Moderate with wave heights of 3 to 5 feet. THE WASHINGTON POST Editorial | pagE 4 Public education: cayman’s most imPortant test High of 90 Low of 80 A love affair in reverse ABCDE NATIONAL WEEKLY Worst Week Hillary Clinton 3 Politics Democrats keep the gloves on 45 Myths About the Bard 23 2007 New Horizons rounds Jupiter 2010 Passes through Uranus orbit A love affair in reverse For a generation hooked on smartphones, social media and Uber, car culture is fading PAGE 12 Science Traveling into the void 17 THE WEEK OF SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015 . IN COLLABORATION WITH ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – monday sePtember 14, 2015 FOUR LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU BETTER: SEVEN MILE BEACH, WATERFRONT, WALKERS ROAD, TOWN CENTRE PLAZA Planning board reaPPointed after critical rePort brent Fuller bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com All members of the Cayman Islands Central Planning Authority have been reappointed in the wake of an audit report that raised crit- ical questions about the authority’s operations and the personal interests of board members. The one-year reappointment of the author- ity’s 13 members was effective Aug. 1, the ex- piry date of current appointments. Auditor General Alastair Swarbrick re- ported in July that the appointed boards ad- vising government on land development de- cisions are not holding open meetings, often do not provide reasons for their rulings and are made up of members who have po- tential conflicts of interest with certain development projects. The Cayman Brac and Little Cayman Development Control Board was also reap- pointed with all currently serving members. Members reappointed to the Cayman conservation council criticizes Port Plan charles duncan cduncan@pinnaclemedialtd.com The National Conservation Council has criticized the cruise berthing proposal for George Town harbor, citing concerns with the economic costs and environmental damage. The cruise port proposal calls for berthing facilities large enough to handle the Oasis- class passenger ships that currently cannot stop in Cayman, but the new dock would re- quire moving or destroying parts of the reefs off the George Town waterfront. The council was formed late last year under the 2013 National Conservation Law, which stipulates that every government en- tity except Cabinet shall “consult with the Council and take into account any views of the Council before taking any action” it feels “would or would be likely to have an adverse effect on the environment generally or on any natural resource.” In their statement released Thursday, Council members expressed major concerns in two areas. “The economic costs associated with unavoidable environmental damage may ‘Heroes’ raise nearly $300K for child cancer research Kelsey JuKam kjukam@pinnaclemedialtd.com Almost 100 people made the bold choice to go bald on Friday night at the third annual Heroes for Hannah shave event in support of childhood cancer research. The hundreds who attended, many as spectators, raised more than $280,000 for the Heroes for Hannah “Hero Fund,” orga- nizers said. “The community has been amazing,” said Gaylene Meeson, organizer and mother of Hannah, who was diagnosed with a type of brain cancer in 2012. “They’ve filled us with hope that we can make the world a better place. If we fund research, it will make a difference.” The event, inspired by Hannah, also shines a spotlight on other local kids who have battled or are still battling cancer. “Tonight, it’s not about Hannah; it’s about all kids fighting cancer,” Ms. Meeson said. As “Eye of the Tiger” blasted from the speakers, the parents of some of those childhood cancer survivors were the first to have their heads shaved on stage at the Wicket at Cricket Square in George Town. Woody Foster said goodbye to a wild PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 6 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » Shaving was a family affair for the Grants. Tayden, 8, pictured, and his dad Trent, mom Belinda, and brothers Tajai, 7, and Trey, 6, all had their heads shaved at the Heroes for Hannah fundraiser for childhood cancer research. – PHotos: taneos raMsaY Hannah Meeson, with parents Nigel and Gaylene, inspired the event, which was an emotional evening for participants. … and afterWoody Foster, before …2 LOCAL&REGIONAL Monday SepteMber 14, 2015 • Cayman Compass www. REGmovies.com SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any lm starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. THE PERFECT GUY (PG13) 1:20 | 3:45 | 7:00 | 9:35 THE TRANSPORTER (PG13) 1:00 | 4:15 | 7:30 | 10:10 NO ESCAPE (R) 1:30 | 4:30 | 7:15 | 10:00 THE VISIT (PG13) 1:10 | 3:30 | 7:10 | 9:40 MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E (PG13) 12:50 I 6:45 MISSION IMPOSSIBLE (PG13) 12:55 | 3:50 | 6:50 | 9:45 *Additional charges will apply per 3D ticket requested. - MONDAY - $8.00 Inmate’s trial aborted, drug charge dismissed Prison guard who was to be a witness breached procedure Carol WInker cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com The case against an in- mate charged with posses- sion of ganja at Northward Prison was dismissed last week after Magistrate Angelyn Hernandez found that there had been a breach in court procedure by one of the prison guards who was to be a witness in the trial. Allan Dolan Barnett, 62, was charged with possessing 6.3 ounces of ganja in the prison on Oct. 3, 2014. Before Magistrate Hernandez began hearing evidence on Sept. 9, wit- nesses were asked to wait in the anteroom outside the courtroom. Because Barnett did not have an attorney, the mag- istrate asked him for his ac- count of the incident so that she could identify the issues that were in dispute. It turned out that the prison officer who had charge of Barnett’s custody at court was the same officer who had found the ganja on him. As such, he was the main witness for the Crown. This officer sat in court while Barnett gave his ac- count. Neither the magis- trate nor Crown counsel Toyin Salako was aware of his identity. As a witness, the prison officer should not have been present in court when the defendant gave his ac- count, Ms. Salako explained later. She pointed out that the witnesses had been asked to wait outside. In any event, prison officers would have known the procedure, she added. Barnett first appeared in court on Jan. 20. At that time, he told Chief Magistrate Nova Hall he was in charge of the tool shop and on Oct. 3 he was checking to make sure nothing was missing. He said he saw a black object, picked it up, smelled it and realized it contained ganja. Barnett said he hid the object in his clothing with the intention of taking it to the shift commander. He ac- knowledged that he hoped to receive a little reward for turning it in. “I didn’t have it for me to use or to give to any prisoner,” he stated. When a prison guard noticed a bulge in Barnett’s clothing and asked him to hand the object over, Barnett said he didn’t want anyone to see it. Defense attorney John Furniss, who was in court for another matter, said it seemed that Barnett had a defense. “If he has it with the intention of taking it to the shift commander, he has it lawfully,” Mr. Furniss said. Based on the explanation, the magistrate entered a plea of not guilty and a trial date of Sept. 9 eventually was set. Guilty plea entered in driving death Truck/van collision occurred in October 2012 Carol WInker cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Fitzroy Marvin Roach pleaded guilty Friday to causing the death of Beverley Elaine Ramsay by careless driving on Oct. 16, 2012. Details of the charge are that Roach, now 32, caused her death by driving a truck on the Esterley Tibbetts Highway without due care and attention. The truck was a Nissan UD box truck. Ms. Ramsay, 59, was driving a Hyundai van. Police