Is there another Mr. Standford in the rising in the Caribbean?

Details are emerging of how an American banker, accused of operating a multi-million dollar scheme which he fronted as the Millennium Bank of St Vincent and the Grenadines, spent the money he allegedly swindled from investors on expensive property and on the upkeep of his wife and mistresses this is according to www.caribbean360.com

Documents submitted by prosecutors show that William Wise, 58, did not make any investments with the money he received from investors.

Instead, it has been alleged, he used as much as US$7 million to buy an estate in the Caribbean island where the offshore bank was said to be based; spent US$1 million on wine; US$40,000 a month on interest for a private plane; paid US$12,000 weekly to his wife; and gave an unknown number of female companions between US$6,000 and US$10,000 every month.

He also allegedly took US$400,000 to pay off a mortgage in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Fabulous Rates for Caricom Nationals. A federal judge has frozen Wise's assets and turned them over to a receiver to be auctioned off to repay investors.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed suit against Wise and others in March, saying they were using the bank as a front for a Ponzi scheme that has stolen more than US$68 million from 375 investors, including at least 12 people in North Carolina.

The SEC suit alleges that Millennium Bank advertised certificates of deposit (CDs), in luxury lifestyle magazines and on its web site, guaranteeing seven to nine per cent return on investment. The returns were more than four times the interest rates offered on CDs by most commercial banks, authorities said.

Wise has not been charged with a crime so far and is only facing a civil suit.

His legal troubles surfaced a month after financier Sir Allen Stanford faced charges stemming from a similar fraud that operated through the Antigua-based Stanford International Bank.(Caribworldnews)

The nations of the Caribbean must be weary of these unwanted exposure as tax havens and money laundering paradises of the wealthy. What's next?

The Caribbean Regional Integration at Crossroads

It appears like a distant past that our fervent leaders spoke vociferously for the creation of a CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), an integrated development strategy envisioned at the 10th Meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government in Grenada in 1989. These powerful voices pale in comparison to the weak monotones of the murmurs we hear presently. The current conundrum on the issue of immigration matters reflects the present level of commitment of our leaders to regional integration. The “our space” has dissolved into the quarrels of “you in my space”, a regionalistic protagonism converted into an individualistic antagonism of self interest and pride.

This crisis is apparently sui generis to the Region, when the same is mounting a “sophisticated” blend of diplomacy and negotiations to lobby for a change in the American “USA” Foreign Policy which according to them is “unjust and unfair”. The same reflects an ultra-right wing disposition to have and not give. The paralysis here is that the notion of a global village whether understood or remotely accepted has not sunk into the weary heads of our regional leaders who struggle to walk a thin line between advancing national interest and fostering greater political mileage while per chance advancing regional integration.

It is to no one’s surprise that the “rounding up” of Guyanese in Barbados or the “Heartless Antiguan policy towards CARICOM nationals” is now seen as a colossal bubble about to burst. As vindictive as the six (6) months time frame granted by the Barbadian government to the illegal immigrants to have their status regularized may seem, which produces a potentially tricked sanitization of the island of its illegal workers who provide invaluable service to the growth and development of the Island of the Flying fish’s economy , Immigration policies are simply a mean to an end.

This distasteful development is quickly turning its ugly head into a proliferation of the “MySpace” mindset which has engulfed this region of small “countries” whose economies pale in significance to that of its neighbors.

Whilst it is imperative that our leaders promote the “demilitarization” of free movements of skilled workers in CARICOM, one cannot possibly justify the right of those entering one’s country illegally. A wrong is never a right. It is for the same reason that the initiative came about in the first place, to make skills movement hassle free and not illegally free. Nevertheless, a few bad apples continue to spoil the opportunities of the bunch. Nonetheless, undocumented immigrants deserve to be treated humanely and respectfully and to be dignifiedly and not unceremoniously repatriated to their home country.

It is of no surprise that we see the regional leaders expressing outright “regret and concern” of the increasing numbers of the regional body members pushing feverishly for a more intrinsic alliance with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and hence the ALBA initiative. Some unnerved by the benefits to be had from the CARICOM regional grouping are now becoming ponds to the proverbial “a stitch in time saves nine.”

