...Mr Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette, and the political red herring of conflict of interest

Symonette steps down as airport chairman in 2001

tribune242 editorial


ON MONDAY we discussed the claim by two PLP former ministers in the Pindling cabinet that the country now faced a "constitutional crisis" because Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette had "admitted" that his family had shares in a company awarded a government contract. They called for his resignation from politics.

We said that we would return to the discussion on Tuesday, but got sidetracked by Police Commissioner Greenslade's call for tougher sentences to deter crime.

As 100 murders were recorded over the weekend with shootings continuing, the Commissioner was asked if police were doing enough to get crime under control. Commissioner Greenslade replied that the police were doing their best. They were arresting the suspects and taking them to court, but after the courts charged and released them, it was no longer a police matter. Today Senator Dr Duane Sands said that the record-breaking murder count would be three times higher if it weren't for the country's skilled doctors who were saving many lives.

All this is true, and if one follows the plot all steps lead to the courts. The doctors would not have so many critically wounded on their operating tables, if when the police took their assailants to court, the courts returned them to prison to await trial, rather than releasing them on bail into the community.

It is now up to legislators to set penalties that will not only frighten would-be law breakers, but like it or not, limit the courts discretion in granting bail.

And now back to Mr Symonette and the political red herring of conflict of interest.

In 2001 Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, through the Minister of Transport, asked Mr Symonette to resign as chairman of the Airport Authority for apparent conflict of interest in awarding a contract to a paving company in which he had an interest. Six days after the matter was drawn to his attention, Mr Symonette resigned. Today he admits that in his efforts to get the job done quickly to prevent the threatened downgrade of Nassau International Airport by the FAA, he acted without consulting the Airport Authority's Board of Directors - most of whom were out of the country, preventing him from getting a quorum to call a meeting. However, on their return, they met and ratified his decision.

Mr Symonette's action was typical of a successful businessman, accustomed to making decisions and getting the job done efficiently and on time.

However, he will admit today that he was in the wrong, because in his position, he was no longer a private businessman, free to make immediate decisions, but a servant of the people who had to go through a slowed down process. This is the very reason that private enterprise is far more successful than any government undertaking, and the very reason why governments should never waste taxpayers' money by dabbling in private enterprise.

Three companies tendered for the airport paving job at that time. Bahamas Hot Mix, in which Mr Symonette had an interest, offered the lowest bid. "Bids came in on the 21st," Mr Symonette explained at the time, "they started work on the 29th, August."

To save money for the taxpayer, keep the FAA happy and save the downgrade of the airport that would affect tourism, Mr Symonette in August, 2000 awarded the contract to Bahamas Hot Mix to pave the airport's perimeter.

He said that at the time -- unable to get a quorum for a board meeting -- he declared his interest to the Chief Engineer before the contract was issued. The Prime Minister was also aware that he held shares in the Hot Mix company. And the information had been a matter of public record from August 22, 1992.

Although by his decision he saved the taxpayer money and achieved greater returns as a result of the contract, sacrificing many hours away from his own business for the airport, and, unlike past chairmen, never receiving pay for his services, Mr Symonette will today admit an error of judgment. Today he says many "mea culpas." He has since divested himself of his Bahamas Hot Mix shares. The shares have been transferred into a trust for his children. These are the same shares that are the centre of the current argument.

It was PLP Bradley Roberts, MP for Grants Town, who initially brought the matter to parliament in 2001 levelling charges of corruption and conflict of interest against the Ingraham government.

Behind the scenes Mr Roberts was himself in personal conflict with the Airport Authority chairman. Mr Roberts was a shareholder in a company that had a monopoly on all food and beverage handled at the airport, both in the airport building and for all incoming aircraft. This monopoly embraced the whole airport area as far as Coral Harbour, some claimed it took in about a five-mile radius. At the time that this monopoly was being challenged, Mr Symonette happened to be the chairman in the background asking unpleasant questions.

And so Mr Roberts' exposé in parliament was no surprise.

More on this subject tomorrow, unless our attention gets diverted to another subject.