at the time said the incident occurred just after 6 a.m. when the box truck, headed southbound toward George Town, col- lided with the van, which was traveling northbound toward West Bay. Roach faces a further charge of driving without being qualified, but de- fense attorney Dennis Brady asked in Grand Court on Friday that this charge be reviewed. He said the situation was not that Roach was not li- censed to drive, but there was some ambiguity as to the tonnage of the vehicle he could legally drive. Justice Charles Quin said he would leave the not guilty plea previously en- tered, to be dealt with later. At Mr. Brady’s request, the judge said he would order a social inquiry re- port before sentencing. Crown counsel Greg Walcolm asked for a victim impact statement also, and the judge agreed. Mr. Brady urged the court to accept that the late- ness of the plea was no fault of the defendant. It was a question of the difficulties in arranging for a traffic ac- cident expert to come to the island, he explained. Justice Quin said the court would take that into consideration. He set the sentencing hearing for Nov. 19, at 2:15 p.m. Teen denied bail on robbery charge West Bay grocery store was robbed on Wednesday Carol WInker cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Michael Aaron Bush of Mount Pleasant, West Bay, appeared in Summary Court on Friday afternoon, charged with robbing a grocery store on North West Point Road two days earlier. Bush is 17 years, eight months old, and legally an adult. He did not have an attorney and no family member was present when Magistrate Valdis Foldats dealt with him. It is under- stood, however, that a so- cial worker was present when Bush was interviewed by police. The magistrate asked if anyone in his family knew he was in court. The defen- dant said he had phoned his mother from the police sta- tion Thursday night. Details of the robbery charge are that he, together with another person, stole $645 from a named female at Deliza’s Grocery and Variety Store on North West Point Road on Sept. 9 and, at the time of doing so and in order to do so, put her in fear of being subjected to force. A second charge is that on Sept. 9 he had in his pos- session an imitation firearm with intent to commit an of- fense, namely robbery. The magistrate noted that no gun had been recovered. With nothing to identify, the firearm legally has to be con- sidered an imitation. Since robbery is an of- fense that can be dealt with only in the Grand Court, the magistrate told Bush all he could do was transmit the file to the higher court. Because of Bush’s age, he asked Crown counsel Neil Kumar if the papers in the case could be ready by Sept. 18. Mr. Kumar said yes. The magistrate said he was not granting bail, but suggested that Bush fill out his application for legal aid as quickly as possible so that an attorney could help him possibly get an early bail hearing in front of a judge. Press releases from the police public relations of- ficer said a 17-year-old male was arrested on Thursday in connection with the armed robbery the day before. The suspect was arrested after police recovered the scooter officers believed was used as the getaway vehicle for the robbery. Initial reports indicated two suspects were involved in the holdup, which oc- curred after 5 p.m. Police said one of the suspects was carrying what appeared to be a silver handgun. No one was injured. Jury notice The Grand Court jury report date has been changed. Jurors in the July 1–Oct. 6 session should now report on Sept. 21 at 9:45 a.m. Call the Jury Information line at 945- 5072 for the most up-to-date information. Reflections stoRe Robbed An overnight Saturday robbery at a George Town store netted the sus- pects $325, according to the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service. Three masked men, be- tween 5 feet and 5 feet, 3 inches tall, robbed Reflections on Ashgo Street off Godfrey Nixon Way around 12:30 a.m. Friday, police said. The suspects were seen carrying a machete and knife during the robbery. No one was injured. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call the George town Police Station at 949-4222 or crime Stoppers at 800-8477(tiPS). Before the magistrate began hearing evidence, witnesses were asked to wait in the anteroom outside the courtroom. A second charge is that on Sept. 9 he had in his possession an imitation firearm with intent to commit an offense, namely robbery. tom cRuise flew same path in colombia befoRe cRash BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) – Actor Tom Cruise flew in a helicopter across the Colombian Andes just 10 minutes before a small plane on the same dan- gerous flight path crashed into a jungled mountain, killing two crew mem- bers from his upcoming movie, civil aviation authorities said. An official with the avi- ation agency, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not au- thorized to discuss the matter, said the cause of the crash Friday that killed two people and seri- ously injured a third is still under investigation. Those killed were vet- eran Hollywood pilot Alan Purwin and Venezuelan Carlos Berl, while an- other American, Jimmy Lee Garland, survived. All were experienced pilots al- though it’s not clear which of the three were in com- mand of the plane at the time of the crash, the offi- cial said. “Jimmy is the black box right now so we need to talk to him to find out what happened,” the official said. They crashed while returning to the city of Medellin on the twin-en- gine Piper-Aerostar 600 after a day of filming with Cruise for the film “Mena.” 3 LOCAL NEWS Cayman Compass • Monday SepteMber 14, 2015 www.CaymansFuture.com For over a decade, our island has been debating the construction of a new pier. Today, we have reached a crossroads. We can take the path to prosperity and jobs, or we can do nothing. The path to prosperity will lead us to 999 new full-time jobs and 491 construction jobs. We will open our port to the larger Oasis class cruise ships that will bring us more bigger-spending tourists. And because our tourists won’t be waiting in lines to be tendered ashore, all of them will have more time to spend money on the island. Or, we can choose to ignore the warnings of the cruise industry. But when they reduce operations in the Caymans, there will be grave consequences—a loss of millions of dollars in government revenue and an estimated 18% increase in Caymanian unemployment. It’s a no brainer, right? Let’s vote to protect our future. Let’s build the pier. Today. Make your voice heard now at CaymansFuture.com. OF BUILDING A PIER NOW BENEFITS BUILDING A PIER NOW COSTS of NOT OR “If you stand still in the world you move backwards.” - Acting Overseas Territory Minister Rt. Hon. Grant Shapps MP C M Y CM MY CY CMY K ‘Gold shovel’ mystery solved Brent Fuller bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com A momentous ground- breaking ceremony marking the start of a $55 mil- lion airport redevelopment project on Grand Cayman rated the “gold shovel” treatment for the nine of- ficials who participated in the digging on Thursday. However, the majority of the shovels, which are used from time to time during ceremonies to mark the start of high-profile projects, apparently are not quite as fancy as one might imagine. “They are regular shovels from the hardware store that we spray with gold paint,” Gina Matthews, Ministry of Tourism public relations manager, said Friday. “When we’re finished using them, they’re dusted off and stored over at the Public Works Department.” One shovel used in Thursday’s ground- breaking by Governor Helen Kilpatrick is actually a proper ceremonial shovel, with a polished wood handle and gold plating. Ms. Matthews said the ceremonial shovels can become quite costly if a groundbreaking involves, say, a dozen people, so the government uses a much more cost-effective method for the