ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – TUESDAY AUGUST 8, 2017 4.70% OFFER EXTENDED!* 185315-Ad-Strip-SandCastles-30Sept.indd 17/21/17 5:00 PM Tropical Storm Franklin brings gloomy weather to Cayman Despite the dark skies and rain in Cayman on Monday, the islands appear to have been spared the worst of Tropical Storm Franklin, which passed south of Cayman on Sunday before heading for Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. For more, see page 8. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY WORK PERMITS A confusing jumble of job categories Thousands of jobs, duplicate titles, different fees BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Eighteen months after Cayman’s leg- islative Public Accounts Committee said the territory’s work permits job category system must be simplified, more than 1,100 job categories remain, along with more than 5,000 sub-categories of posi- tions within the larger job groupings. According to a review by the Cayman Compass of 24,880 work permits held by non-Caymanian workers as of last month, many of the jobs listed separately appear to describe the exact same type of work but are in different sub-groupings. Some of the sub-categories sent to the Compass following a Freedom of Infor- mation request appear to have been cre- ated by simple misspellings. Adding to the confusion, some of the jobs that are essentially the same posi- tion held in different industries attract vastly different annual work permit fees. All non-Caymanian private sector workers in the Cayman Islands must hold a legal permit to remain in the islands. Fees are paid by the companies that em- ploy those workers each time a permit is awarded or renewed. The numbers reviewed by the Com- pass for July include all annual permit grants and renewals, as well as tem- porary permits, government employ- ment contracts held by non-Caymanians and individuals employed in the special economic zone. Also included are individuals ap- plying for permanent residence who have been granted permission to continue working under the law while their appli- cations are pending. Non-Caymanians not included in the permit numbers are permanent residents and non-Caymanians married to Cayma- nians working under a residency and em- ployment rights certificate. ‘Account Officer’ and ‘Accounts Officer’ The job categories have more than a dozen types of accounting jobs listed in various industries around the islands. In one of those job categories – “accounts officer” – there appears the following three sub-groupings: Account Officer (2 permits), Accounting Officer (1 permit), and Accounts Officer (1 permit). The documentation sent to the newspaper did not explain the difference between an “Account Officer” and an “Accounts Officer” sub-groupings in the “Accounts Officer” job category. Similarly, there were roughly two dozen sub-groupings for “Bartender” in Cayman. Those include: Bartender/Bev- erage Server (1 permit), Bartender/Food BAIL EXTENDED FOR SUSPECTED PET SMUGGLERS No charges yet in sugar glider importation case JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Police bail has been extended until Sept. 4 as customs officials continue their inves- tigation into the smuggling of an exotic pet into the Cayman Islands. No charges have been laid against a 31-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman who were arrested and bailed in the af- termath of the incident in June, when the pet, a sugar glider, got loose on a Cayman Airways jet. The Compass understands that other non-indigenous animals, including snakes and a lizard, were discovered in a follow-up search of a property in Grand Cayman following the incident with the sugar glider. A sugar glider is a small, nocturnal possum, with a body about 6 inches long (plus another six inches for the tail), and weighing between 4 and 5 ounces. The marsupial is endemic to Australia and the southwest Pacific region and can “glide” through the air like a flying squirrel. Sugar gliders are popular as exotic pets and are legal to own in Florida. It is illegal under the Cayman Islands Animals Law for any animal to be imported without a valid import permit issued by the Department of Agriculture. PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » SIMILAR WORK PERMIT TITLES BARTENDERS Bartender/Beverage Server Bartender/Food and Beverage Server Bartender/Food and Beveraage (sic) Server BARTENDER/SERVER Gardeners and Handymen Gardener/Handyman Handyman/Gardener ACCOUNTS OFFICER Account Officer Accounting Officer Accounts Officer2 LOCAL&REGIONAL TUESDAY AUGUST 8, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Daily Matinees Every Day $8.00 Seniors, Mon-Fri Before 6pm Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 *Additional charges will apply per 3D ticket requested. 640-FILM (640-3456) SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any film starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. - TUESDAY - EMOJI MOVIE 3D (PG) 1:30 2D I 3:00 2D VIP I 4:15 I 6:30 2D I 8:45 ATOMIC BLONDE (R) 12:20 VIP I 4:30 I 7:10 I 9:55 VIP SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING 3D (PG13) 12:45 2D I 3:45 I 6:45 2D I 9:40 KIDNAP (R) 2:20 I 5:30 I 7:45 VIP I 9:50 GIRLS TRIP (R) 1:20 I 4:10 I 7:00 I 9:45 DUNKIRK (PG13) 12:30 I 3:00 I 5:15 VIP I 7:35 I 10:05 JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Detectives have confirmed that Chadwick Bodden, the second Cayman Islands boater missing since mid- June, is feared lost at sea. The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service also confirmed the widely reported news that Mr. Bodden’s boat mate, Edward Hendricks Hyde, was found alive last week off the coast of Mexico. Two police officers trav- eled from Cayman to Mexico last week to meet with Mr. Hendricks Hyde, to re- cover the boat and con- duct inquiries. On Monday, police is- sued a statement that said, “At this time Mr. Bodden is still missing and feared lost at sea.” “The RCIPS is in regular contact with the families of both men and providing reg- ular updates on the investi- gation. Mr. Hyde is in poor health, and despite their grat- itude for the continued sup- port and well-wishes of the community, his family is re- questing minimal distur- bances at this time to speed his recovery.” Fishermen discovered Mr. Hendricks Hyde alone and adrift in the 30-foot canoe-style boat that the two men had been traveling in when they left Grand Cayman on June 23. Mr. Hendricks Hyde, who spent several days in hos- pital after being rescued, told Mexican media that the boat had experienced engine trouble. He said his friend, Mr. Bodden, had jumped overboard to look for food and never resurfaced. Mr. Hendricks Hyde’s boat was spotted in the water by fishermen around 7 a.m. on July 30, three miles from Cozumel island at a spot known locally as Punta Piedra, journalist Victor Hugo Vargas from La Pancarta de Quintana Roo told the Cayman Com- pass last week. The fishermen found him passed out in the boat, vis- ibly dehydrated, malnour- ished and badly sunburned. Mr. Bodden and Mr. Hen- dricks Hyde, also known as Edward Rivers, were reported missing on June 30 after they did not return from a trip to 60 Mile Bank. They had set off on June 23, telling friends and family they would be back by June 28. Second boater feared lost at sea Chadwick BoddenEdward Hendricks Hyde HAVANA (AP) – Cuban au- thorities have ordered the closure of one of the is- land’s fastest-growing co- operatives, days after announcing that they would stop issuing new permits for some pri- vate enterprise. Scenius, which pro- vides accounting and business consulting ser- vices, will have until Dec. 31 to completely liqui- date, the cooperative’s founder and director Luis Duenas told The Associ- ated Press on Saturday. Duenas said the Min- istry of Finances and Prices told him the deci- sion to close Scenius was “based on an analysis of our social purpose, or of the activities that we have approved.” Duenas called the deci- sion an “error” that has no place in the policy of eco- nomic opening announced by Cuban officials. On Tuesday, Cuba’s gov- ernment said it would suspend the issuance of permits for a range of oc- cupations and ventures, including