September 21, 2011

tribune242 editorial

Caribbean Blog International

Brent Symonette says comments made by Branville McCartney - leader of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), about "clandestine operations" at the Department of Immigration were "irresponsible"

DPM: Bran's comments were 'irresponsible'


By NOELLE NICOLLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
tribune242
nnicolls@tribunemedia.net



GOVERNMENT officials are refuting claims made by the Democratic National Alliance about "clandestine operations" at the Department of Immigration.

Acting Prime Minister Brent Symonette said comments made by Branville McCartney, leader of the DNA, were "irresponsible."

Mr McCartney, a former minister of state for immigration, claimed that "disgruntled employees" in his former office told his party that around 2,000 illegal immigrants are to be "secretly" regularised as Bahamian citizens.

However, Mr Symonette told The Tribune this could not be further from the truth.

He said citizenship applications are being processed based on the same procedures used by Mr McCartney during his time at the ministry, although much of the process has since been digitised.

Applicants go through a detailed vetting process, where they are usually required to produce birth certificates, health records and school records. They are required to participate in interviews, usually several.

Ultimately, the Cabinet, serving as the board of immigration, gives the final authorisation during a monthly immigration meeting, said Mr Symonette. The basic process is the same for citizenship and permanent residency applications, except in the case of spousal applications, which do not have to go to Cabinet.

"Nothing has changed in the process since Branville McCartney was minister of state. He did not change the process. I haven't changed his process. I met the process there before when I was minister in 1992. That is the process," said Mr Symonette.

"Any issue or question that it was done secretly, clandestinely, or whatever word, is totally irresponsible. I have outlined the process. The leader of the DNA made no attempt as a senior minister, as far as I am aware, to change that process. He met it there and he left it there," he said.

The only recent change that may be causing confusion for the DNA, Mr Symonette said, is a new initiative at the department aimed at processing some 1,300 applications for citizenship and permanent residency that have been catching dust for decades.

A special project team was employed to deal with these back-logged cases, while the permanent staff continues to process current applications.

As for the swearing in ceremony conducted for successful applicants, Mr Symonette said that ceremony is not public. It is attended by senior government officials and family members.

In New Providence, he said the ceremony takes place in the "swearing in room." In Grand Bahama, he said, it takes place in the Prime Minister's office, and in Abaco, he said, it takes place in a Marsh Harbour court house.

In all cases, Mr Symonette said, applicants seeking citizenship are required to demonstrate knowledge of the Bahamas, including the pledge of allegiance, national anthem and national symbols, during the interview stage.

He said there was a class covering this information started under McCartney's watch, but which "ceased while he was still minister of state."

"They were a one-morning issue. I don't want to give the impression you came in on Saturday for weeks," added Mr Symonette.

July 15, 2011

tribune242

Caribbean Blog International

Brent Symonette - Immigration Minister: ...repatriation of illegal Haitian immigrants will continue as normal, unless extremely dire conditions were highlighted in Haiti

UN urges halt to Haitian deportation


By TANEKA THOMPSON
Deputy Chief Reporter
tribune242
tthompson@tribunemedia.net




THE United Nations has issued a plea to the Bahamas not to deport Haitians due to the conditions which remain 18 months after the deadly earthquake.

The UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) appealed to the Bahamas – and other governments which have repatriated Haitians since the disaster – to extend measures which will allow the immigrants to legally remain outside their country.

Despite the call, Immigration Minister Brent Symonette said repatriations will continue as normal unless extremely dire conditions were highlighted in Haiti.

"Given the current situation in Haiti, UNHCR and OHCHR are urging governments to renew, on humanitarian grounds, residence permits and other mechanisms that have allowed Haitians to remain outside their country," said UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards at a press briefing in Geneva.

The UN said despite recent elections and ongoing reconstruction efforts, Haiti is still debilitated by the earthquake and cannot ensure adequate protection for some vulnerable returned citizens such as unaccompanied minors, disabled persons, people with health problems, victims of trafficking or of sexual abuse.

