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INDEPENDENCE DAY  

        10 July 2000 marks the 27th year of the political independence of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. These are interesting times. We now have in office the successors of the same group that led the country before majority rule came in 1973, and the country is suffering for it. The people of The Bahamas do not have the assurance that sovereignty means anything at all. Nevertheless, the usual celebrations are taking place. There was a youth rally and police tattoo. On Sunday 9 July, the official ecumenical service takes place at the 0Kendal Isaacs Gym to officially mark the anniversary. Last year this time, this columnist spent the weekend with the people of Exuma. This columnist expects to travel there on 18 July for a political meeting called by the Chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party.

         The fallout from the dis-information campaign of The Tribune and the Bahama Journal over the Haitian problem in The Bahamas continued through most of last week. During the debate on the transfer of the land at Clifton Cay in the senate this Senator took the opportunity to address the issue again. That was Wednesday 5 July.
Click here for that full address  Further on a radio talk show hosted by Patty Roker on Thursday 6 July on More FM, this columnist spoke at length about the Haitian problem. A number of Haitian Bahamians called, reacting to the disinformation that there had been an attack on them as a class of people, holding them responsible for crime in The Bahamas. No such thing was said. But as a result of the newspaper articles that has gone far and wide in New Providence. 

        The actions of the newspaper were particularly odious, and they remain unrepentant, compounding the problem by insisting that they were correct. This columnist will travel to Grand Bahama on Tuesday 11 July to deal with Fred Smith who helped to perpetuate these lies. On Friday 7 July, the message was sent by radio to the Haitian community in Nassau via Patty Roker's show again, using a Creole translator. 

Happy Independence Day!

Just a note about the site, we have been having extreme technical problems with Batelnet in Nassau, the internet provider. We advise those who check this site early on Sundays to sometimes check again later in the day as the site is often updated to correct early faults in the upload.
We will continue to carry the photo spread of Archdeacon William Thompson's funeral on this site. Please click below.

This week we had 13947 hits on this site for the month of July up to midnight 9 July 2000. Thanks for reading and keep reading.

THE HAITIAN PROBLEM

This is the title of a book by Dawn Marshall, the sister of Jeanne Thompson. The book was written in 1979 and it carries within its pages the study of the Haitian community in the Carmichael Road area of The Bahamas up to the year 1977. It is the seminal work on Haitians who have migrated to The Bahamas. The outcry from certain quarters in The Bahamas about last weeks speech (click here for the full text). Mrs. Marshall is able to confirm with empirical evidence what this columnists spoke about in the text. There is a large underclass of migrants in The Bahamas from Haiti that have formed stable communities in The Bahamas and they are ignored by official policy, except when it becomes politically expedient to try to expel them. It is clear from Mrs. Marshall's book that the policies of the colonial Government in the 1950s (interestingly enough Edward St. George now a rich man in Grand Bahama) was the magistrate expelling Haitians those days; the UBP's policies in the early 1960s; the PLP's policies in the 1970s and 1980s and the now FNM's policies are the same, They were no better or worse. Fred Smith, the Freeport Human Rights activist, sought to blame the problem on the PLP's decision to discriminate in the constitution against those Haitians born in The Bahamas without Bahamian parents. Under our constitution, you have to have at least one Bahamian parent to be a Bahamian citizen if you are born in The Bahamas.

CITIZENSHIP OF THE BAHAMAS

In 1972, this columnist was a student living off the princely sum of 20 pounds per week in London. Part of his job was as a trainee writer with the public relations arm of The Bahamas Government at a company called Infolpan Limited. One day a Minister of the PLP government confided that the government had just proposed to the British and it had been agreed that those who did not have Bahamian parents born in The Bahamas after independence would not qualify for citizenship of The Bahamas of right at birth. The FNM agreed with that principle. In fact, if one remembers they were so anxious to return home to Nassau for the Christmas holidays as the conference dragged on, that they left agreeing that the PLP could settle the details. Twenty seven years later, we have the unintended consequences of that policy, a group of descendants of migrants who have citizenship are socially discriminated against and are apparently unwanted in The Bahamas. It is been proposed for some time that the citizenship provision of the constitution be changed to allow for all persons born here to be citizens of The Bahamas at birth. But there is no political support for it.
 

THE SO CALLED BAHAIT

BAHAIT is the word coined to describe those of Bahamian- Haitian ancestry. There is a lot of self-hatred in that community. It appears to be a sensitive subject to be called Haitian or connected with Haitians in The Bahamas. The word is a pejorative with many negative connotations. The result is that young Bahamians with Haitian parents hide their identities. For example, the Anglicize their names or use the name of their Bahamian parent. The translator for this Senator's appearance on Patty Roker's radio show sat with us at lunch at the Hilton British Colonial on Friday 7 July. The waitresses serving at the table were quite polite but he called this senator to the side and whispered, you know these are Bahaits, he said. He said how he had asked each in Creole whether or not they spoke Creole and they denied it. But he wondered how if they did no understand Creole , they could answer his question so readily, It reminded one of the test of whether you're left handed, you don't ask, you just throw someone a ball and see which hand they sue to grab the ball. He himself talked about them, and how they have overtaken the straw market. It was interesting. As we passed along the street, he kept pointing out: "See those Haitian children over there." "Look at the young Haitians," he would say. 'Tis no wonder there is the manifestation of self-hatred.

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THE GEORGE VI NEGROES

This is a phrase that was invented by Felix Bethel, the lecturer at the college of The Bahamas in political science. Famous for his humour and sarcasm, Mr. Bethel is referring to that calls of people who now constitute the ruling class of The Bahamas who rose to power through the struggles of the 1940s, 50s and 60s. They are in the main the children of West Indian immigrants who came to The Bahamas in the early and mid twentieth century. And the descendants of loyalist slaves form 18th century America. The underclass that is developing is mainly Haitian based, a new group emerging that will eventually run this country. The class to which we belong is dwindling. This is a sensitive subject all around. No one wants to recognize what is happening. Political parties are scared out of their wits to touch it. The some Haitian Bahamians reacts with emotion, not a recognition that illegal immigration is a problem that must be solved and they as Bahamians have to help solve it. The mainstream Bahamian population is equally hysterical on the other side. Throughout the whole manufactured controversy over the speech, persons would walk up to this columnist on the street and say thing likes: "That's a good one that you dropped on those Haitians. Or : " You are right, we have to get all these Haitians out of The Bahamas, stick to your point. Neither side recognizes the subtlety of the point that is actually being made: that is the issue of what public policy we are going to pursue. This columnist is convinced that what we in The Bahamas like to do is row. No one wants to have a dialogue and reach a solution. Each side wants to row, and not listen to other's point. Even supposedly intelligent people like Fred Smith of Haitian descent in Freeport who ought to know better don't act out as they should.

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GOVERNOR GENERAL AT ARCHDECAON'S TOMB

The Governor General was not present in The Bahamas for the service of the late Archdeacon William Thompson. So on Tuesday 4 July, he visited the tomb of the late Archdeacon in St. Agnes Church yard. There he laid a wreath. The explanation for his absence: he had audiences with the Queen. The day of the funeral was also the day after the receipt of the Roman Catholic Archbishop Lawerence Burke received the Pallium from the Pope. ( See last week's column) The Governor General is the Chancellor of the Anglican Diocese. The Governor General also said that the late Archdeacon was his best friend. Things that make you go: " hmmm!" The Tribune photo of the GG laying the wreath with Rev. Father Patrick Johnson in the background is shown.

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INGRAHAM AND THE LABOUR BILLS

The Prime Minister announced on 28 March at the so called Trifourm of labour, Government and employers that five new labour bills would be passed before the summer recess and become law. The Bills are revolutionary. They will effectively take away the right to strike in The Bahamas, set a minimum wage for the first time, force union leaders to personally pay fines for violating the anti-strike laws; mandate a 44 hour week of work instead of a 48 hour work week; mandate equal pay for equal work without discrimination on gender. When the House of Assembly met on 5 July, the Prime Minister was still not ready. The day before Opposition Leader Perry Christie and his colleagues met with the Union Leaders and met with the Employers. Both sides were unhappy with the Bills. Both sides had been promised various amendments that they had not seen. The PM told them that they would see them when he came to Parliament. When he came to Parliament on 5 July he announced that there would be 32 amendments to the Bill that he intended to start with: the Employment Bill 2000. How asked Perry Christie, Leader of the Opposition, could Parliament engage in a fiction to debate a bill that clearly was not going to be the final piece of legislation. The PM relented and agreed to suspend the House until Wednesday 19 July. However, the PM still insists that the five bills will become law by 31 July. It is incredible how sloppy the management of the Government's business is. The employers and employees both report that the Minister of Labour Dion Foulkes does not appear to have any control over this process. This is entirely in the hands of the Prime Minister. The Minister says nothing in any of their meetings. The matter is being driven through Parliament by the PM. It is Govern by one man. The Leader of the Opposition's theory is that this is all about the legacy of Ingraham now that he ( Ingraham) is convinced that he has to leave as Prime Minister. He wants to fulfil his promise to employers to break the Unions before he leaves office.

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PM TO WELLS FORCES: LET'S MAKE A DEAL?

 It is getting to be that time of year again when thoughts turn to the fall conventions of the political parties. The FNM's convention which was postponed last year because of the Hurricane Floyd scheduled for November of this year. The daggers are out. Tennyson Wells who plans to run for Leader of the FNM against Hubert Ingraham has a well-planned campaign. Reportedly, he has the numbers to defeat Ingraham and become what he calls: " Leader elect", as the Prime Minister finishes out his term. Now Mr. Ingraham is still casting about for who can be his successor. He needs someone who is a puppet that he can control when he is gone, assuming the FNM wins the election. His choice at the moment seems to be Tommy Turnquest. But the forces are gathering for Tennyson Wells. Now comes a report that the Ingraham Forces have approached the Wells forces and told them that if they stop their plan to run for office at the Convention in November. Mr. Ingraham will not call an early general election. The reported response: " Go to Hell!" Now that sounds like the feisty Lester Turnquest MP from Malcolm Creek. But who knows?

THE MURDER COUNT

The Nassau Guardian reported that the murder count for 2000 up to Friday 30 June was 40. The 40th murder victim was Charles Alexander Turnquest shot in the Frying Pan restaurant on Wulff Road one month ago. Remember Janet Bostwick said: " You get rid of the PLP, you get rid of crime".

