By TANEKA THOMPSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
tthompson@tribunemedia.net:
MINISTER of Foreign Affairs Brent Symonette defended the country's "enviable" human rights record and criticised US Ambassador Nicole Avant for what he termed as "misrepresentation" of the Bahamas' position on human rights issues.
In a four-page press release outlining the Government's reasons for abstaining on a recent United Nation's vote on three human rights resolutions regarding the actions of Iran, Burma and North Korea, Mr Symonette said the Bahamas chose not to vote because of "factual errors" in the resolutions, which were highlighted by the ambassador of Iran.
Additionally, there were no rebuttals to these criticisms from the co-sponsors of the resolution when the matter was before the UN's Committee for consideration, he said.
"Furthermore there were no proposals from the co-sponsors of the resolution to request a separate vote on each of the substantive paragraphs of the resolution, which would have allowed countries to express their positions on 'controversial' sections," said Mr Symonette's statement, which accompanied the full text of the Bahamas' statement to the UN during consideration of the resolutions and the UN member state voting record.
"When the matter was considered in the Plenary on December 18, 2009, the Bahamas abstained, as it did in the Third Committee, along with 59 member states. Forty-nine member states voted against and 74 voted in favour," he continued, stressing that the Bahamas did not vote against the resolutions.
Mr Symonette, the country's deputy prime minister, said the Bahamas has complied with important sanctions against Iran and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea under the UN Security Council Resolution, adding that the Bahamas is sharp-eyed in their implementation.
His statements came in the wake of stinging criticism from Ms Avant who last week issued a public statement faulting the Government for its decision.
In her remarks, Ms Avant noted that formerly, the Bahamas was consistently one of the "brave souls" in the region that stood up for human rights. She said it is the "fervent hope" of the United States that the Bahamas and other Caribbean countries that abstained or voted against the resolutions will reconsider.
She also chided the Bahamas' explanation for abstaining and its statement that the issues raised in the resolutions should be addressed during the Human Rights Council's (HRC) Universal Periodic Review (UPR), which each country submits to every four years.
"The problem with this argument is that Iran has not facilitated the visit of a single rapporteur or independent expert of the Human Rights Council to its country in over four years. . .Iran's review is February 2010, Burma in 2011, and DPRK at the end of 2009. If we were to do what the Bahamas suggests and wait for the UPR, this would mean the international community would say nothing about these situations in the meantime," Ms Avant wrote, in part.
According to Mr Symonette, Korea underwent its UPR on December 7 adding that Iran will be subject to the same on February 15, 2010.
"Consequently these countries are about to be exposed to the full glare of the intense spotlight of this dedicated organ of the United Nations for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms," he said, adding that a number of the co-sponsors of the relevant resolutions are members of the HRN and can ensure intense scrutiny on the three countries in question.
December 23, 2009
tribune242
A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Former Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell comments on Bahamas' UN human rights vote abstention
By BRENT DEAN ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ brentldean@nasguard.com:
The recent criticism of voting practices of The Bahamas by U.S. Ambassador Nicole Avant should show the government that countries have interests that are separate and aside from personal friendships and relationships, former Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said yesterday.
"The FNM tried to make a meal out of the fact that the PLP had principled positions at the UN and in its foreign policy which was in the best interest of The Bahamas. But they took the opportunity when they were in opposition to score cheap political points, saying we were being anti-American," said Mitchell, the PLP MP for Fox Hill.
"So what is their explanation now? Are they being anti-American because they voted the way they did at the United Nations?"
In an Op-Ed published in The Nassau Guardian on Saturday, Ambassador Avant criticized The Bahamas for its decision to abstain from part of a vote at the United Nations on resolutions on the human rights situations in Iran, Burma and North Korea.
"It is our fervent hope that The Bahamas and others in the Caribbean region who abstained or voted against these resolutions will reconsider their positions. We cannot stand by and wait when people's lives are at stake and the principles that we all purport to share — respect for democracy, the rule of law and human rights — are in jeopardy," said Avant.
The votes on the resolutions condemning the human rights practices in the three countries were held on November 19 and 20, at the United Nations General Assembly's Third Committee.
The three resolutions passed.
The General Assembly allocates to the Third Committee a range of social, humanitarian affairs and human rights issues.
Mitchell said that as sovereign countries both The Bahamas and the U.S. have the right to their respective positions on the issue. He said historically The Bahamas and Caribbean countries have stayed away from resolutions specifically condemning countries, as was the case with the recent abstentions.
