ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – WEDNESDAY MAY 9, 2018 High of 86 Low of 75 Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet, becoming rough at times. EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 TRANSPORTATION BOARD: THE BUS STOPS HERE – OR IT NEEDS TO WORLD | PAGE 7 TRUMP DECLARES U.S. LEAVING IRAN NUCLEAR ACCORD TENNIS CLUB THEFT CHARGES EXCEED $100,000 Bail conditions include non-contact with members CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Robert Todd Seward appeared in Summary Court on Tuesday facing 72 charges that in- clude theft of US$22,856.21 and CI$116,398 from the Cayman Islands Tennis Club. Mr. Seward, 46, was the club’s manager and head professional at the time of the offenses. The thefts are alleged to have taken place between March 15, 2017 and Jan. 15, 2018. Defense attorney Prathna Bodden told Magistrate Angelyn Hernandez that she had received a copy of the charges and she was asking the Crown to review them because there were so many. She submitted that the case did not require that large number of charges and the Crown had agreed to condense them. At present, Mr. Seward faces two counts of theft, 23 charges of forgery, 22 charges of obtaining property by deception, 22 charges of uttering a forged document, one charge of converting and transferring criminal property, and two charges of concealing or disguising criminal property. Ms. Bodden asked that her client’s bail be continued until the next mention date. Crown counsel Aaliyah McCarthy asked that a surety be required. The magistrate inquired as to Mr. Seward’s status on island and was told he had perma- nent residence. The charge sheet identified his nationality as American. KAABOO expected to generate nearly $14 million MARK MUCKENFUSS mmuckenfuss@pinnaclemedialtd.com What may be the largest-ever festival planned for the Cayman Islands next year is expected to attract 11,000 people for each of its two days and, with them, a lot of money. The greatest beneficiary of next February’s KAABOO Festival – featuring music, comedy, art, food and more – is expected to be the hotel industry. But restaurants, retail, tech companies and transportation are expected to reap benefits as well. Dart and Virgin enterprises are co-spon- soring the event. Dart CEO Mark VanDevelde said an economic impact forecast by Deloitte, a financial and consulting firm, shows KAABOO could bring $13.9 million to the island. In an emailed statement, Mr. VanDevelde said the forecast estimates $8.7 million in di- rect spending in such areas as “food and bev- erage, local talent and designers, marketing, staging and [audio visual] equipment, site operations and accommodation for talent, KAABOO employees and incremental visi- tors to the island.” An additional $4.4 million is expected in indirect spending along with $760,000 in government revenue. Estimates specific to the festival are not yet available, although Dart, which is co-spon- soring the festival, is working on an economic impact report. Organizers expect about half of the festival attendees will be off-island visi- tors. The Department of Tourism’s 2016 an- nual report shows the average amount of money spent by a stay-over visitor is $178 per day. An average stay of three nights for 5,500 visitors would generate $2.9 million under normal conditions. But KAABOO will not be business as usual. It will take an army of people to provide food and services for the festival. Jason Felts, chief marketing and brand of- ficer for KAABOO, said he expects to hire as many as 800 people to staff the event, workers who will do everything from parking cars to managing hospitality for VIP ticket holders. He said 70 percent to 80 percent will be local residents. “We’ve already started interviewing,” he said. “We’ll start scaling up as we get closer.” Mission House reopens JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com The historic Bodden Town Mission House has reopened its doors to the public, offering regular daily tours. The National Trust, the nonprofit organization which manages the property, said it is introducing new opening hours and hoping to bring renewed energy back to the old home. Since 2015, because of a lack of full-time staff, tours of the Mission House could be done by appointment only and the prem- ises was closed when no tours were booked. “All that’s about to change,” said Jennifer Martinez, the site’s new historic coordinator. “We are going to be featuring lots of Jennifer Martinez, National Trust historic coordinator, stands in the garden of the Bodden Town Mission House, which has reopened to the public. - PHOTOS: JEWEL LEVY Jennifer Martinez points to a traditional wash stand inside one of the Mission House’s bedrooms. PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 6 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 6 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 6 »2 LOCAL&REGIONAL WEDNESDAY MAY 9, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS • Matinees Daily (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $8.00, Mon-Fri Before 6pm • Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 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. - WEDNESDAY - 640-FILM (640-3456) I FEEL PRETTY (PG13) 1:30 I 4:05 I 6:45 I 10:05 AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR 3D (PG13) 12:15 2D VIP I 12:20 I 3:30 2D VIP 3:35 2D I 6:45 2D VIP I 6:50 2D 9:20 I 9:55 2D VIP OVERBOARD (PG13) 1:00 I 3:45 I 7:00 I 9:40 A QUIET PLACE (PG13) 12:30 I 2:45 I 5:00 I 7:30 I 10:00 RAMPAGE (PG13) 1:30 I 4:15 I 9:50 I CAN ONLY IMAGINE (PG) 7:10 For assistance or enquiries, please check www.eso.ky or call 244-4676 or 244-4615. Better Data...Better Decisions…Better Business Business Survey 2018...Your Response Matters! How did this change in 20 Cayman Islands: Growth in Real GDP 2007-2016 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 17? The annual System of National Accounts (SNA) survey collects the information necessary to measure the health and performance of Cayman’s economy and its various industries. The survey runs from April 9th to June 1st 2018. Data collected for the SNA survey is CONFIDENTIAL under the Statistics Law (2016 Revision) and is EXEMPT from the Freedom of Information Law. In 2016, Cayman’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 3.1%, the strongest growth since 2007. Three students chosen for international study Fingerprint leads to burglary charge BRAZIL’S FIRST BLACK JUSTICE SAYS HE WILL NOT RUN FOR PRESIDENT Defendant bailed after offering explanation CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A fingerprint found out- side a Prospect residence led to the arrest of a man who was subsequently charged with burglary and appeared in Summary Court on Monday. Barrington Brown, 35, is accused of burgling an oc- cupied dwelling on the night of March 11-12. Crown counsel El- eanor Fargin told Magis- trate Valdis Foldats that a woman was in her bedroom at the time. Someone came through a window, took $700 in cash and a chain valued at $150 that belonged to her husband. A fingerprint outside led to Mr. Brown, Ms. Fargin said. A search for him began on March 29 and he was ar- rested on May 2. When he was inter- viewed, he told police he had been at a George Town bar and was going on to an after-hours party. He said he was following a female, who told him she had lost her house key. He helped her gain entry by removing a screen from a window at the premises. The occupants of the premises told police no other female lived there. Ms. Fargin initially ob- jected to bail because of con- cerns about the defendant’s immigration status. However, defense at- torney Jonathon Hughes explained that Mr. Brown has been in Cayman two years and his employer had applied for renewal of his work permit. “He has offered a plau- sible explanation,” he said of his client. “He was open with police and answered every question put to him.” The magistrate granted bail with a specified resi- dence, a 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew and an electronic monitor. Told that the curfew might be in conflict with Mr. Brown’s working hours, the magistrate had a solution. “As soon as I have proof he has his work permit and a job, I can change it,” he said. He set the matter for men- tion on Tuesday, May 22. SAO PAULO (AP) – Brazil’s first black Supreme Court justice says he will not run for president, quashing widespread speculation. Joaquim Barbosa an- nounced his decision on Twitter Tuesday, calling it “strictly personal.” Many thought Barbosa could win support from voters on the left and right and unify a deeply divided Brazil. Barbosa has voiced support for social programs identified with the left but also won praise from con- servatives for handing down corruption convictions to members of former Presi- dent Luiz Inacio Lula da Sil- va’s leftist administration. Da Silva is now in jail on his own corruption con- viction. He leads presiden- tial preference polls even though it’s unlikely he will be able to run. In second place is far-right con- gressman Jair Bolsonaro. A recent poll showed Barbosa gaining support for the October vote, but still in single digits. Caymanians Fenna Mad- ison, Mark Plowright and Juliana Gaspar have been chosen as this year’s recip- ients of the United World Colleges global educational movement and will continue their studies