STAFF OF GWENDOLYN HOUSE

A second staff seminar was held to update the staff of the law firm of this Senator on policies and procedures. It was held at the Rum Cay Room of the Hilton British Colonial. Pictured on Friday 7 July on the steps are from left:

CLIFTON CAY IN THE SENATE

On Wednesday 5 July the Senate met for one purposes to facilitate the Government's decision to transfer Clifton Cay out of its hands and back into the hands of private owner Nancy Oakes so that she can sell it to Chaffin/Light Associates to develop into a subdivision with finger canals. Like military troops in lock step, they all on the FNM side voted to sell Clifton. The PLP resolutely opposed it. The Leaders of the Anti-Clifton Cay Coalition said that they will continue the fight. Present in the Chamber of the Senate for the debate was Koed Smith and Sam Duncombe from the Coalition. Rev. C. B. Moss, another coalition leader, wrote each Senator a letter asking them to vote to save Clifton Cay. We want every one to know who the persons are in the Senate that voted to sell this Bahamian land and will publish them below. But what we thought was particularly low was the description of the archeologists Dr. Laurie Wilkie and Dr. Paul Farnsworth by Minster of Education Ivy Dumont as unethical and unprofessional. The Government separated themselves from the husband and wife pair because they sent a letter to the Bechtel Corporation accusing the Government of hiding the facts on the environment at Clifton from the Bahamian people. That letter led to Bechtel pulling out of the project. The Government has now hired new archeologists who will no doubt do as they are told. Dame Ivy has the reputation for being a smooth operator. We have been telling people, that this is a flam, and the way she attacked this professional couple shows exactly what we mean. Never mind that smooth delivery. Dr. Wilkie is up for tenure at her University at Berkley. So to characterize the actions of Dr. Wilkie as unethical is particularly vicious and troubling, especially since the comments are purely politically motivated, and have no basis in fact. What the Government alleges is that certain comments sent to them about the project were different from those sent to Bechtel. They never asked why the difference, they simply assumed some malicious intent. The explanation is more innocent. The copy they sent was a hard drive copy on which the changes made and sent to Bechtel had mistakenly not been recorded. But the Minister now seeks to ruin the reputation of these two professional persons. The Minister's conduct is reprehensible.

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HOW SENATORS VOTED ON CLIFTON CAY

 Yes votes -- Edwin Brown; Darron Cash (Mr. Flip Flop); Pauline Cooper-Nairn; Dame Ivy Dumont; Daphne Duncombe Cooper . All are FNM No votes - Marcus Bethel; Melanie Griffin; Fred Mitchell; Obie Wilchombe. All are PLP. Absent-Michael Bethel; Calvin Johnson

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NEW INTERNET SERVICE COMING

All week long, the public has been complaining about the Internet service of Batelco and the cellular service of the company. Batelco, the telephone company, is scheduled to be privatized by the end of the year. Batelco has announced that it is suspending any additional cellular hook-ups until the service can be improved. The service is so poor that calls are disconnected and often are garbled. Now the Public Utilities Commission has announced that Cable Bahamas that offers a lightening fast Internet service can resume that service to the public. The service was suspended in March after other would be Bahamian providers like The Tribune complained that Cable Bahamas would get an unfair advantage. Now that has gone out the window it seems and they are to get the go ahead (as if there were any doubt), although it is still be described as a temporary license. The point is though the public is clamouring for this service, because Batlenet the Internet service provider is so lousy.

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BUSES ON STRIKE IN NASSAU

Nicholas Jacques, the leader of the Bus Drivers Association, called a strike for Monday 3 July in Nassau. The strike was almost 100 per cent complete. Most jitney drivers took their buses off the road. They were protesting a plan by the Ministry of Transport to remove their rest depot from the Bay Street area. They said that this was done without consultation and that it would lead to hardship. They also want a rate increase given the rise in the cost of living. No one could find a ride on a public bus for that day, and it affected hundreds of workers and businesses. True to form with FNM Ministers of the Government, James Knowles, the Minister of Transport, announced that he was surprised at the bus driver's move and that the Government would not be moved in their decision. In stepped the white knight Hubert Ingraham pictured with the Bus Drivers' President Mr. Jacques in Rawson Square on Wednesday 5 July. He solved the problem. By week's end the bus drivers announced that they were satisfied with the promises of the Prime Minister. The PM said that the drivers would only have a rest stop behind the area of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which is now a parking lot. The drivers were under the impression that the depot on Frederick Street would actually move there. The Prime Minister met with the Association on Friday 7 July at the Churchill Building to consider the ten point proposal of Nicholas Jacques. The proposal would include a fare hike from the 75 cents per person rise to one dollar. In fact most people simply given the drivers a dollar now. This is what makes it economically possible for them to make it. The PM promised to get back to them on the fare hike including a $1.50 ride for extended trips; 75 cents for children under 12 and free rides for senior citizens with ID. Yet again observers in the meeting talked about the Prime Minister's behavior in the meeting. He in the words of one roughed up Brensil Rolle, the Comptroller of Road Traffic, telling him: " Speak up, I can't hear you." " I know," PM told the Comptroller, "that Road Traffic is riddled with corruption and I want you bus driver's to tell me if you know of anyone." Observers also commented how both Ministers Dion Foulkes and Jimmy Knowles were in the meeting and had not one word to say. The PM did all the talking. That's how it is the FNM Government. "

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FOOTNOTE ON BUS DRIVERS

Nicholas Jacques, Bus Driver's Association President, must have thought to himself that his meeting with Hubert Ingraham was deja vu all over again as they say. Mr. Jacques was a colleague of Rodney Moncur when they all membrs of the now defunct Worker's Party. They would have held many negotiations with Mr. Ingraham and former Prime Minister Pindling when Mr. Ingraham was the Chairman of the PLP. The other irony is that Mr. Jacques is now leading the cry for a raise in the bus fare to one dollar. In 1989, he joined Mr. Moncur in the Workers Party and forced the then PLP administration to rescind plans to raise the bus fare from 75 cents to one dollar. Times of course have changed!

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BANK OF THE BAHAMAS SHARE OFFERING

The team that is leading The Bank of The Bahamas launched its new share offering. On Tuesday 11 July, the Bank will put another two million of its shares on the market. The transfer agent is Colina Financial Services. The Bank's Management group is pictured : Terry Murray, Financial Controller; Larry Gibson of Colina; Joyce Cooper, Deputy Managing Director; Claire Hepburn, Attorney; Hugh Sands, Chairman; Joan Albury, PR; Pauline Allen-Dean, Managing Director; Raymond Winder, accountant Deloitte & Touche; Paul Mc Weeney, Deputy Managing Director.

  VISITING PAUPER

His is proper name is Alphonso Forbes. What does he do? Well he is one of a number of regulars on the radio talk shows. There are some people like Mr. Forbes aka Pauper who call one talk show after the next every day to give their point of view. This week it was the Haitians and how we have to be careful that they are going to take over. " When this columnist appeared on the show on Thursday 6 July, his theme was that all politicians are corrupt and he had a particular venom for Carl Bethel, the representative for Holy Cross. The fact is though he lives in pretty dire circumstances and we had the occasion to visit him in the back roads of Nassau Village. He is blind in both eyes. He lost his sight some nine years ago when someone he knew mistakenly shot him in the yes with a shot gun, because the person thought he had taken his motor cycle. Now he is trying to raise money to go to Cuba in a desperate effort to see if his sight can be restored. There are other callers in similar circumstances. Peter Mc Phee aka Pumpkin eater also calls the talk shows every day. He is a paraplegic, and is a keen observer of Bahamian public affairs. The Roman Catholic Archbishop Burke once said that the talk shows lacked validity because the same persons called very day. But let's look at it the other way for some poor and lonely people, they at least have the safety valve of those few minutes allowed them on radio every day.

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MUGGSY BOGUES IN NASSAU

Tyrone " Mugsy" Bogue, the Toronto Rapptors star and the shortest man in the U.S. National Basketball Association was in Nassau last week for his annual golf tournament at the Lyford Cay Club on Friday 30 June. The Tournament is held here at that time to allow for basketball stars to help out with the Jeff Rodgers Basketball Camp. Mr. Bogues said the tournament was held to raise funds for " Always Believe Foundation" which he runs. He said the tournament was a success. Bogues is pictured from The Tribune story.  

TENNIS' DENTRY MORTIMER IN TROUBLE AGAIN

Just when it appears that the young and talented player Dentry Mortimer was getting his act together, The Tribune reports that he was suspended again from the Esso Junior National Tennis Tournament because of fighting. Mr. Mortimer who just came back from a one year suspension after blowing a chance to excel in training abroad, was suspended for attacking his opponent Sean Sands in a match. The Tribune of Thursday 6 July says that on Wednesday 5 July a fistfight broke out. Mr. Mortimer claims that Mr. Sands said some thing about Mr. Mortimer's mother. What puerile behavior! This is unbelievable. What is this: the school playground? Grow up!  

DEBBIE FERGUSON FASTEST WOMAN THIS YEAR

The Tribune published an AP photo of Debbie Ferguson crossing the finish line at a meet in Lausanne, Switzerland on Wednesday 5 July. She won the race with a time in the 200 metres of 22.43. This makes her the fastest in that distance this year said The Tribune. The Tribune also reported that Chandra Stirrup edged Gail Devers of the U.S. in a 100 metre race in Zagreb, Croatia on Monday 3 July. Her time: 11.38.

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SOME FINAL ON WORDS ON HAITI CONTROVERSY

This so called controversy like most others will blow over as the nine day Bahamian wonder. The so-called Haitian Problem will not go away so quickly. The difficulty is while Bahamians have been rowing in a totally manufactured crisis over the last two weeks, no public policy decision have been made. So we will continue in the path of crisis Government on this. Bahamians must stop being pushed willy-nilly into these little side shows when the Government itself can not seem to make any sensible decisions on central problems like the OECD and G-7 threat to our economy. It is disingenuous in the extreme and intellectually dishonest of supposedly intelligent people like The Tribune to engage in the kind of back handed jingoism that they have accused this senator of promoting. We live in hope.

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^{NEWS FROM GRAND BAHAMA}
This week, News from Grand Bahama will be updated later in the week.

INDEPENDENCE DAY  
10 July 2000 marks the 27th year of the political independence of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. These are interesting times. We now have in office the successors of the same group that led the country before majority rule came in 1967, and the country is suffering for it. The people of The Bahamas do not have the assurance that sovereignty means anything at all. Nevertheless, the usual celebrations are taking place. There was a youth rally and police tattoo. On Sunday 9 July, the official ecumenical service takes place at the Kendal Isaacs Gym to officially mark the anniversary. Last year this time, this columnist spent the weekend with the people of Exuma. This columnist expects to travel there on 18 July for a political meeting called by the Chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party.