However, added Mitchell, the last PLP government moved away from this position, siding with the U.S. government on several resolutions at the request of former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
When asked about the issue last week, Foreign Affairs Minister Brent Symonette said, "We voted in favor of the resolution. We abstained from the second part of the resolution which requires affirmative action. The resolution this year, to the best of my knowledge, dropped or left out certain other countries which it included last year.
"When we abstained from that vote, we also submitted an explanation — which I think the U.S. ambassador or certainly the State Department would have been fully aware of — which explains our situation. We have been approached by the Canadians and the Americans with regard to our actions and I am in the process of drafting a response to them."
December 22, 2009
thenassauguardian
The recent criticism of voting practices of The Bahamas by U.S. Ambassador Nicole Avant should show the government that countries have interests that are separate and aside from personal friendships and relationships, former Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said yesterday.
"The FNM tried to make a meal out of the fact that the PLP had principled positions at the UN and in its foreign policy which was in the best interest of The Bahamas. But they took the opportunity when they were in opposition to score cheap political points, saying we were being anti-American," said Mitchell, the PLP MP for Fox Hill.
"So what is their explanation now? Are they being anti-American because they voted the way they did at the United Nations?"
In an Op-Ed published in The Nassau Guardian on Saturday, Ambassador Avant criticized The Bahamas for its decision to abstain from part of a vote at the United Nations on resolutions on the human rights situations in Iran, Burma and North Korea.
"It is our fervent hope that The Bahamas and others in the Caribbean region who abstained or voted against these resolutions will reconsider their positions. We cannot stand by and wait when people's lives are at stake and the principles that we all purport to share — respect for democracy, the rule of law and human rights — are in jeopardy," said Avant.
The votes on the resolutions condemning the human rights practices in the three countries were held on November 19 and 20, at the United Nations General Assembly's Third Committee.
The three resolutions passed.
The General Assembly allocates to the Third Committee a range of social, humanitarian affairs and human rights issues.
Mitchell said that as sovereign countries both The Bahamas and the U.S. have the right to their respective positions on the issue. He said historically The Bahamas and Caribbean countries have stayed away from resolutions specifically condemning countries, as was the case with the recent abstentions.
However, added Mitchell, the last PLP government moved away from this position, siding with the U.S. government on several resolutions at the request of former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
When asked about the issue last week, Foreign Affairs Minister Brent Symonette said, "We voted in favor of the resolution. We abstained from the second part of the resolution which requires affirmative action. The resolution this year, to the best of my knowledge, dropped or left out certain other countries which it included last year.
"When we abstained from that vote, we also submitted an explanation — which I think the U.S. ambassador or certainly the State Department would have been fully aware of — which explains our situation. We have been approached by the Canadians and the Americans with regard to our actions and I am in the process of drafting a response to them."
December 22, 2009
thenassauguardian
Saturday, December 19, 2009
US Ambassador criticises Bahamas
US Ambassador Nicole Avant has criticised the Bahamas for abstaining from a UN vote on human rights resolutions concerning the actions of Iran, Burma and North Korea.She noted that formerly, the Bahamas was consistently one of the "brave souls" in the region that stood up for human rights.
Mrs Avant said it is the "fervent hope" of the United States that the Bahamas and other Caribbean countries who abstained or voted against the resolutions will reconsider.
"We cannot stand by and wait when people's lives are at stake and the principles that we all purport to share-- respect for democracy, the rule of law and human rights -- are in jeopardy," she said.
December 19, 2009
tribune242
Friday, December 18, 2009
Bahamas: Urban Renewal programme workers frustrated over political wrangling
By NOELLE NICOLLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
nnicolls@tribunemedia.net:
COMMUNITY workers have told The Tribune about their frustration at the political wrangling over Urban Renewal.
Talk has raged for months among politicians about who founded the programme, who changed the programme, who stopped and restarted the programme, and whose programme was more effective.
But people who work on the programme say the political points-scoring is damaging Urban Renewal and affecting the people who are in dire need.
"People believe we are not doing anything and it takes away from the work which is being done," said Kolamae Pedican, manager for the Kemp Road Urban Renewal Centre.
"I am working hard and it makes me feel like the work I am doing does not matter. When people listen to the politicians they stop coming. They say they thought we were closed.
"There have been changes in the programme, but I am a civil servant and I have to respect the changes. The message needs to go out that Urban Renewal centres are not closed. We are still serving the public, we are still helping people and we still work very closely with the police. That baby just needs to go to rest."
