Showing posts with label land. Show all posts
Showing posts with label land. Show all posts
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Tourism in Turks and Caicos under direct UK rule - the consequences
By: Chis Burke, originally posted on August 2 (written before the take over. It's prophetic)
As the Islands of Turks and Caicos settles amidst the welcomed departure of Michael Misick Turks and Caicos' former Premier, worries about Crown land deals threaten tourism on the Islands.
If Britain decides to take over the self-governed territory of Turks and Caicos Islands, which has been self-governed since 1973, they better be prepared to keep the status quo. Changing the constitution to take revenues from tourism would be akin to slavery in the sense that revenues would be taken directly from the islands' people who work hard for their economy.
Great Britain must step lightly if they plan to take self-government from Turks and Caicos. As it is, this step would not be favourable to the world or the people of Turks and Caicos. For one, the world has denounced colonialism. For second, the new government of 5 months is doing quite well, which takes away legitimacy for this draconian move by Great Britain.
Crown land is real estate or property owned by the government of Turks and Caicos Island. The government is the largest Crown landholder on the Islands. This makes Crown lands the government’s most valuable asset and this asset value has risen dramatically over recent years. For Britain to suddenly usurp that progress and capitalize on the revenues, will not sit well with the world.
Commercial land development is one of the main purposes of Crown land use and sale. The Crown Land Policy is formulated to "attract investments judged best for the interest of TCI," as prescribed by The Turks and Caicos Islands, Crown Land Policy.
While certain developers have purchased Crown land and are in various stages of developing the real property, Britain's rule could hold these developers hostage within their own multi-million dollar projects, years of planning and promises of employment for many locals.
At the core of the movement to welcome British rule is a small but outspoken group of "Belongers," residents who were born in Turks and Caicos Islands.
According to the Crown Land Policy, a Belonger who is at least 21 years old can qualify for a discount on Crown Land.
Under the former Misick cabinet, several land developers were sold Crown land as encouraged under the Crown Land Policy and did so under the color of government authority.
However, this outspoken group of Belongers have been lobbying British Parliament dating back years, protesting their right to own Crown Land and expressing their dissatisfaction of developers' owning Crown land property. However, their efforts are misguided.
Under the Open Tendering provision of the Crown Land Policy, the government, "will identify potential development site(s) on every island, consistent with its development strategy. These sites will be actively marketed to prospective developers ..."
At the very soul of Turks and Caicos economy is tourism, certainly development is a requisite part of that in every way.
Now that Misick is no longer Premier of Turks and Caicos, some Belongers are reported to be exploiting this political situation by encouraging British rule, presumably to make legal standing for the return of Crown land and to attempt to thwart sales of Crown land to land developers.
However, this Crown Land Policy is not likely to change under British rule and the Belongers are unwittingly putting the future of Turks and Caicos in limbo for a period of at least 2 years should Britain take over. The prospect of Britain's interference would most certainly cause a stalemate in development, hence tourism revenues for the people of Turks and Caicos, which would be an unfortunate short-sighted plan for Crown land grabbers.
Britain better think long hard before disrupting any development or tourism in Turks and Caicos. Resort development is the future of the Turks and Caicos economy for many generations to come.
As the Islands of Turks and Caicos settles amidst the welcomed departure of Michael Misick Turks and Caicos' former Premier, worries about Crown land deals threaten tourism on the Islands.
If Britain decides to take over the self-governed territory of Turks and Caicos Islands, which has been self-governed since 1973, they better be prepared to keep the status quo. Changing the constitution to take revenues from tourism would be akin to slavery in the sense that revenues would be taken directly from the islands' people who work hard for their economy.
Great Britain must step lightly if they plan to take self-government from Turks and Caicos. As it is, this step would not be favourable to the world or the people of Turks and Caicos. For one, the world has denounced colonialism. For second, the new government of 5 months is doing quite well, which takes away legitimacy for this draconian move by Great Britain.
Crown land is real estate or property owned by the government of Turks and Caicos Island. The government is the largest Crown landholder on the Islands. This makes Crown lands the government’s most valuable asset and this asset value has risen dramatically over recent years. For Britain to suddenly usurp that progress and capitalize on the revenues, will not sit well with the world.
Commercial land development is one of the main purposes of Crown land use and sale. The Crown Land Policy is formulated to "attract investments judged best for the interest of TCI," as prescribed by The Turks and Caicos Islands, Crown Land Policy.
