McCain`s Lobbyist `Gal Pal` Offered No Personal Donations
CaribWorldNews, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. Feb. 21, 2008: A 40-year-old woman whom the New York Times claims aids asked Republican Senator John McCain to distance himself from in 2000, reportedly never donated to the Presidential hopeful’s campaign.
Federal Election Commission records show that Vicki Iseman, whom the New York Times last night claimed `had had been turning up with him (McCain) at fund-raisers, visiting his offices and accompanying him on a client’s corporate jet,` donated only $250 and $300 to Sen. Arlen Specter and former Rep. Ronald Klink, respectively.
However, as the Times reported, Iseman’s clients `contributed tens of thousands of dollars to his campaigns.` The paper also claims that McCain and Iseman `attended a small fund-raising dinner with several clients at the Miami-area home of a cruise-line executive and then flew back to Washington along with a campaign aide on the corporate jet of one of her clients, Paxson Communications.
`By then, according to two former McCain associates, some of the senator’s advisers had grown so concerned that the relationship had become romantic that they took steps to intervene.`
McCain’s camp, in its response to the story, stated last night, `It is a shame that the New York Times has lowered its standards to engage in a hit and run smear campaign. John McCain has a 24-year record of serving our country with honor and integrity. He has never violated the public trust, never done favors for special interests or lobbyists, and he will not allow a smear campaign to distract from the issues at stake in this election. Americans are sick and tired of this kind of gutter politics, and there is nothing in this story to suggest that John McCain has ever violated the principles that have guided his career.`
Iseman, according to her bio, is a partner at Alcalade & Faye and represents corporate and private clients on issues such as government contracts and regulatory reform.
She is a native of Pennsylvania and graduated with education degrees from both universities in Pennsylvania and Indiana. Iseman’s bio also lists her as an active fundraiser who has participated in several political events. Her clients included PAXtv, Religious Voices in Broadcasting, Telemundo, the Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation, and Computer Sciences Corporation. – CaribWorldNews.com
…
North American Airlines Cans Guyana Flights
CaribWorldNews, JAMAICA, N.Y., Thurs. Feb. 21, 2008: North American Airlines, which has been flying to the South American nation of Guyana since 1999, yesterday announced it will be cancelling all flights to the country as of May.
A statement from the airline’s Chief Commercial and Planning Officer, Rob Binns, blamed rising jet fuel costs for the decision and said the carrier will be returning full-time to charter-only service.
Binns also announced that all scheduled service between the United States and the cities of Lagos, Nigeria and Accra, Ghana will also be canned. The last flights to the African nations as well as to Guyana will be on May 20, 2008.
`North American has a long history of serving the New York-Guyana market, and we were the first U.S. airline in decades to fly non-stop service from the United States to sub-Saharan Africa,` Binns explained. `We have been pleased that all of these markets have performed on a revenue basis as we anticipated. What now makes these markets untenable is the rising cost of fuel.` Reports indicate that Travel Span may also be suspending its operations in Guyana.
The news seemed to unfaz Guyana’s Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn. Benn yesterday told reporters he is confident that there will be improvements in the airline industry after North American leaves by the July – August peak season since, Delta Airlines is expected to come on board once they receive government’s approval.
The airline announced in Atlanta that it has received US government approval for the service. `Delta officials are currently in the country doing the evaluations with respect to coming to Guyana from July,` said Minister Benn.
He added that interest is also being shown by another large international aviation operator to bring in international flights.
Meanwhile, North American Airlines has advised that all customers currently booked on discontinued flights will receive a refund for the unused portion of their reservation or may opt to travel on an earlier date. For questions and refunds, contact North American at 1-800-359-6222.
North American Airlines, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Global Aero Logistics Inc., is a U.S.-certificated air carrier offering air transportation services throughout the world for the U.S. military and commercial customers. Founded in 1989, North American operates a fleet of 10 passenger aircraft. – CaribWorldNews.com
…
NY Circuit Court of Appeals Justices Chides Lawyers On Behalf Of Jamaican
CaribWorldNews, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. Feb. 21, 2008: A three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday scolded both the government and defense attorneys in a deportation case involving a Jamaican migrant.
The case involves Garfield Livern St. Valentine Aris, who entered the United States at age 12 in 1983. He was convicted after pleading guilty in August 1991 to cocaine possession charge and was sentenced to three years’ probation and fined $1,000. Subsequently, federal officials began deportation proceedings against him.