Urban Renewal was introduced by the Progressive Liberal Party in their last term in government. The programme received international recognition and was lauded as a success story. When the Free National Movement assumed control of the government, they made changes to the programme, which have been widely criticised by the PLP. Under the PLP, the Royal Bahamas Police Force played a central role in the management and operation of the programme.
At the Kemp Road Centre, four officers and two reservists worked in the centre with case aids from the Department of Social Services. Pedican was one of those case aids serving under Centre Coordinator, Inspector Frankie-Mae Mather. The police are no longer stationed in the centre's offices, and some of their community policing activities, such as being stationed in schools, have been discontinued. However, they continue to work closely with the centre management, and with school principals.
Some members of the PLP have been critical of the removal of police officers from direct involvement in the programme. Some have further questioned the appointment of Ella Lewis as the Director, saying her position as former FNM candidate for Farm Road and Centreville, which is the constituency of Perry Christie, Leader of the Opposition, compromises her authority.
"I think the back and forth about what has been changed has had a negative affect on the programme. It is taking a lot of effort to go into the communities to inform people that the centres are open and the programmes are still active," said Ms Lewis.
"I was appointed because I am qualified: I am community based and community active. I live in an urban area. I have worked with inner city people all of my life. I have love and respect for the community and I am committed to making the Bahamas better through urban renewal," she said.
Ms Lewis said she acknowledges the good work that was done under Urban Renewal by the PLP. She said it was an excellent programme, but it lacked some of the structure necessary. Under her leadership, she said she is working to add that aspect to the programme to make it even more successful.
While the needs of each community vary, the nine Urban Renewal centres focus on ten core programmes, including: after-school programmes, where students get help with homework and school projects; senior citizen programmes, where seniors can participate in seminars, workshops, tours and socials; and youth activities, such as marching bands.
At the start of the FNM administration, two of the centres were closed for no more than two months, according to Ms Lewis, in order to facilitate staffing changes. All of the other centres remained open and active. In many instances, staff members carried over from the former administration.
At the Kemp Road Centre, three of the four current staff members served under the former structure. Former Centre Coordinator, Inspector Frankie-Mae Mather, provided the training for the new management.
PLP Senator Allyson Maynard-Gibson has been a vocal supporter of Urban Renewal under the PLP leadership. In her presentation on the Senate floor this week, she read several references from a report, "Urban Renewal: Past, Present and Possible Future" authored by Rhodes Scholar and physician Desiree Cox. Mrs Maynard-Gibson spoke about the success of the programme in curbing crime in urban communities.
"My point is bigger than Urban Renewal. I am interested in the problem of crime and seeing a major paradigm shift in this country so we have something that works, and so Bahamian people can live in peace and tranquility. My responsibility is to ensure the issues that impact our people are aired and that the government acts on issues that are critical," said Mrs Maynard-Gibson.
"There is no bigger issue than crime. Urban renewal was a transformative programme. I do not want to diminish the people working in Urban Renewal, I think they are trying their best, but if something is working it should be given more resources," she said.
Work in Urban Renewal centres across the island is continuing. The Kemp Road Centre hosted a Christmas tree lighting ceremony this week that attracted both young and old residents. One of their regular activities is a feeding programme. They work closely with the food rescue organisation Hands for Hunger to feed a steady stream of residents daily, who are unable to feed themselves.
"People are really appreciative and they look to us for support. They depend on us to educate them on things like applying for passports or getting a police record clean. They come to us to find out how to get help from the various government social services. If someone dies they call us; if someone is sick they call us; if someone gets locked up or married, they call us," said Ms Pedican.
Supporters of Urban Renewal say they are not interested in playing political games or engaging in a back and forth political debate. But Bahamas Democratic Movement leader Cassius Stuart said the debate is unavoidably political because politicians from the PLP and FNM are holding fast to particular positions and being very vocal about it.
"Quite frankly I believe both political leaders have been immature in their dealing with urban renewal policy. It is destroying the essence of what the programme should really be. We have a high degree of political immaturity at the top which is why we have problems at the bottom. There should be a clear and concise direction as to where the programme is going so everyone can have clarity," said Mr Stuart.
Mr Stuart said both parties have political motivations, which is underlying the heated rhetoric. In the case of the FNM, he said they want to claim that their changes were the real source of success for the programme. In the case of the PLP, he said they want to use the programme in its original form to propel them back into power.
