Curacao Prime Minister sees increased regional integration as critical to the sustainable development process

Ministerial Conference 

12th Forum of the European Union 

and the Overseas Countries and Territories of the EU

Address of H.E. Ivar Asjes 

Prime Minister

Curacao

picture by curacaochronicle.com

Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, Members of Parliament, Distinguished ladies and gentlemen,

At the outset, I would like to express my appreciation to the European Commission together in cooperation with the OCTA Chair for the excellent preparations for our deliberations this week, and for the superb arrangements made in convening the various events associated with this 12th Forum of the European Union and OCTs.

The constructive dialogue which has characterised our discussions thus far has been is highly useful in facilitating sustainable economic and social development for the OCTs as we face the formidable challenges posed in this increasingly globalised world, and as we seek to further advance the development process of our respective societies.

In this connection, it is particularly useful that we as OCTs continue to avail ourselves of this unique opportunity for dialogue, not only within the OCTs of our respective regions, but also across other regions as well. Indeed, the sharing of best practices and innovations employed by OCTs has been a highlight of our discussions this week.

The innovative strategies presented during the last few days have provided tangible evidence of how OCT’s can turn adversity into an asset to the benefit of social economic development.

Mr. Chairman,

Such exchange of ideas and strategies confirm the determination of OCT’s to devise ways and means to address the challenges we face as leaders in advancing our respective development processes. In this connection, we encourage the further advancement of opportunities for such dialogue amongst OCTs, the outermost regions, as well as the ACP countries which are similarly situated. We take note that the OCTA Roadmap for 2014, makes specific reference to the importance of such linkages. 

To this end, we express our appreciation for the support provided by our European Union partners as an important tool to advance our development process. The flexibility shown in facilitating the completion of the EDF 10 process is well appreciated as an important input into the infrastructural development of our neighborhoods.

Mr. Chairman,

As has been reinforced throughout our discussions this week, the OCTs are widely dispersed through the planet yet share common characteristics including dis-economies of scale, distance from markets, geographical isolation, vulnerability to external shocks, and the susceptibility to the uncertainty and unpredictability of climate change. In this context, it is important to emphasise that the partnership between the OCTs and the EU serves as a valuable mechanism to facilitate economic and social progress.

The partnership also affords the opening of the necessary space for OCTs to advance amid the challenges of globalisation. For Curacao, such space is critical to advancing our sustainable development process, and serves to facilitate increased integration within the international community - including our Caribbean region - via the active functional participation in international and regional organisations, and through bilateral economic cooperation.

Since our emergence as an autonomous country in 2010, we have accelerated efforts in this regard. Curacao has gained associate membership in the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean – the major economic cooperation mechanism in our hemisphere. Curacao has also succeeded in joining other relevant institutions including UNESCO and the Latin American Parliament, and presently enjoys full membership in the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and Interpol.

We are also seeking to re-join a number of additional international bodies in which we participated as part of the former Netherlands Antilles. These include the Alliance of Small Island States which focuses on small island states and climate change negotiations. We are also proceeding to update our status with the International Olympic Committee, and have formally applied for associate membership in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

We are working towards similar functional cooperation with other relevant technical and economic organisations, and are exploring dialogue with several states in our hemisphere to facilitate trade, investment and related business activity. Curacao sees this functional cooperation and engagement with the international community as a modern approach in furtherance of the sustainable development process.

Curacao appreciates the constructive relations with the European Commission and the good results achieved at this Forum with regards to the 10th EDF and future cooperation. This cooperation will benefit the population of Curacao, through low-cost housing and urban development.

We are now at an important stage where the new Overseas Association Decision (OAD) will enter into force at 1st January 2014. Curacao welcomes the more mature nature of the relationship with the EU, where more responsibilities are entrusted to the OCT’s. This forms a better platform for the ownership by the OCT’s with regards to our partnership.

We welcome the opportunity to utilize the new OAD to position the OCT’s cooperation in their region. In that respect Curacao is looking forward to further establishing itself as a logistical hub in the Caribbean and Latin American Region.

As for the 11th EDF, we commend the Member States and the European Commission on a job well done.

As Commissioner Piebalgs stated, an increase of the Territorial and Regional Envelope in these challenging times, is sign of the commitment on the part of the EU, and also reiterates that the OCT’s are recognised as a valuable asset.