While certain developers have purchased Crown land and are in various stages of developing the real property, Britain's rule could hold these developers hostage within their own multi-million dollar projects, years of planning and promises of employment for many locals.
At the core of the movement to welcome British rule is a small but outspoken group of "Belongers," residents who were born in Turks and Caicos Islands.
According to the Crown Land Policy, a Belonger who is at least 21 years old can qualify for a discount on Crown Land.
Under the former Misick cabinet, several land developers were sold Crown land as encouraged under the Crown Land Policy and did so under the color of government authority.
However, this outspoken group of Belongers have been lobbying British Parliament dating back years, protesting their right to own Crown Land and expressing their dissatisfaction of developers' owning Crown land property. However, their efforts are misguided.
Under the Open Tendering provision of the Crown Land Policy, the government, "will identify potential development site(s) on every island, consistent with its development strategy. These sites will be actively marketed to prospective developers ..."
At the very soul of Turks and Caicos economy is tourism, certainly development is a requisite part of that in every way.
Now that Misick is no longer Premier of Turks and Caicos, some Belongers are reported to be exploiting this political situation by encouraging British rule, presumably to make legal standing for the return of Crown land and to attempt to thwart sales of Crown land to land developers.
However, this Crown Land Policy is not likely to change under British rule and the Belongers are unwittingly putting the future of Turks and Caicos in limbo for a period of at least 2 years should Britain take over. The prospect of Britain's interference would most certainly cause a stalemate in development, hence tourism revenues for the people of Turks and Caicos, which would be an unfortunate short-sighted plan for Crown land grabbers.
Britain better think long hard before disrupting any development or tourism in Turks and Caicos. Resort development is the future of the Turks and Caicos economy for many generations to come.
Land-seekers unwisely welcome colonial rule by UK in Turks and Caicos
I found this article written by:Jenns Citizen. It is an interesting perspective of agendas on the islands of Turks and Caicos. It was originally published August 12, 2009.
A British take over is looming over the Islands of Turks and Caicos, a self-governed British territory in the Caribbean. A small but deafeningly loud group of islanders are unwittingly in favor of a British take over believing that their own grant of Crown Land will be realised. We will call these people "land-seekers" for the purpose of this story. The question of land-seekers is: who is entitled to Crown Land? Land-seekers believe, with emphasis, that the land rights be for Belongers (those born on the islands).
The land-seekers blame businesses and resort developers for using land for which they believe that they are entitled. One land-seeker just recently claimed, "it should be that only BORN Turks & Caicos Islanders are entitled to Crown Land."
Land-seekers are also unwittingly welcoming British take over of the islands believing that they will somehow have a favourable position for the Crown Land grants. This belief of British saviourism is foolish.
Crown Land belonging to businesses and developers are proper, lest land-seekers claim otherwise with their talk of individual entitlement to "that prime land."
Firstly, it is extremely short-sighted to see the land as an individual entitlement against developers and businesses. Why? Because Crown Land means nothing unless businesses also develop on it, creating sustainability for the islands for many, many years. These businesses will benefit the citizens of Turks and Caicos and their future generations for employment and economic prosperity.
How about the land-seekers run their own businesses and make a living while creating economic growth? Do not try to deny others' ambition to contribute to Turks and Caicos' leading economic dollars, tourism. Tourism and development needs to be preserved and certainly not interrupted. Why would the land-seekers want to destroy that economic advantage by wishing for nullification of business land holdings for their own short-sited wants?
Let's explore the intention of Crown land usage from Turks and Caicos' own Crown Land Policy. According to the Crown Land Policy, commercial land development is one of the main purposes of Crown land use and sale. The Crown Land Policy is formulated to "attract investments judged best for the interest of TCI [Turks and Caicos Islands]."
Crown land is specifically intentioned for businesses and development, according to Turks and Caicos' policies.
Do the land-seekers believe that British rule will overthrow that policy of Crown Land intentions? Absolutely far fetched.
50 land-seekers wrote to the British parliament attempting to challenge the Crown Land sales for development, citing that it should be granted to Belongers, people who are born in Turks and Caicos. To which the British Parliament replied, with their published opinion that, "Crown land is a major resource on TCI, which has built its economic growth on real estate and tourism." The British will be no help to land-seekers in nullifying the Crown Land Policy of Turks and Caicos.
Land-seekers have opportunities for Crown Land without challenging business and development growth on the islands. There is an alternate remedy: apply for the land. Prime beach-front property is the heart and soul of tourism and the economy on the islands. Let's allow that to be prosperous. There are many other places in which to live and own land that will not take away from the very economy of the islands.