abroad. All three will start a rig- orous two-year pre-univer- sity program in order to earn an International Baccalau- reate diploma. They will live and study alongside young people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. United World Colleges has a mission to use educa- tion as a force to unite young people for peace and a sus- tainable future. “We had a strong group of applicants this year,” said Ridhiima Kapoor, vice chair of the national committee and chair of this year’s se- lection committee. “The se- lection committee was im- pressed by these students and we know that they will represent Cayman well.” Ms. Madison will be at- tending the United World Col- leges campus in Karuizawa, northwest of Tokyo, Japan. As a student at Cayman Prep and High School, she is an ac- tive member of Key Club and working toward her Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award. She hopes to pursue a ca- reer in medicine, economics or engineering. In addition to maintaining high grades, Ms. Madison plays the piano and is first trombone in the senior school band. She sails competitively and has competed in local and international regattas in the past five years. Mr. Plowright will attend the campus in Duino, Italy, a small town on the northern Adriatic coast. A student at John Gray High School, he is expected to receive his Level 2 diploma with high honors. He is an active member of his church youth group, Key Club, and Junior Achieve- ment, where he served as president of his company. He plays basketball and has rep- resented Cayman overseas in track and field. Last year, Mr. Plowright won the Optimist Oratorical Competition for his debating skills. He is also a self-taught musician, and plays piano, saxophone, guitar, organ and steel pan and was a fi- nalist for Young Musician of the Year. He is part of the UCCI steel band and the JGHS swing band and has performed at the Cayman Arts Festival. Ms. Gaspar will attend the United States campus of United World Colleges in Montezuma, New Mexico. A Cayman Prep and High School student, she has been involved in community pro- grams such as being a volun- teer teaching assistant. She participated in Model United Nations for three years. As a dancer and actor, Ms. Gaspar has used the arts to develop her confi- dence and concentration, channel her creativity, and learn teamwork. Scholarships for the stu- dents are paid for through fundraising activities, direct financial support offered by the colleges on an as-needed basis, and long-standing local donors such as Maples and Calder, the Aall Founda- tion, and Greenlight Re. All three will start a rigorous two- year pre-university program in order to earn an International Baccalaureate diploma. Ms. Fargin initially objected to bail because of concerns about the defendant’s immigration status. UWC scholars, from left, Fenna Madison, Mark Plowright and Juliana Gaspar.3 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • WEDNESDAY MAY 9, 2018 Celebrate Celebrate Celebrate Mother's Mother's Mother's Day Day Day with with with BrunchBrunchBrunch Day Brunch Day Day Day Brunch Day Brunch Day Brunch Day Day Day Brunch Day at at at Brunch at BrunchBrunchBrunch at Brunch at Brunch at BrunchBrunchBrunch at Brunch Guy Harvey's Guy Harvey's Guy Harvey's Guy Harvey's Guy Harvey's Guy Harvey's Guy Harvey's Guy Harvey's Guy Harvey's Restaurant Restaurant Restaurant Guy Harvey's Guy Harvey's Guy Harvey's Guy Harvey's Guy Harvey's Guy Harvey's Guy Harvey's Guy Harvey's Guy Harvey's Restaurant Restaurant Restaurant Restaurant Restaurant Restaurant $45.00 including a glass of Prosecco or Moscato with with with BrunchBrunchBrunch Guy Harvey's Guy Harvey's Guy Harvey's Restaurant Restaurant Restaurant Guy Harvey's Guy Harvey's Guy Harvey's Restaurant Restaurant Restaurant Restaurant Restaurant Restaurant $45.00 $45.00 $45.00 $45.00 including a glass of Prosecco or Moscato Prosecco or Moscato running from 11-3pm, Sunday May 13th 2018 tel: 946-9000 email: info@guyharveysgrill.com Powerful panel assembled for tourism meeting No rules for dog breeders Failure to implement 15-year-old law fueling animal welfare concerns JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com There is currently no li- censing regime for dog breeders in the Cayman Is- lands, despite the provision being part of the Animals Law for more than 15 years. The Department of Agri- culture confirmed it has not issued a single license for dog or cat breeders to operate in the territory. Brian Crichlow, deputy director of the Depart- ment of Agriculture, acknowl- edged the law requires anyone involved in the breeding or sale of pets to have a license. But he said the neces- sary regulations to accom- pany the law had never been introduced and no licensing system has been set up. This oversight will be corrected in a coming review of the law, Mr. Crichlow claimed. Animal welfare charities have warned that the failure to follow through with rules and regulations for breeders is fueling Cayman’s feral dog problem and is linked to a whole host of other animal welfare issues. Lesley Agostinelli, of the Cayman Animal Rescue En- thusiasts, said the charity frequently encounters is- sues related to unethical breeding practices. She said CARE made a Freedom of Information re- quest to the Department of Agriculture to obtain a list of all licensed breeders in an effort to identify illegal op- erators and educate them about their responsibilities under the law. She said she was sur- prised to learn that there was no licensing regime at all. “It is sad and demoralizing for us as an animal charity that is trying to support these laws and educate people on their obligations to find that we are not being supported in that sense,” she added. CARE funds a free com- munity spay and neuter pro- gram, offers preventative vet care for pets in under- privileged communities, and has developed an educa- tion program on animal wel- fare for schools. Ms. Agostinelli believes a proper licensing regime would help end unscrupu- lous “puppy mills” – breeders that churn out pups for profit without any concern for the welfare of the dogs in their care. She said tighter regula- tion could also help ensure puppies were properly vacci- nated, spayed and neutered, registered and linked to an owner to create a chain of accountability. “We are not against breeding if it is done properly but the only way that will happen is if premises are li- censed, and pets are required to be vaccinated and vets re- cords maintained,” she said. Jason Jairam, of the Cayman Islands Humane Society, said he supported a proper licensing system for breeders. “If you go on e-Cay or Facebook, any average Joe is selling dogs,” he said. “Li- censing would be a really good step for the govern- ment and for the commu- nity as well.” The Animals Law was amended in 2002 to require anyone breeding pets to be licensed and follow certain standards. But the regula- tions, which give the neces- sary detail to implement the law, were never created. Mr. Crichlow indicated the law would be updated in the coming year and the regula- tions brought in. “The Department and Min- istry of Agriculture have rec- ognized this and other short- comings in the Animals Law and support a comprehensive update of the law to address these matters,” he said. Even without licensing, Mr. Crichlow said the Depart- ment of Agriculture could still investigate any abuses under broader animal protec- tion legislation. “Although no operators li- censes have been issued in re- lation to the breeding of pet animals,” he said, “any animal owner or person breeding a pet animal is required to adhere to accepted standards of animal welfare as set out in the Ani- mals Law. Where the Depart- ment becomes aware of a sit- uation where a person may be keeping an animal in condi- tions that do not meet accept- able animal welfare standards, such cases are actively investi- gated by the Department’s An- imal Welfare Officers.” The heads of the po- lice force, port and airport will field questions from tourism industry figures at the Cayman Islands Tourism Association’s annual general meeting, Wednesday. The event, which will also involve the election of a new board of directors, starts at 3 p.m. at the Westin hotel. Stran Bodden, the chief officer in the Ministry of Tourism, and Oneisha Rich- ards, deputy director of tourism, will also take part in the question-and-answer session, along with Commis- sioner Derek Byrne, Port Di- rector Clement Reid and CEO of the Airports Authority Al- bert Anderson. Deputy Premier Moses Kirkconnell is also slated to speak at the event. Theresa Leacock-Brod- erick, who will serve a second year as a director and is ex- pected to be retained as pres- ident of CITA, said the board would also be on hand to up- date CITA members about the work of the organization and its financial position. She said the panel dis- cussion would give members access to the key decision makers in the industry. “We are encouraging all our members to come out,” she said. “It is the one meeting where we come together as an industry and can get updated on the work of the various or- ganizations. I want our mem- bers to have access to some of the key individuals involved in our industry, including our- selves as directors.” The membership will elect two directors in each sector of the industry. The two directors who received the most