PRESORTED marCh 2011 STANDARD ® U.S. POSTAGE PAID MIAMI, FL PERMIT NO. 7315 Tel: (305) 238-2868 1-800-605-7516 [email protected] [email protected] We cover your world Vol. 22 No. 4 Jamaica: 655-1479

THE MULTI AWARD-WINNING NEWS MAGAZINE

Finding the right credit card is ~ Teachers from the about understanding your per - Caribbean are accusing sonal spending habits and New York’s Department financial history. Learn more about that and other money of Education of luring matters in our Financial them with lies about Planning section, page 11. offering “green cards” in exchange for hiring them, page 2.

Delicious chicken salad served with plantain pie is on the menu this month, along with a sizzling sample of pineapple salsa salmon with rice combination, page 13.

Barbadian-born pop star ~ Buju Banton may have waved goodbye to his Rihanna was among the win - ners at this year’s Grammy freedom. The Jamaican reggae star sits in a awards, which also offered a Florida jail cell awaiting sentencing after being sweet treat to a bitter month for found guilty of weapon and drugs charges, another Caribbean music icon, page 3. page 15. INSIDE News ...... 2 Food ...... 13 Sport ...... 18 Local ...... 8 Health ...... 14 Classified ...... 19 Viewpoint ...... 9 Arts/Entertainment ...... 15 Financial Planning ...... 11 Spring Cargo and Shipping ...... 16 Call Caribbean Today direCT from JamaiCa 655-1479 2 • CARIBBEAN TODAY • MARCH 2011 NEWS DECEPTION: Caribbean teachers claim N.Y. made false ‘green card’ promises NEW YORK – Hundreds of port from the DOE, which has she added. redefining a better future.” than 500 teachers from the teachers from the Caribbean resulted in the 10-year uphill A report released on Feb. Caribbean came to New York claim that New York’s battle to get on the right path 27 by the Black Institute on ‘VICTIMIZED’ City schools to work. After Department of Education to permanent residency.” behalf of the AIE, entitled Recruited by New York almost 10 years, the AIE said (DOE) lured them to city AIE Chairperson Judith “Broken Promises: The Story City Public Schools, beginning most of the teachers still lack schools with false promises of Hall said the teachers have of Caribbean International in 2001, the AIE said it was “green cards” or permanent green cards and financial aid. been treated as “indentured Teachers in New York City’s formed by Caribbean teachers, residence, adding their immi - In a massive rally on the servants. Public Schools”, claimed that “who continue to feel victim - gration status “makes it steps of City Hall in lower “How is this possible the Caribbean teachers were ized.” impossible for their spouses Manhattan on Feb. 27, the when we were chosen because first lured to New York by The association provides and children to work.” teachers, supported by the we were the best and brightest promises of continued educa - them with a support group, as The teachers are, there - New York-based Association our countries had to offer?” tional opportunities, housing well as the opportunity to com - fore, demanding a meeting of International Educators she asked. assistance, and a path to per - bine efforts to find a solution. with Schools Chancellor (AIE) and the Black Institute, “This is an egregious situ - manent residency in the The AIE said in early Cathie Black and legal assis - demanded immediate action ation, and we are demanding United States. It noted that 2001, when the U.S. economy tance from the Education and response to what they redress on the city, state, fed - the teachers “uprooted their was booming and there was Department. described as “the lack of sup - eral and international levels,” families in the hopes of a teacher shortage, more (Continued on page 4) Judge sets April 4 date for ‘Dudus’ Coke’s return to U.S. court NEW YORK – A United alleged Jamaican drug kingpin Manhattan, said the new date Jamaica and other countries. to illegally traffic in firearms. States federal judge has set Christopher “Dudus” Coke. is necessary for prosecutors “At Coke’s direction and If convicted on the nar - and defense attorneys to under his protection, members cotics charge, prosecutors said review discovery materials of his criminal organization he faces a maximum sentence and file possible motions. sold marijuana and crack of life in prison and a manda - Coke, 40, who last June cocaine in the New York area tory minimum sentence of 10 was extradited to the U.S. and elsewhere, and sent the years in prison, as well as a from Jamaica, has pleaded not narcotics proceeds back to fine of up to $4 million. guilty to drug and weapons Coke and his co-conspira - He also faces a maximum charges. tors,” said the U.S. attorney sentence of five years in He was taken into custody for the Southern District of prison on the firearms traf - in Jamaica and waived his New York in a statement. ficking charge and a fine of up right to an extradition hearing “Coke and his co-conspir - to $250,000, prosecutors said. there. ators also armed their organi - Attempts to arrest Coke According to a supersed - zation with illegally trafficked sparked four days of gun bat - ing indictment filed in firearms,” it added. tles between security forces Manhattan federal court here, and his supporters in West Coke has led a criminal organ - CONSPIRACY Kingston, Jamaica, that left 76 ization known as the “Shower Coke is charged with con - people dead. Posse” since the early 1990s, spiracy to distribute cocaine Æ Coke arrives in New York after extradition from Jamaica. with members in the U.S., and marijuana and conspiracy

April 4 for pre-trial confer - Judge Robert Patterson, of ences in the case against the federal district court in U.S. offers new amnesty deal for American residents with bank accounts in Caribbean WASHINGTON, D.C. – The the accounts in exchange for widening crackdown by U.S. United States’ Internal penalties. federal authorities on offshore Revenue Service (IRS) is He said while the penal - accounts sold to wealthy offering a new incentive to ties will be below what the tax Americans by Swiss and offshore bank tax evaders, evaders would ordinarily pay, Swiss-style banks. urging them to come forward they are still higher than those The crackdown, which and declare their hidden offered in an earlier amnesty began with the Swiss giant accounts in the Caribbean and program. UBS, has since spread to other countries. Shulman said the addi - other banks, including HSBC. The IRS said last month tional carrot in the new pro - Shulman said the previous that while it will provide gram is a continued promise program required extensive stiffer penalties there will be by the IRS not to prosecute disclosures about the network no risk of prosecution. those who come forward for of banks, financial advisers, IRS Commissioner tax evasion. trust executives and other Douglas H. Shulman said intermediaries involved in under the initiative, American HIGHER RISK helping to hide a client’s money residents with hidden offshore “The risk to individuals offshore. He said the authori - accounts in the Caribbean, hiding assets offshore is clear - ties are “data-mining” those such as the Cayman Islands, ly increasing,” said Shulman, roadmaps to further root out have until Aug. 31 to come disclosing that the IRS created tax cheats, adding that while it forward voluntarily and report the latest program amid a is legal for Americans to own foreign banks accounts, not declaring their contents to the IRS constitutes tax evasion. The IRS commissioner said the new program requires individuals to pay a penalty of 25 percent of the amount in their foreign bank accounts in the year with the highest aggregate account balance over eight years from 2003 through 2010. Æ CARIBBEAN TODAY • MARCH 2011• 3 NEWS Buju Banton faces prison term in U.S. on drugs, weapon conviction amaican reggae star Buju therance of a drug-trafficking January concert in downtown the jury stunned Banton’s The prosecution claimed Banton is now waiting to offense, and using the wires to Miami. During his perform - supporters with the guilty that Banton helped orches - Jfind out how much of his facilitate a drug-trafficking ance, he again proclaimed his verdict. trate the drug deal. He was future will be spent in a offense. innocence and, along with “We are all devastated,” arrested in connection with an United States prison cell after He was cleared of the Markus, expressed confidence Markus said to reporters cov - attempted cocaine purchase. being found guilty of drugs charge of attempted posses - that he would be exonerated. ering the case at the Sam M. and weapon charges last sion with the intent to distrib - Banton spent two days Gibbons Federal Court fol - BRAGGED ute cocaine. testifying on the witness stand lowing the verdict. It all began when Banton Banton’s lawyer has since during the trial, claiming that An earlier trial, following met U.S. government inform - filed a motion in a Florida he was guilty of nothing more his Dec. 2009 arrest, ended District Court calling for than talking too much. But with a hung jury. (Continued on page 4) acquittal and a new trial for the 37-year-old, who won a Grammy award in the reggae category last month for his album “Before The Dawn”, but is facing a sentence between 15 years to life imprisonment. David Oscar Markus also wants his client to be released from lock-up pending his appeal. Banton is currently in a Pinellas County jail awaiting sentencing. Up to press time no date had been set for his sentencing. The artiste had earlier Buju Banton faces reporters outside a rejected a two-year plea deal, Tampa courthouse. which was offered to him by the prosecution, claiming his month in Florida. innocence. Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, was convicted SUPPORT in a Tampa court last month Prior to last month’s trial, of conspiracy to possess with which began on Valentine’s intent to distribute five or Day, Feb. 14, Banton received more kilograms of cocaine, a warm show of support possession of a firearm in fur - from fans attending his mid- Trinidadian babysitter guilty of letting toddler drown in bucket NEW YORK – A jury last Two jurors said the most month found a Trinidadian- damning evidence was a born babysitter guilty of let - videotaped statement Khan ting an 11-month-old baby gave to investigators hours drown in a bucket of water after the drowning. while she nodded off on a cold medicine. CONFESSION Kristal Khan, 30, who “On the video, she admit - lives in the Richmond Hill ted all that she had done,” a section of Queens, was found male juror told reporters. guilty of reckless assault and “She drank the NyQuil. She endangering the welfare of a didn’t do what she was sup - child in the Queens Supreme posed to do while caring for Court. children. She should not have She faces up to four years left out a bucket of water.” in prison at her sentencing for Justice Richard Buchter the death of James Farrior. ordered Khan held in lieu of a The infant died June 15, $100,000 bond while she awaits last year, after crawling into a her Mar. 28 sentencing. mop bucket Khan had left out Prosecutor Leigh in a Richmond Hill home that Bishop also urged the judge to doubled as a daycare center. bar Khan from seeking work Prosecutors said Farrior as a daycare provider. He fell into the bucket while reach - cited an Internet advertise - ing for a yellow rubber ducky ment in which Khan, posing bobbing in six inches of water. with her two young children, Farrior’s mother, Chrisann promotes her services as a Josiah, wept as she heard the tutor. The judge said he would verdict. take up the issue at the sen - “Guilty, guilty, guilty,” tencing. Josiah screamed. “If I saw the Khan also faces deporta - bucket and knew that she was tion back to her native taking NyQuil, I would never Trinidad and Tobago upon have left him there.” completion of her sentence. The jury of eight women and four men reached their - CMC decision in less than a day of deliberations. Æ 4 • CARIBBEAN TODAY • MARCH 2011 NEWS Guyanese gets life sentence for role in plot to blow up New York’s JFK Airport NEW YORK – A United worked as an informant and tenced to life in prison in him as “a man with a small Defreitas had traveled to States federal judge has sen - contributed some financial December. mind, a big mouth and an ugly Guyana and Trinidad and tenced to life in prison the and logistical support to the Another defendant, imagination”. Tobago to seek support for Guyanese-born leader of a conspirators. Guyanese Abdel Nur, pleaded Last month, Whalen the plot and had pushed it for - plot to blow up fuel lines and guilty to providing material pleaded unsuccessfully with ward on numerous occasions, tanks at John F. Kennedy OTHERS support for terrorism and was Judge Irizarry to sentence her sometimes speaking with clear International (JFK) Airport in Besides Defreitas, three sentenced to 15 years in client to no more than 15 relish about his desire to cause New York. other Caribbean-born men prison. The fourth man, years. death and destruction. Judge Dora Irizarry of were also charged in the plot, Trinidadian Kareem Ibrahim, “This was a group of peo - Marshall L. Miller, one of Federal District Court in including Abdul Kadir, who is yet to be tried. ple who were aspirational the prosecutors, said Defreitas Brooklyn imposed the stiff Prosecutors said Defreitas had masterminded the con - sentence on Russell Defreitas, devised the sinister plan spiracy and that Francis had 67, a former cargo worker at intending to cause a chain “The defendant was a mas - merely followed. JFK, who is also a United reaction