Turks and Caicos Islands' citizens do not wish for British rule. Turks and Caicos is trying to restore confidence in investors, create jobs and promote tourism. British rule would not benefit anyone, not even land-seekers.
A British take over is looming over the Islands of Turks and Caicos, a self-governed British territory in the Caribbean. A small but deafeningly loud group of islanders are unwittingly in favor of a British take over believing that their own grant of Crown Land will be realised. We will call these people "land-seekers" for the purpose of this story. The question of land-seekers is: who is entitled to Crown Land? Land-seekers believe, with emphasis, that the land rights be for Belongers (those born on the islands).
The land-seekers blame businesses and resort developers for using land for which they believe that they are entitled. One land-seeker just recently claimed, "it should be that only BORN Turks & Caicos Islanders are entitled to Crown Land."
Land-seekers are also unwittingly welcoming British take over of the islands believing that they will somehow have a favourable position for the Crown Land grants. This belief of British saviourism is foolish.
Crown Land belonging to businesses and developers are proper, lest land-seekers claim otherwise with their talk of individual entitlement to "that prime land."
Firstly, it is extremely short-sighted to see the land as an individual entitlement against developers and businesses. Why? Because Crown Land means nothing unless businesses also develop on it, creating sustainability for the islands for many, many years. These businesses will benefit the citizens of Turks and Caicos and their future generations for employment and economic prosperity.
How about the land-seekers run their own businesses and make a living while creating economic growth? Do not try to deny others' ambition to contribute to Turks and Caicos' leading economic dollars, tourism. Tourism and development needs to be preserved and certainly not interrupted. Why would the land-seekers want to destroy that economic advantage by wishing for nullification of business land holdings for their own short-sited wants?
Let's explore the intention of Crown land usage from Turks and Caicos' own Crown Land Policy. According to the Crown Land Policy, commercial land development is one of the main purposes of Crown land use and sale. The Crown Land Policy is formulated to "attract investments judged best for the interest of TCI [Turks and Caicos Islands]."
Crown land is specifically intentioned for businesses and development, according to Turks and Caicos' policies.
Do the land-seekers believe that British rule will overthrow that policy of Crown Land intentions? Absolutely far fetched.
50 land-seekers wrote to the British parliament attempting to challenge the Crown Land sales for development, citing that it should be granted to Belongers, people who are born in Turks and Caicos. To which the British Parliament replied, with their published opinion that, "Crown land is a major resource on TCI, which has built its economic growth on real estate and tourism." The British will be no help to land-seekers in nullifying the Crown Land Policy of Turks and Caicos.
Land-seekers have opportunities for Crown Land without challenging business and development growth on the islands. There is an alternate remedy: apply for the land. Prime beach-front property is the heart and soul of tourism and the economy on the islands. Let's allow that to be prosperous. There are many other places in which to live and own land that will not take away from the very economy of the islands.
Turks and Caicos Islands' citizens do not wish for British rule. Turks and Caicos is trying to restore confidence in investors, create jobs and promote tourism. British rule would not benefit anyone, not even land-seekers.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Crown land in Turks and Caicos, British rule threatens tourism and development
As the Islands of Turks and Caicos settles amidst the welcomed departure of Michael Misick, Turks and Caicos' former Premier, worries about Crown land deals threaten tourism on the Islands. Colonialism is dying, but it's not dead and Britain has clear designs to take over the self-governed territory of Turks and Caicos Islands.
Crown land is real estate or property owned by the government of Turks and Caicos Island. The government is the largest Crown landholder on the Islands. This makes Crown lands the government’s most valuable asset and this asset value has risen dramatically over recent years.
Commercial land development is one of the main purposes of Crown land use and sale. The Crown Land Policy is formulated to "attract investments judged best for the interest of TCI," as prescribed by The Turks and Caicos Islands, Crown Land Policy.
While certain developers have purchased Crown land and are in various stages of developing the real property, Britain's rule could hold these developers hostage within their own multi-million dollar projects, years of planning and promises of employment for many locals.
At the core of the movement to welcome British rule is a small but outspoken group of "Belongers," residents who were born in Turks and Caicos Islands.
According to the Crown Land Policy, a Belonger who is at least 21 years old can qualify for a discount on Crown Land.
Under the former Misick cabinet, several land developers were sold Crown land as encouraged under the Crown Land Policy and did so under the color of government authority.