votes last year, Ms. Leacock-Broderick and Ash McKnight of GoPro Diving, are automatically elected for a second term. Candidates vying for a place on the board in each sector are: Hotels: Steven Andre of Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa; Anne Briggs of Sunset House and Theresa Leacock-Brod- erick (serving second year). Condos/Villas: Dani- elle Wolfe of Caribbean Club; Molly Thomas of Luxury Cayman Villas; Law- rence Haughton of Wyn- dham Reef Resort. Restaurants/nightclubs: Steve Shienfield of Duke’s Seafood & Rib Shack; Julie Allan of Rackam’s Wa- terfront Bar and Grill. Water sports: Ash McK- night of GoPro Diving (serving second year); CJ Moore of Cayman Islands Boat Rentals. Allied and land-based at- tractions: Jay Mehta of Net- clues, Inc.; Kimberley Conolly of The Wick Candles & Scents Ltd.; Matthew Bishop of Cayman Distributors Group. Transportation: Gary Todd of Budget Rent-a-Car; David Carmichael of Carib- bean Marine Services. Cruise: Raymond Hydes of The Turtle Centre. Even without licensing, Mr. Crichlow said the Department of Agriculture could still investigate any abuses under broader animal protection legislation. Theresa Leacock-Broderick, CITA president Anyone who breeds or sells dogs is required to have a license under Cayman Islands law, but no licensing process has been established and none have been issued. FAKE APARTMENT DEALS UNDER INVESTIGATION Scam artists are posting fake apartment rental deals on internet marketplace Ecay Trade to con people into sending them funds. Financial crime officers are currently investigating multiple reports of fraudulent apartment rental advertise- ments in the Cayman Islands. At least two people in Cayman have been conned into wiring funds to the fraudsters. In one case, the victim lost $2,000 through the scam, according to the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service. The fraudulent ad- verts typically include pho- tographs, details of the apartment and a “too good to be true” deal for rent and utilities. When someone responds, they are informed the listing is being handled through Airbnb, given guidelines on how to reserve the apart- ment and asked to wire a de- posit to a third party bank account outside of Cayman. Once the money is trans- ferred, the fraudsters re- move the ad and ignore all future contact. The Financial Crime Unit has warned residents to be wary of rental deals being advertised below market value, to avoid sellers that refuse to meet in person, and to research sellers names and email addresses before responding. “Although the advertise- ments have been subse- quently removed by Ecay- Trade they may resurface in future,” the unit said in a press release. Report suspicions of possible internet scams to the FCU at 949-8797.The 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. 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” In the Cayman Islands, it is a well-known fact that many bus and taxi operators drive dangerously, will rip you off when the opportunity presents itself, and may even drop you off at a destination you had no intention of visiting. While the state of Cayman’s bus and taxi service is not as visible as long lines at the airport, or the towering landfill, its dysfunction should be regarded with equal seriousness. Once a person climbs aboard a bus or cab – he or she becomes, in effect, a captive. Regular bus passengers depend on drivers to get them to work, school, home and appointments safely and on time. Tourists, of course, rely on taxi drivers to navigate unfamiliar surroundings while dealing honestly in unfamiliar currency. Following the patterns in any population, it is likely the majority of Cayman’s bus and taxi drivers are competent, caring and responsible professionals who perform their duties diligently and treat their customers fairly. (For a “good news” taxi story, please turn to Page 5 and meet driver Romellia Welcome who, along with RCIPS Inspector Courtney Myles, deserve Good Samaritan awards.) Most likely, the 389 complaints and queries lodged last year with Cayman’s Public Transportation Board (which is the appointed regulatory body charged with overseeing the country’s buses and taxis) pertain to a small minority of operators whose actions sully the repu- tation of their fellow drivers. The Cayman Compass, through the use of a freedom of information request, has uncovered a long list of, frankly, shocking behavior by too many of our taxi and bus drivers. Passenger complaints included exorbitant overcharging, reckless driving, a driver falling asleep at the wheel, another threatening to practice obeah (think sorcery) against someone, and even one driver who made a death threat against a rival driver. Drivers of public minibuses generated the bulk of the complaints. Passengers and inspectors reported drivers skipping stops, curtailing routes (especially to East End and North Side), behaving rudely, and operating vehicles that failed to meet basic standards of cleanliness and good working order. Nearly everyone on the island could share anecdotes about taxi drivers’ rude behavior, the charging of larce- nous fees, resistance to electronic meters, lack of basic knowledge about Cayman’s geography, to name a few. This is the same group our government wants to shelter from competition and technological innovation, granting them special “protected status” by prohibiting the Uber-like deployment of “non-professional” drivers through the new Flex ride service app. While the drivers themselves are individually respon- sible for their behavior, accountability ultimately falls on the Public Transportation Board, the government entity that grants, suspends or revokes an operator’s license to drive a bus or taxi. Last November, Public Transport Unit Director Durk Banks told legislators a total of 450 “enforcement actions” had been taken against public bus, tour and taxi operators over the previous year, but only two drivers had had their licenses revoked. Two out of 450! Mr. Banks told lawmakers then that drivers generally are not forwarded to the board for infractions unless they have received three citations from enforcement officers. Once drivers do come before the board, they face con- sequences of increasing severity, from probation, to a written warning, suspension and license revocation. Too many accidents. Too many complaints. Far too many “second chances.” If board members do not have the desire or the resolve to ensure that Cayman’s public transportation system meets the quality standard of a first-class destination, they should resign or be replaced. They are there to do an important job – not just to go along for the proverbial ride. Transportation Board: The bus stops here – or it needs to WEDNESDAY MAY 9, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS Is the US trapped in a debt spiral? WASHINGTON – From Scot- land, where Adam Smith pi- oneered systematic thinking about economics, comes an adjective, “carnaptious,” that fits people who are al- lergic to economic euphoria. It means cantankerous. Let’s think carnaptiously about this fact: The interest rate on 10-year Treasury bonds re- cently rose briefly to 3 per- cent, and soon may move above this. This is more than evidence of the econ- omy’s strength. It also is a harbinger of a coming day when the great driver of the national debt will be … the national debt. Pour a Scotch and read on. The economy’s growth, which slowed in 2018’s first quarter, is not brisk; it still is not even the 3 percent that is the low end of presi- dential boasting. At the end of this month, the economy will amble into the 10th year of the expansion that began in June 2009. This month is its 108th, making it almost twice as long as the average expansion (58 months) since 1945. Unless Mr. I Alone Can Fix It has banished the busi- ness cycle forever – mod- esty would not have pre- vented him from mentioning this – a contraction is some- where in America’s future. It might begin in fiscal condi- tions resembling today’s be- cause this is now normal: trillion-dollar annual budget deficits while the economy is at full employment. (The 3.9 percent unemployment rate is impressive, even give the decades-long decline in the workforce participation rate, which today is 62.8 percent.) This is a result achieved when both ends of Pennsyl- vania Avenue are controlled by what still fancies itself a conservative party. What are the chances of fiscal improve- ments arriving after the elec- torate returns many congres- sional Republicans to the private sector of which they speak so fondly? The Manhattan Insti- tute’s Nicole Gelinas notes that “from the 1960s through the beginning of the financial crisis, Treasury rates never fell below 3 percent, and they were often several percentage points above that.” In 2007, the Great Recession arrived in December when the na- tional debt was $7.5 trillion and the average interest on it was 4.5 percent. Imagine paying 4.5 percent on today’s $16.5 trillion debt. The Congressional Budget Office projects that new fed- eral borrowing over the next 10 years will total $12.4 tril- lion and that at the end of 2028, the debt will be $28.7 trillion – 96 percent of GDP, up from 39 percent in 2008. But the CBO is required to pretend that Congress will not make matters worse. Its projections must assume the continuation of current law. So, the CBO must assume that the caps