to Long Island residents. Photos: Carlyle Sands/BIS By GENA GIBBS Bahamas Information Services NO spilled oil or environmental damage was caused by an abandoned barge left broken up at Gray’s Bay in Long Island, as reported by concerned residents on social media. On the morning of October 25, a Government delegation left Nassau and arrived at Deadman’s Cay Airport, shortly after 10am, with an assessment party of eight people to visit the abandoned barge site. The team included Minister of Transport and Local Government Frankie Campbell, and Minister of the
Environment and Housing Romauld Ferreira, as well as Long Island MP Adrian Gibson. The trek to the site took the group about two hours. They arrived to document damage inflicted on the area, and calculate a cost for the clean-up of the cargo contents, spilled from inside the damaged barge and assess the mitigation of any environmental threats caused by spoils and debris. The group was accompanied by the Defence Force, the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Public Hospitals Authority Clinic nurses, as well as local government officials, whom all
proceeded in the assigned vehicles, straight to the beach site. The man-made path to the vessel’s final resting place was naturally enclosed and environmentally coveted by hilly rough terrain, and sharp, black honeycombed rock, intimately inclined on a hill-shaped beach front. Gray’s Bay created a natural protection to the minimising the spread of the ship’s hazardous contents and containing it safely. The Staniel Cay, Exuma, assessment part of the trip was cancelled, due to the fact that the owner of that barge moved his damaged vehicle on Tuesday, October 24.
COURT TO APPOINT LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR MAN’S DOUBLE MURDER APPEAL By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net A MAN seeking to contest his life sentence for a double murder in 2011 that Crown prosecutors previously claimed was motivation for a triple murder that occurred just weeks later will receive a court appointed lawyer for his appeal application. Serrano Adderley stood before Court of Appeal Justices Jon Isaacs, Stella Crane-Scott and Roy Jones seeking to challenge his conviction and sentence in connection with the July 2011 killings of Kevin Forbes and Alwayne Leslie at a Haitian village near Montgomery Avenue. Upon hearing Adderley’s
request, Justice Isaacs noted the appellate court is inclined to appoint an attorney given the nature of the offence. He adjourned the matter to December 4. In late 2013, a Supreme Court jury unanimously convicted Adderley of the July 12, 2011 double-murder. In May of 2014, Justice Indra Charles sentenced Adderley to two life sentences for the double murder, while simultaneously rejecting the death penalty because his crime did not meet the criterion of being the worst of the worst. According to earlier reports, on July 12, 2011 the police control room received information that two persons were shot in a Haitian village off Montgomery
Avenue. Police on mobile patrol were subsequently dispatched and upon arrival at the scene were directed to the bodies of two men with gunshot injuries to the body and face. Adderley denied he was present when the crime occurred, however, Shawn Knowles, Forbes’ nephew and the prosecution’s main witness, placed the Jamaican national at the scene of the crime. Later that month, on the 30th, three people, including a pregnant woman due to give birth to a baby boy were fatally shot during an incident that prosecutors alleged at the time was in retaliation for Forbes’ and Leslie’s deaths. According to reports, the victims were asleep in
a one-bedroom apartment when intruders, who prosecutors alleged at the time to be Knowles and Timothy Saunders, forced their way inside by blasting the locks with a shotgun. Once inside, they shot Shackara Rahming and Erica Ward in the head and Edward Braynen in the back using a shotgun. Four young children inside the apartment were found unharmed by police. Ward was pregnant with Adderley’s child at the time of her death. On August 4, 2016, both Knowles and Saunders were sentenced to 18 years in prison by Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs. However, Knowles’ sentence was reduced to 17 years after receiving credit for time spent
TRUST YOUR LAYWYER, CONVICTED KILLER URGED By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net THE COURT of Appeal’s president has urged a man convicted of murdering a former CARIFTA medalist to “trust” his legal representatives after he requested the court’s assistance in appointing an attorney to represent him for the second time. Dame Anita Allen told Javaro Davis the appellate court’s acquiescence to his requests for a court appointed lawyer to challenge his 49-year sentence, notwithstanding the nature of his offence, would be the last time it agrees to any such request. Dame Anita’s admonitions, The Tribune understands, came after Davis’ dissatisfaction with his previous courtappointed lawyer over the
drafting of his notice of appeal. Davis, who is serving time for murdering 2002 CARIFTA Games participant and medalist Rimardo Rolle in a nightclub in Freeport in March 2014, had previously been assigned counsel to contest his nearhalf century sentence. However, The Tribune understands Davis took issue with the number of grounds contained in his notice of appeal – he allegedly wanted more grounds to be included – and thus grew dissatisfied with the representation of his attorney. After brief submissions from Crown prosecutor Anthony Delaney, as well as attorney Stanley Rolle, the latter of whom stated his involvement in the matter was “very minimal”, Dame Anita questioned Davis as to whether or not he planned
to lead his own appeal. “Are you prepared to represent yourself?” Dame Anita asked. “Not at this moment, my lady,” was the reply. After a moment of deliberation, she stated the court was “minded” to assign Davis counsel at the public’s expense and adjourned the matter to November 27 for mention. However, she encouraged Davis to have more faith in his attorneys, whomever they might be. “You have to trust your counsel, you know?” she said. “You can’t continue to do this.” “… Not everything that pops into your head - you’re untrained - is relevant to the particulars of the case.” Davis subsequently apologised for inconveniencing the court. On August 5, 2014, Davis was unanimously convicted of murder in connection
with the shooting death of Rolle, 27, of Freeport, Grand Bahama. On September 25, 2014 he was sentenced to 49 years in prison, set to commence from August 7, 2014. According to earlier reports, shortly before 2am on the day in question, police received information of a shooting incident at Legend’s Night Club on Queen’s Highway, Grand Bahama. When officers arrived on the scene, they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds to his upper body. Later, at 9.45am, he died in hospital. The Tribune understands that Rolle, a former member of the track club Star Trackers and former Queen’s College student, was a member of the 2002 CARIFTA Games National Team where he won the 800m, and placed 5th in the 400m.
on remand awaiting trial. Saunders had his sentence reduced to 14
years for his four years spent on remand prior to trial.