of explosions along a termind, this was his baby, “The group took signifi - States citizen. pipeline that runs between the this was his idea” - judge cant steps toward committing “The defendant was a airport and other parts of New this offense,” he said. “They mastermind, this was his baby, York City. The plotters hoped were acting not at the sugges - this was his idea,” said the to destroy the U.S. economy, rather than operational,” she tion of the government, not at judge before handing down prosecutors said, and tried to said of the plotters. “Until the the behest of the government. the sentence last month. contact Adnan G. el- government got involved, this “Not only was the plot his “The offenses that were Shukrijumah, a Qaeda opera - was talk.” [Defreitas] idea, he explained contemplated here, that the tive with explosives training. But prosecutors dis - that he’d been thinking about jury found Mr. Defreitas guilty “It will take out the whole agreed, presenting a wide for years,” added Miller at the of, are extremely serious,” she entire area,” Defreitas told array of evidence during the sentencing. added. Francis on the tape recording. trial, including hours of Defreitas was convicted in “The whole of Kennedy will recordings. They showed Æ August of conspiracy to com - go up in smoke. A few people mit a terrorist attack after a might escape, but escape to trial in which prosecutors Defreitas where? The Jamaica Bay?” Buju Banton faces prison term in U.S. played secretly recorded conversations in which he once served as mayor of ‘SMALL MIND’ on drugs, weapon conviction planned the attack and Linden, Guyana’s second At the trial, Defreitas’s expressed his abhorrence for largest city, and a former lawyers portrayed him as (Continued from page 3) Caribbean community, both the U.S. The recordings were member of Guyana’s more disagreeable than dan - in the U.S. and the region. made by convicted drug deal - Parliament. Kadir was con - gerous. One of his lawyers, ant Alexander Johnson in Some claimed Banton was er Steven Francis, who victed of conspiracy and sen - Mildred Whalen, described mid-July 2009 and reportedly being targeted because of bragged that he financed anti-gay sentiments he drugs and wanted to expand expressed in his song “Boom his operations. During his tes - Bye Bye”, which he recorded timony, Banton denied he was years ago. a participant in any drug deal. But others believe During an undercover law Banton’s involvement showed enforcement operation in a that he was not totally inno - Florida warehouse last year, cent and he should be punish - Banton was seen on video - ment for his association with tape tasting cocaine. illegal drugs. The guilty verdict stirred a wave of emotion among the Æ DECEPTION: Caribbean teachers claim N.Y. made false ‘green card’ promises

(Continued from page 2) children every day in the classroom, yet this process of Bertha Lewis, president our teachers obtaining green and founder of the Black cards has been drawn out Institute, said the ‘Broken over many years because the Promises’ report highlights Department of Education the “hidden nexus of educa - chosen attorneys have classi - tion and immigration reform. fied us as unskilled workers,” “These teachers were said Nesbitt, who has been recruited to teach in some of teaching special education at the most difficult and poorest Public School 276 in the school districts. They did Canarsie section of Brooklyn what was asked of them, and ever since her arrival here. they deserve to be treated “This classification is cost - fairly and humanely,” she ing us financially. We have to said, adding “promises were pay visa-related fees annually, made, promises were broken; and we experience lost this report calls upon the income because our spouses DOE to keep its promises.” and dependents are unable to work,” she added, fearing that FRUSTRATION she and her colleagues would Trinidad-born Antoinette be deported back to the Nesbitt, who came to New Caribbean if they are laid off York in August 2001, said, she because of a lack of a green is frustrated and outraged by card. the lack of respect shown to Caribbean teachers. - CMC “Teachers are profession - al role models for school Æ CARIBBEAN TODAY • MARCH 2011• 5 NEWS FRIENDSHIP BOND: U.S. renews commitment to St. Lucia

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The “We are reducing the achieved full Independence In 2006, Sir John, referred minister once again, at age 82, United States has renewed incidence of HIV and AIDS, from Great Britain in cere - to as the “Father of St. but died in office in 2007 and its commitment to the treating those infected and monies boycotted by the Lucia”, returned to politics was succeeded by King. Stephenson King administra - slowing the spread through Opposition St. Lucia Labour five years after retiring, and tion. the Partnership Framework Party (SLP). The SLP had his UWP swept the elections. Æ “The United States for HIV and AIDS. advocated a referendum Sir John became prime remains committed to before cutting strengthening the ties ties with of friendship between Britain. our two nations,” said The late Sir U.S., Canada co-operate in U.S. Secretary of John State Hillary Clinton Compton, in a statement issued head of the $33M Caribbean cocaine bust here last month as United St. Lucia prepared Workers Party HALIFAX, Nova Scotia – enforcement detachment has to mark its 33rd (UWP), Canada’s Defence Department used a Canadian navy ship to Independence. became the says the Canadian military has conduct operations. “As you cele - country’s first completed a month-long “I’m very proud of the brate your prime minis - deployment to the Caribbean part played by the men and Independence, know ter. Sea, where it helped intercept women of HMCS Toronto, that the United States The UWP, $33 million worth of cocaine. and our aircrews, in keeping stands with you as a then in power, The Defence Department drugs off Canadian streets,” partner and friend as called for new said Canadian forces were said Canada’s Defence we work toward a elections and part of a multinational team Minister Peter MacKay in more a peaceful and was defeated focused on stopping overseas a statement. prosperous future for by the SLP. drug trafficking in the “Our sailors and air per - Caribbean and East Pacific. sonnel are a key component all our people,” she Clinton The UWP, added. with Compton It said the HMCS Toronto of international efforts to Clinton said the U.S. and “And we are partnering as its leader, was returned to and two CP-140 aircraft were interdict cocaine destined for St. Lucia are united by their to expand clean energy as part power in the elections of 1982, part of a United States-led North America,” he added. shared values and commit - of the Energy and Climate 1987, and 1992. Compton task force that intercepted Canada has been part of ment to democracy, freedom Partnership of the Americas,” resigned in 1996, and Vaughan more than 1,650 kilograms multinational operations to and the rule of law. she added. Lewis took over as prime min - of cocaine during its month- combat drug smuggling in the “We are working together ister. long deployment. Caribbean Basin and East through the Caribbean Basin INDEPENDENCE Kenny Anthony became The Defence Department Pacific since 2006. Security Initiative to reduce After granted home rule prime minister in 1997, when said about 250 Canadians also illicit trafficking, crime and in 1967, as one of the West his St. Lucia Labour Party participated in the mission. - CMC violence and promote social Indies Associated States, St. won 16 of the 17 parliamen - It said it was the first time the Æ justice,” she said. Lucia, on Feb. 22, 1979, tary seats. U.S. Coast Guard’s law- 6 • CARIBBEAN TODAY • MARCH 2011 NEWS Abe Lincoln tried to deport slaves Stanford sues U.S. gov’t for $7.2 billion

HOUSTON, Texas – Texas complaint read. been postponed indefinitely to Caribbean ~ British academics billionaire banker Allen after Stanford became addict - Stanford, accused of master - INDICTMENT ed to prescription anti-depres - LONDON, England – Two assumed. minding a $7.2 billion Ponzi The SEC sued Stanford sants while in government British academics say former The 16th U.S. president is scheme, involving his on Feb. 16, 2009, and won a custody. United States President revered for winning the Antigua-owned Stanford court order freezing his assets In Sept. 2009, Stanford Abraham Lincoln wanted to American Civil War (1861-65) International Bank (SIB), is and placing his companies in was severely beaten by anoth - send many American slaves and bringing an end to slav - suing United States govern - er inmate at the privately run to British colonies in the ery. ment agents who built the federal detention center Caribbean. Historians have earlier case against him for a similar where he was being held. Phillip Magness and conceded that Lincoln pro - amount. Stanford underwent surgery, Sebastian Page claim in posed sending some of the The suit, filed in federal but the lawsuit says authori - their forthcoming book, freed slaves to new colonies, district court here last month, ties ignored a hospital physi - “Colonisation After but they have dismissed it as a says the agents - including cian’s recommendation that Emancipation: Lincoln and ruse designed to placate racist federal prosecutors, FBI he be given an MRI. the Movement for Black voters in the unified America. agents and regional officials The lawsuit claims Resettlement”, that docu - But, according to of the Securities and Stanford was rendered incom - ments uncovered in British Magness and Page, evidence Exchange Commission petent due to untreated trau - archives show that Lincoln shows that Lincoln was seri - (SEC) - conspired to deprive matic brain injuries, as well was rather less enamored ous about black colonization Stanford of his constitutional as being “overmedicated by by the prospect of a racially- until his assassination in 1865. rights. government doctors” over a united America than is often The lawsuit says the 13-month period. Æ agents violated Stanford’s Stanford alleges in the rights to due process and lawsuit that the government’s effective counsel, as well as misconduct did not begin with constitutional prohibitions Stanford his treatment behind bars. It against unreasonable search says the SEC and the court- and seizure and excessive receivership. appointed receiver effectively fines. The Justice Department began prosecuting Stanford “Mr. Stanford alleges that followed in June with a 21- long before he was ever agents of the United States, count criminal indictment. As charged criminally, working known and unknown, com - a result, Stanford turned him - in concert with Justice bined, agreed and conspired self in to authorities. He has Department officials. to deprive Mr. Stanford of his been held without bail ever civil rights by and through since, with a judge ruling he is - CMC tactics taken under the color a flight risk. of law, but which violate basic The trial was scheduled to Æ constitutional principles”, the begin last month, but has CARIBBEAN TODAY • MARCH 2011• 7 NEWS CCJ rejects applications from U.N. chief demands ‘concrete results’ from Caribbean UNITED NATIONS – those territories have to be “Second International Decade three Bajans wanted in U.S. United Nations Secretary- given the opportunity to exer - for the Eradication of General Ban Ki-moon has cise their right to self-determi - Colonialism”, Ban recalled PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – the applicants provide security called for “concrete results” in nation in order to take the that the assembly had request - The Trinidad-based Caribbean for costs in the amount of the quest for self-determina - interests of their peoples fully ed the special committee to Court of Justice (CCJ) has dis - BDS$15,000.00 ($7,500) within tion by the world’s 16 remain - into account,” he said. continue to seek suitable missed applications from three 60 days from the date of the ing Non-Self-Governing “Colonial situations are means for “the immediate and Barbadian men wanted in the making of that court’s order. Territories, including many completely outdated and must full implementation of the United States. The CCJ noted that the in the Caribbean. Decolonization Declaration. The men, Sean Gaskin, applicants did not comply with Remaining on the list “In practice, this would Frederick Christopher the Court of Appeal’s order of Non-Self-Governing mean that the committee Hawkesworth and John and that no security for costs Territories in the Caribbean could assess its past work and Wayne Scantlebury, had filed was provided. It said instead are Anguilla, Bermuda, achievements in order to chart separate applications for an they filed a notice of appeal in British Virgin Islands, a way forward, together with extension of time within Dec. 2009 and took no further Cayman Islands, Montserrat, the administering Powers, for which to seek special leave to step until June 2010 when they Turks and Caicos, and the the ultimate benefit of the appeal to this court, as well as filed an application to the United States Virgin Islands. peoples of the Non-Self- special leave to appeal. Court of Appeal for leave to In addressing the first Governing Territories,” he They also filed an applica - appeal in relation to the pend - meeting of the 2011 substan - said. tion for leave to appeal to this ing appeal. tive session of the Special “…It is my hope that dif - court as a poor person. But the Court of Appeal Committee on Decolonization, ficulties encountered