Jamaica Times Newspaper Jan-Feb 2015

8/9/2019 Jamaica Times Newspaper Jan-Feb 2015

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JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2015 jamaicatimesuk.com follow us on facebook and tw

FREE DISTRIBUTED NATIONWCOMMUNITY NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR

TIME FOR ACTION ONORGAN DONATION

AS BLACK PEOPLE REMAIN UNDER-REPRESENTED ON THE ORGAN DONOR REGISTER, CAMPAIGNERS CALL FOR A CHANGE IN ATTI

CAMPAIGNERS have ramped up their efforts to get more

black people on the blood, bone marrow and organ dona-

tions registers.

They say black people are dying needlessly because there

aren’t enough donors. A new campaign has been launched

to encourage members of the community to join the donation

registers. Donor Paul Francis (pictured below) says knowing

that he helped to save a life is the most fulfilling feeling. He is

encouraging those who are still sceptical to fight their fears

and join the register. See pages 4-5 for details

BLACK PEOPLE ARE DYING WAI-ING FOR RANSPLANS WHILE

HE COMMUNIY OPS OU

TAMPA, United States (CMC

my award-winning Jama

gae artiste Buju Banton ha

appeal to have his convic

turned to secure a new tria

With this ruling, that was hain a Florida court, Buju Bant

given name is Mark Myrie, wto serve his 10-year prison se

He is currently serving a sentence for his conviction on

conspiracy to distribute cocainBuju is scheduled to be r

2019, however he filed his ofrom prison asking to be releunder a recent change in fe

sentencing guidelines.He was convicted in Febr

days after he won a Grammyhis album, “Before the Dawn.”

Miss Jamaica UK Rianna Simmons has a very busy year ahead. From Nottinghill Carnival to

Charity work, she’s got it all to do and she’s up to the tasks. See page 19

RIANNA PREPARES FOR BUSY YEAR AFTER PAGEANT SUCCESS

HOW WILL YOU VOTE IN MAY?

Conserva

Te Labour Party has traditionally won the bulk of the black vote. Have they been appealing enough to convince you to staythe course? What about the ories and their immigration policies, have they done anything to entice you? Te Lib Dem doesnot have a single black representative, could they get the nod? See the next issue of Jamaica Times for a detailed analysis andpreview of likely voting patterns in the May general elections.

Buju Banton’s

appeal for newBy David Sortie

News Correspondent


2/24

JAMAICAJanuary - February 20152 NEWS www.jamaicatimesuk.com

Attorney-at-Law

ALL ASPECTS OF JAMAICAN LAW

B a r b a r a J. L e d g i s t e r

Tenancy Agreements . Purchasing Property in Jamaica

Selling Property in Jamaica

Obtaining Registered Title for Land in Jamaica

Obtaining Surveyors Report . Surveying Property

Making A Will . Probating/Administrating of an Estate

Divorce and Other Related Matters . Matrimonial Settlement

Serving Notices . Registering a Company

Obtaining Marriage, Birth & Death CertificatesLitigation in both Magistrates & Supreme Court

Personal Injury Claims/Fatal Accident Claims

Including

‘Your link with legal Jamaica’

Shakespeare Business Centre, 245A Coldharbour Lane, BrixtonLondon, SW9 8RR England

Tel: 020 3617 8845 Fax: 020 7738 4549Email: [email protected] Website: www.barbarajledgister.com

AGENTS ROBERTSON SMITH LEDGISTER & CO. ATTORNEYS -AT-LAW

A 13 year-old boy rummaged

through the drawers of a dying

man just moments after he had

been stabbed, a court heard.

The 5ft 5in tall teenager is accusedof murdering 39 year-old Martin

Thomas for his phone, camera andlaptop. The boy, who is now 14 can-

not be named for legal reasons, isone of the youngest murder sus-

pects ever to stand trial at the OldBailey. He allegedly took part in the

planned knifepoint robbery with twoolder friends, 16 and 20, in Roe-

hampton, southwest London, on April 22 last year. Mr Thomas, de-scribed as a ‘quiet man with no en-

emies’, was knifed once in the chestand four times in the back during

the attack.The boy was seen going into the

house, wearing a distinctive deer-stalker hat, the Old Bailey heard.

Jurors were told this was found inthe hallway with the victim’s blood

on it.The 16-year-old had also left

blood from a cut on his right index

finger around the house, including inthe stairwell of the house, the court

heard.The defendant, who was 15 at the

time of the murder and is from Put-ney, south London, is on trial along

with two others, a 14-year-old boy,who was 13 at the time of the death,

and 20-year-old Odel Munroe, ofWandsworth High Street, south-west London.

They all deny Mr Thomas’s mur-der and robbing him of a phone,

laptop and video camera.Prosecutor Jonathan Rees QC

said the 16-year-old hada series of calls and tex

victim - a “quiet” and “pman - in the days leadin

killing.He said Mr Thomas, w

the same college as M

contacted the boy five t April, once on the 20th, s

21 April and four times othe murder. It was uncle

contact was about, Mr RThe prosecutor said th

old defendant had beena neighbour and caugh

wearing the deerstalkermurder, while the other tants were seen crouchin

car before running into thThe trial continues.

Teenagers on trial for murd

The Jamaican High Commission,

on the occasion of Jamaica’s 53rd

Anniversary of Independence, willhost a special Service of Praise andThanksgiving on Saturday, 25th

July 2015, starting at 11 o’clock atthe Emmanuel Centre 9-23 Marsh-

am Street, London SW1P 3DW.While every effort will be made to

welcome as many Jamaicans and

Friends of Jamaica as possible, the

capacity for the venue is 1,000. Con-

sequently, seating will be on a firstcome first serve basis.Once the capacity of the Emma-

nuel Centre is reached, we will notbe able to allow additional access to

the building owing to the health andsafety regulations.

Persons planning to attend the

service are being asked

ed by 10: 45 a.m. and to

instructions of the steushers. Please note that tthe Centre will close at 1

to facilitate the prompt service.

Your usual kind coopequested.

Independence church service July

Nominations Open For Jamaica Times Community Award 20THE NOMINATION process for the Ja-

maica Times Community Award 2015

has been opened.

Members of the public are being invitedto make recommendations as to which

individuals and organisations in the com-munity are deserving of an award for their

work in the community.The awards span various sectors and

categories and seek to honour outstand-

ing work and service.This year marks the second staging of

the awards. In 2014 more than 20 awardswere presented to members of the com-

munity at a glitzy ceremony attended bythe Jamaican High Commissioner and

other dignitaries.The nomination process is open to Ja-

maicans from all walks of life from acrossthe United Kingdom.

Strong emphasis will be placed on the

sectors in which Jamaicans engage inbusiness including the food trade, hair

and beauty and the health sector.

Managing Director of Jamaica Times Andrew Clunis said: “We are quite excitedthat the nominations process has opened

so soon. This will give people far moretime to be able to get their nominations

in. We will then ask a special commit-tee to finalise a short list from which the

eventual winners will be chosen. There

was an overwhelming number of nomi-nations last year and that is likely to be

the case again this year. There were peo-ple who were short-listed but did not win

on the night and they are welcome to benominated once again. We are looking forthe best from the community so no one i s

excluded. The awards are based on merit

so if there has been excellence in work orservice, we welcome such nominations.”

Once again the awards function will

take the form of an evening dinner withlive entertainment and dancing. A special

entertainment package is being preparedwhich will pay homage to some of the

biggest names in reggae and lovers rock

music in the UK.“I saw the pride in the eyes of last

year’s winners when they were presentedwith their awards. There are many people

who have been working quietly over theyears and are never recognised. Theseawards are for these unsung heroes. I

think about those who work in the med-

ical charities for example, giving back totheir community and giving back theircountry of origin. This is the kind of phi-

lanthropy that we try to encourage,” saidMr Clunis.

Details of the date and venue of theevent will be published at a later date.

Readers are also being encouraged tosuggest other categories

as well as candidatesfor Lifetime Achievement Awards.

CATEGORIES

1. Organisation of the Year

2. Charity of the Year3. Takeaway Restaurant of the Yea

4. Dine-in Restaurant of the Year

5. Religious Leader of the Year

6. Entrepreneur of the Year

7. Young Leader of the Year

8. Teacher of the Year

9. Nurse of the Year

10. Political Representative of the Y

11. Legal Representative of the Year

12. Radio Station of the Year13. DJ of the Year

14. Reggae Artist of the Year

Please send nominations

and qualifying statement to

[email protected]

High Commissioner Her Excellency Mrs Aloun Assamba is joined by Mr Leonard

Mahipalimudali of NCB in presenting entertainer Count Prine Miller with his Lifetime

Achievement Award at last year’s function.