The Petrocaribe initiative seemed a poison chalice to the many that it rescued during the oil price surges of the past year. Inevitably, what we have before us represent the nucleus of the problems the regional leaders are facing. The CSME is indisputably at crossroads, and unless something is done to restrain this loose canon, we will continue to “talk the walk” and not “walk the talk”.

It gives the impression that the proverb “we never miss the water until the well runs dry” was written for us and by us, we only learn the hard way indeed. What has to ensue before our leaders implement a make or break effort? When Barbados repeat the 1 from 10 leaves 0” avowal or “Trinidad and Jamaica align with the OECS instead? I think CARICOM should take a leaf of the OECS’s books.

The efforts of our founder fathers who initiated CARIFTA should not go in vain. It’s apparent that neither our leaders nor peoples are not cognizant of the “NEED” versus the “WANT” of regional integration.

Should Dominica's Name be changed?

While addressing a Good Governance forum , the Real Labour Party’s representative Mr. Washway Douglas highlighted some of the RLP’s strategies to move Dominica forward.
"Notwithstanding the clean and green policy and the Renewable Energy Program, Mr Douglas firmly believes the country’s name should be changed from Dominica to ‘Waitukubuli’ the name given by the indigenous people of the country"
He further explained that "this is in an effort to lessen the inconvenience of being mistaken for the Dominican Republic and also to help reduce the costs of advertisements made in efforts to clarify that Dominica is not the Dominican Republic.

But our planet is in peril, our economy in decadence and our society is in chaos. Our Countries are in dire need for social and economic policies that would improve the standard of living and well being of our populace, provide education for our youth and empower them with life's skills. The global economic recession is taking a toll on us all, the majority of our expendible resources have been plunged to the bottomless sea of "stimulus packages".

Whether this is a matter of coincidence or misfortune for our nature isle to be mistaken as the Dominican Republic remains an unsolved mystery. Nevertheless, the intrinsic costs associated with renaming the country and promoting this new "tourism product" would be unprecedented. These to be resources could be otherwise invested in more profitable ventures. Besides, it might even be more lucrative if the local and the diaspora would present Dominica as is "the Commonwealth of Dominica" and not just "Dominica", that should save us some pennies.

It is time our aspiring politicians bring real meat to the table and discuss core issues, issues that in next ten or twenty years will decide the destiny of the country. We would want to know the following:

1. How will they deal with the global economic crisis and the diminishing market for our agricultural products?
2. How will they address the increasing unemployment rate, crime amongst youths and high delinquency rate?
3. What politices will they promote pertinent to climate change?
4. What infraestructural developments will they explore and how do they plan to seek funding?
5. What will their foreign policy focus be, a priority listing. among many others?

But are policies such as the "Dominica name change" what the country needs presently to take to foster its social and economic developments? Share your thoughts and comment.

Fighting HIV/AIDS- A time to act

Today more than ever, we are challenged.

We have a problem: AIDS is killing our dream, our future, our youths, our mothers, our fathers, our favourite friends and relatives, our neigbours and strangers. It’s an epidemic without boundaries.

It is eroding the very moral, social, psychological and infrastructural fabric that we and our fore parents have toiled so hard to bring to the fore. It’s defying our mere existence and our right as human beings- the right to live.

My friends, it’s time we act, willingly, collectively and decisively.

Can you imagine, a world where the life expectancy is under 35 years, our schools and universities converted to hospitals, play grounds into cemeteries. It seems pretty scary. But startling are the statistics that prove that such is not impossible. According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 33.2 million people living with HIV. Around half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 and are killed by AIDS before they are 35

Around 95% of people with HIV/AIDS live in developing nations. An estimated 1.7 million people are living with HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean, including the estimated 140,000 who became infected during 2007. Almost half died of AIDS in the same year.

AIDS is one of the biggest problems facing the world today and nobody is beyond its reach. Everyone should know the basic facts about AIDS.

A concerted effort is needed by all to increase the awareness, reduce stigmatization and discrimination in order to combat the global phenomenon.

Remember, history will judge us on how we respond to the AIDS emergency....whether we stood around with watering cans and watched while the whole world burst into flames....or not.

