The Raging Debate over the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) continues in The Bahamas

Clash Over CSME

By Candia Dames

candiadames@hotmail.com

Nassau, The Bahamas

23rd May 2005

The raging debate over the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) continued on Sunday as Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell locked horns with a leading attorney over various aspects of the agreement, which has created much furor in recent weeks.

A heated exchange between Minister Mitchell and Brian Moree on the Love 97 programme "Jones and Company" led to the attorney lashing out at the Minister over certain comments he made.

Throughout the show, Minister Mitchell, who at times appeared frustrated over what he termed misinformation on CSME, insisted that there will be no fundamental changes if The Bahamas signs onto to the agreement.

"What I'm saying is, let's not frighten ourselves by saying that there is going to be some fundamental change," he said.

"There is going to be no fundamental change and as for whether the reservations will last, I cannot say.  I can only speak for the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas today."

There continues to be great confusion over whether the reservations the government is seeking will last indefinitely.  Several prominent figures, including Mr. Moree, have insisted that they are merely deferrals.

The government has said that at this time, The Bahamas will not participate in the free movement of people; the Caribbean Court of Justice at the appellate level, the single currency and monetary union, and the Common External Tariff.

Mr. Moree believes it is senseless to join an agreement and opt out of its major fundamental provisions.

"If you look at the literature that comes out of the southern Caribbean on the CSME, it seems to make the point very strongly that the CSME is a pipedream if it does not involve full integration of the peoples of the Caribbean countries," said Moree, who also heads the government-appointed Financial Services.

"There has to be political integration; there has to be full economic union.  When you get there, is perhaps debatable- and whether all countries get there at the same time is perhaps debatable.  The fundamental point is that these reservations do not mean that we are not going to be required to deal with these issues at some point in the future.  Before I get into something, I want to look at the future.  I don't have the luxury of mortgaging my children's future."

But Minister Mitchell shot back, "This emotive language is simply irresponsible."

It's a statement Mr. Moree took exception with.

"Minister, we should keep the level of debate high out of respect for your office," he said. "I am not irresponsible."

"I said the language was irresponsible," Minister Mitchell corrected him.

Mr. Moree responded, "That is a view, Minister...The Government of The Bahamas should listen to its people."

"I am listening to you, Mr. Moree," the Minister said.  "I am saying that if you want to keep the debate responsible we have to deal with the facts and the facts are that there will be no fundamental change."

Mr. Moree fired back, "But that is wrong and very few people agree with you."

Minister Mitchell insisted that that statement was simply incorrect.

"You're talking economic theory," he told Mr. Moree.

"I am talking what the facts are as presented by the Government of The Bahamas.  Those facts are that reservations exist- and there is no timing on those reservations and so the treaty as far as those provisions will apply, will not apply to The Bahamas.  How many times does one have to say [that]?"

Mr. Moree suggested sarcastically that the Minister "holds all wisdom" and is intolerant of anyone who opposes him on CSME.  But Minister Mitchell said this was not the case.

He said signing the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas is "really about our continued participation in CARICOM...What we are doing or proposing is to finish the work of becoming incorporated into CARICOM since the treaty is to come into force at the end of the year and maintaining our position with regard to the status quo as far as our relations with CARICOM is concerned by entering reservations pursuant to Article 237 of the treaty, which really puts us in the same position which we are in now."

The show's host, Wendall Jones, said, "The detractors of this say it makes no sense for The Bahamas to sign on to CSME because fundamentally, the economic side is fundamentally what CSME is all about."

"CARICOM is both political and economic, and the government's case has always been that we're a part of CARICOM for geopolitical reasons- and that now that we have the [Revised] Treaty of Chaguaramas, if we are to be fully a part of CARICOM, we should sign the treaty with the reservations, which will serve our national interest."

Mr. Jones then asked, "Are you suggesting therefore that if we do not sign the treaty then we are not a part of CARICOM or should not be a part of CARICOM?"