3/24

JAMAICA TIMES January - February 2015 NEwww.jamaicatimesuk.comJAMAICA TIMES January - February 2015 NEwww.jamaicatimesuk.com

Miami, Florida: Digicel Diaspora is de-

lighted to announce that the grand prizewinner of the “Christmas On Us” promo-

tion, Princesse Nadine Beauchamp, willdrive away in a brand new SUV after she

sent Digicel Top Up to her family backhome in Haiti.

Princesse is a resident of Miami, Flor-

ida and regularly sends Digicel Top Up toher husband, cousins, adopted children

and Godchildren living back home in Hai-ti. She will collect her prize at the Little

Haiti Cultural Centre during the Big Nightin Little Haiti free concert and art event

tomorrow, Friday 16th January.Digicel Diaspora CEO, Declan Cassidy,

said; “We are thrilled with the outcome ofthe eight week promotion which saw hun-

dreds of families coming together during

the Christmas season. We gave custom-

ers a total of 14 round trip American Air-lines tickets, so that they could share the

joy of the Christmas with their familiesback home. Also, over US$45,000 in cash

was granted to 22 lucky winners.”Other winners included Sharna Kissop-

ersad, was thrilled when she won two

round trip American Airlines tickets. Shesaid; “I wasn’t expecting to be home

with family for Christmas, but, thanks toDigicel, I enjoyed the holidays with my

loved ones and for that I am truly grateful.I use Digicel Top Up to send minutes all

the time because it is quick and easy, soI encourage my friends and family to use

it as well.” Andre Etienne was also happy to have

won US$5,000 cash after he sent Top

Up to a friend, saying; “I sent Digicel

Top up to a friend in St. Lucia and thendays later I got a call saying that I won

US$5,000 cash. Thank you Digicel!”Digicel is committed to keeping fami-

ly and friends abroad connected to thoseat home in the Caribbean via onlinetop up where they can log on to www.

digicelgroup.com or download the Digi-cel Top Up App in the app store to send

top up or minutes. Customers can alsogo into any of Digicel’s thousands of au-

thorised retail locations across the US,Canada and the UK and purchase Digicel

top up or send Digicel minutes to friendsand relatives in their home country. All

Digicel top up transactions during theeight weeks qualified for the promotion.

Digicel makes Princesse a precious winner

The Community needs 100,000 sig-

natures online for Black History to

be taught in primary and secondary

schools and the deadline is 10th of

February 2015.

As of January 6, 27,387 signatures

were secured and HM Government

has responded by agreeing in princi-

ple that students should learn about

different cultures, but in order for the

inclusion of Black History to be con-

sidered by the Backbench Business

Committee 100,000 signatures are

needed by 10th February.

Campaigners have increased their ef-

forts to garner the signatures and have

pointed out how detrimental failure to

get to the magic number will be.

A spokesperson said: “I hope you

agree that sound knowledge of our his-

tory is key to our children’s education in

their formative years so we appeal toyou to sign the online petition at: epe-

titions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/60635.

The government responded to the

petition with the following statement.

“The Government believes that as part

of a broad and balanced curriculum,

pupils should learn about different cul-

tures, and about how different groups

have contributed to the development of

Britain. The content and structure of the

new history curriculum provides plenty

of scope for black history to b

However, this is not prescrib

within the statutory programm

Instead schools have the flexib

with these topics in ways that

priate and sensitive to the ne

pupils.

Specifically in the history p

of study, in primary, Rosa Park

Seacole are listed at key stag

amples of significant individ

past that pupils could be tau

who have contributed to natio

ternational achievements. At k

pupils should be taught about

ropean society that provides

with British history - one stu

from: early Islamic civilization

a study of Baghdad c. AD900;

ilization c. AD900; Benin (Wes

AD900 -1300.

Pupils can develop these opfurther at secondary school stage 3 includes the examplepact through time of the migraple to, from and within the Britwell as Indian independence Empire. In addition, in Citizenstage 4, pupils should be tathe diverse national, regionaand ethnic identities in the Udom and the need for mutual understanding. The new natiolum, including the programmfor history, can be found at thsite: http://tinyurl.com/oh9swh

Race against time f

black history petitio


4/24

JAMAICAJanuary - February 20154 FEATURE www.jamaicatimesuk.com

There are now 30 times more white peo-

ple than African-Caribbean people on

the bone marrow register, blood cancercharity Anthony Nolan has revealed. This

is causing black people with leukaemia tomiss out on their only chance of survival,

as only 20% of them will find a perfectmatch.

New research suggests the lack of black

people who are willing to donate theirstem cells (or bone marrow) may be due

to poor awareness, combined with the in-tegral role that family networks play with-in African-Caribbean cultures, according

to a YouGov survey commissioned by Anthony Nolan.

The charity is launching a campaigntogether with the African-Caribbean Leu-

kaemia Trust (ACLT) to boost the numbers

of black donors, backed by celebrities

including David Harewood MBE, Richard

Blackwood and Wretch 32.Only 1 in 3 would be supportive if a

young family member donated stem cells

The survey of 4,600 people revealedthat just over one in three black re-

spondents (37%) would be supportive ifa young family member (16-21) wanted

to donate stem cells, compared to nearlytwo-thirds (64%) of the overall sample.

Over a third of black people surveyed(35%) felt that donating for 16-17 yearolds should require parental permission

and nearly one in four (24%) felt that peo-ple aged 16-21 are too young to make

this decision alone – again, higher thanaverage and other ethnic groups.

Nearly one in ten black respondents

(8%) said their family wouldn’t approve

of donating stem cells – compared to just

1% of the total population, and 12% ofblack people also viewed donating stem

cells as a ‘dangerous activity’, the highestof any ethnicity.

Currently, there are around 550,000people on the Anthony Nolan register

but only 2.8% of these people are Afri-can-Caribbean.

‘I got a mixed reaction – people kepttelling me not to do it’

Anderson Hall, 40, from Luton, wasfaced with misconceptions and distrustwithin his community, when he told

people he was donating his stem cellsto save the life of a child overseas after

signing up at an ACLT donor drive.“When I told people in my commu-

nity what I was doing, I found that a lotof people didn’t know anything about

it and they were very apprehensive,”said Anderson, who donated stem cells

in December 2013. “I definitively gota mixed reaction, particularly from theolder generation - but there was also a

lack of knowledge even in the youngergeneration, which surprised me. People

kept telling me not to do it or to not getinvolved with these things. They were

worried about the kind of side effectsit could have and how it could have a

detrimental effect on my health.“But for me it was just an amazing

experience and a privilege to have achance to change someone’s destiny

and give a family hope.”Worryingly, over a third (34%) of the

older black generation, aged 35 and

over, mistakenly associated donating

stem cells with ‘cloning’, compared to just 18% of the overall sample.

But the survey indicates that there’s

even less awareness of stem cell dona-tion among the younger groups. Just

18% of young black people aged 16-34 associated donating stem cells with

‘lifesaving’ and 14% associated it with‘leukaemia’. Nearly one in five (18%)of the younger black generation have

heard donating is painful, compared to

2% of those over 35.

‘Finding a donor was like looking for aneedle in a haystack – we felt helpless’

The BeingAfricanCaribbean campaign,

run by Anthony Nolan and ACLT, aims totackle the donor shortage by educating

elders and influencers, as well as youngpeople, within black communities.

Beverley De-Gale OBE, co-founder of ACLT, remembers the struggle she faced

to find a donor for her late son Daniel.“Like so many other families from ethnicminority communities, we faced an ago-

nising wait to find a matching donor forour son; the odds were stacked against

us, as we were told that there were only550 black people on the Anthony Nolan

register at that time, despite years ofcampaigning. The pool of people was tiny,

it was like looking for a needle in a hay-stack. We felt helpless.”

Beverley De-Gale and Orin Lewis setup the ACLT to fight for their son and oth-ers like him. Daniel became the UK’s first

black stem cell transplant recipient aftersuccessfully finding a donor, but tragically

died of an unrelated condition aged just21.

Beverley added: “The answer to thisheartbreaking situation is in our own

communities. We need the next gener-ation of young black lifesavers to step

up and join the Anthony Nolan registertoday.”

Richard Blackwood, who is joining Eas-tenders next month and rapper Wretch 32have also lent their voices to the cam-

paign in a new video.

‘Black people are dying – not becausetheir donor isn’t out there, but becausethat person never joined the register’

Overall, black people are around threetimes less likely than white people to

find a donor who is a perfect match. AnnO’Leary from Anthony Nolan has warned

of the life-threatening inequalities facedby black people waiting for a donor.

“It is heartbreaking that African-Car-

ibbean people may be literally dying, not

SAVE A LIFE: JOIN THE BO

Paul Francis, a Romford local, joined the Anthony Nolan bone marrow register atan African-Caribbean Leukaemia Trust

(ACLT) registration drive in 2003 - butlast year he was called up to save a

stranger’s life by donating his stem cells.Stem cell (or bone marrow) trans-

plants are vital in the treatment of leu-kaemia and other blood cancers – often

they are someone’s last chance of sur-vival.