However, this outspoken group of Belongers have been lobbying British Parliament dating back years, protesting their right to own Crown Land and expressing their dissatisfaction of developers' owning Crown land property. However, their efforts are misguided.
Under the Open Tendering provision of the Crown Land Policy, the government, "will identify potential development site(s) on every island, consistent with its development strategy. These sites will be actively marketed to prospective developers ..."
At the very soul of Turks and Caicos economy is tourism, certainly development is a requisite part of that in every way.
Now that Misick is no longer Premier of Turks and Caicos, some Belongers are reported to be exploiting this political situation by encouraging British rule, presumably to make legal standing for the return of Crown land and to attempt to thwart sales of Crown land to land developers.
However, this Crown Land Policy is not likely to change under British rule and the Belongers are unwittingly putting the future of Turks and Caicos in limbo for a period of at least 2 years should Britain take over. The prospect of Britain's interference would most certainly cause a stalemate in development, hence tourism revenues for the people of Turks and Caicos, which would be an unfortunate short-sighted plan for Crown land grabbers.
Without advancement of tourism and tourism revenues, Turks and Caicos will regress; this at a time when Turks and Caicos might be the only economy on the upswing. Again, the economic upswing is thanks to tourism dollars and resulting jobs.
Crown land is real estate or property owned by the government of Turks and Caicos Island. The government is the largest Crown landholder on the Islands. This makes Crown lands the government’s most valuable asset and this asset value has risen dramatically over recent years.
Commercial land development is one of the main purposes of Crown land use and sale. The Crown Land Policy is formulated to "attract investments judged best for the interest of TCI," as prescribed by The Turks and Caicos Islands, Crown Land Policy.
While certain developers have purchased Crown land and are in various stages of developing the real property, Britain's rule could hold these developers hostage within their own multi-million dollar projects, years of planning and promises of employment for many locals.
At the core of the movement to welcome British rule is a small but outspoken group of "Belongers," residents who were born in Turks and Caicos Islands.
According to the Crown Land Policy, a Belonger who is at least 21 years old can qualify for a discount on Crown Land.
Under the former Misick cabinet, several land developers were sold Crown land as encouraged under the Crown Land Policy and did so under the color of government authority.
However, this outspoken group of Belongers have been lobbying British Parliament dating back years, protesting their right to own Crown Land and expressing their dissatisfaction of developers' owning Crown land property. However, their efforts are misguided.
Under the Open Tendering provision of the Crown Land Policy, the government, "will identify potential development site(s) on every island, consistent with its development strategy. These sites will be actively marketed to prospective developers ..."
At the very soul of Turks and Caicos economy is tourism, certainly development is a requisite part of that in every way.
Now that Misick is no longer Premier of Turks and Caicos, some Belongers are reported to be exploiting this political situation by encouraging British rule, presumably to make legal standing for the return of Crown land and to attempt to thwart sales of Crown land to land developers.
However, this Crown Land Policy is not likely to change under British rule and the Belongers are unwittingly putting the future of Turks and Caicos in limbo for a period of at least 2 years should Britain take over. The prospect of Britain's interference would most certainly cause a stalemate in development, hence tourism revenues for the people of Turks and Caicos, which would be an unfortunate short-sighted plan for Crown land grabbers.
Without advancement of tourism and tourism revenues, Turks and Caicos will regress; this at a time when Turks and Caicos might be the only economy on the upswing. Again, the economic upswing is thanks to tourism dollars and resulting jobs.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
TCI Journal and Shaun Malcolm of Turks and Caicos revealed
TCI Journal vs Dellis Cay as editor revealed
Published on Tuesday, July 28, 2009
On Monday, July 27, the “editors of the TCI Journal” posted an extensive article documenting what they claim are unfounded attacks on the weblog by Dr Cem Kinay, the developer of Dellis Cay.
Kinay was successful in his initial application to the TCI Supreme Court to have references to himself and the Dellis Cay development redacted from the Final Report of the Commission of Inquiry. However, due to an apparent oversight, it was found that the report in its redacted format could be restored to its original unredacted form by computer users with the knowledge to do so.
The TCI Journal article goes back and forth between the claims of Dr Kinay and the TCI Journal personnel and there appears to be some confusion as to the true identity of writers and editors of the TCI Journal. What the Journal describes as “the necessary anonymity of some of the Journal’s contributors” has been a point which has drawn attention to the publication in recent months. It is unclear why the editors and contributors to this particular website, with a few exceptions, believe they need to maintain anonymity and they have yet to explain their reasons.