"Who is going to suffer? Workers will suffer because there is no clear direction as to how the programme should be run. The people on the ground, who should really be receiving the assistance, young people, the elderly and less fortunate, will suffer if the workers can't do what they are supposed to do. Now it is a big mess because it is a political game. We are wasting time, because the politicians are confusing everything," said Mr Stuart.
Mr Stuart suggested the best solution for Urban Renewal would be to have it run by a non-governmental organisation. He said the objectives of the programme, which he identified as rebuilding urban communities and strengthening the relationship between residents and the police, require political non-interference, and responsible members of the community should look at taking it over.
In the new year, The Tribune will be looking at the achievements of Urban Renewal.
December 17, 2009
tribune242
Tribune Staff Reporter
nnicolls@tribunemedia.net:
COMMUNITY workers have told The Tribune about their frustration at the political wrangling over Urban Renewal.
Talk has raged for months among politicians about who founded the programme, who changed the programme, who stopped and restarted the programme, and whose programme was more effective.
But people who work on the programme say the political points-scoring is damaging Urban Renewal and affecting the people who are in dire need.
"People believe we are not doing anything and it takes away from the work which is being done," said Kolamae Pedican, manager for the Kemp Road Urban Renewal Centre.
"I am working hard and it makes me feel like the work I am doing does not matter. When people listen to the politicians they stop coming. They say they thought we were closed.
"There have been changes in the programme, but I am a civil servant and I have to respect the changes. The message needs to go out that Urban Renewal centres are not closed. We are still serving the public, we are still helping people and we still work very closely with the police. That baby just needs to go to rest."
Urban Renewal was introduced by the Progressive Liberal Party in their last term in government. The programme received international recognition and was lauded as a success story. When the Free National Movement assumed control of the government, they made changes to the programme, which have been widely criticised by the PLP. Under the PLP, the Royal Bahamas Police Force played a central role in the management and operation of the programme.
At the Kemp Road Centre, four officers and two reservists worked in the centre with case aids from the Department of Social Services. Pedican was one of those case aids serving under Centre Coordinator, Inspector Frankie-Mae Mather. The police are no longer stationed in the centre's offices, and some of their community policing activities, such as being stationed in schools, have been discontinued. However, they continue to work closely with the centre management, and with school principals.
Some members of the PLP have been critical of the removal of police officers from direct involvement in the programme. Some have further questioned the appointment of Ella Lewis as the Director, saying her position as former FNM candidate for Farm Road and Centreville, which is the constituency of Perry Christie, Leader of the Opposition, compromises her authority.
"I think the back and forth about what has been changed has had a negative affect on the programme. It is taking a lot of effort to go into the communities to inform people that the centres are open and the programmes are still active," said Ms Lewis.
"I was appointed because I am qualified: I am community based and community active. I live in an urban area. I have worked with inner city people all of my life. I have love and respect for the community and I am committed to making the Bahamas better through urban renewal," she said.
Ms Lewis said she acknowledges the good work that was done under Urban Renewal by the PLP. She said it was an excellent programme, but it lacked some of the structure necessary. Under her leadership, she said she is working to add that aspect to the programme to make it even more successful.
While the needs of each community vary, the nine Urban Renewal centres focus on ten core programmes, including: after-school programmes, where students get help with homework and school projects; senior citizen programmes, where seniors can participate in seminars, workshops, tours and socials; and youth activities, such as marching bands.
At the start of the FNM administration, two of the centres were closed for no more than two months, according to Ms Lewis, in order to facilitate staffing changes. All of the other centres remained open and active. In many instances, staff members carried over from the former administration.
At the Kemp Road Centre, three of the four current staff members served under the former structure. Former Centre Coordinator, Inspector Frankie-Mae Mather, provided the training for the new management.
PLP Senator Allyson Maynard-Gibson has been a vocal supporter of Urban Renewal under the PLP leadership. In her presentation on the Senate floor this week, she read several references from a report, "Urban Renewal: Past, Present and Possible Future" authored by Rhodes Scholar and physician Desiree Cox. Mrs Maynard-Gibson spoke about the success of the programme in curbing crime in urban communities.
"My point is bigger than Urban Renewal. I am interested in the problem of crime and seeing a major paradigm shift in this country so we have something that works, and so Bahamian people can live in peace and tranquility. My responsibility is to ensure the issues that impact our people are aired and that the government acts on issues that are critical," said Mrs Maynard-Gibson.