other participants. “You can get [ceremo- nial] shovels, but the gov- ernment just decided to use what we already had,” Ms. Matthews said. Other notable recent events at which the “gold shovels” have made an ap- pearance in the Cayman Islands over the years in- clude the August 2012 event marking the start of construction at Health City Cayman Islands and the July 2012 ground- breaking at Cayman Brac’s airport redevelopment. Typically, the govern- ment protocol office han- dles the implements used for ceremonial openings, government events and the like, but the shovels are the exception. Items like ceremonial scissors for ribbon-cuttings, the ribbons themselves and the “red carpet” are all kept at the protocol office. The symbolic ‘gold shovels’ used at Thursday’s groundbreaking at the Owen Roberts International Airport on Grand Cayman. - Photo: Charles DunCan “They are regular shovels from the hardware store that we spray with gold paint.” Gina Matthews, ministry of tourism spokesperson gift of DiCtionaries from rotary sunrise boosts junior literaCy Students in government primary schools got a boost on Literacy Day last week when the Rotary Sunrise Club donated almost 700 illus- trated dictionaries to all Year Five students. “The club’s support with this very important resource will enable students to im- prove their literacy skills,” the acting chief education officer in the Education Ministry, Lyneth Monteith, said in a press re- lease. Literacy Day celebrations were held Sept. 8 at the Bodden Town Primary School, where Rotary Sunrise has adopted the library as its special project. The day involved readings and presentations from Sunrise Club’s president, Christine Matthews, Vice President Gina McBryan, Literacy Director Su Mander, Secretary Martha Connolly, Communications Director Patrick Kreitlow and past President Hendrik van Genderen, as well as Education Ministry Councilor Winston Connolly. Also present were the school’s principal, June Elliott, and deputy principal, Kimberly Litrico. “We at Bodden Town Primary School are very grateful to the Rotary Sunrise Club for their kind donation of the dictionaries to our Year Five students,” Ms. Elliott said. “We appreciate their commit- ment to improving our school library, and anticipate the progress that our students will make in reading as a result of their efforts.” Mr. Connolly commended all involved in the effort to en- hance reading and writing in the school system. “Events like this remind us how important literacy is to building confidence in our young people,” he said. “The club’s support with this very important resource will enable students to improve their literacy skills.” Lyneth Monteith, acting chief education officerThe islands’ most-trusted news source 4 – EDITORIAL – Opinion&Letters The Cayman Compass welcomes comments, opinions and viewpoints from readers. Letters to the editor can be emailed to editor@pinnaclemedialtd.com, submitted via www.caymancompass.com, sent by post or hand-delivered to the Compass office. Monday SepTeMber 14, 2015 • Cayman COmpass The results are in — and they are grim. We won’t in this editorial space dwell on the failures and shortcomings that are nearly universal among Cayman Islands government schools. The recently released reports by independent inspectors explore these in specific detail. We urge parents, employers and, in general, all those invested in the Cayman community to visit the Ministry of Education’s website (Go to www.education. gov.ky, then click on the “Education” menu option) and read not only the “baseline inspection reports,” but also the ministry’s self-reflective “progress report summary” for the past school year and, more impor- tantly, its forward-looking “plan of action” for the new school year. The general tenor of the inspection reports is not surprising — but it is scathing. For our present purposes we shall quote one sentence from the execu- tive summary of the overview report: “[S]tudents’ achievement overall is below age-related expectations and represents significant underperformance at all stages of education. The weaknesses in achievement are notably related to teaching quality.” Allow that to sink in for a moment. Now, let’s move on to something brighter: “In stark contrast is the good and very good teaching which is evident in differing proportions in all schools. The same group of students can be poorly behaved and disengaged in one lesson, yet well behaved and highly motivated in the next when they find inter- esting teaching which engages their attention and a teacher who has high expectations of what students can achieve. In such lessons, students are encouraged to aim for the highest grades and not be content with a pass at the lowest level. Lessons are conducted with a sense of urgency, and students capture teachers’ enthusiasm for their subjects responding with interest and enjoying their learning.” Those two passages illustrate what we hold to be an inviolable law of education: The precise area in which real learning takes place is the metaphysical space between an enthusiastic, able teacher and a willing, focused student. The remainder of the school campus constitutes, at worst, mere trappings (ahem, Clifton Hunter) and, at best, a “facility” in the pure sense of the word, in that the accommodations assist teachers and students by enabling them to conduct their pedagogical relationship in greater ease and comfort. To that we add the following tenet: There is a direct relationship between raising standards and improving performance. Few will be shocked that the government schools were deemed to be so poor. Parents have been “voting with their wallets” for the past several years, as evi- denced by the drop in government school enrollment and corresponding rise in private school enrollment. We view that trend as a positive one, in that parents are doing what they deem best for their children; however, we also view it negatively, in that not all parents can afford to make a similar choice for their own. Accordingly, we exhort lawmakers to pass the new Education Bill, post haste, and then under the relevant statute, seriously explore the creation of U.K.-style “academies” in Cayman (i.e. government- funded schools run by non-government entities). A fundamental shift in Cayman’s provision of learning is required in order for our country to move closer to the goal of equality of educational opportunity. Rather than castigating our public school system for the criticisms espoused by inspectors, we offer our praise and support to officials, administrators and per- sonnel — particularly the leadership under Education Minister Tara Rivers — for “bravely taking their licks,” so to speak, and publishing the “non-sterilized” reports for everyone to see. We also offer our unwavering support to Cayman’s teachers, in public and private schools, to whom we have entrusted the future of this country: Our young people. Finally, we offer the reminder that, ultimately, it is the individual students who have the responsibility and the obligation for themselves and their own education. The finest buildings, best teachers and most advanced curricula will amount to nothing more than govern- ment and personal expenditures if the students don’t actively participate in their own learning process. Public education: Cayman’s most important test Redeeming the remainder of a life GRAFTON, Ohio – The man at the front of the room in the prison here is talking about the institution’s culinary and hospitality training that will help some of his fellow inmates “give back to the community.” He will never get back to any commu- nity; he is serving a “double life” sentence. But because he is not going anywhere, he can provide leadership to those who are. Some will go to the 35 Cleveland res- taurants that are eager to help themselves, and reduce recidivism while doing so, by hiring those who learn in