The Minister explained that, "The great beauty of the CARICOM movement is it isn't one of these hard and fast, black and white issues.  The fact is we do participate in all of the organs of the community at the moment, but it is just appropriate for us to be signatories to the treaty.  Everyone else in the community is a signatory to the treaty."

He added, "I believe that [the government should sign the treaty].  In fact, the government decided on December 31 that we ought to do that, subject to obtaining the reservations which we have advanced in the public domain."

But Mr. Moree said, "I do not think that The Bahamas should join a single economy with 14 other countries within the region.  That is my primary concern.  I don't think there are compelling economic interests for The Bahamas to join this single economy."

He was echoing sentiments expressed in recent times by former Governor of the Central Bank and former Minister of Finance Sir William Allen, and soon to be former Governor of the Central Bank Julian Francis.

Mr. Moree said, "The reservations that the Minister has indicated I think are very important, but there are many questions as to how long these reservations will continue.  Who will decide when they end?  Do we retain control over making these decisions?  And in any event, what about the right of establishment, which is not currently one of the four reservations?  What is the impact of the freedom of movement of skilled persons... as opposed to the free movement of labour generally?"

The Minister explained, "The right of establishment will not affect the retail and wholesale trades in The Bahamas because the right of establishment has to deal with those areas of the economy which are foreign exchange earners for the particular country.  These sectors include, amongst others, the hotel sector, the manufacturing export sector and some smaller areas like specialty restaurants.

"What right of establishment does is it gives you when you invest in a country the right to bring certain skilled labour to run your establishment.  If you look at the national investment policy of The Bahamas today, all of those areas that I have listed are already areas where foreign investors are able to come and invest in the country and part of the policy is that they are permitted to have the skilled labour to run their companies.  So it balances out."

While the Minister insisted throughout the show that signing the Revised Treaty of Chauguaramas would be merely a political move, Bahamas High Commissioner to CARICOM A. Leonard Archer said recently in an interview with The Bahama Journal that there are many economic benefits that will come if the government signs on to CSME.

Mr. Archer said that by signing the CSME, The Bahamas would see "increased investments and increased trade with the rest of the Caribbean."

Minister Mitchell said in a recent speech that not signing on to the CSME would have serious negative implications for the country's social and economic infrastructure that would set The Bahamas "at a serious disadvantage as a country, rather than enhance our growth and development, in that, our access to the facilities and services provided by the Caribbean Development Bank, the University of the West Indies, the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Response Agency and others, would be greatly diminished."

"We would be the only country in the Caribbean, apart from Cuba, that would be outside a regional trade bloc; and since trade blocs provide benefits for their members that are not provided to non-members, it could easily be reasoned that our tourism industry, our manufacturing industry, our beleaguered agriculture industry and even our financial services industry would be immediately and negatively affected, largely in terms of the relatively higher cost of doing business in The Bahamas that we would have invited by trying to stand alone," Minister Mitchell said.

The Bahamas Should Not Join the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) - according to Central Bank Governor, Julian Francis

Governor Francis said that CARICOM Central Bank Governors conducted a study on the impact the single currency would have on the region and advised heads of CARICOM that it would not be a feasible move to make

"Why?  Because there isn’t sufficient economic convergence between the countries of CARICOM to sustain a common currency," Mr. Francis said

Governor Against CSME

By Candia Dames

candiadames@hotmail.com

Nassau, The Bahamas

17 May 2005

There is no sound economic reason why The Bahamas should join the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), according to Governor of the Central Bank Julian Francis.

The show’s host, Wendall Jones, pointed out that, "There are those in the political directorate in The Bahamas as well as in other countries in the Caribbean who would say that if we do not participate in CSME we might as well not be a member of CARICOM."

Mr. Francis said this might very well be true.

"I suppose that in time if we were not to join the CSME my guess is that CARICOM would not see any particular interest in continuing its administrative and political partnership with The Bahamas," he said.

"But to the extent that these things are driven mainly by economic considerations, I would say so be it."

The CSME debate has taken on new life in recent weeks, with several prominent figures coming out in opposition to the agreement.