The fallout from the dis-information campaign of The Tribune and the Bahama Journal over the Haitian problem in The Bahamas continued through most of last week. During the debate on the transfer of the land at Clifton Cay in the senate this Senator took the opportunity to address the issue again. That was Wednesday 5 July.  Click here for that full address.  Further, on a radio talk show hosted by Patty Roker on Thursday 6 July on MORE FM, this columnist spoke at length about the Haitian problem. A number of Haitian Bahamians called, reacting to the disinformation that there had been an attack on them as a class of people, holding them responsible for crime in The Bahamas. No such thing was said. But this was a result of the newspaper articles that have gone far and wide in New Providence. 

The actions of the newspaper were particularly odious, and they remain unrepentant, compounding the problem by insisting that they were correct. This columnist will travel to Grand Bahama on Tuesday 11 July to deal with Fred Smith who helped to perpetuate these lies. On Friday 7 July, the message was sent by radio to the Haitian community in Nassau via Patty Roker's show again, using a Creole translator. 

Happy Independence Day!

Just a note about the site, we have been having extreme technical problems with Batelnet in Nassau, the internet provider. We advise those who check this site early on Sundays to sometimes check again later in the day as the site is often updated to correct early faults in the upload.

We will continue to carry the photo spread of Archdeacon William Thompson's funeral on this site. See link above at the top of the site.

This week we had 13947 hits on this site for the month of July up to midnight 9 July 2000. Thanks for reading and keep reading.

e-mail timbuktu@batelnet.bs

THE HAITIAN PROBLEM
This is the title of a book by Dawn Marshall, the sister of Jeanne Thompson. The book was written in 1979 and it carries within its pages the study of the Haitian community in the Carmichael Road area of The Bahamas up to the year 1977. It is the seminal work on Haitians who have migrated to The Bahamas. There was a great outcry from certain quarters in The Bahamas about last week's speech. (Click here for the full text). Mrs. Marshall is able to confirm with empirical evidence what this columnist spoke about in the text. There is a large underclass of migrants in The Bahamas from Haiti that have formed stable communities in The Bahamas and they are ignored by official policy, except when it becomes politically expedient to try to expel them. It is clear from Mrs. Marshall's book that the policies of the colonial Government in the 1950s (interestingly enough Edward St. George, now a rich man in Grand Bahama was the magistrate expelling Haitians those days); the UBP's policies in the early 1960s; the PLP's policies in the 1970s and 1980s and the now FNM's policies are the same, They were no better or worse. Fred Smith, the Freeport Human Rights activist, sought to blame the problem on the PLP's decision to discriminate in the constitution against those Haitians born in The Bahamas without Bahamian parents. Under our constitution, you have to have at least one Bahamian parent to be a Bahamian citizen if you are born in The Bahamas.

CITIZENSHIP OF THE BAHAMAS
In 1972, this columnist was a student living off the princely sum of 20 pounds per week in London. Part of his job was as a trainee writer with the public relations arm of The Bahamas Government at a company called Infoplan Limited. One day a Minister of the PLP government confided that the Government had just proposed to the British and it had been agreed that those who did not have Bahamian parents born in The Bahamas after independence would not qualify for citizenship of The Bahamas of right at birth. The FNM agreed with that principle. In fact, if one remembers they were so anxious to return home to Nassau for the Christmas holidays as the conference dragged on, that they left agreeing that the PLP could settle the details. Twenty seven years later, we have the unintended consequences of that policy, a group of descendants of migrants who have citizenship are socially discriminated against and are apparently unwanted in The Bahamas. It has been proposed for some time from this quarter that the citizenship provision of the constitution be changed to allow for all persons born here to be citizens of The Bahamas at birth. But there is no political support for it.
 

THE SO CALLED BAHAIT
BAHAIT is the word coined to describe those of Bahamian-Haitian ancestry. There is a lot of self-hatred in that community. It appears to be a sensitive subject to be called Haitian or connected with Haitians in The Bahamas. The word is a pejorative with many negative connotations. The result is that young Bahamians with Haitian parents hide their identities. For example, they Anglicize their names or use the name of their Bahamian parent. The translator for this Senator's appearance on Patty Roker's radio show sat with us at lunch at the Hilton British Colonial on Friday 7 July. The waitresses serving at the table were quite polite but he called this senator to the side and whispered, you know these are Bahaits, he said. He said how he had asked each in Creole whether or not they spoke Creole and they denied it. But he wondered how if they did not understand Creole, they could answer his question so readily? It reminded one of the test of whether you're left handed, you don't ask, you just throw someone a ball and see which hand they use to grab the ball. He himself talked about them, and how they have overtaken the straw market. It was interesting. As we passed along the street, he kept pointing out: "See those Haitian children over there." "Look at the young Haitians," he would say. Tis no wonder there is the manifestation of self-hatred.
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THE GEORGE VI NEGROES
This is a phrase that was invented by Felix Bethel, the lecturer at the college of The Bahamas in political science. Famous for his humour and sarcasm, Mr. Bethel is referring to that class of people who now constitute the ruling class of The Bahamas who rose to power through the struggles of the 1940s, 50s and 60s. They are in the main the children of West Indian immigrants who came to The Bahamas in the early and mid twentieth century. And the descendants of loyalist slaves from 18th century America. The underclass that is developing is mainly Haitian based, a new group emerging that will eventually run this country. The class to which we belong is dwindling. This is a sensitive subject all around. No one wants to recognize what is happening. Political parties are scared out of their wits to touch it. Some Haitian Bahamians react with emotion, not a recognition that illegal immigration is a problem that must be solved and they as Bahamians have to help solve it. The mainstream Bahamian population is equally hysterical on the other side. Throughout the whole manufactured controversy over the speech, persons would walk up to this columnist on the street and say thing likes: "That's a good one that you dropped on those Haitians. Or : "You are right, we have to get all these Haitians out of The Bahamas, stick to your point." Neither side recognizes the subtlety of the point that is actually being made: that is the issue of what public policy we are going to pursue. This columnist is convinced that what we in The Bahamas like to do is row. No one wants to have a dialogue and reach a solution. Each side wants to row, and not listen to other's point. Even supposedly intelligent people like Fred Smith of Haitian descent in Freeport who ought to know better don't act as they should.
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GOVERNOR GENERAL AT ARCHDEACON'S TOMB
The Governor General was not present in The Bahamas for the service of the late Archdeacon William Thompson. So on Tuesday 4 July, he visited the tomb of the late Archdeacon in St. Agnes Church yard. There he laid a wreath. The explanation for his absence: he had audiences with the Queen. The day of the funeral was two days after the Governor General's audience with the Queen and the day after he watched the Roman Catholic Archbishop Lawrence Burke receive the Pallium from the Pope. (See last week's column) The Governor General is the Chancellor of the Anglican Diocese. The Governor General also said that the late Archdeacon was his best friend. Things that make you go: "hmmm!" The Tribune photo of the GG laying the wreath with Rev. Father Patrick Johnson in the background is shown.
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INGRAHAM AND THE LABOUR BILLS
The Prime Minister announced on 28 March at the so-called Triforum of Labour, Government and Employers that five new labour bills would be passed before the summer recess and become law. The Bills are revolutionary. They will effectively take away the right to strike in The Bahamas, set a minimum wage for the first time, force union leaders to personally pay fines for violating the anti-strike laws; mandate a 44 hour week of work instead of a 48 hour work week; mandate equal pay for equal work without discrimination on gender. When the House of Assembly met on 5 July, the Prime Minister was still not ready. The day before Opposition Leader Perry Christie and his colleagues met with the Union Leaders and met with the Employers. Both sides were unhappy with the Bills. Both sides had been promised various amendments which they had not seen. The PM told them that they would see them when he came to Parliament. When he came to Parliament on 5 July he announced that there would be 32 amendments to the Bill that he intended to start with: the Employment Bill 2000. How, asked Perry Christie, Leader of the Opposition, could Parliament engage in a fiction to debate a bill that clearly was not going to be the final piece of legislation? The PM relented and agreed to suspend the House until Wednesday 19 July. However, the PM still insists that the five bills will become law by 31 July. It is incredible how sloppy the management of the Government's business is. The employers and employees both report that the Minister of Labour Dion Foulkes does not appear to have any control over this process. This is entirely in the hands of the Prime Minister. The Minister says nothing in any of their meetings. The matter is being driven through Parliament by the PM. It is Government by one man. The Leader of the Opposition's theory is that this is all about the legacy of Ingraham now that he (Ingraham) is convinced that he has to leave as Prime Minister. He wants to fulfill his promise to employers to break the Unions before he leaves office.
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PM TO WELLS FORCES: LET'S MAKE A DEAL?
It is getting to be that time of year again when thoughts turn to the fall conventions of the political parties. The FNM's convention which was postponed last year because of the Hurricane Floyd is scheduled for November of this year. The daggers are out. Tennyson Wells who plans to run for Leader of the FNM against Hubert Ingraham has a well-planned campaign. Reportedly, he has the numbers to defeat Ingraham and become what he calls: "Leader elect", as the Prime Minister finishes out his term. Now Mr. Ingraham is still casting about for who can be his successor. He needs someone who is a puppet that he can control when he is gone, assuming the FNM wins the election. His choice at the moment seems to be Tommy Turnquest. But the forces are gathering for Tennyson Wells. Now comes a report that the Ingraham Forces have approached the Wells forces and told them that if they stop their plan to run for office at the Convention in November. Mr. Ingraham will not call an early general election. The reported response: "Go to Hell!" Now that sounds like the feisty Lester Turnquest MP from Malcolm Creek. But who knows?

THE MURDER COUNT
The Nassau Guardian reported that the murder count for 2000 up to Friday 30 June was 40. The 40th murder victim was Charles Alexander Turnquest shot in the Frying Pan restaurant on Wulff Road one month ago. Remember, Janet Bostwick said: "You get rid of the PLP, you get rid of crime".

