Moontown

Les Green

Inspector Steve Brown of the Jamaica Constabulary Force briefs members of the media on a gun and ammunition find at Port Bustamante at the Police Narcotics Department. Between 2007 and 2009, the lawmen seized 1,835 illegal guns and 20,729 assorted rounds of ammunition from the streets. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

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Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

ALTHOUGH THEY have intercepted and seized scores of illegal firearms coming from Haiti, the local police believe that the majority of guns that are on the streets originated in the United States of America.

“Most of the firearms we recovered and traced were from the United States originally,” Assistant Commissioner of Police Les Green told The Sunday Gleaner during a recent interview.

Between 2007 and 2009, the security forces seized 1,835 illegal guns and 20,729 assorted rounds of ammunition.

These numbers include guns and ammunition that were detected in wooden crates, electrical appliances and barrels at local ports.

Of the more than 500 murders committed in Jamaica over the past four months, at least 320 of the victims were killed by the gun.

But ACP Green said his team of detectives, with the help of their overseas counterparts, has been successful in tracing a number of these illegal weapons to the perpetrators.

“We have had joint investigations, and persons have been arrested in Jamaica and the US,” Green said.

While not disclosing the figures, the assistant commissioner said persons have been convicted of gun smuggling in the past, and currently, there are cases in which persons from the US and Jamaica have been charged with drugs and firearm trafficking.

He explained that not all the persons arrested or convicted are linked to gangs.

When asked if entertainers were among persons suspected to be involved in the smuggling of illegal weapons, ACP Green said he would not get into operational matters.

Entertainers’ influences

But when pressed, Green said entertainers are considered by the police in relation to a number of crimes, and firearm trafficking is one of them.

“Entertainers have enormous influence on people; they have access to a lot of wealth. Now, if you have an entertainer who says shooting people is fine, what sort of message is that sending?” said Green.

As part of the way forward, the senior officer said the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) would be setting up an office in Jamaica in another two years.

“We have been fighting for a long time for both the FBI and the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearm (ATF) agency to have a presence in Jamaica. We already have the Drug Enforcement Agency,” said Green.

“The ATF is more important because that’s for firearm tracking. We will be meeting with the ATF next month. I hope it will enhance having a full-time ATF officer working here,” Green added.(Jamaica Gleaner)

David Stone (left), US Embassy consul general, and Laurence Tobey, deputy consul general, speak to members of the media during a tour at the embassy on Friday. - Rudolph Brown/ Photographer

Tyrone Reid, Sunday Gleaner Reporter

THE UNITED States Embassy in Kingston has confirmed, what many in the streets already knew, fewer Jamaicans are applying for US visas. But, while the word in the streets is that this is linked to the stand-off between Washington and Kingston over the extradition request for West Kingston strongman Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke, the US Embassy says that this is not so.

Laurence Tobey, chief of the visa section at the US Embassy, is claiming that the reduction in applications is part of a regular cycle and not because of recent developments.

“We’ve seen a little bit of a drop recently, but we attribute that to seasonal patterns. It is very easy to draw conclusions like this, and it is very easy to get it wrong,” said Tobey in reference to the Dudus impasse.

During a media tour of the embassy’s Old Hope Road compound last Friday, US officials steered clear of providing specific figures on the number of visa applications that have been approved; however, The Sunday Gleaner learned that “significantly more than half of the 110,000 persons”, who applied last year, were issued non-immigrant visas.

Increase in 2008-09

Tobey said that between 2008 and 2009, the number of applications for non-immigrant visas increased by 22,000.

As the fear that the US is clamping down on visas because of the Dudus stand-off festers, it is also widely believed that the visa revocation of at least one prominent businessman and five leading entertainers is related to the same issue.

However, the US Embassy officials made it clear that visas are not turned down for political reasons.

“No visa is issued or no application is denied for political reasons. We don’t give visas, people qualify for them (and) there is no quota,” said David Stone, consul general at the US Embassy.

“What matters is what people say, and if what they say makes sense,” Tobey emphasised.

Stone stressed that if 100,000 applicants made their way to the embassy and they all qualified, none would be turned away.

Tobey explained that a visa is granted or denied under the statutes of the Immigration and Nationality Act passed by Congress in 1952.

“The way Congress wrote the act, the burden of proof is on the applicant. The officer doesn’t have to justify the decision,” Tobey explained.

He admitted that there have been cases where an applicant who was turned down was eventually granted a visa after a supervisory review of the case was conducted.

These reviews are conducted on all applications. While an individual cannot appeal a decision made by the consular officer, the supervisory review is there to ensure that the American immigration laws governing the issuance of visas are applied in their proper context.

Trained officers

Tobey also revealed that every consular officer goes through a nine-week training course designed to give him or her an intimate understanding of the immigration laws that govern the issuance of visas.