‘I spoke to Eddie Nestor from BBC Ra-

dio London and he told me about the lackof people of colour on the register and itwas shocking,’ Paul explained.

‘I just thought I’ve got to sign up - it’ssomething that’s bigger than me. My

nephew had leukaemia and things likethat just act as a wake up call. When

someone else needs help and all I have todo is give a bit of blood, it doesn’t seem

like a big thing to me.’Currently, because there aren’t enough

African Caribbean people like Paul on the

Anthony Nolan register, it meyou’re African Caribbean and bone marrow transplant, you

than a 20% chance of findinpossible, lifesaving match.

‘The need for African-Caribple to join the register is clear

nurses taking my injections into the donation told me in 7 y

the first black person she hadon to donate, which is alarmin

Paul is now supporting a ca

“I joined the register and helped to

For more information about the ‘Being Afri-can-Caribbean’ campaign and to join the Antho-ny Nolan register go to www.anthonynolan.org/africancaribbean. For more information aboutACLT, go to www.aclt.org.


5/24

JAMAICA TIMES January - February 2015 FEATwww.jamaicatimesuk.com

MARROW REGISTER TODAY Anderson Hall, 40, from Luton, signed upto the Anthony Nolan register at the V2Vchurch in Wembley in 2007, pledging todonate his stem cells (or bone marrow)

if he ever came up as a match for astranger with blood cancer in desperate

need of a transplant. Years later, he wascalled up to save a little boy’s life.

Anderson says, “A young African-Car-ibbean boy called Tomi Afolabi from the

area was in desperate need a bone mar-row match and there was a recruitment

event at my local church in Wembley,held by the African-Caribbean LeukaemiaTrust.”

“The ACLT were asking for more do-nors to sign up to the Anthony Nolan

register and at the time me and my wife just thought it was the least we could do

for this boy. Very sadly he passed awayas a donor was never found.”

“It became very real and close tohome when I thought about the other

person who would be receiving the bonemarrow. I’ve got kids and god forbid if

it happened to my kids I would wantsomeone to help them.”

“I had a little pain in the lower back

and some stiffness and tiredness andhad to rest up a bit. It wasn’t as bad I

imagined at all. It was just an amazingexperience and a privilege to have a

chance to change someone’s destinyand give another family hope.”

Anderson later discovered that hisbone marrow had been used to save the

life of a young child overseas.“I received a card from the child’s

parents. It was really exciting, touchingand emotional card. They were saying Iwas a blessing to them and it all became

very real. As I have my own kids it wasvery powerful for me when I found out

the child is at the beginning of their life. Igave a child the chance to continue their

journey through life.”Currently, because there aren’t

enough African Caribbean people like Anderson on the Anthony Nolan regis-ter, it means that if you’re African Car-

ibbean and in need of a bone marrowtransplant, you have a less than a 20%

chance of finding the best possible, life-saving match.

Anderson is now supporting a cam-

paign by Anthony Nolan and the AfricanCaribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT) called‘Being African-Caribbean’, which aims toincrease the numbers of African-Caribbe-

an donors on the bone marrow register.“After I heard the stats around the lack

of African-Caribbean donors I found itvery concerning. There is a real lack of

awareness, people just don’t know aboutit. Our culture is a very laid back and we

believe ‘what will be, will be’ but we needto get up and make things happen.

“I hope everyone gets behind thiscampaign because we need to create op-portunity for people to save lives, there is

room for everyone to play their part” A few years later, Anderson got a call

he never expected – he was a match forsomeone else.

“As time went on I just forgot aboutit really but one day I came home and

we saw a letter had come through thepost from Anthony Nolan. We had initial

nerves, maybe a little hesitant but mostly just very surprised. It was the fear of the

unknown – we were just clueless as towhat was involved.

“I spoke to a lady at Anthony Nolan andshe was really reassuring, they walkedme through the whole process and send

me more information in the panxiety and nerves just went that. I fully understood what I winto and I understood the imp

it all.” Anderson was then called t

don Clinic in December 2013donated bone marrow und

anaesthetic. Only 10% of dostill done this way, with the

of stem cell donations beingthrough the bloodstream in

that’s very similar to giving blo

Anthony Nolan and the African CaribbeanLeukaemia Trust (ACLT) called ‘Being Af-rican-Caribbean’, which aims to increase

the numbers of African-Caribbean donorson the bone marrow register.

‘For anyone out there who is scared orworried that there’s this big needle going

into your back – it’s absolutely nothinglike that at all. Would I do this again, if I

was asked? In a heartbeat.’‘We cannot blame anyone but our-

selves for this statistic. What are we

afraid of? It is so simple to do. Yes, I wasaching a little, yes, I was tired, but sowhat? If you went to a club or gym you

would feel exactly the same.’‘You never know who it could affect. I

haven’t done it because a family mem-ber was sick, I did it because someone,

somewhere was sick. So sometimesthat call could come closer to home to

you. Don’t wait for that to happen.’

eone’s life” - Paul Francis

“My bone marrow donation saved a little boy’s life” - Anderson


6/24

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JAMAICAJanuary - February 20156 FEATURE www.jamaicatimesuk.com

LAST YEAR, they celebrated reggae iconBob Marley’s 69th birthday by naming the

Bob Marley Museum in Jamaica as theirfirst affiliate, and this year the GrammyMuseum has decided to step it up a notch

by officially declaring February 6 as BobMarley Day at the international museum.

The decision was disclosed in a recentinterview with the Grammy Museum’s di-

rector, Bob Santelli. While admitting thatthere was nothing special being planned

to celebrate the icon’s 70th - which fallson February 6 - at this year’s Grammy

Awards, set to take place at the StaplesCentre in Los Angeles on February 8,

Santelli said the Grammy Museum wasnevertheless dedicated to commemorat-ing the milestone in their own way.

“The Grammy Museum will mark the70th anniversary of Bob Marley’s birth by

proclaiming February 6 ‘Bob Marley Day’at the Grammy Museum,” Santelli said.

He went on to heap praises on the latereggae icon, saying that more than three

decades after his death, his music is stillas powerful today as it was when he was

alive. “Even with his passing more than30 years ago, Marley’s music remains as

powerful and as important as ever, and ifBob Marley were alive today, his musicwould continue to resonate around the

world.” Almost a year after the Bob Marley

Museum was named as the first affiliateof the Grammy Museum, Santelli said

that the partnership has been fruitful andshould continue throughout the years.

“Both museums will continue its part-nership,” he said. “Over the past year,

the Grammy Museum has conductednumerous classes, teaching the music

and legacy of Bob Marley to Los Angelesschoolchildren, and that has been highlysuccessful.”

As a result of the successful partner-ship between the two organisations, and

also commemorating the 70th birthdaycelebrations, Santelli revealed that plans

to install a new Bob Marley exhibit arecurrently under way.

“We’re also planning a new Bob Mar-ley exhibit that will tour in the UnitedStates and Brazil in the coming months,

so that is something to look forward toas well.”

There are many celebrations beingplanned around the world to celebrate

Bob Marley’s 70th. The annual birthdaycelebrations for Jamaica’s off-beat am-

bassador will pack an extra punch thisyear as islanders and visitors come to-

gether to commemorate the music leg-end. In the first week of February, at ven-ues across the island, there will be live

performances and exhibitions, and thetown of Negril will host the 23rd annual

Bob Marley Birthday Bash: a five-day fes-tival featuring international reggae acts,

tribute shows, art and food. The Bob Mar-ley Museum in Kingston – the singer’s

former home – which closed its doors inOctober 2014 for renovation, will reopen

in time to hold its own special Earth-strong celebration on Marley’s birthday, 6

February.

Bob Marley: The Go


7/24


8/24

JAMAICAJanuary - February 20158 LETTERS www.jamaicatimesuk.com

Dear Sir,

It is disgraceful the way how the govern-ment of the UK has turned a blind eye tothe massacres in Nigeria by Boko Haram.

There is all this talk about the shootingsin France. What about the black people in

Nigeria? Why is there such strong racismwhen it comes to black people in this day

and age?

Malcolm, Brixton

Dear Malcolm,

I agree that the response to the atrocities

by Boko Haram has been poor. The at-tacks by terrorists in France was equally

wrong. I think there has to come a timewhen balance is found and people can

find space to agree to disagree on issues

whether its religion or culture.

Dear Sir,

It was really pleasing to hear that the

murder rate in Jamaica declined lastyear. However it is equally disturbing to

see what has been happening since thestart of this year. Jamaica needs a com-prehensive plan to mange crime. I am not

seeing that at the moment. As a servingoffice in the Metropolitan Police I under-

stand the challenges that exist. It is im-portant to get fresh perspectives at times.