restaurants and renting out rooms in private homes. The suspension in- cluded the growing field of private teachers as well as street vendors of agri- cultural products, dress- makers and the relatively recent profession of real estate broker. The an- nouncement did not say when the issuing of per- mits would resume and said that enterprises al- ready in operation can continue. President Raul Castro expanded an opening of the economy to private- sector employment in 200 categories of business in 2010. The government says nearly 570,000 people are employed in the en- terprises, including hun- dreds of restaurants and guest houses. It later also legalized nonagricultural cooperatives. Both recent moves have created fears that Cuba is putting the brakes on plans to reform its cen- trally planned economy, though officials say the country is not going back on its economic opening. Duenas regretted that Scenius’ closing occurred days after the package of restrictions on in- dependent work. “There are many ways to do things, timing is very impor- tant, and the country is greatly affected by these things,” Duenas said. Scenius began in Jan- uary 2015 with two or three partners and in two years had more than 200. All its 70 clients are state-owned enterprises or business groups in ag- riculture, industry and communications. According to official fig- ures, there are more than 400 non-agricultural coop- eratives in Cuba. CUBA ORDERS CLOSURE OF FAST-GROWING ACCOUNTING COOPERATIVE (AP) – The son of a leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel has been indicted on drug smug- gling charges in the United States and pleaded not guilty on Monday, less than two weeks after surrendering to U.S. border inspectors. Damaso Lopez Serrano was ordered held without bail after a brief appear- ance in federal court in San Diego. He is the son of Da- maso Lopez Nunez, who has launched a struggle for con- trol of the cartel following the arrest of its leader, Joa- quin “El Chapo” Guzman. Guzman was extra- dited to the United States earlier this year to face drug charges. The elder Lopez was ar- rested by authorities in Mexico City in May. Known by the nickname “El Licen- ciado,” a title for college graduates, he was long con- sidered Guzman’s right-hand man and helped him escape from Mexican prison in 2001. The elder Lopez is be- lieved to have been locked in a dispute with Guzman’s sons for control of the car- tel’s territories. The head of Mexico’s federal detectives’ agency, Omar Garcia Har- fuch, said in May that Lopez was “one of the main insti- gators of violence” in the Mexican states of Sinaloa and the southern part of Baja California. Lopez’s son, known as “Mini Lic,” turned himself in to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers on July 27 in Calexico, California, across the border from Mex- icali, Mexico, said Adam Braverman, an assistant U.S. attorney. The indictment, which was filed in August 2016 and ordered unsealed Monday, charges Lopez Serrano with conspiracy to import and dis- tribute methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin. Braverman told U.S. Dis- trict Judge Dana Sabraw that the investigation lasted five years and involved inter- cepts of more than 250 com- munication devices. In 2015, there were tens of thousands of communication intercepts and “a number of (drug) sei- zures” in Mexico and the United States. Lopez Serrano ap- peared in an orange uniform for jail inmates and said little in court. His attorney, Michael Lit- tman, entered the not-guilty plea on his client’s behalf. Littman declined to comment as he left the courtroom. The indictment, which was filed in August 2016 and ordered unsealed Monday, charges Lopez Serrano with conspiracy to import and distribute methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin. Son of Mexico drug cartel figure indicted on US drug charges British tourist shot near Rio de Janeiro RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – A bullet that hit a British tourist during an attack near Rio de Janeiro missed all of her major vessels and or- gans and she is recovering well, the hospital treating the woman said Monday. Eloise Dixon, 46, and her family were traveling Sunday in the coastal resort of Angra dos Reis when they strayed into a rough neigh- borhood, police have said. A group approached the car, apparently told the family to get out and then opened fire, police said. Images that Globo TV said were of the family’s rental car showed bullet holes in the passenger-side headrest and door as well as a de- flated front tire. One bullet passed through Dixon’s abdomen and an- other grazed her chest, hos- pital officials said. But the bullet that passed through Dixon’s abdomen did not hit anything vital. Sebastiao Faria, another official at the hospital, said she was operated on Sunday to check for any damage and is now recovering well. Dixon is awake and talking and will be ready to leave the hospital in 48 to 72 hours, Faria added. Brazilian and British of- ficials declined to give the woman’s hometown, but British Broadcasting Corpora- tion said she is from London. Images that Globo TV said were of the family’s rental car showed bullet holes in the passenger-side headrest and door as well as a deflated front tire.3 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY AUGUST 8, 2017 Driving training for police, firemen KAYLA YOUNG kyoung@pinnaclemedialtd.com Police and fire officers hope investment in emer- gency driver training will translate into safer roads across the Cayman Islands. A class of seven officers from the police and fire de- partments earned interna- tionally recognized diplomas Friday from Emergency Re- sponse Driver Training Ltd., a U.K.-based training ser- vice accredited by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. Managing Director Ste- phen Milton said the eight- day course will improve of- ficer response times in high-speed scenarios. “The long-term vision with the benefits of the training is to change atti- tudes, behavior, to improve road safety for quality as- surance,” Mr. Milton said at the Central Fire Station in George Town. “In three years’ time, we will be back to assess them. It’s not a course that you can just do and forget. You’ve got to maintain your skills. It’s all about continuous profes- sional development.” Officers who completed the course are now quali- fied to train additional staff in basic and advanced emer- gency driving techniques. Cayman Brac station of- ficer Kirk Watson said he hopes the training will help the fire service avoid a repeat of January’s roll- over crash that put a fire truck out of commission at Charles Kirkconnell Interna- tional Airport. “Stability management and anti-rollover training was very beneficial to the fire service,” Mr. Watson said. “Learning these new skills, I’m well equipped now to go back and teach the guys. When you’re cor- nering, you’ve got to position the vehicle in a certain po- sition to make sure you are negotiating the corner prop- erly and safely.” Mr. Watson was one of two fire service department officers who completed the course. Overall, the course included four fire ser- vice officers and three po- lice officers. Royal Cayman Islands Po- lice Service Superintendent Robert Graham said the ac- creditation complements other training programs. “The RCIPS at the moment is going through a number of various training courses. It’s all about professionalizing our officers with continual development taking place. Today we are concluding a separate course, and there are other courses going on.” Mr. Graham said. Traffic officers and of- ficers who regularly drive emergency vehicles will be given priority for higher- level training. Other officers will receive basic training. Long term, Mr. Milton said, he hopes the safety skills will trickle down to the community and result in training opportunities for the general public. He cited a United Na- tions statistic that 1.3 mil- lion people die on roads worldwide a year. “There’s quite a mix of driving in the Cayman Is- lands. You’ve got some ad- opted U.K.