Some of the officers were lawyers before moving into the foreign services field by joining the embassy staff, he added.

In addition to the 110,000 applications for non-immigrant visas last year, the US Embassy also processed 11,000 applications for immigrant visas, which allow a person to reside permanently in the US.

Tobey explained that the successful applicants were given the famous green card, which, he quipped, was no longer green but white, and has been that colour for a while.(Jamaica Gleaner)

tyrone.reid@gleanerjm.com

PTSC buses shuttle scores of PNM supporters to Palo Seco
Carolyn Kissoon South Bureau Â

There has been little mention of founder and former political leader of the United National Congress Basdeo Panday by speakers at UNC campaign meetings. But on Friday night, Panday got a ’big-up’ from the most unlikely of people, his political nemesis of many decades Prime Minister Patrick Manning.

Speaking at a People’s National Movement (PNM) campaign meeting in Palo Seco, Manning suggested the new rulers of the UNC pay homage to Panday, a man who fought for sugar workers, but who, he said, was now abandoned.

Said Manning: ’I noticed that every Tom, Dick and Harry believes that they can say what they want about Basdeo Panday. He is the founder of the UNC, you know. When he was conducting his activities in the sugar union, where were they?’

Manning said it was Panday who founded the party ’but today, he was thrown out unceremoniously and every time they talk, they have nothing good to say about the gentleman.’

’They forget that that is where they came from. Whatever his faults and there are many, I see Basdeo Panday as founder of the UNC, and I find it entirely out of order. As a political leader myself, I consider it entirely out of order,’ he said.

LOVE FOR THE BALISIER: People’s National Movement (PNM) supporters hold the party’s balisier symbol high at a public meeting in Palo Seco on Friday night. -Photo: DEXTER PHILIP

The PNM ’bandwagon’ rolled into Palo Seco with Public Services Transport Commission (PTSC) buses transporting supporters from Diego Martin, St Ann’s, Port of Spain and Tunapuna. One bus came in from Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s own constituency of San Fernando East.

More than ten buses lined the narrow roadway leading to the Palo Seco junction where the mass meeting was held. Posters and T-shirts indicated some supporters did come from surrounding constituencies of La Brea and Point Fortin.

’I am very surprised at the size of the audience here. And I know the game that the Opposition has been playing with us, so we check the audience; we don’t estimate it, we do a professional check of the audience at every meeting of the PNM. And just for the record, we do also for the UNC. So at the UNC meeting in Barrackpore tonight, which is their stronghold, there are 4,000 people present. Our estimate at the crowd here, after a careful check in Palo Seco tonight, is 7,000,’ he said. Police officers later estimated the crowd at 2,000.

Taking note of the crowd’s composition and declaring it comprised people of all races, classes, different walks of life, different social strains and cultural backgrounds, Manning urged the supporters:

’You must write letters to the newspapers; they don’t publish them, but write them nonetheless. You write, let them don’t publish. A day will come when they will have to publish PNM letters.’

Manning again returned to the Scott Drug Report which he said identified UNC members Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj and Surujrattan Rambachan as engaging in criminal activities.

Someone in the crowd shouted: ’Ramesh said he will sue you!’

To which Manning responded: ’Sue me, sue me. Let them sue. The more they threaten to sue, the more I will read.’ (Trinidad Express)

Kristy Ramnarine kramnarine@trinidadexpress.com

Political consultant Bernie Campbell is still traumatised by his experience in Trinidad and Tobago, says attorney Anand Ramlogan. And former diplomat Reginald Dumas says National Security Minister Martin Joseph must explain why Campbell was denied entry into this country on Thursday night.

Campbell, a political consultant, had arrived in T&T to help the United National Congress (UNC) with its 2010 General Election campaign when he was detained at Piarco International Airport, kept in immigration custody overnight and put on a plane back home on Friday.

Before leaving, Campbell, according to a UNC statement, said he was taken in a security vehicle to a hotel to stay overnight when the vehicle was stopped by an unmarked car, and he was questioned by unknown men. The security guard took him back to the airport, telling him he would be safe there, the statement reported Campbell as saying. Yesterday, Ramlogan, an attorney for the UNC, said in a telephone interview ’we have decided not to launch a legal challenge in the matter’.

Ramlogan said he had been in contact with Campbell.

’The guy is so traumatised, he does not want to come back in the country. He was verbally abused and racial comments were made to him,’ he said.

The US Embassy has asked Government for an explanation as to why Campbell was denied entry into T&T.

National Security Minister Martin Joseph on Friday denied Campbell was deported on an order from the Minister of National Security.