In closing and on behalf of the government and people of Curacao, I wish to express appreciation to the OCT’s for the confidence you have placed in Curacao through our election as vice chairman of the Overseas Countries and Territories Association (OCTA). We look forward to working closely, within the framework of the Board of Chairmen, to advance the visibility of the OCTA vis a vis the EU at a high political level. We will work closely with the Chair to both strengthen the OCT political representation, and enhance the implementation of the OCTA mandate adopted by the OCT’s. Again, thank you for the support, and Curacao looks forward to a prosperous collaboration with the Commission and OCT’s in the year ahead.

Thank you.

*****

Asjes Chosen As Vice-President OCTA

BRUSSELS, WILLEMSTAD – Ivar Asjes was elected as vice-president of the Overseas Countries and Territories Association (OCTA), the organization of the 22 overseas territories which have constitutional ties with European countries. Member countries were in Brussels, Belgium to discuss issues of the OCTA together.

Some of these issues are climate change, construction and maintenance of infrastructure, energy and socioeconomic problems. Participants also agreed on the presidency of the organization. The 22 delegations chose Prime Minister Orlando Smith (British Virgin Islands) as President and his colleague Prime Minister of Curacao, Ivar Asjes as vice president.

According to Prime Minister Asjes, his appointment as vice-president of the OCTA represents an important step for Curacao. “It’s an opportunity to have closer ties of mutual cooperation in the region. It also helps to position our nation in the international arena,” Asjes declared.

Australia signals a decrease in Pacific influence - Nic Maclellan

Stopping the cheques

Australia’s performance at CHOGM (Commponwealth Heads of Government Meeting) and in Warsaw (in November) will accelerate the decline of its influence in the Pacific, writes Nic Maclellan

Nauru’s president Baron Waqa with prime minister Tony Abbott at CHOGM meeting in Colombo. Robert Schmidt/ AFP

STANDING on the podium in Warsaw this week, president Baron Waqa of Nauru wasn’t mincing his words. “Many of the countries most responsible for climate change are retreating from their moral responsibility and obligation to act,” he said. “Consequently, we are lacking the urgent ambition required to lower emissions in the short time we have to avert catastrophe.”

This year’s global climate negotiations haven’t gone well. The Alliance of Small Island States, or AOSIS, is angry that many developed nations are abandoning pledges to provide financial support for the most vulnerable islands affected by global warming. Speaking on behalf of this forty-three-member bloc, Waqa stressed [1]the vital role of climate finance in responding to the climate emergency. “We are missing the all-embracing idea of human solidarity that underpins the concept of ‘loss and damage,’” he said, referring to the devastation to land, water supply, agriculture and infrastructure caused by delays in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the failure to fund the necessary adaptation.

Leading the retreat at Warsaw is the Australian government. In December last year, the Coalition’s shadow climate minister, Greg Hunt, said that an Abbott government would not give a “blank cheque” to cover loss and damage. Now, as federal environment minister (“climate” having been removed from the title), Hunt has refused to attend the Warsaw negotiations and is making good on his pledge to stop the cheques.

At this month’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka, the Abbott government ditched Australia’s pledge to contribute to the Green Climate Fund, an innovative new funding mechanism for dealing with the effects of climate change. In their final communique [2], the CHOGM leaders “recognised the importance attached to both the operationalisation and the capitalisation of the Green Climate Fund.” But a footnote recorded that “Australia and Canada had reservations about the language of paragraphs 18, 19, 20 and 21 and indicated that they could not support a Green Capital [sic] Fund at this time.”

Hunt made clear in December last year that the Coalition wouldn’t support this multilateral body. “This is not a fund which we support. We have no control over where the money goes, no control over how it’s used, no control over how much we pay and this is something which we clearly, simply, categorically reject.” At the time, international observers were astounded by the chutzpah of this statement. Australia had played a central role in the creation of the fund, with AusAID’s deputy director-general, Ewen McDonald, appointed co-chair of the Fund’s board for its first year of operation. Australian officials have played a crucial role in determining the Fund’s mandate, operations and policies.

READ FULL ANALYSIS HERE AT

 

Seabed mining puts Pacific at risk as efforts to exploit natural resources accelerate

Also see: 

Experimental seabed mining: Determine viability first

*******

Solomon Star

A NEW animated cartoon released on YouTube highlights the high risks of experimental seabed mining for the Pacific region.

“Papua New Guinea (PNG) has already suffered some of the world’s worst mining disasters. Foreign companies have polluted our rivers, destroyed communities and caused a violent civil war,” says John Chitoa, from the Bismarck Ramu Group (BRG) in PNG.

“Now Nautilus Minerals wants to dig up the seafloor in a new experimental mining operation. But, as the government has already acknowledged, communities all across PNG are saying they do not want to be part of this experiment”.

BRG is one of three NGOs that have funded the new video together with the Pacific Network on Globalization (PANG) and ACT NOW!