The growing public outcry coincides with an educational campaign launched by the government and spearheaded by the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fred Mitchell.

The government has already said that The Bahamas would request certain reservations before joining CSME.

These include opting out of the free movement of people; the Caribbean Court of Justice at the appellate level, the Common External Tariff, and the single currency and monetary union.

While on the show, Governor Francis said that three years ago, the CARICOM Central Bank governors conducted a study on the impact the single currency would have on the region and advised heads of CARICOM that it would not be a feasible move to make.

"Why?  Because there isn’t sufficient economic convergence between the countries of CARICOM to sustain a common currency," Mr. Francis said.

Asked whether the governors’ view has changed in that regard, he said, "If there has been any change I would say that Trinidad has become a bit further removed from the average of CARICOM economically.  Jamaica also has in a negative sense, and The Bahamas of course has continued its development.

"That leaves the East Caribbean and Barbados.  I don’t think that there has been anything that would have happened which would cause the governors to think differently."

Last week, a former Governor of the Central Bank of The Bahamas also came out strongly against CSME.

In a letter to the editor, Sir William Allen said there is no logical justification for The Bahamas to be a part of this single economic space, "because no one has yet identified one benefit which could only be achieved through our sign-on."

He also said that Minister Mitchell is wrong to equate CSME with the Free Trade Area of The Americas.

"This is the reason it would be helpful for the debate if it were led by a ministry or an institution which has a better understanding of the difference between a free trade area, and a single economic space- and this is not a red herring," Sir William said.

He also said, "The economic divergence between The Bahamas and the rest of the region is of such magnitude that it seems readily accepted that it should be granted temporary exemptions from key provisions of the arrangement defining this common economic space.

"No one, not the Minister nor anyone else, can know how the participation would affect The Bahamas’ economic situation, first- in terms of the impact of the provisions to which it will have to adhere, then in terms of the anticipation of the end of the exemptions it may be granted- and finally in anticipation of where the evolving harmonization within this common economic space may eventually lead."

But Bahamas High Commissioner to CARICOM A. Leonard Archer recently said in an interview with The Bahama Journal that any suggestion that the reservations would be "temporary" and The Bahamas would eventually be forced to adhere to all provisions of CSME is incorrect.

Mr. Archer said that The Bahamas may opt out of certain provisions of CSME for as long as it chooses.

He expressed disappointment that so many prominent and well-educated Bahamians are spreading "misinformation."

Mr. Archer also said The Bahamas would benefit tremendously from joining CSME.

"We are part of a global economy.  We have applied to join [the World Trade Organization].  We have been negotiating the FTAA.  Joining the CSME first provides us with certain advantages of going into WTO and FTAA," he said.

"There are also economic reasons: increased investment in The Bahamas; increased trade with the rest of the Caribbean; we could access goods and services from the Caribbean more cheaply or more economically than we are accessing them now."

The Privy Council Rules that The Court of Appeal Erred when it Determined that it Did Not Have Jurisdiction to Hear The Appeal of Holy Cross Member of Parliament, Sidney Stubbs against His Bankruptcy Order issued by a Supreme Court Judge

"The [Judicial Committee of the Privy Council] thereafter assumed to itself all of the powers exercisable by the Court of Appeal and decided to hear my appeal on its merits," said Mr. Sidney Stubbs

The order of bankruptcy was set aside.  The lordships also made a further pronouncement that I may now take my seat in parliament." said Mr. Sidney Stubbs

 

Stubbs Wins Privy Council Appeal

  

 

By Candia Dames

Nassau, The Bahamas

4th May 2005

 

 

Bringing an end to more than a year of legal troubles, The Privy Council ruled on Tuesday that the Court of Appeal erred when it determined that it did not have jurisdiction to hear the appeal of Holy Cross Member of Parliament Sidney Stubbs against his bankruptcy order issued by a Supreme Court judge.

"The [Judicial Committee of the Privy Council] thereafter assumed to itself all of the powers exercisable by the Court of Appeal and decided to hear my appeal on its merits," said Mr. Stubbs, who spoke at a news conference held at the office of attorney, Valentine Grimes, one of the MP’s advisors.