PAGE 6, Friday, October 27, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
Sarkis raises new Baha Mar questions from page one Asked whether he could say when this letter was received, Mr Bethel said: “I don’t recall the details. It was I think early this week or late last week and as soon as I got it I forwarded for consideration. “I received a letter from him. I am not at liberty to go into details of whatever he was asking. I forwarded it to officials for consideration. I’m not getting into any details about a letter like that.” Mr Bethel is expected to make a complete report to Cabinet on Tuesday, a source informed this newspaper. Back in June, Tribune Business reported Mr Izmirlian urged the Minnis administration to impose “a moratorium” on the completion of Baha Mar’s sale and warned he was considering legal action against the Christie administration’s “state sponsored discrimination.” Baha Mar’s original developer launched a withering assault on the heads of terms for the $4.2
billion project’s construction completion, variously describing the multi-million-dollar tax incentives granted to the Chinese as “toxic,” “one-sided” and a “wholesale giveaway” that The Bahamas cannot afford given its precarious fiscal position. He also demanded that the new government “reopen the investigation” into the casino licence granted to Baha Mar’s potential new owner, CTFE, and publicly disclose the Gaming Board’s assessment of its suitability. Outlining his two key requests, Mr Izmirlian told the Minnis administration in June: “Place a moratorium on the completion of any sale of Baha Mar and other transactions under these agreements.” This, he argued, would enable the new government and the Bahamian people to assess “the toxicity” of the former Christie administration’s dealings with the Chinese, “and how the best interests of Bahamians can be met.” The Minnis administration’s position on Baha
THE BAHA MAR RESORT Mar including its apparent change in tone has placed the government in the line of criticism. In March, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, then in opposition, pledged
to “engage and execute a real sale of Baha Mar to a qualified and respectable purchaser who believes in Bahamians; a purchaser who will utilise only Bahamian labour to complete
the resort, and will put Bahamians back to work with real jobs as quickly as possible.” However, since being elected to office, the government has seemed to
step away from this position with Mr Bethel at one point stating there was nothing in unsealed Baha Mar documents that prompts renegotiation of the deal.
CHAIRMAN MITCHELL COMES OUT FIGHTING from page one
Mr Mitchell, leader of opposition business in the Senate, in his critique of the Minnis administration, blasted the government for its press releases in response to the party’s convention, branding the actions “silly, childish invective” that showed the FNM as “a set of children in playing around throwing mud pies at one another.” “The PLP is dedicated to the debate and the critique of public policy,” he asserted. “We want better laws. We want our people treated fairly. We want the FNM to stick to their promises to the Bahamian people. Their responses over the past week were disappointing.” He continued: “Having said all that, the FNM should be assured that we will meet them at every corner and on every street, in every island in the nation in the battle for the supremacy of ideas and in the competition for the hearts and minds of our people.” According to unofficial figures from the party, Mr Mitchell received 627 votes, former West End and Bimini MP Obie Wilchcombe got 419 and former Long Island election candidate Glendon Rolle received 261. The convention’s final day was fraught with chaos and disorganisation. Voting, which was supposed to
start at 8am, did not begin until about three hours later. Voting did not end until after 8pm, forcing the cancellation of the live television broadcast of the event and the planned line up of speakers. Newly elected PLP Leader Philip “Brave” Davis did not give his victory speech until after 11pm.
Mr Mitchell said the convention was in many ways a watershed event for the party. He noted the process marked the transition to a new leader only the third time in the party’s 64-year history. Additionally, Mr Mitchell said the process saw “historic participation” of supporters from across the Bahamas and cemented the party’s commitment
to rebranding and rebuilding itself. “Our party showed the country how to conduct an internal election without rancour and with grace. All of the candidates deserve the praise for the manner in which this election was conducted. “Congratulations to the winners of the principal offices Leader Philip “Brave”
Davis, Deputy Leader Chester Cooper, Deputy Chairman Robyn Lynes. “Grateful thanks to Mrs Glenys Hanna Martin, Dr Erecia Hepburn, Mr Obie Wilchcombe, Mr Glendon Rolle and Mr Ricardo Smith, who were candidates in the competition for those offices,” he said. Mr Mitchell said: “The PLP’s constitution says that
its number one aim is to make the PLP the government of The Bahamas. In that aim, the party is recommitted coming out of convention. “We thank all Bahamians for their well wishes and their desire to see the party once more take its place as that great influencer of public policy, and the defender of our national independence and sovereignty. There was also a renewed commitment to economic empowerment. “In thanking all people generally, it is appropriate to say thanks to the outgoing leader of the party, the Rt Hon Perry Christie for his tireless efforts toward building a better PLP and country. “I say a special thank you to my immediate predecessor Bradley Roberts for holding the fort as the defender of the PLP faith for so many years.” Mr Mitchell also thanked Mr Davis for seeking him out to carry the mantle of chairman. Mr Mitchell later thanked those who rallied to support him and the people of the PLP’s Fox Hill Constituency Branch, who continues to watch his back. He also thanked his siblings. Exuma and Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper emerged as the party’s new deputy leader, while former Senator Robyn Lynes was elected deputy chairman.
issues in this regard would not be aired in public, but within the constraints of an internal party meeting. Mr Mitchell received 627 votes, while Mr Wilchcombe got 419 and former Long Island election candidate Glendon Rolle received 261. Former Senator Robyn Lynes was elected deputy chairman.
“There are many reasons why Mitchell won,” Mr Wilchcombe said. “But these will be discussed within the confines of the party. I won’t talk about them publicly.” He was asked if he believed his comments earlier this week may have led to his defeat for the post. On Monday, the former West End and Bimini MP said he believed he would be a better fit for chairman compared with Senator
Mitchell because he can bring a more temperate approach to how the party deals with matters. Speaking on the sidelines of the PLP’s first day of convention sessions, Mr Wilchcombe said there was a distinctive difference between himself and the former Fox Hill MP, saying he never left the opposition party and has always held true to the party’s ideals. At the time, he was asked to give his views of the
chairman race in view of the announcement over the weekend that Mr Mitchell was offering himself to run for the post. On Monday, Mr Wilchcombe said: “I think there is a distinctive difference between Fred and I. I never left the PLP. I have always been a PLP. I have always held to the PLP and its ideals. “Mitchell is a colleague of mine and at the end of the day I do respect Mitchell and what the PLP
requires. Right now it needs a person like myself who can make a difference in the organisation, bring (a temperate) approach to how we deal with issues, bring a balanced argument to the situation and bring vision. I’m a planner and a person prepared to roll up my sleeves and get to work on a daily basis as opposed to others who may wish to do it part time. “I (would be) a full time national chairman,” he said.
THE NEW chairman of the PLP, Fred Mitchell, pictured during the party’s convention.