"There is no bigger issue than crime. Urban renewal was a transformative programme. I do not want to diminish the people working in Urban Renewal, I think they are trying their best, but if something is working it should be given more resources," she said.
Work in Urban Renewal centres across the island is continuing. The Kemp Road Centre hosted a Christmas tree lighting ceremony this week that attracted both young and old residents. One of their regular activities is a feeding programme. They work closely with the food rescue organisation Hands for Hunger to feed a steady stream of residents daily, who are unable to feed themselves.
"People are really appreciative and they look to us for support. They depend on us to educate them on things like applying for passports or getting a police record clean. They come to us to find out how to get help from the various government social services. If someone dies they call us; if someone is sick they call us; if someone gets locked up or married, they call us," said Ms Pedican.
Supporters of Urban Renewal say they are not interested in playing political games or engaging in a back and forth political debate. But Bahamas Democratic Movement leader Cassius Stuart said the debate is unavoidably political because politicians from the PLP and FNM are holding fast to particular positions and being very vocal about it.
"Quite frankly I believe both political leaders have been immature in their dealing with urban renewal policy. It is destroying the essence of what the programme should really be. We have a high degree of political immaturity at the top which is why we have problems at the bottom. There should be a clear and concise direction as to where the programme is going so everyone can have clarity," said Mr Stuart.
Mr Stuart said both parties have political motivations, which is underlying the heated rhetoric. In the case of the FNM, he said they want to claim that their changes were the real source of success for the programme. In the case of the PLP, he said they want to use the programme in its original form to propel them back into power.
"Who is going to suffer? Workers will suffer because there is no clear direction as to how the programme should be run. The people on the ground, who should really be receiving the assistance, young people, the elderly and less fortunate, will suffer if the workers can't do what they are supposed to do. Now it is a big mess because it is a political game. We are wasting time, because the politicians are confusing everything," said Mr Stuart.
Mr Stuart suggested the best solution for Urban Renewal would be to have it run by a non-governmental organisation. He said the objectives of the programme, which he identified as rebuilding urban communities and strengthening the relationship between residents and the police, require political non-interference, and responsible members of the community should look at taking it over.
In the new year, The Tribune will be looking at the achievements of Urban Renewal.
December 17, 2009
tribune242
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette responds to Fred Smith's allegations over lawsuit
RESPONDING to allegations made in an affidavit by prominent attorney Fred Smith that FNM officials told him to drop a controversial lawsuit or lose his political dreams, Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette said he does not recall Mr Smith's version of the events.
As reported by The Tribune earlier this week, Mr Smith, QC, a senior partner with Callender's and Co in Grand Bahama filed an affidavit on December, 7 which alleges that the FNM's Candidates Committee told him he would not receive their endorsement for the Pine Ridge constituency in the 2007 general election -- unless he dropped lawsuit against a foreign developer.
At the time, Mr Smith represented the litigants against the Baker's Bay resort development in Guana Cay, Abaco.
Said Mr Symonette when contacted by The Tribune for a reaction to the allegations: "If Mr Smith has made those allegations in an affidavit form -- I don't think the party, the FNM party, is a member of the action in court and so we don't have a forum to deal with it. And if that's what he wishes to put in his affidavit -- (it's) a democratic country he can put it there.
"It's not my recollection of what happened but that's obviously his recollection."
Mr Smith represented the Save Guana Cay Reef Association in a four-year-long legal battle against the $500 million Baker's Bay development. The case was recently rejected by the Privy Council.
The lawyer alleges that money outweighed democracy in the selection of the FNM candidate for the Pine Ridge seat in 2007 -- claiming that the committee was worried that his part in the Guana Cay case would offend the FNM's "powerful financial backers."
Ultimately, another Grand Bahama attorney -- Kwasi Thompson -- was officially nominated for the constituency and was elected as MP for the area.
The affidavit was filed in connection with the argument over who should pay the legal costs in the unsuccessful appeal to the Privy Council launched by Mr Smith on behalf of the SGCRA seeking to have the initial ruling that gave the development the go-ahead in the face of the SGCRA's concerns overturned.
In the affidavit, Mr Smith stated: "My political aspirations and the wishes of the voters in the Pine Ridge Constituency Association were dashed as a result of this case.
"I was elected by the members of the (Pine Ridge Constituency) Association, prior to the last general election in 2007, to be the FNM candidate for the Pine Ridge Constituency. The next stage was for the FNM party candidates' committee to nominate me as the FNM party candidate for the election.