The website ostensibly promotes openness while at the same time keeping the identities of the editors and contributors secret. In a very recent article posted by one of the original and few publicly revealed contributors Shaun Malcolm, he supports transparency. Another frequent contributor, Richard Berke, who is mentioned in the article, is an American who reports he has been visiting the islands since the mid to late 1980s. Currently, he has been visiting while he has been having a home constructed. Berke claims he is a contractor from California. Berke has claimed on a number of occasions that threats, including death threats, have been forwarded to him via cell phone text messages. Contributor “Diana de Gara” has been reported by Berke to be a fictitious name and at this time her true identity has never been revealed to the public. It is unknown if she is a TCI national or expatriate. Shaun Malcolm has been associated with the TCI Journal since it first appeared online briefly in December 2007.
Malcolm has been referred to by many of his acquaintances as a political opportunist. He has been active in both political parties and has openly criticised both, with current overtures reportedly being made by him to the British authorities. Malcolm has also claimed he has received threats via text messages. For the first time, however, a Gurchuran Singh has been identified by the website. Sources within the TCI have long reported that, in fact, Singh is the singular motivating force behind the Journal and that he has made representations to this effect to numerous persons of note in the TCI.
Numerous articles over the name “editors” or GS and other initials are usually attributed to him. Singh’s history is incomplete but the following information has been obtained from a variety of sources. Singh is now 49 or 50 years old and it appears that he was born in India but his family moved to Canada when he was young. His TCI history traced to date places him in Provo in the mid to late 1980s, where he was writing software. Later, he formed a company known as Norbellis to buy about 17 acres west of the Blue Horizon Resort on Middle Caicos, which was to be a computer lab or think tank business (non- profit).
Plans were drawn, TCI Invest and many others were stirred up by it but nothing came of it, as it appeared he had no funding. Unknown to anyone except the private seller, he did buy 7/10 acres consisting of two lots at Blue Horizon. These are currently in default on a large mortgage owed to Meridian Mortgage of Provo.
They are reportedly held by Singh in the name of a firm called Natures Way. In 1998, Singh founded a company known as IQ Ludorum in the UK to create gaming software to support in-house and online gambling enterprises. Initial success put the firm up to 80 employees with 50 percent of the market by May 2003. Reports relating to Singh and his company’s position as a key supplier facilitating gambling houses and online gambling have been posted over the years. After the company went public, when it appears Singh raised millions of dollars, the company went downhill. It appears that following a public offering Singh lost stock control and the company fell on hard times.
At one point, in an online article, the company was reported to have “blown it” as related to its chance to continue to hold a strong market share. The board of directors fired Singh in February 2005. The company is now know as Continuum Payment Solutions and, with Singh gone, has re-emerged as a software entity. It is unknown if Singh still has holdings in that firm. Singh reportedly resides in Miami with his wife, a TCI national.
Paradoxically, Malcolm, who is said to be very close to the gambling software developer Singh, was part of a pastors’ parade in Provo in 2007 when the church leaders were protesting the expansion of local casinos to allow locals to legally engage in gambling. Observers of the parade claim that at one point Malcolm took over a poster and led the protest parade.
Published on Tuesday, July 28, 2009
On Monday, July 27, the “editors of the TCI Journal” posted an extensive article documenting what they claim are unfounded attacks on the weblog by Dr Cem Kinay, the developer of Dellis Cay.
Kinay was successful in his initial application to the TCI Supreme Court to have references to himself and the Dellis Cay development redacted from the Final Report of the Commission of Inquiry. However, due to an apparent oversight, it was found that the report in its redacted format could be restored to its original unredacted form by computer users with the knowledge to do so.
The TCI Journal article goes back and forth between the claims of Dr Kinay and the TCI Journal personnel and there appears to be some confusion as to the true identity of writers and editors of the TCI Journal. What the Journal describes as “the necessary anonymity of some of the Journal’s contributors” has been a point which has drawn attention to the publication in recent months. It is unclear why the editors and contributors to this particular website, with a few exceptions, believe they need to maintain anonymity and they have yet to explain their reasons.
The website ostensibly promotes openness while at the same time keeping the identities of the editors and contributors secret. In a very recent article posted by one of the original and few publicly revealed contributors Shaun Malcolm, he supports transparency. Another frequent contributor, Richard Berke, who is mentioned in the article, is an American who reports he has been visiting the islands since the mid to late 1980s. Currently, he has been visiting while he has been having a home constructed. Berke claims he is a contractor from California. Berke has claimed on a number of occasions that threats, including death threats, have been forwarded to him via cell phone text messages. Contributor “Diana de Gara” has been reported by Berke to be a fictitious name and at this time her true identity has never been revealed to the public. It is unknown if she is a TCI national or expatriate. Shaun Malcolm has been associated with the TCI Journal since it first appeared online briefly in December 2007.