WILCHCOMBE TO AIR DOUBTS OVER MITCHELL IN PARTY MEETING By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribumedia.net FORMER Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe suggested yesterday he had reservations about Senator Fred Mitchell’s victory in the Progressive Liberal Party’s chairmanship race on Wednesday night. However, he said, his
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AIR SEARCH FOR BIMINI COUPLE CALLED OFF from page one “Our search has turned up nothing,” he said. “The aerial search has now been called off and we are in search and recovery.” A joint search effort was conducted by the Royal Bahamas Force Police Marine Division, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force led by Petty Officer Clarke, BASRA representatives in Bimini and the US Coast Guard. According to reports, the couple went fishing in a small vessel last Friday. However, it is believed
MISSING: Alex Saintre, 65, and his wife, Aliseda, 45. they may have encountered weather was terrible for the “unfavourable” weather small craft they were in, and a number of witnesses saw conditions while at sea. “In speaking with rela- the small vessel they were tives, we understand that in,” said Supt Rolle. The officer said winds (going fishing) is something they normally do, but the were blowing east and
south, pushing north at 10mph to 15mph last Friday. He said the bad weather continued the following Saturday and Sunday. Supt Rolle said: “The weather was bad and the seas were rough, and the currents are very strong around Bimini.” The couple’s two daughters from New Providence were in Bimini and given the status of the police investigation. “The case remains open until we bring closure to it,” said Supt Rolle, who also said officials are in touch with the Haitian Consulate in Nassau.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, October 27, 2017, PAGE 7
Hundreds register for lawyer convention in Freeport By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
THE president of the International Federation of Women Lawyers said that over 200 delegates have registered to attend the upcoming 36th Triennial International Convention in Freeport next week. The convention takes place November 13–17 at the Grand Lucayan Resort. This year’s theme is “The Economic Empowerment of Women and Children in an Evolving World”. Jethlyn Burrows said the Grand Bahama Port
Authority and BTC have come on board as major sponsors. Carla McIntosh, general counsel of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, said the company is pleased to be a sponsor for the event which is being held for the first time in the Bahamas. “We congratulate Mrs Burrows in her role as the first Bahamian president of FIDA 2014-2017. We are delighted to be sponsoring this event as we believe in FIDA’s worldwide objective,” said McIntosh. BTC will be the exclusive telecommunications
company sponsoring FIDA’s convention, and will have a booth in the main foyer of the hotel. The company will distribute welcome bags with bottles, pens, and notepads, and other gifts. Eldri Ferguson, BTC vice-president of customer experience in Nassau and Family Islands, said the company is excited to be platinum sponsors for the women’s convention, which is about women in leadership. She said that BTC will speak on the topic, “Women in Information Communication and Technology”.
“If you look at the representation of the utility organisations and major companies we see women in power, and so many times it goes understated and we want to talk about the role of women in technology, and the role of women in leadership,” she said. Mrs Burrows said that at the sessions will review many issues and challenges facing women and children in education, science, and technology. “We will also focus on the impact of women in politics and leadership; and the economic
empowerment of women from the village to boardroom,” she stated. The last convention was held in Bangalore, India, in November 2014, when she was elected the international president and so the Bahamas has the honour of hosting the 36th triennial convention. She said registration is ongoing and so far over 200 delegates from Cameroon, Colombia, India, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, the UK, the USA and Uganda, have registered to attend the convention in Freeport.
Because the Bahamas is aligned with the North American region, the FIDA president noted that no international president will be elected from the region for another 15 years. FIDA was founded in 1944 in Mexico City, Mexico, and was originally known officially by its Spanish name, Federacion Internacional de Abogadas. Its mission is to promote the welfare of women and children and the principle and aims of the United Nations in their level and social aspect. FIDA obtained UN consultative status in 1954.
HONOURING THE BEST IN JOURNALISM
BAHAMAS Press Club president Anthony Capron at yesterday’s press conference at The Shoal restaurant to announce The Bahamas Press Club Media Awards Banquet. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff THE BAHAMAS Press Club will hold its annual awards banquet on Saturday, November 18, honouring the best in Bahamian journalism. The banquet is held under the patronage of Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling and Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis will be the keynote speaker. At a press conference yesterday, Bahamas Press Club President Anthony Capron said this year’s event will give local journalists a “pat on the back” for a job well done. “Often you may hear phrases being bandied about that the press is the watchdog of society,” he said. “And, indeed, it is. But you may also hear that the media is not doing a good
job, and sometimes that it is not doing its job, period. “You always hear what the press is not doing. The good goes unspoken, and unrecognised by the critics. “We in the media know that we are not all good. But, we also know, that we are not as bad as the naysayers try to paint us. “And so, it is up to us to recognise our worth and to give ourselves the necessary pat on the back. “However, we note that with the advent and the spread of social media, a burden has been placed on the traditional media, like never before. More than ever now, we need to be very careful of our sources and to remember our tenets. Check and recheck. “Ensure that we have the facts and to jealously guard
YOUR
against being the purveyors of what today is heralded as ‘fake news.’” This year, three new categories have been added to the competition: University of The Bahamas Journalism Award (for UB students), The Press Club Person of the Year Award (to be chosen by The Press Club), and the PAHOWHO Excellence in Health Promotion Award, sponsored by the Pan-American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation. The organisation announced the Etienne Dupuch Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to Gladstone Thurston – former journalist who has worked at The Tribune, The Nassau Guardian and Bahamas Information Services.
Also this year, the recipient of the Pioneer Award is Joan Albury, of The Counsellors Limited. In 2015, the Bahamas Press Club honoured Tribune Editor and Publisher Eileen Dupuch Carron. Last year, the club’s Lifetime Achievement Award went to veteran broadcaster Calsey Johnson, the recent Bahamas high commissioner to Canada. Judges include Hadassah Hall, Judy Terrell, Quincy Parker, Duke Wells, Ray Munnings, and Dr Esther de Gourville, PAHO-WHO country rep for The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands. The event will be held in the Windsor Rood of the Hilton. It is sponsored by Aliv and Bahamas Power and Light.
CHOICE FOR THE FAMILY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JOYFM1019
PAGE 8, Friday, October 27, 2017
Maybe he is that bold and brazen AFTER touching on it here in A Comic’s View, about two weeks ago, it seems (in my best Ricky Ricardo voice), “Frankie, you have some explaining to do.” QC Wayne Munroe, is preparing to argue in the courts whether, Minister of Transportation and Local Government, and Southern Shores MP Frankie Campbell’s Bahamian citizenship is valid. “In essence what it amounts to is either the court will say that those documents aren’t sufficient to prove citizenship in which case he is not entitled to citizenship and not entitled to be in Parliament or the court will say documents of that nature are sufficient to prove citizenship,” said Mr Munroe. “Then I suspect that tens of thousands of children of immigrants will be producing their documents to get their citizenship in the same way. Because if you do it for one there is no reason not to accept the same documents in the same manner in the same nature from other persons.”