CLIFTON CAY IN THE SENATE
On Wednesday 5 July the Senate met for one purpose: to facilitate the Government's decision to transfer Clifton Cay out of its hands and back into the hands of private owner Nancy Oakes so that she can sell it to Chaffin/Light Associates to develop into a subdivision with finger canals. Like military troops in lock step, they all on the FNM side voted to sell Clifton. The PLP resolutely opposed it. The Leaders of the Anti-Clifton Cay Coalition said that they will continue the fight. Present in the Chamber of the Senate for the debate were Koed Smith and Sam Duncombe from the Coalition. Rev. C. B. Moss, another coalition leader, wrote each Senator a letter asking them to vote to save Clifton Cay. We want everyone to know who the persons are in the Senate that voted to sell this Bahamian land and will publish them below. But what we thought was particularly low was the description of the archeologists Dr. Laurie Wilkie and Dr. Paul Farnsworth by Minister of Education Ivy Dumont as unethical and unprofessional. The Government separated themselves from the husband and wife pair because they sent a letter to the Bechtel Corporation accusing the Government of hiding the facts on the environment at Clifton from the Bahamian people. That letter led to Bechtel pulling out of the project. The Government has now hired new archeologists who will no doubt do as they are told. Dame Ivy has the reputation of being a smooth operator. We have been telling people, that this is a flam, and the way she attacked this professional couple shows exactly what we mean. Never mind that smooth delivery. Dr. Wilkie is up for tenure at her University at Berkley. So to characterize the actions of Dr. Wilkie as unethical is particularly vicious and troubling, especially since the comments are purely politically motivated, and have no basis in fact. What the Government alleges is that certain comments sent to them about the project were different from those sent to Bechtel. They never asked why the difference, they simply assumed some malicious intent. The explanation is more innocent. The copy they sent was a hard drive copy on which the changes made and sent to Bechtel had mistakenly not been recorded. But the Minister now seeks to ruin the reputation of these two professional persons. The Minister's conduct is reprehensible.
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HOW SENATORS VOTED ON CLIFTON CAY
Yes votes -- Edwin Brown; Darron Cash (Mr. Flip Flop); Pauline Cooper-Nairn; Dame Ivy Dumont; Daphne Duncombe Cooper . All are FNM.  No votes - Marcus Bethel; Melanie Griffin; Fred Mitchell; Obie Wilchcombe. All are PLP. Absent - Michael Bethel; Calvin Johnson, both FNM.
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NEW INTERNET SERVICE COMING
All week long, the public has been complaining about the Internet service of BaTelCo and the cellular service of the company. BaTelCo, the telephone company, is scheduled to be privatized by the end of the year. BaTelCo has announced that it is suspending any additional cellular hook-ups until the service can be improved. The service is so poor that calls are disconnected and are often garbled. Now the Public Utilities Commission has announced that Cable Bahamas that offers a lightning fast Internet service can resume that service to the public. The service was suspended in March after other would-be Bahamian providers like The Tribune complained that Cable Bahamas would get an unfair advantage. Now that has gone out the window it seems and they are to get the go ahead (as if there were any doubt), although it is still to be described as a temporary licence. The point is though, the public is clamouring for this service, because BaTelNet the Internet service provider is so lousy.
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BUSES ON STRIKE IN NASSAU
Nicholas Jacques, the leader of the Bus Drivers Association, called a strike for Monday 3 July in Nassau. The strike was almost 100 per cent complete. Most jitney drivers took their buses off the road. They were protesting a plan by the Ministry of Transport to remove their rest depot from the Bay Street area. They said that this was done without consultation and that it would lead to hardship. They also want a rate increase given the rise in the cost of living. No one could find a ride on a public bus for that day, and it affected hundreds of workers and businesses. True to form with FNM Ministers of the Government, James Knowles, the Minister of Transport, announced that he was surprised at the bus driver's move and that the Government would not be moved in their decision. In stepped the white knight Hubert Ingraham pictured with the Bus Drivers' President Mr. Jacques in Rawson Square on Wednesday 5 July. He solved the problem. By week's end the bus drivers announced that they were satisfied with the promises of the Prime Minister. The PM said that the drivers would only have a rest stop behind the area of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which is now a parking lot. The drivers were under the impression that the depot on Frederick Street would actually move there. The Prime Minister met with the Association on Friday 7 July at the Churchill Building to consider the ten point proposal of Nicholas Jacques. The proposal would include a fare hike from the 75 cents per person rise to one dollar. In fact most people simply give the drivers a dollar now. This is what makes it economically possible for them to make it. The PM promised to get back to them on the fare hike including a $1.50 ride for extended trips; 75 cents for children under 12 and free rides for senior citizens with ID. Yet again observers in the meeting talked about the Prime Minister's behavior in the meeting. He, in the words of one, roughed up Brensil Rolle, the Comptroller of Road Traffic, telling him: "Speak up, I can't hear you.  I know," the PM told the Comptroller, "that Road Traffic is riddled with corruption and I want you bus driver's to tell me if you know of anyone." Observers also commented how both Ministers Dion Foulkes and Jimmy Knowles were in the meeting and had not one word to say. The PM did all the talking. That's how it is in the FNM Government. "
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FOOTNOTE ON BUS DRIVERS
Nicholas Jacques, Bus Driver's Association President, must have thought to himself that his meeting with Hubert Ingraham was deja vu all over again as they say. Mr. Jacques was a colleague of Rodney Moncur when they were members of the now defunct Worker's Party. They would have held many negotiations with Mr. Ingraham and former Prime Minister Pindling when Mr. Ingraham was the Chairman of the PLP. The other irony is that Mr. Jacques is now leading the cry for a rise in the bus fare to one dollar. In 1989, he joined Mr. Moncur in the Workers Party and forced the then PLP administration to rescind plans to raise the bus fare from 75 cents to one dollar. Times, of course have changed!
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BANK OF THE BAHAMAS SHARE OFFERING
The team that is leading The Bank of The Bahamas launched its new share offering. On Tuesday 11 July, the Bank will put another two million of its shares on the market. The transfer agent is Colina Financial Services. The Bank's Management group is pictured : Terry Murray, Financial Controller; Larry Gibson of Colina; Joyce Cooper, Deputy Managing Director; Claire Hepburn, Attorney; Hugh Sands, Chairman; Joan Albury, PR; Pauline Allen-Dean, Managing Director; Raymond Winder, accountant Deloitte & Touche; Paul McWeeney, Deputy Managing Director.

VISITING PAUPER
His is proper name is Sylvano Forbes. What does he do? Well he is one of a number of regulars on the radio talk shows. There are some people like Mr. Forbes aka Pauper who call one talk show after the next every day to give their point of view. This week it was the Haitians and how we "have to be careful that they are going to take over." When this columnist appeared on the show on Thursday 6 July, his theme was that all politicians are corrupt and he had a particular venom for Carl Bethel, the representative for Holy Cross. The fact is, though, he lives in pretty dire circumstances and we had the occasion to visit him in the back roads of Nassau Village. He is blind in both eyes. He lost his sight some nine years ago when someone he knew mistakenly shot him in the eyes with a shot gun, because the person thought he had taken his motor cycle. Now he is trying to raise money to go to Cuba in a desperate effort to see if his sight can be restored. There are other callers in similar circumstances. Peter McPhee aka 'Pumpkin Eater' also calls the talk shows every day. He is a paraplegic, and is a keen observer of Bahamian public affairs. The Roman Catholic Archbishop Burke once said that the talk shows lacked validity because the same persons called very day. But let's look at it the other way: for some poor and lonely people, they at least have the safety valve of those few minutes allowed them on radio every day.
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MUGGSY BOGUES IN NASSAU
Tyrone 'Muggsy' Bogues, the Toronto Raptors star and the shortest man in the U.S. National Basketball Association was in Nassau last week for his annual golf tournament at the Lyford Cay Club on Friday 30 June. The Tournament is held here at that time to allow for basketball stars to help out with the Jeff Rodgers Basketball Camp. Mr. Bogues said the tournament was held to raise funds for 'Always Believe Foundation' which he runs. He said the tournament was a success. Bogues is pictured from The Tribune story.  

TENNIS' DENTRY MORTIMER IN TROUBLE AGAIN
Just when it appeared that the young and talented player Dentry Mortimer was getting his act together, The Tribune reports that he was suspended again, this time from the Esso Junior National Tennis Tournament because of fighting. Mr. Mortimer who just came back from a one year suspension after blowing a chance to excel in training abroad, was suspended for attacking his opponent Sean Sands in a match. The Tribune of Thursday 6 July says that on Wednesday 5 July a fistfight broke out. Mr. Mortimer claims that Mr. Sands said something about Mr. Mortimer's mother. What puerile behavior! This is unbelievable. What is this: the school playground? Grow up!  

DEBBIE FERGUSON FASTEST WOMAN THIS YEAR
The Tribune published an AP photo of Debbie Ferguson crossing the finish line at a meet in Lausanne, Switzerland on Wednesday 5 July. She won the race with a time in the 200 metres of 22.43. This makes her the fastest in that distance this year said The Tribune. The Tribune also reported that Chandra Stirrup edged Gail Devers of the U.S. in a 100 metre race in Zagreb, Croatia on Monday 3 July. Her time: 11.38.

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SOME FINAL ON WORDS ON HAITI CONTROVERSY
This so called controversy, like most others, will blow over as a nine day Bahamian wonder. The so-called Haitian Problem will not go away so quickly. The difficulty is that while Bahamians have been rowing in a totally manufactured crisis over the last two weeks, no public policy decisions have been made. So we will continue in the path of crisis Government on this. Bahamians must stop being pushed willy-nilly into these little side shows when the Government itself cannot seem to make any sensible decisions on central problems like the OECD and G-7 threat to our economy. It is disingenuous in the extreme and intellectually dishonest of supposedly intelligent people like The Tribune to engage in the kind of back-handed jingoism that they have accused this senator of promoting. We live in hope.
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STAFF OF GWENDOLYN HOUSE

A second staff seminar was held to update the staff of the law firm of this Senator on policies and procedures. It was held at the Rum Cay Room of the Hilton British Colonial. Pictured on Friday 7 July on the steps are from left Lee Davis, law clerk; Veronica Ferguson, office assistant (top) Katrina Henderson, Administrative Assistant (middle) Stan Smith, law clerk (bottom): Brandino Brown, clerk (top) Rawson McDonald, consultant attorney (middle) Calisse Barry, companies & accounts secretary (bottom) Patrick Charles, translator (top), Berlice Lightbourne, receptionist (middle); Senator Mitchell; Terrence Bethel Accountant; Adam Dillette, filing clerk.

^{NEWS FROM GRAND BAHAMA}
Freeport Power Relents - Consumers in Grand Bahama have been up in arms over a $5 meter fee imposed by Freeport Power Company as rental for its power meters.  There were irate letters to the editor, hostile feedback on the social circuit to the company's managers and eventually a reported request for reconsideration from Government.  The $5 fee is now gone.

Gomez Financial Controller - Deborah Gomez a longtime accounting professional in Freeport has been named Financial Controller at Port Lucaya Resort & Yacht Club. Congratulations to this aspiring Bahamian.

Brewing Unrest - The Bahamas Industrial Engineers Managerial and Supervisory Union issued a statement this week complaining that negotiations between its management / supervisory members and Freeport Power Company have remained unresolved for more than a year.  The statement which was reported in the Freeport News, spoke of a level of disillusionment and discontent.