on defense and nondefense appropriations imposed in the Budget Con- trol Act of 2011 will be en- forced in 2020 and 2021. But those for 2018 and 2019 have just been discarded. How likely is a reversion to dis- agreeable discipline? The CBO must also as- sume that Congress meant what it said (in order to cram a spending bill under parliamentary rules) about cuts contained in the new tax law expiring after 2025. Some legislators want to make those cuts perma- nent immediately. The Amer- ican Enterprise Institute’s James Capretta says of last year’s CBO projection that the federal debt would reach 150 percent of GDP by 2047: Discard the manda- tory fictions and that level is reached much sooner. Gelinas says that by the end of 2017, Americans’ household borrowing stood at $15.3 trillion, “just shy, in inflation-adjusted dol- lars, of what it was in 2005, the year before the housing bubble peaked.” And al- though “Americans are now spending less of their in- come on debt – about 10.3 percent, down from roughly 13 percent between 2005 and 2008 – they didn’t use the period of super-low rates to reduce their debt, which means they’re vulnerable to higher rates.” When such rates arrive, and debt service swells the debt, what can government do? When the Korean War erupted in June 1950, Con- gress slashed discretionary nondefense spending by 25 percent. Back then, how- ever, such spending was 29 percent of the budget. Today, sacrosanct transfer payments are 70 percent of the budget, paying debt service (7 percent) is man- datory, and discretionary nondefense spending is 15 percent. So, government cannot act as nimbly as it did 68 years ago. Hillsdale College’s Gary Wolfram notes that total dis- cretionary spending – in- cluding defense – for fiscal 2019 is projected to be $1.362 trillion, which is just $381 billion more than the pro- jected deficit. All this means trouble, unless Mr. Art of the Deal can negotiate with arithmetic, persuading it to amend its rules so that trillion-dollar deficits will not mean trillion-dollar in- creases in the debt. George Will’s email address is georgewill@washpost.com. © 2018, Washington Post Writers Group GEORGE F. WILL The Congressional Budget Office projects that new federal borrowing over the next 10 years will total $12.4 trillion and that at the end of 2028, the debt will be $28.7 trillion – 96 percent of GDP, up from 39 percent in 2008.5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • WEDNESDAY MAY 9, 2018 *Limited time only. Conditions apply. ™ Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia, used under licence. Now that’s something to get excited about. Rates as low as 4.5%* on a 3 year fixed mortgage! It starts with You.™ Contact us today! Mimi hopes to give back to Cayman community SPENCER FORDIN sfordin@pinnaclemedialtd.com Mimi is celebrating a major milestone. Skyler Mae Ebanks, better known as “Mimi,” will cel- ebrate her fifth birthday on May 31, and her family wants to find a way to give back to the community that sup- ported her during a bout with brain cancer. Mimi, who is now cancer- free and will undergo an an- nual brain-scan at St. Jude Children’s Research Hos- pital in Memphis, Tennessee, later this summer, wants to make life better for local chil- dren. That is why her family is sponsoring a new en- deavor – Mimi’s Happy Cart – that will provide coloring books, crayons and other as- sorted toys and knickknacks for kids staying at the Health Services Authority Pediatric Ward and Clinic. “It’s very hopeful,” said Mimi’s mother, Mechon Evangelista-Ebanks, of her upcoming birthday. “Our family has been through a lot in the past five years and paying it forward for us is very refreshing. “The five-year mark is al- ways a big milestone in the cancer journey. We want the community – who have been rallying behind us – to cel- ebrate it with us and ulti- mately raise awareness.” Mimi went through two brain surgeries and six rounds of chemotherapy while at St. Jude’s, and Ms. Evange- lista-Ebanks said she is now a thriving young girl. Mimi had profound hearing loss as a re- sult of chemotherapy, but she is doing well in occupational, speech and physical therapy. Mimi currently attends Chatterbox Pre-School and is hoping to enroll in Light- house School in September. “With everything she’s been through, she’s a mir- acle and an inspiration,” Ms. Evangelista-Ebanks said. “I know a lot of families that followed her story, but we haven’t done a lot of follow- ups from four years ago. We have a big network of family on island, but I know a lot of churches and other com- munity groups were involved in her story four years ago. I wanted to give an update that she’s going to be fine.” The Ebanks family was so touched by the gener- osity of the Cayman and St. Jude community, and Mimi’s Happy Cart is the way they want to give back. “They had this Happy Cart that goes through the ward, and they had coloring books because children are confined to their rooms,” Ms. Evangelista-Ebanks said of St. Jude. “We want to launch the Happy Cart where there is little stuff – coloring books, crayons, craft stuff – that kids can enjoy while waiting for their doctor’s appoint- ments. I think it’s a great op- portunity for the community to be involved.” The five-year anniversary of Mimi’s diagnosis will pass on July 17, and the family wants to encourage people to get health screenings so they can catch any maladies early in the process. They are so thankful for Mimi, and they want to give other families their best chance to confront their own conditions. “Ultimately, she’s in re- mission,” said Ms. Evange- lista-Ebanks of her daugh- ter’s condition. “And as we hit the five-year mark, we’re more optimistic.” People can call Ms. Evangelista-Ebanks at 925-5940 or email the family at TommyandMechon@gmail.com if they would like to be a part of the endeavor. TAXI DRIVER, POLICE ASSIST IN RETRIEVING LOST BAG SPENCER FORDIN sfordin@pinnaclemedialtd.com Romellia Welcome was willing to go to great lengths to do the right thing. Ms. Welcome, a local taxi driver, discovered a handbag left in her ve- hicle last week, and she en- listed the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service in lo- cating the owner. The bag – which was the property of a cruise ship passenger from the United States – was reunited with its owner thanks to the ef- forts of Ms. Welcome, the police and FedEx. Ms. Welcome first thought that the bag be- longed to one of her rela- tives, but when she real- ized it did not, she got in touch with the police to see if they could help. Inspector Courtney Myles of the Com- munity Policing Department spoke with Ms. Welcome and then located the bag owner’s identification. Mr. Myles got in touch with the visitor’s bank in the United States, and he was informed that she had just canceled her credit cards the day before. The bank put him in touch with the woman, and he was able to let her know that her bag was located intact and could be for- warded to her. The bag – which also held the woman and her husband’s passports – led Mr. Myles and Ms. Wel- come to FedEx, and the company offered to ship the bag back to its owner without any charge. That occurred on May 1, and the police department shared its account of the story on Tuesday morning. “When Ms. Welcome ap- proached me, I was more than happy to help,” said Inspector Myles in an offi- cial statement. “I commend her for her persistence in doing the right thing, and we are both grateful to FedEx for their generosity and support in shipping the bag free of charge. “While it seems like just a minor incident, this is a small example of what can happen when we work together with members of the public and local organizations.” Mimi and her family are enthusiastic about giving back the kindness and generosity they have received from the Cayman community. Car crash on Crewe Road This Kia Optima collided with a Lexus GS 350 shortly after 7:30 p.m. Monday night on Crewe Road, along the end of the Owen Roberts International Airport runway, blocking much of the roadway and snarling traffic. Police officials said the driver of the Kia was transported to the Cayman Islands Hospital. The Lexus driver, 39, had a breathalizer reading of .224 and was arrested and later bailed on suspicion of DUI, police said. - PHOTO: MARK MUCKENFUSS The bag was the property of a cruise ship passenger from the United States.The islands’ most-trusted news source 6 WEDNESDAY MAY 9, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS KAABOO expected to generate nearly $14 million Mission House reopens Tennis Club theft charges exceed $100,000 local products, including arts and crafts along with Mission House tours; tra- ditional cooking classes on a regular basis, fun days for kids and other activities for the family.” Nadia Hardie, executive di- rector of the National Trust, welcomed Ms. Martinez on board, and described her as a “fifth-generation Cay- manian from Bodden Town” who has more than 15 years of experience in the hospi- tality and tourism industry. “She is passionate about bringing renewed energy and enthusiasm to this Na- tional Trust historic prop- erty,” Ms. Hardie added. She said Ms. Martinez aims to create a Cayman- kind atmosphere where vis- itors and guests can step back in time to a Cayman of “yesteryear.” The Mission House’s gift shop is also open, with a display of tra- ditional handicrafts. A “fun