prison to serve the food plate from the left and to re- move it from the right. Small things learned inside can help people stay outside. Here, amid Ohio farm- land planted thick with corn and churches, Gary Mohr’s work of reclaiming felons is working, with many as- sists from the churches. His title – director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction – needs an- other word: “Reintegration.” Meaning the preparation for re-entry into society of people like Walter Atwood. He is 37, a tall, thin African-American who played Othello in a prison production assisted by nearby Oberlin College. He has been incarcerated for al- most 21 years, since being convicted of, among other things, aggravated rob- bery, attempted rape and attempted murder. His next parole hearing is in 14 months, but whenever he re- turns to society he will be ready for restaurant work, even, he says proudly, “in ‘the front of the house,’ as a host,” perhaps wearing white gloves, and certainly trained “so you don’t in- fringe on patrons’ space or time or emotions.” He would, however, prefer to find work using graphic design skills learned here in a computer lab run by Michael Brown, 33, who lost an eye somewhere along his bumpy road to this institu- tion. Ten years ago, to get out from under the consequences of other bad decisions, he says he “made a bad deci- sion.” The robbery resulted in a 12-year sentence. Director Mohr, 62, a stocky bundle of energy who wears his big heart on his sleeve, is a devout Lutheran who preaches the gospel of reintegration from pulpits around Ohio. Martin Luther said salvation comes from faith rather than good works, but Mohr figures good works cannot hurt. He started in corrections 41 years ago as an Ohio State undergraduate, paid $2.54 an hour to teach “prisoners twice my age the letters of the alphabet.” Today he over- sees 50,300 inmates in 27 in- stitutions. He is particularly proud of the 12 programs de- voted to preparing inmates, who work up to 10 hours a day, for life outside. Some are translating books into Braille, others are learning to handle two 18-wheelers provided by Masury’s P.I. & I. Motor Express, which needs the drivers. In other shops, in- mates make toys and chil- dren’s clothes for local churches to distribute on missions and stuffed animals for children from families shattered by the incarcera- tion of parents. Says one in- mate, “We lay down at night and think, ‘We’ve done some- thing other than what we did that got us here.’” Another says, “We used to think time started when we got released. Time starts now.” This afternoon, Mike Swiger, a local minister, is helping teach computer skills, which he says are nowadays necessary even for operating a forklift. “Ex- offenders,” he says, “are more credible” as teachers. He fin- ished college while serving 17 years, some of them here, for accessory to murder. Until recently, released prisoners were sent home, if there still was such a place, wearing gray sweatshirts and sweatpants. Now, a nearby house, once aban- doned, overflows, thanks to local churches, with do- nated clothes suitable for job interviews. “I didn’t know how to get dressed anymore,” said a departing inmate. “I hadn’t been dressed for 20 years.” The church volunteer (asked who provides these clothes, she crisply says, “God does”) who helps run the house says released prisoners would apply for a construction job and be told, “You’re hired – now go buy some boots.” But steel- tipped work boots can cost $150. So each leaving pris- oner gets a pair. America, with less than 5 percent of the world’s pop- ulation, has almost 25 per- cent of the world’s pris- oners. Mohr cannot change the overcriminalization of American life that has been accompanied by unreason- ably severe sentences. But a new pair of work boots can help soften the effect of mass incarceration. The crimes that earned the men here their punish- ment violated America’s stan- dards of decency. But those standards, Mohr believes, re- quire us to help these men redeem the remainders of their lives. George Will’s email address is georgewill@washpost.com. © 2015, Washington Post Writers Group GEORGE F. WILL Printed and Published by: Caymanian Compass Limited (a subsidiary of Pinnacle Media Ltd) Compass Centre Shedden Road, George Town send us yOur VieWs Or neWs: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman KY1-1108, Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@pinnaclemedialtd.com adVertise With us: Telephone: (345) 949-5111 Email: sales@pinnaclemedialtd.com Website: www.caymancompass.com PUBLISHERS daVid r. legge and Vicki l. legge EdITOR-In-CHIEf daVid r. legge A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will find their own way”5 LOCAL NEWS Cayman Compass • Monday SepteMber 14, 2015 HomeOptions BRITISH CAYMANIAN INSURANCE CO. LTD. BritCay House, 236 Eastern Avenue, George Town, P.O. 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Certificate can be used with car insurance purchase from BritCay. cgigrp MLA: Lawyers law must address Caymanian hiring Brent FuLLer bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Any changes to Cayman’s Legal Practitioners Bill must address the hiring, retention and promotion of Caymanian lawyers, George Town back- bench MLA Winston Connolly said Friday. In a statement sent to the Cayman Compass, Mr. Connolly noted that the oft-debated leg- islation was expected to come to government shortly and that he would back the proposal only if those areas were set out in the legislation. “I would like to see proper systems in place that allow Caymanians to take up mean- ingful roles at the top levels of firms operating in the Cayman Islands,” Mr. Connolly said. “Until I see [that], and until com- mitments are made by firms to do so, I do know that I cannot fully support any bill without these basic commitments and a plan to achieve full Caymanian participation in law firms.” Mr. Connolly sent what he termed a “statement of goals” to all the major Cayman Islands legal associations Friday, in- cluding the Cayman Islands Law Society, Caymanian Bar Association, major law firms and the government Legal Department. The “goals” advocated by Mr. Connolly include “removing barriers” to the participation of Caymanian attorneys at local law firms, improving the rate of retention for those attor- neys and improving the rate at which Caymanians are pro- moted to partner and equity partner status at those firms. An equity partner is a law firm partner who shares in the profits of the company. Mr. Connolly also asked that law firms “adhere to the letter and intent” of the Immigration Law and that they conduct au- dits of hiring and promotions at set intervals. “I call on both law societies to develop best practices for all Cayman Islands law firms for the hiring, retention and pro- motion of Caymanians within 90 days,” he said. Premier Alden McLaughlin has previously identified the Legal Practitioners Bill as a priority for his administration, with an eye toward modern- izing the rules the legal pro- fession operates under locally and improving Caymanian lawyers’ access to the locally operating firms. The previous draft of the bill, introduced in 2012 by the former United Democratic Party government, sought sweeping changes to the current legisla- tion but essentially ran out of time during the former admin- istration’s term. The regulations under the previous bill sought to imple- ment a registration fee for law firms that use non-Caymanian attorneys who perform some work for their Cayman Islands firms while residing overseas. Former Premier and now- Opposition Leader McKeeva Bush defined the issue this way: “Some Caymanian attor- neys have … expressed con- cerns about the ability of some law firms to operate satellite of- fices abroad. [They] are worried that one day, Cayman legal ser- vices could potentially be solely provided from other countries.” Most