We cannot allow our country to be heldto ransom by criminals. I urge those in

authority to become bold enough to taketough decisions and correct the wrongs.

Tom, Wembley

Dear Tom,

I understand and share your frustration.Many of us wish for the day when we

can go to Jamaica and enjoy the coun-try without fear. There have been several

measures put in place by the governmentto address the crime problem. Whetherthey are bearing fruit remains to be seen.

But it is vitally important that the matteris given high priority because a country

cannot become prosperous if its citizenslive in fear.

Dear Sir,

The general elections in Britain are loom-

ing. It will be very interesting to see how

the voting will go. It is disgraceful that wedo not have one black person vying for aposition of real power in these elections.

When are we going to become relevant inBritish politics and British society.

Richard, Birmingham

Dear Richard,

You raise some very important questions.It is true that we don’t see members of

our community rising to the highest po-litical levels in Britain. It appears that

this is one of the areas where the glassceiling remains. There is representation

at the local government level but notin central government. Someone like

Diane Abbott who has been in the par-

liament for so long should be inspiringyoung people from our community to

enter representational politics. We havea great need at present but we have to

hold the hope that soon we will have ourvery own Barack Obama.

Dear Sir,

I have often wondered why it is only Asian people who sell the food that we

eat as a community. I go around Londonand I am amazed that it is only people of

Asian background who sell yam and ba-nana. The interesting this is that I never

see any Asians in the shops bgoods. Where did we go wrong

that we have lost ownership of such a vital industry like foo

Gloria, Wood Green

Dear Gloria,

I understand your concerns .quite clearly and it is easy to s

raise the points you do. I amof anything that is preventing

of our own community from in the retail food trade. I supp

people see opportunities they The situation is what it is at thThere are a few black peopl

selling fresh food. Perhaps want to seek them out and su

Dear Sir,

I find it strange that after so m

in office the Prime Minister has not paid an official visit to

it that we don’t matter? I knowvery large Jamaican populatio

we send home a lot in terms ofes. I really cannot understanhas never taken the time to

and speak and interact with she can do better than that.

Angela, Croydon

Dear Angela,

I cannot speak for the gove

your concerns may be betterto the Jamaican High Commis Aloun Assamba, who is very

such matters. It would be grthe Prime Minister here in th

am pretty confident it will some point. I will make enquir

behalf and keep you posted.

HEAR ME OUT


9/24

JAMAICA TIMES January - February 2015 OPINIOwww.jamaicatimesuk.com

2015 has sprung afresh with possibilities and promises. An interesting 12

months lie ahead, at the end of which there will be judgement calls and

analyses as to whether things changed, or they remained the same.

Some results will be easily measured, others less so. The real accounts

will be given in the way people’s lives have been transformed, for better or

worse. This is a benchmark year in the UK. There is a big general election

looming. It will be one of the most important polls for a long time.

The political atmosphere is super charged. The pace has not slowed since

the Scottish referendum in which the Scottish people voted to remain part

of the United Kingdom. Some political factions are still smarting from that

result and will have everything to prove come May. It will be payback time.

The election campaign is being fought on several fronts. The economy, the

NHS, foreign policy primarily immigration are the main battleground issues.

These are all areas that affect the black community as much as anyone else.

What is disturbing about the way the campaign is being conducted, is that

the black community does not seem to have a voice. Among the non-white

community, the Asians have the strongest political muscle and there are

constituencies up and down the country where their vote will influence out-

comes significantly. It is likely that they will increase their numbers in par-

liament and get further appointments to Cabinet and other senior positions.

This will put them in a position to have significant input in the development

and execution of government policy. This is good for the Asian community.

They understand the fundamental importance of politics and are prepared to

vote to have a say in determining the status quo. The same cannot be said

of the black community.

There is a misguided, worn and tired rhetoric that politics does nothing for

the individual so there is no need to participate. Very little could be further

from the truth. Politics affects every aspect of an individual’s life. All the

guidelines that define the space and boundaries in society are determined

by politicians who are either elected or appointed. The usefulness and effi-

cacy of those policies depend on the characteristics of the persons making

them. It is important that those who are to be affected by such policies have

a say in how they are elected and or selected.

The vote is a hard earned privilege. There are still many countries in the

world where people still do not get a chance to exercise that franchise. It

is not to be taken for granted. That is the reason many groups have been

fighting hard to reduce voter apathy in the black community. Their efforts

appear to be bearing little fruit. It is high time that those who are disengagedfrom the process realise that moaning and complaints will not go very far to

achieving positive ends. It is engagement that works.

This newspaper has said before and hereby repeats the challenge. Look

carefully at the candidates who have been placed before you. Examine their

policies and see how they will affect you, adversely or otherwise. Then

choose from the best of the lot. Whatever happens, it is important that a

marked ballot goes into the box on election day. It will be the first individual

contribution to the process of self determination as a community. A vote is

a powerful thing. It assigns power. Be sure of the person to whom power is

assigned. Over the four months, engage fully and be prepared come election

day.

TimesThe newspaper of choice for Jamaicans in the UK

COMMENTSEIZE ON POLITICAL

OPPORTUNITIES

THIS YEAR

Editor-in-chief

Andrew Clunis - [email protected]

Contributors

Bishop Dr Joe Aldred, Evette Roper, Joyanna Lovelock, Carol Simpson

Kamesha Skeen, David Sortie, Alphanso Clue, Paul Hensby,

We want to hear from you. Please send your views, comments,suggestions and stories to [email protected]

The views expressed by contributors to this newspaper are not necessarily those of the publis

Advertisements in Jamaica Times should not be taken as endorsement

by the publisher of any product or service

The Editor reserves the right to decide the content of the publication

For Sales Tel 0778 741 3635

email [email protected]

www.jamaicatimesuk.com

TimesThe newspaper of choice for Jamaicans in the UK

Jamaica

Jamaica

REV AL SHAPRTON made a blistering

attack on the UK’s political elite when

he told a packed audience at Westmin-

ster University, that those who refuse

to effectively tackle race inequality are

‘depending upon the fact that come

polling day, Black people won’t show

up’.

Because if we did, he added, we couldnot only vote them out but also demandthose who come in to address our issues.

Reciting from OBV political research, hesaid:

The fact that the Black Vote could de-cide 169 marginal seats means in thiselection you hold the balance of power.

Now that’s real power.”Sharpton spoke about the ridicule he

has received over the years from the USmedia when he said:

They would characterize me as fat Al,with a medallion in a tracksuit. I was the

cartoon character. But ever since we gotObama in the White House dealing with

issues of race inequality, I’ve gone fromthe cartoon character to their editorial.I’m no longer a laughing matter.”

He told Black Brits to reclaim democra-cy and take the smirk of their faces.

Rev Al Sharpton had been invited tothe UK by the Oxford University student

union, but he told those at Westminster

University that it would be unthinkable to

him to come to the UK and not collabo-rate with Diane Abbott MP and OperationBlack Vote.

“I’m an activist, and will always beone,’ he said, adding, just because I get

asked to give a lecture doesn’t mean I

stop being an activist, it only means thatI’m an activist giving a lecture. I stay the

same.”In a 30 minute speech to touched

audience on many issues, including therise of Islamaphobia, the attack on civil

rights, and the global toxic immigrationdebate. But at every juncture Sharpton

would come back to that central themeof activism:

“If you act you can change things, ifyou don’t act you are complicit with whathappens around you.”

At the end of the talk Sharpton re-ceived a 10-minute standing ovation. It

was a truly memorable day. But others

speakers played their part too

torical event.Lee jasper, BARAC co-found

audience cheering and clap

tore through the rabid elemenBriton and Europe:

“Too many Black people heand across Europe are catchin

the scourge of racism that pour shores like a dark cloud’.

And Diane Abbott MP gaveered and powerful narrative

similar challenges facing Blacthe US and those here in the U

It was a great day. And in a

be summed up by an email I rattendee wrote: “Simon, that

wonderful event. After you, Shothers spoke it would be unb

those who attended were noact in a way that they have

before.”She’s right of course. In th

days we’ll get Sharpton’s spon the website so you can be in

Thank you Rev Al C Sharptteam. This was just the start to our 2015 General Election

launch: ‘Our time, our success

http://www.obv.org.uk

SHARPTON: WHY YOUR VOTE CAN CHANGE THIN

“If you act you can changethings, if you don’t act you are

complicit with what happens

around you.”

By

Simon Woolley


10/24

JAMAICAJanuary - February 201510 COLUMN www.jamaicatimesuk.com

IMMIGRATION MATTERSwith CAROL SIMPSON

“I have been in the UK for a sub-

stantial period of time having

arrived as a visitor. I have been

caring for my elderly aunt who

is a retired. She has no childrenand no close family to care for

her and wants me to assist in

her long term care. She is a

very private person and cannot

cook, clean or manage her daily

care. She does not want to be

placed in a care home. What

can I do?”

