27 February 2015

Deadline approaches for Petition Supporting Chagos Repatriation





Petition


UK Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition,

We implore you to make amends for the 'crime against humanity' (Article 7 of the International Criminal Court), which was carried out by your predecessors, both Tory and Labour. In the early 1970s, the British government forcible implemented the secretive transfer of Chagossians to a life of extreme poverty in Mauritius and the Seychelles in order to accommodate a military base for the USA. Many of these displaced people still suffer in poverty and those now in Crawley and Manchester, UK, live on the margins of British society, continuing to live in sadness, longing to return to their homeland. Many have died in misery, living in the hope of going home.

Honourable Sirs, we ask you to let British justice prevail by doing all in your power to undo this injustice and actively pushing for the islanders to be resettled in their homeland as soon as possible.


*************


Give the Chagos islanders the right to return home!


Why this is important

A Displaced and Forgotten People

The Chagos archipelago is situated in the Indian Ocean, mid-way between India and Africa. Some 2,000 people lived on the archipelago, the majority on the largest island of Diego Garcia. Their ancestry on the islands went back to the 18th century.

During the 1960s and 1970s British governments, both Labour and Tory, tricked and expelled the entire population of the Chagos, a British colonial dependency, so that Diego Garcia, the main island of their homeland, could be given to the United States as the site for a military base. This act of mass kidnapping by the British government was carried out in high secrecy, along with the conspiracy that preceded it. The last islander was deported in 1973. The 'deportation or forcible transfer of a population...a crime against humanity', is according to the words of Article 7 of the Statute of the International Criminal Court.

These displaced people still in Mauritius and the Seychelles continue to suffer in poverty to this day and continue to exist in sadness, longing to return to their homeland. Many have died in misery, living in the hope of going home.

In 2002, travelling with their new British passports, many of the Chagossians began to arrive in Britain, to bring their campaign to London and to escape the poverty of Mauritius. All of them wanted to return to the Chagos Islands rather than be in England. It is estimated that more than 2,000 Chagossians now live on the margins of UK society mainly in the town of Crawley, with a smaller community in Manchester. In both places they struggle to reconstruct their lives.

Meanwhile dozens of jobs on Diego Garcia are being advertised in the Philippines, including posts for electricians, cashiers, mechanics, stock clerks, janitors, welders, firefighters, engineers and massage therapists. There have been no reports of these jobs being advertised in Mauritius, the Seychelles or the UK, where most of the Chagossian community live. We can’t help but wonder why.they have not been given priority for these positions in their own land. Since being illegally evicted, very few Chagossians have been able to get jobs at the foreign base in their homeland despite many trying.

The hope is that the islanders be allowed to return to their islands as soon as possible before more of them die in a British imposed exile, never to see their homeland again.



How can I help this month?



Reach the 2000 mark on the petition! By now most of you have already signed the petition (I hope!) but we are less than one hundred names away from the 2K mark now-lets get 2000 by next Ftiday! Share the petition on social media, or simply print it out and collect signatures amongst your friends, family or stangers-you can enter the details online later. We've had 500 signatures in the last two months, many thanks to you all.


Send this (or something like it) to your MP- We've updated our template letter to Parliamentarians to make it easier to write to your MP. Please do feel free to change it around though as MPs tend to respond to a personal touch. You can send it online here, or a postal address will be available online. Contact us if you'd like to discuss your letter further, and do let us know about any responses.

Tell Avaaz, 38 Degrees and Change.org to push our campaign to their members- Last month we asked you to tell campaign group 38 Degrees to support the Chagossian cause and many thanks to all of you who did. Apologies though to those of you outside the UK who could not. Avaaz are a global campaign group and work on a variety of topical issues, in part in response to popular demand. So scroll the bottom of this page and tell them how much Chagossian return means to you.

Read & Share our New Campaign Pages- Our 'Perfect Opportunity' page summarises the main arguments why 2015 is the perfect time for the UK Government to give Chagossians a measure of justice. Our Realities of Return Article, meanwhile, proves resettlement will not be a burden on UK taxpayers, as some in the media and politics have claimed.

Come to the Architecture and Activism Event- Find out about Chagossian history, the return campaign and the chance for resettlement at 7:30 PM Friday 13th at Royal College of the Arts, Kensington. Free to attend and details here.




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Coordinator’s Summary: Meeting of the Chagos Islands APPG , 23 February 2015



Please find the below a summary of the recent All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Chagos Islands, kindly provided by voluntary Group Coordinator David Snoxell

The Chagos Islands (BIOT) All-Party Parliamentary Group held its 47th meeting on 23 February. It was followed by a meeting in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with Hugo Swire, Minister of State.
Photo: Gail Johnson, via Flickr


Members considered Parliamentary Questions and Answers since the last meeting on 14 January. They noted the positive tone of the Government towards the review of policy which follows the KPMG study. The Group also considered the letter from the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee indicating that an oral session with the Foreign Secretary was scheduled for March which might provide an opportunity for the FAC to explore the potential for resettlement.

The Group was informed of developments in the two Chagos cases before the Supreme Court. Members took the view that litigation should be regarded as quite separate and independent of the political and practical considerations concerning resettlement and should not be a delaying factor.

The Group discussed KPMG’s final report and conclusions. They agreed that in principle there were no longer any impediments to resettlement and that even cost could be overcome. It was clear from correspondence that the Government wanted to consider all options carefully, regarding the future of BIOT and also the aspirations of the Chagossians, and that this would involve the PM and Ministers across Government.

Members discussed sources of funding – the aid budget, US, EU, international organisations, and private sector. They were informed of an oral answer from the European Commission, given just prior to the APPG meeting, to a Question from Linda Mc Avan, chair of the Development Committee of the European Parliament. The answer reiterated earlier statements by the Commission that there was no obstacle to EU funding (either through the European Development Fund or indeed the European Investment Bank) should an application be made by HMG.

Members decided to press for a debate in both the Commons and the Lords which would probably be in the second half of March. It was agreed that should there be a need for a further meeting before the dissolution of Parliament (30 March) it would take place on 23 March.

An encouraging and positive meeting with Hugo Swire and officials followed at the FCO. Many aspects of BIOT were discussed including the KPMG study, costs, sources of funding, accommodation in the MPA of Chagossian artisanal fishing, current US recreational fishing (48 tons pa), renegotiation of the UK/US Agreement, Chagossian employment on the base and in the management of the MPA, future funding of the BIOT patrol vessel, future constitutional arrangements for BIOT providing for parliamentary oversight, sovereignty and a parliamentary visit after the election. The Group decided to put their views to the Prime Minister in a letter from the Chairman.