But Aris, who as assigned a public defender, was ordered deported without actually appearing at a hearing because a paralegal told him his hearing was not scheduled for the date of May 3, 1995.
He has taken his appeal to the justices, who yesterday admonished both the government and the lawyers who defend them. The justices wrote that immigrants are being victimized by the failures of lawyers on both sides.
`When lawyers representing immigrants fail to live up to their professional obligations, it is all too often the immigrants they represent who suffer the consequences,` the Associated Press quoted the appeals court justices as stating. `We appreciate that, unfortunately, calendar mishaps will from time to time occur. But the failure to communicate such mistakes, once discovered, to the client and to take all necessary steps to correct them is more than regrettable – it is unacceptable. It is nondisclosure that turns the ineffective assistance of a mere scheduling error into more serious malpractice.`
Aris remains in the U.S. for now. – CaribWorldNews.com
…
Guyana: Two Bartica Murder Victims Laid To Rest
CaribWorldNews, GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Thurs. Feb. 21, 2008: Two men slaughtered by gunmen Sunday night in Bartica, Guyana, yesterday became the first of the 12 murdered victims to be laid to rest
Ashraf Ali Khan and Errol Thomas were laid to rest today in their respective communities, Middlesex on the Essequibo Coast and Wakenaam Island yesterday. Khan and Thomas were among the five crew members of the vessel, which was moored at the Bartica Transport and Harbors Department stelling. They were removed, forced to lie face-down on the stelling floor and executed at point blank range by gunmen.
The mother of the slain captain of the vessel, Bibi Halima Yasseen and her daughter, Farah Yasseen, were among those who joined the family, relatives and other mourners at Middlesex.
Twelve persons including three policemen were killed on February 17 when gunmen attacked the Bartica Police Station and civilians in the community. The dead are Lance Corporal Zaheer Zakir of Leonora Housing Scheme, Constable Shane Fredericks, 35, of Lot 241 Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, and Constable Ron Osborne, of 189 Robb Street.
Others killed are taxi driver Dexter Adrian, 37, of 581 Constellation Street, Tucville; Orvin Ferreira, a 72-year-old security guard employed at CB&R Mining Enterprise in First Avenue, Bartica; Abdool Yassin Jr., of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara; boat Captain Deonarine Singh, 54, of Maria’s Pleasure, Wakenaam; Errol Thomas of Tuschen, and Ronald Gomes of Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, all employees of Boodhoo’s General Store; and Banks DIH security guard Irwin Gilkes, 42, of Bartica; Ashraf Ally Khan, 45, of Middlesex, Essequibo Coast, and another Banks DIH employee, Baldeo Singh, 54, of 153 Second Street, Montrose, East Coast Demerara
The mayhem brings to 23, the number of people executed, allegedly by a gang of marauding gunmen in less than a month. Guyana police still have no suspects but yesterday claimed they were being assisted by Trinidad & Tobago in fighting against the spiraling crime rates. – CaribWorldNews.com
…
UK To Impose Tougher Citizenship Rules
CaribWorldNews, LONDON, England, Thurs. Feb. 21, 2008: Caribbean and other immigrants seeking to become citizens of Britain may soon be forced to endure a three-stage route, including a new ‘probationary period.’
Major changes have been proposed in Britain regarding the way foreign nationals achieve British citizenship, the Home Office said yesterday.
The proposed changes, officials said, follow a consultation and a series of ‘listening events’ held last year. That research found that most people want new residents to speak English, pay their way, obey the law and give something back to their communities.
In a speech, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he expects even tougher tests for citizenship in the future, with a clear set of responsibilities set out at each stage of the immigration process. He described the proposed three-stage immigration system as: entry as a temporary resident, time as a probationary citizen and full citizenship.
‘For people coming to Britain, and wanting to be British, citizenship should not only be a matter of their choice, but should depend upon actively entering into a contract through which, by virtue of responsibilities accepted, the right to citizenship is earned,` the PM said.
He added that all new residents – whether they’re working here under the points-based system or applying to stay permanently – will be expected to be able to speak English. Brown said there would be further consultation on proposals to withhold some benefits and social housing from non-permanent residents.
A government green paper released yesterday proposes to build on those suggestions, starting with a ‘citizenship contract’ that would set out each new citizen’s rights and responsibilities. Other proposed changes include requiring immigrants to either show that they’ve contributed something to the UK, or leave the country; denying public benefits to immigrants who haven’t received full citizenship; requiring immigrants to prove they can speak English and barring those convicted of serious crimes from receiving citizenship.