in the The CCJ, in a ruling late dismissed this application for Ban said these “concrete Ban Ki-Moon recent past will gradually be last month, said that while the failure to comply with the results” could only be overcome, thereby strengthen - appeals were filed separately rules and last December they achieved through the “con - be addressed with renewed ing the committee’s determi - they were heard together. filed an appeal before the certed efforts” of all stake - vigor and creativity,” he nation to develop effective “Given that the circum - CCJ. holders, including the special added. formal and informal modali - stances surrounding each of committee, the administering ties that would help it accom - them are almost identical it is ‘IMPOVERISHED ’ powers and the peoples of the WAY FORWARD plish its mandate.” accepted that they would In their case, the applicants territories. In his report last year to either all succeed or all be claim they are impoverished “On a case-by-case basis, the General Assembly on the Æ denied,” the court said. and unable to provide security The CCJ said that it heard and, secondly, that the matters the applications by audio con - raised by his appeal involve a ference on Jan. 28 and dis - question as to the interpreta - U.S. prosecutors reject grounds for mistrial in missed the applications, prom - tion of the constitution. ising to give a written judg - But in its ruling the CCJ Cuban militant’s tourist bombings case ment at a later date. said “we are wholly unim - EL PASO, Texas– United Hernandez alleges that the Ministry of the Interior as say - pressed by these submissions”, States federal prosecutors prosecution failed to advise ing in 1997 that the bombings EXTRADITION listing also a number of have accused the lead attorney the jury that a key Cuban gov - were the work of Cuban intel - The men were arrested in breaches the applicants made for Luis Posada Carriles of try - ernment witness against ligence services. But prosecu - 2004 in connection with extra - in getting the matter before ing to mislead the court by Posada, state security tors called that “an attempt to dition proceedings initiated by the Port of Spain based claiming the U.S. government Lieutenant Colonel Roberto point the finger away from the U.S. government. The regional court, which serves as delayed delivery of documents Hernandez Posada and toward the Cuban CCJ noted that the matter had Barbados’s final court. that could exonerate the Caballero, was government,” labeling it “con - been heard in the courts and, “This is a case where Cuban exile militant of also a coun - jecture.” in July 2008, the Court of repeated and egregious responsibility in a string of terintelligence Posada’s attorney also wrote Appeal granted leave to breaches of the rules have Cuban tourist site bombings agent in that the FBI report was included appeal to the CCJ “as of right served only to prolong the in 1997. Havana. in an envelope of records deliv - to an intended appellant in final disposition of a hearing In a written motion last U.S. ered only a few days after the any civil or criminal proceed - before the Chief Magistrate month, the prosecutors said District Judge trial began Jan. 10. ings which involve a question that is still to be completed. that Posada’s attorney, Arturo Kathleen Hernandez said he was as to the interpretation of the There is no cogent explana - V. Hernandez, is seeking a Cardone, who Carriles too busy with jury selection Constitution”. tion for the several breaches.” mistrial by raising issues that is presiding and preparing his own opening It said that the Court of have “no direct bearing” on over the trial, halted the case statements to examine the Appeal imposed two condi - - CMC the current case. last month, saying she needed envelope immediately. tions in granting leave to Æ Posada is also alleged to more time to consider the mis - In their written response, appeal to CCJ including that be the mastermind behind the trial motion. the prosecutors said they bombing of a Cubana Airliner delivered the 12 pages of off Barbados in the mid 1970s. FINGERPOINTING documents soon after they The case, in a federal district A declassified FBI report obtained them and that if court here, centers on whether is at the heart of the com - Hernandez did not read them Posada lied about his alleged plaints filed by Posada’s attor - right away it was his own fault role in the bombings and how ney. It quotes an unidentified . he sneaked into the U.S. informant inside Cuba’s Æ 8 • CARIBBEAN TODAY • MARCH 2011 LOCAL TPS immigration program for Haitians successful ~ U.S. Group records asylum victories WASHINGTON, D.C. – A Mayorkas told reporters here. top United States immigration “How quickly, effectively and official says a year after the efficiently we responded to for Caribbean nationals in U.S devastating earthquake in the disaster is a standard for Haiti, the administration of us to adhere to,” he added. NEW YORK – Immigration ously homophobic countries President Barack Obama has Equality, an organization in the world, including received more than 53,000 EXTENSION which works to secure asylum Uganda, Syria and Egypt. applications from Haitians Though TPS for tens of for individuals persecuted in “Every day, we hear from seeking Temporary Protected thousands of Haitians living their home country based on vulnerable LGBT people who Status (TPS) in the U.S., dis - illegally in the U.S. is sched - their sexual orientation, gen - desperately need legal help closing that it has approved uled to expire on July 22, der identity or HIV-status, and have nowhere else to the vast majority. Haitian immigrant advocates said it won dozens of cases for turn,” said Victoria Neilson, Alejandro Mayorkas, say they expect the U.S. to clients from the Caribbean in Immigration Equality’s legal director of U.S. Citizenship Mayorkas extend the status, as it has for 2010. director. and Immigration Services, said immigrants from other coun - The organization said that “Our in-house legal staff his agency’s response to the which gives most Haitians who tries crippled by war or natu - it won a record 101 cases last maintains an average open disaster showed that it could were in the U.S. on the day of ral disaster. year. case load of more than 100 handle a much larger immi - the earthquake, Jan. 12, 2010, Mayorkas said at least “An overwhelming num - cases at any given time. It is grant legalization program like the right to stay and work 46,000 Haitians have already ber of the victories, 38, were our generous network of pro the proposal known as the legally for 18 months while been granted TPS, adding that for clients from the bono firms, which donate so DREAM Act, which would Haiti tries to recover. his agency is still processing Caribbean, with 28 of those much time and energy to our provide a path to citizenship “I think our performance applications that arrived for individuals from Jamaica,” clients that make the breadth for hundreds of thousands of and our execution of the TPS before the deadline. He said it said. There were four suc - of our work possible. With young illegal immigrants. program serves as a model of he expects the total number of cessful cases from Grenada. their help, we are able to January was the deadline our ability to execute immi - approvals to exceed 49,000. “Other cases included 24 tackle some of the most com - for Haitians to apply for TPS, gration reform programs,” asylum seekers from Central plicated, heart-wrenching Æ and South America; 16 from cases and ensure that we Eastern Europe (including help as many people as seven Russian clients); nine possible.” HIGH FLYING CELEBRATION from the African continent and five from the Middle - CMC East.” The organization, which Æ maintains the largest network of pro bono attorneys, in addi - tion to its in-house legal staff, is dedicated solely to seeking asylum for Lesbians, Gays, Bi- sexual and Transgender (LGBT) asylum seekers. Immigration Equality said Street Address: that it has 97 additional cases, 9020 SW 152nd Street, Miami, FL 33157 filed in 2010, which are await - Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6010 ing a ruling, as well as several Miami, FL 33116-6010. cases filed prior to 2010. Telephone: (305) 238-2868 “For too many lesbian, gay, (305) 253-6029 • Fax: (305) 252-7843 bisexual and transgender peo - Toll-Free Fax: 1-866-290-4550 ple, the world remains a dan - 1-800-605-7516 • Jamaica: 655-1479 gerous place,” said Rachel B. E-mail: [email protected] Tiven, the group’s executive Send ads to: [email protected] director. Vol. 22, Number 4 • mar. 2011 Jamaican-born aviator Barrington Irving, left, joins Miami-Dade County Vice Chairperson Audrey M. Edmonson, center, and Didier “In many cases, the Fabien, chair of Miami-Dade’s Black Affairs Advisory Board, for the opening of the Stephen P. Clark Center’s Black History Month clients who turn to Exhibit, which ran throughout February. Irving is a pilot and founder of Experience Aviation Inc. He is the youngest African Immigration Equality for help Peter A Webley American to fly solo around the world. are literally running for their Publisher lives. They have been mis - treated and beaten by authori - SAbrinA HoPkinS ties in their home country, Production disowned by their families and ostracized by society. By offer - DorotHy CHin ing them safe haven, the Account Executive United States is not only sav - ing their lives, but benefitting CArmen CHAng from the talent, skills and Account Executive service these asylees bring to our country. We are proud, and honored, to help them Caribbean Media Source begin life anew here in their Media Representatives adopted homeland.” Opinions expressed by editors and writers VULNERABLE are not necessarily those of thepublisher. Since the mid-1990s, the Caribbean today , an independent United States has recognized is published every month persecution due to sexual ori - news magazine, by Caribbean Publishing & Services, inc. entation and gender identity Caribbean today is not responsible as a basis for seeking asylum. for unsolicited manuscripts or photos. To In the past five years, guarantee return, please include a self- Immigration Equality and its addressed stamped envelope. partner law firms have repre - Articles appearing in Caribbean sented more than 500 LGBT today may not be reproduced without written permission of the editor. people fleeing persecution abroad. Clients have hailed from some of the most notori - CARIBBEAN TODAY • MARCH 2011• 9 VIEWPOINT Doing multiculturalism right Mind games: The task of emotional servicing still welcome, but she also asks, mong their other e often acquire stuff headaches, some of among other requests, that they on a whim, or maybe Europe’s biggest lead - please try to learn some A even take great ers are troubled by the luke - German. W thought before we actually warm state of their countries’ Cameron called for a buy the product. melting pots. “more active, more muscular As in the United States, liberalism” in a recent Munich But what many people do a combination of economic speech to counter the current not take into consideration is recession, terrorism fears and “doctrine of state multicultural - the future life and efficiency electoral politics has made ism” that has led to alienation of the product. scapegoats out of immigrants and even jihadism among So one factor that’s and government multicultural - young British Muslims. Instead important after you acquire ism policies. Unlike the U.S., he called for the active promo - anything is the after-sales they don’t have a melting-pot tion of democratic values, the service. tradition. Instead they’ve tried rule of law, freedom of speech The same goes for people, a brand of multiculturalism and equal rights. especially women, who seem that’s getting bad reviews. to constantly need servicing of State multiculturalism has AMERICAN MODEL the emotional kind in order to had “disastrous results,” says That begins to sound like function, or even exist with a British Prime Minister David the American model. Our modicum of normalcy. You Cameron. It has “totally debate has centered in various can’t just get a woman, have failed,” says German ways on how cultural differ - her in your life and not do any Chancellor ences can be respected without preventative maintenance. Angela causing our melting pot to boil But how do you service Merkel. over. emotionally? Well, first you “Clearly yes, Sometimes we have pan - have to bear all her burdens Now wherewithal to provide such a it is a failure,” icky outbursts of xenophobia, with her. Hey, never mind don’t get me service. You have to be a mas - agrees French like Arizona’s recent legislation yours, as they do not matter. wrong, as in ter mechanic and fix all the President to outlaw ethnic studies. The Hers take utmost priority. You a relationship complicated problems that Nicolas state’s new Attorney General must understand and appreci - that’s how it’s come with the complex emo - Sarkozy. Tom Horne wrote the law when ate that she has mood swings, supposed to tional machinery. Has he was the state’s superintend - why she runs hot and cold, be. The only Worse yet, there are no “multi-kulti,” CLARENCE ent of schools. He thought the and that it’s as a result of a problem is diagnostics, as you have to as the PAGE Mexican-American studies traumatic childhood. You the one sided also be clairvoyant and know Germans call classes offered in Tucson’s must know when to approach nature of the TONY exactly what’s bothering her. it derisively, schools encouraged too much and