26 February 2015

U.S. territorial Governors participate in meeting of U.S. state governors in Washington, D.C.




Feb. 21— American Samoa Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga (left) and Virgin Islands Governor Kenneth Mapp attend the National Governors' Association (NGA) Annual Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C. The five governors of the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands participated in the NGA cmeeting along with the governors of the 50 U.S. states. (photo by NGA).



Feb. 22— Puerto Rico Governor Alejandro Garcia-Padilla participates in NGA session. (photo by NGA).






25 February 2015

Overseas Countries and Territories Association convenes in the Virgin Islands

Special Week For OCTS And EU 
In The BVI
Over 150 top government officials from the Overseas Countries and Territories Association (OCTA) will gather in the Virgin Islands for the Annual OCTA Ministerial Conference on February 26 and the 13th Annual Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) European Union (EU) Forum on February 27.

Led by the Chairman of OCTA and Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE, the OCTs will engage with the European Commission at the highest level. The European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development will be represented by Mr. Neven Mimica at the meetings.

In reflecting on the upcoming meeting, Premier Smith stated, “I look forward to this meeting as the OCTs consider how they have unlocked their value by leveraging their special relationship with the EU and other international and regional partners, to create regional hubs and centres of excellence.”

He added, “OCTs will also reaffirm their commitment to the sustainable use of natural resources and emphasise the importance of coastal marine management and climate change adaptation.”

During his year-long tenure as Chairman, Premier Smith has represented over 20 Countries and Territories, under the theme “Unlocking the Value of the OCTs: Sustainable Development through innovation, competitiveness and green growth”.

In this regard, he has lobbied for strategic development in areas such as green growth, innovation, and access to funding for programming. In relation to programming, the Territory and all other OCTs who are members of the OCTA group, are participating in the Territorial Strategies for Innovation (TSI) Project currently being implemented. 

Additionally, the Regional Small and Medium Enterprise Development project is currently managed by the Virgin Islands, with funding from the 10th European Development Fund (10th EDF), has the participation of 12 Caribbean OCTs including the British, Dutch and French territories. 

The OCTs also recognise their economic, environmental, scientific and strategic value to the EU and the wider region can be developed through EU support for research and development in renewable energy, climate change, biodiversity, conservation, science and technology and other areas.

In observance of the OCTA Ministerial Conference, the Government of the Virgin Islands will hold an educational exhibit under the theme, “Unlock the Value of the OCTs: Sustainable Development Through Innovation, Competitiveness and Green Growth”.

The Exhibition will be showcased in the parking lot of Maria’s By the Sea Hotel on Wednesday February 25 and Thursday February 26 starting from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day. The BVI community is invited to come and view featured displays from the Virgin Islands and other Overseas Territories and learn more about the role of OCTA. 


Nadia James-Harris
Information Officer II
Premier’s Office
Telephone: 468-3701 ext. 2076

Thomas Sankara & Amilcar Cabral documentaries to be shown at Africa Diaspora International Film Festival in New York

African Leaders: Thomas Sankara & Amilcar Cabral
Sat, Feburary 28 @ 1PM

  TICKETS HERE


Thomas Sankara
In the former Upper Volta, known today as Burkina Faso, a group of men decided to launch a revolution that would enable the country to accept the responsibility of its reality and its destiny with human dignity. Captain Thomas Sankara, the leader of the resulting Burkinabe Revolution, would go on to belong to a group of African leaders who desired to give their respective countries and the African continent a new socio-political dimension. (RDC, 1991, 26 min, Balufu Bakupa Kanyinda, dir., Biography, French with English subt.)
 

Amilcar Cabral
Amilcar Cabral was the leader of the Liberation Movement of Cape Verde and Guinea Bissau and the founder of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC). From Cabral's birth to his tragic assassination, this documentary reveals the revolutionary giant in several dimensions—as a man, father, politician, humanist and poet—while delving into a wealth of rare archive footage, varied testimonies of important African figures and the recreation of notable episodes of Cabral's life.
(Cape Verde/Portugal, 2001,  52 min, Ana Ramos Lisboa, dir., Biography, French with English subt.)

 

24 February 2015

Guam Governor: "Any (political) status better than the status quo"



Gov. Eddie Calvo delivers his annual State of the Island address at the Guam Legislature on Feb. 16.



GOVERNOR EDDIE BAZA CALVO


"Whatever the case, I believe the question of our political status needs to be answered NOW!!!

Any status is better than the status quo – an unincorporated territory. Whether it’s statehood, free association or independence, I believe that a change will put us in control of our destiny."


February 16, 2015

6 percent. That’s where I’d like to see unemployment numbers by the end of this year.

4.5 percent. That’s where I’d like to see unemployment numbers by the end of my term.

We haven’t seen numbers that low since 1993. Getting them back there is going to take a lot of work.

Madam Speaker, Mr. Chief Justice, Archbishop Apuron, senators and mayors, distinguished guests, and most importantly, my fellow Guamanians, I’m honored to stand here before you and grateful that you could join me here tonight.

This speech reflects my agenda for the next four years. It’s about jobs, jobs, jobs!!! It’s about building a future for our children and their children – giving them a proper foundation, a solid foundation on which they can enjoy a prosperous life.

Four years goes by so quickly. But that’s all the time Ray and I have as a team to finish the work we started.

I stood on these steps four years ago as your newly elected governor. We faced a myriad of challenges. The biggest were finances and the ramifications of two decades of instability.

Today, we have the ambulances that our island needs. Our public school students have buses. And we have more police officers on the streets with police reserves and CAPE volunteers working with them.

GMH has an urgent care clinic, and a larger emergency room. We are modernizing the GMH maternity ward. Northern and southern public health centers are able to help more people with their extended hours. Health care is on the rise for our people and our veterans. Investors are bringing business and more jobs to Guam.

All fire stations have a fire truck. This is the way it should be.

Tax refunds are timely. Before, people were resigned to waiting for years. The people are getting their money back. Last week, 500 taxpayers received about $1.8 million in tax refund checks. This is the way it should be.

Today we start a new day. Now we’re going to push the bar higher. We’re going beyond the standard. Set a new standard for our children. That’s how you build a stronger future.

In March 2014, Guam had a 7.4% unemployment rate — an improvement over the previous rate of 8.4% in December 2013.

According to the Economic Outlook for Fiscal 2016, Guam will see more businesses, investors and opportunities for growth. Guam has two engines powering our economy: Tourism and the military.

