Caribbean Times 55th Issue - Tuesday 13th December 2016

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2 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g Tuesday 13th December 2016 Parties agree on campaign finance reform By Everton Barnes The leaders of the two main political parties have arrived at common ground on the need for elections campaign finance reform. Prime Minister, Gaston Browne said there are weaknesses in the current laws that need strengthening and he is willing to have the changes made. “There is a requirement for disclosure, the issue is that the requirements only take effect after the writ (of elections) is issued. This is an area that I think we need to remedy,” he explained. He added that it an issue that he raised whilst the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party was in opposition and he was told that this was an area that needed the participation of all as it requirement a consensus by all members on both sides to come together to change the law. United Progressive Party Political leader, Harold Lovell, said he is willing to work with the government to effect the necessary changes on the issue of elections campaign finance reform. Lovell admits that the UPP failed to address the matter during its 10-year time in office but it can be addressed going forward. “That is an area that I accept more could have been done and we are willing to work in a bipartisan way to ensure that we strengthen the necessary legislation as far as campaign reform is concerned,” he stated. Head of the Free and Fair Elections League, George Rick James whose group has been championing the issue for several years, said they wanted a commitment that the parties will follow-through and make the required changes. He said this is not the first time that politicians have agreed on the need to reform, but when left up to them the law that is enacted is often watered down. He said there should be a role for the elections commission to oversee the reform and enforcement procedures if the law is to really be effective. Editor’s Note Caribbean Times is printed and published at Woods Estate/Friars Hill Road. The Editor is Justin Peters. Contact: Caribbean Times, P.O. Box W2099, Woods Estate/Friars Hill Road, St. John’s, Antigua. Tel: (268) 562-8688, Fax: (268) 562-8685. Visit us online at our website: www. caribbeantimes.ag We ask you to send: Pertinent news items to news@caribbeantimes.ag. Advertisement inquiries to accounts@caribbeantimes.ag. Letters to the editor to editor@caribbeantimes.ag cont’d from pg 1 leaders of the government. The video has made the rounds via social media and according to reliable sources it has caught the attention of international law enforcement agencies as well. Whenner was questioned extensively at the St John’s Station and later a contingent of police officers conducted a search of his home where electronic items such as computers, iPads, cell phones, etc. were confiscated. After being questioned at the St John’s Station, Whenner was transferred to the Police Headquarters where he was kept overnight. A group of UPP supporters held an allnight vigil outside police headquarters on the American Road. Since the release of the video and its wide circulation, the House of Representatives at its meeting last Thursday adopted a resolution condemning it as ‘a dastardly act of terrorism’. Following the public uproar, Whenner has publicly stated that his intentions were not to physically harm anyone. Part 4 of the Electronic Crime Act under the heading Sending offensive messages through communication services, etc. states; (1) A person shall not intentionally, without lawful excuse or justification send by means of an electronic system – (a) information that is offensive or threatening; (b) information which is false, causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, intimidation, enmity, hatred or ill will, persistently by making use of such electronic system or an electronic device; or (c) electronic mail or an electronic message for the purpose of causing annoyance or inconvenience, or to deceive or mislead the recipient as to the origin of such message. (2) For the purpose of this section, the term “electronic mail” or “electronic message” means a message or information created or transmitted or received on an electronic system or electronic device including attachments in text, images, audio, video and any other electronic record which may be transmitted with the message. (3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on- (i) summary conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or to both; or (ii) conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years, or to both.
Tuesday 13th December 2016 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 3 Prime Minister and Opposition Leader discuss critical CCJ Campaign By Joanna Paris Prime Minister, the Hon. Gaston Browne and Opposition Leader, the Hon. Baldwin Spencer are in talks with regard to the ongoing public awareness campaign on the pending referendum on the CCJ. Last week the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda held a discussion on the drive to inform electors of the pending referendum intended to cause a choice between the CCJ and the Privy Council. The Cabinet has shared the view that the planned referendum is not a partisan political issue. Prime Minister Browne then reported that he held discussions with the Leader of the Opposition Spencer. He said that he offered to let Documents removed from office of Crusader Radio By Renio Abbott Eye witness reports are that several big black garbage bags along with manila file folders and some white plastic bags were allegedly packed into the back of a silver car that was parked in front of the Chamber of Commerce Building that’s located on North and Popeshead Street in St. Johns. The eye witness stated that “two males who are affiliated with the UPP moved back and forth from the Crusader Radio (and UPP Headquarters) building to the said car on Monday afternoon sometime after 2:00 pm, from the Crusader Radio Office that’s located on Lower Newgate street. Both men acted in a suspicious manner as they speedily transferred the items to the vehicle. The witness further stated that one of the individuals was also seen with a large, heavy object wrapped in one of the garbage bags under his arm hustling to the said motor car; The shape and obvious weightiness of the object seemed to suggest that it was a computer CPU. All of this took place coincidentally while recently appointed UPP Caretaker for St. George, George Whener was in Police custody for his role in the publication of a video with military and violent overtones, which depicts gun targets on the heads of members of the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda. the UPP lead the campaign so that the ABLP cannot take political credit should the referendum succeed. Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications, the Hon. Melford Nicholas, explained that the move is one which will eliminate partisan talks. “The renewed conversation that is taking place between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition is that it is taking place around the framework that the government is not interested in the issue being 100% FINANCING FREE INSURANCE & LICENSING Don’t Dream it. Drive it ESCAPE FREE ONE YEAR SERVICE & 3 MONTHS GAS FACTORY & AMERICAN ROAD,ST.JOHN’S ANTIGUA W.I. 1 (268) 462-1062 www.harneymotorsltd.com on one based on politics. “Once those conversations are complete, the Prime Minister has indicated that the Opposition Leader would have consultations with his party and the discussions will move forward”, Minister Nicholas said. The Prime Minister has pointed out that 67% of the electorate are required to vote “yes” if the referendum is to succeed. Parliament has agreed to conduct the referendum before March 31, 2017. FREE REGISTRATION & PLATES
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Caribbean Times 55th Issue - Tuesday 13th December 2016

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