News from the Turks and Caicos Islands for
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Yet another activist group emerges
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| Published on Thursday, February 25, 2010 |
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It has been announced that another group is interested in providing their input into the area of governance in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The organisation presents itself as “Foundation for Democratic Advancement” and lists Chris Burke as the project manager for the TCI.
Burke, however, has named Alvin Hegner as the local representative, who is reportedly poised to visit all islanders and hold meetings to “reach uninformed and disenfranchised people groups.” They promise to survey the voting base.
The organisation, which identifies itself as a nonprofit Canadian-based operation, has a website initially carrying an article authored by Burke. In the article, Burke claimed that, when the UK suspended the Constitution and dissolved the government of the TCI, the previous administration of Misick and Williams had generated surpluses in the tens of millions of dollars.
When TCI Net News revisited the website minutes later, this article could not be accessed. The site did not list a phone number or address for the organisation. It did, however, ask for monetary contributions.
Burke’s name first appeared in print on January 10 in an article in the TCI Sun newspaper entitled “Democracy Abolished by the UK in its Overseas Territories,” which included a statement to the effect that “…the UK… is rumoured to have designs on Cayman, British Virgin Islands and Bermuda as well.”
Burke indicated his view that the TCI is “a former island territory of the UK.” He also referred to the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), who served as the opposition to the former governments: “This opposition party in the islands are viewed as a gang of thugs and that they had and still have the UK’s ear.”
He went on to continue his attack on the UK: “Since the UK’s arrival one flawed economic decision after another has tainted the islands investment reputation and confidence.”
He then called on yet another organisation, Democracy International, to find out the real reason the UK suspended the TCI constitution.
According to local residents, the new group’s local representative, Alvin Hegner, is the son of a deceased American national and strong supporter of the former Michael Misick administration. Hegner hails from North Caicos, the home of the former premier. | | | | Reads : 344 |
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Chris Burke:
About 90 percent of this article is mischaracterised. This is something that people in TCI have been upset about for some time; poor reporting. Foundation for Democratic Advancement does not have a political agenda. It's an organisation that test democratic awareness and fairness where there is need around the world. The FDA has no political agenda. |
| David W Hartshorn:
With free speech must come responsibility and maturity. Sadly, the author of the recent commentary in the Caribbean Net News, yet again, provides a glaring example of just why we need fundamental changes in the way we interact with one another. The article is erroneous and I was never contacted for any factual comments. To the best of my knowledge, others listed in the article as so-called “members” were not contacted for any comments either. Accuracy should matter to the Caribbean Net News as a core value, but most importantly, to maintain credibility. Standards of journalism should not be ignored. The people of the TCI are not being well informed at a time when clarity of thought, steadfastness of spirit, and honest self-examination are at the forefront of these difficult times.
In an effort to let the truth be known, I wish to reiterate the following.
- I have never sought, nor will ever seek, any political position in the TCI.
- I have not formed a political party, and have no intention of doing so.
- I have lived and worked in the TCI for the last 29 years. I have witnessed and experienced the two party political system fail in catastrophic ways. Such failures provoke one to question the wisdom of supporting what is clearly a broken system. An open and honest public debate on the matter by all stakeholders in the TCI would surely be a positive step. Instead of trying to resolve the numerous challenges faced by this Nation, both parties are now lobbying for Independence. I would be interested to know on which basis this point is being argued.
- I do not advocate that national voting be extended to all. I do not, however, understand why many outstanding members of our community, who have lived amongst us and contributed to these islands and its people in many ways for 15, 20 and 30 years, still have not been granted any permanent status, as well as the right to vote. This is particularly disturbing to me given that many undeserving expatriates have been allowed to “buy” Belongership status just because they could. I believe that Belongerships acquired illegally should be revoked.
- I fully supported the Commission of Inquiry. I only heard negative arguments from those who were implicated, and therefore, disagreed with the proceedings.
- I fully supported the temporary suspension of the Constitution and the formation of an Interim Government. The forensic accounting alone justifies this position.
- I categorically state that I do not own, fund, or edit the TCI Journal. I am an avid reader and occasional contributor.
- Although I am convinced that the locally placed UK civil servants and the Advisory Committees are doing their very best, under virtually impossible conditions, I am highly critical of London and particularly the FCO. In my opinion, HMG is just as responsible as our last administration for our economic and political turmoil. I think HMG needs to be decisive and swift in its quest to prosecute those who have wronged the TCI people.
- Given the foregoing; it should not be surprising that I am a member of a newly formed non-political NGO (None Governmental Organization). The NGO will shortly be formally launched and its goals and aspirations published. I am not the spokesperson. Organizations of the same nature are common throughout the world and promote the principles of truthfulness, accuracy, impartiality, fairness and public accountability. Membership will be all inclusive regardless of political leanings, origins and beliefs. We all need to be united against a common enemy of deceit, greed and personal agendas that have, and continue to, undermine the very fabric of our society. It is time to get involved and work with the NGO towards honest common goals. Sincerely. |
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