In the next few years, Guam will see public utilities and infrastructure improvements — these will provide high-octane fuel for our engines.

TOURISM

Tourist arrivals have been at record-breaking numbers in recent years. Arrivals for 2014 ended with 1.342 million, which is about 8,000 more visitors than we received in 2013. That’s three years in a row we’ve seen steady growth.

While the number of Japan visitors has been declining recently, revenue from Japan remained nearly unchanged due to GVB’s work to raise quality, rates and yield. Japan is still our number one market, but growth from all other major markets including Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, and China are contributing to maintaining high and increasing tourist arrival numbers. Guam is expanding its tourist market. We’re not putting all of our eggs in one basket.

Tourism sales are at $1.47 billion. We’re working to increase that to $2.64 billion in the next several years.

Jeju Air recently launched its new twice-weekly non-stop flight service between Busan, South Korea and Guam. From now until the second week March, Guam will welcome nearly 3,000 visitors from China who will fly in on Dynamic Airways. The Asian airline is introducing 15 charter flights from 5 major Chinese cities for the 2015 Chinese Lunar New Year.

Also, to ensure this growth continues into the next decade, I signed into law a measure that would help investors in tourism increase capacity at their hotels. Ken Corporation recently announced plans to build a new hotel with 348 rooms. Construction on the $120 million hotel is scheduled to start this year and has a completion date of 2018. There is no doubt this investment will also provide hundreds of jobs for our people.

Let’s talk about diversification in tourism. Coming to Guam is not just about sight seeing. There’s a new market emerging: sports tourism. More people are coming to Guam to run, bike and swim in our 10Ks, marathons, triathlons and other races. Golf, tennis, off-road racing baseball, soccer and rugby are also other reasons for visitors to flock to our island paradise.

The Ko’ko’ Half Marathon & Ekiden Relay in 2014 welcomed runners from Guam, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Russia … among others. Millions in tourism dollars were generated. International media covering these events, meant increased exposure for Guam. In fact, this April, the third Guam International Marathon is expected to draw about 2,000 off-island runners to experience this signature event.

The cover of the United Airlines’ magazine Hemispheres’ features an article: “Three perfect Days on Guam.” The nine-page cover story featured in the in-flight magazine’s February 2015 edition. An estimated 11 million travelers will see pictures of people kayaking; read about hiking adventures, tax-free shopping, and relaxing with a drink and some food at The Beach bar and grill. The article asks the question: Is Guam the next Pacific hot spot for tourists?

And you know my answer: “Yes.” Especially if it’s winter and I’m shoveling snow from my driveway.

With the help of our private partners, Guam is building a reputation as a safe and family friendly destination. That reputation is opening the door to other forms of tourism.

Education tourism is a budding industry. I’ve engaged the Guam Visitors Bureau to work closely with the University of Guam and the Guam Community College to expand our educational exchange programs. The University of Guam’s English Language Institute and English Adventure Programs bring more than 4,000 visiting students to Guam for up to a full semester. Students learn about our culture and participate in popular local sports. A majority of students come from Japan and Korea, but we’ve also seen students from Russia. Leo Palace Resort and other local hotels host many of these young men and women.

Like many sports events, education tourism programs not only increases our tourism numbers, they also promote our island’s attractiveness and its culture of hospitality.

BUILDUP/INFRASTRUCTURE

Soon we’ll see the official record of decision for the military buildup. Many eyes, the eyes of investors, are focused on Guam because of the United States’ commitment to its allies in the Asia Pacific region.

Guam has about 6,000 active military personnel and about 7,000 military dependents. Those numbers are going to grow over the next few years – by about another 6,000 when the Marines come to Guam. In addition, we’re seeing growth in the Army, Navy and Air Force presence, such as the more than 200 soldiers here with the THAAD battery, and about 200 sailors and family members who will soon be on Guam with the new submarine USS Topeka.

The military buildup is projected to generate $8.7 billion in economic contributions in the next 10 years. We have already seen millions of dollars in infrastructure improvements at the Navy wharf; our bridges and primary roads have seen major improvements

In the last few years, we’ve cut the ribbon on dozens of road projects. Just two years ago, driving down Marine Corps Drive in HagÃ¥tña was rough. Now that’s one of the smoothest stretches of road on island.

Recently completed and ongoing road repairs and construction total $160 million in investments. In the next few years, we’re looking at another $126 million in road improvements.

We’re also looking at millions of dollars in improvements with both the Guam Waterworks Authority and the Guam Power Authority. The water agency is looking at a $400 million investment into its infrastructure to meet federal requirements.

GPA is investing up to $850 million to build its alternate energy sources, including solar and wind energy, in addition to LNG generators. It’s also creating a new niche in the business sector. Guam is seeing private businesses increase our island’s solar power capacity – helping us reduce our reliance on fuel that is shipped to Guam and reduce our carbon footprint.

Lt. Gov Ray Tenorio and General Manager Joanne Brown announced the Port’s acquisition of an X-ray machine. It is part of the Port’s overall security enhancement program. The nearly $1 million project is just one of the Port’s several dozen modernization and security enhancement projects totaling more than $60 million.

The Guam International Airport has completed $82.1 million in modernization, including renovation work and improvements to accommodate new shops and boutiques. Moving forward, they are anticipating $166 million in additional capital improvement projects over the next 4 years.

The work has just begun. These investments are growing our economy and providing more jobs for Guamanians. Guam has seen an increase in private sector jobs, particularly in the construction, transportation, retail and services industries. In all, the private sector grew by nearly 1,000 jobs — from 46,430 in September 2010 to 47,030 in September 2014.

And there are more jobs ahead. Guam Regional Medical City, Dusit Thani and retailers like Forever 21 are hiring. Guam Regional Medical City will eventually employ about 700 people. Under the terms of the QC that I signed, 75% of all employees must be US citizens or Permanent Resident Aliens. That employee number doesn’t include housekeeping and other ancillary services. Dusit Thani recently held a job fair to fill 350 positions, and Forever 21 is looking for up to 70 people. That’s more than 1,000 jobs available to Guamanians in the next few months.

HOUSING

Since becoming your governor, I’ve said the working middle class in our community, the backbone of our economy, must be able to afford homes.

While those in the middle class, particularly those who earn too much to receive welfare, but don’t quite make enough have to make tough choices. Come payday they have to decide between buying school supplies and paying for utilities. People were worried that the military buildup would price the middle class wage earner out of apartments and homeownership. I told you back then that this administration wouldn’t let that happen. And I am still committed to that promise.