Mr. Stubbs also said, "The court found that the adjudication order was bad on the face of the record as the debtor summons was not severed within the time limited by the rules.

The order of bankruptcy was set aside.  The lordships also made a further pronouncement that I may now take my seat in parliament."

 

Progressive Liberal Party Chairman Raynard Rigby, who also attended the press conference, told reporters that Mr. Stubbs is expected to return to the House of Assembly as early as Wednesday after the Speaker of the House has been formally notified of the Privy Council’s ruling.

Mr. Stubbs, who had remained silent throughout the legal ordeal, indicated on Tuesday that he was relieved that the matter is finally behind him.

"It was a humbling experience," he said.  "I’m not a gushy person so I can only say that I am happy that it’s over, and I’d like to thank God that it’s now behind me."

Mr. Stubbs also expressed gratitude for the support he said he got as he fought the bankruptcy order issued by Supreme Court Justice Jeanne Thompson in March 2004.

"One of the things that sustained me through my year-long ordeal is the good graces and support of the people of Holy Cross," he said.

"I have gone to households in all 10 polling divisions and also in the new area, Hope Gardens.  I’ve spoken to members of the Holy Cross community…Never once was the question ever raised by the majority of people of Holy Cross that Sidney Stubbs should go."

He acknowledged that there were detractors in Holy Cross who wished to see him lose his seat, but he believes that the majority of his constituents were hoping and praying for an end to his legal troubles.

Mr. Grimes indicated that the technical issues involving the case and the ruling will be made public by Mr. Stubbs’ legal team when it returns from London.

It was on the basis of Mr. Stubbs’ appeal before the Privy Council that the House of Assembly in March granted the MP an additional six months to pursue his bankruptcy matter.

The extension came after a previous one that was granted last September expired.

Just last week, Supreme Court Justice Sir Burton Hall annulled Mr. Stubbs’ bankruptcy order after determining that the MP had come to a satisfactory scheme of arrangements to pay his creditors.

 

Those creditors included Gina Gonzales, Felix Bowe and Colina Insurance Company.

There had been some people, particularly those in opposition, who had been bracing for a bye-election in Holy Cross.

Last week, FNM Leader Senator Tommy Turnquest explained to reporters that the reason why a map was hanging on a wall inside the party’s Mackey Street headquarters was to remind the FNM on a daily basis that it is poised to recapture Holy Cross if an election were called.

The FNM also went as far as nominating former Holy Cross MP and FNM Chairman, Carl Bethel as its candidate for a bye-election.

Mr. Bethel, for his part, ran advertisements advising Holy Cross constituents to register to vote.

During debate on a resolution to grant Mr. Stubbs a six-month extension last September, former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham had said that the government was seeking to raise a "dead corpse" and he advised the Christie Administration to bury its dead and move on.

But government officials insisted that Mr. Stubbs had a constitutional right to appeal and were intent on helping him fight the bankruptcy order, which came after a series of debacles, he had been involved in.

On Tuesday, Mr. Stubbs also thanked Prime Minister Perry Christie and PLP Chairman Raynard Rigby, and many others, for their unwavering support throughout his ordeal.

Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Tommy Turnquest says that He is Not Troubled by Opposition within or outside His Party

Tommy On Defensive

By Candia Dames

candiadames@hotmail.com

Nassau, The Bahamas

27 April 2005

Amid reports that he is facing fierce opposition from within his own party, Free National Movement Leader Tommy Turnquest called a press conference on Tuesday to reassure FNM's that all is well in the party.

Mr. Turnquest told reporters that he is confident that he has the full support of former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and that as far as he is aware Mr. Ingraham, despite reports, is not interested in returning as leader of the party.

"We in the FNM will not allow our political opponents to capitalize on make-believe issues in our party," said Mr. Turnquest, who added that he is not troubled by opposition within or outside his party.