Maureen Penjueli from PANG says this issue is of much wider significance than just Solwara 1 and Papua New Guinea.

“There is already exploration for similar mines all across the Pacific region and in the Indian ocean. Numerous countries have sanctioned the exploration without understanding the full potential environmental impacts and how it could impact on local communities”.

“We are calling for a moratorium on this type of mining, like those already in place in Vanuatu and Cook Islands, until there are proper studies on the environmental and social costs.”

The timing of the video is very poignant as the PNG government struggles with the issue of whether to put $118 million of tax payers money into the Solwara 1 mine: money the NGOs say could be better spent on improving health and education facilities for communities in PNG.

“The government needs to do the right thing for the people of PNG rather than looking after these foreign companies that destroy and impoverish us”, says John Chitoa.

“The government must reject seabed mining and invest instead in health, education and agriculture for the long-term benefit of our communities and our Nation.”

*****

Papua New Guinea Mine Watch

Radio New Zealand

The Cook Islands government says the country is preparing well to benefit from the rich store of minerals on its seabed.

And it says things are well in hand to ensure the country does not become a guinea pig in the frontier industry surrounding seabed mineral extraction.

But there is concern it is being too pushy on the issue.

Sally Round has been in Rarotonga and filed this report.

Beyond the surf pounding the reefs which encircle the Cooks 15 far-flung islands lie huge and valuable mineral deposits. The small round lumps known as nodules lie on the sea-floor about 5 to 6 kilometres down. They contain base metals such as manganese, nickel, cobalt and titanium and they’re being eyed by multinationals keen to supply a growing global market for high-tech devices.

“MARK BROWN: Valuations on the amount of minerals on the sea floor range into the billions of dollars.”

The Minister for Seabed Minerals, Mark Brown, says the government is in discussion with a number of international companies over exploration rights.

“MARK BROWN: It’s significant deposits that are down there, but we still have to get further information as to how much of this would be available to and is viable for exploitation.”

Even though the technology for commercial mining, or ’harvesting’ as the industry prefers it to be called, is not expected to be on stream until after 2020, the Cook Islands already has legislation and an authority in place. I’ve come to the Seabed Minerals Authority to find out more about the nodules and their location. The Authority is tasked with ensuring the seabed minerals sector is developed in a steady and informed manner, maximising benefits to the people and taking into account economic and social impacts. The Minister Mark Brown says the Cooks is also setting up a Sovereign Wealth Fund and looking at a beneficial tax regime.

“MARK BROWN: We’ve seen in the last few years in terrestrial mining in countries like Australia the attempts to put in a super tax to realise super profits, if you like, when the price of minerals spikes up. So all of these things we’re looking at and taking into consideration to ensure that the country receives a fair share of any of the revenue that’s derived from our minerals that are exploited from our waters.”

But the leader of the opposition Democratic Party, Wilkie Rasmussen, says the government is driving through a message of the economic benefits seabed mining would bring and it’s a way of diverting attention from more pressing issues like depopulation. He doesn’t think much of the government’s efforts at consultation.

“WILKIE RASMUSSEN: If consultation is to be done, it needs to be taken to the people of the outer islands. You have a handful of people that go to several meetings that they hold here in Rarotonga and they take that to justify that that process has been done. I see it more as the government ticking off the boxes. It’s not full consultation. I don’t think it’s representative at all of the Cook Islands people.”

Wilkie Rasmussen’s sentiments are echoed by some of the country’s traditional leaders. Although the House of Ariki has given its blessing to the idea of exploring the potential for seabed mining, it wants to see the environment protected as the sea is the food basket for its people. The President of the House of Ariki, Tou Ariki, says people in the outer islands are waiting to hear from the Seabed Minerals Commissioner.

“WILKIE RASMUSSEN: Outer island people, they don’t know what really is happening. I know the commission has been overseas. It should be concentrating on going to our own people first and telling our own people what is happening now.”

An environmental watchdog in the country, the Te Ipukarea Society, is working closely with the Seabed Minerals Authority to ensure the Cooks Islands takes a precautionary approach. One of its board members, Teina McKenzie, says more awareness needs to be raised in the Cooks around environmental concerns.

“TEINA MCKENZIE: So far, the only consultation that has gone out has been about the money that can be earned from this industry. That has to be balanced with the realistic impacts on our environment. We have to be very careful about that as a large ocean state.”

An official from the island of Mangaia, Poroa Arokapiti, says the people there are fifty/fifty about the idea of mining, which they have learnt about during consultations on the marine reserve.