Frazier Named to Health Institute - John Frazier, (JR) executive officer at the Rand Memorial Hospital has been accepted to full membership of the Institute of Health care Management in London, England.

Boat Shows Organizers Brush Up on PR - Organizers of the recent controversy laden Grand Bahama Boat Show have been paying attention to their PR.  The organizers were shown in the Freeport News giving away left over boat show t-shirts to worthy causes.  The show had come under fire for allowing tents used at the show to be contracted out to a foreign company over Bahamian competition.

Spirit of Independence - Flags are shown arrayed in line in preparations for the Independence celebrations in Grand Bahama to be held on the Walter Parker Primary School playing field now known as Independence Park.

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Photo of Senator Mitchell by Tim Aylen

NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER

THE GRAND BAHAMA HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION
The debate over the immigration policies of The Bahamas continues. This week started for this columnist on Tuesday 11 July with a press conference in Freeport to set the record straight with regard to comments made in the Senate on Tuesday 27 June on the creolization of The Bahamas. Those comments were widely misinterpreted to mean that Haitians as a class were being accused of killing Archdeacon William Thompson and for crime generally in the country. We repeat: no such assertion was made. Please click here for the remarks at the press conference. 

You can check below for the remarks in the Senate and for the follow up statement in the Senate. These will be permanent links. Helping to promote the misinformation is one Fred Smith and the members of the Grand Bahama Human Rights Association. Mr. Smith and his associates answered the press remarks in a remarkable press conference of their own in Freeport on Wednesday 12 July. He was shrieking and hysterical. They made defamatory remarks that will not be repeated here.

Since then, it appears that the Human Rights Association has gone into the Haitian Bahamian community further whipping up hysteria. This is quite a simple matter. It is about what policy the Government of The Bahamas ought to pursue with regard to illegal immigration. Will the borders remain porous or will they be closed? As to those persons born within The Bahamas since 1973, are they to become citizens of The Bahamas in law or are they to remain in The Bahamas in no man's land, unincorporated into The Bahamas.

This is the only politician that has publicly called for anyone born in The Bahamas regardless of parentage to be given citizenship of The Bahamas. We are about developing public policy. What became clear in a private meeting with the Grand Bahama Human Rights Association and their later press conference is that they are not interested in a sensible public policy. They want to row. They have a personal vendetta against Fred Mitchell. Interestingly, Fred Mitchell has no executive authority. Yet instead of tackling the Government that has the power to solve problems, they are carried away in a silly dance against the wrong target. We thought that these were intelligent people. But they are rabidly marginalizing themselves if they persist in their behavior. 

All of us have to work together to solve what is a sensitive, perhaps even dangerous problem. What is also clear is that Fred Smith has a political agenda. He claimed in the meeting that he will do all in his power to prevent the PLP from returning to office. Once we hear that then we know that this is not about the fight for the rights of Haitian Bahamians. This is about Fred Smith's quest for publicity and his hatred of the PLP. Poor fellow!

This week we had 24,948 hits on this site for the month of July up to midnight 17 July 2000. Thanks for reading and keep reading.
Address to the Senate Budget Debate / Haitian Issue
Address to the Senate Clifton Cay Debate / Haitian Issue

CHARGES IN ARCHDEACON THOMPSON'S MURDER
The police have arrested and charged Neil Brown with the murder of Archdeacon William Thompson. He was arraigned before Magistrate Linda Virgill, whose husband then a Minister of the Government, was brutally murdered in 1997. Mr. Brown was not required to plead and he was remanded to Fox Hill prison. There was a crowd of some 200 standing around the court on Tuesday 12 July when he was brought to court. What is the profile of Mr. Brown? According to the Bahama Journal, he is 22 years old. He is clearly a Black man. He is the product of a single parent home, with no male presence in the home. He has a string of other arrests before this, and he was also charged with stealing and receiving and attempted armed robbery. He was released on bail from jail where he was on remand for an attempted murder charge a few weeks ago. The police have told friends of the Archdeacon that they believe that one parent is Haitian. The Punch has also speculated in its front page that the accomplice who the police plan to charge soon has a Haitian parent. That story is mentioned here because again The Punch, which carries its jingoism to the extreme is using remarks by this columnist in a way that they were not meant, and in fact quotes this columnist as having said something that he never said. A Bahama Journal photo of Brown and his abode in Peter Street, New Providence is shown. But we must ask ourselves why does this profile keep popping up as your typical prison inmate?

MISSING ARCHDEACON THOMPSON
We already miss the man, and his quiet presence and calming spirit. During the meeting with the Grand Bahama Human Rights Association with this columnist this week, it suddenly occurred to this columnist that people who one thought were friends and allies were not after all. Their hysterical and irrational responses were a great betrayal. And it showed this columnist what people really think of you when the chips are down. Archdeacon Thompson if he were alive would have been able to put some sensible perspective on this debate. Surely everyone with sense must realize that this is a serious public policy problem. Those so-called George VI Negroes and their descendants are enraged that the country appears to be in a swamp of illegal immigration, and little is being done to stem it. But Archdeacon Thompson would have been able to put it all perspective, and bring some objectivity to what is such as sensitive subject. We miss him already.
 

JACKASS OF THE WEEK - FRED SMITH
He does not think before he acts. He runs off to the press with the first thought apparently that comes to his mind. He is most often unrepentant and does not consider the feelings of others. His only interest is himself. That's the kind of person Stevie Wonder wrote about in his famous anthem: 'Mister Know-it-All'. And perhaps we could be describing Fred Smith, the sometimes-brilliant attorney in Freeport with Haitian background (about which he seems to be embarrassed) who is also a Bahamian citizen. We should be proud of who we are. But Mr. Smith is still smarting from a childhood of discrimination against him. That discrimination - if practiced - was wrong. He claims that while he was a child in Nassau at the St. Thomas Moore School he was teased and beaten for being Haitian. That is regrettable. It should not have happened. This country and its people should not be involved in any campaign to harm people because of their race or national origin. But we have allowed the problem to fester over fifty years. No politician wants to touch it, and then we are surprised at the little storms in a teacup. Mr. Smith, however, must despite his hurts learn to rise above it all, and not lose sight of his objectivity. Fred Smith calling this columnist a Nazi is akin to a blood libel which the family of Mitchells must take seriously. To call a Black man a Nazi is a slur worse than any other. That is to identify a Black man with a group that wanted to wipe Black people from the face of the earth. Fred Smith does not realize how serious a charge he has made. His personal insecurities should not drive him to make stupid statements. Certainly statements that he cannot defend. For that and for his hysterical anti-Fred Mitchell and anti-PLP campaign in Freeport, deliberately distorting the issue, Fred Smith is our JACKASS OF THE WEEK.
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BREAKFAST AT KRISTI'S
We received encouragement and support from the breakfast crew at Kristi's this week. Kristi's is the breakfast bistro where the politicos meet in Freeport. They love a good political fight. We got a call by cell phone from our previous correspondent. Thanks fellows!
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BLACKLISTING THE BAHAMAS OFFSHORE SECTOR
The Government of The Bahamas was reeling this week as it scrambled to unscramble a serious problem for this country. The week began with a report that the United States Department of the Treasury had issued an advisory warning countries and persons within the US and banks in the US dealing with The Bahamas; about the lack of regulatory practices by the banking system in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. If this were not so serious we would say good for you Hubert. You thought that there was a difference between you and Sir Lynden Pindling, the former Prime Minister. It appears that when it comes to little third world countries, it is simply whether or not you are getting in the way. And so The Bahamas which during the PLP's time never got on the blacklist of any group despite all the allegations about the drug trade, is now for the first time under the Government that said it had cleaned up the image of the Bahamas, on the blacklist of the developed world. This so-called list of shame includes Israel as well. Bill Allen, the hapless Minister of Finance, was off to London for what he called extremely useful talks with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). At week's end there was an announcement that The Bahamas Government had agreed to accept 'generous technical assistance' on these matters from the U.S. Treasury. This means now that the Treasury Department will be working inside our Ministry of Finance. This is absolutely incredible. The situation is quite serious because of the U.S. Government's action, and it comes on the heels of blacklists by OECD, by the G-7 countries. The G7 Ministers of Finance issued a warning at their meeting last week about doing business with Banks in The Bahamas. The Bahama Journal reported at the weekend Friday 14 July that several banks in The Bahamas were thinking about pulling up stakes and going elsewhere. The banks are said to be seriously concerned that this may not be the place to do business and the Government is mortified at the affect this will have on employment.
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PUBLIC POLICY ON THE BANKING SYSTEM
As usual this lousy FNM Government and its equally lousy leader and its equally lousy Minister of Finance were busy trying to unscramble themselves this week after the announcement from the US. Treasury. We say that this mess that we are in has to do with the arrogance of the FNM and its leaders who think that because they hobnob with the well-heeled crowd in Lyford Cay that this means that they are protected in the developed world from the kind of attacks we now see on our country. They simply fell asleep at the wheel, and confused their social entertainment value with their acceptance into the halls of power. Their philosophy of hands off, and simply letting the private sector dictate the pace of change, the image of the country, the kind of legislation and regulations that we have, has resulted in this present mess. We do not have a Government, we have a social club which lets others do the governing; their lawyer friends, their rich fat cats at the Cay; their buddy at Paradise Island. Everyone runs The Bahamas except the Government of The Bahamas. Now they are planning public policy again without consultation with Opposition leaders on this major national problem. We have to let them stew in this juice for a while. We hope that the Bahamian people now see their true colours. We are concerned that the employment opportunities for high paying jobs are now put at risk because of this Government's lack of attention to detail.
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SOL KERZNER TO MARRY
Seventy-six year old Sol Kerzner is set to marry his pretty young companion. He is said to have gotten a new lease on life from the liaison. Mr. Kerzner is the head honcho of Sun International, the developers of Paradise Island. He is said still to be smarting from the Government's decision to take away the 3 million-dollar tax concession it gave him when he promised to start phase three of his Paradise development. He has since cancelled those plans, and the Government has taken away the tax concession. We were watching a programme on Las Vegas recently and how a gambling resort has turned itself into a family entertainment centre, constantly changing and re-inventing itself. Mr. Kerzner complains that he has not been making the kind of return on capital that he expected, and we believe that people are concerned about the slowing of the U.S. economy. So one supposes with all that bad news, he could use a little fun in his life. Good luck fellow!
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THE LABOUR BILLS
The Prime Minister promised the Leader of the Opposition that the amendments that he intended to move in Parliament to the Employment Bill, one of five Labour bills that the Government foreshadows, would be ready and available by Wednesday 12 July. This would give the Opposition, the Unions and the Employers a two-week opportunity to review the legislation. You will remember our commentary last week about how disorganized Mr. Ingraham is when it comes to Parliamentary business. He came to parliament last week with 14 pages of amendments, only to have the Opposition balk, telling him that it did not make sense to proceed with the Bill that was tabled since the Bill would be substantially amended. The Bill's amendments finally arrived late on Friday 14 July into the hands of the Leader of the Opposition. In the meantime, Pat Bain in his maiden public address as President of the Hotel Workers Union to a Rotary Club on Thursday 13 July, called for the Government to stop the process of the Bills and have further discussions on the bills. Both Unions and employers think that the Bills are being rushed and ill considered by the Government. But see the next story on why this is so. The Employment Bill is to be debated next week in the House. It breaks new ground: the five-day workweek is coming as of 1 July 2001. It also proposes an anti-discrimination clause. It also mandates equal pay regardless of gender but also for work of equal value. There is to be seven days of sick leave per year with the first day unpaid leave. These all require study by each side. But the sides are not to get their chance; the Prime Minister is pressing ahead as they say "irregardless".