"They want desperately to take the focus off their incompetence, ineffectiveness and inefficiency.  We must continue to reveal their total ineptitude as a government.  The old, pompous, all-for-me nature of the PLP is back and we must resolve to rid our country of this rudderless, incompetent and unfocused government.  This is the focus of the FNM ‐ nothing more, nothing less."

The FNM leader called the press conference to respond to a Bahama Journal article published on Monday under the headline "FNM's Want Tommy Out."

That story revealed that an advisory council of the party headed by former Deputy Prime Minister Frank Watson has advised Mr. Turnquest that there are many FNM's who want him out and Mr. Ingraham back in as leader.

On Tuesday, Mr. Turnquest refused to discuss the findings of the advisory council with reporters, saying that, "It is unfortunate that some people seem to have taken [the appointment of the council] as a sign of crisis in leadership in our party."

He said, "As the duly elected leader of the FNM, I am working to ready our party to compete fiercely in the next general election.  On a daily basis, I am meeting with persons who have expressed a desire to be an FNM candidate in the next election, a process I hope to complete very soon so that we might begin to put them in place."

Mr. Turnquest also urged party supporters to "be strong so we may finish strong."

"The work that we must do is crucial," he said.  "Our nation is in the hands of incompetent drifters.  They have failed to live up to many of their promises.  Our people are hurting.  Our country is directionless.  We are being misled by those who govern us.  They are working to enrich themselves, their families and their cronies."

Mr. Turnquest was flanked by his deputy, Sidney Collie; FNM Chairman Carl Bethel; Montagu MP Brent Symonette; Senator Tanya McCartney; and Loretta Butler Turner, who was a candidate in the last general election.

Leader of the Official Opposition Alvin Smith and a handful of FNM supporters also showed up to support the FNM leader.

There was, however, no member of the advisory council present at the press conference.

On Monday, former FNM Cabinet Minister Tennyson Wells, now an independent MP, told The Bahama Journal that the fact that Mr. Turnquest had to appoint that council indicates that the party is in "disarray."

But Mr. Turnquest said the FNM has never been more united.

When asked whether he had an image problem, he said that he had no idea what it means to have an image problem.

Mr. Wells has said that the key problem with Mr. Turnquest is his image and that the very people who supported his bid for leadership in 2000 are the ones trying to overthrow him as leader.

Former Cabinet Minister Algernon Allen, meanwhile, said that there was treachery afoot.

Mr. Turnquest dismissed those statements.

"In May 2002, I sat at this very table and offered my resignation to the highest authority in his party," Mr. Turnquest said at the press conference at FNM headquarters.  "I was asked to remain until the next national convention which I did.  I then offered myself for leadership and I was elected as leader.

"I really can do no more than that, but if I continue to look over my shoulder or behind my back, I'd be constantly focused on that rather the real prize which is ahead and that is defeating the PLP and making sure that we return this country back to where it ought to be." 

They Backstabbed Tommy Turnquest!

Tommy 'Backstabbed'

By Candia Dames

candiadames@hotmail.com

Nassau, The Bahamas

26th April 2005

A move afoot to get rid of Senator Tommy Turnquest as the leader of the Free National Movement to pave the way for former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham's return amounts to an act of treachery, two former FNM Cabinet Ministers indicated yesterday.

Algernon Allen and Tennyson Wells both made a bid to lead the party in 2000, but lost to Mr. Turnquest who had the endorsement of Mr. Ingraham.

Mr. Wells said that Mr. Turnquest is now being "backstabbed" by the same group of people who supported him as leader, while Mr. Allen said, "As one who knows this party intimately, I see all the hallmarks of treachery afoot."

Their comments came following an exclusive report in The Bahama Journal that revealed that an advisory committee headed by former Deputy Prime Minister Frank Watson has indicated to Mr. Turnquest that many FNM's are concerned that the party would have no chance of winning the next general election with him as leader.

The committee, which was appointed by the FNM leader, reported to him last week.

Mr. Allen, who called into the Love 97 talk show "Issues of The Day," said the pursuit of power at all cost manifested itself in the 2000 FNM convention.