“POROA AROKAPITI: 50% really agree and the other 50 don’t know. They don’t understand what seabed mining is. And I believe those who agree, they still don’t know what seabed mining is. The rumour is there’s more money - millions and millions of dollars are going to come to the Cook Islands, which is a good thing. But I believe if there’s money coming, it should be shared among the islands.”

The Cook Islands whale sanctuary spans three million square kilometres of the country’s waters and the Cooks is a centre for whale research. Sheryl John of the Cook Islands Whale and Wildlife Centre fears the lack of information about seabed mining and its possible effects on sea creatures.

“SHERYL JOHN: It’s the fear of the unknown, to a point, because I don’t think anyone really know what result this is going to have. The bottom of the sea has always been untouched. It’s a really important part of the whole of the marine life that happens in the deep ocean. If we go in there and rape and village everything from the bottom of the ocean, which is until now untouched, I’m really concerned about what that is going to mean.”

Opposition MP Sel Napa also worries about the unknown.

“SEL NAPA: I would rather see someone else mine, and then let’s wait and see what their result is, what effect it will have on their environment and the people and their food cupboard. Because us Pacific island people, we love our fish, and we like to see the fish still around in our ocean.”

The Cook Islands announced the setting up of its Marine Reserve the largest in the world last year. But the Minister for Seabed Minerals, Mark Brown, says it won’t preclude the harvesting of seabed nodules. He says the government wants to ensure good environmental protection measures are in place to safeguard the Cook Islands pristine waters and its present number one earner, tourism, as well as other marine resources.

“MARK BROWN: We don’t see ourselves as a guinea pig, we see ourselves more as pioneers and leaders in this particular field. It’s important that when we do get into any sort of negotiations we do have the best information possible so that we can make informed decisions. But it’s important that we lead any future development in seabed mineral mining and that we’re not being led. It’s a learning process. A lot of what we know about the bottom of the sea at 5,000 metres... As somebody once told me, I think we know more about the dark side of the moon than we know about what’s down 5,000 metres below us.”

Mark Brown says exploration licenses are expected to be issued within six years.

French Polynesia resolution adopted by U.N. General Assembly

Question of French Polynesia

The General Assembly,

Having considered the question of French Polynesia,

Having examined the chapter of the report of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples for 2013 relating to French Polynesia,[1]

Reaffirming the right of peoples to self-determination as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and in accordance with all relevant resolutions, including its resolutions 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960 and 1541 (XV) of 15 December 1960,

Recalling its resolution 67/265 of 17 May 2013, entitled “Self-determination of French Polynesia”, in which the General Assembly affirmed the inalienable right of the people of French Polynesia to self-determination and independence in accordance with Chapter XI of the Charter and its resolution 1514 (XV), recognized that French Polynesia remains a Non-Self-Governing Territory within the meaning of the Charter and declared that an obligation exists under Article 73 e of the Charter on the part of the Government of France, as the administering Power of the Territory, to transmit information on French Polynesia,

Expressing concern that 53 years after the adoption of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples,[2] there still remain a number of Non-Self-Governing Territories,

Recognizing that all available options for self-determination of the Territories are valid as long as they are in accordance with the freely expressed wishes of the peoples concerned, on a case-by-case basis and in conformity with the clearly defined principles contained in resolutions 1514 (XV), 1541 (XV) and other relevant resolutions of the Assembly, 

Recognizing also that the specific characteristics and the aspirations of the peoples of the Territories require flexible, practical and innovative approaches to the options for self-determination, on a case-by-case basis, 

Conscious of the responsibility of the administering Power to ensure the full and speedy implementation of the Declaration in respect of French Polynesia, 

Mindful that, in order for the Special Committee to enhance its understanding of the political status of the peoples of the Territories and to fulfil its mandate effectively, on a case-by-case basis, it is important for it to be apprised by the administering Powers and to receive information from other appropriate sources, including the representatives of the Territories, concerning the wishes and aspirations of the people of the Territories, 

Recognizing the significant health and environmental impacts of nuclear testing conducted by the administering Power in the Territory over a 30-year period, and further recognizing the concerns in the Territory related to the consequences of those activities on the lives and health of the people, especially children and vulnerable groups, as well as the environment of the region, 

Recognizing also the need for the Special Committee to ensure that the appropriate bodies of the United Nations actively pursue a public awareness campaign aimed at assisting the peoples of the Territories in gaining a better understanding of the options for self-determination, 

  1. Reaffirms the inalienable right of the people of French Polynesia to self-determination, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations and with General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV), containing the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples; 