"Despite overwhelming local support I was told at one of the meetings with the committee members that unless I dropped the Guana Cay case, or unless I persuaded my clients to drop the case, I would not be chosen by the committee as the candidate for the next general election."
December 16, 2009
tribune242
As reported by The Tribune earlier this week, Mr Smith, QC, a senior partner with Callender's and Co in Grand Bahama filed an affidavit on December, 7 which alleges that the FNM's Candidates Committee told him he would not receive their endorsement for the Pine Ridge constituency in the 2007 general election -- unless he dropped lawsuit against a foreign developer.
At the time, Mr Smith represented the litigants against the Baker's Bay resort development in Guana Cay, Abaco.
Said Mr Symonette when contacted by The Tribune for a reaction to the allegations: "If Mr Smith has made those allegations in an affidavit form -- I don't think the party, the FNM party, is a member of the action in court and so we don't have a forum to deal with it. And if that's what he wishes to put in his affidavit -- (it's) a democratic country he can put it there.
"It's not my recollection of what happened but that's obviously his recollection."
Mr Smith represented the Save Guana Cay Reef Association in a four-year-long legal battle against the $500 million Baker's Bay development. The case was recently rejected by the Privy Council.
The lawyer alleges that money outweighed democracy in the selection of the FNM candidate for the Pine Ridge seat in 2007 -- claiming that the committee was worried that his part in the Guana Cay case would offend the FNM's "powerful financial backers."
Ultimately, another Grand Bahama attorney -- Kwasi Thompson -- was officially nominated for the constituency and was elected as MP for the area.
The affidavit was filed in connection with the argument over who should pay the legal costs in the unsuccessful appeal to the Privy Council launched by Mr Smith on behalf of the SGCRA seeking to have the initial ruling that gave the development the go-ahead in the face of the SGCRA's concerns overturned.
In the affidavit, Mr Smith stated: "My political aspirations and the wishes of the voters in the Pine Ridge Constituency Association were dashed as a result of this case.
"I was elected by the members of the (Pine Ridge Constituency) Association, prior to the last general election in 2007, to be the FNM candidate for the Pine Ridge Constituency. The next stage was for the FNM party candidates' committee to nominate me as the FNM party candidate for the election.
"Despite overwhelming local support I was told at one of the meetings with the committee members that unless I dropped the Guana Cay case, or unless I persuaded my clients to drop the case, I would not be chosen by the committee as the candidate for the next general election."
December 16, 2009
tribune242
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
A PROMINENT Bahamian lawyer told to 'Drop lawsuit or forget politics' in The Bahamas
By ALISON LOWE
Tribune Staff Reporter
alowe@tribunemedia.net:
A PROMINENT lawyer elected by the FNM's local association in Pine Ridge Grand Bahama as their preferred candidate to run in the 2007 general election alleges he was told by the party's decision-makers to drop a controversial lawsuit against a foreign developer or see his political aspirations denied.
Fred Smith, QC, senior partner with law firm Callender's and Co. in Freeport, claims in an affidavit filed on December 7 that he was informed by the FNM's Candidates Committee that he would not be endorsed by them for the Pine Ridge seat -- despite having the support of the Pine Ridge Constituency Association -- unless he either pulled out of representing litigants against the Baker's Bay resort development in Guana Cay, Abaco or convinced them to drop their case.
The attorney alleges that financial concerns trumped democracy in the selection of who would run under the FNM banner in the Grand Bahama constituency in 2007, with the committee expressing concern that his continued representation in the Guana Cay case would turn off "powerful financial backers" of the FNM.
Another Grand Bahama attorney, Kwasi Thompson, was officially nominated for the Pine Ridge seat, which he went on to win for the party.
Mr Smith represented the Save Guana Cay Reef Association in a four-year-long legal battle waged against the $500 million Baker's Bay development -- a bid that was recently rejected by the Privy Council.
The Association, which included Bahamians and non-Bahamian residents of Abaco, are against the development on the grounds that locals were not adequately consulted before central government gave approval to the developers of the project, which they considered unsustainable and a threat to the local environment.
The affidavit was filed in connection with the argument over who should pay the legal costs in the unsuccessful appeal to the Privy Council launched by Mr Smith on behalf of the SGCRA seeking to have the initial ruling that gave the development the go-ahead in the face of the SGCRA's concerns overturned.