-type traffic signs and road markings. You’ve adopted some American styles of driving. Now you’ve got in the mix lots of hired cars, lots of tourists. It’s quite a risk-critical environment if you don’t go about your business in a safe manner,” Mr. Milton said. The training course for all seven officers cost $4,100. Mr. Milton said ambu- lance drivers were also in- vited to attend the course but declined. Emergency Response Driver Training has worked with emergency services in 43 countries, including recent courses in Gibraltar, Singa- pore and Turks and Caicos. Seven police and fire officers graduated from emergency response driver training Friday. From left are graduates and instructors, including RCIPS officers Roje Williams, Donovan Chung and Alain Belanger, Emergency Response Driver Training staff Mike Addison and Stephen Milton, and fire service officers Henry Ebanks, Richard McLaughlin, Ernest Barnes and Kirk Watson. - PHOTO: ALVARO SEREY WATER MAIN UPGRADES SET ON PROSPECT POINT ROAD Upgrades to the water main on Prospect Point Road over the next six to eight weeks may affect traffic in the area, motor- ists are advised. Work began on Monday, Aug. 7, and pipe laying will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, according to the Water Authority-Cayman. Traffic signs will be posted in the vicinity of the work area, and all motorists are asked to drive with cau- tion, the company stated in a press release. For safety purposes, trenches will be backfilled at the end of each working day. If any water service in- terruptions are required, the Water Authority will no- tify customers three working days in advance, via hand- delivered notices, the company said. According to the Water Authority, the work is essen- tial to improving water ser- vice to customers in the area.The islands’ most-trusted news source 4 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. TUESDAY AUGUST 8, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Three weeks after he was arrested at a Florida casino, House Speaker McKeeva Bush’s name has been cleared. This is welcome news, of course, for Mr. Bush and his family — but also for our country. And yet, we are certain there are those among us who are not cheering, who were hoping for a dif- ferent outcome. We speak, of course, of those who, without any evidence whatsoever, were quick to condemn and quick to convict Mr. Bush in the so- called court of public opinion. This is never an attractive personality trait, but it is even more ugly when done under the cowardly cloak of anonymity, as it was by scores of correspon- dents who posted hateful messages about Mr. Bush on a local website. Even worse, as Mr. Bush steadfastly maintained his innocence, opportunistic opposition members in the Legislative Assembly issued an unctuous and sanctimonious statement “concerning the interna- tional embarrassment” Mr. Bush’s arrest brought upon Cayman. In their pious proclamation, they called on Premier Alden McLaughlin’s ruling government to “take the necessary action to restore dignity, honour and prestige to the position of the Speaker.” Whatever “the necessary action” was to be, the opposition members either did not have the verte- brae, or the verbiage, to state directly and declara- tively what they were implying: that Mr. Bush should be removed from the Speakership. Of course, as Mr. Bush’s vindication has shown, such a premature move would have been as unwar- ranted as it would have been unjust. Further, it would have thrown into turmoil our delicately balanced coalition government — the obvious objective, at least to our eyes, of the opposition members. Contrast their behavior with that of Premier Alden McLaughlin, who made a deliberate decision to refrain from immediate public comment. The premier’s discretion was dignified, welcome and warranted. There are times that call for thoughtful response, and those that call for thoughtful non-response. In a statement released last Friday, Mr. Bush said, “To my detractors, my only hope is that you never have to go through what me and my family have over the past few weeks, but if you do, hope- fully those around you will not rush to judgment and say or write disparaging comments before the truth prevails.” Which brings us to an additional observation, namely how long it takes for the “truth to prevail.” We must recognize the efficiency, openness and pro- fessionalism of Florida police and prosecutors, who were forthcoming with the information they could share, responded readily to media inquiries and made available relevant public documents. Government transparency and the swift execution of justice do much to build public trust. What if, as we so often see in Cayman, Mr. Bush’s case had dragged on interminably? What if Mr. Bush had to perform his duties as Speaker under a cloud of suspicion, with no knowledge about when — or if — he might ever be charged or ultimately exonerated? For someone arrested but not charged, as was the case with Mr. Bush, having to wait three weeks for vindication must seem like a lifetime. As so many are forced to do in Cayman, imagine waiting for months — or even years. – EDITORIAL – Bush arrest: When ‘no comment’ is the best comment The real victims of class-warfare taxation Remember John Kerry, the former Secretary of State and Massachusetts Senator, the guy who routinely advo- cated higher taxes but then made sure to protect his own wealth? Not only did he pro- tect much of his fortune in so-called tax havens, he even went through the trouble of domiciling his yacht outside of his home state to mini- mize his tax burden. I did not object to Ker- ry’s tax avoidance, but I was irked by his hypocrisy. If taxes are supposed to be so wonderful, should not he have led by example? At the risk of understate- ment, folks on the left are not very good about practicing what they preach. But let’s not dwell on John Kerry. Instead, let’s focus on other yacht owners so we can learn an important lesson about tax policy. And, as is so often the case, France is an example of the policies to avoid. As the Tom Sykes reports on The Daily Beast, “Talk to lo- cals involved in the multi- billion-euro yachting sector – and in the south of France that’s nearly everyone, in some trickle-down shape or form, as yachting is by some measures the biggest earner in the region after ho- tels and wine – and you de- tect a sinking feeling …. More and more yachting money is draining away … washing up in other European coun- tries such as Spain, Italy, Greece, and Turkey.” Having once paid the equivalent of $11 for a diet Coke in Monaco, I can con- firm that it is a painfully ex- pensive region. But let’s focus on the more important issue: Why are the big yachts staying away from the French Riv- iera? Apparently they are avoiding France for the same reason that entrepreneurs are avoiding France. The tax burden is excessive. Here is Sykes again: “The core reason for the su- peryacht exodus is finan- cial; France has tightened … tax regulations for the cap- tains and crew members of yachts who officially reside in France, and often have families on the mainland, but traditionally have evaded all tax by claiming they were earning their salary offshore. The country has also taken a hard line on imposing 20 percent VAT on yacht fuel sales, which often used to be dodged. Given that a typical fill can be around €100,000, it is understandable that many captains are simply sailing around the corner.” I do not share this story because I feel sorry for wealthy people. Instead, the real lesson to be learned is that when politicians aim at the rich, it’s the rest of us that get victimized. Ordinary workers, whether at marinas or on board the yachts, are the ones who are losing out. Per Sykes: “Revenue at the iconic marina in Saint-Tropez has, according to a worried letter sent to President Em- manuel Macron by three of the Riviera’s most prominent politicians … fallen by 30 percent since the beginning of the year, while Toulon, a less glamorous destination, has suffered a 40 percent de- cline …. They stated that re- fueling a 42-meter yacht in Italy (instead of France) ‘gives a saving of nearly €21,000 a week because of the dif- ference in tax.’ Sales by the four largest marine fuel ven- dors has fallen by 50 percent this summer, the letter said, adding that French “yachties” – an inexperienced 19-year- old deckhand makes around €2,000 per month and a good Captain can command €300,000 – were being laid off in droves, as, due to the new tax rules, national insur- ance, health and other com- pulsory contributions which boat owners pay for crew members have increased from 15 to 55 percent of their wages. The letter stated that ‘the additional cost of maintaining a seven-person crew in France is €300,000 (£268,000) a year.’” All of this is – or should have been – totally predict- able. But let’s zoom out and make a broader point about public finance and tax policy. Harsh taxes on yachts backfire because the people being targeted have con- siderable ability to escape the tax by simply choosing to buy yachts, staff yachts, and sail yachts where taxes aren’t so onerous. Let’s now apply this in- sight to something far more important than yachts. Investment is a key for long-run growth and higher living standards. All economic theories – even Marxism and so- cialism – agree that cap- ital formation is necessary to increase productivity and thus boost wages. Yet people do not have to save and invest. They can choose to immediately enjoy their earnings, es- pecially if there are harsh taxes on income that is saved and invested. Or they can choose to (mis)allocate capital in ways that make sense from a tax perspective, but might not be very beneficial for the economy. And upper-income tax- payers have a lot of lati- tude over how much of their money is saved and invested, as well as how it is saved and invested. So when politicians im- pose high taxes on in- come that is saved and in- vested, they can expect big supply side responses, just as there are big responses when they impose punitive taxes on yachts. But here’s the bottom line. When they over-tax yachts, the damage is not that great. Yes, some local workers are out of jobs, but that tends to be offset by more job cre- ation in other jurisdictions that now have more business from big boats. Over-taxing saving and investment, by contrast, can permanently lower a nation’s prosperity by reducing cap- ital formation. And to the extent that this policy is imposed on the en- tire world (which is basically what the OECD is seeking), then there’s no additional growth in other jurisdic- tions to offset the suffering caused by bad tax policy in one jurisdiction. Daniel J. Mitchell, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and chairman of the Center for Freedom and Prosperity, is on the Editorial Board of the Cayman Financial Review. DANIEL J. MITCHELL DANIEL J. MITCHELL 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 EXECUTIVE EDITOR PATRICK BRENDEL A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will findtheirownway” Why are the big yachts staying away from the French Riviera? Apparently they are avoiding France for the same reason that entrepreneurs are avoiding France. The tax burden is excessive.5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY AUGUST 8, 2017 Home Options BRITISH CAYMANIAN INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED BritCay House, 236 Eastern Avenue, George Town, P.O. 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Motor deductibles from £200 SAVE 10% on car insurance with home insurance FREE Roadside recovery (comprehensive insurance) cgigrp coverwithoutaddedcosts! $250* CERTIFICATE WITH BUILDINGS INSURANCE *Choice of $250 BritCay gift certificate OR Storm Kit applies to new buildings insurance policies only FREE STORM KIT... with new home insurance policies. 5 gallon bucket 100’ rope Lantern/flashlight (rechargeable) AM/FM Radio (rechargeable) First Aid Kit Large tarpaulin 6-in-1Game Set (chess, checkers, backgammon, tick-tac- toe, dice, playing cards) Muslim visitor reflects on Cayman outreach campaign KAYLA YOUNG kyoung@pinnaclemedialtd.com During a recent vaca- tion to the Cayman Islands, Toronto-based imam Aizaz Khan of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community found himself sitting in on a cele- bration of the Christian faith. After a church in George Town heard Mr. Khan was or- ganizing interfaith dialogues, the congregation reached out and invited him to an anni- versary celebration. “I was happy to join in this happy occasion with them. What I saw during their congregation were teachings like, don’t lie, don’t steal, increase broth- erhood in the church, be a peaceful human being,” Mr. Khan said. “I was speaking to them later on and telling them that if we actually look at our two religions, we can find more in common than we can find differences.” Interactions like these are what Mr. Khan said he will remember about Cayman and his work to launch an edu- cational initiative here called “Coffee and Islam.” Rather than harbor ill feelings about anti-Muslim rhetoric he en- countered in person and on social media while on island, he said he is inspired to work harder at building bridges between communities. While Mr. Khan has al- ready returned to his home in Toronto, he said the door remains open for Caymanians to meet with local Muslims about their faith and culture. “Although there are people here in Cayman who have misunderstood the re- ligion of Islam and mis- understood the campaign Coffee and Islam, it’s OK. If anything, we have to try harder to think of other methods, other ways to get the peaceful message of the religion of Islam out. This is something we will continue to do,” Mr. Khan said. He said he and others from the Ahmadiyya faith, a branch of Islam, live by the motto, “love for all, hatred for none.” He hopes to pro- mote this message in his con- versations about Islam and dispel the misconception that extremism and Islam go hand-in-hand. “Just last weekend, 38,000 members of our community converged in London, U.K., to actually stand against ISIS, to march against extremism, to pledge their allegiance to a leader of our commu- nity who actually teaches us to be peaceful human be- ings and to treat others with kindness and love, which is inherent in the teachings of the religion of Islam,” Mr. Khan said. “It’s disgusting to know that there are people out there who will ascribe them- selves to a religion that lit- erally means peace and yet commit some of the most atrocious and heinous crimes against humanity, which is another reason why this sort of education has to take place.” He ascribes extremism, in large part, to politics and social conflict in the Middle East, and disavowed those who use scripture to jus- tify violence. Dozens of people reached out to Mr. Khan while he was in Cayman and took him up on his offer for a free coffee, he said. Others approached him on the street to chat. Many of these conversa- tions never touched on the topic of religion, Mr. Khan said. For those who had never met a Muslim before, he said, they were often happy just to have the opportunity to speak with him. “I have had a lot of con- versations just on the street, seven minutes, eight minutes, sometimes less. Every time someone walked away, they walked away with a smile on their face.” Mr. Khan said. Mr. Khan attracted a bar- rage of anti-Muslim com- ments on social media after appearing on Cayman 27. Dozens debated the signifi- cance of Mr. Khan’s Coffee and Islam initiative on Face- book. While some came to his defense and welcomed Mr. Khan to the islands, others were not so kind. Comments were also passed on the choice of Anwar Choudhury, who is Muslim, as Cayman’s new governor. Given the current political environment, Mr. Khan said he has become accustomed to pushback on and demoniza- tion of Muslims who openly practice their faith. These tensions only motivate him more to promote education about his community. “Many people have asked … why are you doing this when you know that you are going to be hated for it? This is something that actually drives us, knowing that there is so much ignorance re- garding the religion of Islam,” Mr. Khan said. “But that’s exactly what Coffee and Islam is for, to show people that we’re Mus- lims. We’re not extremists. We’re not terrorists. Now is your opportunity to come, talk to us, ask your questions. I assure you that very quickly you will come to realize we do have more similarities than we do differences.” Those interested