international law firms have teams practicing Cayman law from overseas of- fices, for example, by providing for the use of Cayman vehi- cles such as funds or compa- nies by foreign clients. Often this work will generate busi- ness that is going to be serviced from Cayman, in addition to the establishment work that is done in Cayman. For example, Cayman Islands companies are popular vehicles for listings on the stock exchanges in Hong Kong and Taiwan. At the time the bill was being debated, Cayman Islands Law Society President Alasdair Robertson referred to the prac- tice of operating satellite or out- post offices in other countries as “insourcing,” a practice that could lead to job creation in the Cayman Islands. “If we don’t have those of- fices, then other jurisdictions, in particular we think the British Virgin Islands, would be in a position to sell that jurisdiction much better than ours, to our detriment,” Mr. Robertson said during an interview in 2012. Mr. Connolly Investigation continues into Red Bay illness KeLsey JuKAM kjukam@pinnaclemedialtd.com Red Bay Primary School remains open, though the kitchen, located in Mary Miller Hall, has been closed while officials continue their investigation into what caused some 100 people to become ill earlier this month. Officials are still waiting for conclusive test results as to the cause of the recent outbreak of illness at the school, according to a govern- ment press statement Friday. On Sept. 2, approximately 107 children and staff re- ported symptoms of vomiting and abdominal pain after eating lunch. Twenty-three people were treated at hos- pital and released the same day. No additional cases have been reported. According to the press statement, the Public Health Department is “confident” that the school’s kitchen fa- cilities are “adequately san- itized” and that the kitchen remains closed “out of an abundance of caution.” Since the outbreak, the statement adds, there has been a comprehensive testing of food samples retrieved from lunch served on the day illnesses were reported, a thorough cleaning of the kitchen and equipment, a post-cleanup sampling, and a number of site visits by officials from the depart- ments of Public Health and Environmental Health. “We want to reassure the public that the safety of our students and school staff is of paramount importance,” said Dr. Samuel Williams, acting medical officer of health. “All conclusive find- ings will be made known to the public and we will re- main vigilant.” Sean Collins, owner of Mise en Place, which pro- vides food to the school, has said that tests on food sam- ples have come back nega- tive, indicating that it is un- likely that food was the cause of the outbreak. He also said that tests done on the seven Mise en Place staff members posted in the kitchen came back negative for staphylococcus, the bac- teria most commonly found to cause infection through food handlers. The press statement urged the public to practice good hygiene to “stem the outbreak of any gastroin- testinal diseases.” “I would like to see proper systems in place that allow Caymanians to take up meaningful roles at the top levels of firms operating in the Cayman Islands.” Winston Connolly, George Town MLAThe islands’ most-trusted news source 6 Monday SepteMber 14, 2015 • Cayman Compass mohawk he had grown es- pecially for the event, while his daughter Charli danced around him, tossing hand- fuls of his shorn hair up in the air. Charli, who is 8, was diagnosed with leu- kemia in 2008. “I love this event,” Mr. Foster said. “The emotion is unbelievable, it’s indescrib- able really. It’s a truly pow- erful event.” That emotion was palpable as Mechon Evangelista-Ebanks took to the stage to say a prayer for Mimi, her 2-year-old daughter who has been bat- tling brain cancer since she was 5 weeks old. Ms. Evangelista-Ebanks had her head shaved, along with a number of her Caribbean Utilities Company colleagues, at work Friday morning. “It doesn’t get easier, Ms. Evangelista-Ebanks said. “Every time you shave your head, all of those emotions come in and it just flash- floods you. The bottom line is we’re doing it because our children don’t have a cure, and that’s the passion we’re relying on, because we want to find a cure.” This year’s head-shaving participants were a diverse group, including two MLAs (Winston Connolly and Roy McTaggart), corporate teams, 18 women, and even a number of young children. Hannah’s 6-year-old best friend, Olly Thorpe, shed her 9-inch blonde ponytail, and 9-year-old Matteo Carbini shaved his long, dark locks. Shaving was a family af- fair for the Grants, who have been personally touched by childhood cancer. Their 8-year-old son, Tayden, was diagnosed with acute lym- phoblastic leukemia five years ago. Tayden and his dad Trent, mom Belinda, and brothers Tajai, 7, and Trey, 6, all had their heads shaved at the event. “Do it for the kids,” said Belinda Grant. “It’s so worth it.” The shaving is more than just a symbolic gesture – shavees also raise money to support the fund. Cayman-based corpora- tions went all-out this year, raising thousands of dol- lars. The highest fundraising team was Dart Cayman Islands, which raised more than $50,000. Maples and Calder, whose team name was “Maples and Balder,” raised more than $46,000. Team “Gonyers” and Team “Least We Can Do” each raised about $35,000, and several other corporate teams also contributed sig- nificant amounts. All of the money raised by Heroes for Hannah is do- nated to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a childhood cancer research charity that has funded more than $176 million in childhood cancer research grants since 2004. Of the hundreds of St. Baldrick’s shave events worldwide every year, Heroes for Hannah is one of the most successful, ac- cording to St. Baldrick’s Hero Fund Manager Kelly Forebaugh. She said Heroes for Hannah is one of the top 10 fundraising events worldwide. Ms. Meeson said she is “thrilled” that the event has drawn so much sup- port from the community, including the participants, volunteers and businesses that have donated services and prizes. “Everybody has been touched by cancer or knows someone who’s been touched by cancer,” Ms. Meeson said, but with research, she said, there is hope for those fighting childhood cancer. “The survival rate for leu- kemia has gone from 10 per- cent to 90 percent in the last 50 years and that’s from re- search,” Ms. Meeson said. Donations to the Heroes for Hannah fund can be made until the end of the year online at www.st- baldricks.org/events/ heroesforhannah/. ‘Heroes’ raise nearly $300K for child cancer research CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Iris Stoner, whose son Adam had his head shaved, makes a contribution. The Meeson family, center, has plenty of support at the head-shaving event, now in its third year. – PHOTOS: TANEOS RAMSAY Kids line up to make donations. Community turnout shows how the Cayman Islands has come together for this cause. ‘They’ve filled us with hope that we can make the world a better place,’ said Gaylene Meeson, Hannah’s mother.7 LOCAL NEWS Cayman Compass • Monday SepteMber 14, 2015 Violent robbery creates ‘climate of fear,’ judge says Ten-year sentence for man who used knife to rob couple Carol Winker cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com James Romano Whittaker was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment Thursday for robbing a couple at knife- point late last year as they were sitting on a seawall in George Town. “When two young people cannot even sit in a quiet yet public place such as North Church Street without being violently robbed, there is cause for very serious con- cern,” Justice Charles Quin said during the sentencing. He made the comment after finding Whittaker guilty of robbing the couple on Nov. 22, 2014. They had been sit- ting on the seawall at the Charles Building, next