“I’ll put it to you like this, having looked at the documents in my view ought not to be accepted to establish citizenship, but if a court rules that they are sufficient to establish citizenship then that would be a judgment binding on the government so that it would have to accept these documents.” “You would be able to swear an affidavit for instance today to say that somebody was born in The Bahamas before independence without the need of producing any proof from the hospital that the person was born in The Bahamas and they would have to accept that because that’s the circumstance in his case. So either his documents are acceptable and he is qualified to remain in which case all persons who produce documents of that nature are qualified to be given passports or else it’s not sufficient in which he is not qualified to remain.” Munroe presents a very compelling argument, which should come as no surprise to Mr Campbell, seeing how, while in Parliament, he openly challenged
Brad Charlton, 38
of South Beach will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, 28th October, 2017 at Zion South Beach Baptist Church, Zion Boulevard. Officiating will be Bishop B. Wenith Davis assisted by Pastor Charles T. Dorsett and Minister Joe Brown. Interment will follow in the Woodlawn Gardens Cemetery, Soldier Road.
Left to cherish fond memories of him are his Daughter: Bradesha Charlton; Sons: Bradley Charlton, Terrad Charlton, Bradon Charlton, Samuel Charlton and Emmanuel Charlton; Sisters: Samana Charlton-Rolle and Lynette Charlton-Greenslade; Brothers: Lebraun Charlton and Troy Charlton; Brother-In-Law: Tavaughn Rolle; Nieces: Evaughn Rolle, Marley Johnson and Rashawn Clarke; Nephews: Braun Charlton, Earl Francis Jr., Rashad Clarke, Troy Charlton Jr., and Christavio; Aunts: Bernice Charlton, Lottie (Elton) Williamson, Hilda Charlton, Blanche (Frank) Deveaux, Ivy Charlton and Marietta Mckinney; Uncles: Rev. Levi (Sylvia) Charlton, Wellington (Juletta) Charlton and Vincent (Ruth) Charlton; Cousins: Laketah Charlton, Rico Charlton, Gregory Charlton, Charles (Patrice) Charlton, Montressor Charlton, Jacintha Sherrilyn, Katherine, Tonya, Wenderra (Nehemiah), Yannique, Pandora, Shermona McKinney, Thecla, Olga, Adena, Cora, Clyde, Franka, Omar Saunders, Roslyn, Alfreda Gibson, Valerie, Brunell, Reginald, Clyde, Haston, Ronnie, Melva, Zoom, Kevin Charlton, Registered Nurse Melanie Dean, Vynaska Charlton, Vynique Charlton, Winston Charlton, Vincent Charlton, Perez Rolle, Stefan Deveaux, Jamaal Clarke, Shawn Munroe, Jed Munroe, Pedro Rolle, Zalmon Charlton, Perry Charlton, Winston Moss, Keith Moss, Clinton Moss, Sean Moss, Kerrington Moss, Brenton Charlton, Prescola Rolle, Keisha Rolle, Kendra Deveaux, Sherice Munroe, Margo Munroe, Shekera Forbes, Sheldon Gibson, Fred Ramsey, Gerard Ramsey, Devaughn Stubbs, Nevida Mills, Nia Mills-Bethel, Deangelo Charlton, Carlesa, Sherika, Prescola Rolle, Portia Gibson, Laverne Charlton, Siobhan Johnson, Ingrid Major, Eulean Charlton, Catherine Thompson, Dorinda Humes, Bridgette Ferguson, Barbara Peterson, Bernadette Pratt, Tomico Thompson, Patricia Charlton, Rachel Dean, Deborah Charlton, Pamela Thompson, Hilroy, Thomas, Bradley, Reverend Franklyn Charlton, Dennis Charlton, Quinton Charlton, Nason Charlton, Edwardo Charlton, Michael Charlton, Jefferson Charlton, Jeff Charlton Jr., Brenton Charlton, Virley, Arthur Davis and Walter; Other Relatives and Friends including: Takisa Bethel and Family, Danielle Miller and Family, Danielle Miller and Family, Clement Pienson and Family, Terrell Colebrooke and Family, Vanessa Rolle and Family, Mack, McDonald Rolle and Family, The Taylor Family, Kenny Major, Lathario Kelly, Lynden Evans and Family, Nigel and Portia Curry, Racardo Hanna, Joey, Sunrise Roofing Cree Company, Bishop B. Wenith Davis Senior Pastor and the Zion South Beach Baptist Church Family and a host of other relatives and friends too numerous to mention. Friends may pay their respects at Newbold Brothers Chapel, Palmetto Avenue and Acklins Street on Friday 27th October from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., at the church on Saturday 28th October from 9:00 a.m. until service time.
THE TRIBUNE
MEMBER of Parliament for Southern Shores Frankie Campbell. Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff anyone to prove he has dual citizenship, and the passport of any other country. According to the Constitution, a person is not qualified to be elected to the House of Assembly if they are a citizen of another country, having become that citizen voluntarily or if, “by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state”. I seriously doubt this section applies to Mr Campbell but the questions surrounding how he obtained citizenship presents quite the quandary for him and, indirectly, PM Dr. Hubert Minnis. AN ANTS NEST The Prime Minister’s recent remarks about undocumented migrants being out of the country by year’s end (and his previous remarks about the way he wants to assist Dominica) stirred up something in this country. Now, everyone is suspicious of everyone who they think is “other”. Coincidentally enough, even I was questioned by immigration officers just the other day while at a gas
station. The officer who actually approached me (politely, I must say) asked me to produce identification proving I was a Bahamian. Because I am a Bahamian - and aware of my rights as a Bahamian- I politely declined. Of course, I did so the way any offended citizen would - in pure, unfiltered Bahamian dialect. It seems both the officer and his supervisors were satisfied and moved on. There is an immigration problem in this country. No one denies that. But kicking that ants nest for the sake of political brownie points is unseemly. Like all the big problems facing this country, we need smart ideas, not sound bites. Jobs, Mr Prime Minister, jobs! Jobs for unemployed Bahamians who are suffering is and always will be the number one issue. So allow immigration to do its job without hyping the situation. It’s time to pivot from “campaign slogans” to action that will finally bring financial relief. But if a slogan is needed, the best one is still the one Bill Clinton’s campaign advisor James Carville
birthed many decades ago: It’s The Economy, Stupid! BUT WHILE WE’RE ON THE SUBJECT When one hears “all undocumented migrants” one would quickly think of the usual suspects -Cubans, Haitians and Jamaicans. However after a particular story recently made headlines in this paper, involving a foreign national, his now ex-Russian girlfriend, a swimming pool and Mercedes, it makes one wonder if the PM really means “all” undocumented migrants. Let’s take a closer look at the subject of that story, Mr Guy Gentile. According to that article in The Tribune involving his car and swimming pool, he’s quite an interesting character. Mr Gentile, the Nassau-based head of Swiss-America Securities, relocated to The Bahamas in 2007-2009 as allegations swirled of his involvement in “securities fraud”. Gentile, a US citizen, was indicted by federal authorities in March 2016 on criminal charges stemming from the alleged fraud.