Your summary is very brief and this is

therefore a general advice. Should you

need specific advice, be advised that

you need to see a qualified immigration

advisor who can consider the specific

facts of your case.

Since you arrived as a visitor, this would

initially have been for a maximum of

six months. As you say that you have

been here for a substantial amount of

time, I am assuming that your visitor

visa has expired. It is not clear whether

you made any applications for an ex-

tension of leave to remain in the UK in

any other capacity since that time, for

example extend your visit visa or make

a student application. If your leave have

expired then you would be an overstay-

er. In any event, if you have been caring

for your elderly aunt, you can make an

application as a carer under the carers

concession.

When considering whether to grant such

an application, the Secretary of State

will consider what is wrong with your

aunt, what type of care she requires,

the type of care which is available toher and the long term outlook for your

aunt. You would need to provide specific

evidence either from your aunt’s doctor

as to her medical condition, evidence of

her medication, including frequency of

hospital visits and whether she is able

to manage her own medication. Wheth-

er she needs 24 hour care. Whether the

social service is able to provide her with

a carer or their are friends of your aunt

who can assist with her care. If satisfied

with your evidence, leave to remain is

usually granted for 3 months so that ar-

rangements can be made by you and or

your aunt for her future care. This grant

of leave to remain is discretionary out-

side the Immigration Rules.

Although the guidance states that nofurther leave is likely to be granted in

this category, it is in fact possible for

an application to be made for further

leave to remain. If this is being consid-

ered, you need to provide letters from a

registered UK medical practitioner, de-

tailing the illness/condition of your aunt

and the long term prognosis. A letter

from social services stating their level

of involvement, the effect of you pres-

ence on your aunt’s condition/wellbeing

and why suitable alternate care is not

available from them in relation to your

aunt’s care. Evidence that enquirieshave and are being made by you and or

your aunt for alternative care for your

aunt for example by approaching volun-

tary services and or charities. Details of

how your aunt was cared for before you

became involved in her daily care. De-

tails of your circumstances in Jamaica

including your children, spouse, family

circumstances. The less ties you have

the better as a long term carer should

normally be unmarried with no children.

Your aunt will also need to disclose her

finances as she has to show that she

can accommodate and maintain youand herself without recourse to public

funds.

If the Secretary of State is sa

exceptional compassionate

stances exist in relation to yo

aunt then you may be gran

leave for 12 months.

I hope this answers your

Should you need specific adv

seek assistance from a qua

sor.

Ms Simpson may be reache

thyst Chambers on 020793

WILL I BE ALLOWED TO STAY IN THE UK TO CARE FOR MY AUN

The question this week

is from Pauline who

states the following:

Award-winning BarristerCarol Simpson is here to an-swer all your immigrationqueries. Please send questionsto [email protected].

Do you operate a sm

business such as a res

rant, hairdressers or bar

shop? If you do, why

give your business a bo

by advertising with Jama

Times . Give us a call toon 0778 741 3635 or em

sales@jamaicatimes

com and take advantag

our special rates for sm

business.


11/24

JAMAICA TIMES January - February 2015 COLUwww.jamaicatimesuk.com

NO, I’M NOT CHARLIEJOE

ALDRED

The tragic hostage taking and killings

in France that accompanied the New

Year were an unwelcome yet sobering

reminder of how dangerously inhu-

mane and godless much of our world

really is. Some seem to have lost their

sense of the God-consciousness and

with it a sense of the sanctity of life.

One minute you can be an ordinary

citizen going about your business,

next minute you can be caught up in

a horrible situation not of your own

making, even including losing your life.

Seventeen lives were lost in those few

days of madness in France. It seemed

therefore a welcome response when

millions of French citizens bolstered by

heads of states and senior representa-

tives from scores of nations took to the

streets to protest the unwelcome evil in

their midst. I think of and quietly weep

for the families and loved ones of those

killed, perpetrators and victims. They

all have their bereaved left behind try-

ing to make sense of what took place.

Shortly after the killings, carried out

by ‘Islamic Jihadists’ (whatever that

term means) who were subsequently

themselves killed by French police or

soldiers, a young Muslim man spoke on

TV and made what seemed an impor-

tant intervention. He was unequivocal

in his condemnation of the violent and

murderous actions of the terrorists,

but he was also adamant that he was

not supportive of the Je suis Charlie

campaign that quickly followed. He

was clear that being against terrorismshould not automatically translate into

supporting the kind of ‘free speech’

that the Charlie Hebdo satirical maga-

zine represented. I found it remarkable

to observe how early outrage at the

hijackings and murders suddenly trans-

posed into a protest for free speech.

Some have commented on the nature

of the free speech represented by the

Charlie Hebdo magazine. Using car-

toons the magazine has ridiculed, some

would say blasphemed, pretty much

any and everybody and any and every-

body’s idea of God and holy things it

wished. Jesus, the Trinity, Muhammed,

and much beside have come under the

irreverent caricature of Charlie Hebdo.

I speak from what has been reported

of course since I have never read the

magazine – but as a Black person

in the western world I am painfully

aware of the way ‘the Africa’ has beennegatively caricatured in cartoons

over many years and still. Imagery is

powerful and apparently in the name of

free speech you can disrespect anyone

and anything you like. Free speech

has no boundaries, so it seems, when

expressed as satire.

Free Speech it seems has become

God, the unquestionable thing. But

only it seems, if it’s done as satire. At

least that’s how it may feel to many

Christians in Britain who have found

the police knocking on their doors, or

been suspended, disciplined or sacked

from their jobs for what they regard as

exercising their freedom as practising

Christians. How interesting then that

some who suppress freedom of ex-

pression on the one hand were there in

the front row of the protest supportingfree speech. Double standards? May

be. But then as the book of Romans in

the Christian Bible says, ‘who are you,

a human being, to talk back to God?’

Just maybe the west in its rejection

of God has created its own god called

Free Speech and its ways are past

finding out – but if you find yourself on

the wrong side of Free Speech, don’t

you dare to question it, sorry, god.

No one in their right mind would

suggest that the murders of those

French journalists at the Charlie Hebdo

magazine can be justified. And when

recently the Pope feigned to punch a

journalist when making the point that

if you insult someone’s mother you

can expect a thump to the stomach;

he was not justifying those murders

by terrorists. He was promptingsocieties to reflect upon the possible

limits of free speech and the right to

offend, even using satire because we

all feel passionately about the things

dear to us and have innate rights to be

respected as human beings: all God’s

children we.

But if anyone doubts that the multi-mil-

lion people march in Paris an

France was not primarily abo

seventeen lives lost, then rec

that there was apparently an

sion of support for the French

from President Goodluck Jon

Nigeria at about the same tim

was widely reported that two

(this number has been conte

Nigerians had been massacre

Haram – to add to the thousa

ously kidnapped, sold into sla

murdered. In so far as we kn

took to the streets in Nigeria

losses, nor for the reported th

being massacred in northern

Syria by ISIS, and elsewhere

terror groups. No! But we m

support of our god, Free Spee

Jesus told his followers that

Sabbath was made for man,

for the Sabbath. At the start

year in an increasingly troub

it seems we need to think ag

what is important. The life of

human being is what is impo

and equally important irrespe

of where on the planet that p

is. The wanton taking of life

by states, by terrorist groups

individuals should be condem

strongest terms. Love your n

as yourself, Jesus tells us. N

Charlie, I am a human being a

not for the contradictory idea

speech that I want to march;

the love, preservation and ful

potential of every human beiin the image and likeness of

want to march. Let’s all mar

in 2015.

Bishop Dr Joe Aldred

Broadcaster, Ecumenist, Spea

Writer

Clifton George Mowatt

was born in York District,in Bethel Town, Westmo-

reland, Jamaica, on the22nd February 1926, the

son of Hilda Forbes andLester Mowatt. It was ob-vious from birth that when

charisma was being givenout, Cliff somehow man-

aged to get an extra share.Wherever he went, Cliff

was loved and admired.Cliff attended Bethel

Town Elementary School,after which he enrolled

at Knockalva TechnicalHigh School, in Hanover.

On graduating, he went to

Kingston, under the super-vision of his Aunt Ida, and

acquired an internship inthe culinary arts, as a chef,

at the Liguanea Club Hotelin Kingston.

Cliff had an adventur-

ous side, and so when hesaw an opportunity for a

chef’s role in Belize (for-merly British Honduras)

he decided to spread hiswings and take the po-

sition. Eventually, in theearly tomid-fifties he re-

turned to Jamaica, just asthe wave of migration to

England was taking place.