"The appeal calls on governments to assess Haitian cases on an individual basis and to pay special consideration and refrain from returning to Haiti persons with special protection needs, and to prevent situations where returns can lead to family separation," said Mr Edwards.

An estimated 680,000 earthquake survivors live in 1,000 tented camps in Port-au-Prince and other affected areas while an unknown number live outside Haiti, he added.

According to international reports, the recent appeal came after news that countries, including the Bahamas, Jamaica, Brazil and the United States were deporting Haitians.

Yesterday, Mr Symonette said the Bahamas' policy on repatriation remained unchanged and added that he did not know of any new developments that will impede the country from deporting illegal Haitian immigrants. Still the Government will continue to monitor the situation in Haiti, he said, and make adjustments to its immigration policy where warranted.

"When I return I will review the (UN's) declaration.

“Our stance has always been to uphold Christian values and not (repatriate) in situations that would be inhumane, but there has been nothing that happened yesterday or today which would have necessitated this issue," said Mr Symonette who is in Jamaica for a meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

"We will continue to review the situation in Haiti, we will be in contact with our ambassador on the ground in Haiti and I will discuss the matter further with the Haitian ambassador here," said the St Anne's MP.

Returns of illegal Haitian immigrants will continue in the meantime.

"The detention centre is not at the state in the moment to require repatriation.

“If for instance we find a vessel with 90 people on board in Inagua the situation will be reviewed at that point and more than likely those people will be repatriated, all things being equal," said the minister.

The Bahamas briefly suspended round-ups and repatriation of illegal Haitian immigrants after the January, 2010, earthquake which killed nearly 300,000 people and left hundreds of thousands homeless.

The US deported 375 Haitians in the 2010 fiscal year, which ended in September, after a short suspension following the earthquake.

The country has said it plans to deport approximately 700 immigrants with criminal records to Haiti this year.


June 23, 2011

tribune242

Caribbean Blog International

WikiLeaks United States Embassy cables: Embassy officials viewed the cozy relationship between Foreign Affairs Minister Brent Symonette and then Charge d'affaires Brent Hardt as a major plus in convincing The Bahamas to be more supportive of U.S. positions on the world stage

Cables reveal DPM's close U.S. ties


CANDIA DAMES
NG News Editor
thenassauguardian
candia@nasguard.com


United States Embassy officials viewed the cozy relationship between Foreign Affairs Minister Brent Symonette and then Charge d'affaires Brent Hardt as a major plus in convincing The Bahamas to be more supportive of U.S. positions on the world stage, according to cables obtained by The Nassau Guardian through WikiLeaks.

One of the cables described Symonette as “a reluctant foreign minister”.

Symonette was also described as “a frank and open interlocutor” for the embassy and “a good friend”.

“In recent years, he has been a valuable contact on political and economic issues,” said the 2007 cable.

“He and the charge (Brent Hardt) — whose residence is next door to Symonette’s — enjoy a close personal relationship reinforced by family friendships.”

The cable added, “The charge enjoys direct access to Symonette, and expects that the new professional relationship will benefit from the outstanding communication they enjoy.

“The charge has found Symonette to be direct, pragmatic, and generally pro-U.S., though a staunch defender of Bahamian national interests.”

The cable said Free National Movement (FNM) insiders had predicted that former Bahamian Ambassador to the U.S. Joshua Sears would be named foreign minister.

“Asked last summer by the charge about his potential portfolios in an FNM government, Symonette dismissed the idea of serving as foreign minister, saying he could not see himself for hours in ‘endless, unproductive meetings with CARICOM officials,” said the 2007 cable.

“However, with Sears losing his race for Parliament, and with Symonette’s experience as opposition spokesperson on foreign affairs, he and the prime minister apparently had a change of heart.”

The cable said Symonette’s appointment as foreign minister is “a best-case scenario” for the United States.

“[Prime Minister Hubert] Ingraham’s decision to tap his deputy prime minister, a known friend of the U.S., as minister of foreign affairs reflects Ingraham’s understanding of the importance of the U.S. relationship and Ingraham’s commitment to making it work for both sides,” the cable said.