when to back off, and you equation, as ROBINSON Plus you have to be like indeed failed Europe’s great separatism and resentment had better listen keenly to your family Hercules, Atlas, Samson - leaders? Or are they simply not toward mainstream American every word as she relives her problems strong, be like a rock and doing it right? culture. Unfortunately, his rem - tales of woe with her ex-hus - don’t mean a hoot to her or never buckle under the weight edy probably alienates immi - band or past lovers who did are way down on her list of of what she brings to the RESPECT grant communities even more. her wrong. priorities. table. Multiculturalism means dif - So does Oklahoma’s refer - You better not see their To provide emotional ferent things to different peo - endum that voters approved in perspective either, but take servicing you have to be a ONE-WAY ple. On its best days, it is a November to outlaw Shariah her side always. therapist, even though you What often happens is salad bowl or mulligan stew law, even though there was no You must understand and may not have the qualifica - alternative to the melting pot. known effort to impose the don’t dare mention your past tions, the patience or the (Continued on page 10) In this country, it means a Islamic legal code in their state. either, for her grief is more respect for cultural differences At least a dozen other states important than yours. You are reported to be considering while remembering that, most had better shoulder her bur - similar legislation, despite its of all, we’re all still Americans, dens even as you bear hers distinct aroma of Islamophobia. part of a cultural mainstream too and be stoic about it with In short, there’s a thin line that is worth assimilating into, none of that lower deck econ - even if our leaders sometimes between efforts that encourage full participation in mainstream omy class sentimentality make either. mistakes. American culture and those that punish one particular cul - Cameron, Merkel and SHARED PROBLEMS Sarkozy, among others, are rec - ture. We can oppose arranged Well, in the case of emo - ognizing that their multicultur - marriages, animal sacrifices, tional servicing, not only do alism policies have brought speech censorship and other you take your bag of burdens, respect for cultural diversity, cultural practices that conflict but you have to take and bear but have failed to integrate and with American laws and free - assimilate diverse ethnic com - doms without disrespecting the hers as well. Then, if the past munities, particularly Muslims, home cultures of those who sin - isn’t bad enough, you also into the mainstream. When cerely want to be Americans. have to provide servicing for Merkel says Germany’s experi - the current burdens too. All the problems of her family ment has failed, for example, (Continued on page 10) she is talking about her coun - become your problems too. try’s “gastarbeiters,” or guest workers of mostly Turkish, Arabic and Kurdish stock. Invited since the early 1960s to fill labor shortages, they have stayed longer and grown larger in population than expected without fully integrating or assimilating. Now Merkel is facing a tough re-election campaign, with voices on the right grum - bling about immigrants while German industrialists want even more immigrant workers. As a result, Merkel took pains to say that all immigrants are 10 • CARIBBEAN TODAY • MARCH 2011 VIEWPOINT Turning points: Miami-Dade’s defining moments of the past decade CARLOS ALVAREZ cessful elections later, we have the Performing Nov. 2007 – Miami-Dade Cut. The tunnel will improve demonstrated that the most Arts puts us County gets a 20-year con - port access, increasing con - he tumultuous economy fundamental mechanism of on the interna - sumptive use permit from the tainer cargo traffic, and allevi - is bringing out the pes - our democracy works. tional cultural state, and makes an unprece - ate traffic congestion in down - Tsimist in all of us. And Nov. 2004 – Voters over - map, and dented commitment to water town Miami and surrounding while it is hard to see beyond whelmingly approve the proves public- conservation. The permit was neighborhoods. the challenges of today, Building Better Communities private part - the jumping-off point for a Nov. 2010 – Just in time Miami-Dade County is mov - Bond Program. The program nerships can $1.8 billion water supply plan. for Art Basel, Museum Park has touched every neighbor - work. We will (eventually) be recy - breaks ground. Anchored by a ing forward. We are a vastly Alvarez different place than just 10 hood. Nov. 2007 cling nearly half of all the new Miami Art Museum, the years ago, with a lot more Sept. 2005 – Hundreds of – Miami wastewater we use. project proves Miami-Dade is to offer our residents and phone numbers became obso - International Airport’s South July 2009 – Ground is emerging as one of the world’s visitors. lete with the introduction of Terminal opens, expanding broken on a new Marlins ball - great cultural communities. Here are a few turning three numbers – 311. The 311 our gateway between Miami- park. The project creates We continue to advance. points of the past decade in Answer Center is the first Dade County and the rest of thousands of local jobs, stimu - We will continue to provide Miami-Dade: multi-jurisdictional call center the world. Together with the lates our economy, expands services that address our com - Sept. 2002 – We begin the in the United States. Find a renovated North Terminal, our urban core and ensures munity’s needs and enhance long journey toward restoring park, report illegal dumping, Sky Train, Miami Intermodal the beloved sport of baseball the quality of life of our resi - voter confidence. Three vot - or get up-to-date hurricane Center, improved retail and a remains in this community for dents. It’s not about today or ing systems, two directors, information. renewed focus on customer generations to come. tomorrow. It’s about the day unprecedented poll worker Oct. 2006 — The service, a new, modern airport Nov. 2010 – Crime reach - after tomorrow. training and dozens of suc - Adrienne Arsht Center for is evolving. es a new low in Miami-Dade. June 2010 – Construction Carlos Alvarez, begins on the Port of Miami Mayor Doing multiculturalism right Tunnel, the most significant Miami-Dade County investment at our port since (Continued from page 9) Æ the first generation resists, their counterparts. Each side accuses the creation of Government BALANCE children tend to embrace the the other of refusing to mingle Doing multiculturalism America of “Sesame Street” and assimilate. right calls for striking a balance and Big Macs with great enthu - Don’t blame multicultural - between a respect for diverse siasm. ism for that failure. Blame peo - Mind games: The task of emotional servicing cultures and a respect for the By contrast, Europe has ple. People will have to fix it. (Continued from page 9) have mastered it, hence the allowed large communities of common culture we all share. huge turnover of spouses and immigrants to grow in little eth - © 2011 Clarence Page. that it’s a one-way street, Regardless of their origin, the increasing divorce rate. immigrants to this country tend nic enclaves that endure from Distributed by Tribune Media where the woman’s needs are You also have to be a clown to be driven by a desire to find one generation to the next with Services, Inc. so demanding that it literally and make her laugh. But who opportunity and stir themselves remarkably little assimilation, drains the man of all that he Æ cheers you up when you are into our melting pot. Even if compared to their American can give. No wonder many men down, who drags you up from choose a car that hardly needs your doldrums?! servicing, and a woman who fits Women do need to be into that same category. constantly told how beautiful I’m not saying that men they are, and you simply can - don’t need emotional servicing not say it often enough. And also, but you hardly hear let’s not forget the reassurance women complain that men are of your undying love either, as constantly in need of emotion - his has to be said with more al massaging. Except of course regularity than the chants of for the occasional ego boost. the monks during Vespers. But, all in all, men are pretty Unlike servicing motor much self-maintaining. vehicles, this constant servic - It’s the demands of the ing can take its toll, as some female that wears down the people never let go of their man. And many men, in trying past, and invariably it impacts to meet these demands, end not only on their present and up wearing out themselves. future, but on yours also. Speak to any couple and hear Every man who they meet suf - who has more complaints. fers with them, shares their Isn’t it usually the man who pain, absorbs their grief and always rolls his eyes and says? has to constantly service her, “My wife is never satisfied, I and may get broken himself if have to be careful what I say he’s not careful. and even how I say it. She The truth is, women never needs constant servicing and seem to let go, but hold on to reminds me of those early memories of their past like an high powered, delicate Italian ancient scribe. Men on the cars, high performance, but other hand are expected to be have to be serviced every skilled sailors in this emotion - weekend.” Mama mia. al storm, plus be master fixers of emotional stress. MEN’S NEEDS Men seem to bounce back Very rarely do you hear faster, be able to cope with the women speak that way of problems of their past better their men. The truth is, things than women and perhaps bother men too, but they don’t that’s why it seems that men need constant servicing to have very little worries. soothe their feelings or bring Emotional servicing, what them back to a good mood. a task. No wonder men die ear - Most men are self-servicing, lier than women. Survived by but women, with their vast his wife…all because of the toll array of moods, need constant taken by emotional servicing. servicing to keep them purring. [email protected] Servicing her emotionally is not easy, and not many men Æ CARIBBEAN TODAY • MARCH 2011• 11 FINANCIAL PLANNING U.N. wants cheaper costs IRS showdown: Tips for filing your U.S. tax return ELLIOT RAPHAELSON The IRS monitors the training chapter to find out where and for Caribbean remittances of AARP volunteers, and when you can use this service. none of them can prepare Ask them what restrictions GENEVA, Switzerland, impact of remittances”, ost individuals find that the federal tax taxes unless they undergo the apply. You don’t want to wait CMC – The United Nations agreed that “remittances are proper training and pass a all day and find out your Conference on Trade and now a major economic force, Mcode is too complicat - ed for them to prepare their comprehensive test prepared return cannot be prepared by Development (UNCTAD) has and they must be better by the IRS. AARP. called for cheaper ways for understood and harnessed for own taxes. If you decide to hire someone to prepare your Moreover, AARP uses • You should make sure Caribbean and other migrant development.” sophisticated software that that there are no complaints workers to send money back They stressed that less of federal return, make sure that your preparer has the proper made against your preparer - home so as to maximize the this money should be lost in background and experience. Check with the Better economic impact. transmission, and more should Some of the most important Business Bureau. Noting that money sent be invested in the “stable, considerations follow: • If your preparer is not a home by economic migrants broad-based social and eco - • If you have a complicat - CPA, enrolled agent or lawyer working in foreign countries nomic growth of economies ed return, you should consider - You should ask whether he exceeded $300 billion in 2010, that originally were weak using a CPA, enrolled agent or has any professional designa - UNCTAD said that “this vast enough for citizens to feel attorney - Such preparers will tion, and what the require - and growing tide of income compelled to leave and work likely be more expensive than ments are for that designation. needs to be safeguarded and elsewhere.” others; however, they are also • Avoid any preparer who channeled so that it does the required to demonstrate con - bases his compensation on the most good for families and POVERTY tinued education in order to size of your refund – Don’t be economies in the world’s poor UNCTAD Deputy maintain their credentials. I no afraid to ask how he computes nations.” Secretary-General Petko longer prepare federal taxes for his fee. Is it a fixed price It said experts at a recent Draganov said though the clients, but I once was an based on the type of return? two-day meeting here, entitled effects across countries are enrolled agent, and I can assure ensures consumers that all You should not employ a pre - “Maximizing the development (Continued on page 12) you that in order to become proper deductions and credits parer without having a pretty one, you have to pass a rigor - are taken into consideration. good idea as to what the cost ous four-part examination. There is no cost for this will be. Don’t hesitate to ask How to shop around for the • If you have a relatively service. You do not have to be for references. straightforward return - even an AARP member, and there • Ask the preparer if if you itemize - you should is no age limitation. The only he has a Preparer Tax credit card that suits you consider using AARP volun - disadvantage