At The Pumps This Weekend Maximum Price ULG per gal 11/06/10 DELTA $14.14 SHELL $11.70 Year 53 NO. 04BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, W.I. FRIDAY, JUNE 18TH, 2010 EC$2.00 TEXACO $11.84 the dream of political union in the Caribbean and he was one of the St. Kitts and Nevis gets greenlight leading proponents of the Grenada Declaration in 1971, which sought to bring a number Eastern for OECS Economic Union Caribbean Countries into a political union with Guyana,” BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, that I have the honour and Prime Minister Douglas. JUNE 13TH 2010 (CUOPM) – St. privilege of leading today,” Prime Prime Minister Douglas said he Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Minister Douglas told the National believes that integration is the Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas says Assembly as he sought the vision of the people of St. Kitts the integration of Caribbean has approval of the lawmaking body and Nevis as a whole. been an important policy plank of for St. Kitts and Nevis to join the “Indeed, I am convinced that every Labour Party Administration OECS Economic Union. the people of the OECS have seen that has held office in the twin- “Indeed, our National Hero, the the benefits of collaboration island Federation. Right Excellent Sir Robert through the existing OECS “The creation of a single Bradshaw played an important role institutions and are now ready for economic space in the region will in the West Indies Federation and the next step of the integration give our people more room to served as Minister of Finance, and process. I cannot help but detect express and manifest their actively supported the a sense of frustration among our immense talents and capabilities establishment of the Caribbean people over the relatively slow and will prepare them to venture Free Trade Area (CARIFTA) and pace of regional integration,” Dr. confidently into global waters in the Caribbean Community Douglas told parliament. search of opportunities. The (CARICOM). When the Federation Economic Union would also collapsed, he did not give up on (cont’d on page 2) provide the framework for the people of the Caribbean to pool their efforts to fight crime and PM Douglas successful in other social ills and to build institutions for the continued our society. This was the vision of stronger and more effective development and for safeguarding the founders of the Political Party getting international Blanchette fired for criticizing endorsement for CARPHA Roy Angus Fleming, Junie Hodge unopposed as the party leader, Washington, D.C. on Monday, Grant and Bernard Welch) wrote a letter while serious concerns remain the St. Kitts and Nevis Prime to party chairman, Sidney about his leadership. Minister successfully received Lesroy W. Williams Osborne, asking that Grant step After Grant’s re-election as the endorsement of several Basseterre (June 17, 2010)— down as party leader over what party leader, Blanchette re-iterated international partners for the Glenroy Blanchette, the People’s was considered serious leadership his displeasure with Grant’s proposed Caribbean Public Action Movement (PAM) deficiencies, including Grant’s leadership saying that his re- Health Agency (CARPHA) candidate for East Basseterre in involvement in a $ US1.7 million election may be perceived as “an which is expected to rationalize the January 2010 General “cash for land” bribery scandal at endorsement of political the Caribbean regional public Elections, had his livelihood the Marriott Resort, irregularities corruption”. health services. taken away from him when he was and mismanagement of party Two days later (June 15), The new agency which is to fired from the Democrat Printing campaign finances and his overall Blanchette paid the ultimate become fully operational in 2015 Co. where he worked for about poor leadership in the election sacrifice for speaking his mind. He will provide a collective response six years as Assistant Managing campaign. was fired from the Democrat to public health emergencies and Director. The “Gang of Five” were Printing Co. by a letter delivered disasters and on-going public Blanchette came under fire for threatened, abused and victimized to him by the Editor of the party health development needs for the openly and vehemently by members of the PAM after mouthpiece, Deniece Alleyne, late people of the Caribbean, criticizing the leadership of committing a “mortal sin”, that of in the evening. The locks were according to a press release from PAM’s leader, Lindsay Grant. criticizing and challenging the changed on the doors. The letter BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, the CARICOM Secretariat, Blanchette has been the most leadership of Grant. was signed by Don Boncamper, JUNE 16TH 2010 (CUOPM) – Turkeyen, Guyana. vociferous among four other Grant brushed aside