  2. Also reaffirms that it is ultimately for the people of French Polynesia to determine freely their future political status in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter, the Declaration and the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly, and in that connection calls upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of French Polynesia of their right to self-determination in conformity with the legitimate political status options, based on the principles clearly defined in Assembly resolution 1541 (XV) and other relevant resolutions and decisions; 

  3. Calls upon the administering Power to participate in and cooperate fully with the work of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples in order to implement the provisions of Article 73 e of the Charter and the Declaration and in order to advise the Special Committee on the implementation of the provisions under Article 73 b of the Charter on efforts to promote self-government in French Polynesia, and encourages the administering Power to facilitate visiting and special missions to the Territory; 

   4. Calls upon the Government of France to intensify its dialogue with French Polynesia in order to facilitate rapid progress towards a fair and effective self-determination process, under which the terms and timelines for an act of self-determination would be agreed; 

  5. Requests the Secretary-General, in cooperation with relevant specialized agencies of the United Nations, to compile a report on the environmental, ecological, health and other impacts as a consequence of the 30-year period of nuclear testing in the Territory; 

  6. Requests the Special Committee to continue to examine the question of the Non-Self-Governing Territory of French Polynesia and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its sixty-ninth session.

---

    
[1] Official Records of the General Assembly, Sixty-eighth Session, Supplement No. 23 (A/68/23), chap. IX.

[2] Resolution 1514 (XV).

Hommage: Quand une Miss Tahiti rencontrait Nelson Mandela

C’était en novembre 1995, mais dans la mémoire de Timeri Baudry, ce jour est resté gravé à jamais. Ce fut le jour d’une brève mais fulgurante rencontre avec l’une des icônes les plus emblématiques du XXe siècle. 

La belle jeune femme tahitienne âgée de 20 ans, couronnée quelques mois plus tôt Miss Tahiti 1995, participait cette année-là au concours de Miss Monde qui se déroulait en Afrique du Sud. Etre reçue à Johannesburg en 1995, avec 80 autres jeunes filles du monde entier, dans un pays qui sortait à peine de l’apartheid grâce au combat de celui qui avait passé 27 ans en prison pour dénoncer la ségrégation raciale, était déjà une immense joie pour Timeri.

Mais comble de l’honneur, le président sud africain avait tenu à rencontrer personnellement toutes les candidates présentes dans son pays pour ce concours de beauté mondial. «Cela a été une émotion particulière pour nous toutes. Quand on nous avait dit que Nelson Mandela nous serait présenté, chez lui, au début on n’y croyait pas. Mais finalement de cette expérience de Miss Monde c’est ce dont je me souviens le plus» explique Timeri presque 20 ans plus tard. Le temps d’une photo, d’une poignée de mains, l’échange d’un sourire qui ne s’oublie pas 

Rédigé par () le Jeudi 5 Décembre 2013 à 22:21 | Lu 3977 fois

Dutch Parliament seeks information on spying of Bonaire political leaders

Parliament wants answers on spying 

on Booi, El Hage

Daily Herald

THE HAGUE--The Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament is demanding a quick answer from the cabinet of Prime Minister Rutte on media reports that Bonaire politicians Ramonsito Booi and Burney el Hage were watched by the Dutch intelligence and security agency AIVD.

worldatlas.com

Parliament wants a letter from the Dutch cabinet by Tuesday, 12:00 noon, which clarifies the reasons and background as to why the AIVD spied on Booi and El Hage of Bonaire’s UPB party between 2005 and 2010.

If the answers are not to Parliament’s liking members might very well decide to call in Ministers of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk and Ivo Opstelten of Safety and Justice for a debate.

Initially, Member of the Second Chamber Linda Voortman of the green left party GroenLinks filed a request for a debate with Plasterk and Opstelten, but a majority of Parliament was in favour of asking for a clarifying letter from government first before convening a debate.

Voortman called for a debate during Thursday’s plenary session following the publication of an article in the NRC Handelsblad newspaper that the AIVD spied upon the two Bonaire politicians from 2005 to 2010, at the time of the constitutional negotiations.

Voortman called the eavesdropping, which took place without the knowledge of the Government of the Netherlands Antilles and then Prime Minister Emily de Jongh-Elhage, “a very serious issue.” “We cannot take this lightly,” she said.

Gerard Schouw of the Democratic Party D66 agreed that this was a very serious case and suggested asking the Dutch Government for a clarifying letter. In this letter, which was supported by most parties, the cabinet would also have to explain whether the top of the Ministries of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations BZK and of Safety and Justice (V and J) knew about the AIVD operation in Bonaire. Jeroen Recourt of the Labour Party PvdA said it was “very relevant” to know whether AIVD had operated legally.