A release from the ministry said: ’No such deportation order was issued or signed by the Minister of National Security or an immigration officer. Rather, Mr Bernard Campbell, a citizen of the United States of America, was denied entry into Trinidad and Tobago in accordance with section 8 (1) (q) of the Immigration Act, Chapter 18: 01.’

This section states: ’Any person who from information or advice which, in the opinion of the minister is reliable information or advice, is likely to be an undesirable inhabitant of, or visitor to Trinidad and Tobago.’

Noting this section of the Immigration Act was very vague, Dumas said Government must explain what was the advice or information that led to Campbell being denied entry into T&T.

’I as a citizen would like an explanation,’ he said.

He suggested Government’s actions could send the impression the People’s National Movement (PNM) was panicking, and the party wanted to get the man away, fearful his work might have a positive influence on the UNC’s fortunes in the May 24 general election.

Dumas also wondered at the message that was being sent to the US Government, and if as it was as is being said that Campbell was close to the US president, whether T&T was in a position to offend the US president.

Also, Dumas wondered at the effect this action by Government would have on T&T citizens wanting to go to the US.

An internet search showed Campbell, during the 2006 US elections cycle, served as communications director for the Democratic Governor’s Association, speechwriter for New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and campaign strategist for the Florida House Democratic Caucus. Over the years, he has directed national political and non-profit organisations, provided political training to emerging parties in developing democracies and served as an international election monitor. A graduate of Wake Forest and Harvard, Campbell currently provides counsel to political and corporate clients. - See Page 12 OPINION (Trinidad Express)

Keino Swamber South Bureau

Outgoing People’s National Movement (PNM) Member of Parliament for Princes Town South/Tableland Peter Taylor has withdrawn his name as a candidate for the seat in the May 24 general election.

Prime Minister and PNM leader Patrick Manning made the disclosure yesterday after addressing a full gospel youth rally at Skinner Park, San Fernando. Manning said Taylor pulled out of the race on Friday.

Taylor’s move came just two days after he was jeered and booed on Wednesday by some of his constituents at Fifth Company, Moruga.

The villagers complained Taylor had refused to address their concerns during his tenure and had failed to make himself available to listen to their plights.

They threatened to throw their support behind the United National Congress’ (UNC) candidate Clifton De Coteau.(Trinidad Express)

PERSONAL ISSUES: Peter Taylor

SAVORY RICE; VEGETABLE CHOWMEIN

MACARONI PIE; YAM PIE

HERB BAKED CHICKEN; ROASTED PORK IN APPLE SAUCE

BBQ SPARERIBS; BBQ PIG TAIL

SEA CAT; FRIED STEAK FISH

GRILLED STEAK FISH; BEEF STEW

CHICKPEAS AND CORN GRAVY; TOSSED SALAD

STEAMED GARDEN VEGETABLES;  COLE SLAW

Public relations consultant with the Ministry of Tourism, Hugh Foster (right), chatting with one of the exhibitors at the just-ended Rediscover the Caribbean exhibition, while Deputy Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Cora Richards, and senior administrative officer, Celia Pollard-Jones, look on.

Click here to see more photos

A CARIBBEAN rum and beer festival, music and international cricket, feather-light jewellery made from breadfruit trees and a holiday among Dominica’s indigenous people.

These were some of the offerings as several Caribbean concerns with an eye on the tourist dollar drummed up business in Barbados during the last two days.

Representatives of hotels, tourist agencies, the airline industry, gourmet foods, jewellery and clothing producers took advantage of the potential offered by the just-ended “Rediscover the Caribbean” exhibition at the Loyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.

Azure Management Services Inc. used its booth to promote a Caribbean Rum & Beer Festival, set for Portvale sugar factory, St James, November 19-20.

The Caribbean produces more than 100 different rums and more than 50 types of beer and the festival is expected to bring together many of the producers.

The Vincentian company Sailor’s Wilderness Tours has also been encouraging Barbadians to go hiking, fishing, sailing and rowing in St Vincent.

The small Grenadine island Carriacou used the exhibition to promote its “Maroon & String Band Music Festival” running from April 30 to May 2. The festival showcases the island’s traditions, ranging from local foods to song and dance..

The St Kitts & Nevis Tourism Board has been spreading the word about an international Twenty20 cricket match (West Indies versus South Africa) set for June 18-22 and a music festival June 24-26.

Vincentian businessman Vonley Greaves told the SUNDAY SUN his intention was to land some major contracts or at least generate some interest in his range of light, eye-catching jewellery made from bamboo, coconut and breadfruit trees and coloured by fruit-based dyes.

Dominica’s tourism promoters urged Barbadians to visit the Carib Cultural Village, which honours the history, diversity and heritage of the Kalinago, Dominica’s first inhabitants.