Cliff didn’t hesitate to gowith the flow and followed

the trail to London. Here,he found employment as a

chef at Claybury Hospital,in Woodford Bridge, wherehe worked for 33 years

until his retirement.It didn’t take him long

after arriving in England todiscover; fall in love; and

marry his wife Hazel, sadlydeceased almost 37 years

ago.Together they hadtwo children, Thelma and

Edgar. They are also sur-vived by children: Norma,

Cleve, Michael, Desmond,

and Beverly, together with18 grandchildren, and 22

great grandchildren.Cliff has been prede-

ceased by his brothersSylvester and Hector andWesley. He is survived by

his sister Cynthia (resid-ing in Canada), and a fur-

ther 5 sisters, some livinghere in the UK and the US,

and some, together with abrother, living in Jamaica.

There’s another lovethat Cliff discovered on ar-

rival in London: The MysticBud Lodge No. 3. He totally

embraced the Lodge, and

the Lodge brothers andsisters. In no time Cliff

had the extended familyattending birthday and

anniversary parties, andLodge banquets at thePark Lane Hotel, with the

Lodge brothers and sis-ters. Those were the days!

After Hazel’s unfortu-nate death, being a part

of the Lodge provided Cliffwith the fortitude to pro-

gress his life, and develophis family into the cohe-

sive family unit that existstoday.

In Loving Memory of Clifton George Mowa


12/24


13/24

JAMAICA TIMES January - February 2015 COLUwww.jamaicatimesuk.com

I have a thing about miscarriages of jus-

tice. I don’t like it that innocent peopleare convicted and jailed for a crime they

did not commit. However for years wehave had a system that would financial-

ly compensate those who unfortunatelyfound themselves in such a bind. Forthose wrongly convicted of a serious

crime who have spent a lifetime behindbars, losing out on having a family, a

career, a life, I don’t think any amountof money could compensate for that.

But as money is the only compensationof substance the state can give, that is

not to be sniffed at and would go a long

way to assist them as they leave prisonpenniless. But now it seems all that is

to change. Because the only way thosewrongly convicted can expect to get anycompensation is if someone else is found

guilty of the crime they were accused of,says the Ministry of Justice. I don’t like

the sound of this. Here’s my point. Ifthe state knows that if they get it wrong it

would cost them dearly, they would makemore effort to get it right. But if they have

some sort of a get out clause, that is, ifthey get it wrong they don’t have to pay

out anyway, I do believe this would lead toeven more miscarriages of justice. How

is that progress? I think such a movewill impact negatively especially on blackmen, where I feel the law weighs heavily

against them.Take the case of Winston Silcott. Back

in 1987 he was convicted of the murder

of PC Keith Blakelock during the Broad-water Farm riot of 1985. And he was no-

where near the scene of the crime. Hisconviction was quashed in 1991 after

scientific techniques suggested evidencehad been tampered with by detectives.To coin a vernacular, he was stitched-up

like a kipper, by coppers. For his trou-ble Silcott received £17,000 for wrongful

conviction and a further £50,000 from theMetropolitan Police. Since then another

man, Nicky Jacobs, was tried and lateracquitted for PC Blakelock’s murder. So

if a similar fiasco was to take place under

new rules, innocent people could spendyears behind bars and not get so much

as a biscuit. Pressure needs to be puton the MoJ to re-think, for as I see it, thismove will have a negative impact on the

black community.

White Dee: What’s all the fuss about?That’s what I am asking. As was a TV

programme shown on New Year’s Day.On big New Year’s Day this is the best

Channel 5 could offer, a documentary onan overweight woman idling her life awayon benefits. And she’s a star! She even

had a spot of speaking at a fringe eventat the recent Conservative Party Con-

ference. About what? She also earned

£1,500 for just one hour dancing withstudents during personal appearance at

nightclubs. If she was fit enough to be jigging it in nightclubs then she was fit

enough to work. What kind of country arewe that reward the idle and lazy and bigthem up on TV? Where is the incentive for

putting your back into education or learn-ing a trade and finding worthwhile em-

ployment that will enable you to pay yourway through life?

Not only is Lenny Henry an amazingactor and performer, he recently had a

stint as guest editor of the Today pro-gramme. And it proved very insightful to

him. Namely, that despite the fact thatBlack people, Asians and minority eth-

nics (Bame) make up 14.3% of the UK’spopulation, the news consistently comefrom a white, middle-class, male per-

spective. In his role as editor he wantedto explore what the news would look

like if it came from a more

diverse perspective andboy, was he in for a shock.

He was not at all loved-upby the audience. Some

even called him a racist.Others said he had a chipon his shoulder. That is

so old hat. How is it whena Bame speaks up about

inequality they are theones with a chip on their

shoulder? I wonder ifhe’ll be invited back!

MUSING WITH LOVELOCK

Joyanna Lovelock


14/24

JAMAICAJanuary - February 201514 JAMAICA www.jamaicatimesuk.com

NEWS FROM THE ROCK

THE GOVERNMENT of Jamaica will bepursuing several strategies to main-

tain the long-term downward trend in

serious and violent crimes in Jamaica.

In a statement to the House of Rep-

resentatives, on January 27, Minister ofNational Security, Hon. Peter Bunting,

said the recent spike in murders can beattributed almost entirely to an increase

in murders in the St. Catherine North Di-vision.

“The security forces are respondingoperationally to the gang situation in St.Catherine North, and in doing so, we will

employ the approaches that worked in2014,” Mr. Bunting said.

The strategies, he said, include: tar-geting violence producers, dominating

critical hotspots, prioritising forensic and

investigative resources to the area, anddrying up the funding sources for criminalorganisations.

“Social intervention strategies will fol-low once the situation is normalised,” Mr.Bunting said, adding that for the month of

January there is an average of 3.2 mur-ders per day, compared to 2.7 per day for

all of 2014.“If this rate continues we could see the

month ending with approximately 100murders. However, let me point out that

even in 2014 we had two months withmurders above 100, which points to the

randomness in how these crimes occurand to demonstrate that we need not beunduly alarmed at this time,” Mr. Bunting

said.

Meanwhile, the Security Minister said

for 2015, there will be a reallocation ofresources which will be achieved through

mergers and downsizing of some non-ge-ographical units.

He explained that non-geographicunits include: Mobile Reserve; Trans-

national Crime and Narcotics Division;Organized Crime Investigation Division

(OCID); Flying Squad; Protective Services;and Motorized Patrol.

“The amalgamation of OCID and Flying

Squad came into effect on January 19,2015. The mandate of the merged unit

will include all the functions currentlyperformed by the two entities individually,

and will be extended to include counterterrorism investigation. The merger will

release 30 police officers to operationalpolicing,” Mr. Bunting pointed out.

He added that the rationalization of the

Motorized Patrol has already resulted in20 persons, formerly of the Street Crimes

Unit, being sent to provide additionalnumbers for St. Catherine North, while

noting that additional personnel are beingidentified for transfer to St. James.

In addition, the merger of the ProactiveInvestigation Unit, Street Crime Unit and

Divisional Fugitive Apprehension Team ineach division is almost complete and isaimed at ensuring a more effective team.

“The new team, called the ProactiveInvestigative Team, will spearhead the

enforcement of the anti-gang and an-ti-lottery scam legislation as well as to

track wanted criminals,” Mr. Bunting said.The Minister pointed out that except

for the Operational Support Team (OST)at Area One Headquarters, all Area OSTs

(personnel and equipment) have been re-deployed to geographic divisions withinthe respective areas to provide additional

police presence in the public spaces.He noted that the Area One operation-

al support team has been retained, sincethe divisions in Western Jamaica are far

away from headquarters support. Also, Mr. Bunting said a total of 65 of-

ficers have already been identified fromMobile Reserve and Motorized Patrol for

redeployment to St. James.

“Further assessments are being done to

determine the additional numbers thatcan be released to operational policing in

the geographic divisions,” he added.The Minister noted that the Kingston

and St. Andrew Major Investigation Task

Force (MIT) as well as the St. CatherineMIT will be merged and downsized sig-nificantly, resulting in the redeployment

of the majority of the detectives to geo-graphic divisions in the Corporate Areaand St. Catherine.

He added that the return of the mur-der investigators to geographic divisions,

which will commence on February 1,2015, is geared at significantly increas-

ing divisional capacity to investigate andclear up murders.

“I believe we are pursuing a sustain-able set of policies to maintain the long-

term downward trajectory of crime thatwe have seen over the last five years. Weneed to understand and accept that there

will be setbacks from week-to-week or

Security forces to step up fight against gangs

MINISTER OF National Security, Hon.

Peter Bunting, has underlined the im-

portance of a partnership involving the

police, community, and the church in

the fight against crime in Jamaica.