is that because Identification Number (PTIN) teer preparers - This program the program is so popular, you - This is a new IRS require - ANYA KAMENETZ is available throughout the may have a long wait during ment. Do not use a preparer United States. I have volun - the day to have your return without one. inding the right credit teered for AARP preparing prepared. card is about understand - taxes for the general public. Call your local AARP (Continued on page 12) Fing your personal spend - ing habits and financial history. If you’re looking to start your credit history or re-estab - lish credit, or if your credit score is currently on the lower end, below 650, you might find Picking the right card is important. it easiest to start with a store card from a department store there are lots of good reasons or anywhere you shop often - to do so - this should be your even Costco or Amazon.com. first stop for a secured card. If Or you can try a secured not, Bankrate.com lists secured card, where you put down a set cards from Applied Bank and amount of cash as collateral, Public Savings Bank. say $500, and that becomes After a year making regu - your credit limit. If you already lar payments on a secured card belong to a credit union - and (Continued on page 12) A better use for your tax refund STEVE ROSEN used their refund to buy sav - ings bonds for their children few family celebrations or grandchildren. are perfect for buying The IRS officially AUnited States savings launched the program last bonds - the birth of a baby, year, and the agency said near - birthdays, confirmations and ly 100,000 savings bonds worth high school graduations. about $11 million were pur - Now, add filing your taxes. chased. It’s part of a push by the Uncle Sam has more to Internal Revenue Service promote this year. The IRS (IRS) this tax-filing season to added the gift purchase option help put your refund money to in time for the start of the tax work for college education or season, and it changed provi - other long-term savings needs sions for designating co-owners rather than recycling the cash and beneficiaries. back into your wallet. The Series I bonds must be If you receive a refund, purchased in $50 increments up you can buy Series I savings to $5,000, and will be delivered bonds for yourself or you can by mail in paper form either to share the wealth as a gift for up you or the person you desig - to two children, grandchildren nate. Interest accrues every six or other loved ones. A pilot months at an inflation-adjusted program found that the over - (Continued on page 12) whelming majority of people 12 • CARIBBEAN TODAY • MARCH 2011 FINANCIAL PLANNING Rainy day risks: How to wisely invest to boost income ELLIOT RAPHAELSON provide higher income, but, about investing a significant mutual funds. Until the last corporations are under no obli - while conservative, are not portion of their portfolio in quarter of 2010, these invest - gation to pay any dividends f your investment advisor risk-free: the stock market. But unfortu - ments did very well. However, regardless of prior history. tells you he can get high • Conservative invest - nately, most people can’t in the last quarter of 2010, and Because of changing eco - Iincome or high rates of ments - Typically conservative so far in 2011, individual nomic conditions, no one can return without risk, it’s time investments - namely, bonds and intermediate and predict with certainty which for you to obtain a new advi - Treasury bills, money market long-term bond funds have corporations will be able to sor. accounts, money market lost a great deal of their value. maintain their dividend and/or There are no high rates of funds, and short-term certifi - Bond experts like Bill increase it regularly. For that return without risk. cates of deposit - now pay Gross of Pimco, a leading reason, it is important to have Moreover, in today’s market, investors very low rates of investment company, have a diversified portfolio. The eas - even investments that once return, generally less than one been warning investors to iest way to do that is through a were considered conservative percent. To obtain a rate of lessen their exposure to “no-load” mutual fund such as are fraught with risk, which return above two percent, you bonds, and especially to avoid Vanguard or Fidelity. Both makes investing to generate would have to commit your long-term bonds of any kind. I have funds that concentrate on high income especially tricky. funds to something like a five- have heeded his advice, and I corporations with an excellent The biggest challenge year certificate of deposit. If suggest you do the same. history of maintaining or under current market condi - you require funds on a short- increasing dividends. tions is that the most conser - term basis, then you should The right choices are harder to make. ALTERNATIVE vative investments return use these conservative invest - One alternative to consid - Edited from article written almost nothing, so any ments in order to avoid any afford to rely solely on conser - er is investing in common by Elliot Raphaelson. investor interested in income possible capital loss. vative, low-return investments. stocks that have a history of © 2011 Elliot Raphaelson. has to take some risk. • Common stocks that pay In 2009 and 2010, both high dividends and fre - Distributed by Tribune Media Below are some invest - high dividends - Many investors poured money into quent dividend increases. You Services, Inc. ment alternatives that can investors are now skeptical individual bonds and bond should know, however, that Æ How to shop around for the credit card that suits you (Continued from page 11) will allow you to transfer your card - airline miles cards, like the Cardhub.com are especially ger of overspending. current balance and pay no Escape by Discover Card, and clear and comprehensive. Also, if you apply for mul - or store card, you should be interest for up to 21 months cash-back cards like Blue Cash NerdWallet.com and tiple credit cards at the same able to transition to an unse - while you make your debt by American Express are among BillShrink.com are a little time, your credit report can be cured card. shrink. Current offers that look the most popular. more sophisticated. They cus - dinged by having too many good are the Citi Platinum However, recent research tomize their recommendations inquiries. So shop carefully OPTIONS Select MasterCard and the shows that belonging to a as much or as little as you want, before you choose. If you are paying down Chase Freedom Visa. rewards program tends to based on your average bill, Keep in mind: Not all credit debt, you should aim for zero- If you pay off your bill every increase both spending on the biggest spending categories, card companies are equally fair percent introductory interest month, without fail, it could card and credit card debt. If and other details of your cur - in their dealings. According to rates and no annual fees. These make sense to look for a rewards you don’t want to fall into that rent spending habits. These the website Consumer Affairs pattern, limit your use of plastic sites can estimate exactly how (www.consumeraffairs.com ), A better use for your tax refund to certain predefined expenses - much you’ll save by switching. three credit card issuers made it like business travel, or your cell Also check out to the list of companies overall (Continued from page 11) be held at least one year. But phone bill. AskMrCreditCard.com , that attracted the most con - after that, the bond owner can which publishes annual lists sumer complaints: Chase, Bank rate. The interest is exempt redeem them, though there is a from state and local - but not BEST DEALS of the best cards. of America and Capital One. penalty of three months’ inter - There’s a world of sites out Keep in mind that most federal - income tax. est if the bonds are held less Bonds bought between there to help you find the best people don’t need more than © 2011 Anya Kamenetz. than five years. After five deals and most up-to-date offers one or two credit cards - one Distributed by Tribune Media now and April’s filing deadline years, no penalties apply for will earn 0.74 percent. for both the cheapest cards and for personal use, say, and one Services, Inc. early withdrawals. the most generous reward cards. for business use. Having too The puny returns on Æ STARTING OUT Among the general guides, many makes them hard to keep Series I bonds are competitive Creditcardguide.com and track of and can put you in dan - The starting point is IRS with certificates of deposit and Form 8888. This Allocation of some money market accounts, Refund form must be included but that’s about it. Still, I’m for U.N. wants cheaper costs for Caribbean remittances when you file your federal anything that encourages you income tax return. If you are to sock away a few bucks for (Continued from page 11) countries. A recent UNCTAD in remittances leads to a scheduled to receive a refund, the future. varied, remittances have study found that, in countries reduction of 3.9 percent in the follow the instructions on Form where remittances make up poverty headcount ratio. 8888 to instruct the IRS that you reduced poverty at the house - BOND INFORMATION: To hold level in many developing five percent or more of GDP, Æ are using part or all of your check the status of a savings on average a 10 percent rise refund to buy savings bonds. The bond purchase request, go to money can also be channeled the refund section of the IRS into your bank account, mutual website, www.irs.gov , or call IRS showdown: Tips for filing your U.S. tax return fund or retirement account. 1-800-829-1954 . You can designate anyone (Continued from page 11) al IRA conversions to Roth year holding period, and after IRAs. There are no longer age 59 1/2, all withdrawals, to receive a bond and also des - • Before you meet with © 2011 Tribune Media any income limitations for this including earnings, are tax- ignate the co-owner or benefi - the preparer, you should be Services, Inc. conversion, starting in 2010. free; moreover, you have no ciary. well organized - Have all your The entire amount of the restrictions on when you can Generally, the bonds must Æ records specifying income, conversion you made in 2010 make withdrawals. amounts withheld, brokerage has to be reported as taxable Roth IRAs have signifi - statements, deductions, past income; however, you can cant advantages for retirement year return (if applicable), elect to report half the income and estate planning. You and the Social Security num - in 2011 and half in 2012. should discuss these options bers of all your dependents. In order for you to make a with your financial planner or The less organized you are, conversion for 2010, you attorney. the more it will cost to have would have had to make it by your return prepared, and the Dec. 31, 2010. © 2011 Elliot Raphaelson. result is much more likely to However, you should con - Distributed by Tribune Media be inaccurate. sider making conversions in Services, Inc. the future. Roth IRAs provide TAX CHANGE significant long-term advan - Æ One important tax change tages. Specifically, after a five- for 2010 is related to tradition - CARIBBEAN TODAY • MARCH 2011• 13 FOOD Caribbean fix: Delicious chicken salad served with plantain pie Chicken salad Arrange lettuce leaves on Steps serving plates; mound chicken Preheat oven to 450° Ingredients salad in center and serve. Farenheit. Arrange pie crust in nine-inch pie plate; pinch or • 1 lemon (for juice, rinsed) Plantain pie fold edges of dough to finish. • 1 (10-ounce) package Cut ends off plantains; roasted, diced chicken Ingredients slice through peel lengthwise • 1 (8-ounce) can pineapple for easy removal. Remove and tidbits in juice (drained) • 1 prepared nine-inch pie discard peels; place plantains • 1/3 cup light mayonnaise crust in blender (or food proces - • 1/4 cup diced pimientos • 2 well-ripened plantains sor). Add remaining ingredi - (drained) (rinsed) ents and process 20–30 sec - • 1/2 teaspoon curry powder • 1 (24-ounce) jar mango onds, scraping sides down as • 12 to 16 Bibb lettuce leaves slices in light syrup needed, or until smooth and (rinsed) (drained) fully blended. • 2 eggs (or 1/2 cup egg Pour mixture into pie Chicken salad with plantain pie. Steps substitute) crust. Bake 30 minutes or Squeeze juice of lemon into • 1 tablespoon brown sugar until center of pie is set and quick, delicious fix Publix Apron’s Simple Meals. medium bowl. Stir in remain - • 1 tablespoon honey crust is golden. Cool com - with a Caribbean fla - It features some of the ing ingredients (except let - • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon pletely and serve. Avor. That’s what region’s favorite ingredients tuce) until well blended. • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt Makes eight servings. Caribbean Today’s recipe is coming together for a delight - Chill salad (or may be Æ this month, compliments of ful meal. served at room temperature). Sizzling sample: Pineapple salsa salmon combines with rice treat ish and fruits are always Preparation healthy and often deli - Fcious. Combined, they • Chop pineapple into small can make a great meal with a pieces. Caribbean flavor. • Check fish for bones (wash Take this pineapple salsa hands). salmon and rice meal being offered by Publix Apron’s Steps Simple Meals. It’s Caribbean Today’s special treat this Combine pineapple, salsa, month: honey mustard, cornstarch, and horse - radish; set aside. Cook rice following package instructions.

