November 29, 2009
Are you kidding? UK can't pay civil servants of Turks and Caicos
The UK interim government claims that it cannot pay Turks and Caicos' civil servants for November and December, citing budget problems. This is an outrage and a black mark on the reputation of UK's competency.
The UK continues to bring in their own citizens to take the jobs of Turks and Caicos islanders, all the while claiming that they cannot pay the local civil servants.
At least two of the employees who have not received their salaries are seeking legal representation.
Can anyone tell me why the UK took governance of the islands if they cannot afford to pay the meager salaries of the local government? This makes no sense to me. They could have stayed in UK and given the reigns of the government to someone more competent.
It is highly unfair for the people who can least afford to go without a salary to be put in this situation. Who is paying Gordon Wetherell? Who is paying Mark Capes? I do not believe for a moment that they are foregoing their salaries.
This is a big deal and disgrace to the interim government. Mr. Capes: I propose that you give Parliament in UK a ring-a-ding and ask them to take the per diem tax-free allowances of its members to help finance the payroll of Turks and Caicos civil servants. They will still be making more than enough money for at least ten people.
This is a situation that UK created, the least that they can do is sort it out. Why did they invade Turks and Caicos empty-handed? Worse yet, they bring their own people in and pay their salaries and stiff the locals. Worse yet, they tax the people and take their benefits.
This is clearly taxation without representation. History shows that America did the right thing when they sent a message to the King of England by inviting him to that tea party.
November 9, 2009
The right to freedom and autonomy might never be realized in light
of an activist blog site doing UK's bidding to take over governance of
the Caribbean islands of Turks and Caicos. TCI Journal takes full credit for bringing the UK to the islands for what they call corruption.
Turks and Caicos's
national main stream media was treated to another "name withheld" open
letter to the media in TC Weekly criticising the Dellis Cay resort project along with
its developer Cem Kinay, and interestingly defending the blog site TCI
Journal.
Dellis Cay, was an island-resort-in-progress to be run by the
Mandarin Oriental Hotel which had succumb to receivership last month.
In this open letter, the author hoped to gain sympathy for the TCI
Journal, in the face of its mounting legal troubles, by deflecting
responsibility from the website's caustic accusations against
developers and other business people. The open letter criticizes
developer Cem Kinay for blaming TCI Journal's actions for the
developments' demise.
Dare we identify "name withheld" as any
number of pseudonyms used by Shaun Malcolm and the TCI Journal? This
open letter is most certainly another of TCI Journal's propaganda
pieces in an attempt to sway public opinion.
To say that TCI
Journal's legal troubles start and end with Cem Kinay is incorrect. In
fact, several lawsuits have been filed and/or threatened against the
TCI Journal for causing harm to people and businesses by its
target-and-attack writings and accusations.
TCI Journal now
makes an about-face claiming that they have no power to cause harm, in
the face of legal action. However, TCI Journal takes credit for being
so powerful that it brought the commission of enquiry of corruption by
UK, which caused the collapse of the autonomous constitution of Turks
and Caicos. To say that TCI Journal could not have caused Cem Kinay
harm, is both glib and false.
Indeed, Dr. Kinay was named in Sir
Robin Auld's corruption report (commission of enquiry) claiming some
sort of sweetheart deal for an island that Dr. Kinay partially
purchased from the Crown. The island in question is not Dellis Cay
island. Rather, it is the subject of a remote island called Joe Grant
Cay which has been uninhabited for 100 years, has no infrastructure and
is made up of iron terrain with little to no beach. The campaign
contribution in question, that was called a bribe by Kinay, was made
before the election, evidencing that it was not a bribe. Why would a
bribe be made 3 weeks before an election when a possible new premier
would be installed?
As for the Belongership (island voting status)
status, it is VERY common for a developer who has contributed to the
economic and social interests of Turks and Caicos to be granted
Belongership status. However, the tourism department offered a Belonger
partner to Cem Kinay in part because the government was desperate for
Dr. Kinay to take and develop Joe Grant Cay with his high-end brand.