day” is also being planned for Saturday, May 12, the day before Moth- er’s Day, Ms. Martinez said. Families are invited to visit the house and grounds for this free event. “It’s nice to be a part of something that showcases how our people lived to vis- itors and guests and even to our kids who may not have known what a ‘wattle and daub’ or a ‘whomper’ is,” Ms. Martinez said. During a tour of the house this week, she high- lighted a dining room table that is more than 77 years old, with legs made from the feet of a four-poster bed, as well as a mahogany “knee,” which she said was used in ship building but is now supporting the upper level of the Mission House. She talked about the ironwood posts on which the house was erected, while taking visitors through the many rooms of the house, pointing to a religious room, bedrooms with crocus shag rugs and patchwork quilts, a bathtub with crab claw legs, and a “man cave” room featuring its own hammock and smoking pipe. The traditional two- story Caymanian home, dating back to the 18th cen- tury, gives visitors a glimpse into the lives of Caymanian people from that era. According to the Na- tional Trust, the Bodden Town Mission House site was used by early settlers for its abundant supply of water in the 1700s. In the 1800s, it became known as the Mission House to early missionaries, teachers and families who contributed to establishing the Presbyte- rian ministry and school in Bodden Town. Before being turned over to the National Trust, the house was home to the late Emile Watler. His daughter Veleen and her family were the last people to live in the home. Outside the house, Cay- man’s heritage is also re- flected in the landscaped grounds with indigenous plants and trees and a tra- ditional sand garden. Visitors, residents and schools can take part in guided tours on Mondays from noon until 4 p.m., and Tuesdays through Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tours are also available on weekends by appointment. Call 945-3769 for more details. Tours cost $10 for adults and $4 for children, a minimum group of six people per tour is required. Companies and individ- uals hope to cash in on the opportunity. Cayman Is- lands Chamber of Com- merce President Paul Byles expects a boost for many of his members. “We have not discussed the event directly with the or- ganisers but from what we have seen we support their efforts,” Mr. Byles wrote in an email. “I am sure there is likely to be a benefit to our local businesses.” Mr. Felts has experi- ence in promoting and pro- ducing large events. He is one of the organizers be- hind the KAABOO festival in San Diego, California, which is backed by Virgin Pro- duced, the entertainment arm of Richard Branson’s Virgin empire. That event is heading into its third year with groups such as the Foo Fighters, Imagine Dragons and Katy Perry set to perform in September. Last Friday, Mr. Felts also announced plans for a KAABOO fes- tival in Dallas, Texas, in May of next year. Virgin Produced is the other co-sponsor of Cay- man’s festival, which will be a scaled-down version of the original and is unlikely to feature the kind of headliners playing in San Diego. But Mr. Felts said the Cayman lineup, which will be announced May 15, will include what he called hit makers and “bucket list” artists. Early bird, dis- counted tickets for the event have already sold out. Pilar Bush, a spokes- woman for Dart, said she be- lieves KAABOO will not only provide an economic shot for Cayman early next year, but in years to come. “This caliber of entertain- ment at this scale has not been done in the Caribbean,” Ms. Bush said. “Ten thousand [people] is twice the size of any other Cayman event. We expect the economic impact to increase year on year.” One of the biggest sectors to benefit, she said, will be local restaurants recruited to provide food for the festival. “It’s catering at a scale of a big event,” Ms. Bush said. “Restaurants are going to be able to do that.” Construction crews are in- stalling permanent plumbing and electrical lines at the fes- tival site, opening the possi- bility that the space could be used for other events in the future, she added. Transportation will get a boost, she said, adding that she expects airlines may in- crease the size of the planes flying to Cayman that week in order to accommodate more passengers. Taxis and buses are likely to benefit. The only on-site parking will be for those holding VIP passes. Mr. Felts said a net- work of park-and-ride areas with shuttles is being for- mulated to serve the 39-acre festival site just north of the Kimpton Seafire Resort. Those parking lots are ex- pected to be at such places as Governors Harbour, Camana Bay, George Town and along West Bay Road. “We’re having a traffic co- ordinator to work with all the local transport companies as well as the government,” Mr. Felts said. “We’ve done a similar program in Del Mar, where it’s seamless.” The increased economic activity is expected to ripple into other areas as well, in- cluding banking, telecommu- nications and government agencies, said Tiffany Dixon- Ebanks, executive director of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association. In an email, she said beyond the basic hos- pitality industry, a slew of businesses might see a piece of the action. “Hired vendors, of var- ious types, marketing and PR agencies (if sourced on island), catering, logistics, layout, lighting, sound, local entertainers/bands, art- ists, clean-up/break-down, event staff … would facili- tate opportunities for em- ployment and third party income generation,” Ms. Dixon-Ebanks said. Since part of the KAABOO event focuses on art, there is potential for the local art community to benefit as well. Mr. Felts has said Cayman artists will be part of the ex- hibit at the festival and there will be artwork for sale. What percentage of the art will be locally produced is unknown at this time. Natalie Urquhart, director of the Cayman Islands Na- tional Gallery, said the gal- lery’s education department is holding workshops for art- ists and will be creating mu- rals for the event. Any added exposure for the arts commu- nity is beneficial, she said. “The more commercial opportunities for local art- ists the better,” Ms. Urqu- hart wrote in an email. “Any healthy arts community re- lies on the sale of artwork and with a small collecting community here in Cayman it can be challenging for local artists. Festivals like KAABOO, LIVE, Poinciana, etc., provide … a small, but intense window for sales. The hopes are that artists have the chance to develop longer-term collectors from the experience.” Mr. Felts said KAABOO Cayman is already enjoying promotion from its connec- tion with the San Diego fes- tival. In a slew of media in- terviews he did after the announcement of the San Diego lineup, he said the Cayman Islands came up in virtually every conversa- tion. That kind of attention, he and others say, has eco- nomic ramifications beyond the festival itself. Ms. Bush, who once di- rected Cayman’s Depart- ment of Tourism, said having Cayman marketed through a major corporation – Mr. Felts said Virgin Air- lines will advertise KAABOO Cayman – will provide im- portant exposure. “Many other events wouldn’t have that type of sponsor and that type of reach,” she said. Capturing that attention can lead to more visitations, she said, adding that she hopes the festival will do that as well. Getting people onto the island is just the start. “It’s up to us to make sure they have such a good time,” Ms. Bush said. “We see the attendees of this event having interest in the Sister Islands. Some people will add a day or two. People are al- ready asking, ‘How can I ar- range a trip to the Brac or Little Cayman?’” She also sees poten- tial for the festival to grow even bigger. “There are many ways to go up from 10,000 [people],” she said. “February and March are two of the biggest months [for tourism]. Getting to 12,000 or 14,000 is cer- tainly doable. “The first year will be challenging, because we’re working within a 12-month period,” Ms. Bush added. “But we expect the economic im- pact to increase year on year.” Ms. Bodden also advised that her client’s passport was being held by police and he did not have the wherewithal to travel anyway, because his means were subject to a re- straining order. The magistrate re- quired a local surety in the sum of $5,000. The court issued a number of bail conditions on Mr. Seward. He is not to contact any member or employee of the tennis club or to come within 100 yards of the prem- ises; he is to report to the George Town police station twice per week during speci- fied hours and notify police if he changes his address; and he is not to come within 100 yards of any port of departure. The next mention date was set for Tuesday, May 22. The land north of the Kimpton Seafire hotel is being cleared as the site of the KAABOO festival. - PHOTO: MARK MUCKENFUSS A mural inside the house shows a scene from earlier years. Former Cayman Islands Tennis Club manager Rob Seward “We are going to be featuring lots of local products, including arts and crafts along with Mission House tours; traditional cooking classes on a regular basis, fun days for kids and other activities for the family.” JENNIFER MARTINEZ, historic coordinator CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1The islands’ most-trusted news source 7 CAYMAN COMPASS • WEDNESDAY MAY 9, 2018 Cosby loses honorary degree University of Cincinnati trustees on Tuesday unanimously approved revoking Bill Cosby’s 2001 honorary doctor of humane letters degree. The school joins at least two dozen others that rescinded honors for the comedian before or after his sexual assault conviction. 