Malcolm has been referred to by many of his acquaintances as a political opportunist. He has been active in both political parties and has openly criticised both, with current overtures reportedly being made by him to the British authorities. Malcolm has also claimed he has received threats via text messages. For the first time, however, a Gurchuran Singh has been identified by the website. Sources within the TCI have long reported that, in fact, Singh is the singular motivating force behind the Journal and that he has made representations to this effect to numerous persons of note in the TCI.
Numerous articles over the name “editors” or GS and other initials are usually attributed to him. Singh’s history is incomplete but the following information has been obtained from a variety of sources. Singh is now 49 or 50 years old and it appears that he was born in India but his family moved to Canada when he was young. His TCI history traced to date places him in Provo in the mid to late 1980s, where he was writing software. Later, he formed a company known as Norbellis to buy about 17 acres west of the Blue Horizon Resort on Middle Caicos, which was to be a computer lab or think tank business (non- profit).
Plans were drawn, TCI Invest and many others were stirred up by it but nothing came of it, as it appeared he had no funding. Unknown to anyone except the private seller, he did buy 7/10 acres consisting of two lots at Blue Horizon. These are currently in default on a large mortgage owed to Meridian Mortgage of Provo.
They are reportedly held by Singh in the name of a firm called Natures Way. In 1998, Singh founded a company known as IQ Ludorum in the UK to create gaming software to support in-house and online gambling enterprises. Initial success put the firm up to 80 employees with 50 percent of the market by May 2003. Reports relating to Singh and his company’s position as a key supplier facilitating gambling houses and online gambling have been posted over the years. After the company went public, when it appears Singh raised millions of dollars, the company went downhill. It appears that following a public offering Singh lost stock control and the company fell on hard times.
At one point, in an online article, the company was reported to have “blown it” as related to its chance to continue to hold a strong market share. The board of directors fired Singh in February 2005. The company is now know as Continuum Payment Solutions and, with Singh gone, has re-emerged as a software entity. It is unknown if Singh still has holdings in that firm. Singh reportedly resides in Miami with his wife, a TCI national.
Paradoxically, Malcolm, who is said to be very close to the gambling software developer Singh, was part of a pastors’ parade in Provo in 2007 when the church leaders were protesting the expansion of local casinos to allow locals to legally engage in gambling. Observers of the parade claim that at one point Malcolm took over a poster and led the protest parade.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
http://www.bvinews.com/index.php/all_news/caribbean/3285.html
GRAND TURK, Turks and Caicos Islands; Thursday, July 23rd, 2009 –
“On 18 June 2009 my attorney made the following statement on my behalf to the Chief Justice – Until the final determination of any appeal to the Court of Appeal (when the question shall be reviewed) the Governor will not publish any part of the final Report of the Commission of Inquiry that contains any reference adverse to Cem Kinay, Turks Development LP, The Star Lions Limited, or to Mario Hoffmann.
In a letter dated 2 July 2009 written on my behalf to attorneys acting for Varet Jak Civre the Honourable Attorney General said –I confirm, that there will not be publication by the Governor of any part of the final Report of the Commission of Inquiry that contains any reference adverse to your client before final determination of the Court of Appeal in civil appeal no. 8/09 R v. Turks and Caicos Islands Commission of Inquiry Ex Parte Kinay et al…At the time that those statements were made and at all times thereafter I fully intended to comply with what had been said, and fully intended to ensure that those who acted on my behalf would comply with what had been said.
It is now common knowledge that the redacted version of the report that was placed on the Commission’s website on Saturday 18 July 2009 was not sufficiently protected so that those with sufficient technical knowledge were able to remove the redactions and thus reveal the full text of the report. The statements made on my behalf to the Chief Justice and to Mr Civre’s attorneys have therefore not been complied with.I have caused an investigation to be made so as to establish what went wrong. The purpose of this statement is to provide the results of that investigation. But before giving them I wish to apologise unreservedly to the court for what has happened.
I shall contact Dr Kinay, Mr Hoffmann and Mr Civre privately to make similar apologies to each of them. My intention at all times was to comply with the statements that I made. Both I and those acting on my behalf believed that the redacted version of the report that was sent to the Commission to be uploaded onto its website was sufficiently protected so that redacted portions of the report could not be read.