Preheat large sauté pan on medium-high two to three minutes. Coat both sides of fish with cooking spray; sprin - kle with lemon pep - per. Place fish in pan; Salsa salmon and rice cook three minutes. Turn fish and add salsa mixture. Cover and Ingredients reduce heat to medium; cook five to seven minutes or until • 1/2 lb fresh pineapple 145°F (or flesh separates easi - chunks ly). Serve fish and sauce over • 4 salmon fillets (skin rice. removed; 1 1/2 lb, thawed) Complete the meal with • 1 cup refrigerated fresh salsa fresh steamed (or micro- (from Produce) waved) asparagus, crusty • 1 tablespoon honey mustard French bread, and key lime • 2 teaspoons cornstarch pie or fresh cut fruit for • 2 teaspoons prepared horse - dessert. radish Also, try this recipe with • 2 cups instant rice peach salsa for a sweeter fla - • cooking spray vor. • 1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper Total time: 25 minutes. seasoning Makes four servings. Æ 14 • CARIBBEAN TODAY • MARCH 2011 HEALTH Region praises U.S. help in AIDS fight Caribbean educator supports call The Caribbean has praised responsibility for HIV/AIDS leaders articulated to the then the efforts of the United in the quasi-Caribbean com - (U.S. President George W.) for condom distribution in schools States towards reducing the munity (CARICOM) Cabinet, Bush administration during high incidence of the disease told the what has been described as CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC - did an evaluation of a five in the region. meeting that the celebrated U.S.-Caribbean A regional educator has year project on HIV and During a recent meeting while some dialogue held in Washington thrown her support behind AIDS and education for all. of the Caribbean Regional Caribbean D.C. in June 2007.” calls for the distribution of She said it was discovered Framework for HIV/AIDS countries Dr. Douglas said that the condoms in schools as part of during the evaluation exercise (PEPFAR) St. Kitts and Nevis had initially U.S. fund “is a lesson to the the battle against the spread that research and policy Prime Minister Dr. Denzil benefited other partners in the develop - of HIV and AIDS. development are two critical Douglas said that since 2003, from the ing world because nowhere is Virginia Albert-Poyotte, tools which are yet to be Washington has provided $48 U.S. global this better illustrated in the coordinator of Castries-based employed in the fight against billion towards a global fund fund, recent consistently high contribution Education International, says HIV and AIDS. for dealing with HIV/AIDS, Douglas U.S. legisla - of the United States Global the issue must be tackled since adding the U.S. “has been the tion meant Fund for HIV/AIDS at a time advocating that students exer - DEFICIENCY largest contributor by any that countries other than Haiti when other countries are cise safe sex or abstinence “The unions have recog - nation to combat a single dis - and Guyana were beneficiar - wavering in their support.” He could not be considered a nized the deficiency…and as a ease in world history.” ies of the program. warned that stopping funds to guarantee. She said the result of their evaluation they The meeting was aimed at developing countries in the responsibility to formulate have decided that they need strengthening the health part - SIGNIFICANT battle against HIV/AIDS policy on to give priority nership between the U.S. and “The act is of very “would reverse the gains of the such issues to research to the Caribbean. Organizers extreme significance to us in past decade that has resulted is that of the ensure they said it would also provide an the Caribbean,” he said. “It in the modest but surely steady authorities. have their data opportunity to build a strong accords with the spirits of decline in prevalence rates.” “We are correct, which partnership to combat HIV CARICOM response to these promoting they will use to and AIDS with the entire diseases (tuberculosis, malaria - Edited from CMC abstinence develop poli - Caribbean. and HIV/AIDS) and the posi - for students cy,” Albert- Dr. Douglas, who has tion to which CARICOM Æ as best as Poyette said. we can, but “The unions given the need to have situation policy to guide Shape up: P.M. warns citizens about health care with our young people it is them in dealing with issues BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, ority. People today get very compare with the pain, confu - one thing to preach, but related to educational for all CMC – Prime Minister Dr. nervous about their cell- sion, and trauma of serious ill - another thing to practice, and and HIV and AIDS and they Denzil Douglas says almost phones breaking, but they can ness. If it is of any comfort, therefore we have to give need to influence government half of the population of St. be very laid back and indiffer - just remind yourself that all them the alternative which is policy in terms of what kinds Kitts and Nevis is obese and ent, really, about what is hap - men get this procedure done – the use of condoms,” Albert- of regulations are in place to urged citizens to get involved pening with their bodies. not only you.” Poyette said. help, and treat people and in physical exercises. “It is wrong, wrong, “…Forget about what you “But we need to make it prevent the spread of HIV “The first thing we have wrong to go to the doctor only do or do not like. Stand up. clear that we do encourage and AIDS, and generally how to do is get up and move. We when we are sick.” Step forward. Protect yourself. students to stay away from do we work towards improv - all know the old physical fit - Prolong your life. Avoid pain sexual activity.” ing the quality of education in ness rule: Never lie down if CHECK-UPS and suffering the smart way.” Albert-Poyotte said that our schools.” you can sit; never sit if you He urged women to do With breast cancer the at a recent workshop in St. Æ can stand; never stand if you their pap smears, which the leading cause of cancer in Lucia representatives of 12 can walk; and never walk if government has made avail - women in St. Kitts and Nevis, regional teacher trade unions you can run. First thing, again, able at every health clinic on the government is taking a then, is move,” said Dr. this island free of charge. targeted response. He said the Douglas, who is also a med - He also urged men to check Ministry of Health has been ical practitioner. for prostate checked once a organizing sessions to teach St. Lucia launches program Speaking on his weekly year. women how to examine their radio program “Ask the “Everybody knows that breasts properly and urged Prime Minister”, Dr. Douglas there are aspects to the exam - women to master this tech - to fight AIDS discrimination said 45 percent, almost half, of ination you will not like,” nique, and to perform it regu - CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC - Incorporated (A.I.D. Inc.), the people in the twin island Douglas said. “But however larly because prevention is far A regional health program will seek to decrease stigma federation are obese. strange you may find the better than cure. aimed at reducing the stigma and discrimination against “Men, women, make examination, no physical and discrimination associated people living with HIV/AIDS, those annual check-ups a pri - examination can begin to Æ with HIV/AIDS in the their families and other vul - Caribbean was launched here nerable groups. late last month. The PANCAP Regional PARTNERSHIPS Stigma and Discrimination “The RSDU project will Unit (RSDU) said other be implemented in St. Lucia launches are planned for and other OECS islands, Organization of Eastern Belize, Jamaica and Guyana Caribbean States (OECS) through partnerships with the countries, Belize, Jamaica National AIDS Program and Guyana. (NAP), civil society, non gov - The RSDU project, estab - ernmental organizations lished in Jan. 2009 with fund - (NGOs), faith based organiza - ing from the Department for tions (FBOs), and the commu - International Development in nity. the United Kingdom, is based “The objectives are to on the theme “Breaking build capacity in country and Down the Walls of Shame and to further encourage and Blame”. empower people living with or Project Director Dr. Sonia affected by HIV and margin - Alexander told the Caribbean alized or vulnerable popula - Media Corporation (CMC) tions to participate in the that the two-year program, struggle against stigma and managed by the Barbados- discrimination,” she said. based Associates for International Development Æ CARIBBEAN TODAY • MARCH 2011• 15 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Lauderhill to host ‘Pieces of Jamaica’ exhibition Rihanna, Buju Banton LAUDERHILL, Florida – case various cultural aspects ing set for Mar. 10 and the Jamaica’s beauty and culture of the island in dance, music, “Professionals Night Out” on take Grammy awards will be on display during poetry, culinary and other Mar. 17, which will include aribbean entertainers attend the ceremony and later March at the Lauderhill Art expressions, as it explores the poetic expression along with were again among the in the month Banton was Center Gallery (LACG) in complexity of Jamaica’s cul - visual art. winners at the 2011 found guilty of weapon and South Florida through the ture and people. On Mar. 19 there will be a C Grammy awards held last drug charges. “Pieces of Jamaica” visual On Mar. 12, the youth can screening of the docu-film month. Other and performing arts exhibi - “Why Do Jamaicans Run So Barbadian Rihanna won Grammy win - tion. Fast?”, which will be hosted a Grammy for “Best Dance ners from the The event will showcase by the Jamaica Arts Recording” for the song region includ - Jamaica as seen through the Development Foundation “Only Girl (In the World)”, ed Chucho lens of photographer David I. (JADF). The final event of which is featured on her Valdés and the Muir. It will also feature the this exhibition is on Mar. 31. album “Loud”. Afro-Cuban works of guest artists Shurnett “Pieces of Jamaica” is It was Rihanna’s third Messengers, Haughton-Cole and Niki being presented under the Grammy. She previously won who won for Rihanna Lopez. patronage of Sandra Grant- twice in the “Best Rap/Sung “Best Latin According to Muir, “This Griffiths, consul general of Collaboration” for her feature Jazz Album” for “Chucho’s is an excellent way to high - Jamaica to the southern on Jay-Z’s “Run This Town’ Steps”, and the Spanish light Jamaica’s beauty and cul - United States. Broward in 2009, and her hit single Harlem Orchestra, which won ture; my photography and the County Commissioner Dale “Umbrella” in 2007. in the “Best Tropical Latin works of Shurnett and Niki, V.C. Holness and Jamaica Troubled Jamaican star Album” category for “Viva la while promoting the LACG,” Diaspora representative Buju Banton. Banton won the Tradición”. Muir explained in a recent Muir Marlon Hill are also sched - award for “Best Reggae Æ press release. uled to be part of the opening Album” for “Before the “It will be a great oppor - enjoy “Family, Fun and event. Dawn”. Banton did not tunity for people to come out Frolic”, by learning Jamaican The gallery is located at and see different aspects of ring games, such as “dandy- 1713 N.W. 38th Ave. in Jamaica and experience the shandy”, and hear “Anancy” Lauderhill. WOMAN TO WOMAN culture that will be on display stories. For more information, throughout the exhibition.” The exhibition will fea - call Muir at 954-200-5110 or e- ture eight events overall – mail [email protected] . CULTURE each focusing on a different The exhibition will show - theme – with the grand open - Æ Big names set for Miami’s ‘Jazz in the Gardens’ ome of the biggest names are Gladys Knight, En in American R&B music Vogue, El DeBarge, Lalah Sare scheduled to take the Hathaway and Branford stage at the sixth annu - al “Jazz in the Gardens” set for Mar. 19 and 20 in South Florida.