Mr Gentile and his business holdings were “forced” into undercover ‘sting’ operations regarding market manipulation scams. Additionally Mr Gentile became a “co-operating witness” for the US government. Judge Jose Linares, found the action was effectively “out of time” under US law, and dismissed the case on technicalities. As some undocumented migrants are in need of the proper legal paperwork, (which is a fair and necessary requirement) to reside or work in The Bahamas (or face deportation), it makes one wonder, how is that “certain” other types of foreign nationals get the red carpet and carte blanche treatment? With such a reputation preceding him, how did Mr Gentile obtain residency, and a securities license so quickly and quietly? While they are flushing out the “undocumented migrants,” my advice to the new administration (and immigration) is perhaps they should look at cleaning up some of the “documented migrants” as well.
THE MERCEDES Benz in the swimming pool might have prompted laughter around The Bahamas - but does its owner’s history prompt some questions too?
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, October 27, 2017, PAGE 9
Herbal physician to launch book at major Rastafari celebration A HERBAL physician who is known for his talks on diabetes is scheduled to arrive in town today ahead of one of the biggest celebrations on the calendar of the Rastafari people. Priest Kailash Leonce is chairman of The Great Physician International, a company that is geared towards “the eradication of disease using herbs, the biblical diet and sound social practices”. “I studied medicine for two years at the Ciencias Medicas in Cien Fuegos, Cuba, after which I continued at The American University of Antigua College of Medicine where I completed the basic sciences in 2005,” he said. “Having gone through medical school and the study of the implementation of herbal medicine in different times and cultures, we decided to take a right turn to pursue a practice in herbal medicine. Being equipped with the knowledge of the basic sciences (pathology, biochemistry, pharmacology, nutrition, physiology) and the pharmacokinetics of the phyto-chemicals found in the herbs, we are well placed in a position where we can efficaciously treat the disease conditions that plague our nations.” Diabetes is a noncommunicable disease which affects many people throughout the Caribbean, so much so that studies are ongoing to determine how to stave off rising statistics. Diabetes is the fifth-leading
cause of death in The Bahamas for all ages locally, with a rate of 29.2 deaths per 100,000 persons annually. “Diabetes is known as the silent assassin as it destroys the life of its victims mercilessly, from the daily amputations, blindness, organ failure and eventual death,” he said. “So, instead of dying a bit (di-a-bit-is) we can become more disciplined and practice self-love by doing what we know we should and avoiding what we know we should avoid. Remember the antagonist of sweet is bitter as diabetes is known as “sugar” - let’s begin by incorporating more bitter.” The Great Physician International “features a line of products catering to the healing and restoring of proper functioning of the male and female body, for adults and children”. Priest Kailash has authored The Sugar Baby - Naturally Eradicating Diabetes and The Food of 7 Cook Book. Priest Kailash a longstanding member of the Bobo Ashanti tribe, a sect of Rastafari, which operates as the Ethiopia Africa Black International Congress. The congress has branches all over the world, including at Fire Trail Road East, New Providence. He visits to share lectures and launch his new herbal book, and will participate in Coronation Celebrations, which honour the coronation of Emperor Haile Selassie and Empress Menen on November 2, 1930, in Ethiopia. He thought it a fitting
time to launch his book The Herbal Manual The Matrix of Medicine - and visit The Bahamas to commune with church members here, while sharing his knowledge with the general public. The House of Rastafari has invited him to serve as the special guest speaker at its House of Rastafari Council of Elders Appreciation banquet at Akhepran International Academy’s Tehuti Temple on Sunday, beginning at 7pm with $20 admission. University of the Bahamas students and the general public are invited to his lecture at the Harry C. Moore Library on Monday, October 30 from 7 - 9pm, where he will launch his latest literary work. Students of Akhepran International will hear from the herbal physician on Wednesday at the school at Tehuti Temple from 2.30 – 3.30pm, where parents are invited. President Jacinta Higgs says this lecture will be a part of the school’s pilot project for their Obesity Prevention Programme. Priest Kailash will minister from the altar at the EABIC Bobo Ashanti grounds at Fire Trail Road East for its all night church Coronation celebrations, including “Ital” food and ancient Nyahbinghi drumming. • For more information on Priest Kailash and his products, visit www. foodof7.com and www. priestkailash.com.
PRIEST Kalilash Leonce
CLIMATE “REFUGEES” IN THE CARIBBEAN By LISA BENJAMIN and ADELLE THOMAS
THE region is still in recovery mode from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The 2017 hurricane season is not over yet, but already it has been declared one of the top 10 most active Atlantic hurricane seasons on record. Financial estimates of the damage caused by these extreme events are preliminary, but extend into the billions of dollars. Millions of residents in the region took refuge in shelters during the storm, and to date thousands of people are still displaced. Many residents, particularly in Barbuda and Dominica, may be displaced for some time as their homes are no longer habitable. In Puerto Rico, vast numbers of
residents are still without power, and may be for some time. Across the region, many people have lost everything, and may not be able to afford to rebuild. Many residents of affected countries such as Puerto Rico, Dutch St Martin, and the British Virgin Islands are either citizens of, or protectorates of, larger more developed countries, and therefore have access to funds and expertise to rebuild their countries. However, other countries such as Cuba, Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda, have no such patrons, and are at the mercy of donations and the generosity of their neighbours. To this end, the Bahamas has accepted a number of Dominicans into the country, particularly students, seeking refuge. The ferocity and intensity
of these hurricanes are linked to the drivers of climate change and the region is highly likely to experience increased intensity of hurricanes in the future. As global temperatures continue to increase and impacts escalate, there will necessarily be further migration and displacement of residents. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projects that by 2100 there will be significant changes due to climate change, including more intense hurricanes, greater damage from flooding and more serious implications for human health and livelihoods. The Caribbean is on the front lines of these changes and is expected to experience these impacts in advance of other regions. Climate-induced displacement refers to
populations which have been forced to move. Climate-induced migration refers to people driven by special circumstances to move on a voluntary basis. In the instance of climate change, it is often difficult to clearly distinguish between these two circumstances. In both circumstances, affected people would not be classed as “refugees” under international law, as in most cases there is no element of persecution involved. As a result, at the moment there is no international legal framework governing climate-induced displacement. A recently published peer-reviewed paper found that few Caribbean and Pacific island states currently have policies in place governing climateinduced migration and
displacement. Given the increasing impacts of climate change, migration is likely to be a strategy used by these states to adapt, but current efforts are largely temporary and ad hoc. Ad hoc approaches to migration and displacement are likely to result in increased vulnerability of residents. Comprehensive data and policies are needed to ensure planned relocations and increased resilience to climate change. As a result, the development of comprehensive national policies on migration and displacement is becoming a policy priority in the region. For more information on climate-induced migration and displacement, see ‘Policies and mechanisms to address climate-induced migration and displacement in Pacific and Caribbean
small island developing states’ by Adelle Thomas and Lisa Benjamin (2017) International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management available at: http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/full/10.1108/ IJCCSM-03-2017-0055. For more information on climate change see The Climate Change Initiative’s website at www.climatechangebahamas.org. The Climate Change Initiative is collaborating with Bahamas350.org’s climate action week from October 23-27 2017, see https://www.facebook.com/bah350/. • Lisa Benjamin and Adelle Thomas are assistant professors at The University of The Bahamas, and co-founders of the Climate Change Initiative (www.climatechangebahamas.org).