to Burger King, when Whittaker approached them and de- manded money. When they said they did not have any, he held a knife to the young man’s throat before taking the woman’s handbag and an iPhone from the man’s car. “A robbery at knife- point on the waterfront of George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, not only ter- rifies the immediate victims, but also shocks the resi- dents and has a negative ef- fect on businesses in George Town. It creates a climate of fear and it has the potential to deter tourists from vis- iting the Cayman Islands. If these violent robberies are not stopped they will have a damaging effect on our economy and employment,” Justice Quin said. “I offer the country’s grati- tude and appreciation to the two victims in this case,” he said. “After the terrible ordeal of the robbery, they went di- rectly to the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service and gave full and detailed ac- counts of the robbery. They attended identification pa- rades. They gave clear and frank evidence in court and were subjected to rigorous but proper cross-examina- tion,” he said. “If witnesses come for- ward promptly to assist the RCIPS in the battle against crime, more criminals will be caught and convicted,” Justice Quin asserted. He noted that there has been considerable comment in the media regarding ad- journments of court cases. He said it was important that people commenting on the criminal justice system first apprise themselves of all the facts. In this case, the rob- bery was committed on Nov. 22, the case came to Grand Court on Dec. 17, bail was denied on Dec. 19, and Whittaker pleaded not guilty on June 8. Trial took place over four days and the guilty verdict was handed down on June 30. “This is one of several cases that have been con- cluded [subject to appeal] in a timely fashion,” Justice Quin pointed out. “This is a case for which the RCIPS conducted a quick and thor- ough investigation and pro- vided the necessary disclo- sure to the Director of Public Prosecutions and the defense. I also commend the DPP, de- fense counsel and the judi- cial administration staff in concluding this case without undue delay.” Although Whittaker had pleaded not guilty, defense attorney Crister Brady said his client later acknowledged committing the robbery be- cause he needed money to purchase cocaine. Although Whittaker had 37 previous convictions at age 35, this was his first of- fense involving the threat of violence with a weapon, the attorney pointed out. Justice Quin accepted submissions on sentence from Mr. Brady and senior Crown counsel Tanya Lobban on Aug. 31. He reserved his decision until last week. The aggravating fea- tures of the offense included the fact that it occurred at night and involved a weapon. Whittaker had worn a hoodie in an attempt to conceal his identity; that and the knife showed an element of plan- ning. He had been on bail, but interfered with his elec- tronic monitoring device to disguise his location. The fe- male victim had been af- fected to the point that she no longer feels safe going to secluded parts of the island and will not go out or do anything on her own. Whittaker, in his inter- view with a probation officer, had said he did not know how his victims felt, “but I guess they would have been angry or scared, that’s how I would feel.” As to his offending, he admitted, “I don’t feel good about what I did, but I was not in my right state of mind.” Justice Quin told him to use his time in custody to get off the drug, learn a trade and undergo fur- ther education. “There is no reason why you cannot put crime behind you and be- come a law-abiding citizen, but you must stay away from illegal drugs.” “If witnesses come forward promptly to assist the RCIPS in the battle against crime, more criminals will be caught and convicted.” Justice charles Quin Students learn importance of studying new languages Cayman International School’s Señor Blanco, also known as Spanish teacher John White, took his class for a tour around the Marriott Beach Resort with hotel man- ager Enrique Tasende, who talked about the importance of speaking more than one lan- guage in the modern workplace, according to a press release from the school. Students in grade 11 and 12 international baccalaureate Spanish program went on the field trip Monday, speaking only Spanish during the excursion, according to the school. Mr. Tasende also gave a pre- sentation on how being bilingual or even trilingual would help the students when they set out into the world. He introduced the students to Marriott employees from around the world and the varied languages they speak. Mr. Tasende told Señor Blanco’s students that after they learn one new language, other languages will be easier to pick up. The press release notes, “At the end of the presentation, the students were left with three tips: One, use the language as much as possible to maintain fluency; two, do not worry about the “versions” of the language, in this case Spanish, as over time they will understand it; three, to always listen to their teacher, Señor Blanco.”Enrique Tasende, general manager of the Marriott Beach Resort, left, speaks with students about the importance of learning new languages.The islands’ most-trusted news source 8 Monday SepteMber 14, 2015 • Cayman Compass DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE EVERYTHING THEY NEED? #1 Alexander Place • Dorcy Drive, GT 926-5425 caymankarateacademy@gmail.com www.caymankarateacademy.com 4 Weeks of Karate for $69 including Uniform BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL Islands Central Planning Authority include Chairman A.L. Thompson, Robert Selkirk Watler, Jr., Fred Whittaker, Ray Hydes, Rex Miller, Eldon Rankin, Dalkeith Bothwell, Edgar Ashton Bodden (repre- senting the Sister Islands), Sharon Roulstone, Trent McCoy, Joseph Coe, Selvin Richardson and S.T. “Tommie” Bodden. Planning Department Director Haroon Pandohie also serves as the board’s executive sec- retary as part of his job in the civil service. Reappointed members of the Cayman Brac and Little Cayman Development Control Board were an- nounced on July 21. They are: Chairman Edgar Ashton Bodden, Capt. Arlin Tatum, Royce Dilbert, Melgreen Reid, Alva Bodden, Garston Grant, Zanda Scott and Andrea Stevens (executive secretary). Conflicts The auditor general’s of- fice looked into whether de- cision-makers on the two de- velopment boards were free from the appearance of, or actual conflicts of interest as part of his review of the overall planning and land use process in the Cayman Islands earlier this year. The Central Planning Authority has guidelines for members of the board to de- clare any conflicts and recuse themselves from meetings until matters related to their business, or the business of a close relative, are completed. However, those guidelines do not impose sanctions if board members do not follow the rules, nor do they require members to disclose financial interests in businesses at any time, Mr. Swarbrick noted. The adoption of the Standards in Public Life Law in 2014 was due to intro- duce disclosure requirements for appointed board mem- bers, but the law was never put into effect. Premier Alden McLaughlin said last year that concerns from various appointed board members forced government to rewrite sections of the law. Updated legislation has not been brought before the House, al- though Mr. McLaughlin has said it is a priority for his Progressives-led government. “The great majority of members of the Central Planning Authority ap- pointed since August 2013 were from the development and construction indus- tries,” Mr. Swarbrick’s re- port found. “While providing expertise to the Central Planning Authority, this cre- ates a high risk of conflicts and also adversely affects the appearance of freedom from conflict.” Recommendations The auditor’s office made three