The cabinet has to send a letter to the Second Chamber before Tuesday noon, after which Parliament can decide whether a debate is necessary. The agenda point would either be added to the debate on the draft 2014 budget of Kingdom Relations on Wednesday, or a separate plenary meeting will be held on the matter.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

SEE ALSO: 

Dutch security agency spied on Booi, El Hage

TEPCO clean-up boss says Fukushima's radioactive water will be dumped into Pacific Ocean

ABC/PACNEWS

The man in charge of the clean-up at Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant says growing stores of contaminated water from the site will eventually have to be dumped into the sea.

In an exclusive interview with the ABC, the chairman of the Fukushima Monitoring Committee, Dale Klein, has also admitted there are likely to be more blunders and slip-ups at the plant in the months and years to come.

“I think the best word to use with Fukushima is challenging,” the former chief nuclear watchdog in the US said.

Since the 2011 earthquake and ensuing tsunami sparked the nuclear disaster, TEPCO has been pouring millions of litres of water onto Fukushima's reactors to try and keep them cool.

That radioactive water is now being stored in tanks at the site but already thousands of litres have leaked into the Pacific Ocean.

Klein says the biggest challenge for TEPCO is dealing with these ever-growing volumes of contaminated water being stored at Fukushima.

He believes that after the water is treated and stripped of most radioactive elements, it will be safe to dump into the Pacific.

“At the end of the day, when the water is discharged, it will be released in a way that it's diluted,” he said.

“So there's no risk to public health and safety. But it's an emotional issue.”

It is not just contaminated water causing problems at Fukushima.

Hastily and shoddily built systems at the nuclear plant have also triggered some anxious moments.

The ABC has spoken to one man who worked at the Fukushima site until he reached his maximum radiation exposure limit.

He still works for TEPCO, and only agreed to speak to the ABC on the condition of anonymity.

“I was at the plant earlier this year when a rat chewed through some wiring and knocked out power to several used fuel pools,” he said.

“I thought, 'how could one rat cause such a big problem?' There were no back-up systems.”

Klein has told the ABC he believes there will be more dramas at Fukushima.

“I think we will see more of those. When you look at that site, it's massive,” he said.

"It's a big site and it's not unusual to have other things like that.".

Statement by Alfred-Maurice de Zayas, Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order at the 68th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations

United Nations Human Rights

Mr. Chairperson,

Distinguished delegates,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my honour to submit this progress report to the General Assembly in accordance with Resolution 67/175. The report should be read together with my report to the Human Rights Council, presented on 10 September 2013 pursuant to Human Rights Council Resolution 21/9, which focuses on other aspects of the mandate and contains fourteen important annexes.

In this report to the Assembly I summarize activities undertaken from August 2012 to July 2013, and endeavour to address some of the issues specifically raised in creating the mandate, which I understand as global in geographical scope and multi-level in conceptual approach. As the resolutions indicate, the goal is convergence of civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights into a coherent synthesis that will advance the process of achieving an international order that is more democratic and equitable.

The vast scope of the resolutions manifests the bold vision of the Human Rights Council and General Assembly and calls for the formulation of pragmatic recommendations.

My reports identify manifold obstacles to the realization of a democratic and equitable international order and propose reforms to the United Nations institutions so as to make them more democratic, making participation in the Bretton Woods more equitable and representative, bringing transnational corporations under UN scrutiny, so as to enhance both transparency and accountability. Domestically, I call for greater use of the instruments of direct democracy.

Undoubtedly Peace is a condition to realizing a democratic and equitable international order. Humanity’s best hope thus remains a revitalized United Nations and a pro-active General Assembly that will deploy preventive strategies and henceforth implement the pledge to spare humanity from the barbarity of war more effectively. It is time for the UN General Assembly, as the most representative world body, not only to voice the international community’s rejection of war and war-mongering, but also to develop early warning mechanisms to detect and neutralize disinformation, insidious propaganda for war and the panoply of pretexts used by some States to justify the use of force.

Similarly, the UN Secretary General could use his good offices and deploy preventive strategies against the uncontrolled dynamics of war propaganda. He can exercise a more proactive role in referring belligerent tensions not only to the Security Council but also to the General Assembly and to the Human Rights Council, bearing in mind that armed conflicts always impact negatively on the most fundamental human rights. In this context the creation of the function of a Special Advisor to the Secretary General on the prevention of war and the suppression of war-mongering could be considered.

READ FULL TEXT OF STATEMENT HERE.

Apartheid In The Dominican Republic: Are You Haitian?