Speaking at an open air church serviceheld at Nampriel in St. James, following

a peace march through the Granville andPitfour communities on Sunday (January25), Minister Bunting said the tripartite

collaboration is at the heart of the re-duction in crime in the Granville Police

Division.Data presented at the service by officer

in charge of the Granville Police Station,Sergeant Delroy Harriott, revealed that

murders and other serious crimes inthe division, comprised of 22 commu-

nities and some 23,000 residents, havedropped from a high of 56 in 2010 to nine

in 2014.“You notice that you don’t see one

police officer with an M16 or a ballistic

helmet or the blue denim, because that,unfortunately, was that type of policing

that communities had become accus-tomed to,” Minister Bunting said.

He called on the Granville communi-ty to take their message of peace and

non-violence to other areas.“What I am hoping is that Granville will

not only consolidate the gains they have

made but to evangelise and carry yourmessage to other communities in the

wider St James, who have not yet seenthe success that you are seeing,” he said.

The Minister also commended thechurch for “leaving the four walls of their

sanctuaries” and taking the message of

peace out into the communities.More than 300 residents of Granville,

Pitfour, Retirement and adjoining com-munities participated in the peace march.

Others showing their support were:State Minister of Industry, Investment

and Commerce and Member of Parlia-

ment for West Central St. James, Hon.Sharon Ffolkes- Abrahams; members

of the St. James Ministers Fraternal, St.James Peace Management Initiative and

St. James Chapter of the Lay Magistrates Association of Jamaica.

Minister of National Security, Hon. Peter Bunting (3rd left), leads a peace march through the streets of Granville, St James on Sun-

day, January 25.

Bunting leads peace march in St James

Jamaica’s credit rating w

tinue to improve as the

cements its credibility in t

national investment comm

“In 2015, Jamaica wi

likely receive rating upgraboth Moody’s and S&P (Stan

Poor’s),” said Managing Dthe United States-based infirm, Oppenheimer and Com

Gregory Fisher.He was addressing the

Stock Exchange’s (JSE) 10tconference on Investments

Capital Markets held recentJamaica Pegasus Hotel in N

ston.Mr. Fisher noted that th

went through an “incrediblperiod”, including a massi

economic and financial crisidefaulting on its external deb

He said that due to thement’s strict adherence to nomic Reform ProgrammJamaica has all but compcredibility rebuilding in thglobal community.

Last year, the countrUS$800 million on a ten-yissue, which is trading at a and Jamaica is among the forming countries in all of thing markets.

Mr. Fisher said that bothand S&P have a positive o

the country’s rating “thus tbility rebuilding exercise is w

way with respect to the ratcies”.

The Oppenheimer executhat credibility is a cruciawhen it comes to the woception of Jamaica’s risk, ndomestic and foreign consuinvestors must also be convthe economy is on solid grou

“It is only when these pcome convinced that Jamaicomy and finances are on stable footing that consumJamaica’s prospects will gother. This process can be epowerful than reducing theGDP (Gross Domestic Prodthan all the fiscal austerity

imagine,” he contended.Mr. Fisher urged the Go

to stay on the path to prospeadhering to the necessary gthat have been outlined undeHe also applauded the Jamaple for their role in the proce

“The hard choices have band the painful medicine haquently been swallowed. Dnow, because you are almofinish line. The global commtaken notice and Jamaica

gone from a problem credthat is now leading the pack

Jamaica’s

Credit Ratingthe improve


15/24

JAMAICA TIMES January - February 2015 JAMAwww.jamaicatimesuk.com

NEWS FROM THE ROCK

KINGSTON, Jamaica - Opposition

spokesperson on information, youth,

sports, gender affairs, entertainment

and culture, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, has

expressed disappointment with the

outcome of the finals of the 63rd Miss

Universe contest in Florida on Sunday

night.

“I have tried to suppress my endemicspirit and look at it objectively but, per-

sonally, I am convinced by the global out-rage seen across the Internet that there

was a genuine error of judgement in plac-ing Miss Jamaica Universe, Kaci Fennell,

fifth in a competition in which the majority of the audience seemed convinced

that she should have won,” Grange statedMonday.

Grange said that the global outragewhich has followed the event is evidencethat our disappointment is neither selfish

nor vain.“After reading the responses of the in-

ternational media, including well-knownnewspapers in both the United States

and the United Kingdom, as well as ourown media, not to mention the indigna-

tion expressed via social media, globally,I am convinced that a serious error was

made,” she added.“Personally, I find no fault with Kaci

suggesting Bob Marley and Usain Bolt

as universally accepted examples of thetremendous contributions made by our

human resources in areas of internation-al competition or cooperation,” Grange

remarked. “I would be even more dis-

turbed to learn that the primary causeof her placement was the length of her

hair, because while that may not be con-sidered racist, it is certainly prejudicial to

women who do not believe in long, silkyhair, and even more so, women of African

descent who choose to wear an Afro-typehairstyle.”

She went on to state that, “I hope the

messages that have been sent since lastnight, whether by the audience at the

event, those who watched on television,the stories dominating the media, as well

as the posts across social media, havereached the eyes and ears of the promot-

ers and judges,” she said. “I hope it willencourage them to reconsider their rules,

which may be prejudicial to some women

and discriminatory to the culture of some

people and some countries representedin the contest.”

Grange also urged Jamaicans, at homeand in the Diaspora, who are disappoint-

ed by the decision, not to take it as a de-feat for our country.

“This is no loss as Miss Jamaica Uni-verse, Kaci Fennell, is trending worldwide.The fact that so many people, globally,

have expressed such strong sentimentson how Kaci was treated will leave an

indelible mark on the competition, andprobably change the environment of the

contest,” she said.“I am proud of Kaci’s achievements

and I believe that in the eyes of Jamai-cans at home and abroad, she i s our Miss

Universe 2015,” Grange said.

Grange disappointed with Miss Universe result

THE FOLLOWING is a statement from

Senator the Honourable Sandrea Fal-

coner, Minister without Portfolio (In-

formation) in the Office of the Prime

Minister. The statement reads:

“The Government of Jamaica congrat-ulates Ms Kaci Fennell on her perfor-mance in the Miss Universe Pageant in

Doral Miami, Florida, on Sunday (January

25, 2015).Ms Fennell’s poise and grace made Ja-

maicans both at home and throughout thediaspora beam with pride and her perfor-

mance represented what is good aboutJamaica, and embodies our hopes for thefuture of our youth. With her performance,

Ms Fennell has earned a place among a

group of young women leaders imbuedwith purpose and a meaningful platform

from which to work to help to change theworld.

Well done Kaci and continue to blazenew paths for yourself, your generationand country.”

Information Minister Congratulates Kaci Fennell

AS BANANA exports increase, the Min-

istry of Agriculture is moving to ensure

that there is steady supply of high

quality fruit for the overseas market.

Portfolio Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier,

said the agro parks will be utilised in theprocess.

“We are going to get the people in theagro parks, who have the benefit of irri-

gation and a lot of technical assistanceto be part of this programme, to ensure

the sustainability of supply of good qualitybananas to meet the export market,” he

said.Minister Kellier was speaking during a

visit to the Agricultural Marketing Corpo-

ration (AMC) Complex in Kingston on Fri-day (January 23), where he observed the

packaging of bananas for export.He said that agricultural lands have

also been identified in western Jamaica,particularly St. James, for the growing of

banana for export.“They are nearer to the port and it

will be easier for the exporters; there is

less transportation cost, and less chanceof the fruit being damaged while being

transported. That is a traditional area,which has a lot of lands and anxious

farmers that want to get back into pro-duction,” the Minister pointed out.

Last June, Jamaica resumed bananashipments to the United Kingdom (UK)

after a six-year absence from that mar-ket due to the devastating effects ofseveral hurricanes on the sector, and

changes in the preferential agreementwith the UK. In October, contracts were

signed to boost supply to the UK market.Demand for banana is also increasing

in North America and CARICOMTrinidad and Tobago gave cle

the produce to enter its territoMinister Kellier noted that

the export market must m

quality standards.He informed that under

million (€4.73 million) Euroion (EU)-funded Banana AccMeasures (BAM) programmacross the island are receiving

with the preparation of fieldsing of the fruit, which will ethe fruit is of the highest qua

“Everything has to be upstandards. We want to makthey (farmers) follow all thgood agricultural practiceswhile noting that special mein place to ensure traceabproduce.

Banana farmers see a bright future as exports increas

Minister of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier (left), exam-

ines banana being packaged for export, while on a visit to the Agricultural Marketing

Corporation (AMC) Complex in Kingston on Friday (January 23). Others (from left)

are: Head of Ashanti Limited, Noel Dempster; Permanent Secretary in the Agriculture

Ministry, Donovan Stanberry; St. Mary banana farmer, Noel Clarke; and Rita Hilton of

Carita Jamaica Limited.