There have been more than 5,600 civilian construction projects totaling $1.4 billion in the last four years. Of that amount $250 million were for apartments and homes.

When I first took office, my goal for the administration was to build 3,000 affordable homes by 2017. Today, we are 1,967 affordable homes closer to that goal.

The Guam Housing Corps First Time Homeowners Assistance Program provided 283 new homeowners with $2.1 million in down-payment assistance and closing cost funding. This doesn’t include homeowners who qualified for traditional financing, which totals $43 million in mortgage loans at various financial institutions. And when people buy homes, they buy furniture, appliances, pay utility bills, and further stimulate our economy.

I encourage the leadership of the 33rd Guam Legislature to fund this program annually and to support the passage of the various funding sources outlined in the Housing Trust Fund. This will help GovGuam fund and manage local housing programs and projects.

All of these improvements mean nothing when we see fellow Guamanians and their children in need of a helping hand.

HOMELESS

Last year, we increased the number of emergency housing for homeless people and families. The Guma San Jose Homeless Expansion Program for five single-family homes was completed and those homes are helping families right now.

Another five homes from Lada Gardens that formerly were used as rental units were upgraded and designated as homeless shelters by Guam Housing Corp. We’re continuing to look at additional abandoned housing within the government’s inventory that can be renovated. And our plan to construct basic homes to provide temporary shelter for homeless families is moving forward.

I want to reiterate that this is not a handout. Life sometimes deals tough blows and all we need is a hand to lift us up enough so we can stand on our own two feet. And that’s why we’re here, to help Guamanians who want to take advantage of the opportunity to get their families in a safe home.

We’ve tied housing to other types of assistance. Families placed in emergency shelter are connected with the Department of Public Health and Social Services and Department of Labor, and other agencies that provide services the family might need. We’re making sure they have food, a roof over their head, and either a job or job training so they can get a job.

One family, at one point needed help after the house they were renting was flooded by a passing storm. They sought help and were able to move into temporary housing. It was the Guam Housing Corp employees who realized they could help this family do more, and today they are proud homeowners! Congratulations John Howard and Iumi Mori!

Now let me tell you about someone who, around this time last year, was forced to live in a bus shelter because of a domestic issue. She said she felt safer there than where she used to live. A staffer for the Lt. Governor saw her and asked if she needed help. He called Guam Housing Corp and asked them to help her. Ms. Dungca moved into one of the emergency shelters. Guam Housing and the Department of Public Health and Social Services got her help. All she needed was the listening ear of someone who cares and a helping hand — she got both. Annie Dungca is now self-sufficient and is paying rent for her Dededo home.

It isn’t only adults who find themselves in tough situations. There are so many children who have been left without a home and have no one to care for them. It’s not because they did anything wrong. It’s because the adults in their lives weren’t doing what’s right. Whether it was physical abuse, neglect, or placing their children in dangerous situations because of drug addiction or criminal behavior, these adults are imprisoned or hospitalized and their children are left alone. We have about 40 families who have opened their hearts and their homes to these little ones. But with almost 300 foster children, not every child is able to get a foster family. These homeless foster children are distributed between different non-profits and agencies, like the Department of Youth Affairs. That’s why First Lady Christine Calvo pushed so hard to build Rigalu House, a temporary home – so these children would know there are people in this world who care for them and who are willing to do what is right.

It took a lot of patience and prayer — and there were tears as we waded through the arguments and the naysayers who hid behind politics. But with God’s grace we are almost at the finish line. The Chamorro Land Trust has identified property in Barrigada Heights and, pending the approval of this Legislature; we’re planning to break ground on the Rigalu House this year.

As I stated earlier, there’s a lot of hard work ahead of us. I ask the leadership of this body to roll up their sleeves with me?

Many in our community face challenges, whether it be a lack of a home to keep clean clothes and shower, lack of transportation, or lack of information to get all the things they need to get back on their feet.

Like Annie they need a helping hand. We need to support them on the road to financial stability. And the only way to do this is to help them get a job.

AHRD works with other agencies to assist individuals and families. They connect people with different programs to prepare them for a job, including job training, resume writing, interview techniques and, for those who need it, obtaining their high school diploma. Hundreds more will soon have easier access to that help. AHRD is creating satellite job centers throughout the island, beginning with a Northern Job Center.

AHRD and the Department of Labor share a common goal of helping people find jobs. They want to match people to fulfilling jobs that provide learning opportunities and offer a path to a higher salary.

Perhaps in one of those jobs, they’ll learn skills they can use to build their own businesses, and become their own boss. Programs like the University of Guam’s Small Business Development Center have assisted 109 entrepreneurs to start, expand or buy a business who invested more than $14.4 million in loans and equity injection from 2011 to 2014. The entrepreneurs, in turn, created 278 jobs and retained 174 jobs for their fellow Guamanians.

EDUCATION

If we truly believe education is the key to success, then we need to ensure the next generations of Guamanians receive the education they need to become successful.

Guam’s public schools have a new curriculum standard that, for the first time, marries the skills needed in the work force to what students are learning in the classroom. This is the first full year that Common Core Curriculum is in place since it was adopted by the education board in 2012. The new curriculum reflects a global shift in understanding that our children will be competing against the best in the world for jobs.

Many of those jobs will be in the science, technology, engineering and math fields. That’s why I was excited to learn that the STEM programs at schools are flourishing. Not only are our children studying robotics and engineering; they also are participating in Green Engineering. At George Washington High School, students are testing the pH level of soils to determine what plants grow best in the soil at the Mangilao school. They planted tomatoes and other produce. Whether they eat what they grow or sell it at the soon-to-be-open Farmers Market — what they are learning is important to the future of our island. If we want to decrease our reliance on foods shipped to Guam and have healthy, fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables on our dinner tables, then we need to encourage these programs that can boost sustainability and agriculture on our island.

We also need to support the educational needs of men and women in uniform. Guam has a large population of soldiers and airmen in the National Guard. Together with the administration and the National Guard, the Guam Community College created a program that teaches our soldiers and airmen the skills to secure a well-paying civilian job. Keep your Guard Up, which is the only program of its kind, has helped about 200 Guardsmen.

Other commands and colleges from the U.S. mainland now are looking to Guam to learn more about this program, about how it was created, about how in its first year we helped veterans learn valuable, employable skills.

HAGÅTÑA REVITALIZATION

Many of you know that I enjoy reading about history. I think it’s important to know our history. Because when you know where you come from and understand the lessons of the past, they become landmarks as we chart our way to a better future for Guam.