recommendations to improve the functioning of the two planning boards, in- cluding that the meetings of both the Central Planning Authority and the Brac Development Control Board be open to the public and that they provide reasons for their decisions. Auditors also recom- mended that board mem- bers be required to imme- diately fill out a register of business interests. In its response to both rec- ommendations, the Cayman Islands government indicated that “this is a matter for the [planning boards]” and that the civil service management could not make any promises. The audit report also rec- ommended that both boards be better balanced to include “members representing sec- tors other than the building and development industry.” Government managers responded to the report stating that this was a matter for the elected members of the Cabinet. Planning board reappointed after critical report exceed the long-term eco- nomic benefits that can be reasonably expected from the proposed port develop- ment,” they wrote. “The Council is further concerned that the damage may forever downgrade the integrity of our attrac- tive and historic harbour.” Council members, ana- lyzing the environmental impact report from consul- tants W.F. Baird & Associates Coastal Engineers Ltd., wrote that the economic benefit estimates are specu- lative and difficult to predict with certainty. “On the other hand,” they noted, “the sig- nificant environmental and economic costs are clearer and generally quantifiable.” Highlighting damage to the reefs around the pro- posed facility, the council statement says, “The pro- posed mitigation measures are all of limited effective- ness, and significant envi- ronmental damage from the proposed project will be irreversible. We empha- size that short and long- term environmental deg- radation in this area will cause both direct and indi- rect economic damage that should not be ignored or underestimated.” The consultants on the government-funded envi- ronmental study said in their report that the coral and other features off the waterfront bring in an es- timated US$19 million to US$22 million a year in economic value to the Cayman Islands. The environmental re- port, released in June, states, “Project construc- tion and operation will result in damage to the marine ecosystem within George Town harbor, with associated adverse impacts on the goods and services provided by the marine ecosystem. Revenues generated by water sports businesses, which rely on tourism and recreation opportu- nities provided by the marine resources within George Town harbor, will also be adversely affected.” The environmental assessment points to a coral relocation project and tightly controlled dredging in the harbor to protect corals at Eden Rock, Hamburger Reef and the surrounding area. But Conservation Council members doubted the pro- posals, saying the consul- tants did not consider all the risks of dredging. On moving corals from the waters off cen- tral George Town, the council’s commentary in- dicated that the poten- tial for additional income from cruise passengers may not cover the high costs of moving sections of the reef. The environ- mental statement gives a wide estimate of US$10 million to US$73 million for the coral relocation proposal. Economic consider- ations aside, the council wrote, “There is doubt as to the long-term success of any coral relocation measures.” Conservation Council criticizes port plan Thousands evacuated in California wildfires; homes destroyed COBB, Calif. (AP) – Within 12 hours of igniting, a wild- fire burning north of San Francisco had swallowed up more than 60 square miles of land, injured four firefighters and burned highways and buildings, prompting an emergency declaration and forcing thousands to flee. The declaration frees up resources for the blaze, burning about 100 miles north of San Francisco. The fire in Lake County erupted Saturday afternoon and rapidly chewed through brush and trees parched from several years of drought, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. Entire towns as well as residents along a 35-mile stretch of highway were evacuated. The firefighters, all mem- bers of a helicopter crew, were airlifted to a hospital burn unit, where they were being treated for second-degree burns and were listed in stable condition, department spokesman Daniel Berlant said. Brown had declared a state of emergency for a sep- arate 101-square-mile wild- fire about 70 miles south- east of Sacramento that has destroyed at least 86 homes, and turned the grassy, tree- studded Sierra Nevada foot- hills an eerie white. Crews increased contain- ment on that blaze to 20 per- cent by early Sunday. The fire, which broke out on Wednesday, destroyed 86 homes, 51 out- buildings and was threatening about 6,400 more. “I lost my business – it’s all burned up – my shop, my house, 28 years of living,” said Joe Thomas, who lives near the community of Mountain Ranch. “I got to start all over. It’s depressing.” Thomas, who runs a tractor dealership and re- pair business, said he and his wife grabbed papers, his work computer, photos and their four dogs. But they left a goat, five ducks, six rabbits and more than 30 chickens behind. “I turned the pens open and turned them loose. I just couldn’t gather them up,” he said. “All we want to do is go home. It’s miserable.” More than 3,850 fire- fighters were assigned to the blaze, and more we expected to join the firefight. Its cause is under investigation. Meanwhile, new evacu- ation orders were issued Saturday for the largest wild- fire in the state, threatening to sweep through an ancient grove of Giant Sequoia trees. The fire, sparked by lightning on July 31, has charred 201 square miles, the U.S. Forest Service said. Firefighters cleared brush around the Grant Grove and set prescribed burns to keep the flames from overrunning it. By Saturday, the backfiring and monitoring efforts ap- peared to have helped pro- tect the treasured trees, the Fresno Bee reported. The grove is named for the towering General Grant tree that stands 268 feet tall. There are dozens of Sequoia groves in the Sierra Nevada, and some trees are 3,000 years old. “The economic costs associated with unavoidable environmental damage may exceed the long- term economic benefits ... from the proposed port development.” NatioNal CoNservatioN CouNCil CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 A home burns along Highway 29 in Hidden Valley, California on Saturday. – Photo: Kent Porter/the Press Democrat via aP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1The islands’ most-trusted news source 9 Cayman Compass • Monday SepteMber 14, 2015 50 inmates get tour of Vatican The Vatican has opened its doors, temporarily, to 50 inmates from Rome’s Rebibbia prison. The inmates got a private tour Sunday of the lush Vatican gardens and the Sistine Chapel. Migrant crisis adjusts Merkel’s image, but style unchanged BERLIN (AP) – In the space of two months, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has gone from being por- trayed as the heartless villain in Europe’s debt crisis to the heroine of those flooding in to find refuge on the continent. But while different crises have triggered contrasting perceptions of the German leader, Merkel’s behavior has appeared consistent: a first- unhurried, then decisive ap- proach to the challenge; an insistence that Europe must abide by international rules; an eye on public opinion at home; and hope that German leadership will help bring about a European solution. Merkel hasn’t pleased ev- eryone in Europe with her approach to either crisis. Several countries that backed her insistence on tough con- ditions for Greece’s new bailout, such as the Baltic na- tions and Slovakia, are now on the other side of the ar- gument over whether to wel- come refugees to Europe. But the 61-year-old is un- daunted, and her enduring domestic