188702-Ad-ProductionMeeting-3col1 15/4/18 12:23:47 PM Trump declares US leaving Iran nuclear accord WASHINGTON (AP) – Pres- ident Donald Trump an- nounced Tuesday the U.S. is pulling out of the landmark international nuclear accord with Iran, declaring he was making the world safer but dealing a profound blow to allies and deepening his iso- lation on the world stage. “The United States does not make empty threats,” he said in a televised address from the White House. Trump said the 2015 agreement, which included Germany, France and Britain, was a “horrible one-sided deal that should never ever have been made.” He added that the United States “will be instituting the highest level of economic sanction.” Trump’s decision means Iran’s government must now decide whether to follow the U.S. and withdraw or try to salvage what’s left of the deal. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said he was sending his foreign minister to the countries remaining in the accord but warned there was only a short time to ne- gotiate with them and his country could soon “start enriching uranium more than before.” The leaders of Britain, Germany and France imme- diately urged the U.S. not to take any actions that could prevent them and Iran from continuing to implement the agreement. The statement from Prime Minister The- resa May, Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Em- manuel Macron also urged Iran to “show restraint” and continue fulfilling its own ob- ligations such as cooperating with inspections. In Washington, the Trump administration said it would re-impose sanctions on Iran immediately but allow grace periods for businesses to wind down activity. The Treasury Department said there will be “certain 90- day and 180-day wind-down periods” but didn’t specify which sanctions would fall under which time lines. Trea- sury says at the end of those periods, the sanctions will be in “full effect.” National Security Adviser John Bolton said nobody should sign contracts for new business with Iran. In his remarks, Trump blasted the deal as “defective at its core.” As evidence, he cited documents recently re- leased by Israeli Prime Min- ister Benjamin Netanyahu, a leading critic of the deal. Netanyahu unveiled docu- ments seized by Israeli intel- ligence showed Iran had at- tempted to develop a nuclear bomb in the previous de- cade, especially before 2003. Although he gave no explicit evidence that Iran violated the deal, he said Iran had clearly lied in the past and could not be trusted. Iran has denied ever pursuing nuclear arms. Trump’s announce- ment drew mixed reaction from Congress. Senate Ma- jority Leader Mitch McCo- nnell, a Kentucky Repub- lican, said the Iran deal “was flawed from the begin- ning,” and he looked forward to working with Trump on next steps. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a Cali- fornia Democrat, slammed Trump in a statement, saying this “rash decision isolates America, not Iran.” The agreement had lifted most U.S. and international sanctions against Iran. In re- turn, Iran agreed to restric- tions on its nuclear program making it impossible to pro- duce a bomb, along with rig- orous inspections. In a burst of last-minute diplomacy, punctuated by a visit by Britain’s top dip- lomat, the deal’s European members gave in to many of Trump’s demands, according to officials, diplomats and others briefed on the negoti- ations. Yet they still left con- vinced he was likely to re-im- pose sanctions. Trump spoke with French President Emmanuel Ma- cron and Chinese leader Xi Jinping about his decision Tuesday. The British foreign secretary traveled to Wash- ington this week to make a last-minute pitch to the U.S. to remain in the deal, ac- cording to a senior British diplomat. The diplomat, who spoke on condition of ano- nymity, said the British ob- jective will remain to uphold and maintain the deal. Hours before the an- nouncement, European coun- tries met to underline their support for the agreement. Senior officials from Britain, France and Germany met in Brussels with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Abbas Araghchi. If the deal collapses, Iran would be free to resume pro- hibited enrichment activi- ties, while businesses and banks doing business with Iran would have to scramble to extricate themselves or run afoul of the U.S. Amer- ican officials were dusting off plans for how to sell a pullout to the public and ex- plain its complex financial ramifications. In Iran, many were deeply concerned about how Trump’s decision could af- fect the already struggling economy. In Tehran, Presi- dent Hassan Rouhani sought to calm nerves, smiling as he appeared at a petroleum expo. He did not name Trump directly, but emphasized that Iran continued to seek “en- gagement with the world.” “It is possible that we will face some problems for two or three months, but we will pass through this,” Rouhani said. Under the most likely sce- nario, Trump would allow sanctions on Iran’s central bank – intended to target oil exports – to kick back in, rather than waiving them once again on Saturday, the next deadline for renewal, said individuals briefed on Trump’s deliberations. Then the administration would give those who are doing business with Iran a six- month period to wind down business and avoid breaching those sanctions. Depending on how Trump sells it – either as an irre- versible U.S. pullout, or one final chance to save it – the deal could be strengthened during those six months in a last-ditch effort to per- suade Trump to change his mind. The first 15 months of Trump’s presidency have been filled with many such “last chances” for the Iran deal in which he’s punted the decision for another few months, and then another. Even Trump’s secretary of state and the U.N. agency that monitors nuclear compliance agree that Iran, so far, has lived up to its side of the deal. But the deal’s critics, such as Israel, the Gulf Arab states and many Republicans, say it’s a giveaway to Tehran that ultimately paves the path to a nuclear-armed Iran several years in the future. Iran, for its part, has been coy in predicting its response to a Trump withdrawal. For weeks, Iran’s foreign min- ister had been saying that a re-imposition of U.S. sanc- tions would render the deal null and void, leaving Tehran little choice but to abandon it as well. But on Monday, Rou- hani said Iran could stick with it if the European Union, whose economies do far more business with Iran than the U.S., offers guarantees that Iran would keep benefiting. For the Europeans, Trump’s withdrawal con- stitutes dispiriting proof that trying to appease him is futile. Although the U.S. and Eu- ropeans made progress on ballistic missiles and inspec- tions, there were disagree- ments over extending the life of the deal and how to trigger additional penalties if Iran were found violating the new restrictions, U.S. officials and European diplomats have said. The Europeans agreed to yet more concessions in the final days of negotiating ahead of Trump’s decision, the officials added. President Donald Trump delivers a statement on the Iran nuclear deal from the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House, Tuesday, in Washington. – PHOTO: AP Trump, Xi discuss Kim meeting WASHINGTON (AP) – Presi- dent Donald Trump and Chi- nese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday discussed Xi’s meetings with North Ko- rean leader Kim Jong Un, the White House said. Xi and Kim met Monday and Tuesday in China. It was the second meeting between the Asian leaders and followed Kim’s visit to Beijing in March. Trump is preparing for his own meeting with Kim in late May or early June. An announcement about the date and location is expected soon, Trump said last week. The U.S. president is scheduled to meet at the White House on May 22 with South Korean Presi- dent Moon Jae-in, who also recently met with Kim. Kim agreed at the summit with Moon to a number of mea- sures aimed at improving ties between the Koreas. He also indicated a willingness to discuss denuclearization of the peninsula, though ex- actly what that would entail remains unexplained. Trump had tweeted early Tuesday that he would be speaking with Xi and that they would discuss trade and North Korea. Trump and Xi agreed on the importance of continuing to implement sanctions on North Korea until it perma- nently dismantles its nuclear and missile programs, the White House said. 8 WORLD&REGIONAL WEDNESDAY MAY 9, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS In Loving Memory of Ceceille Evadney Douglas, who left us on 08 March 2018. Beloved mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. Born on the Brac to Willard and Enna Douglas. Ceceille had great determination to succeed in life along with being an extremely hard worker. She was an excellent provider for her family and friends. Always helping others before herself. The family is planning a memorial service to commemorate a year from her departure on this good Earth. She will always be remembered for her numerous