Curacao Chronicle

By Myriam J.A. Chancy, Ph.D. 

for Curacao Chronicle

Dominican Republic racist law against its Black citizens affects quarter of a million people.

 

OES Dispatch from St. Martin – The implications of the ruling of September 23 by the Constitutional Tribunal of the Dominican Republic, stripping citizenship from the offspring of non-resident Haitians born in the Dominican Republic (DR), where nationality is conferred “jus soli,” by place of birth, are only beginning to be understood by the international community with the OAS, Amnesty International, and the governments of Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, openly condemning the violation of human rights it represents.

Hanging in the balance are the lives of nearly a quarter of a million Dominicans of Haitian descent – of all ages – who have been rendered stateless by the ruling, in what has been deemed a human rights crisis in the making.

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE.

The Decolonisation Papers: French Polynesia political leader addresses Melanesian Spearhead Group on self-determination issue

Statement by

Mr Oscar Manutahi TEMARU

President of Tavini Huiraatira

 

19th MSG Summit

 

CPS, Nouméa, Kanaky

jssnews.com

Mr. President of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, 

Dear Victor,

Honorable prime ministers of member states,

Honorable observers and guests,

Honorable members of Kanaky’s institutions,

Ia orana, Talofa,

My first thoughts go to the People of Kanaky, and to your elders whom I had the honor to walk and fight along in the past. Jean-Marie, Yéwené, Yan Séléné, Roch Pidjot, Eloi … I know that you are watching us as we gather here.

This year’s summit is about a “Free and united Pacific”. 

As you all know, all of us are not yet free, but MSG has never failed to support this quest while trying to maintain unity.

You were at the forefront of the FLNKS struggle that led to their relisting on the UN list of non-autonomous territories back in 1986.

For the last two years MSG has again proved that strength lies in unity. Along with the Polynesian countries, you stood strong in supporting the quest of the Maohi People at the United Nations. Adoption of resolution L56 Rev. 1 on May 17th is tangible proof of this unity in pursuit of freedom.

Be assured that the Maohi People will never forget your support. I cannot but give a special “mauruuru” to the Honorable Gordon Darcy Lilo, prime minister of Solomon Islands, whose leadership never failed and gave his ambassador at the UN, Mr Collin beck the indomitable courage and resolve to go forward, despite formidable pressure and lobbying from big countries.

Kanaky and Maohi Nui are now both under the oversight of the United Nations, towards self-determination.

I would have a special request. I don’t know if it is possible but I will ask anyway. I am making this request on my behalf and that of my late brothers, Jean-Marie, Yéwéné, Eloi

I know that you have an upcoming referendum. I would like you to consider “waiting” for us, so that Kanaky and Ma’ohi Nui hold their referendum at the same time. Not too far. Possibly before the end of François Hollande’s term.

Please think about it.

To us, you member states of MSG, are proof that independence can mean sustainable development and good governance, for true social and economic progress that benefits the People.

Yet, remnants of colonial times are still trying to scare our Peoples and convince us that we are not fit to manage our own destinies.

Together we have huge resources and potential that are coveted by big sharks that roam our oceans.

It is therefore very important that MSG, and the newly formed PLG work closely to share best practices and experience of this globalized world in which we all live today.

I am sure that, under FLNKS leadership, the excellent work done by Commodore Bainimarama will be pursued and kept up to the new challenges ahead.

This year, MSG celebrates its 25th anniversary. Next year it will be 25 years since Jean-Marie Tjibaou and Yéwéné.

Yéwéné left us. Time flies but the true legacy remains.

Mauruuru, e te aroha ia rahi.