Members of the New Cheryl Lee Ralph, left, Jamaican-born actress and founder of the Diva Foundation, Edition greets Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States Audrey Marks, as she arrives at group - the Annual Diva Foundation Fund Raising Reception held recently at the Jamaican Bobby Embassy in Washington D.C. Hill Brown, Wilson Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant - have Marsalis. been added to a line-up that The music festival will be already includes Lauryn Hill, staged at SunLife Stadium in Charlie Wilson, Al Jarreau Miami Gardens. and Jazmine Sullivan. Brown, For more information Gill and Tresvant will perform about “Jazz in the Gardens”, under the name Heads of call the 877-640-5299 or State. visit www.jazzinthegardens.co m Also listed for the show Æ 16 • CARIBBEAN TODAY • MARCH 2011 SPRING CARGO & SHIPPING ~ A Caribbean Today special feature U.S. slaps new measures for U.S. signs secure seas agreement with St. Lucia mail, cargo from Barbados CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – The SSP is intended to from the project. St. Lucia has signed a memo - assist St. Lucia and other “The countries where the BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, TSA has impacted negatively randum of understanding Eastern Caribbean states demand is to have a responsi - CMC – The Barbados govern - on mail services worldwide (MOU) with the United combat drug trafficking. It is bility to assist this region in ment says it has been advised and as a result “all classes of States that allows for further an integral part of U.S. combating the trafficking of by the Department of mail to and from Barbados protection of the island’s President Barack Obama’s drugs and I am therefore very Homeland Security (DHS) would encounter delays and coastal borders. Caribbean Basin Security ini - pleased that the USA has and other United States would continue to do so indef - Prime Minister tiative first announced at the realized this and are cooperat - agencies that they have imple - initely. Stephenson King said that the U.S. Caribbean summit in ing with us in providing the mented a number of measures “With regard to our Secure Seas Program (SSP) 2009. assets that will help us protect “to enhance existing security Express Mail Service to the will not only provide assis - Under the program, our porous borders, because procedures for screening USA, it will continue to be tance to the local police, but Washington will provide assis - all of the members of the inbound airmail and cargo to given priority treatment but that it also had a very strong tance to St. Lucia and other Regional Security System the U.S.” we can no longer offer our social component. Caribbean nations in strength - (RSS) have similar problems,” A Barbados Government customers guaranteed delivery “We believe that the fight ening their capacity to better Mayers said. Information Service States times as a result of the above. against crime, the fight to pro - combat drug trafficking. In addition to signing the (BGIS) said the local postal Therefore, it will inevitably be tect our borders can be done MOU, the U.S. also handed agency has been informed by delayed”. in a number of ways, there BENEFIT over the refurbished Ganters the Transportation Security The Postal Service is must be a multi-faceted National Security Bay Pier that serves as a base Administration (TSA) that all reminding customers that as a approach from the social Minister Guy Mayers told for the marine unit. mail intended for dispatch on result of the U.S. directive angle and also at prevention the signing ceremony Monday passenger and cargo aircraft and in order to expedite local and protection level,” King that marine unit of the St. Æ to the U.S. must be screened mail going through foreign said. Lucia Police Force will benefit and mail will encounter a pre- customs, each item must have determined “cooling” period a completed customs declara - prior to its dispatch. tion form or commercial “In addition, it is the air - invoices for items containing Dominica announces new date for night-landing by LIAT lines’ responsibility to ensure merchandise. ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – sometime in mid-April, 2011 in order to commence sched - the security measures mandat - “Furthermore, counter Six months after a paid inaugu - pending the approval of the uled night operations into the ed by the DHS are imple - staff personnel must make ral night flight, the Dominica publication of the Instrument Melville Hall Airport. mented. Toner and ink car - sure that vague entries such as government announced that Approach Procedure,” The airline’s Director of tridges will be prohibited on ‘$0 value’, ‘Household Items’, LIAT would begin scheduling Blackmore said. Flight Operations Captain passenger aircraft; and all ‘No Commercial Value’, and night operations to Dominica “I want to say (that) we George Arthurton noted then cargo identified as high-risk ‘Personal Effects’ are not used in mid-April. have gotten the actual that LIAT has repeatedly will go through additional and as they do not reveal the exact Public Works Minister approval for the publication of emphasised that although it enhanced screening, including nature of contents”, the state - Rayburn Blackmoore said that the chart because all the infor - would like to commence inbound international mail ment noted. based on discussions between mation has to be contained in a scheduled night operations into packages, which must be “These measures come in LIAT and the Eastern graphic form by way of a chart Dominica as soon as possible, screened individually and cer - the wake of a failed terrorist Caribbean Civil Aviation so that it can be used by the it is unable to do so until an tified to have come from an attack to conceal and ship Authority (ECCAA), new various airmen.” instrument approach has been established postal shipper”, Improvised Explosive Devices developments are underway approved by the ECCAA. the statement noted. on an aircraft destined for the for the commencement of DELAY “LIAT’s operating stan - U.S. on October 28, last night-landing here. LIAT made its inaugural dards require that an instru - NEGATIVE IMPACT year”, BGIS added. “Based on the discussion night flight into Dominica on ment approach is available for The Barbados Postal Æ with the ECCAA, LIAT will Sept. 20, 2010, a chartered scheduled night operations,” Service said the action by the be able to come to Dominica flight by the Dominica govern - Arthurton explained. “The ment. However, since then, the current ECCAA Phase One carrier has not included approval only permits visual Dominica on its night itinerary. approaches into Dominica at Last December LIAT said night.” it was still awaiting an approved instrument approach Æ Cops seize $1M in cocaine from cruise ship in Jamaica MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, tody and will answer to CMC – Officials of the charges of breaching the Customs Department said Dangerous Drugs Act, the police seized a large quantity Proceeds of Crime Act as of cocaine from a cruise ship well as the Customs Act. from Colombia, docked at the Following the drug find, Freeport Cruise Shipping Pier scores of passengers, who had in this tourist resort town. just returned from excursions, The department said 50 were forced to wait in long pounds of cocaine valued at lines and were searched prior J$100 million ($ 1.1 million) to re-boarding while local was seized during a five-hour shipping agents, who had operation late last month. transactions on the ship, were A quantity of the cocaine not allowed access. (22 pounds) was found Last month a cruise pas - strapped to a man who was senger was held at a newly identified as Ricardo Chin, a opened port in Falmouth in passenger on the cruise ship, the northern parish of while another 28 pounds was Trelawny after attempting to found in a suitcase in a cabin board a vessel with cocaine. occupied by another passen - ger. Æ Chin was taken into cus - CARIBBEAN TODAY • MARCH 2011• 17 SPRING CARGO & SHIPPING ~ A Caribbean Today special feature Ban lifted: Jamaica blames possible hoax for suspension of cargo to U.S. that the report is a Administration (TSA) in the hoax, maliciously creat - U.S. said it was suspending all ed to defame an air cargo to and from Jamaica employee of an airport for a 72-hour period after concessionaire,” receiving what it that termed a Transport Minister credible threat that an explo - Mike Henry told sive device could be placed on Jamaica’s Parliament. Air Jamaica plane. “Investigations are Officials from Jamaica’s continuing to confirm, Civil Aviation Authority beyond a doubt, the (CAA) said they were advised preliminary findings as of the emergency measure well as apprehending after an Air Jamaica plane those who may be was delayed at the Fort responsible for this dis - Lauderdale Airport in Florida ruption to internation - as a precaution ahead of the al civil aviation,” implementation of the three- Henry said, adding that day suspension of cargo on Jamaica is maintaining flights. a high level of security Several persons, including screening for both pas - a policeman, were detained Air Jamaica plane was target in U.S. probe. sengers and cargo on as investigations involving KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – diately introduce a 72-hour an elaborate hoax. all outgoing flights. local police and FBI agents The Jamaica government said suspension of commercial “Preliminary investigations intensified. THREAT the bomb scare that caused cargo to the United States conducted by the National - CMC American authorities to imme - may have been as a result of Intelligence Bureau suggest On Feb. 27, the Transportation Security Æ Guyana wants fair assessment ROYAL WELCOME on human trafficking from U.S.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, in Guyana”, the statement CMC – Guyana has told the added. United States that its inaugu - ral talks between the two U.S. GUIDE countries will result in Guyana said its submis - Washington delivering a fair sion was framed on the bench - assessment of the human traf - marks set out by the U.S. ficking situation in the country. Congress in Sections 108 and The Bharrat Jagdeo 110 of the US Trafficking and administration Victims Protection Act. has been criti - “Guyana reiterated that it cal of the did not accept the findings of reports pub - the 2010 Report and the rank - lished by the ing of Guyana for the second U.S. on human year as a Tier 2 Watch List trafficking in country and made it very clear the Caribbean that it expected a fair and community accurate assessment in 2011. (CARICOM) Rohee “For the first time, in keep - country and ing with the understanding recently Home adumbrated at previous engage - Affairs Minister Clement ments with the U.S. administra - Royal Caribbean’s “Voyageur of the Seas” made its inaugural call to Jamaica’s Falmouth Cruise Port last month. Cruise-goers Rohee led a delegation that tion, the Government of were welcomed by Jamaican government officials, entertainers and artists as they disembarked the ship. After a day of festivities had talks with officials from Guyana was consulted and and adventures, the ship departed Falmouth. The port is a $220 million project under development by Royal Caribbean Limited the U.S. embassy here on the invited to submit its responses (RCCL) in partnership with the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) for the berthing of the cruise line’s Genesis class ship, the newest issue. for the year ending April 2011 and largest class of cruise ships. The grand opening ceremony of the Historic Falmouth Cruise Port will take place on Mar. 22, In a written submission, in relation to its efforts to com - when Oasis of the Seas makes her maiden call into the port. Other Royal Caribbean ships that will be calling at Falmouth include the local delegation said that bat TIP”, noted the statement. “Allure of the Seas”, which debuts in Falmouth on Mar. 30. Guyana last year conducted Guyana also urged the five investigations of U.S. to provide information Trafficking In Persons (TIP). about suspected TIP cases at The submissions also showed any time, rather than restrict - that there were four TIP ing it to the time of preparing reports with six victims- three the U.S. Annual Report. below age 18, leading to three “Acknowledging that prosecutions and one offender there might be information convicted and sentenced to that has not come to the three years jail, according to a Government’s attention, the Guyana government statement. members of the Guyana “Given all the measures Government indicated that in that have been put in place by the interest of combating