in meeting with a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Cayman can reach out online through www.facebook.com/islamcayman. Imam Aizaz Khan DEADLINE FOR COUNCIL OF OLDER PERSONS MEMBERSHIP EXTENDED People interested in joining the new Council of Older Persons have until Friday, Aug. 11, to apply for membership. Those who wish to submit a resumé to join the council “must be active, have a proven track record in advo- cating for older persons lo- cally and be able to attend the council’s once-monthly meetings,” according to a government press release. The council seeks to fill va- cancies for six districts – one per district in Grand Cayman and one to represent the el- derly communities in the Sister Islands. Remuneration will be available for members serving a four-year term. The council aims to work to protect and promote the rights of the elderly, the gov- ernment stated. Applicants are asked to send an outline of their advo- cacy of and work experience with older people, including board memberships and vol- untary work. The submission should also state why the ap- plicant wishes to be consid- ered for the council. “The council is mandated to do whatever is necessary to ensure that services and programs are in place to meet the needs of older persons as identified in the implemen- tation action plan, said Deb- orah Webb-Sibblies, acting director of the government’s Policy Coordination Unit and chairwoman of the Older Per- sons Policy Implementation Planning Task Force. Applications can be emailed to Deborah.Webb-Sibblies@gov.ky or hand delivered to the Government Administration Building’s reception: c/o Council of Older Persons, Deborah Webb-Sibblies, Cabinet Office, Government Administration Building, 133 Elgin Avenue, George Town, Grand Cayman, KY1-9000.DISTRICT DAYS 6 District Days George Town TUESDAY AUGUST 8, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS 50 years ago: Weighing Cayman’s future currency In the Aug. 9, 1967 edi- tion of the Caymanian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, a front page article titled “Will we go decimal? Dots and dol- lars,” discusses what cur- rency will be used in the Cayman Islands. “With Britain changing to a decimal currency system in 1970 and the Ja- maican Government having announced its intention of doing so in September 1969, it is obvious that the Cayman Islands will not be able to deal in sterling for many more years. “It appears that the choice before us is to follow the mother-country and Ja- maica (whose currency we use at the moment) and whatever currency they in- troduce, or to change to U.S. currency and introduce the use of their dollars and cents completely. “Those who never did understand decimals and always manage to move the darned dot in the wrong direction will view the prospect of going ‘dotty’ with grave misgiving and wish they could stay with the familiar £, s, d, while those maths fiends who do see the point will vote to go decimal. “Be that as it may, the government of the Cayman Islands will shortly have to make a decision in this im- portant matter and we un- derstand that it is under ac- tive consideration. “Talking with local bankers on the matter, it was agreed that some change in the currency of the Cayman Islands would have to come when Jamaica goes decimal and brings in a new currency. “To produce our own money would be extremely expensive and quite im- practicable as we would have nothing as a reserve or guarantee and we could not go on the world money market without our own se- curity. So that idea is, by and large, ruled out. “To use the U.S. dollar would put us outside the sterling area which would mean that to deal with Ja- maica, we would have ex- change control. We could get grant-in-aid from Britain only if they had U.S. dollars available as no sterling could then come in, and as a lot of our in- vestment and a huge part of the world trade is still done in sterling, we would be at terrific disadvantage in many respects. It would, of course, also be neces- sary to have the consent of the U.S. Treasury, and it is hardly likely that such a proposal would be ac- ceptable to them. “It is understood that when Mr. Maurice Edelman and Mr. D. Dodds-Parker, Members of Parliament from Britain, were here, this matter of currency was discussed. The sug- gestion was made that we could use British cur- rency, but as it is illegal for British money to go over- seas, it would be neces- sary to have it over-printed in some way specifically for the Cayman Islands. The MPs did not think that this was a very good solu- tion and suggested that we should eventually change to U.S. currency, even thought that would create many problems …. “Summing up, more im- portant than the decimal point is the currency, for whatever country’s currency we use, we shall have to use their system.” George Town market vendors receive PRIDE certificates Vendors at the Cayman Craft market can now show off their knowledge of things Caymanian after receiving their PRIDE training certificates. The training was part of a “number of changes being imple- mented by the Tourism Attraction Board to ensure the preservation and promotion of local arts and tra- ditions at the George Town attrac- tion,” according to a press release. “I find the PRIDE training to be a wonderful experience,” said Ruth Bodden, a longtime vendor at the Cayman Craft Market. “It’s done very professionally, and it helps me with my customer service each day. I am able to refer people to certain restaurants or ho- tels, or if they are looking for some- where quiet, I can refer them to East End and North Side. It’s very benefi- cial and I love the time we all get to spend together,” Ms. Bodden said. Ms. Bodden, who has been making Caymanite crafts for many years, is not only an asset to the at- traction, but also something of an ambassador for the Cayman Islands. “I love working with the tour- ists and telling them all about my heritage and about Cayman. I make Caymanite jewelry and souvenirs, but Caymanite is getting harder and harder to find,” she said. “It is a semi-precious stone, so I think that’s why the tourists like it so much. You can’t get it anywhere else,” she said. Jean-Eric Smith, manager at the Cayman Craft Market, thanked the Department of Tourism for hosting the PRIDE workshop. Patrick Thompson, director of the Cayman Tourism Attrac- tion Board, believes quality be- havioral and operational service standards are essential in the tourism industry. “The vendors of the craft market, by virtue of participating in the PRIDE workshop, have demon- strated their commitment to deliv- ering excellence in their segment of the industry,” he said. “The Tourism Attraction Board is pleased that vendors have achieved this certification and believe that this is another step in ensuring that visitors to the market are ex- posed to the truly unique Cayman- kind experience.” According to the board, the craft market is an important attraction in the Cayman Islands as it allows visitors to have a one-on-one expe- rience with locals to learn about the islands’ heritage and traditions. Among the many local treasures to be found at the market are a va- riety of Caymanite jewelry, seed beads, recycled jewelry, craft conch shells, crochet products, coconuts and paintings. Cayman Craft Market vendors pose with their PRIDE certificates.The islands’ most-trusted news source 7 Community CALENDAR ■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR is published TUESDAYS and THURSDAYS. It is available to charitable or nonprofit organizations. Items should be submitted at least three working days before publication. Information must include name of sender, signature and contact number. ■ Items may be faxed to 949-2662, brought to the Cayman Compass office on Shedden Rd. or emailed to cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com at least three days in advance of publication. CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY AUGUST 8, 2017 TUESDAY, AUGUST 8 MOONLIGHT & MOVIES: “Peter Pan” (2003, PG) shows at Camana Bay’s Gardenia Court. Free. 7 p.m. DARKNESS TO LIGHT: Free training program, 6:30-9 p.m., for parents, teachers and others who work with or provide services to young people. Cost is free. Gain knowledge and skills to prevent child sexual abuse, recognize signs of abuse and learn how to react responsibly. Pre-registration is required. Contact vrm@redcross.org.ky. YOUTH RALLY: Calvary Baptist Church. Continues through Friday. 