Hagåtña has been the heart of our island for centuries. It reflects the different eras of Guam, and the efforts to rebuild as we moved forward after Spanish colonialism, the war between America and Japan into which our people were swept, and our efforts to determine our political future. We are rebuilding this historic city once again as we move to a better understanding of our place in this world and who we are as a people.

This will likely be the last State of the Island address given in this building. If all goes according to plan, the old Guam Congress Building will be renovated this year. And by this time next year, I fully anticipate apprising Guamanians on the state of the territory from the hallowed halls of that historical building.

Now, as we prepare for the Festival of Pacific Arts, or FestPac, next year, we’re going to open HagÃ¥tña to them. A revamped Paseo Park will be the center of the festival, which we anticipate will host about 2,500 artisans along with an estimated 10,000 supporters from more than 27 countries in the Pacific region.

As our guests tour HagÃ¥tña, they’ll see the Cathedral, the new Guam museum at Skinner Plaza. In the corner between them, is the site of the old Plaza De España — restored to become a glowing reminder of Sunday afternoons when musicians played in the courtyard of the palasio, while families strolled by listening to the music.

Festival participants also will be able to walk to the soon-to-be completed Fishermen’s Co-op Fishing Platform and see the site where our fishermen are growing our fishing industry – while also teaching the next generation this important tradition.

TECHNOLOGY

We must embrace technology to move our government into the 21st century. Guamanians today can register their vehicles, pay taxes and even file tax returns online. I’ve directed line agencies to make more government services available to Guamanians.

We’re going to start with our libraries. I’ve directed the Chamorro Affairs director to increase efforts to turn our public library system into centers of education and technology. The Guam Public Library Extension project will add a new children’s library and cyber café.

Next, they’ll be partnering with Americorps, non-profit organizations and corporate sponsors, to open our village libraries later, and we’re updating and adding to their computer inventory.

But such a library has to be so much more. Our goal is to help teach students how to use the computer to do academic research, and how to process and critically assess the barrage of information flowing through the Internet. When a student or other library patron checks out a book, it may be an e-book they check out online. The library will host community discussions on the dangers of sexting, or cyber-bullying.

Also, public school students and parents can learn more about the various Common Core Curriculum apps that are available to help children and parents. And at Appy Hour, students and parents can speak with a technology aide about the different educational, literacy, and life apps available for Apple and Android devices.

This re-imagined library system will ensure our children have a safe place to study and learn outside of school; a place where they are connected to the Internet and the world; and where they can learn how to harness the flow of information for their education.

The Office of Technology is working on other Apps to improve Guamanian’s interaction with their government and community.

I have one of these apps on my phone, this app allows me to view land related data. In later phases of this app, you’ll be able to download documents, such as a property titles and order a certified copy of the same.

We have other apps coming. In the next several weeks, a traffic app will become available and will show traffic routes and any congestion at various times of day. The Office of Technology will ensure that future iterations of this app include information about accidents, traffic light outages, and road construction.

COMMISSION ON DECOLONIZATION

Another of those apps you’ll see, will help plug educational outreach on the question of our political status. Ensuring that eligible voters have the information they need to make an informed decision is critical.

The Office of Decolonization has an additional $120,000 in the current fiscal year to help fund the education outreach. Also, we continue to wait for the Department of Interior to make good on the funding promised to us. I’ve written a letter to Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas Esther Kia’aina asking for her help – at the very least to match the money we’re putting into the education program.

Having said that, the law requires us to register 70 percent of eligible voters for the plebiscite to occur. GEC only has 7,192 registered voters in the Decolonization Registry that falls short of the necessary voter numbers. There are some questions on the language of the law that we need to settle in order to give us a clearer understanding of the actions we need to pursue. This may require us to go to the Attorney General, or even the Court, for interpretation.

Whatever the case, I believe the question of our political status needs to be answered NOW!!!

Any status is better than the status quo – an unincorporated territory. Whether it’s statehood, free association or independence, I believe that a change will put us in control of our destiny.

Our youth of today show us that we can’t be afraid to move forward, to take that leap of faith.

Keandra McDonald, daughter of Chris and Stacy Flores, is a junior at Squalicum High School, in Washington State. In her freshman year, just two weeks after she started at her new school and being the only Guamanian student, she made a bid for the vice presidency of her Freshman Class Council. As part of her campaign, she talked about Guam and the beauty of our island, its culture and diversity. She became known as the Guam Girl. Incidentally, she won that election. Today, she is the president of the school’s Diversity Club.

Her perseverance and determination changed the mindset of a community. She took a leap of faith, trusting that her cause was just and fair, and she committed to the uphill battle.

Ladies and gentlemen, we cannot be afraid to push an agenda that is based on what is just and what is fair. We are a small island, but history has shown us that we are significant. And whether we come from a large or small community – it behooves us to do what is right, no matter how big our Goliath.

UNFUNDED MANDATES AND COLONIALISM

For over a century the federal government has dictated how we do business, how we are able to care for our people.

I’ve heard the naysayers and the critics. If it wasn’t for the federal government pumping money into our economy, we would still be living in thatch huts. Federal officials have recently stated in court that the government of Guam is too incompetent to be entrusted with the welfare of its public. That if it wasn’t for the federal government taking over our agencies and running them for us, things would be running at a higher cost and with less efficiency.

It is ironic that they praise the fiscal management capabilities of a federal government that over the last six years has been running an average annual deficit of over a billion dollars per year, and that has a current national debt of over $18 trillion dollars.

On Guam, the federal government forces us to sign blank checks and give carte blanche to receivers that build a solid waste system that is operating at a deficit, that is over-budget by tens of millions of dollars, that is paying exorbitant fees to consultants and employees, and that is NOT self-sustaining but instead is draining over $12 million dollars per year out of our General Fund.

Am I missing something? Aren’t these the very same reasons we were told that the federal government needed to take over our solid waste system to begin with? When was the last time you heard anyone say the federal government was the epitome of fiscal prudence?

The federal courts have the luxury of focusing on one capital project at a time — a landfill, a mental health facility, a prison — without any consideration for the other government expenses, including education, public safety or island infrastructure. Or the cost of other federally imposed mandates, such as Compact Impact. They can force us to spend more than we have available to cover all the other necessary expenses of the government — not because they’re right, but because they can.