WHAT'S THE RUSH ON THE LABOUR BILLS?
The Prime Minister has finally gotten it through his head that he is gone as PM after this term. He is busy telling all of his friends that he is going to fundamentally change The Bahamas. He is by turns insulting and charming to the comments on the Bill - mainly insulting. He told the employers reps for example that if they want to run the country they can each get their $400 and run for the House. He has accused union leaders of being not too bright and engaged in public rows with them in meetings. He believes that his legacy is most important now, so he is single handedly driving these processes. His Ministers have no input or say. They privately complain about his behavior to the Opposition. He claims that when he is finished The Bahamas will be so fundamentally altered that his successor will have little to do. Yeah right! What an ego!
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SIR LYNDEN' S CANCER BATTLE
It now appears officially that Sir Lynden Pindling is in the end stages of the disease that he has been fighting for the past four years - prostate cancer. Sir Lynden elicited great sympathy from the public and praise for his courage this week as he went public. In what is believed to be his last public battle, he announced that his condition is not responding to chemotherapy. That by the time he discovered the disease four years ago, the cancer had already spread to other parts of his body. He has flown to the US for a consult with his Doctors there about what if anything more can be done. In starkest terms, he appeared to be preparing the country and his family for his ultimate departure. This is indeed a sad occasion for the country. But you know prostate cancer is a slow-growing disease and often the doctors simply counsel watching and waiting. At 70 years old, he is still in today's terms a young man. The Government has agreed that all of his expenses will be covered by the state. It is a great pity that we will lose his collective memory and experience so soon. We wish him and his family well. Sir Lynden's press conference was held on Wednesday 12 July at his home. He urged all men to get regular check-ups on their prostates. Today this disease is ravaging a generation of older men in The Bahamas. The photo is by Peter Ramsay.
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CANCER RISKS AT THE NASSAU AIRPORT
It will take some three months of delicate removal but the Airport Authority has announced that the domestic section of the airport is to be sanitized once and for all of asbestos used in the construction of the domestic terminal. Asbestos is a dangerous carcinogen when in the airborne form. Every one is acting with surprise that the asbestos is there They need only think back to the time when US Customs during the PLP's era refused to work in that area until a protective barrier was put up in the ceiling to prevent exposure to the asbestos in the ceiling. That was a temporary measure. But today it is still there. Now the travelling public is to be inconvenienced again for three months while this stuff is removed. Only goes to show that you should do it right the first time.
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COMMUNICATIONS BREAKDOWN AT THE AIRPORT
This columnist was travelling back from Freeport on Wednesday 12 July on the supposed 6 a.m. flight from Freeport. We could not leave on time because there was a total loss of communication at Nassau International because of a lack of power. Minutes later we boarded the plane after power had been restored. Once in the air and fifteen minutes out from Nassau, the pilot announced that all communication had been lost with Nassau again. We had to circle some twenty minutes in the air until the Miami tower advised us that the communications were back up. This seems a little third worldish, don't you think?
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GILLIAN MCWEENEY MARRIES MICHAEL WILSON
Have you ever heard the expression: "a handsome couple"? That's the way to describe the young couple Gillian McWeeney and Michael Wilson who were married last Saturday 8 July at an impressive ceremony at Bethel Baptist Church in Nassau. The new Mrs. Wilson is the first child of Sean and Cyprianna McWeeney. Both parents are good friends of this columnist. Mr. McWeeney is the former Attorney General of The Bahamas and Mrs. McWeeney is a former tourism executive at the Ministry of Tourism. The new Mrs. Wilson is the godchild of this columnist. The groom is the son of Maria Wilson and adopted son of Dorothy Hilton who recently retired after almost 30 years at  Citibank. Michael is an accountant by profession. It was a real society wedding. Good friends were all there including the irrepressible Campbell Cleare and the beautiful Sharon Cleare. The reception was held at the Paradise Island home of the bride's Aunt Mary and her husband Nemji El-Fituri. There was a stand for fresh conch salad. Everyone had a great time. The couple is pictured. Perhaps next week, we'll have a picture from the wedding. Until then congratulations to the new couple.
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INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS
10 July 2000 can be said to have been the quietest in years this year. There was criticism of the Government for this. There were the usual services and parades, including a Junkanoo rush out, but they all seemed under attended, low key and disorganized. That is the state of the Government today. Peter Ramsay took photos of the youth rally which was held to mark the 27th year as a country on Clifford Park on Friday 7 July.     
A Youth Choir is at left; sisters Iris Knowles and Setella Cox are shown at right. The set of photos presented is by Peter Ramsay. Interesting news, the Bahamas Christian Council gets $1500 from the Government for performing the services on Independence Day. Maybe it's time to increase that? 

 

A Policeman listens to a flag-bearing little girl	Deputy prime Minister Watson, Mrs. Gwen Knowles, wife of Senator Knowles and Senator Evelyn Holowesko.	These youngsters are working hard to rake & scrape.

THIS YEAR'S RESULTS FROM FIDELITY
    The Nassau Guardian reported on Wednesday 12 July that the Fidelity Bahamas Growth and Income Fund has had an excellent result for the 12 months ending 30 June, the Fund's fiscal end of year. The price per share has increased some 20.86 per cent during the period and total assets under management grew by 230 per cent. The Fund invests in Bahamian ordinary shares, preference shares and Government stock. The fund will pay 12 cents per share to shareholders of record on 30 June 2000. Kevin Burrows is the Fund's Investment Manager. Greg Bethel is the President of the Fund. They are pictured from the Nassau Guardian story. Back To The Top

NBA STARS ARE COMING TO NASSAU
From 23 July to 28 July, the National Basketball Association (NBA) Players Association of the United States of America will visit The Bahamas . They will hold their meetings this year for the second time in two years in The Bahamas. The meetings will be held in Freeport. Last year they were held at Paradise Island.  

BDM LEADER MEETS SIR LYNDEN

Bahamas Democratic Movement Leader Cassius Stuart is pictured during a recent courtesy call on former Prime Minister Sir Lynden Pindling. Mr. Stuart is a young admirer of Sir Lynden and met with him for one and a half hours soaking up information and tips on the how to's of political leadership in The Bahamas.
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A FINAL WORD ON THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT DEBATE
All PLP supporters who read this site should know that this debate currently raging in the country is one of great national importance. They must not be discombobulated by the rantings of Fred Smith and the marginalized group that supports him in Grand Bahama. There is little social respect for Fred Smith in Grand Bahama. He is seen as an isolated, lonely and eccentric figure, whose primary concern is his major client the Grand Bahama Port Authority, not the poor immigrant community in Eight Mile Rock. His existence is in a different stratosphere from theirs. He is a wealthy man and lives in the lap of luxury. We must not get involved in the lowness of his debate. We must continue to take the high road. This is of fundamental importance to the country: the question is whether or not we can continue to have open borders, and what affect that will have on our future. The PLP's spokesman on Immigration is the only one who has raised this issue. You should be proud of your party's spokesman for doing so. You should stand your ground. Have a good week!
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^{NEWS FROM GRAND BAHAMA}

Some Excitement - The visit of Senator Mitchell to respond to attacks from the Grand Bahama Human Rights Association provided some excitement in Grand Bahama this week. Politicos and others watched, bemused, as erstwhile allies attacked the Senator who raised a national debate on the question of the immigration problem. The Freeport News photo of Senator Mitchell is shown with Haitian-Bahamian interpreter Patrick Charles at left and Steven Plakaris, PLP Vice Chairman at right.

Counterfeit Money - Police on Grand Bahama this week warned residents to be on the lookout for large amounts of counterfeit Bahamian money. A police spokesman said the counterfeit money was "turning up everywhere".  The police also revealed that they had seized more than $10,000 in illegal currency. The warning was issued for hundred dollar notes and notes of smaller denominations.

Royal Bahamia Estates - Royal Bahamia Estates is one of a number of Freeport residential communities that has been plagued by conflict between residents and developers over service charges invoiced and services rendered. New management at the development company for the area has said that it is looking to beautify the area while raising and collecting service charges. A spokesman for the development company is quoted as saying in reference to the old service charge bills that the wanted to start fresh.

Murder Trial Begins - The trial of two twenty-something year old Bahamians accused of killing a Canadian visitor began in the Supreme Court in Grand Bahama this week.  The case attracted international attention, mostly from Canadian news media which has sent representatives to cover the trial.  The Canadian visitor was robbed and murdered in his time-share unit in Freeport in February of 1998. 

Click on a heading to go to that story; press ctrl+home to return to the top of the page.

NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER

AN EGOMANIAC & A POLITICAL MADMAN
Whoever coined the phrase Vox Populi Vox Dei (the voice of the people the voice of God) may when visiting The Bahamas be asked to have his or her head examined. Many people state the political dilemma in another way as it relates to the Prime Minister of The Bahamas Hubert Ingraham. They ask the question: either he must be a genius or are we all fools?

It is a thoroughly depressing situation. The Cabinet around Hubert Ingraham and his backbench has proven to be the weakest group of politicians that the country has ever produced. No backbone whatsoever. Nothing points this out more than the push to amend the law to bring into force five new labour bills, which neither employers want nor the unions want. The Cabinet itself has remained silent and the Prime Minister alone has been running the show on this since the debate started on Wednesday 19 July. Not even the Minister of Labour the normally voluble Dion Foulkes could be heard.

The Prime Minister came to the House with Bills that are still works in progress. No one is quite sure as they are debating what in fact they are being asked to pass. The Employment Bill, that is the first of five, is a mish mash; a patch and cut work of the Prime Minister's even as he stood on his feet in the House.