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. For ages 13+. Activities and discussions relative to today’s youth. CHAMBER COURSE: Immigration and Permanent Residency. 9–11 a.m. Chamber of Commerce, Governors Square. $175 for Chamber members, $225 for future members. Register online at www.caymanchamber.ky. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9 IMMIGRATION OPEN: The Immigration Department is open until 7 p.m. NON-PROFIT LAW: A one- hour information session on the new Non-Profit Organization Law, 2 p.m., Room 1038, Government Administration Building. Presented by Ministry of Financial Services. FRIDAY, AUGUST 11 IMMIGRATION CLOSED: The Department of Immigration headquarters, including Passport and Corporate Services, Visa Office, Enforcement and front counter will be closed to the public today for all but essential services. Only work permit and permanent residence applications, including applications for permission to continue to work that must be submitted on Aug. 11 in order to allow continued employment, will be accepted. Time sensitive applications for visitor extensions will also be accepted. The Department resumes normal operations on Monday, Aug. 14. COUNCIL OF OLDER PERSONS: Today is the deadline for people wishing to apply to be on the Council of Older Persons. Applicant must be active, have a track record in advocating for older persons locally and be able to attend the council’s once- monthly meetings. Send an outline of advocacy and work experience with older people, including board memberships and voluntary work. Include name, date of birth, address, contact details and reasons to be considered for appointment. Email the information to Deborah.Webb-Sibblies@gov. ky or hand deliver it to the Government Administration Building’s reception, c/o Council of Older Persons, Deborah Webb-Sibblies, Cabinet Office. SATURDAY, AUGUST 12 FUNDRAISING BREAKFAST: The Youth Services Unit is hosting breakfast to send a culinary team of four young chefs to compete at CARIFESTA. The public is invited to attend at the Market@Cricket Grounds, George Town, from 6-11 a.m. Breakfasts will be prepared on site by the team. Menu includes omelettes, porridge or fritters. Each is available for a voluntary donation. Fixed price offerings are stewed turtle, $15, and Cayman- style beef, $12. Proceeds benefit the National Youth Culinary team competing in Barbados, Aug. 23–27. NCVO SALE: Sale of household items, clothing including lightly used school uniforms, baby supplies, furniture. 6-10 a.m. in parking lot outside National Council of Social Services, 90A Anthony Drive, off Smith Road (behind The Pines). SUNDAY, AUGUST 13 ROAD WORK: Water Authority-Cayman will carry out excavation work to install a new pipeline along Condor Road. The work will affect traffic from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the intersection of Condor Road and Shamrock Road, adjacent to the pedestrian crossing. Eastbound traffic will be diverted around Bodden Town via Condor Road and Anton Bodden Drive. Westbound traffic will be able to travel through Bodden Town for the majority of the day, but the road will be closed completely for a short period. MONDAY, AUGUST 14 NON-PROFIT LAW: An information session on the new Non-Profit Organization Law will be held 10:30 a.m. to noon in Room 1038, Government Administration Building. Presented by Ministry of Financial Services. TUESDAY, AUGUST 15 SEAFARERS ASSOCIATION: A general meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the Seafarers Hall, 11 Victory Ave., Prospect. Buses will be provided from West Bay Town Hall at 6 p.m. A bus route has been added in George Town, leaving the public library parking area at 7 p.m., stopping at Cayman Compass building and the Airport Foster’s. The blue bus is marked Bobo $1 Public transport; there is no charge. THURSDAY, AUGUST 17 CHAMBER COURSE: Providing Exceptional Customer Service; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Chamber of Commerce, Governors Square; $150 for members, $225 for future members; register online at www.caymanchamber.ky. FRIDAY, AUGUST 18 LIQUOR LICENCES: Today is the deadline to submit applications for liquor license renewals, including music and dancing licenses. Application forms can be downloaded from the Department of Commerce and Investment’s website www.dci.gov.ky. For more information, contact Shelise Jeffery on 244-2202. For Sister Islands operations, contact Lolita Bodden at 948-2400 or Dave Tatum at 244-4401. SATURDAY, AUGUST 19 STUFF THE BUS: Deadline to collect school supplies for families with children needing assistance. Drop off new items at boxes inside Cost-U-Less or Caribbean Alliance Insurance Office at 203 Alissta Towers. Supplies needed include pencil pouches, pencil erasers, No. 2 pencils, blue or black pens, 24-packs of crayons, wide-rule single subject notebooks and 150- page packs of wide-rule loose leaf paper. DARKNESS TO LIGHT: Free training program, 9-11:30 a.m., for parents, teachers and others who work with or provide services to young people. Cost is free. Gain knowledge and skills to prevent child sexual abuse, recognize signs of abuse and learn how to react responsibly. Pre-registration is required. Contact vrm@redcross.org.ky. TUESDAY, AUGUST 29 CHAMBER COURSE: Dealing with “Problem People”. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Chamber of Commerce, Governors Square. $150 for members, $225 for future members. www.caymanchamber.ky. THURSDAY, AUGUST 31 CHAMBER COURSE: Business Master class – Strata Management. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Chamber of Commerce, Governors Square. $175 for members, $225 for future members. Register online at www.caymanchamber.ky. BRAC WORKSHOP: The Family Resource Centre holds a three-day domestic violence intervention workshop at the Brac Reef hotel. The free training is Aug. 29-31, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The workshop is for front-line professionals who interact with domestic violence victims and their families. Contact FRC at 949-0006 or email frc@gov.ky for further information or to register. SUMMER CAMPS, VBS BRAC CHOIR CAMP: Aug. 14-18. Primary students, 9 a.m.–noon; secondary students, 1–4 p.m., $50. Contact Janelle@sparkcayman.com or 946-0137. VBS: The Church of God Chapel West Bay holds Vacation Bible School Aug. 7 through Aug. 11, 6-9 p.m. For more information, call 949-1794. ART OF NATURE: The Art Nest Creative Studio Art of Nature Summer Camp supporting National Trust. For ages 6 to 12. 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., $325 a week for Trust members, $350 for non-members. Includes snacks, lunch, daily field trips and art materials. Contact artnestcayman@gmail.com or 949-0107. SUMMER OF ART: The National Gallery offers this series every Tuesday and Thursday from 2-4 p.m. in the Susan A. Olde Art Studio until Aug. 17. Space is limited to 20 students per session on a first-come, first-served basis (no pre-registration necessary). Sessions are free and all materials are provided. Summer camps and large groups can book art sessions and tours separately. For more information, visit www.nationalgallery.org. ky or email education@ nationalgallery.org.ky. KIDS ABILITY: Preschool and kindergarten readiness for ages 2.5 to 4.5. 8:30- 11:30 a.m., until Aug. 11. $275 per week. Social skills camps for ages 5 to 7 and ages 7 to 11. Weekly themed camps until Aug. 11. Also baby play times. Contact info@kidsability.ky. GENERAL INTEREST LAW SCHOOL PROGRAMS: Applications are being accepted for one of the new postgraduate programs offered by the Truman Bodden Law School – the Master of Laws in international finance, law and regulation, and the postgraduate diploma in international finance, law and regulation. Full details on the admissions procedure are available at www.lawschool.gov.ky. NATIONAL GALLERY: All are invited to view the new temporary exhibition “Mediating Self,” a display of works from the Cayman Islands National Collection that illustrates the ways in which our bodies are used to create and navigate our personal and collective identities. Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. HUMANE SOCIETY THRIFT SHOP: The shop has moved to Venetia Plaza, next to China Village. The thrift shop is open Tuesday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., closed on Sunday and Monday. Phone 945-5596. DVDL REPLACES TEMP PLATES: The Department of Vehicle and Drivers’ Licensing is replacing all Temporary Registration Plates. Customers who have been contacted by the department are asked to collect their new registration plates. They are reminded to bring the temporary registration plates, windshield coupon (if not expired) and log book. CONTRACTORS REGISTRATION: The deadline for residential and building contractors was June 30; trade contractors’ deadline is Aug. 31. BETHESDA COUNSELLING CENTRE: Caters to all who seek help. Open Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 68 Mary St. Appointments available Saturdays and late evenings. Owned and operated by the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Call 946-6575. LOST DOGS: The Department of Agriculture and veterinary students of St. Matthew’s University provide an online list of dogs housed at the Department of Agriculture Animal Rescue Shelter in Lower Valley. Anyone missing a dog can check www.smustudents.webs.com. For more Community Calendar events, visit www.caymancompass.com/events. The Department of Immigration headquarters, including Passport & Corporate Services, Visa Office, Enforcement and front counter will be closed to the public Friday, Aug. 11, for all but essential services. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAYThe islands’ most-trusted news source 8 TUESDAY AUGUST 8, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS and Beverage Server (4 per- mits), Bartender/Food and Beveraage (sic) Server (1 permit), and Bartender/ Server (6 permits). The category of “Diving Instructor” – which held a total of 226 permitted jobs, included sub-groupings: Scuba Instructor (1 permit), Scuba Diving Instructor (1 permit), and Scuba Instructor (19 permits). In the job category of “Gar- dener,” there are four work permits for the sub-group of “Gardener/Handyman.” Meanwhile, in the category for “Handyman,” there are nine permits active in the “Handyman/Gardener” sub- group. Whether these permit subgroups are describing the same or different permit holders is unclear. Under “Beach Attendants,” there are seven sub-group- ings for “Beach Attendant/ Deck Hand.” There is also a separate job category of “Boat Deck Hand,” in which there are eight sub-categories for “Beach Attendant/Deck Hand.” Again, it’s not clear if these listings are repeated permits. The Compass contacted FOI managers and Immigra- tion Department representa- tives with questions about the job categories and sub-groups but had not received a re- sponse by press time Monday. Same job, different fee Differences in work permit fees charged to var- ious jobs in separate indus- tries has been a complaint voiced by the Cayman Is- lands business commu- nity in recent years. There can be significant differ- ences in what an employer will pay for a permit, de- pending on the industry. Private sector companies can often spend weeks in dispute with immigration officials over a particular worker’s permit fee. For instance, in the legal profession, the annual permit for a bookkeeper costs $4,600, but the same permit for a “clerk, bookkeeping/ac- counts” costs $1,050. In the publishing in- dustry, a graphic designer’s annual permit costs $6,000, while a graphic artist’s permit is $4,743.75. In the hairdressing, beauty treatment and per- sonal service activities in- dustry, a non-Caymanian administrative assistant costs $1,575 to employ, but in the legal profession that administrative assistant’s annual permit fee is $2,100. In the programming and broadcasting industry, a work permit for a sales representative/agent costs $2,100 per year, while in the landscaping and gar- dening business, a sales representative permit costs $1,050 per year. The last time work permit fees had a major adjustment was in 2012. Fees were in- creased at the time mostly to help pay for the Cayman Islands government’s bur- geoning operating deficit. The current jobs classi- fication system used by the Immigration Department re- placed the old “skill-based” permit evaluation method about a decade ago. Immigration Ministry Chief Officer Wesley Howell said in March 2016, the last time the Public Accounts Committee reviewed the issue, that the Immigration Department was conducting about 40 to 50 assess- ments of local companies per month to ensure those businesses were not fid- dling with job titles to lower their permit fees. From January through July of this year, about $152,000 in administrative fines have been levied by the Immigration Department, in- cluding fines in 112 cases in which a non-Caymanian was found to be working “outside of their permit.” That means doing a job other than the one they are permitted to perform on island. Cayman escapes worst of tropical storm BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Although Tropical Storm Franklin brought some down- pours and winds gusting to 25 mph, Grand Cayman ap- pears to have been spared the worst of it. The sixth named storm of the 2017 Atlantic hurri- cane season seemed to be strengthening as it went by Cayman and headed to- ward Mexico’s Yucatan Pen- insula, with forecasters ex- pecting landfall as a strong tropical storm or weak hurricane late Monday or early Tuesday. The effects of the storm, which covered a large area of the western Caribbean Sea on Monday, were ta- pering off by day’s end. How- ever, Cayman Islands fore- casters still expected some locally heavy rains overnight with wind gusts between 12 and 18 mph. By Tuesday, the storm’s ef- fects were expected to lessen for Cayman, but forecasters were reporting a 40 per- cent chance of rain during the morning. Wave heights around Grand Cayman were expected to be 3 to 5 feet. Franklin formed quickly Sunday evening, going from a tropical wave in the af- ternoon, to a depression in the evening, and becoming a tropical storm around 10 p.m. The formation oc- curred faster than fore- casters anticipated. Most computer models used by the U.S. National Weather Service showed Franklin moving steadily west-northwest until making landfall on the Yucatan just north of Belize. Forecasts had the storm hitting Mexico twice, once as it moves across the peninsula and again after it reaches the Bay of Campeche. Some forecast models called for Franklin to intensify to hurri- cane strength before making landfall a second time, some- time on Thursday. WORK PERMITS A confusing jumble of job categories According to a review by the Cayman Compass of 24,880 work permits held by non-Caymanian workers as of last month, many of the jobs listed separately appear to describe the exact same type of work but are in different sub-groupings. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1The islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY AUGUST 8, 2017 Weather disrupts travel in Portugal Portugal’s airport management company says the summer travel plans of almost 15,000 passengers have been disrupted by strong winds that forced the cancellation of 101 flights to and from the Madeira Islands over the weekend through Monday. N. Korea ‘under no circumstances’ will give up its nuclear weapons Jordan king in rare West Bank trip seen as message to Israel RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) – Jordan’s king flew by heli- copter to the West Bank on Monday – a rare and brief visit seen as a signal to Is- rael that he is closing ranks with the Palestinians on key issues, such as a contested Jerusalem shrine. Palestinian Presi- dent Mahmoud Abbas and Abdullah II met for about two hours, after a red-carpet welcome for the monarch at the Palestinian government compound in the West Bank city of Ramallah. The two leaders discussed the recent showdown with Israel over the Muslim-ad- ministered shrine, including confronting alleged Israeli attempts to expand its role there, said Palestinian For- eign Minister Riad Malki. “This evaluation is very important for us to pre- pare for the coming stage we expect from Israel and from (Prime Minister Ben- jamin) Netanyahu person- ally,” Malki said. Israel has denied allega- tions by Muslims that it was trying to encroach on their rights at the holy site, which is also revered by Jews. Abdullah’s visit to the West Bank, his first in five years, came at a time of rising Israeli-Jordanian and Israeli- Palestinian tensions over the shrine, known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount. The crisis erupted when Israel installed metal detec- tors at gates to the compound after Arab gunmen killed two Israeli policemen there in mid-July. The measures trig- gered protests by Muslims. Israel removed the de- vices after a few days, after intervention from the United States, Jordan and others. The step was seen by many in Israel as a capitulation and by Palestinians and the Arab world as a victory. The shrine, a sprawling 37-acre esplanade rising from Jerusalem’s walled Old City, is the third holiest site of Islam and the most sa- cred one in Judaism. It is central to rival Israeli and Palestinian religious and na- tional narratives and has triggered major confronta- tions in the past. Jordan serves as the Muslim custodian of the site, home to the Al-Aqsa and Dome of the Rock mosques. Jordan’s ruling Hashemite dynasty has drawn much of its legitimacy from that role. On Sunday, Abdullah told lawmakers in Jordan that “without the Hashemite cus- todianship and the steadfast- ness of the Jerusalemites, the holy sites would have been lost many years ago.” “Our success requires one stand with the Palestinian brothers, so that our cause wouldn’t be weakened and our rights would be main- tained,” he said. However, the monarch’s role in the standoff with Is- rael was complicated by a July 23 shooting in which an Israeli guard at the Israeli Embassy in Jordan killed two Jordanians after one attacked him with a screwdriver. The guard was released by Jordan the next day, after a phone call between the king and Netanyahu. A few hours later, the metal detectors were dismantled. The guard’s release, though in line with diplo- matic protocol, has inflamed Jordanian public opinion, es- pecially after the shooter was given a hero’s welcome by Netanyahu. The king blasted the prime minister’s actions as “provocative.” Israeli authorities have since said they would inves- tigate the embassy shootings, meeting a Jordanian demand. Since the embassy shooting, Abdullah has taken several steps that appeared aimed at appeasing Jorda- nian public opinion. He has said he would donate $1.4 million to the Muslim administration of the shrine. Separately, Abbas has said his self-rule government in the West Bank will allo- cate $25 million to improve services for Palestinians in Jerusalem. During the shrine crisis, Abbas said he was sus- pending security ties with Is- rael until the metal detectors have been removed. MANILA – North Korea on Monday spurned overtures from South Korea and the United States, and instead lobbed a new inflammatory threat to retaliate against the United States over new U.N. sanctions punishing Pyong- yang for its missile and nuclear tests. In a speech at the ASEAN Regional Forum, North Ko- rea’s Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho said “under no circum- stances” would it negotiate away its nuclear weapons, according to a transcript. The forum was closed to the press, so it could not be determined whether the speech was actually deliv- ered as prepared and labeled on a six-page copy given to reporters. In the printed version of the speech, Ri said that the entire U.S. mainland is within firing range of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which is North Korea’s offi- cial name. He said Pyongyang would use nuclear weapons only against the United States or any other country that might join it in military action against North Korea. And he dismissed stiff U.N. Security Council sanctions passed Saturday as illegal. “We will, under no cir- cumstances, put the nukes and ballistic rockets on [the] negotiating table,” he said. “Neither shall we flinch even an inch from the road to bol- stering up the nuclear forces chosen by ourselves, unless the hostile policy and nuclear threat of the U.S. against the D.P.R.K. are fundamen- tally eliminated.” To paint the United States as the global threat much of the world considers his own country to be, Ri point- edly mentioned the atomic bombs that the United States dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II, and cast North Korea’s nu- clear program as self-defen- sive in nature. “Since the emergence of nuclear weapons in the world, it has been proved throughout history that nukes can deter war,” he declared. U.S. Secretary of State leaves meeting early Ri’s remarks went un- heard by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who left the conference of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations early to attend a scheduled meeting with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte. Tillerson and other dip- lomats attending the se- curity conference in Ma- nila have spent the last two days racing to find a way to tamp down a standoff that is growing more entrenched and dangerous by the day. In a news conference earlier in the day, Tillerson said the United States is ready to talk with North Korea if it stops conducting tests of ballistic missiles, the latest ones con- sidered capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. “The best signal that North Korea could give us that they are prepared to talk would be to stop these mis- sile launches,” Tillerson said at a news conference in Ma- nila. But, he added, “this is not a ‘Give me 30 days and we are ready to talk.’ It’s not quite that simple. So it is all about how we see their at- titude toward approaching a dialogue with us.” Tillerson, who previously has said the United States does not seek regime change in Pyongyang, reiterated his hope that eventually the Korea Peninsula will rid it- self of nuclear weapons. “We hope again that this ultimately will result in North Korea coming to a conclusion to choose a dif- ferent pathway, and when the conditions are right that we can sit and have a dia- logue around the future of North Korea so that they feel secure and prosper economi- cally,” he told reporters. North Korea not in conciliatory mood But North Korea is not in a conciliatory mood. In what was apparently a chance meeting at a gala dinner Sunday night, Ri spoke briefly with his counter- part from South Korea, For- eign Minister Kang Kyung- wha. During their chat, Ri rebuffed the South’s re- cent proposal to resume negotiations, calling the offer “insincere.” A more direct warning was aimed at the United States in a government state- ment published by the state- run KCNA news agency. “There is no bigger mis- take than the United States believing that its land is safe across the ocean,” it said. North Korea, KCNA said, “will make the U.S. pay dearly for all the heinous crimes it commits against the state and people of this country.” North Korea rarely at- tends, or is even invited to, international forums like the ASEAN meeting. Ri tried to make the most of it, holding meetings with the top dip- lomats from China and Russia, two countries that voted in favor of the latest U.N. sanctions. © 2017, The Washington Post Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho said Pyongyang would use nuclear weapons only against the United States or any other country that might join it in military action against North Korea. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, right, meets with Jordan’s King Abdullah II at his office in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on Monday. It was the king’s first visit to the West Bank in five years. - PHOTO: AP North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho, left, is greeted by his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi before their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 50th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and its Dialogue Partners on Sunday. - PHOTO: APNext >