Make no mistake about it, this is colonialism in the 21st century — it is the forced will of the federal government on our people through unfunded mandates enforced by the federal courts. The History Channel recently showed a 3-part mini-series, the Sons of Liberty, depicting how the seeds of the American Revolution were sown. Of course I am not advocating a revolution, but I want to remind us all, federal and local alike, that the criticisms and aspersions being cast at the people of Guam as ungrateful money grubbers who lack the ability to govern themselves, is always the rejoinder of those claiming to be a more “enlightened” citizenry, who are only exerting natural paternalistic oversight to “take care” of those unable to take care of themselves.

Yet, it was the rejection of these same characterizations, and the recognition of the right to participate in the creation of the laws of their government that founding fathers established the foundation for the greatest democracy in the history of the world.

Does GovGuam face some culpability in letting some of its institutions and facilities deteriorate? Of course it does, primarily because of political gridlock. But that does not make us unique. The most recent Congress was so gridlocked that it passed fewer laws than at any other time in modern history. Last year was the first time Congress passed a full-fledged budget since 2009.

So, who gets to step in to take over the federal government and impose a receivership on it when it’s not living up to its mandates? No one, and yet by the standards that are applied to GovGuam, the federal government doesn’t appear to be any less deserving of receivership.

My fellow Guamanians, just because our local government failed in the past to provide services doesn’t mean we can’t question the decisions being made for us now. It doesn’t mean our concerns shouldn’t be heard. It doesn’t mean we can’t keep pointing out to the federal government and the courts the cost of other – necessary – projects. I think, if anything, this administration’s track record of providing services, fulfilling promises – even those made by our predecessors – should allow us a seat at the table AND I’M NOT talking about the servants’ table.

We should be able to come together as equals to discuss issues that impact the lives of the people we are all supposed to be serving. But to be denied even the most basic right of having legal representation in a court proceeding, an issue we’ve appealed that is being heard by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals this week, only reminds us that this government, and I as Governor, have the responsibility to the people of Guam to make sure that even federal edicts and mandates are not left unchecked, unchallenged, or unquestioned.

Having said that, we will be re-introducing a bill originally submitted to the Legislature last year. The bill will authorize this administration to hire lawyers, possibly through the Attorney General’s Office, to represent Guam in a possible suit against the federal government and hold them responsible for dumping toxic waste and other contaminated material into the Ordot Dump for years. Yes, Ordot dump was a problem and this administration acknowledges that the closure of the toxic site is necessary. But the federal government also should acknowledge its part in the creation of the dump and be held accountable for it. The people of Guam didn’t start that mess. We shouldn’t be expected to bear the full burden of its closure.

I’m asking that this new Legislature consider this bill carefully. Consider that we have a new Attorney General who has agreed to work with us to forge a path for our people, in a way that incorporates best practices with what is best for Guam. I’m also grateful that the Legislature is of the same mind and is pushing the federal government to consider outside of the box solutions to help address how our people have been shortchanged.

My friends, my neighbors, my family, my people of Guam, I hope you know and understand that we, as a single team and with a single voice, have the power to do what is right for our people today and for future generations of Guamanians.

This single focus will be aimed, not just at the dump issue, but also on other federal policies that restrict our economy and impede on our efforts to become a more self-sustaining people.

Policies like the Jones Act weren’t meant to have a negative impact on the economy, but it has. And despite many requests for this to be repealed, the federal government hesitates. And in its hesitation, our people are made to pay higher costs for goods that have to be shipped in a jagged line from Asia to the west coast of the United States, to Hawaii, to Guam and the Micronesian region.

I’m going to marshal our friends and supporters to help us address this cause. I’m meeting with federal officials in a trip that I’ll be taking to Washington D.C. soon. Among the things I’ll be discussing is this decades-old act that has increased not only the cost of doing business on Guam, but the cost of everything from rice to furniture. It’s also created a monopoly.

President Obama said during his State of the Union Address just last month that he’d like to ease laws and policies that hinder growth of the nation’s economy. I believe this may be the opportune moment to free our island and our region from this policy.

As I said earlier, we’re in the start of the tax season and as of last week, about 15,000 tax returns were filed. If the trend holds true, we’ll pay about $130 million in tax refunds. EITC would make up about 40 percent of that amount. EITC is something every qualifying U.S. taxpayer can receive. The difference is, the California and New York state governments don’t pay this amount from their state coffers – the federal government pays for it. On Guam, we pay it out of our General Fund.

One mandate that has been the topic of disagreement for decades is Compact Impact reimbursement. For several years, we received $16 million a year for providing health, education and safety services to migrants from the Freely Associated States. In Fiscal 2015 that amount decreased to $14 million. It remains the same in Fiscal 2016.

Let me make it clear, this debate is with the federal government, which forged an agreement with the FAS governments without any input from us or other states and territories that host our Micronesian neighbors. The disagreement on Compact Impact costs is based on the federal government’s inability to live up to its promise to help us provide services to the increased population.

Last year alone, we’ve calculated $144 million is owed to us – that’s 10 times what we’re actually receiving. The federal government says the disparity in numbers is due to a faulty formula. Despite repeated requests they have yet to provide a formula they would accept.

I don’t know if discussion is something we can continue to do on this front. We need to be more aggressive. We need to push the federal government to recognize that their failure impacts the lives of everyone on Guam. If necessary, and if legally sound, we’ll be working with our Attorney General to take this matter to court – to force the hand that signed this policy to live up to its side of the agreement.

Just this afternoon, I issued an Executive Order, amending an earlier Executive Order establishing the Guam First Advisory Commission, to expand that Commission’s authority to advise me on federal issues. I will send a letter to convene the Commission in March. I am asking the Commission to establish separate committees or task forces to initially deal with the Guam buildup and with Compact Impact.

It was in February 1870 that Congress ratified the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing the right of citizens to vote, regardless of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. 145 years later, we’re still waiting for the right to vote.

On February 1917, my great grandfather Tomas Anderson Calvo, petitioned the federal government to treat the people of Guam as equals.

“It is high time that there be granted to the people, respectful, loyal and devoted to the great American nation, the same rights that have been granted to the different states, territories, and possessions; and we censure no one although we be the last to be remembered and granted our rights. Our ideals are realized by the giving of that which by right should be granted, that is to say, the defining of the status of the Chamorro people, in a word, that we may know whether we are to be members of the American people or their servitors …”

He delivered that speech at the opening of the First Guam Congress in February 1917. It’s almost 100 years later and we’re still left at the mercy of unilaterally imposed policies placed on the backs of our people.

My grandfather ended with “I have spoken.” These three words indicated the end of his speech – but they also reflected the level of energy, passion and commitment he gave to the words he spoke.