I am very sorry that that was not the case.As would be expected, I sought advice before deciding what passages should be redacted from the report that it was intended to publish pending the outcome of the Court of Appeal proceedings. Acting on that advice a draft of the redacted version of the report was prepared. At that stage the document was being worked on in Word format. It was recognised that if the redactions were to remain secure we would not be able to publish the redacted version in a Word format but that some form of protection, such as converting the document to pdf format, would be required.A Word document containing the draft of the redacted version of the report was converted into pdf format.
The converted pdf document was then reviewed to confirm that the redactions originally made in the Word document remained in place. To be certain that it would be safe for the redacted report to be published in pdf format, it was suggested by those advising on redactions that confirmation of the position be sought from IT support.The instruction was to determine whether this format [that is, the pdf format] is secure (i.e. people won’t be able to remove the redactions and see the text underneath). Acting on that instruction, a member of staff spoke to the IT support and was informed that there was no experience of security issues when publishing in pdf format, and that the pdf format was widely used by UK government departments generally for the publication of documents.
Confirmation that pdf documents were secure was then relayed back to those preparing the redacted text on my behalf.We therefore believed that publication in pdf format would be secure and would ensure compliance with the statements that had been made on my behalf.Thereafter the final redacted version of the report was converted into a pdf document and that pdf was then sent to the Commission for publication on its website. The Commission instructed its IT consultant to place the redacted report in pdf format on its website. That was done.
At the time that the redacted report was published on the Commission’s website we all believed that it was secure and that the redactions could not be uncovered. As soon as we were alerted to the true position the Honourable Attorney General initiated steps to have the redacted report removed from the website. It was removed as soon as was possible.It was always my intention that the spirit and letter of the statements that were made on my behalf should be honoured in full.
We believed that we had taken all reasonable steps to ensure that that was the case. I am very sorry that that was not achieved and repeat my apology to the court. As I have said, I shall write separately to Dr Kinay, Mr Hoffmann and Mr Civre.”Gordon WetherellWaterlooGrand Turk
END
GRAND TURK, Turks and Caicos Islands; Thursday, July 23rd, 2009 –
“On 18 June 2009 my attorney made the following statement on my behalf to the Chief Justice – Until the final determination of any appeal to the Court of Appeal (when the question shall be reviewed) the Governor will not publish any part of the final Report of the Commission of Inquiry that contains any reference adverse to Cem Kinay, Turks Development LP, The Star Lions Limited, or to Mario Hoffmann.
In a letter dated 2 July 2009 written on my behalf to attorneys acting for Varet Jak Civre the Honourable Attorney General said –I confirm, that there will not be publication by the Governor of any part of the final Report of the Commission of Inquiry that contains any reference adverse to your client before final determination of the Court of Appeal in civil appeal no. 8/09 R v. Turks and Caicos Islands Commission of Inquiry Ex Parte Kinay et al…At the time that those statements were made and at all times thereafter I fully intended to comply with what had been said, and fully intended to ensure that those who acted on my behalf would comply with what had been said.
It is now common knowledge that the redacted version of the report that was placed on the Commission’s website on Saturday 18 July 2009 was not sufficiently protected so that those with sufficient technical knowledge were able to remove the redactions and thus reveal the full text of the report. The statements made on my behalf to the Chief Justice and to Mr Civre’s attorneys have therefore not been complied with.I have caused an investigation to be made so as to establish what went wrong. The purpose of this statement is to provide the results of that investigation. But before giving them I wish to apologise unreservedly to the court for what has happened.
I shall contact Dr Kinay, Mr Hoffmann and Mr Civre privately to make similar apologies to each of them. My intention at all times was to comply with the statements that I made. Both I and those acting on my behalf believed that the redacted version of the report that was sent to the Commission to be uploaded onto its website was sufficiently protected so that redacted portions of the report could not be read.
I am very sorry that that was not the case.As would be expected, I sought advice before deciding what passages should be redacted from the report that it was intended to publish pending the outcome of the Court of Appeal proceedings. Acting on that advice a draft of the redacted version of the report was prepared. At that stage the document was being worked on in Word format. It was recognised that if the redactions were to remain secure we would not be able to publish the redacted version in a Word format but that some form of protection, such as converting the document to pdf format, would be required.A Word document containing the draft of the redacted version of the report was converted into pdf format.