"They got rid of most of those who cared about country, who cared about the direction of the party," he said.

Mr. Allen said that the very people who several years ago "drove Mr. Turnquest's agenda" are now those seeking to cut his political legs and arms off "and they'd stop no short of drinking his blood."

"Here we have this scenario: Mr. Ingraham and others put Mr. Turnquest in position.  They heralded him as almost the second coming.  They went from island to island, from place to place and they told the public emphatically that he was the only one who could lead the party.

"Now here comes these same persons who surrounded Mr. Ingraham, who carried that message with a passion and who did so in ways which further ruptured and destroyed the organization.  But now they say 'Here we are at this point in time.  This man can no longer lead us.  He is not fitting.' Mind you, they failed to say that in 2002 really Mr. Turnquest was only leader in name because the public voted undoubtedly on the record of the FNM over the past five years."

In his usual impassioned tone, Mr. Allen added, "We have been rendered literally with an ineffective opposition because all are content now with cutting off the fledgling legs of Mr. Tommy Turnquest.  I sympathize with him because I know what is happening.  Unfortunately, he is in an incestuous group, a group that enjoys carnal knowledge with their own, so to speak.  [It's] an incestuous group that seeks now to destroy him because they seek now to forward another agenda."

Mr. Allen said he seriously doubts that Mr. Ingraham wants to return to the leadership of the FNM, saying the matter is not now even in question.

"I cannot see Mr. Ingraham leaving his pensions and emoluments which are a quarter of a million dollars a year ‐ [he's] given a salary, maid, chauffeur, gardener, medical insurance and all the rest ‐ to return to the fray of politics and I do believe that it would not be in his interest.  It would not be in accordance with his stated philosophy.  It would not be in accordance with the overall advancement of good governance in the country," Mr. Allen declared.

"I think now that the Free National Movement ought to sit and now focus and undoubtedly there is a very strong probability that they will not win 2007, but political parties do not focus on the immediate.  They structure toward the inevitability that in 2012 there is an election, God willing if Christ does not come."

Independent Member of Parliament Tennyson Wells, who also served in Mr. Ingraham's government, said the fact that Mr. Turnquest had to appoint a fact-finding committee tells that the party is in "disarray."

He said that while Mr. Ingraham may be able to win the leadership of the FNM, he would not be able to win a general election.

"He has been a divider," Mr. Wells said of the former prime minister.  "I would not support him if he comes back.  At least 30 percent of the base support that the FNM needs to win the election would not support Mr. Ingraham if he comes back."

He said that it is highly unlikely that the FNM could win the election under Mr. Turnquest, adding that he would need "grooming" and much greater support than he has now.

"I never thought that Tommy was a person to be leader of the FNM in the first place," Mr. Wells said.  "[He's a nice person] and has a role to play in the organization, but at that level, no.  He is not the person for that."

Mr. Wells said he always thought that the Member of Parliament for Lucaya Neko Grant, and FNM Chairman Carl Bethel "who has a problem with his personality" could lead the FNM to victory in a general election.

He also suggested that former MP Lester Turnquest has what it takes to lead the FNM.

Mr. Wells also told The Bahama Journal that he is still interested in leading the FNM.

"I never really left the FNM," he said.  "But most of them are so bitter against me that I've resigned myself to my position.  I will make my judgment within the next nine months to a year...but if you ask me whether or not I believe I could win the next election, I think if I was leader of the FNM, I could win the election.  But I'm not going to go out and fight over anything.  It has to be a consensus.  I'm not going to get involved in any friction...I'm finished with that."

Mr. Ingraham has declined to comment on the matter of his possible return as leader of the FNM.

But Mr. Wells believes that Mr. Ingraham should tell the Bahamian people definitively that he does not plan to return if that is in fact the case.

He said the former prime minister's refusal to comment has created confusion.

Meanwhile, former DPM Watson, who headed the advisory council, said on Monday that it would be inappropriate for him to comment on the group's work unless the party's leader allowed the release of the report. 