Michael Misick, the former Premier of Turks and Caicos, was branded a
hero when he made the deal with Cem Kinay for Joe Grant Cay Island, no
other developer would take it after years of trying. The Misick
administration offered Kinay many inducement to develop the island, not
the other way around. This was a sweetheart deal for the crown.
I
do not intend to defend Dr. Kinay whom I have never met. What I do
intend is to flush out the allegations made by TCI Journal and point
out the hostile environment in Turks and Caicos created by TCI
Journal's caustic influence. Indeed, I can identify dozens of examples
of how TCI Journal accuses everyone of corruption who stands in its
way. The obvious ones are those listed in the enquiry all propagated by
TCI Journal's accusations. However, TCI Journal has accused almost
everyone of being suspicious or corrupt if they do not bend to the will
of their agenda. All media houses are corrupt, according to TCI Journal
because they do not support TCI Journal's agenda. Shaun Malcolm, the
proud man behind TCI Journal, even accused CARICOM of being corrupt,
accusing its members of being party buddies of Michael Misick. TCI
Journal used Michael Misick's scorned ex-wife to fuel the fire of
corruption charges against Misick; she was the star witness against
him, a woman with an axe to grind.
These corruption
claims are made ad nausem and they are tiresome and exploitative. Since
when is it a victory and a source of pride for a country, to shut down
a resort development which had the potential to bring in billions of
dollars in tourism revenue, other sales revenue and employment to the
islands?
TCI Journal has targeted and attacked Cem Kinay right down to
their mock-style article entitled The Final Curtain Call, celebrating
the receivership action against the Dellis Cay development and the
lay-offs of hundreds of workers. How is TCI Journal to blame for the
demise of the Dellis Cay development? Let's start with the dozens of
articles written by TCI Journal making irrevocable accusations of fraud
against Dr. Cem Kinay and Dellis Cay without any corroboration or back
up. Then there is the accusations made by TCI Journal about Cem Kinay's
employment practices and environmental carelessness. Let's move on to
the anonymous letters sent by TCI Journal to Dr. Kinay's investors
around the world, including Turkey his home land, warning investors to
pull their support from Dellis Cay. Then we have the illegal publishing
of the unredacted report on Wikileaks, which was protected by court
order. Then the subsequent articles by TCI Journal and interviews with
main stream media explicitly and by innuendo calling Dr. Kinay corrupt
and alleging that the development was negatively impacting the
environment.
TCI Journal cannot have it both ways. It
cannot take credit for its powerful public influence and then wain when
faced to answer for damaging a person and their reputation. Shaun
Malcolm and TCI Journal have something to gain by attempting to bring
down the Michael Misick administration and the many resort developments
that it has proudly claimed.
Since TCI Journal and Shaun Malcolm
claim to be public figures acting in the best interest of "the people",
let's shine a light there are have some transparency with respect to
the TCI Journal operation. I certainly question their truthfulness and I doubt that I am alone.
I will be probably get
nasty comments from Shaun Malcolm using his many pseudonyms, calling me
names and trying to intimidate me. That's just one more tact they use to
make sure that they are the only ones who have a voice in the matter. UK
needs to restore democracy to Turks and Caicos and reinstate the
people's constitution.
November 6, 2009
More taxes for TCI? 
By: Chris Burke
Surely many of you have been following the changes taking place in Turks and Caicos since the installation of the UK interim government. Benefits for the needy and Belongers have been but, taxes have been raised, hospitality taxes implemented, health care duties demanded and now more bad news from UK, it will be collecting more taxes from Turks and Caicos and Cayman to make up for the decline in tourism.