The converted pdf document was then reviewed to confirm that the redactions originally made in the Word document remained in place. To be certain that it would be safe for the redacted report to be published in pdf format, it was suggested by those advising on redactions that confirmation of the position be sought from IT support.The instruction was to determine whether this format [that is, the pdf format] is secure (i.e. people won’t be able to remove the redactions and see the text underneath). Acting on that instruction, a member of staff spoke to the IT support and was informed that there was no experience of security issues when publishing in pdf format, and that the pdf format was widely used by UK government departments generally for the publication of documents.
Confirmation that pdf documents were secure was then relayed back to those preparing the redacted text on my behalf.We therefore believed that publication in pdf format would be secure and would ensure compliance with the statements that had been made on my behalf.Thereafter the final redacted version of the report was converted into a pdf document and that pdf was then sent to the Commission for publication on its website. The Commission instructed its IT consultant to place the redacted report in pdf format on its website. That was done.
At the time that the redacted report was published on the Commission’s website we all believed that it was secure and that the redactions could not be uncovered. As soon as we were alerted to the true position the Honourable Attorney General initiated steps to have the redacted report removed from the website. It was removed as soon as was possible.It was always my intention that the spirit and letter of the statements that were made on my behalf should be honoured in full.
We believed that we had taken all reasonable steps to ensure that that was the case. I am very sorry that that was not achieved and repeat my apology to the court. As I have said, I shall write separately to Dr Kinay, Mr Hoffmann and Mr Civre.”Gordon WetherellWaterlooGrand Turk
END
Governor of Turks and Caicos apologizes to land developers for being named in Michael Misick corruption report
August 1, 2009 published BY CMC
Originally published: July 23, 2009 02:11:00 PM
http://www.suntci.com/index.php?p=story&id=264
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands, CMC - Shrinking revenues have forced the government of this British Overseas Territory to terminate the services of political appointees, Premier Galmore Williams has announced.
Williams said Thursday that the decision taken on the advice of the Ministry of Finance will result in the discontinuation of the services of all political appointees, effective September 30, 2009.He said the move has become necessary to “better enable government to work within the constraints of its ever shrinking revenue intake which has gone from an average of approximately USD$18 million per month last year to approximately some USD$9 million per month this year”.Williams said regrets having to take such action, having wrestled long and hard with the issue. However, he expected the move to provide the government with room to implement measures to stimulate the economy, which has been slowing in recent months.“Coupled with the other measures that we have put in place and others yet to be implemented, this course of action will assure us of the opportunity to turn around our economy in the quickest possible time, while lessening the impact that the current worldwide recession will otherwise have on our wider community,” he said.The Premier also said efforts were being made to ensure that as many of the affected individuals as possible are given other job opportunities before the end of September.The Turks and Caicos government faces an uncertain future, with the British government preparing to suspend the territory’s constitution and implement direct rule after a Commission of Inquiry probing widespread allegations of corruption under the watch of former Premier Michael Misick said it had found "clear signs of political amorality and immaturity and of general administrative incompetence".
http://www.suntci.com/index.php?p=story&id=264
Originally published: July 23, 2009 02:11:00 PM
http://www.suntci.com/index.php?p=story&id=264
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands, CMC - Shrinking revenues have forced the government of this British Overseas Territory to terminate the services of political appointees, Premier Galmore Williams has announced.
Williams said Thursday that the decision taken on the advice of the Ministry of Finance will result in the discontinuation of the services of all political appointees, effective September 30, 2009.He said the move has become necessary to “better enable government to work within the constraints of its ever shrinking revenue intake which has gone from an average of approximately USD$18 million per month last year to approximately some USD$9 million per month this year”.Williams said regrets having to take such action, having wrestled long and hard with the issue. However, he expected the move to provide the government with room to implement measures to stimulate the economy, which has been slowing in recent months.“Coupled with the other measures that we have put in place and others yet to be implemented, this course of action will assure us of the opportunity to turn around our economy in the quickest possible time, while lessening the impact that the current worldwide recession will otherwise have on our wider community,” he said.The Premier also said efforts were being made to ensure that as many of the affected individuals as possible are given other job opportunities before the end of September.The Turks and Caicos government faces an uncertain future, with the British government preparing to suspend the territory’s constitution and implement direct rule after a Commission of Inquiry probing widespread allegations of corruption under the watch of former Premier Michael Misick said it had found "clear signs of political amorality and immaturity and of general administrative incompetence".
http://www.suntci.com/index.php?p=story&id=264
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