Make no mistake, this advisory commission has a tough task ahead of it. Helping to ensure that we as a people are able to participate in the formulation of the laws and policies that bind us will not be easy. It first requires that we agree on a single focus. This is a meeting of the heart and of the mind. It is a metamorphosis of our political will. It’s going to be an uphill battle. But like the Howards, Ms. Dungca, and young Keandra we can’t be afraid to pick up the gauntlet and sword, and face this battle.

We can’t walk away. To do so would be an injustice, a disservice, to our people – those who came before us and to our children and their children. If we don’t stand up for what is right, what do we say to the children who ask why their fathers, and mothers paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving the American flag?

It’s going to mean tough decisions, and some of those decisions may not be politically correct but we mustn’t be swayed. We must come together in this fight for what is true and what is right. We must come together as elected leaders, we must rise as a people, as Guamanians rooted in our community, and in our shared belief that we deserve to be treated equally and with respect, and dignity.

And in the words of a man who a century ago, who dared to believe in the Guamanian dream:

I have spoken.



23 February 2015

U.N. to unveil Permanent Memorial to Victims of SlaveTrade

frontal view of the Memorial | Rodney Leon Architects PLLC

Monument to victims of slavery to open at UN Headquarters 
in March


slavery_monument.jpg


Rodney Leon (second left), winner of the design competition, ‘The Ark of Return’, to be erected as a permanent memorial to the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York, explains his concept to (from left), prime minister of Jamaica Portia Simpson Miller; former prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Baldwin Spencer and Jamaica's permanent representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Courtenay Rattray, at the unveiling at the UN. JIS File Photo




By Athaliah Reynolds-Baker



KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- The permanent memorial to the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade is to be erected in March on the grounds of the United Nations headquarters in New York.


Jamaica’s minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, Senator A.J. Nicholson, who made the disclosure on Tuesday, said the UN initiative to erect the monument, entitled ‘The Ark of No-Return’, was Jamaican-inspired and CARICOM and African Union endorsed.

He was addressing members of the diplomatic corps at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Regional Headquarters in Kingston, as part of Diplomatic Week 2015 activities.

“I express profound gratitude to those countries, which have contributed to the fund-raising efforts and encourage those who have not yet done so to use the window, which remains open, to meet the amount required for its completion,” he said.

The monument, designed by Haitian-American, Rodney Leon, will be triangular in shape and made from gleaming white marble panels supported by a stainless steel structural frame.

It was selected from an initial 310 entries by an international panel of five judges. The trust fund established to build the Permanent Memorial has to date raised US$1.4 million.

Meanwhile, Nicholson informed that the International Decade for People of African Descent will run from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2024.

The decade aims to underline the important contribution made by people of African descent to the wider society and to propose concrete measures to promote their full inclusion and to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance.

18 February 2015

British Labour Party threatens viability of financial sector of UK Dependencies


Miliband tells tax havens: open your books in six months

 - or face being blacklisted


Ed Miliband tonight warns the tax havens costing British families and businesses billions of pounds that they will have just six months to put their house in order and open their books - or face being placed on an international blacklist. 

He will highlight figures showing that despite David Cameron boasting more than 18 months ago that he had forced tax havens to open up, not one of the tax havens linked to Britain as Overseas Territories or Crown Dependencies have yet delivered on Cameron’s promise that they would publish a register showing who owns the companies registered there – and some have explicitly refused to do so.

The lack of leadership shown by the UK government has frustrated and slowed the pace of reform on tax avoidance across the world.

In a letter to heads of government, he will serve notice on them that that under the next Labour government they will have six months to publish publicly accessible central registers of beneficial ownership.

If they fail to meet this deadline, the next Labour government will withdraw the protection they get from international scrutiny and ask the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to place them on its tax haven blacklist.

In an interview with the Guardian newspaper, Ed Miliband said:

“More than 18 months have passed since David Cameron promised to shine a light on the tax havens in UK overseas territories and Crown Dependencies – and their affairs are still shrouded in darkness. That may be good enough for him, but it will not satisfy me, or the incoming Labour government

“There is nothing pro-business about defending tax avoidance. The United Kingdom has a responsibility to open up the Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies which are held responsible for so much tax secrecy and avoidance.

“And it is costing everyone who relies on our schools, our hospitals, our roads and our railways. It is costing everyone who pays their fair share of taxes, including millions of British businesses.

“Billions of pounds is being siphoned off into tax havens where our authorities cannot discover even the true ownership of firms registered there, let alone the scale of wealth hidden away. 

“Today, I am putting these tax havens on notice that they will have just six months to open up their books or face international sanction.”

(Ends)

Policy detail:

1. A publicly accessible central register of beneficial ownership is a register you can go to which tells you who is the actual owner of a company – in the sense of who benefits financially when that company makes money. Such a registry is already being set up in mainland UK.

2. Registers in Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies would help stop or stem tax avoidance by showing the tax authorities who is diverting money into companies in these havens and where the money of UK taxpayers is going. At the moment, they can’t even check whether someone has set up a company in the tax havens, let alone whether any money is being diverted into that company.

3. The OECD is the guardian body for international tax rules. It has a list of uncooperative tax haven which low tax jurisdictions can be placed on depending on the transparency of their tax affair. Rather than protecting UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies as we do now, we would act as whistle blowers, making a formal request to the OECD that they should be added to the blacklist.

4. The UK tax gap - the difference between what HMRC thinks it should collect and what it gets - has risen under David Cameron to £34bn

5. Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies are under the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the UK, but are largely autonomous. The G20 has produced a list of potential measures that could be taken against black-listed countries which could include reviewing tax treaties with them, increasing disclosure, and even withholding taxes on finance flowing there.

Labour has already promised the following action on tax avoidance, set out in the paperDelivering Long-term Prosperity – Reform of the Business Taxation published by Ed Balls MP and Shabana Mahmood MP:

· Take the lead on tax transparency. A multilateral agreement on enhanced corporate reporting of tax liabilities in different jurisdictions would enhance transparency and reduce the risk of companies intent on avoiding tax relocating to territories with less exacting disclosure requirements. Nevertheless, even if international agreement is not forthcoming, we will work with business to create a disclosure regime that will increase transparency about what taxes are being paid and where, and bolster public confidence that companies are contributing their fair share. Furthermore, we will force UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies to deliver on their promise to make the names of e beneficial owners of companies based in their jurisdictions publicly available, and extend this to trusts.