READERS HAVE THEIR SAY ON PLP CONVENTION OUTCOME AFTER Philip ‘Brave’ Davis was elected the new PLP leader at the party’s convention this week, readers gave their reaction on tribune242.com. TalRussell said: “I guess a lot depends on how well ‘Brave’ (and those he surrounds himself with) will be open to work with others who had or were hoping for different expectations to come out of the PLP’s October Convention. He has to go hard after the red shirts but not during his first year as party leader. Best leave that to his most trusted political warriors and work closely and smartly with the new party chairman at rebuilding the party base from the ground up – island by island, constituency by constituency.” John thought there was a comparison to be made with Dr Hubert Minnis’ situation after the 2012 election: “Brave Davis finds himself exactly where Hubert Minnis was 4 1/2 years ago. First the party was dumped in his lap, then he had to go to convention to become officially elected leader. Then, as like other creatures, the wounded PLPs finish licking their wounds, they become hungry for power. Many become hungry for power, especially after they begin to miss the treats, delights and opportunities and privileges
the last five years in power brought them. Living as an ordinary citizen is too difficult for them. So they want to hunt again. And since it is not silly season yet, they will turn on their leaders. So Brave Davis mostly and his officers will spend most of the next 4 1/2 years fighting off their own power hungry and disgruntled members, not unlike Minnis had to do.” Birdiestrachan was happy with those elected to the key positions: “I love this team. The PLP is responsible for all the visionary ideas in the Bahamas, the University of the Bahamas, National Insurance, free high school, the Defence Force, BAMSI, a musical festival is not a bad idea – call it whatever one wishes, the middle class in the Bahamas, just to mention a few. Sir Lynden made many
proud to be Bahamians, he caused many to believe that they were no less than any other man or woman, boy or girl in the whole wide world. The PLP men and women have been blessed with wisdom.” But OMG didn’t agree and replied with this: “BIRDIE, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THAT YOU ARE STUCK IN A TIME WARP. Some of what you say is true in the past but face reality – the recent PLP government was corrupt, inefficient, and has brought this country to the point of bankruptcy. The middle class that you so proudly mention hardly exists faced with substantial taxes and little to show for it. Being a proud Bahamian is nothing to do with being PLP or FNM.” And there was this from SP: “We keep hearing
PHILIP ‘Brave’ Davis giving his victory speech after being elected leader of the PLP. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff empty words about ‘PLP’s new leadership team returning the party to its core values’, yet, NOBODY ever expounds on what
these so-called core values are supposed to be! It’s just more baseless smoke and mirror PLP rhetoric with no accountable meaning
whatsoever.” • Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.
PAGE 10, Friday, October 27, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
CUBA DENIES SONIC ATTACKS ON DIPLOMATS
HAVANA (AP) — Cuba on Thursday presented its most detailed defense to date against US accusations that American diplomats in Havana were subjected to mysterious sonic attacks that left them with a variety of ailments including headaches, hearing problems and concussions. In a half-hour, primetime special titled “Alleged Sonic Attacks,” Cuban officials attempted to undermine the Trump administration’s assertion that 24 US officials or their relatives had been subjected to deliberate attacks by a still-undetermined culprit. Many officials reported being subjected to loud, grating noises before falling ill. The US has not accused Cuba of carrying out the attacks, but says that Cuba has not met its obligation to protect diplomats on its territory. The television special pointed out what it alleged was a lack of evidence for the US accusations. It argued the United States had failed to show that such attacks had actually occurred.
NBC REPORTER SUSPENDED IN SEX CLAIMS NEW YORK (AP) — MSNBC says journalist Mark Halperin has been suspended from his role as network contributor following charges from five women who claimed he sexually harassed them while he was an ABC News executive. The network said Thursday it found Halperin’s conduct as described in a CNN story “very troubling” and that the veteran political reporter will be off the air until questions about his past are fully understood. Later Thursday, Penguin Press canceled a planned book by Halperin and John Heilemann about the 2016 election and HBO called off a miniseries that would have been based on the book.
TILLERSON CALLS FOR ASSAD TO QUIT GENEVA (AP) — US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson doubled down Thursday on Washington’s call for Syrian President Bashar Assad to leave power, looking past recent battlefield gains by his Russian-backed forces to insist that “the reign of the Assad family is coming to an end”. Tillerson made the comments after what he called a “fruitful” meeting with the UN’s envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura. The top US diplomat used the occasion to reiterate Washington’s longstanding, hardline position against Assad, which has been overshadowed of late by the Trump administration’s focus more on defeating Islamic State than on ousting the Syrian leader.
ELECTION SERVER WIPED AS LAWSUIT IS FILED IN COURT GEORGIA (AP) - A computer server crucial to a lawsuit against Georgia election officials was quietly wiped clean by its custodians just after the suit was filed, The Associated Press has learned. The server’s data was destroyed July 7 by technicians at the Center for Elections Systems at Kennesaw State University, which runs the state’s election system. The data wipe was revealed in an email sent last week from an assistant state attorney general to plaintiffs in the case that was later obtained by the AP. More emails obtained in a public records request confirmed the wipe. The lawsuit aims to force Georgia to retire its antiquated election technology.