the Financial Comptroller of PAM and Another feather in the cap of St. CARPHA will begin operating disgruntled candidates from the concerns of the five disgruntled Sidney Osborne, the Party Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister on a phased basis from December January 2010 elections, who lost candidates saying that he had the Chairman. and CARICOM’s spokesperson 2010. It will combine and build in their constituencies. support of the executive and the An editorial dated May 14, on HIV/AIDS and other health on the functions of the The five disgruntled rank and file of the PAM. 2010, in the “Labour Spokesman” matters, Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Caribbean’s five Regional Health candidates (Ronald “Louis” At his party’s caucus on June Douglas. Williams, Glenroy Blanchette, 13, Grant was re-elected (cont’d on page 23) During a meeting in (cont’d on page PAGE 02 PAGE 05 COMMENTARY BY PAGE 27 Citizens applauded for St Kitts and * THE THINKING CITIZEN educational-grasping Nevis’ Vote Is Not * VIEW PIONT approach to VAT * SOTTO VOCE For Sale * EARL CLARKE 2 - OPINION / LOCAL NEWS - The Labour Spokesman FRIDAY, JUNE 18TH 2010 present the basic concepts of the Citizens applauded for VAT system; explain your rights and responsibilities as a final consumer; explain the educational-grasping administrative needs for a VAT to THE SPOKESMAN - ESTABLISHED MAY 1957 operate and highlight the potential Published by: The St. Kitts-Nevis Trades & Labour Union approach to VAT impact of a VAT. Additionally he said the Value Ag. Managing Editor: Dawud Byron LABOUR SECRTARIAT: The impact them, how it operates and Added Tax is tax on consumption; Masses House, Church Street general public on St. Kitts is being the benefits of that tax system. it is charged on the value of P.O Box 239 . Basseterre . St. Kitts . West Indies applauded for the keen interest The rate at which VAT will be imports and that it is the final price Tel: (1 869) 465-2229 <> Fa: (1 869) 466-9866 shown in becoming fully informed applied, as indicated Ms. Boddie, to consumers (including mark up Email: [email protected] and educated on the pending is a major concern of individuals. on goods and services). When asked about the Consumers’ right and Website: www.labourspokesman.com November 1st implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT) system proposed rate for VAT her responsibilities as it pertains to here in the twin-island Federation. response was: “At this point I VAT include knowing which Such high praise was given by cannot say what the rate will be businesses can charge VAT; Senior Tax Officer and Public but what I know for a fact is that it collecting sales receipt from Editorial Relations Officer of the Tax Reform is going to be less than the average businesses and knowing which Unit at the Inland Revenue rate of the present consumption goods and services are taxable, Department, Ms. Sonia Boddie tax, which is 22.5%.” exempted and zero-rated. while speaking to this newspaper “But I think, they have been A VAT public consultation Time allows PAM on Monday night of this week quite receptive to the education took place on Wednesday night (14th June), following a town hall that we have been giving them and of this week in the Tabernacle VAT consultation held at the St. they have been asking quite a lot community. Copies of the White to reveal itself Peter’s Community Centre. of questions and also have been Paper on VAT are distributed at This public discussion exercise giving us a lot of suggestions, and each town hall meeting. Life has its peculiar way of revealing all things. The more one seeks came as part of an ongoing series to be honest we have been noting Additionally, a second phase to hide the true motive of his actions, it is more certain that in time it will of island wide VAT public them and taking them back to the of the island wide public all be revealed. consultations both on St. Kitts and drawing board and to the policy consultations will be conducted There are some who often clamor and call for the demise of others in Nevis being conducted by the Tax makers and some of these when the applied VAT rate is condemning and accusatory tones. These folk see others, imagined or Reform Unit in the Ministry of suggestions that have been applied. otherwise, as reprehensible souls and point the finger at others not Finance. brought forward are being Contact information in respect realising that time reveals all truths. Ms. Boddie explained that seriously considered right now for to suggestions, concerns and or Over the past few years PAM and its leadership have sought to most persons so far have been revision,” the senior tax remarked. queries on VAT can be directed at discredit the Labour party. Time and again the party mouthpieces wagged quite receptive to the fact that VAT Customs tax specialist [email protected] or 467-1931.