· End Exploitation of the Quoted Eurobond Exemption. A Labour Government will make it harder for companies to shift profits off-shore by addressing tax loopholes such as the Quoted Eurobond Exemption. HMRC themselves have identified the problem, but have failed to act. Those businesses legitimately using the exemption to obtain finance from international bond markets would be able to continue to do so. But those who use it as a loophole to move profits to connected companies in tax havens will be prevented from doing so.

· Tackle dormant companies. It has been estimated that 30% of all UK companies are not asked to submit tax returns. One explanation given is that these companies are either dormant or not liable to tax in the UK as they are exclusively trading overseas. Once companies have declared themselves to be dormant, there is an exemption from filing a Corporation Tax return for five years. For some companies, this five year window could be an opportunity to trade with tax impunity. Labour will require the annual confirmation of dormancy and explore the possibility of banks automatically informing HMRC when there is activity in supposedly-dormant accounts.

· Encourage stronger independent scrutiny of the tax system and the government’s efforts to tackle tax avoidance. Labour will affirm and strengthen the powers of the National Audit Office to scrutinise tax reliefs and, in particular, where they are abused to avoid tax. The Chancellor and the Chief Executive of HMRC should also be expected to give evidence to the Treasury Select Committee each year on the Government’s efforts to tackle tax avoidance and evasion and the progress made on reducing the tax gap.

· Ensure developing countries are fully involved in international efforts to tackle tax avoidance such as the OECD’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting project. Too often, the developing countries that are directly harmed by tax avoidance – such as stripping profits out of countries where natural resources are extracted – do not have a seat at the table when decisions are made on global reforms.

· Combat disguised employment in the construction industry. We will finalise the proposals which we were developing in government to deem construction workers as employed for tax purposes if they meet criteria which most people would regard as obvious signs of employment.

· Ensure HMRC has the expertise it needs to work effectively. It is crucial that HMRC’s specialist investigation, enforcement, compliance and anti-avoidance units have the expertise they need if we are to reduce the tax gap. We will make sure that resources in HMRC are deployed more efficiently: for example, by liberating resources currently tied up in administering the Government’s “shares for rights” scheme.

· Bring in tough penalties for those who are caught by the General Anti-Abuse Rule (GAAR). At the moment those who are caught using abusive avoidance schemes under the GAAR only have to pay back the tax which they should have paid anyway. This is because the government failed to back up the GAAR with proper penalties. The GAAR introduced by this government is too weak to properly deter tax avoidance because there is no disincentive for those trying to game the system. Labour would introduce fines of up to 100 per cent of the value of the tax which was avoided through abusive schemes. This will ensure a genuine deterrent to aggressive tax avoidance with fines which can make those who use abusive avoidance schemes pay back twice the sum they avoided.

__________________________________________________



Turks and Caicos Premier blasts British Opposition leader on ‘tax haven’ statements


Mon, Feb 16, 2015

PREMIER Rufus Ewing has called out United Kingdom Opposition Leader, Edward Miliband for published statements he recently made regarding the TCI being a tax haven.

Miliband is reported in the UK press as stating that the UK overseas territories (OT) are not complying with UK directives on beneficial ownership of companies and public central registries of such.

In a statement to the press on Tuesday (February 10), Ewing stated that as Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, he is yet to receive or have sight of any correspondence from the UK Labour leader in respect of this subject at hand or any other subject.

The release continued: "However, I note the letter of Chief Minister Picardo of Gibraltar to Mr Miliband and wish to align, in most parts, the Turks and Caicos Islands’ position with that of Gibraltar’s Chief Minister, and that of the overseas territories that stand in solidarity on this issue.”

Ewing stated that the TCI Government takes exception to the statement made by Miliband, in referring to the jurisdiction as a "tax haven”.

He added that the TCI is a well regulated and compliant financial services jurisdiction that has complied with the FATF Standards, Global Forum Standards and have signed numerous Tax Information Exchange Agreements (TIEAs), including the US-FATCA, UK-FATCA and multilateral agreement on automatic exchange of information in Berlin on 29 October 2014, among numerous others agreements.

He further noted that the Islands, represented by the Deputy Premier in June 2014 along with other UK OT leaders, supported prime minister David Cameron during his presidency of the G8 as the United Kingdom made commitments to improve transparency of information to combat tax evasion, money laundering and financing of terrorism.

"Prime Minister Cameron acted on his commitment and is progressing the establishment of a publicly available central registry of beneficial ownership of companies in the UK and is encouraging all of the UK OTs, which, Cameron emphatically stated are not tax havens, to follow suite,” Ewing said.

He added that the TCI has since devised an action plan and conducted a public consultation on the issues of maintenance of legal and beneficial ownership information and the establishment of a central or public register of beneficial ownership information.

This consultation was recently concluded and Cabinet has reviewed the results, the Premier said.

He stated that it is the position of the TCI that it will continue to comply with all of the global standards as issued by FATF, Global Forum, AML Directives, G20 Principles and will continue to improve systems, in ways that support sound business growth locally and globally.

However, he added, until such time as there is global agreement on appropriate exemptions and safeguards, and a public central registry becomes the internationally practiced standard, the TCI will continue to follow its current regime.

He said: "Perhaps it would have been more helpful to these Turks and Caicos Islands and other overseas territories for the Labour leader to have sought an audience with the leaders of the overseas territories during our many visits to the UK.

"The most recent being for the purpose of the Joint Ministerial Conference meeting during which meeting, the issue of beneficial ownership was of key debate.”

Ewing said that such an engagement would have allowed Miliband to familiarise himself with OT’s jurisdictions, and perhaps he might have discovered that the OTs are not tax havens as he accuses, but, in fact, well and better regulated financial services jurisdictions than many larger jurisdictions.

Miliband would have then been in a better position to more appropriately inform his party’s manifesto in support of assisting the TCI and other OTs economies, as one would expect of responsible leadership, rather than utilising out-dated and damaging descriptions that undermine the strident efforts made by OTs to date to meet and in some cases surpass internally accepted standards.

The Premier added that the TCI is committed to support and implement any global transparency initiatives and directives that will combat tax evasion, money laundering and financing of terrorism.

He added that discussions are welcomed with the UK as a part of the solidarity partnership among OTs on the eventual maintenance of a central registry, but this will be done cautiously and with sober thought to the appropriate level that the information should be made public.

"We must ensure that we are supporting law enforcement agencies and thwarting criminals, all while ensuring the sustainable growth and development of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the protection of the fundamental constitutional rights and privacy of the law abiding citizens and clients we serve.”