THIS image provided by the Warren commission, shows Warren Commission Exhibit No 697, President John F Kennedy at the extreme right on rear seat of his limousine during Dallas, motorcade on Nov 22, 1963. His wife, Jacqueline, beside him, Gov John Connally of Texas and his wife were on jump seats in front of the president.
Jfk files released - but more remain uncovered WASHINGTON Associated Press PRESIDENT Donald Trump blocked the release of hundreds of records on the assassination of President John F Kennedy, bending to CIA and FBI appeals, while the National Archives came out Thursday night with a hefty cache of others. “I have no choice,” Trump said in a memo, citing “potentially irreversible harm” to national security if he were to allow all records to come out now. He placed those files under a six-month review while letting 2,800 others come out, racing a deadline to honor a law mandating their release. The documents approved for release capture the frantic days after the Nov. 22, 1963, assassination, during which federal agents madly chased after tips, however thin, juggled rumors and sifted through leads worldwide. They include cables, notes and reports stamped “Secret” that reveal the suspicions of the era — around Cubans and Communists. They cast a wide net over varied activities of the Kennedy administration, such as its covert efforts to upend Fidel Castro’s government in Cuba. For historians, it’s a chance to answer
lingering questions, put some unfounded conspiracy theories to rest, perhaps give life to other theories. Despite having months to prepare for disclosures that have been set on the calendar for 25 years, Trump’s decision came down to a last-minute debate with intelligence agencies — a tussle the president then prolonged by calling for still more review. The delay sparked a round of finger-pointing among agencies and complaints that Trump should have released all records. Roger Stone, a sometime Trump adviser who wrote a book about his theories on the assassination, urged Trump to review personally any material that government agencies still want to withhold. Trump should at least “spot check” any extensive redactions to make sure agencies are not “dabbling in acts of criminal insubordination,” Stone said in a statement. As for the unreleased documents, Trump will impress upon federal agencies that “only in the rarest cases” should JFK files stay secret after the six-month review, officials said. In the meantime, experts will be poring through a mountain of minutiae and countless loose threads in search of significant revelations. In the chaotic aftermath
of the assassination, followed two days later by the murder of the shooter, Lee Harvey Oswald while in police custody, FBI Director J, Edgar Hoover vented his frustration in a formerly secret report found in the files. It opened: “There is nothing further on the Oswald case except that he is dead.” But, reflecting on Oswald less than an hour after he died, Hoover already sensed theories would form about a conspiracy broader than the lone assassin. “The thing I am concerned about, and so is (deputy attorney general) Mr Katzenbach, is having something issued so we can convince the public that Oswald is the real assassin,” he said. He also reported: “Last night we received a call from our Dallas office from a man talking in a calm voice and saying he was a member of a committee organized to kill Oswald.” Hoover said he relayed that warning to Dallas police and was assured Oswald would be sufficiently protected. Oswald was shot dead the next day by Jack Ruby. A document from 1975 contains a partial deposition by Richard Helms, a deputy CIA director under Kennedy who later became CIA chief, to the Rockefeller Commission, which
was studying unauthorized CIA activities in domestic affairs. Commission lawyers appeared to be probing for information on what foreign leaders might have been the subject of assassination attempts by or on behalf of the CIA. A lawyer asks Helms: “Is there any information involved with the assassination of President Kennedy which in any way shows that Lee Harvey Oswald was in some way a CIA agent or agent” — here the document ends, short of his answer. Among the files is a more than 400-page document that appeared to describe people being monitored as potential threats to Kennedy and his successor, Lyndon B Johnson. Officials described one such person this way: “Subject participated in pickets against JFK in 1961. Allegedly trained in guerrilla tactics & sabotage. Considered very dangerous by those who know him. Has visited USA & Cuba. Considered armed and dangerous.” Some suspicions missed the mark badly. One document describes a person who sent a letter to Johnson in December 1963 stating “you’re doomed.” The document says: “Interviewed 1/23/64; friendly. Said letter was a joke. Not dangerous. Attending 5th grade.”
The collection also discloses a Sept 14, 1962, meeting of a group of Kennedy’s senior aides, including brother Robert, the attorney general, as they discussed a range of options against Castro’s communist government. The meeting was told the CIA would look into the possibility of sabotaging airplane parts that were to be shipped to Cuba from Canada. McGeorge Bundy, JFK’s national security adviser, cautioned that sensitive ideas like sabotage would have to be considered in more detail on a case-by-case basis. Much of Thursday passed with nothing from the White House or National Archives except silence, leaving unclear how the government would comply with a law requiring the records to come out by the end of the day — unless Trump was persuaded by intelligence agencies to hold some back. White House officials said the FBI and CIA made the most requests within the government to withhold some information. Trump ordered agencies that have proposed withholding material related to the assassination to report to the archivist by next March 12 on which specific information meets the standard for continued secrecy.
47 KILLED AS FIREWORKS FACTORY EXPLODES TANGERANG, INDONESIA Associated Press
INVESTIGATORS on Friday were trying to determine the cause of an explosion and fire at a fireworks factory near Indonesia’s capital that killed at least 47 people, mostly young female workers unable to escape. Survivors told authorities the fire started from the factory’s drying section, where finished fireworks are dried, many under the sun, before they are distributed and sold. Witnesses heard a huge explosion about 10 a.m. Thursday, followed by smaller blasts that echoed across the residential neighborhood on the outskirts of Jakarta as orange flames
POLICE officers and rescuers inspect the site of an explosion at a firecracker factory in Tangerang, on the outskirt of Jakarta, Indonesia, yesterday. Photo: Tatan Syuflana/AP jumped from the build- happened, relatives crushed ing and columns of black by grief went to a police smoke billowed. hospital’s morgue in eastAs investigators tried ern Jakarta Friday morning to piece together what to identify loved ones.
Officials said all of the bodies were burned beyond recognition. “The condition of the corpse were hard to recognise ... can only be identified through DNA and dental data,” said Umar Shahab, who heads medical and health division at the Jakarta Police. Tangerang police chief Harry Kurniawan said 46 injured people were being treated at three hospitals. The death toll could rise as many of those who escaped suffered extensive burns, said Nico Afinta, general crimes director at Jakarta police. He said bodies were found piled at the rear of the building. Police said 103 people were working at the factory and 10 are still unaccounted
for. Some or all of those 10 may not have come to work Thursday or suffered only minor injuries and didn’t seek medical attention, said Jakarta police spokesman Argo Yuwono. A local resident told Indonesia’s MetroTV he saw police and residents smash through a wall of the factory so trapped workers could escape. Some of the victims were burning as they ran out, he said. “The fire began with a strong explosion like a bomb,” Benny, who goes by one name, told the TV channel. Kurniawan said police didn’t want to speculate on the cause of the fire until the investigation was completed.