Turks & Caicos Islander reveals selective British prosecution on basis of race

The case against the FCO's SIPT and its institutional racism Letter by J. Forbes to TCI News Now! "No matter whatever happens now to try and rehabilitate what are self evidently racist prosecutions, a very large segment of the community will now never accept any convictions of the (British) SIPT (Special Investigation and Prosecution Team), particularly in a judge alone trial, as being the reflection of a fair or reasonable judicial process." worldatlas.com While TCI (Turks and Caicos Islands) residents now realize that British technocrats have plundered millions from the treasury, the truly unforgivable sin is the lost opportunities in having the country in stasis for four years, along with the human toll of having an all-white and racist European prosecuting team selecting who to prosecute, in a predominantly Afro-Caribbean society, under the thumb of Helen Garlick’s SIPT. This latter travesty, which has ensnared a generation of successful Belongers, has been the subject of infrequent public comment, although negative sentiment is widespread. On 24 January 2013, Professor Trevor Munroe, the executive director of Jamaica’s National Integrity Action (NIA) group, wrote to then TCI Governor Todd about shortcomings in the rule of law in the TCI, and what his group said was the “uneven application of the law”. His concern was the deals that were hatched with white developers and businessmen while others were being prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Munroe’s letter was answered, but his concerns were given scant attention.  Almost six months after Munroe’s letter, a Caribbean Community (CARICOM) ministerial fact finding mission to the TCI, headed by eminent members of that important regional body, published its findings on 11 July 2013.  The group found widespread sentiments that: (1) the SIPT’s investigation and prosecutions have created a climate of fear, that they have the country on pause, that the prosecutions have destroyed reputations, and that (2) no regional persons are on the SIPT, giving the impression that it is intended to treat Belongers as crooks and target only Islanders for prosecution, that (3) justice is for sale to foreigners while locals face criminal charges and jail time, that (4) there is a complete disconnect between the TCI and British narratives and perspectives, that (5) the UK should say what its level of culpability is for the events that are the subject of the SIPT’s prosecutions, given its oversight responsibility, and (6) that there are widespread concerns over the manipulation of the criminal justice system, including removal of the right to trial by jury, changes to the laws on the collection and admissibility of evidence, etc. There has been no public response by the UK government to that important regional body’s report but, even more alarming, there has been no movement on any of the recommendations in the report.  (OTR Note: The British representative to the United Nations Fourth Committee last October stated in a session on the decolonisation of the non self-governing territories under UK administration that the British were unaware of the existence of the CARICOM report on the Turks and Caicos Islands - even as it is stated in the Report that the document was sent to the British government). As for the merits of the CARICOM delegation’s findings, with twelve out of thirteen of the SIPT’s defendants being Belongers, the charge that the SIPT’s prosecutions have yielded unnaturally skewed results is unanswerable. Even on the SIPT’s account the crimes they are prosecuting involve white expatriates paying bribes to black government ministers for favours, with roughly even numbers of persons paying and receiving bribes.  With only one exception their prosecutions involve only blacks being strung, drawn, and quartered, and in case after case the person paying the bribes are conspicuously missing, in most cases as a result of having cut a deal, in some instances there is simply no good explanation for the missing developer, and in at least one case the SIPT seems to be making every effort to avoid the particular businessman.  In addition, in legal transactions they say were corrupt, the consistent conclusions they have drawn is that white professionals representing expatriates were not knowingly a party to the corruption, but long standing and successful Belonger professionals, with much to lose and nothing to gain, they say were mired in the corrupt deals. The fact that this prosecution has yielded such obviously racist results in its decisions to prosecute is hardly surprising when you consider that the SIPT’s membership is lily-white and all-European, which is not a travesty in itself, even though its members inevitably bring to their jobs preconceived notions about the region and its mostly Afro-Caribbean subjects, with no one in their midst to disabuse them of those prejudices.  A close look at the composition of the SIPT, however, shows that its predilection for bias goes beyond the colour and culture of its membership. The majority of the team are retired veterans, with thirty-plus years experience, many of whom are former members of London’s Metropolitan Police Service (the Met), which puts them at the heart of one of the most racist police forces in the world. If that seems an unwarranted claim the Met has a record of stopping and searching blacks more than three times the frequency of whites in 2000, and more than six times in 2009-2010.  The Macpherson Report on London’s Met, published in 1999, found that it was “institutionally racist” (which is defined by unwitting prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness, and racist stereotyping among its membership), and came up with a long list of recommendations to tackle its racism, a very important component of which is that its staffing should reflect the cultural and ethnic makeup of the communities it serves.  Despite significant changes the Met is still considered institutionally racist, with cries that decades later it still does not reflect the markup of the communities it serves. If that is a yardstick to avoid ‘institutional racism’, Garlick’s SIPT clearly fails miserably on that score, being all-white and all-European, and its defendant lineup and prosecutions speak for itself.  TCI’s mainstream press has been too fearful to state the obvious, and it has therefore been quiet about the travesty of this injustice. A few local blogs have been braver, beating around the central point, and marveling at how by far the largest allegations of corruption have gone completely untouched by the SIPT because of who is at the center of the allegations, but even those ‘anonymous’’ blogs, that have been most vocal, have been intimidated and shut down.  No matter whatever happens now to try and rehabilitate what are self evidently racist prosecutions, a very large segment of the community will now never accept any convictions of the SIPT, particularly in a judge alone trial, as being the reflection of a fair or reasonable judicial process. These trials will bring the TCI’s criminal justice system completely into disrepute. British justice does not stink... it reeks, and the FCO United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office) should be absolutely ashamed of its part in this travesty parading as a criminal justice system.