Barbados’ Divi South Winds Beach Resort, Bougainvillea Beach Resort and Coconut Court Beach Hotel, the Kalinago Beach Resort in Grenada, St Lucia’s Alize Inn, Paradise Beach Hotel of St Vincent and the Grenadines and a number of the Small Hotels of Dominica were among the companies seeking new business in Barbados.

The island of Saba as well as St Croix in the United States Virgin Islands, Curacao and Martinique were also represented at the exhibition. (TY) (Nation News)

CHARITY CHAT: American actress Anna Maria Horsford (right) talking with Rose-Ann Foster-Vaughn of the National Council for the Disabled (left) and Delphine Walcott of the Autism Association of Barbados during the official opening of the association’s Respite Care Centre at Durants.

AMERICAN TELEVISION and film actress Anna Maria Horsford is considering extending her charity work to Barbados.

She is especially attracted to the work of the Autism Association of Barbados and is looking at ways of assisting that body.

Horsford was a guest at the official opening of the Association’s Respite Care Centre at Durants House, Christ Church, on Friday. Minister of Social Care, Chris Sinckler welcomed the facility and spoke about the need for respite care for other groups such as Barbados’ elderly and for the tourism sector.

The actress said an educational facility was a necessary complement to the Respite Centre.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have a real school for children with this disability in Barbados, and maybe that is something we need to work on,” she told the SUNDAY SUN.

Horsford said she had been involved with Afro-American families living with autism in Los Angeles, and had since designed a jewellery line sold on-line, through which she intended to fund some of her charity work.

A frequent visitor to Barbados, Horsford played the role of Thelma Frye, spinster daughter of Deacon Ernest Frye (Sherman Helmsley) in the television sitcom series Amen, which ran from 1986 to 1991.

She has a role in the recently released movie Family Wedding which also stars Forest Whittaker and America Ferrera. (GC) (Nation News)

HOPEFUL: Susanne Cox-Martin and her son Jade are anticipating good times at the Autism Respite Care Centre.

PARENTS AND WARDS with children suffering from autism and similar ailments now have a place to get a break from their day-to-day stress with the opening of the Respite Care Centre in Durants House, Christ Church.

The self-contained home, surrounded by a fenced-in play area, lush lawns and fruit-laden trees, was opened last Friday by Minister of Social Care and Constituency Empowerment Chris Sinckler.

It was the fulfilment of a six-year journey by the Autism Association of Barbados (AAB).

President Lawton Walcott and his wife Delphi thanked the many people who helped them to reach such a stage, but they also cautioned that the journey was continuing.

Sinckler, in the presence of Ambassador to CARICOM Denis Kellman, spoke of Government’s commitment to helping organisations such as the AAB, whose goals were to provide the right environment for parents and children with disabilities.

He outlined many of the challenges parents encountered and the numerous financial, educational and social denials they were forced to accept while struggling daily to care for offspring with disabilities.

Sinckler said the new centre would provide some respite for many of those parents and care-givers. He also applauded the fact that it would be providing fully-trained caregivers to face the tasks of looking after the incoming children.

The centre was blessed by Reverend Michael Maxwell, while Canon Austin Carrington provided the benediction - the Anglican Diocese being one of the many benefactors of the centre.

The Queen’s College Key Club also assisted in painting and decorating some of the rooms. (KB) (Nation News)

Co-founders of BusinessBarbados.com, Keith miller (left) and Peter Boos (right) seal the deal with Nation CEO, Vivian-Anne Gittens.

THE NATION PUBLISHING CO. LIMITED and BusinessBarbados.com signed a groundbreaking agreement on Wednesday.

The agreement which took place at NATION HOUSE, Fontabelle, allows the two companies to recognise and support each other as official partners in their common quest to provide the public locally, regionally and internationally with accurate, relevant and high value news and information about Barbados and doing business in Barbados.

Both parties are leaders in their respective specialist fields of paper and electronic media.

Peter Boos co-founder BusinessBarbados.com, an online business publication, said that by taking this decision to collaborate, the two companies intend to strengthen their individual positions as well as avoid unnecessary duplication in the market place.

Under this new alliance, Nation Publishing and its business brand BARBADOS BUSINESS AUTHORITY will benefit from increased global exposure, expert business articles and Web-based services provided by BusinessBarbados.com as its exclusive eBusiness Information Partner. BusinessBarbados.com will benefit from print media coverage, up-to-date news reports, and distribution networks that the NATION will provide as its exclusive print media partner, Boos said.

Nation Publishing chief executive officer Vivian-Anne Gittens said Business Barbados and the NATION were both strong, well-established, well-respected brands. By combining their particular skill-sets and resources, they were now better equipped to meet the many challenges of an increasingly demanding global business environment, she said. (PR) (Nation News)