Mr. Ingraham bored the House of Assembly with a tautologous commentary about the Bills that went on for hours and hours, breaking no new ground. You got the distinct impression that this was a man in love with his own voice and who cannot get enough of himself.

Bernard Nottage MP may have provided the Prime Minister with his new platform that of the television cameras back in the House with gavel to gavel coverage. You will remember two months ago in a fit of pique Mr. Ingraham pulled the plug on the TV cameras he said until rules were put in place to govern the conduct of members and the time. The Opposition refused to co-operate. Dr. Nottage got up at the start of the session and asked what about TV since the Prime Minister wanted the fullest views on the labour bills. That was the only excuse Mr. Ingraham needed and he suspended the House patched together a set of "temporary rules" and now cameras are back in the House gavel to gavel.

Hubert Ingraham, is a monumental joke as Prime Minister. The only problem is that we are in such a serious predicament as a country because of his arrogance and lack of social and governmental skills. He comes at once as an egomaniac and a political madman. A local Doctor often says that he needs to go and see a psychologist.

This week we had 36,190 hits on this site for the month of July up to midnight 22  July 2000. Thanks for reading and keep reading.

Address to the Senate Budget Debate / Haitian Issue
Address to the Senate Clifton Cay Debate / Haitian Issue
Address to PLP Leadership meeting in Exuma / Haitian Issue

BANK SECRECY TO GO OUT THE WINDOW
The Prime Minister was all over the place flapping around like a chicken without a head in response to the latest assault by the developed countries on The Bahamas banking system. The crux of the matter is the so-called blacklist issued by three different but connected bodies about the banking system of The Bahamas. They are agencies of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD); the G-7 Countries and the United States of America. These are all the same countries in different guises. They have all said that the banking system of The Bahamas lends itself because of weak regulatory practices to money laundering. The real deal is of course the revenue that escapes their jurisdictions and comes to countries like The Bahamas. And so the offshore sector, the nation's second industry appears headed for the rocks. No one seems to know quite what to do except capitulate to every request no matter how wild from the Europeans and the United States. The Prime Minister called lawyers, bankers and accountants together in separate groups to inform them that the offshore sector as we know it is finished. He also said that bank secrecy is gone.

PM'S REMARKS IRRESPONSIBLE
The comments made to the various constituent parts of the offshore sector by the Prime Minister were irresponsible. They set off a panic in the sector with telephone calls being made across town asking whether or not it was true that the famous Section 10 of the Banks and Trust Companies Regulation Act was going to be repealed. The fact is that it is to be amended or so the loose-mouthed Prime Minister said. In fact, he does not know what he is going to do, and it may not be necessary. Section 10 is what gives statutory support to the common law position on confidence between the bank and its customer. Some say that all that will happen is that the Central Bank Act is to be amended to allow for the Central Bank to call for specific information relating to specific bank customers and then act upon illegal activity with regard to that account. That is a departure from the present law that only allows the Central Bank to call for general information. Others say that there will be copycat legislation from the Swiss model where a statutory body will be created to review requests for information relating to bank accounts and illegal activity. That body and not the Courts will then decide whether or not the information will be released. This is all explosive stuff. Presumably, the customer will have to have some say about the release of information to strangers to his account. Further, any statutory body will, since it has to be inferior to the Supreme Court's jurisdiction, be reviewable by the Supreme Court. The Americans in particular have been complaining that it takes too long for our courts to act, and that there are too many delays allowing for the culprits to skip with the money and information. The Government's approach is to give the US what it wants and that includes some 25 amendments they want made to our laws that will indeed end bank secrecy as we know it.
 

THE BLACKLIST PANIC
The Minister of Finance Sir William Allen has just returned from Britain where Her Majesty the Queen knighted him. The Queen knighted Sir William for his work on Mr. Ingraham's behalf in rebuilding the economy of the country. We do not agree that he did any such thing but that is Mr. Ingraham's propaganda. If we assume that he did in fact build up the economy and that he deserved a knighthood for doing so, then it stands to good reason that he ought to resign as a Minister of Finance in disgrace, and return his knighthood to the Queen. He is presiding over the collapse of the offshore sector as we know it, and he and his master Hubert Ingraham are responsible for the demise of the sector. They are all about the place now flapping around like chickens without a head, conceding everything imaginable. We call it blacklist panic. We have some measures to suggest, what we would call the Barbados approach.
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THE BARBADOS APPROACH
Owen Arthur, the Prime Minister of Barbados, has been the point man in the Caribbean on this blacklist business. He is an economist by profession. He told the US and the other developed countries where to get off. According to remarks reported in the press here in Nassau, Mr. Arthur told the developed countries that most money laundering takes place in the markets of New York, right in the United States of America. In other words, they need to clean up their own back yard before prescribing remedies for other countries. Mr. Arthur reportedly takes the view that these measures taken by essentially international civil servants are impertinent in the face of sovereign countries. And in any event he reportedly believes that the illicit money passing through the whole of the Caribbean is a drop in the bucket compared to what is going through the United States. We say amen to that. But we must do more, all the Caricom countries and their leaders must speak with a concerted voice on this. Instead of the Bahamian Prime Minister running off to the U.S. begging, bowing, pleading and scraping, he ought to stand up on his hind legs and defend the country's industry. After all, if The Bahamas collapses where exactly are Bahamians going to go but join the thousands of Haitians and others who are headed to the US as refugees. Further, the Bahamian business community ought to remind the business community in South Florida of the millions of dollars passing through the Florida economy because of purchases from Bahamians and Bahamian firms. If that goes, will that not affect the Florida economy? Some add that tourism may benefit from this though. They say that the US will now force us to sign a tax exchange treaty. We have been resisting this despite the advice that it should have been done long ago. The result will be a boost in convention business in The Bahamas since US conventioneers will be able to write the convention expenses off against taxes in the US once that happens. Our Government, headed by the bull headed Hubert Ingraham is as usual falling down on the job.
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THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION SPEAKS
Perry Christie MP, Leader of the Opposition, spoke at a press conference held at his office on Tuesday 18 July. In it, he attacked the Government for falling down on the job and not acting on a matter about which the Opposition from last year had warned them. At the time, a series of questions raised by the Opposition's spokesman on banking Bradley Roberts MP were each answered in the negative by William Allen, the hapless and disgraced Minister of Finance. Sir William denied that the IBC companies were a problem. He denied that there needed to be a financial intelligence and oversight unit. Six months had to pass before the Government was obliged to concede on both issues. The Government has now agreed to abolish bearer shares, and effectively end the free reign of IBCs as we now know them. There is also now a Financial Intelligence Unit to oversee the money laundering problems. Mr. Christie also attacked the Government for the failure to brief the Opposition on these matters. In fact, all the other groups, the lawyers, accountants, and bankers were briefed before the Opposition. As usual, Mr. Ingraham and his contemptuous attitude comes through. But in The Bahamas we have a saying: time is longer than rope.
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HAITIAN BAHAMIANS REACT TO FRED MITCHELL

A press conference was held this week and reported by all the major newspapers. The Nassau Guardian had the most complete report on Friday 21 July. The photo in the Nassau Guardian showed from left to right: Pastor Kevin Pierre; Robert Dieudonne; Michael Telarin and Julia Godet. According to Michael Telairin: "These migrants cannot be blamed for the pathetic state in which this country is in today relative to crime... There are Haitians who can brag of never seeing the inside of a courtroom, not even for a minor traffic offence, even after living here thirty plus years... If it is a Haitian [that killed Archdeacon Thompson], deal with him. I would say deal with him accordingly and if it is not, apologize to us. If in fact these figures [percentage of crime by Haitian community] are even close, then we as a nation should come together in a unified manner, all communities, churches, senators, law enforcers and ministers of the Government to create an action plan which should be free of prejudice and discrimination to eradicate the social ills and violent crimes that are plaguing our nation... We would like to thank Senator Fred Mitchell for providing us with this window of opportunity; this wake up call, when he made his address to the Senate. With all due respect to Senator Fred Mitchell's expertise in the field of law, we question his ability to evaluate the social system, especially ours in relation to crime." If only people would read and listen to what is actually said then the kind of misleading commentary that this press conference promotes would not have to be printed. In Exuma on Tuesday 18 July in a rally in The Forest, this columnist told those gathered not to hold their breath for any apology. There is nothing for which to apologize. You can read the entire address made at Exuma by clicking here, or at the link at the end of the editorial at the top of this site.
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CRIME UP IN THE FAMILY ISLANDS
On Saturday 15 July the morning dailies both reported the comments of Superintendent Douglas Hanna and Assistant Commissioner Reginald Ferguson that crime is up in the Family Islands. According to the police officers, this was led by people going from Nassau to the Family Islands and committing the crime. It is a consequence of the increased economic activity in the Family Islands. There is also a huge jump in drug activity in Long Island and in Acklins and Crooked Island. The press conference was Friday 14 July.
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FRED MITCHELL VISITS EXUMA
PLP National Chairman Senator Obie Wilchcombe led a PLP delegation to the Forrest, Exuma. Included in the delegation was this Senator and PLP Vice Chair for the Family Islands Traver Whylly. In the address by this Senator, it was made clear that no apology would be forthcoming over the remarks in the Senate about the creolization of The Bahamas. You may click here for the full text of the remarks in Exuma.  The issue as far as this columnist is concerned is the inability of the Government of The Bahamas to guard the borders of this country. That means that there is an influx of illegal immigrants that continue to come to this country without any apparent immigration control. The visit was the third visit by the National Chairman in three weeks to Exuma. The party is looking for a candidate for the constituency. In the mean time, the Party's effort is led by a group of young and dynamic people like Swann and Les Dames. About one hundred and fifty people turned up to the meeting. The pictures below show some that were there.  