“It may also have reflected a recognition that Symonette’s extensive web of local business activities could have created conflicts of interest with other portfolios, as was the case with the airport contract in his last administration.

“Symonette also had little interest in positions such as minister of works, repairing roads and installing stoplights.

“Symonette’s pragmatism, openness to the U.S. and our views, and direct channels of communication with Post promise a stronger, more productive relationship than under the often brooding, sensitive, and aloof Fred Mitchell.”

The embassy official wrote that Symonette will also strongly support the Unites States’ core counter-drug and migrant interdiction programs.

“His Bahamian nationalist focus may lead to a more pragmatic direction in foreign affairs that abandons former Minister Mitchell’s penchant for world travel, building distant ties with India and China, and activism in the Non-Aligned Movement.

“Given his avowed skepticism of the value of CARICOM, we expect Symonette will keep Bahamian engagement with its neighbors to the minimum necessary for good relations.

“With Bahamian national issues dominating his focus, regional and big picture international issues will likely fade as priorities. As a result, we expect The Bahamas’ flirtation with Cuba to cool, potentially reducing Bahamian presence in Cuba from an embassy to a consulate.

“We also hope that Symonette’s pragmatic orientation will lead to greater receptiveness to concluding a Proliferation Security Initiative Agreement — which had languished over the past year with the indecisive PLP government.”

UBP LEGACY

The embassy official noted that Symonette is a successful businessman and a former attorney general and minister of tourism in previous FNM governments.

“Symonette, whose father was the last pre-Independence premier of The Bahamas, is one of a handful of white Bahamians who have remained engaged in post-Independence Bahamian politics,” the cable said.

Symonette was described as a “no-nonsense leader with limited tolerance for inefficiency.”

“We can expect him to be a strong partner for the U.S., who will be more decisive and more inclined to support U.S. positions than his predecessor,” the cable said.

“As he is new to international diplomacy, we have an opportunity to shape his perceptions early on priority U.S. concerns such as a Proliferation Security Agreement and U.N. human rights issues.”

The embassy official wrote that the appointment of Symonette as DPM and The Bahamas’ representative to foreign governments was seen in part as Ingraham’s response to the Progressive Liberal Party’s effort to play the race card during the campaign against Symonette and the FNM, whose roots go back to the white-dominated United Bahamian Party (UBP) of the pre-Independence Bahamas.

“Brent Symonette’s UBP heritage has been a political liability, and became a focus of PLP campaigning leading up to the elections in the overwhelmingly black Bahamas,” the cable said.

“While safe in his wealthy eastern constituency, some public perceptions of Symonette have inescapably been tied to issues of race and [his father’s] minority rule legacy.

“The PLP went out of (its) way to exploit his father’s past — with mixed successs.

“The FNM victory in the face of PLP charges that Ingraham intended to turn power over to Symonette, who would then ‘turn back’ to the era of racial discrimination, suggests a growing political maturity among a majority of Bahamian voters for whom such racial politics had limited traction.”

The cable noted that Symonette was defiant of PLP campaign efforts to marginalize him because of his race and legacy.

“In fact, Symonette derives extra motivation from his desire to ensure that all Bahamians, black and white alike, can participate in the political life of The Bahamas,” the official wrote.

“His willingness to face the barrage of PLP attacks in a political campaign and to stand up for his father despite a difficult legacy are telling of a highly motivated and strong-minded politician.”

The official wrote that Symonette was voted deputy leader reportedly to help balance the fiery Ingraham with his calm, thoughtful demeanor in the 2007 general election.

“Symonette’s deep ties with the Bahamian business community and access to local investors contributed to his appeal to the party faithful,” the cable said.

“...Among the wealthiest individuals in Bahamian politics, Symonette reported $56 million in net worth in required pre-election disclosures.

“However, those disclosures reportedly do not include interests held in trust or partnership, and some estimate Symonette’s wealth to exceed $250 million.

“Symonette nevertheless lives modestly and supports many causes without fanfare and behind-the-scenes.”

Jun 16, 2011

thenassauguardian