Really? I ask myself. Decline in tourism? How did that happen? Let's start with the punitive actions against developers and political turmoil, all caused at the hand of the UK. I have spoken to three different resort developer/investors from Canada and they have all told me that there is no way that they would touch TCI right now. At least half-a-dozen developers were sold Crown land for which the UK now claims is an unbonafide sale, meaning they're taking back title. Why would anyone invest in Turks and Caicos without assurances of legality?
As for visitors, the atmosphere in TCI is not condusive to holiday-goers. It is a down right hostile place to be at the moment. I wonder how that happened?
If UK wants to tax the TCI people, then they better make sure that they are representing the people properly. So far, the answer is no -- they are taking more rights away, not representing the needs of the people!
http://www.stabroeknews.com/2009/business/11/06/british-caribbean-territories-under-pressure-to-raise-taxes/
October 28, 2009
Foreign investments in local cultures
October 23, 2009
By: Chris Burke 
Why would anyone want to bribe Misick for Joe Grant Cay - a remote iron terrain island unihabited for 100 years?
Dellis Cay is not Crown land, Marvin. Dellis Cay was a private purchase made by developer Cem Kinay from an individual in Europe. I do not have all of the facts of this transaction.
Some of the confusion is the popular belief that Cem Kinay's development was on Crown land.
The actual island in question by the enquiry for bribery is a remote island called Joe Grant Cay, about a 2 hour boat ride from Provenciales.
The island is called "iron" terrain because it is made up of black rocky peaks. The island has virtually no beach and has absolutely no infrastructure. It is uninhabitable.
My real estate sources tell me that the island has been of interest to maybe a handful of developers before over the years, all of whom ultimately backed out due to the complicated structure of the island and that the Crown was not willing to sell the entire island, only 20% of it.
Cem Kinay was reportedly wooed very hard by the tourism department and Misick administration to take the land and develop it, reportedly because Cem Kinay's brand would draw a wealthy tourist population. I am told, but have not confirmed, that Kinay was induced with a Belonger partnership from an official within the tourism department (cannot reveal his name without checking the facts).
Kinay reportedly did not ultimately purchase the island, he purchased the 20% and took a lease for the rest which is an additional 500 + acres.
Thereafter, none other than governor, His Excellency Gordon Wetherell, signed a Development Agreement with Cem Kinay allowing him to develop on Joe Grant Cay. Part of the reported deal was that Kinay was to give the Crown a hefty percentage (I believe 15% or 20%) of profit from the sales. This was a victory for the Crown and the government in relation to Joe Grant Cay, just prior to the enquiry.
I believe that Kinay had already paid and completed the lengthy environmental impact process and engineers before the enquiry.
Michael Misick was pronounced a hero when he made this deal for Joe Grant Cay. Misick made a press release (and perhaps Malcolm can use his Dom Perignon fantasy here) and a celebration was had.
Kinay reportedly saw this island as a challenge, and the inducements were there by the government. It could be that he decided to make the deal because he felt supported by the government and confident in their commitments. I am speculating on the latter, but it is my tentative opinion that he would not have purchased the island without all of the inducements offered to HIM by the then government.
I have also checked that the Commission of Enquiry valued the island based on an already developed island's real estate specs, the island of Ambergris Cay. Ambergris Cay has a run way, sewer, a marina, water facilities, sea cable and electricity -- altogether the infrastructure improvements worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Ambergris Cay island is wholly habitable. Joe Grant Cay has absolutely no infrastructure, no dock and little beach to speak of. The enquiry drastically and artificially over valued Joe Grant Cay island for purposes of the enquiry report.
Why would the commission of enquiry over value Joe Grant Cay? I am not exactly sure but I can hasten a guess. I suppose if the enquiry valued the island at a much higher price than was true, then it stands to reason that Kinay made off like a bandit and got a special deal and then it makes the case that there was bribery by Kinay.
1. How bad was Mike Misick really?
A question by Greg W.