In the affidavit he stated: "My political aspirations and the wishes of the voters in the Pine Ridge Constituency Association were dashed as a result of this case."
"I was elected by the members of the (Pine Ridge Constituency) Association, prior to the last general election in 2007, to be the FNM candidate for the Pine Ridge Constituency."
"The next stage was for the FNM party candidates' committee to nominate me as the FNM party candidate for the election.
"Despite overwhelming local support I was told at one of the meetings with the committee members that unless I dropped the Guana Cay case, or unless I persuaded my clients to drop the case, I would not be chosen by the committee as the candidate for the next general election."
Mr Smith said that among the reasons give were that the candidates committee believed his "association with the case would deter powerful financial backers (who were involved in real estate, construction, etc) which the FNM party needed support from because this case was considered anti-business and development."
Meanwhile, a further concern noted was that "the country needed foreign investment and the case was seen as being against foreign investment," although Mr Smith goes on to add that his clients "were all fully for foreign investment, but at a steady, proportionate and non environmentally destructive pace in Guana Cay."
"Another issue which they considered militated against choosing me was that I would be labelled as 'Haitian'," added the attorney, whose family -- father a Bahamian and mother of Lebanese descent -- spent many years in Haiti. The father, from an old Bahamian family, established a business in Haiti and lived there for many years before returning home to his Bahamian roots.
Mr Smith said it was suggested by the committee that if he withdrew as the Association's elected potential candidate and settled the Guana Cay case to make room for another person to be chosen instead, he could "consider an offer to be appointed" as an FNM senator.
"I declined to abandon my clients. Consequently I was not selected to be the FNM party's 'Torch Bearer' in the elections," said Mr Smith.
December 15, 2009
tribune242
Tribune Staff Reporter
alowe@tribunemedia.net:
A PROMINENT lawyer elected by the FNM's local association in Pine Ridge Grand Bahama as their preferred candidate to run in the 2007 general election alleges he was told by the party's decision-makers to drop a controversial lawsuit against a foreign developer or see his political aspirations denied.
Fred Smith, QC, senior partner with law firm Callender's and Co. in Freeport, claims in an affidavit filed on December 7 that he was informed by the FNM's Candidates Committee that he would not be endorsed by them for the Pine Ridge seat -- despite having the support of the Pine Ridge Constituency Association -- unless he either pulled out of representing litigants against the Baker's Bay resort development in Guana Cay, Abaco or convinced them to drop their case.
The attorney alleges that financial concerns trumped democracy in the selection of who would run under the FNM banner in the Grand Bahama constituency in 2007, with the committee expressing concern that his continued representation in the Guana Cay case would turn off "powerful financial backers" of the FNM.
Another Grand Bahama attorney, Kwasi Thompson, was officially nominated for the Pine Ridge seat, which he went on to win for the party.
Mr Smith represented the Save Guana Cay Reef Association in a four-year-long legal battle waged against the $500 million Baker's Bay development -- a bid that was recently rejected by the Privy Council.
The Association, which included Bahamians and non-Bahamian residents of Abaco, are against the development on the grounds that locals were not adequately consulted before central government gave approval to the developers of the project, which they considered unsustainable and a threat to the local environment.
The affidavit was filed in connection with the argument over who should pay the legal costs in the unsuccessful appeal to the Privy Council launched by Mr Smith on behalf of the SGCRA seeking to have the initial ruling that gave the development the go-ahead in the face of the SGCRA's concerns overturned.
In the affidavit he stated: "My political aspirations and the wishes of the voters in the Pine Ridge Constituency Association were dashed as a result of this case."
"I was elected by the members of the (Pine Ridge Constituency) Association, prior to the last general election in 2007, to be the FNM candidate for the Pine Ridge Constituency."
"The next stage was for the FNM party candidates' committee to nominate me as the FNM party candidate for the election.
"Despite overwhelming local support I was told at one of the meetings with the committee members that unless I dropped the Guana Cay case, or unless I persuaded my clients to drop the case, I would not be chosen by the committee as the candidate for the next general election."
Mr Smith said that among the reasons give were that the candidates committee believed his "association with the case would deter powerful financial backers (who were involved in real estate, construction, etc) which the FNM party needed support from because this case was considered anti-business and development."
Meanwhile, a further concern noted was that "the country needed foreign investment and the case was seen as being against foreign investment," although Mr Smith goes on to add that his clients "were all fully for foreign investment, but at a steady, proportionate and non environmentally destructive pace in Guana Cay."