TRUMP DECLARES OPIOID CRISIS - BUT OFFERS NO NEW FUNDS WASHINGTON (AP) — In ringing and personal terms, President Donald Trump on Thursday pledged that “we will overcome addiction in America,” declaring opioid abuse a national public health emergency and announcing new steps to combat what he described as the worst drug crisis in US history. Trump’s declaration, which will be effective
for 90 days and can be renewed, will allow the government to redirect resources in various ways and to expand access to medical services in rural areas. But it won’t bring new dollars to fight a scourge that kills nearly 100 people a day. “As Americans we cannot allow this to continue,” Trump said in a speech at the White House, where he bemoaned an
epidemic he said had spared no segment of society, affecting rural areas and cities, rich and poor and both the elderly and newborns. “It is time to liberate our communities from this scourge of drug addiction,” he said. “We can be the generation that ends the opioid epidemic.” Deaths have surged from opioids, which include some prescribed painkillers,
heroin and synthetic drugs such as fentanyl, often sold on the nation’s streets. Administration officials said they also would urge Congress, during end-of-the year budget negotiations, to add new cash to a public health emergency fund that Congress hasn’t replenished for years and contains just $57,000. But critics said Thursday’s words weren’t enough. “How can you say it’s
an emergency if we’re not going to put a new nickel in it?” said Dr. Joseph Parks, medical director of the nonprofit National Council for Behavioral Health, which advocates for addiction treatment providers. “As far as moving the money around,” he added, “that’s like robbing Peter to pay Paul.” Democratic House leader Nancy Pelosi said, “Show me the money.”
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Friday, October 27, 2017, PAGE 11
2018/2020 Nassau Bahamas Council Executive Board of the NPHC during the Greek Hall of Fame ceremony held on Saturday, October 21, at The British Colonial Hilton. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. - RAYMOND Winder, a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc, and Tanya Woodside a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc along with the newly installed 2018/2020 executive officers established the Nassau Bahamas NPHC Scholarship Fund and Mentorship Program with the prestigious Gentlemen’s Club during the Nassau Bahamas Pan-Hellenic Council’s Greek Hall of Fame (GHOF) ceremony on Saturday. “As leaders, we must always continue culture for service and give service to humanity,” explained council inductee Raymond Winder. He further noted, “He learnt the true meaning of service and humility when he entered Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity in the late 70s. Tanya and I are happy to assist with the establishment of the fund that will directly assist young men with their tertiary education.” Also honored during the event was Jacqueline Bethel, former Principal of Xavier’s Lower School. She received the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award (Non-Greek). The Council also use this occasion to salute eight outstanding members of the fraternal community for their contribution through their respective organisations.
JACQUELINE Bethel (centre) receiving her Lifetime Achievement Award from during the Greek Hall of Fame ceremony held on Saturday, October 21, at The British Colonial Hilton. Photo: Derek W. Smith Sr/BIS
STANDING In The Hall Of Fame: Several members of the Nassau Bahamas Council of the National Pan-Hellenic Council pose after announcing the establishment of the Nassau Bahamas NPHC Scholarship Fund with an initial injection of $6,000. Pictured L-R Rosemary Braynen; Frank Pancho Rahming; Laura Pratt-Charlton; Mavis Johnson-Collie; Raymond Winder, 2017 Greek Hall of Fame Inductee; Tanya Woodside, 2017 Greek Hall of Fame Inductee; Ricardo P Deveaux; Beverly Wallace Whitfield and Myra Mitchell.
BTC OFFERS SUPPORT TO ANNUAL RED RIBBON BALL BTC has made a donation to the annual Red Ribbon Ball, which raises funds for HIV prevention. The donation will help the foundation to put on their biggest fundraiser of the year packed with loads of prizes and surprises.
Event co-ordinator Wendy Wong said: “BTC’s contribution is always a great thing. They’ve supported us so well in the past, and they continue to support us. We feel really good about this.” Ms Wong has said that the foundation intends to treat
their guests like Hollywood celebrities, walking a red carpet, being interviewed by prominent broadcasters, and have their pictures taken in grand style. She added: “We have an after-school programme which focuses on tutoring
kids that were infected at birth by HIV. We recently got some drawings done for an expansion of our school room, and we’re planning to start building as soon as we raise enough funds.” She said the ball has been important to the foundation
over the years because it brings in the most funding to assist paying for all of their expenses, including medicine for the kids. Manager for Public Relations Indira Collie said: “The AIDS Foundation has made positive strides in the
prevention of HIV. We are proud of the work they have done throughout the community and we are happy to support their annual ball.” The ball is scheduled for Saturday, November 4 in the Imperial Ballroom at The Atlantis Resort.
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FRESH FRUIT FOR PUPILS THANKS TO FOOD CHARITY HANDS For Hunger is a local non-profit known for its food rescue and delivery. The organisation collects fresh and canned food items from businesses and restaurants around New Providence and delivers that food to various distribution agencies which then feed people in the community. Such agencies include The Bahamas Red Cross, Salvation Army, Great Commission, and the Elizabeth Estates Children’s Home. With the abundance of fresh fruit collected at this year’s BFS Food Show, Hands For Hunger was able to not only distribute to its regular agencies but also saw it as an opportunity to reach out specifically to primary school students. When asked what prompted the pop-up fruit stand, executive director Zeleka Knowles responded: “We are eager to promote healthy eating habits among children every chance we get. When we saw the
variety of fruits donated from BFS we knew that it would be a great opportunity to share it with young people.” Hands For Hunger delivers food to two agencies in the Kemp Road area, Eljhay’s Hilltop Ministries and Church of God of Prophecy and was happy to expand its reach in the area. Principal Lauretta Smith jumped at the opportunity to provide her students with healthy snack options. About the pop-up fruit stand, she said: “I welcomed your donation as it allowed our students to see the variety of fruits available and gave them an opportunity to sample the unfamiliar ones.” There are 161 students on the school lunch programme, but Hands For Hunger felt that it was important to share the fruits with all students. Hands For Hunger’s goal is to create a transformed Bahamas, where every person has access to three
nutritious, fortifying meals per day. Part of their strategy for achieving this goal is to instill healthy eating habits in children starting as early as possible.
HANDS For Hunger delivered fresh fruit to primary school children thanks to collections at this year’s BFS Food Show.