2. Why does Shaun Malcolm make misleading comments on my websites? I do not censor him as he does others on TCI Journal, but I wonder about the psychology of someone who plays those games.
A question by C. Burke
Chris Burke will answer these questions and more tomorrow.
October 18, 2009 -- Dear Readers: TCI Watch would like to make a correction to an article called Scalpel or Hatchet, How to Judge Dellis Cay. Though the point remains the same, for journalistic integrity, we acknowledge and apologize for reporting that Cem Kinay of Dellis Cay made a $50,000 campaign contribution. The correct number is $500,000. Chris Burke
Answering questions and responding to emails is something that we hope to keep current. If you have a question or letter that you would like to post for which you request a response, please feel free to contact us on the link Contact Us.
Letter from a reader October 16, 2009
Dear Mr. Burke:
I have noticed that your articles single out Shaun Malcolm. I am wondering why you have not implicated Mr. Malcolm's partner in crime Richard Berke? It is regrettable, the position that the islands are in. But I do not think it's fair to single out Shaun Malcolm alone. There are several people who write for TCI Journal who [sic] running amok. Richard Berke is a regular contributor and writes several articles and I know that he is a real person.
Name Withheld
Dear NW:
Thank you for your comments. I do know that Richard Berke is a contributor to TCI Journal. I think you ask a good question, why do I not pick on Richard Berke but on Shaun Malcolm. I believe that those are the only two contributors to TCI Journal. The rest are merely pseudonyms of Shaun Malcolm.
Here is your answer. When I started on this case, I was prompted by the Wikileaks publishing of the UK commission of enquiry report. That document was leaked by Shaun Malcolm. I immediately noted the carelessness of his words upon his publication. I believe the publicity of this victory of Malcolm's publishing of the report, has cost the islands plenty. It demoralised foreign investors and caused an escalating decline in the TCI economy and most importantly caused false governance. Yet Malcolm did so with such self-jubliee. It is difficult to believe that he did it out of concern. He has created a crisis with his carelessness. When I learned that he was behind the UK enquiry (and he readily takes credit for this), I became interested in him and his motivation. Right after the publishing, there were mass UN hits for colonisation resolutions. So I know that we are not the only ones fighting to deliver the people from colonisation. The UN, EU and many grass roots organisations are involved in this investigation as well.
While I disagree with Mr. Berke's motivation and analysis within his articles, I also find him to be straight forward. When I read his articles, though I do so with a grain of salt considering the source, I also see that he does not use innuendo or irreverent and immature insults to make his point.
Not only are many people defamed thus ruined in such a small community, but Malcolm offers no solution to any of his complaints which proves that he attempts to manipulate the public. That he signs off with a God Bless, is ridiculous. And no, people do not email me to tell me again that Malcolm stole from the mass choir so he has no authority to say God Bless. It is more the fact that he uses words of destruction and division and then blesses whomever. Where's the logic? Malcolm's sarcasm and mocking words and mischievous accusations are exactly why many find him disingenuous and distrusted.
Furthermore, maybe some readers can riddle me this. Why did Sir Robin Auld conduct such a thorough investigation of corruption yet fail to look into Shaun Malcolm's motivation and agenda for reporting this? The UK seems the only to take Malcolm's word for anything. Why wasn't Shaun Malcolm investigated, for that matter Richard Berke as well? I think it is careless at least, if not suspicious.
Thank you for your question.
Chris Burke
***** Many of you have commented on the story above, concerning TCI Journal and Shaun Malcolm. I have learned that the Google Group for Turks and Caicos comments has been shut down. Luckily, we have salvaged some of the comments for our upcoming story and you can see them on this site: http://docs.google.com/View?id=dcnq7rm4_2d8cd3fd3. Also, the moderator of Blogcritics removed some comments from readers. We have linked the comments here with a disclaimer that it contains uncorroborated subject matter and language which might be offensive to some: http://docs.google.com/View?id=dcnq7rm4_1fdf2xmfz