good deeds and her sense of humor. Trump signals cooperative approach with Mueller is fading Iran-Contra figure Oliver North named president of the NRA ATLANTA (AP) – Retired Lt. Col. Oliver North’s appoint- ment as the next president of the National Rifle Association gives some star power to the gun lobby but also inspires disdain by gun-control advo- cates who call it a tone-deaf move that shows an unwill- ingness to find solutions to gun violence. North, long a popular speaker before the NRA and other conservative groups, is being appointed at a time when the nation is roiled in debate about gun laws fol- lowing several high-profile mass shootings that have tested the public’s support for the Second Amendment. North, 74, the Marine at the center of the Iran- Contra scandal in the 1980s and a darling of the right, will be the biggest celeb- rity to lead the 5-million- member gun lobby since Hol- lywood leading man Charlton Heston, who famously de- clared in 2000 that his guns would have to be taken “from my cold, dead hands.” “Oliver North is a leg- endary warrior for American freedom, a gifted communi- cator and skilled leader,” NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre said. Momentum for gun con- trol has been building since the mass shooting in Las Vegas last fall that killed 58 people and the Feb. 14 ram- page at a Parkland, Florida, high school that left 17 dead. North was picked Monday by the NRA’s board of direc- tors, which elects a presi- dent every two years. He’s expected to assume of- fice within the next several weeks. North succeeds Pete Brownell, who did not seek a second term. LaPierre remains as vice president and chief execu- tive, running the powerful group’s day-to-day opera- tions. North will lead the board, and NRA observers say they anticipate he will take on a more public role in the style of Heston, a fiery presence who used his acting background to en- ergize members. North was a military aide to the National Security Council during the Reagan administration in the 1980s when he emerged into the spotlight for his role in ar- ranging the secret sale of weapons to Iran and the di- version of the proceeds to the anti-communist Contra rebels in Nicaragua. He was convicted in 1989 of obstructing Con- gress during its investiga- tion, destroying government documents and accepting an illegal gratuity. Those convictions were over- turned in 1991. With his crisp military bearing and teary-eyed tes- timony before Congress, North came to be regarded as an earnest American pa- triot by many on the right, and he went on to run for office, write several books and serve as a commen- tator on Fox News. In a statement, North said he was honored to be se- lected and “eager to hit the ground running.” North’s appointment was hailed by gun-rights sup- porters who consider him a warrior who will vigorously battle efforts to restrict ac- cess to firearms. Gun-con- trol advocates called his ap- pointment symptomatic of an NRA tone-deaf and un- willing to seek solutions to gun violence. “The election of Oliver North is the clearest sign yet that the NRA is floun- dering in the face of plum- meting popularity, scrutiny into its Russia ties, and state lawmakers who are defying the gun lobby left and right,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “The NRA doesn’t need a new leader_it needs an entirely new direction.” Said Avery Gardiner, co- president of the Brady Cam- paign: “For an organization so concerned with law and order, picking a new leader who admitted that he lied to Congress is a truly remark- able decision.” The gun lobby, Gardiner said, “will be led by a man whose own con- cealed carry permit was re- voked because he was ‘not of good character.’” Robert J. Spitzer, chairman of political science at the State University of New York at Cortland and an ex- pert on guns and the Second Amendment, called North the closest thing the NRA has to a celebrity. WASHINGTON (AP) – Presi- dent Donald Trump signaled a more confrontational legal strategy against the special counsel’s Russia probe on Monday, ripping into what he dismissed as an inves- tigation into a “made up, phony crime.” His series of tweets were fresh evidence that the coop- erative approach with spe- cial counsel Robert Mueller that had been advocated by the president’s legal team for months has gone by the way- side. It also revealed the pres- ident’s anxiety about how the investigation could sway voters as they decide whether to keep congressional Repub- licans in power or force him to face an aggressive Demo- cratic majority. Trump’s new lawyer, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, has used a string of media appearances over the past week to cast the probe as a “totally gar- bage investigation.” And Gi- uliani has called into ques- tion whether Trump would be treated fairly by Muel- ler’s prosecutors if he were to agree to an interview. No decision has been made on whether to permit the president to sit for an in- terview, but a person familiar with the situation but not au- thorized to speak publicly on it told The Associated Press that the legal team hopes to resolve that question by May 17, the one-year anniversary of Mueller’s appointment. Gi- uliani earlier told The Wall Street Journal that the team hopes to decide by that date. Mueller’s team is investi- gating Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible coordination with Trump as- sociates as well as whether the president obstructed jus- tice. So far, the special coun- sel’s office has charged 19 people – including four Trump campaign advisers – and three Russian companies. On Monday, Trump seized on Giuliani’s message, fo- cusing on what he sees as the conflicts of interest on Mueller’s team. “The 13 Angry Democrats in charge of the Russian Witch Hunt are starting to find out that there is a Court System in place that actu- ally protects people from in- justice … and just wait ‘till the Courts get to see your unrevealed Conflicts of In- terest!” he wrote. Trump appeared to be drawing attention to a fed- eral judge’s questioning last week of Mueller’s authority in a case against former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. But it was unclear what legal action Trump was referring to that would touch on “unrevealed” conflicts of interest. Mueller is a longtime Re- publican, but some mem- bers of his team have made political contributions to Democrats, including to Hillary Clinton, Trump’s Democratic opponent in the 2016 election. Mueller could not have barred them from serving on the team based solely on their political contributions. Federal regulations and Jus- tice Department policy pro- hibit the consideration of po- litical affiliation in hiring and other personnel actions in- volving career attorneys. In congressional testi- mony, Deputy Attorney Gen- eral Rod Rosenstein has defended Mueller’s team against criticism that it was politically tainted. “We recognize we have employees with political opinions. And it’s our respon- sibility to make sure those opinions do not influence their actions,” Rosenstein said, adding: “I believe that Director Mueller understands that and that he is running that office appropriately.” Mueller’s investigation has operated largely in se- crecy with the public only getting glimpses into its op- eration through witnesses who are questioned or when indictments and guilty pleas are publicly unsealed. It’s unclear when the in- vestigation will conclude, a fact that Trump seized on as he worried that it could affect Republican chances in the November midterm elections. “Is this Phony Witch Hunt going to go on even longer so it wrongfully impacts the Mid-Term Elections, which is what the Democrats al- ways intended?” Trump tweeted. “Republicans better get tough and smart before it is too late.” Democratic majori- ties in either the House or Senate would give the pres- ident’s political opponents subpoena power to investi- gate the administration. And White House officials have privately expressed concerns that Republicans may lose the House in November. Asked about the tweet on Monday, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump was re- ferring to “the fact that we’re still talking about it.” Sanders said, “I think the point he’s making is how ri- diculous it is that we’re still having this conversation and the depths to which this re- search has gone on and inves- tigation has been conducted and still produced nothing.” North, 74, … will be the biggest celebrity to lead the 5-million-member gun lobby since Hollywood leading man Charlton Heston. Former Marine Lt. Col. Oliver North President Donald TrumpSpecial counsel Robert Mueller9 WORLD&REGIONAL CAYMAN COMPASS • WEDNESDAY MAY 9, 2018 Transformed Prince Harry ready to marry Cyprus, Israel, Greece push for gas pipeline to Europe NEW ZEALAND TO BOOST PACIFIC AID NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) – The leaders of Cyprus, Israel and Greece said Tuesday they are determined to push ahead with plans for a pipeline that would supply east Mediter- ranean gas to Europe as the continent seeks to diversify its supplies. Israeli Prime Min- ister Benjamin Netanyahu called the East Med pipe- line a “very serious endeavor” that’s important for Europe, which is looking for new sources of energy. Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades said the three countries aim to sign an agreement this year to nudge the pipeline project forward. Greece’s Prime Min- ister Alexis Tsipras called the project “emblematic” of the cooperation between the three countries. “This project creates an unrivalled network of common interests and clear strategic benefit for our coun- tries and beyond since its im- plementation will tangibly contribute to the security of the European Union’s energy supply,” Anastasiades said. The EU is looking fa- vorably on the project, too, since the 28-member bloc has forked out 34.5 million euros (US$41 million) to fund a technical study, the Cypriot president said. The pipeline is estimated to cost over than 6 billion euros (US$7 billion) and would take 6-7 years to build. Among the pipeline’s advan- tages, officials say, is that it will not have to cross many national boarders, making it less vulnerable to sabotage. The pipeline would po- tentially carry gas from re- cently discovered deposits in the eastern Mediterranean, including in waters of Cy- prus and Israel. The project was the cen- terpiece of Tuesday’s tripar- tite meeting between the leaders, their fourth since Jan. 2016 when they agreed to hold such gatherings to strengthen ties and bol- ster cooperation. “We are building a great alliance, an alliance of good among our three democra- cies,” Netanyahu said. “You have to look only a few years back and it’s almost incon- ceivable that our countries did not have this warm, inti- mate and direct contact.” WELLINGTON, New Zea- land (AP) – New Zealand an- nounced Tuesday that it plans to significantly boost the amount of aid money it spends in the South Pacific, at a time that international concern is rising about China’s growing influence in the region. Foreign Minister Win- ston Peters said the gov- ernment plans to spend an extra 714 million New Zea- land dollars (US$500 mil- lion) over four years in in- ternational aid, with most of it directed at the Pacific. Peters did not specifi- cally mention China in his speech, although he did say the South Pacific re- gion had become an in- creasingly contested stra- tegic space and that New Zealand had its eyes “wide open” to such trends. “We strongly believe in being part of a Pacific that is free from military compe- tition, a Pacific that remains free from the shafts of strife and war that affect many other parts of the globe,” Peters said. “Put simply: If we’re not there some other influence will be.” New Zealand is typically careful not to offend China, which provides a vital market for its milk and agricultural exports. New Zealand became the first developed nation to sign a free trade agreement with China in 2008. Peters did not specify where the aid money would go, although he highlighted climate change as a pri- ority, saying that it posed an existential threat to some island states. The extra spending would amount to a 30 percent increase in New Zealand’s international aid budget. LONDON (AP) – It was a statement that confirmed Prince Harry’s burgeoning maturity and his iron deter- mination to struggle for what he cherishes and believes in. Ready to fight for his right to lead a semi-normal life in a semi-crazed fishbowl envi- ronment. Ready to demand respect for the woman he loved, one he perhaps already hoped to marry. It was November, 2016, and in a statement released by his press secretary, Harry made clear that he would not let the British press hound Meghan Markle in the way it had pursued his mother, Prin- cess Diana, shortly her death in a Paris car crash in 1997. His message was clear – back off! It was also a signal to the British public that he was determined to bring the di- vorced American actress into the royal fold. “This is not a game,” the statement read, expressing Harry’s belief that Markle’s safety was threatened by the intrusive press and what he called the “racial undertone” of much of the commentary and the social media trolls. Harry’s unusual public statement distilled many of the elements that have shaped his life: The pain caused by his mother’s early death; the resentment of the relentless press pur- suit that contributed to the breakup of his prior serious relationships; and his de- termination to find a mean- ingful public role and build a family of his own. Harry had been showing signs of becoming slightly lost. Hijinks, including the 2012 “strip billiards” inci- dent in a Las Vegas hotel suite when Harry was photo- graphed nude with a female companion, only added to that perception. Since then, the 33-year-old prince, who served as a heli- copter pilot in Afghanistan, has only grown in stature, tirelessly promoting causes to help military veterans and speaking out candidly about his own emotional is- sues, calling for an end to the stigma surrounding mental health problems. The public seems charmed by the com- passionate man who has emerged from a brittle shell. He has shown tireless en- ergy in bringing to life the In- victus Games, his concept of an international competition for injured and disabled mili- tary men and women. And Harry has followed in his mother’s footsteps by working extensively with AIDS charities and meeting privately with AIDS sufferers, sometimes during the type of unannounced visits to hos- pitals that Diana made in an era when the disease carried much more stigma. Andrew Morton, author of a groundbreaking biography about Diana and a new book about Markle, says the pub- lic’s goodwill toward Harry stems in part from the col- lective memory of Diana’s televised funeral. He says millions around the world were moved to tears by the card the 12-year-old Harry placed on her cortege that said “Mummy.” “The public indulges Prince Harry, they see him as an exuberant lively young lad, who has very much got the personality of a Spencer, of Diana,” he says, referring to Diana’s origins in the aris- tocratic Spencer clan. “They watched him walking with his head down behind that funeral cortege – what an awful ordeal for him – and they’ve kind of willed him to find happiness.” He says Harry began to find his way about a de- cade ago on a flight back from a combat mission in Afghanistan. The trans- port plane bringing him home carried the body of a Danish soldier killed in ac- tion, and three badly injured British servicemen. “He realized he had to start using his own position to give some purpose not only to his life but to the in- stitution in which he’s lived all of his life – the monarchy,” said Morton. “That was a transformative moment.” Harry has not been a stay- at-home royal, at one point trekking to the South Pole with 13 injured service per- sonnel on a Walking with the Wounded charity expedition. He celebrated the achieve- ment with a few whiskies. Harry is seen as more spontaneous and approach- able than his more buttoned- down older brother Prince William, who carries the extra burden of being a likely future king. Harry keeps moving farther down the line of succession every time Wil- liam and his wife Kate have another child. The younger brother has not been afraid to air his demons in public. In a first public discussion of his own struggles after his mother’s death, Harry told The Daily Telegraph last year that he had “shut down all his emo- tions” for nearly 20 years and been “very close to a complete breakdown on nu- merous occasions.” He said only by entering therapy at William’s urging was he able to come to grips with his grief about losing his mother at such a young age. “My way of dealing with it was sticking my head in the sand, refusing to ever think about my mum, because why would that help?” he said of his teens and 20s. It is a period in which he was sometimes out of con- trol. He said he felt “on the verge of punching someone” at times and had taken up boxing as an outlet for the aggression he felt. It did not help that he was photographed virtually every time he went out in public, a level of scrutiny that helped scare away his first two se- rious girlfriends, Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas. “We’ve never had such a personal revelation from the royal family before,” said Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine. “The older generation would regard this as a private matter. But Harry did it and he probably won a lot of new friends by being so personal.” Harry’s goal – shared with William and Kate, who joined the campaign – was to con- vince others to seek help without shame, and to raise awareness of the need for more extensive treatment of mental health issues. The response was over- whelmingly positive, with doctors and mental health advocacy groups praising Harry for shedding light on a problem often hidden in the shadows. And – when he spoke about the grief that poisoned his life for two decades – it reminded many of the crest- fallen young boy who walked silently behind his mother’s coffin, and the way he even- tually moved beyond his pain. Since then, the 33-year-old prince, who served as a helicopter pilot in Afghanistan, has only grown in stature. Cyprus’ President Nikos Anastasiades, center, talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras during their meeting at the presidential palace in capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on Tuesday. – PHOTO: AP Britain’s Prince Harry has transformed himself in the public eye and enjoys widespread popularity as he prepares to marry Meghan Markle on May 19. – PHOTO: APNext >