popularity is holding up as she approaches her 10th anniversary in of- fice in November. That lon- gevity has been based partly on her knack for convincing Germans that she is on top of complicated crises and taking account of their wor- ries – something that has earned her the nickname “Mutti,” or “Mom.” Her insistence that Germany and its fellow members in the 28-nation European Union all have a duty to shelter people fleeing civil wars has cemented something similar among hopeful migrants. Some have held aloft pic- tures of Merkel, and she was greeted with applause and cheers at a Berlin refugee home Thursday. A hallmark of Merkel’s policy has always been prag- matism, rather than pathos or vision. The change in percep- tions doesn’t mean a change in Merkel’s approach, said Manfred Guellner, the head of the Forsa polling agency. “I think she is acting very pragmatically, as ever – the stream of refugees is there, and she is trying to get a grip on it,” he said. “She is, as always, flying by sight, taking one step after another,” he added, and be- lieves that those fleeing vi- olence in their homelands must be helped “so that a negative picture of Germany does not arise.” Asked this week how she feels about the shift in perceptions of her abroad, Merkel said she was “glad Germany has become a country that many people outside Germany associate with hope.” “[But] I don’t imagine that this is just about me – this is about the country, the people here, the many who stand at stations and the many who welcome (asylum seekers),” she said. Merkel has pointed to the possible benefits for pros- perous Germany, with its shrinking population, of in- tegrating newcomers: “If we do it well, it carries more op- portunities than risks.” She has said there will be “no tolerance” for “parallel soci- eties” of newcomers who re- ject integration, and encour- aged women who arrive to learn German along with their children. Germany’s in- sistence on the paramount importance of EU countries sticking to the rules has irked many during the debt crisis. And in some ways, that approach is reflected in the migrant crisis. Merkel has rejected Hungary’s assertion that it is a purely German problem by noting that the Geneva Convention on pro- tecting refugees applies to every EU nation. “Germany is doing what is morally and legally neces- sary, no more and no less,” she asserted. Her government has re- jected accusations from others that Germany itself is flouting EU rules by de- ciding not to send Syrian ref- ugees back to the first EU country they entered. And it is taking a patient, persistent approach to trying to per- suade deeply reluctant coun- tries elsewhere in Europe to share the burden of taking in the newcomers. “We see time and again that there are challenges in Europe in which it comes down to us in particular … to Germany’s strength,” Merkel told lawmakers this week in an unusually open acknowl- edgement of Germany’s po- sition as Europe’s political leader. “It is more likely that we will find a European so- lution if we are courageous and sometimes lead the way,” she said. Merkel drew criticism at home over the summer for initially hesitating to address the migrant crisis, while many ordinary Germans pitched in to help refugees and concerns mounted over attacks on refugee accom- modations. That played into a longstanding pattern of Merkel appearing to sit out contentious issues until she has read the political mood. She initially left the field to her interior minister and vice chancellor before taking the plunge by visiting a ref- ugee shelter in the eastern town of Heidenau, where a far-right mob had hurled bot- tles and fireworks at police. Since then, Merkel has made the issue her own, agreeing last weekend to let in thousands of migrants who had piled up in Hungary – something that her govern- ment insisted was a one-time measure to ease an emergency. The influx has shown no sign of abating since. Still, Merkel has the luxury of governing in a coalition of Germany’s biggest par- ties with a huge parliamen- tary majority and a liberally minded left-wing opposition. The only significant public criticism of her de- cision to take in migrants from Hungary so far has come from the Christian Social Union, the often-awk- ward socially conservative Bavarian sister to her own party, which says the move was a mistake. Merkel has felt able to dismiss that crit- icism, saying she is “con- vinced that it was right.” In the same way she in- sisted the Greek debt crisis would not be solved over- night, Merkel is preparing Germans for the long haul in dealing with the flood of ref- ugees. She stresses there is no legal limit to the number of people fleeing persecution who have a right to asylum, but that those who have no such claim must return home quickly – in particular the many people coming in from the Balkan countries. “This will be a central challenge, not just for days or months, but as far as we can see for a long time,” Merkel said recently. “So it is impor- tant to say that German thor- oughness is great, but now we need German flexibility.” “It is more likely that we will find a European solution if we are courageous and sometimes lead the way.” ChanCellor angela Merkel Yemen’s exiled president backs out of talks with rebels SANAA, Yemen (AP) – Yemen’s internationally recognized president will not partici- pate in U.N.-brokered talks later this week with Shiite rebels who control the capital and much of the country’s north, his office said Sunday. The statement said there would be no talks with the rebels, known as Houthis, unless they accept a U.N. resolution that obliges them to withdraw from areas they seized and sur- render weapons taken from state institutions. President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi fled Yemen earlier this year, and his gov- ernment is currently based in Saudi Arabia, which is leading a U.S.-backed coali- tion that has been striking the Iran-supported rebels from the air since March. Yemen’s conflict pits an array of forces against the Houthi rebels, who are allied with security forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The conflict has killed more than 4,000 people, leaving the Arab world’s poorest country in the grip of a humanitarian crisis and on the brink of famine. Several previous at- tempts to get the parties to end the conflict have failed, and it has proven nearly im- possible to arrange a hu- manitarian pause to deliver desperately needed aid. A day earlier, a suspected U.S. drone attack on a mili- tary encampment killed at least four people east of Mukalla, the al-Qaida-con- trolled capital of Yemen’s sprawling province of Hadramawt, independent security officials there said Sunday. The victims, the of- ficials and witnesses said, were buried nearby while scores of masked gunmen on motorcycles cordoned off the site of the attack. The officials and wit- nesses spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to brief journalists or fear reprisals. Meanwhile, mourners in the United Arab Emirates grieved over the loss of ser- vicemen killed in a Sept. 5 missile attack in Yemen after additional bodies ar- rived in the federal capital, Abu Dhabi, on Saturday fol- lowing their identification in Saudi Arabia. The Emirates said a total of 52 of its soldiers – seven more than the 45 it earlier acknowledged – were killed in the Houthi rebel attack. It was the heaviest mili- tary loss for the country since it was founded in 1971. The soldiers were deployed as part of the Saudi-led coalition. President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi fled Yemen earlier this year, and his government is currently based in Saudi Arabia. President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi Chancellor Angela Merkel delivers a statement as part of a visit at a registration center for migrants and refugees in Berlin. - Photo: APNext >