"Another issue which they considered militated against choosing me was that I would be labelled as 'Haitian'," added the attorney, whose family -- father a Bahamian and mother of Lebanese descent -- spent many years in Haiti. The father, from an old Bahamian family, established a business in Haiti and lived there for many years before returning home to his Bahamian roots.
Mr Smith said it was suggested by the committee that if he withdrew as the Association's elected potential candidate and settled the Guana Cay case to make room for another person to be chosen instead, he could "consider an offer to be appointed" as an FNM senator.
"I declined to abandon my clients. Consequently I was not selected to be the FNM party's 'Torch Bearer' in the elections," said Mr Smith.
December 15, 2009
tribune242
Monday, December 14, 2009
Opposition Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) "does not support" former police commissioner Reginald Ferguson as director of Financial Intelligence Unit
THE Opposition PLP has announced that it does not support the appointment of former commissioner of police Reginald Ferguson to be director of the Financial Intelligence Unit.
In a party statement, the PLP claimed that Mr Ferguson was criticised in the report of the 2004 Commission of Inquiry into the mv Lorequin when drugs disappeared in a sting operation conducted by the US Drug Enforcement Agency.
“Mr Ferguson,” said the PLP statement, “was also criticised by Senior Justice Jon Isaacs in the case of R v Sean Bruey and Warren Ellis.”
In that case, said the PLP, the judge “accepted the sworn evidence of the witness who said that she was forced to give evidence by Mr Ferguson and that the evidence that she gave under duress was untrue.”
The party claimed that Mr Ferguson was given four separate chances to refute her sworn testimony, but did not.
“The failure to refute her evidence was deemed to be an admission by the Crown of the truth of her sworn evidence. An appeal was filed, but was withdrawn,” the party said.
Because of these incidents, the party did not think that Mr Ferguson should be appointed director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).
“The FNM through its inept management of financial services, including the ‘stop, review and cancel’ treatment given to the Ministry of Financial Services was in large measure responsible for the lay-offs of scores of young Bahamians from Bank of Butterfield, Ansbacher Trust Company, Royal Bank of Canada, First Caribbean Bank and other banks, trust companies, insurance companies and other financial services institutions,” said the statement.
“The PLP believes that there are many suitably qualified young persons in the Bahamas who are more than able to fill the post of the Director of the FIU. The PLP does not believe that someone aged 63 on pension of 60 per cent of $67,086 together with other benefits received by former commissioners of police ought to prevent young Bahamians from holding that post. The PLP is obliged to remind the public that senior police officers younger than Mr Ferguson were sent home without the offer of any other positions; many of them are still unemployed,” said the party statement.
December 14, 2009
tribune242
In a party statement, the PLP claimed that Mr Ferguson was criticised in the report of the 2004 Commission of Inquiry into the mv Lorequin when drugs disappeared in a sting operation conducted by the US Drug Enforcement Agency.
“Mr Ferguson,” said the PLP statement, “was also criticised by Senior Justice Jon Isaacs in the case of R v Sean Bruey and Warren Ellis.”
In that case, said the PLP, the judge “accepted the sworn evidence of the witness who said that she was forced to give evidence by Mr Ferguson and that the evidence that she gave under duress was untrue.”
The party claimed that Mr Ferguson was given four separate chances to refute her sworn testimony, but did not.
“The failure to refute her evidence was deemed to be an admission by the Crown of the truth of her sworn evidence. An appeal was filed, but was withdrawn,” the party said.
Because of these incidents, the party did not think that Mr Ferguson should be appointed director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).
“The FNM through its inept management of financial services, including the ‘stop, review and cancel’ treatment given to the Ministry of Financial Services was in large measure responsible for the lay-offs of scores of young Bahamians from Bank of Butterfield, Ansbacher Trust Company, Royal Bank of Canada, First Caribbean Bank and other banks, trust companies, insurance companies and other financial services institutions,” said the statement.
“The PLP believes that there are many suitably qualified young persons in the Bahamas who are more than able to fill the post of the Director of the FIU. The PLP does not believe that someone aged 63 on pension of 60 per cent of $67,086 together with other benefits received by former commissioners of police ought to prevent young Bahamians from holding that post. The PLP is obliged to remind the public that senior police officers younger than Mr Ferguson were sent home without the offer of any other positions; many of them are still unemployed,” said the party statement.
December 14, 2009
tribune242
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