16/24

JAMAICAJanuary - February 201516 CARIBBEAN www.jamaicatimesuk.com

KINGSTON, Jamaica — David Smith,

who was convicted in the Turks and

Caicos Islands over the fraudulent

activities of his ponzi scheme Olint,

was released from prison on Thursday,

January 22 the Turks and Caicos Sun

is reporting.

He was released from “over the last 12

hours”, the news organisation reports.His early release from jail was report-

edly due to good behaviour. Smith wassentenced in August 2011 to six years in

TCI prison, after which he must serve aminimum of 30 years in the United States.

Journalists were unable to reach at-torney Oliver Smith for a comment as his

phone went to voicemail. The 47-year-oldSmith, who was accused of defraud-ing thousands of investors of more than

US$220 million, was sentenced afterpleading guilty to 18 counts of money

laundering, four counts of wire fraud andone count of conspiracy to commit money

laundering.The Turks and Caicos Sun quoted

“well-placed sources” as saying thatSmith, who appeared before Chief Mag-

istrate Clifton Warner in GranJanuary 22, was seen at Marg

Grand Turk earlier in the day wTracey and lawyer Oliver Smit

no relation.It is likely that when Smith

the island of Providenciales, la

ment officials will commencings to have him extradited t

Turks and Caicos Sun reported

The 30-year sentence wicurrent to the prison time inand Caicos Islands, which me

spend 24 years in a US prison

Ponzi criminal David Sm

released from prison

David Smith

HAVANA (AP) — The United States

and Cuba closed two days of historic

talks in Havana with some progress

toward restoring diplomatic ties after

a half-century of estrangement, but

sharp differences over the role of hu-

man rights in their new relationship.

“As a central element of our policy, wepressed the Cuban government for im-

proved human rights conditions, includ-ing freedom of expression,” said Roberta

Jacobson, the top U.S. diplomat for Latin America and most senior American of-ficial to visit the island country in more

than three decades. In Spanish, however,her statement said the U.S. “pressured”

Cuba on the issue.“Cuba has never responded to pres-

sure,” Josefina Vidal, Cuba’s top diplomatfor U.S. affairs, responded.

The comments by Jacobson and Vidalreflected longstanding positions of their

governments and it wasn’t immediatelyclear whether the issue, which has pre-viously blocked closer U.S.-Cuban re-

lations, would pose a threat to the newdiplomatic process.

Yet it laid bare the pressures each sidefaces at home — the U.S., from Repub-

lican leaders in Congress and powerfulCuban-American groups and Cuba, from

hardliners deeply concerned that rap-prochement could undermine the com-

munist system founded by Fidel Castro.In the first face-to-face talks since last

month’s declaration of detente, the two

countries laid out a detailed agenda forre-establishing full diplomatic relations.

Further talks were planned.Jacobson hailed a morning session as

“positive and productive,” focusing onthe mechanics of converting interest sec-

tions into full-fledged embassies headedby ambassadors. But she also spoke of

“profound differences” separating thetwo governments and said embassies by

themselves would not mean normalizedties.

“We have to overcome more than 50

years of a relationship that was not basedon confidence or trust,” Jacobson told

reporters. Along with human rights, Cuba outlined

other obstacles in the relationship. Vidaldemanded that Cuba be taken off the U.S.

list of state sponsors of terrorism. How-

ever, she praised Obama for easing theU.S. trade embargo and urging the U.S.

Congress to lift it entirely.“It was a first meeting. This is a pro-

cess,” Vidal said. In the next weeks, she

said, the U.S. and Cuba will schedule asecond round of talks, which may or may

not be the time to finalize an agreement.Issues on Thursday’s agenda included

ending caps on staff, limits on diplomats’movements and, in the case of the U.S.

building, removing guard posts and otherCuban structures along the perimeter.

Earlier, the two countries disputedwhether human rights had even beendiscussed at all. Jacobson said the U.S.

raised it in the morning meeting; Vidalsaid it had not come up.

Gustavo Machin, Cuba’s deputy chiefof North American affairs, later said the

delegations spent time in an afternoonsession discussing U.S. human rights

problems — a reference to recent policekillings of black men in Missouri and New

York. Cuban state media said the Cubandelegation also complained about thedetention of prisoners at the U.S. base in

Guantanamo Bay.

A U.S. official said the difference inJacobson’s statements was unintention-

al and that the English version — thatthe U.S “pressed the Cuban governmentfor improved human rights conditions,

including freedom of expression” — re-flected the delegation’s position.

The U.S. and Cuba also talked abouthuman trafficking, environmental pro-

tection, American rules to allow greatertelecommunications exports to Cuba and

how to coordinate responses to oil spillsor Ebola outbreaks.

The need for at least one future roundof talks could set back U.S. hopes ofreopening the embassies before April’s

Summit of the Americas, which Obamaand Castro are expected to attend.

Still, after so many years of mutualsuspicion, each side stressed the impor-

tance of the collegial atmosphere in Ha-vana that included long working lunches

and a dinner together.“Look at my face,” Machin said, smil-

ing. “It reflects the spirit in which we’vebeen talking up ‘til now.”

U.S. AND CUBA CONCLUDE POSITIVE TALKS

Assistant Secretary of State of the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Roberta S.

Jacobson gives a press briefing during the second day of talks with Cuban officials, in

Havana, Cuba, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015. The United States and Cuba are trying to elimi-

nate obstacles to normalized ties as the highest-level U.S. delegation to the communist

island in more than three decades holds a second day of talks with Cuban officials. (AP

Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar, who

suspended Parliament in November

to avoid a no-confidence vote, an-

nounced Tuesday , January 21, that

general elections would be held on

May 11.

“I expect to win the election and win back

a majority in Parliament,” Mr. Ramotarsaid. His People’s Progressive Party, dom-

inated by Indo-Guyanese, has held powerfor more than 20 years but fell short of

a majority in the assembly in 2011 withthe rise of a multiethnic third party as apolitical force. The two main parties have

traditionally hewed to racial lines: onedrawing support from the descendants of

Africans, the other from the descendantsof Indians.

A joint press release issued by the Foreignand Commonwealth Office on January 21

read: “The United States of America, Can-ada, and the United Kingdom welcome

President Ramotar’s announcement thatnational and regional elections will be

held in Guyana on May 11, 2015. Elec-tions are a critical first-step towards the

return of a fully functioning Parliament.

We note the great strides made by Guy-ana during the 2011 general and regional

elections. The Organization of AmericanStates (OAS) Electoral Mission Final Re-port, which referenced the Mission with

observers from 14 countries, applaudedsignificant efforts made by the Guyanese

Electoral Commission (GECOM) to exe-cute an overall inclusive and clean elec-

toral process.The report mentioned the “high lev-

el of training and dedication exhibitedby GECOM staff in the polling centers.”

These views were also endorsed by theCommonwealth observation team. Thereports also noted areas of improvement

to make subsequent elections more effi-

cient and fair.We hope Guyana consid

recommendations, includinging mechanisms that guara

equitable access to media afinancing, adherence to timely

ardized procedures for the elecess, improving communicati

stakeholders in particular GEstrengthening the promotion

balanced participation throuelectoral process.

We are hopeful that the electoral process will allow thpeople to debate the impor

that are facing the country. Wmitted to working with GECO

ical parties, and civil societyfree, fair and peaceful election

Guyanese President Donald Ramotar Calls General Elections For May

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – A new prime

minister has taken office in Haiti as

the country enters a period of political

uncertainty following the dissolution

of parliament because of a stalemate

between lawmakers and the presi-

dent.

Prime Minister Evans Paul was nominat-ed by President Michel Martelly but has

not been confirmed by the Senate andChamber of Deputies.The terms of all lawmakers expired as

opponents of Martelly blocked legislationauthorizing elections, so the president

can now rule by decree under the con-stitution and Paul automatically assumed

the prime minister’s post.Paul told The Associated Press on

Wednesday that he is organizing the gov-ernment and is trying to carry on amid the

uncertainty. He said a new eleccil will be appointed within we

legislative elections will be he

Haiti in political turmoil - aga


17/24

JAMAICA TIMES January - February 2015 CARIBBwww.jamaicatimesuk.com

JOSEPH Emmanuel Carter – who acted

as President during the terrorist attack

of 1990 and who signed a purported

amnesty document, in relation to the

attackers – was reported to have died

in Miami at the age of 85.

Efforts to contact Carter’s family for fur-ther details were, however, unsuccessful.

Tributes for the former Acting Presi-dent, Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the

House of Representatives poured in.Minister of Foreign Affairs, Winston

Dookeran, said, “He was a source ofstability and trust. I personally benefittedfrom my conversations with him. He was

a distinguished public servant who willalways be remembered.”

Clerk of the House of Representatives,Jacqui Sampson, said, “He was an incred-

ible public servant who had an amazingand intelligent mind.” She noted he was

Documents

Jamaica Times Newspaper Jan-Feb 2015