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LABOUR UNIONS PROTEST LABOUR BILLS
The Government began debate on the first of series of five labour bills which the Prime Minister has promised will all become law before the end of the month. He is ambitious. He intends to ram through the legislation with little thought for the consequences. The Employment Bill is the first of the five. It proposes the introduction of a 44-hour workweek upon coming into force, and then on 1 July 2001 a 40-hour workweek. These will replace the present workweek of 48 hours before overtime kicks in. There will also be a mandatory minimum wage. Further, there will be in addition to the present maternity leave, parental leave for men with children. Sick leave entitlement is to be put in the law for the first time of 12 days. The first day will not be paid leave, to prevent abuse by employees. Then there is the introduction of a statutory guide for wrongful dismissal, up to one year's pay. Unfair dismissal is introduced for the first time as well. Under this provision you can get a basic award of up to twelve months and a compensatory award, combining both up to eighteen months for the manner of the dismissal. Coming up next is the Minimum Wage Bill, the Occupational Health and Safety Bill and then a bill to create an Industrial Court. The Trade Unions are angry about all of this and led a protest on Wednesday 19 July from the Southern Recreation ground. Present were Leroy 'Duke' Hanna, President of the National Congress of Trade Unions and Obie Ferguson, President of the Bahamas Trade Union Congress. The new bill has one provision that ought to be welcomed and that is the provision for equal pay and non-discrimination on the grounds of gender, politics, and race. Employers are extremely upset about the cost of all of this on their bottom line. But the bull in the China shop is pressing right ahead. Look out: rocks ahead! The photo by this Senator shows the leaders in prayer before they began their march.
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CRACKS IN THE LABOUR MOVEMENT?
Some folk in the PLP are concerned that yet another crack may be appearing in the labour movement despite the departure of Thomas Bastian, the former President of the powerful Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union who hated Obie Ferguson of the TUC with a passion. The talk is that the hotel workers now President Pat Bain is not too happy about the Union's final protests on this Labour Bill. He and Bahamasair Union President Frank Carter are said to be more satisfied than not with the changes in the Employment Bill. The Prime Minister in his inimitable way is going around describing some labour leaders as dumb and others as intelligent and reasonable. Translation: if you agree with Ingraham you are intelligent and reasonable, if not you are dumb. We must be careful not to allow this goat to divide and conquer the movement. Let's stick together fellows!
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A POEM BY SIMONE RUSSELL
Mr. & Mrs. Gary Russell forwarded a poem to this columnist by their daughter Simone. We pass it on to our readers. It shows that our young people are concerned about the future of our country. Thanks to the Russell family. The Russells hail from Grand Bahama.

Poem Preview
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JOHN CAREY ON WHY HE IS A PLP
We publish this note from PLP Candidate John Carey. He has been given the nod to represent the PLP in the Carmichael Constituency. He is already hard at work, doing house to house. He has his own bumper stickers out and buttons. He is a young and refreshing candidate, a marketing man with Texaco Bahamas Limited, soon to go into his own business. We have a link to his columns in the Nassau Guardian at the head of this site. Thanks John Carey.

John Carey - Why I Am A PLP

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FRED MITCHELL TO SPEAK AT ANTIOCH COLLEGE
This columnist graduated with a Bachelor's degree in English Literature from Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio in June 1974, some 26 years ago. One of his best friends there at the time was Kathryn Leary. Ms. Leary (would you believe it?) has Bahamian roots. Her father's family emigrated from Eleuthera. Ms. Leary later worked in The Bahamas. She now has her own firm KD Leary & Associates, an international public relations and marketing firm, headquartered in New York. She has been commissioned to run the Summer Entrepreneurship Institute at Antioch for the second year in a row. She has invited this columnist to come to Antioch for three days to speak about the development of this web site as a tool in politics. This columnist and assistant Lee Davis will travel to Ohio from 8 August to 13 August.
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PLP AT US DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION
A delegation of the PLP will travel to the US Democratic Party Convention in Los Angeles, California from 13 August to 18 August. Party Chair Senator Obie Wilchcombe will lead the delegation. This Senator and MP Philip Galanis are to join Senator Wilchcombe.
 

FRANKLIN WILSON TRUSTEE OF ELMIRA COLLEGE

Dr. Thomas Meiar, President of Elmira College, in Elmira, New York has announced that Franklyn R. Wilson, former MP, Senator and now Chairman of Arawak homes has been elected to the Board of Trustees of the prestigious college. He is the first non-American to be so elected. Mr. Wilson is pictured. Mr. Wilson's son Franon is an alumnus of the College.
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SYLVIA JOHNSON DIES; FR. PATRICK HOLMES DIES 
Mrs. Sylvia Johnson, wife of the former Member of Parliament Oscar Johnson Sr. died in Miami on Saturday 15 July. She had been living there being treated for a long illness. She is survived by five children including the Speaker of the House of Assembly Italia Johnson. Long time Catholic priest Fr. Patrick Holmes was found dead in his room on Sunday 16 July. He was 70 years old. Fr. Holmes had been ailing for some time.

BAHAMAS OBSERVER STATUS AT WTO
Several years too late, the Bahamas has been admitted to observer status in the General Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The Bahamas under the PLP made the mistake of not involving itself in the WTO and so has to meet several stringent criteria to get into the WTO. Given our reliance on customs duties this may prove painful. But this is the direction in which to go. The announcement was made by the Bahamas Information Services on Monday 17 July.
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MOODY'S DOWNGRADES SUN'S STOCK
More bad news for Sol Kerzner and Sun International, the international credit rating company Moody's has decided that Sun's stock isn't the safe bet that it once was and has downgraded the stock rating. They say that profits have been lagging for the company, a complaint with which Mr. Kerzner no doubt agrees.The bright spot is that the rating would have been worse reduced if it had not been for the relatively strong performance of the Atlantis property in Paradise Island.
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CALL FOR INDEPENDENCE COMMITTEE TO RESIGN
Bahamians generally thought that this year's independence celebrations were the most lacklustre in years. Anglican Clergyman Rev. Fr. Sebastian Campbell who is also head of the National Heroes Day Committee has now called for the resignation of the entire Independence Day Celebration Committee headed by veteran civil servant Harold Munnings. Fr. Campbell said that it was obvious that the Committee had run out of ideas. He said that the Committee is impotent and had lost its sense of direction. The call was reported in The Tribune of Monday 17 July. Most Bahamians agree with him. Actually, Fr. Campbell would make an ideal Chair of a new Committee
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COMMONWEALTH BANK PROFITS UP
Chairman of Commonwealth Bank Tim Donaldson has announced a growth in profits of 34 per cent for the half-year period to 30 June. They are smiling all the way to the Bank. The report came on Monday 17 June in The Tribune.
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CENTRAL BANK ON THE ECONOMY
Julian Francis, the Governor of the Central Bank, is boasting about how well the economy is doing. He risks the criticism that he is an agent of the Government in this regard and that the Central Bank should not be so much involved in the political promotion of the economy. The Bank's quarterly review shows strong revenue gains in the first quarter of the year. The reserves grew by 19.3 per cent. On television this past week the Governor said that the reserves now stand at $450 million, down about 25 million from last year this time but he did not think that was alarming. The reserves are the amount of US currency on hand at the Bank, amounting to at least three months of imports to The Bahamas. These reserves back up the creditworthiness of the Bahamian dollar at one to one for each US dollar.
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STAN SMITH IN BEIJING
It was quite an odyssey for a young man, and came out of the blue. Stan Smith who works at Gwendolyn House and is a lawyer in training at the University of the West Indies in Barbados got to spend five days in Beijing, and while he did not exercise the energy to see Tianamen Square in the day time nor travel to visit the Great Wall, he did have a keen and educational time in the city. The points he raises are the stark contrast of modern high rise buildings and squalid poverty. There are modern super powered vehicles but the transportation of choice is the bicycle, which clogs the streets.  The Chinese food, he claims, does not match the Chinese food sold in this country (Can you believe that?) Of course the food here is stylized to meet western tastes. Further, he points out the omnipresence of the police five to a group everywhere in Beijing making it appear militaristic and oppressive. Further the capital city of China is so hot that thousands of people abandon their homes at night and simply sleep on the sidewalks.  He also says that one remarkable feature is the sky is gray because of air pollution. It gives people sinus problems and burns your eyes. And he calls it the "hawking" capital of the world, the onomatopoeic way of describing the sound of sputum being brought up from the throat and spat out on the ground. He said the spitting is ubiquitous.  Then he reports that just before national heroes' day in Beijing, the Government shuts down the factories for three weeks before the day and the sky turns blue again. The pictures he brought back are the scene on the street of bicycles and in a Chinese restaurant with friend Serina Cheung; Stan on the streets of Beijing with school children. Also a Chinese waiter with the unusual teapot which can serve the tea without stretching over the guest because of the long handle. Welcome back home Stan.
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DENTRY MORTIMER ADDED TO DAVIS CUP TEAM
The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association has announced the team for the Davis Cup this year will include Dentry Mortimer. Mr. Mortimer was just involved in a fight at the Esso Junior Championship. Speculation was that he would be disciplined for fighting by a suspension. But clearly his talent has overridden that. The other members are Captain Roger Smith, player Mark Knowles and Mark Merklein.
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A FINAL WORD ON THE BLACKLIST
The Bahamas has been caught with its pants down on this matter and the financial sector is reeling.  It shows again the soundness of our advice many months ago about a national think tank on these issues to predict where in the market we should be. The Government must take the blame. The Uncle Toms that run the Government who have been praising and defending their decision to put the racist former Finance Minister Stafford Sands on the ten dollar bill are now presiding over the destruction of the system that the master put in place. Have a good week. Week we leave you with a Tribune photo of Cynthia Mother Pratt MP PLP and her basketball camp.
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^{NEWS FROM GRAND BAHAMA} 
Labour Moves - Several moves on the labour front in Grand Bahama this week. In a Nassau speech to a Rotary Club, Pat Bain, the new President of the Hotel Workers Union said that there would be no more layoffs from his union's bargaining unit from the Resorts at Bahamia (formerly Princess Hotels). The Resorts at Bahamia have been laying off staff since being taken over by the Driftwood Group some months ago. Mr. Bain described the hotel labour situation in Grand Bahama as "in flux" and said it would probably remain so for another 18 months. In another labour development, The Lucayan Hotel announced a 'joint venture' with the Department of Labour to launch a recruitment programme for workers at the Lucaya strip. Spokesmen talked of 1500 jobs becoming available at the Lucayan with a target of 800 on staff by a soft opening scheduled for December. "Bahamians" said the spokesman, would be given first preference.
 

Asylum Process Studied - Representatives from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) have visited Grand Bahama to conduct a seminar on the process of determining refugee status. Various members of the Bahamas Immigration Department and the Royal Bahamas Police Force attended the seminar. A UNHCR spokesman said a refugee is someone forced to leave his or her country due to persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution.
 

Counterfeit Scare Continues - Merchants remained wary of counterfeit Bahamian currency in Grand Bahama this week, with cashiers routinely scanning bank notes for telltale signs of fakery. Police announced they have now confiscated in excess of $20,000 in bogus bills and expect to find more.

 Drug Bust, Again - Impressionistic evidence that drug running is again on the rise in the community (the reappearance of certain types of boats, cars & jewellery etc.) is being underscored by large drug busts. Little more than a week after seizing 46 bales of marijuana; drug police in Grand Bahama intercepted a shipment of cocaine said to be worth some $25 million off the central settlement of Smith's Point. A helicopter chased four people aboard this drug boat (pictured) until they beached the boat and escaped on foot into the bush.