http://www.rocketnews.com/2009/08/ex-turks-and-caicos-pm-accuses-uk/
Read the full story at the above link.
Here's a summary
" ...premier Galmo Williams said UK Foreign Office findings of "systematic corruption" must also reflect badly on the territory’s British governor.
Power was transferred to the governor on Friday, when the Caribbean colony’s administration was suspended.
The UK government had been threatening action for several months after an inquiry commissioned by the Foreign Office returned a damning verdict.
It examined the actions of the Turks’ Cabinet and Assembly and found "information in abundance pointing to a high probability of systematic corruption or serious dishonesty".
"It’s a very sad day – democracy has been taken away from the citizens""
Showing posts with label rule. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rule. Show all posts
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Newly ousted Premier of Turks and Caicos: "our country is being invaded and re-colonized by the United Kingdom"
The Current Premier, Hon. Galmo Williams released the following statement to the press in anticipation of the coming suspension of the constitution.
“My fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders, my days in office as your Premier and as the Representative in Parliament for all the people of Long Bay Hills are almost over, as I have every reason to believe that the much talked about coup that the Government of the United Kingdom has been planning for the Turks and Caicos Islands is about to be executed, but I assure you that my days of service to my country, will never be over.
In my life time I will never hold a position higher or take an oath more sacred than that of your Premier, but know too, that there is no title I will wear more proudly than that of citizen of these our Turks and Caicos Islands.
Let me at the outset publicly thank both my Cabinet and my Parliamentary colleagues (on both sides of the isle) and the hundreds of civil servants and political appointees and others with whom I have served over the last several years and in particular since I became your Premier last March, for the dedication and competence they have brought to the service of our country. But let me however express my deepest gratitude and thanks to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands (particularly the people of Long Bay Hills), because it was you who gave me this great opportunity to serve.
During my time as Premier we have faced great challenges together, and we know that there will be greater challenges in our future, but I am convinced now more than ever that the Turks and Caicos Islands will successfully meet whatever challenge and uncertainty the future might bring, for as the grand children of slaves, left abandoned on these barren shores centuries ago, we, together with those who came later on, have turned these Islands into something that we can all be proud of, and indeed something that our once delinquent masters, have stated that they will do anything (“except a return to slavery”) to repossess.
Our government has brought more development to Turks and Caicos over the last six years than at any other time in our history. We have educated more of our people at university level than at any other time in our history. We have made more provisions for the health care and welfare of our people than at any other time in our history, and we have created for our country one of the most respected brands in the tourism industry the world over.
Despite these many accomplishments, however, this last year has been a challenging one for our country, one filled with set backs, but rather than cause me to loose heart, these setbacks over the last year has made me more certain than ever of the inner strength, the ingenuity and decency of our people, for, in this last year, we have watched our economy take tremendous body blows as the economy of the United
States to which it is linked, and indeed the world economy was brought to its knees. As we all know, these economic challenges could not have come at a worst time for of country, coming as it did at a time when our country was hit by two back to back devastating hurricanes, Hanna and Ike, in less than one week and coupled with this, we have also had to simultaneously withstand the negative impacts of a commission of inquiry.
And now, today, our country is being invaded and re-colonized by the United Kingdom, dismantling a duly elected government and legislature and replacing it with a one man dictatorship, akin to that of the old Red China, all in the name of good governance.
As the legitimately and duly elected leader of this country, I strongly object to the recommendations outlined in the Report of the Commission that the Governor now seeks to bring into force. I do not support permitting non-Belongers the right to vote, and I wish to go on record as stating that I am opposed to the recommendation of trial by judge alone rather then a trial by a jury of your peers. My government and I also object to the removal of the House of Assembly, thereby leaving the people of these Islands voiceless and without representation.
read entire press release:
http://www.tcfreepress.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=13%3Afeatured-news&id=899%3Apremier-reacts-to-possible-suspension&Itemid=69
“My fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders, my days in office as your Premier and as the Representative in Parliament for all the people of Long Bay Hills are almost over, as I have every reason to believe that the much talked about coup that the Government of the United Kingdom has been planning for the Turks and Caicos Islands is about to be executed, but I assure you that my days of service to my country, will never be over.
In my life time I will never hold a position higher or take an oath more sacred than that of your Premier, but know too, that there is no title I will wear more proudly than that of citizen of these our Turks and Caicos Islands.
Let me at the outset publicly thank both my Cabinet and my Parliamentary colleagues (on both sides of the isle) and the hundreds of civil servants and political appointees and others with whom I have served over the last several years and in particular since I became your Premier last March, for the dedication and competence they have brought to the service of our country. But let me however express my deepest gratitude and thanks to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands (particularly the people of Long Bay Hills), because it was you who gave me this great opportunity to serve.
During my time as Premier we have faced great challenges together, and we know that there will be greater challenges in our future, but I am convinced now more than ever that the Turks and Caicos Islands will successfully meet whatever challenge and uncertainty the future might bring, for as the grand children of slaves, left abandoned on these barren shores centuries ago, we, together with those who came later on, have turned these Islands into something that we can all be proud of, and indeed something that our once delinquent masters, have stated that they will do anything (“except a return to slavery”) to repossess.
Our government has brought more development to Turks and Caicos over the last six years than at any other time in our history. We have educated more of our people at university level than at any other time in our history. We have made more provisions for the health care and welfare of our people than at any other time in our history, and we have created for our country one of the most respected brands in the tourism industry the world over.
Despite these many accomplishments, however, this last year has been a challenging one for our country, one filled with set backs, but rather than cause me to loose heart, these setbacks over the last year has made me more certain than ever of the inner strength, the ingenuity and decency of our people, for, in this last year, we have watched our economy take tremendous body blows as the economy of the United
States to which it is linked, and indeed the world economy was brought to its knees. As we all know, these economic challenges could not have come at a worst time for of country, coming as it did at a time when our country was hit by two back to back devastating hurricanes, Hanna and Ike, in less than one week and coupled with this, we have also had to simultaneously withstand the negative impacts of a commission of inquiry.
And now, today, our country is being invaded and re-colonized by the United Kingdom, dismantling a duly elected government and legislature and replacing it with a one man dictatorship, akin to that of the old Red China, all in the name of good governance.
As the legitimately and duly elected leader of this country, I strongly object to the recommendations outlined in the Report of the Commission that the Governor now seeks to bring into force. I do not support permitting non-Belongers the right to vote, and I wish to go on record as stating that I am opposed to the recommendation of trial by judge alone rather then a trial by a jury of your peers. My government and I also object to the removal of the House of Assembly, thereby leaving the people of these Islands voiceless and without representation.
read entire press release:
http://www.tcfreepress.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=13%3Afeatured-news&id=899%3Apremier-reacts-to-possible-suspension&Itemid=69
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.
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