the Guyana and the frank and cor - scourge of TIP that it was dial engagement with the U.S. prepared to receive and inves - Embassy Chargé d’ Affaires, tigate any information that the Guyana team expects that the US Embassy officials may the US 2011 Report on TIP have received in relation to would be a fair and accurate TIP”, the statement read. representation of the situation Æ 18 • CARIBBEAN TODAY • MARCH 2011 SPORT Roach grabs ‘hat-trick’ as Windies win at CWC T&T’s John aims at MLS return NEW DELHI, India, CMC – Match” honors. CARSON, California – Stern Kemar Roach snared the “Hat-trick was not on my John may be on the verge of a Netherlands’ last three wick - mind, but then captain return to Major League ets to capture a rare Cricket (Darren Sammy) pointed out Soccer (MLS). World Cup (CWC) hat-trick to me I was on a hat-trick, and Chivas USA coach Robin in a dramatic finish, firing it worked out,” said Roach. Fraser disclosed late last West Indies to a crushing 215- He became the second month that the Trinidad and run victory over Netherlands West Indies bowler to take an Tobago international has late last month. ODI hat-trick, but the first joined the club’s preseason Roach got palpable leg from the Caribbean, and sixth training camp. before wicket verdicts to dis - overall, to claim it at CWC. “He’s coming off an miss Pieter Seelaar for one, Jerome Taylor was the first injury, and he’s looking for an and Bernard Loots for a West Indies bowler to take an opportunity to get on with a first-ball duck before he ODI hat-trick five years ago, club,” said Fraser. bowled Berend Westdijk for at the ICC Champions “But when a guy has Stern another first-ball duck, as the Trophy in India at Mumbai’s scored goals like he has in the Netherlands, chasing a target Roach celebrates. Brabourne Stadium. places he has, you take a look lead in goals scored with 18 in the second year. of 331 for victory, were demol - ciable reverse swing, Roach West Indies ended last at him. He is one of [the best ished for 115 with 111 balls month with a win and a loss – MLS goal-scorers) I know.” John spent extensive time was virtually unplayable, and in England with a number of remaining in the Group-B outgunned the Netherlands to South Africa – in two CWC The 34-year-old John is match at the Feroz Shah Kotla matches during February. The currently battling back from a clubs including Nottingham batsmen to finish with his best Forest, Coventry City, and Stadium. one-day international figures CWC continues this month. knee injury that helped cut Bowling typically fast, short his stint with English Sunderland. of six wickets for 27 runs from Æ He also help the Soca full-length, and gaining appre - 8.3 overs to earn “Man of the side Ipswich Town last year. During his career in the MLS, Warriors reach the 2006 John played for the Columbus World Cup, where he Crew from 1998 to 1999. He appeared in all three group Caribbean high schools to play cricket in was the Golden Boot winner stage matches. in his first year with 26 goals, Æ Lauderhill ‘Spring Break’ championship while he tied for the MLS

wo leading high school attended Excelsior High participate in the 2011 American teams from the School, and its cricket pro - College Cricket Spring Break SPORT BRIEFS Caribbean are sched - gram continues to be of a high Championship and we see this T • Fort Lauderdale Strikers will be held in Mexico this June. uled to compete as special standard with two students as an opportunity to ‘blood’ Jason Wright scored for guests in the 2011 American currently in the Jamaican some of our talented young signs Jamaican The Fort Lauderdale Strikers Jamaica in the 13th and 46th min - College Cricket Spring Break under 15 and under 19 players. Additionally we are soccer club has signed Jamaica utes. Brian Roches scored the lone Championship in South teams,” Excelsior Principal eager to exercise our civic international defender Lance Laing goal for Honduras in the 65th Florida this month. Deanroy Bromfield told the responsibility as ambassadors by for the upcoming North American minute. Jamaica’s Excelsior High championship’s website. “We partnering with the Borough of Soccer League (NASL) season. and Presentation College have made the semi-finals Chaguanas (our hometown) in Laing, 22, is a native of • Bishoo replaces Bravo at Chaguanas of Trinidad and every year since 2006, and deepening the sporting and cul - Trelawny. He began his profession - CWC Tobago will play against uni - eight of the players have tural ties with its recently al career with Harbour View F.C. Guyanese leg-spinner versity teams from North Senior Cup experience.” twinned city of Lauderhill, and Village United. He has also rep - Davendra Bishoo replaced injured America at the cricket stadi - According to the Flordia, the championship resented the national team at the all-rounder Dwayne Bravo in the um in Lauderhill. website, Presentation College hosts.” under 17 level. West Indies squad at the 2011 It will be the second year Chaguanas has also produced The two Caribbean high The Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Cricket World Cup being staged in in a row that teams from the West Indies cricketers, schools will play games formerly Miami F.C., is South India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Caribbean will make appear - including Adrian Barath, against U.S. and Canadian Florida’s only professional soccer Bravo suffered a knee injury ances at the stadium. The Ravi Rampaul, Dinesh universities. On Mar. 19 they team. bowling in the Windies’ first match University of the West Indies Ramdin, Theo Cuffy, Dinath will play a feature game against South Africa. participated in the 2010 Ramnarine and Suruj against each other under lights • Reggae Boy joins MLS’s championship. Ragoonath. at the stadium. • Jamaican signs two-year “(Former and current According to a press release For more information, Dynamo Defender Jermaine Taylor has been USL deal West Indies players) Courtney from the school, “Presentation call 954-732-5527. acquired by Major League Soccer’s Orlando City have fortified their Walsh, Chris Gayle, Patrick College is pleased to have been Æ Houston Dynamo from the Jamaican central defense with the signing of Patterson and Uton Dowe invited to Lauderhill, Florida to club St. George’s. Jamaica international Demar Stewart. The 26-year-old has appeared The club announced late last 37 times for Jamaica’s senior month that it had reached terms ‘True Blue’ alumni soccer kicks off national team and, along with cur - with Stewart for a two-year agree - rent Dynamo midfielder Lovel ment that links Stewart with com - Palmer, helped the Reggae Boyz win patriot Kieron Bernard in the heart Mar. 26 in South Florida last year’s Digicel Caribbean Cup. of the defense of Orlando City, which plays in the United Soccer he seventh annual True St. George’s College, is sched - Association will defend its • Jamaica reaches U-17 soc - League (USL). Blue Weekend/Dennis uled for Mar. 26. title as champions of the All “We are delighted to have a Ziadie Cup soccer com - The competition is being Girls/Co-Ed Schools Alumni cer World Cup T Jamaica beat Honduras 2-1 in player of Demar’s quality joining petition will be held this staged in honor of Dennis Penalty Kick-off. the quarter-final of the CONCACAF us,” said Phil Rawlins, owner and month in South Florida. Ziadie, a former Jamaica The soccer events will be president of Orlando City. The event, which features national player who coached held starting noon at the Under-17 Boys’ Championship last month to become the lone country alumni teams representing both high schools. The 2011 Ansin Sports Complex, 10801 Compiled from various sources. popular Jamaican high schools, event will mark the 24th year Miramar Blvd. in Miramar. from the Caribbean to reach the including Jamaica College and of Ziadie’s death in a motor Other “True Blue” week - 2011 Boys World Cup finals, which Æ vehicle crash at the 1986 end festivities scheduled for CRICKET DVDs World Cup in Mexico. South Florida include: N. Pine Island Rd. in Sunrise. om or the True Blue Weekend Over 100 DVD Titles This year Grace Kennedy • The True Blue Mixer, • True Blue Church Facebook Fan Page – Remittance Services/ Western from 7 p.m. to midnight on Service, 10 a.m. Mar. 27 at http://www.facebook.com/true (1960-2009) Union will donate two cash Mar. 25 at the I.T. Parker NOW AVAILABLE @16.95 each Church of the Holy Family, blueweekend. prizes: $100 to the winning Community Center, 901 N.E. 18501 N.W. 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Later, in President Jean-Bertrand Supporters regard a letter he dispatched to the have the death penalty carried winding up debate, Ramlogan Aristide, his planned return Aristide, a former Catholic Haitian foreign ministry out on convicted murderers urged the Opposition to seri - appears to have stalled amid priest, as a true democratic requesting that the government after Opposition legislators ously consider the ramifica - unresolved security and logisti - leader, who could pressure the work with South Africa to banded together late last tions of their position. cal concerns, according to his ensure Aristide’s return has month and refused to provide “I beg of you don’t hold lawyer. received no response. the necessary special majority this nation to ransom,” Aristides’s Miami-based “This country needs to be vote for the successful passage Ramlogan said, adding “I ask lawyer Ira Kurzban has rebuilt and that needs to be the of the amendment to the coun - my friends to consider the accused the United States and priority right now,” said Alice try’s constitution. innocent and not to stand with France of interfering with his Blanchet, a special advisor to Prime Minister Kamla those who murder them.” client’s efforts to return home Prime Minister Jean-Max Persad Bissessar, in a last The nine-month-old Persad since he was forced into exile Bellerive, when asked about minute bid on Feb. 28 to save Bissessar government needed a in 2004. Aristide’s return. the amendment to the constitu - special three-fourths majority “The idea that Aristide tion, had sought to suspend the to ensure passage of the legisla - can simply get on a plane and WAIT sitting of Parliament and hold a tion that would have catego - come back to Haiti ignores the Some of Aristide support - meeting with Opposition rized murder in T&T. But when fact that he’s not just a Haitian ers, acknowledging disappoint - Leader Dr. Keith Rowley, who the matter was put to the vote, citizen returning home,” he Aristide ment, have even begun to declined the offer. all 29 government legislators told reporters. think that it might be better for But Persad Bissessar said supported the measure while 11 “There are security con - government and international him to wait. That may mean her administration regarded from the Opposition benches cerns and powerful govern - donors to help the poor. But trying to return under a new the measure “as an important voted. Former Foreign Affairs ments that have already Kurzban said international president who would be less measure,” adding that “it was Minister Paul Gopee Scoon was expressed a desire to keep opposition is a concern, friendly that the current presi - most unfortunate (for the posi - not present when the vote was him out of the country,” he because all commercial flights dent, René Préval. tion adopted by Rowley) taken in the 41-seat Parliament. added. from South Africa fly through But Patrick Elie, a political because at the end of the day it According to government Determining when or if countries allied with the U.S. activist who has served in the will be the innocent people of figures, 3,335 murders were Aristide might return from his He also said it is not clear Aristide and Préval govern - this land who will suffer.”. committed here between 2002 exile in South Africa continues whether a private flight would ments, blamed Aristide’s own Earlier Rowley had called and 2010 and, so far this year, to be difficult. American offi - be held on the ground by the political organization, Fanmi on the government not to inter - more than 70 people have cials have clearly stated that South African authorities, or if Lavalas, for failing to build fere with the constitution and been killed. they oppose efforts to bring it would be allowed to land in widespread support and to that executions could be carried Æ him back before Haiti’s Mar. Haiti. “prepare the return of some - out without the amendment. 20 second round presidential While Haiti’s top officials - body who is a living symbol.” elections, arguing that including the president and ‘RANSOM’ Aristide’s presence would cre - prime minister - have said Æ But Attorney General