How many more cases do we have to get, in order for us to wake up?

My friends, it’s time to act.

Combatting HIV & AIDS stigma and discrimination

HIV&AIDS stigma and discrimination, in essence, is a challenge to one’s humanity. It exemplifies that a stigmatized person is one whose social identity or membership in some social category, calls into question his or her full humanity. It also interferes with attempts to fight the AIDS epidemic as a whole.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon says "Stigma remains the single most important barrier to public action. It helps make AIDS the silent killer, because people fear the social disgrace of speaking about it. It is one of the main reasons why the AIDS epidemic continues to devastate societies around the world"

A country’s laws, rules and policies regarding HIV&AIDS can have a significant effect on the lives of people living with HIV&AIDS. Discriminatory practices can alienate, ostracize and also reinforce the stigma surrounding the disease. Even governments too actively discriminate against people or communities with (or suspected of having) HIV&AIDS.

Some examples include: restricting people with HIV & AIDS from entering the country, Compulsory testing and the Deportation of expatriates

Stigmatization exists everywhere and can affect anyone. Even in your very own communities, these behavioral patterns exist. Community level stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV&AIDS is found all over the world. A community’s reaction to somebody living with HIV&AIDS can have a huge effect on that person’s life.

Community-level stigma and discrimination can be manifested in different forms such as rejection, verbal and physical abuse. In extreme circumstances it has been extended to acts of violence and murder.For example, in December 1998, Gugu Dhlamini was stoned and beaten to death by neighbours in her township near Durban, South Africa, after speaking openly on World AIDS Day about her HIV status.

The way forward: We can fight stigma. Enlightened laws and policies are the key. But it begins with openness. Our institutions should teach respect and understanding. The media should condemn prejudice and use its influence to advance social change in every ambit.

However, no policy or law on its own can effectively combat HIV&AIDS related discrimination on its own. The fear and prejudice that lie at the core of the HIV&AIDS discrimination need to be tackled at the Government, community and employment levels. A more enabling environment needs to be created to increase the visibility of people with HIV&AIDS as a 'normal' part of any society.

the onus is on us to reverse the trend of this dogma and to be more conscientious of its adverse impacts on the lives of our peoples. It starts with us.

who will be the next "Barack Obama" of the world?

When President Elect Barack Obama takes to the stage on January 20, 2009 to be officially installed as the 44th American President he would be the first African American to assume the Oval Office.

This in essence represents the epitome of the vision of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his speech "I have a dream" when he told us of his dream of People being judged by the content of their character and not by the colour of their skin. Notwithstanding the intrinsic importance of this historical passage, Barack's ascendancy would have provoked a revolution, a youthful revolution of "catalysts for change."

He inspires and encourages, defiling the odds and proving the inevitable. In his mind it's not about political correctness but rather what's needed. At the pinnacle of this debacle that we face on the world stage, HOPE is the choice word uttered by many, yet assured by few.

But, whether it is David Miliband of Britain or Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica, we need to be the change we want to see. As Mr. Carl Duivenvoorden said "Maybe you can't change the whole world, but you can change your corner of it. And when you change your corner, you actually change the world."

I implore all humanity to do as President Kennedy asked: ask not what the world can do for you, but what you can do for the world and humanity.

Rising food prices and the insatiable demands

The world stood appalled as the global food crisis unfolded. The prices for the main staples skyrocketed, nations in Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean stood motionless. Suddenly many producers grappled to cash in on the high prices which were accentuated by the natural disasters that wiped out many crops of the developing world.

Many world leaders who thought the agricultural market to be so uncertain and a risky investment adventure felt the brunt of its force. Now we are forced to reconciled with the fact that we are facing a global phenomenon and urgent policies and directions are needed.

What can we do granted our limited resources, poor infrastructures, misguided rural and urban development policies? the onus lies upon the governments to introduce best practices in the agricultural sectors, install co-operatives, spearhead development and innovative technologies and reduce subsidies.

The infant industries of the Caribbean are heavily dependent on the taste buds of the North and the West. It is time we diversify our markets and pursue a pro-South trade policy. This in my opinion will aid in securing the not so volatile markets, diversifying our product mix while benefiting from more preferential market access.