AES Defends "Safe" LNG Project

By Candia Dames

candiadames@hotmail.com

Nassau, Bahamas

25th April 2005

 

 

 

The local environmental group reEarth has launched a national campaign against liquefied natural gas projects in The Bahamas, but an official from the company has insisted that the plant and pipeline would be safe.

 

"AES from the very beginning has been fully committed to making sure that the facility is going to both meet all environmental [requirements] as well as being a very safe operation," said Robin Pence, vice president of communications for AES.

 

"We feel that we have met all conditions for both of those qualifications."

 

But reEarth officials continue to insist that LNG is dangerous.

 

"Liquefied natural gas is not flammable as long as it is contained," the group notes on its website. "If the containment facility is breached LNG reverts to natural gas and becomes a flammable vapour cloud when mixed with air. This cloud of plume can drift for miles until it reaches an ignition source; a cigarette could ignite it."

 

While Mrs. Pence did not speak specifically to this claim that LNG could be explosive, she reiterated that regulators both in the United States and The Bahamas have already approved the project.

 

"The [Bahamas Environment Science and Technology Commission] have reviewed the proposal from both an environmental and safety perspective and has approved it," she pointed out. "We believe that it's going to provide a very good source of fuel for people in Florida by making sure that we are respectful, safe and environmentally-friendly for the people of The Bahamas."

 

But the local environmental group has urged Bahamians to ask themselves why AES is seeking to bring the project to The Bahamas and not the United States if it is so safe.

 

"Why should The Bahamas bear the brunt of the Untied States' energy needs?" - the group has questioned. "Across America from Florida to California and Canada to Mexico, LNG plants are coming under fire from communities that don't want these plants near their communities. The United States should seriously be looking at alternative energies to support their burgeoning demands on the world's energy resources."

 

The question of why AES chose The Bahamas was one Mrs. Pence quickly responded to.

"I think what has made this a good location is that it is an uninhabited island," she said. "It's far from any tourist or population centre as opposed to being on the mainland and next to any population centre. So this is a remote island far from anything and from that perspective it has been deemed the best site and it is also the safest and most environmentally-friendly."

 

The company wants to build a regasification plant on Ocean Cay, near Bimini and transport LNG to South Florida via an undersea pipeline.

 

Wealthy residents of Cat Cay, located 7.8 miles away from Ocean Cay, have fiercely opposed the company's proposal.

 

The Cat Cay residents say the facility would be too close to their backyards and could become a terrorist target.

 

At a town meeting on Cat Cay three weeks ago, Cat Cay Club President Manuel Diaz said residents would never support the project.

 

"The Bahamian flag represents bright sunshine, crystal clear blue waters and a black nation," Mr. Diaz said. "There are no LNG symbols on it and you can rest assured that it will be a very cold day in hell before that ever happens."

 

Mr. Diaz has also said that, "Supposedly, the government will collect $1 million in revenues and permanently create 35 jobs at the Ocean Cay industrial complex. Well, Cat Cay Yacht Club already contributes around $10 million annually to the overall Bahamian economy."

 

But Mrs. Pence also pointed to the economic benefits of the AES project.

 

"For The Bahamas it provides a source of revenue," she told The Bahama Journal.

"The project is estimated to make direct payments to the Government of The Bahamas of approximately $700 million over the first 25 years of operation. It would also create jobs over the two years in the construction phase and then permanent jobs for people who would maintain the facility."

 

Asked whether AES has been frustrated in the delays in getting the project approved, she said, "We certainly understand the need for the government to go through all the appropriate reviews to make sure that it has passed all the appropriate tests and that the community is supportive."

 

In early January, Prime Minister Perry Christie had said on a local talk show that the AES project would have been approved by the end of that month.

 

But he later indicated that the vehement objection from Cat Cay residents resulted in the government delaying approval.

 

It is now unclear when "and if " the controversial AES project will get the governmental green light, although company officials remain hopeful that it will.