The plan would also require those convicted of minor crimes to spend more time on citizenship probation requiring immigrants to contribute to a fund devoted to managing the impact of immigration.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said the proposals were ‘clear and fair.’
`The rights and benefits of citizenship will be available to those who can demonstrate a commitment to our shared values, and a willingness to contribute to the community,’ she said. ‘This is a country of liberty and tolerance, opportunity and diversity – and these values are reinforced by the expectation that all who live here should learn our language, play by the rules, obey the law and contribute to the community.’
The proposals are part of sweeping changes to the British immigration policy, including a new points-based system to encourage highly skilled immigrants to move here, as well as stronger border controls to ensure that it’s harder for illegal immigrants to enter the country.
The reforms will be backed up by a single piece of legislation, which will replace all existing immigration laws. This new law will be introduced to Parliament in November. – CaribWorldNews.com
…
Trinidad & Tobago Steps In To Aid Guyana Crime Fight
CaribWorldNews, GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Thurs. Feb. 21, 2008: The oil rich nation of Trinidad & Tobago, battling a crime crisis of its own, is stepping in to help Guyana as the South American nation battles back-to-back bloodbaths.
Guyana’s Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday announced that T&T has pitched in specialized weapons and a helicopter to assist the government in its crime fighting efforts.
The type of weapons were not revealed by the government’s ministry, but a statement yesterday said, `The Government of Guyana has been making every effort to procure the said weapons from other sources but without success.`
Trinidad & Tobago’s National Security Minister, Martin Joseph, who is the Chairman of Caricom Ministers of National Security and Law Enforcement, on Monday denounced the latest killings in Guyana and said he was appalled `at the senseless killings and loss of lives through this dastardly act by cold-blooded killers.`
But Opposition Chief Whip Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj scoffed at the offer saying the government of T&T cannot curb crime within its own borders. `He (Joseph) has no legitimacy to offer anybody help to fight crime,` Maharaj was quoted in the Trinidad Newsday as saying.
The donation comes as T&T battles its own fights against crime, especially in South and Central Trinidad, though not on the scale of Guyana, which has seen an alleged gang of marauding gunmen slaughter 23 people in less than a month.
On January 26th, 11 people were murdered at Lusignan on the East Coast of Demerara and on Feb. 17th, one dozen, including three cops, were executed at Bartica, Essequibo. – CaribWorldNews.com
…
Canada Aid Workers Arrested Over Alleged Haitian Sex Abuse
CaribWorldNews, QUEBEC, Canada, Thurs. Feb. 21, 2008: Two Canadian aid workers have been arrested for sex crimes allegedly committed at an orphanage in Haiti.
It is alleged that Armand Huard, 64, and Denis Rochefort, 59, sexually assaulted several Haitian children at an orphanage located in the town of Les Cayes on Haiti. Following an investigation, that included statements from the alleged victims, the two men were arrested in Quebec yesterday.
They were each charged with 10 counts of sexual assault against children. The alleged victims are boys aged between 13 and 16 years old.
`These are serious allegations,` said Crown prosecutor Carmen Rioux yesterday, after the court hearing. The accused did not enter a plea. The men were nabbed under a rare Criminal Code provision that allows police to charge Canadians with sex crimes committed in foreign countries. – CaribWorldNews.com
…
Jamaican Slapped With New Murder Charge For Killing Fellow National
CaribWorldNews, BRIDGEPORT, CT, Thurs. Feb. 21, 2008: A Jamaican national who escaped a double-murder conviction ten years ago; was deported but re-entered the U.S. illegally, has been slapped with a new murder charge.
Winston `Mutt` Grant, also known as Winston Watkins, 44, has now been slapped with a charge of conspiracy to commit murder for the Jan. 31 fatal shooting of Maurice Johnson of Texas Avenue, Connecticut.
Johnson was also a Jamaican national who was living here without permanent residency. He was found lying in a pool of blood in the parking lot of the Old Mill Green Library on East Main Street. He had been shot multiple times in the head.
Police said a witness had seen Grant get into the car before Johnson was killed. Grant, who was arrested in the Bronx last week, was this week ordered held in lieu of $1 million bond for his role in a recent murder.
Grant was convicted in 1990 of two counts of murder for fatally shooting a Newfield Avenue storeowner and his girlfriend. The state was later forced to drop the murder charges against Grant when its key witness to the murders disappeared. He was subsequently deported to Jamaica but re-entered the U.S. illegally again. – CaribWorldNews.com
…
Filed under: Caribbean