A Powerful U.S.-based Anti-copyright Coalition Says Copyright Legislation in The Bahamas is Poor

The International Intellectual Property Alliance IIPA Lobbies to Prevent The Bahamas from Getting Off A Watch List for Violation of Intellectual Property

In its annual trade report released this month, the The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) noted that The Bahamas remains on its priority watch list for inadequate protection of intellectual property rights

Copyright Concerns Grow

By Candia Dames

candiadames@hotmail.com

March 21, 2005

The Bahamas is under attack from a powerful U.S.-based anti-copyright coalition, which has mounted an intense lobby, aimed at preventing this country from getting off a watch list for violation of intellectual property.

The International Intellectual Property Alliance says in a new report that copyright legislation in The Bahamas is poor.

The IIPA is a private sector coalition formed in 1984 to represent the U.S. copyright-based industries in bilateral and multilateral efforts to improve international protection of copyrighted materials.

The Bahamas could face sanctions from the U.S. government if this lobby is successful.

This could mean withdrawal from The Bahamas of the benefits of the Caribbean Basin Initiative, which allows a wide range of products grown and manufactured in the English-speaking Caribbean duty free entry to the U.S market.

“Little or nothing is currently being done to provide effective enforcement against the spread of physical goods piracy,” the IIPA says.

“We are not aware of any police actions that serve as real deterrents against the commercial sale of pirate goods.  The lack of adequate legislation and enforcement discourages potential local and international investments and threatens the growth of a local music industry.”

Just last week, Bahamian police announced a national effort intended to target pirate goods, including DVD’s and CD’s.

The IIPA also says that The Bahamas has the potential to be a successful market for the legitimate recorded music industry due to high levels of tourism and per capita income, and adds that the legitimate industry is also very interested in the exploitation of local and international repertoire in public locations, including cruise ships, and by broadcasters.

On February 18, 2000, the Motion Picture Association and the Television Association of Programmers filed a special petition that highlighted the fact that the Government of The Bahamas had implemented a compulsory license, which they claimed violated international copyrights norms.

As a consequence, the Government of The United States entered into negotiations with the Government of The Bahamas.  Those negotiations resulted in an exchange of letters dated October 26 and November 9, 2000 constituting an agreement between the two parties.

Under that agreement, The Bahamas committed to conform its cable compulsory license to international norms.

The compulsory license allowed Bahamian cable operators – in this case Cable Bahamas – to retransmit premium cable television programming in the absence of agreements with those cable companies.

Cable Bahamas had argued that the cable operators refused to enter into agreements with them to transmit certain English language programme because The Bahamas was viewed as being a part of the Latin American market.

“Even though more than four years have now passed, The Bahamas still has not met its commitments under that agreement,” the coalition claimed, referring to the one between The Bahamas and the United States.

But Minister of Financial Services and Investments Allyson Maynard-Gibson, who has responsibility for copyright issues, said this is inaccurate.

“The Government of The Bahamas has honoured a commitment made by the previous administration to curtail the compulsory licensing regime,” she said in an interview with The Bahama Journal.

“Both houses of parliament have passed that amendment to the Copyright Act.  Submissions made this year to the [United States Trade Representative] by the Government are that The Bahamas should be downgraded because its commitment has been honoured.

“The Bahamas also points out that we hope that the USTR would be able to facilitate our effort to cause the USTR and the other specific parties, the IIPA and the Motion Pictures Association of America to honour its side of the agreement by causing the cable service providers to have premium service provided to The Bahamas.”

In its annual trade report released this month, the USTR noted that The Bahamas remains on its priority watch list for inadequate protection of intellectual property rights.

But as indicated by Minister Gibson, government officials expect that the country will be downgraded when the list is revised this year.

“You would recall that the previous administration exchanged a letter with the USTR that we would curtail our compulsory licensing regime and they would encourage the service providers to cause premium service to be provided to cable providers in The Bahamas,” she said.

“We, The Bahamas, have honoured our side of the bargain.  The United States has not yet honoured its side of the bargain and we are looking forward to them honouring their side of the bargain.”