ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – WEDNESDAY JUNE 13, 2018 High of 88 Low of 76 Moderate with wave heights of 3 to 5 feet. EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 GOV. CHOUDHURY PUTS GOVERNMENT ON ‘BURN NOTICE’ LOCAL | PAGE 5 LAWMAKERS SEEK TO REIMPOSE STRICTER MURDER SENTENCES Governor pledges to ‘burn away’ Cayman’s sprawling bureaucracy BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman Islands Governor Anwar Choud- hury wants to “burn or shred” bureaucratic civil service policies that seem to serve no other purpose than creating “soul-destroying” busy-work for government employees and endless frustration for the people those workers are supposed to assist. “Everywhere I look, I see unnecessary bu- reaucracy that ties up the civil service … and delivers nothing but frustration for the cus- tomer,” Mr. Choudhury said during an inter- view with the Cayman Compass last week. “You sometimes wonder why people are working so hard, and the outcome doesn’t match up.” From a perennially backlogged courts system, to an overloaded landfill that can no longer accept scrap metal, to a vehicle li- censing department struggling to replace 45,000 license plates, Cayman’s govern- ment service has not performed in key areas during recent years – despite routine budget surpluses and a recently increasing number of employees. Nonetheless, there are some positive signs amid the trouble, Mr. Choudhury said during an interview at his office Thursday afternoon. First, he pointed to a customer-driven approach by Deputy Governor Franz Man- derson – the head of the civil service – who Mr. Choudhury applauded for his recent apology about the state of trash pick-up on Grand Cayman. “[That was] a great example of leadership, taking ownership of an issue,” the governor said. “Now we have to show we really mean it.” Second, there are some quick fixes that may be employed to address specific problems. For instance, Governor Choudhury said Thursday that he had just signed an order allowing a local judge to work more hours during the week to get through more criminal cases. However, the service of justice, like any other service government provides, is multifac- eted and depends on many different compo- nents to work properly and efficiently, he said. Mr. Choudhury suggested officials take a step back to look at the larger picture and if the delays in service – whether they exist GOV’T: WHISTLEBLOWER LAW APPLIES TO ALL BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman’s first overarching legislation pro- tecting those who report wrongdoing in the workplace will apply to all legal entities both in the public and private sector. To reinforce this point, the Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly has proposed a clari- fying amendment to the Whistleblower Pro- tection Law that took effect earlier this year. It reads: “For the avoidance of doubt, this law applies to all employees and employers in the islands, including employees and em- ployers or statutory authorities, government companies and private places of employment.” The provisions of the current Whistle- blower Protection Law (2015) took effect on Feb. 1 – about two and a half years after lawmakers passed the original bill, consoli- dating earlier legislation that sought to offer similar protection and was largely viewed as ineffective. The job of receiving and reviewing whistle- blower reports falls to the Ombudsman’s Of- fice. The whistleblower reports are handled separately from civilian complaints made against police officers, which the Ombuds- man’s Office also receives. Anyone working in the Cayman Islands, whether in government or the private sector, can make a report or disclosure of suspected wrongdoing to the Ombudsman’s Office or to a practicing attorney. The Whistleblower Law requires all such complaints be kept in CAYMAN’S LEADERS SEEK CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman Islands leaders continued to push for constitutional reform in a series of meet- ings in London following the U.K.’s decision to impose public beneficial ownership registries on its overseas territories. Premier Alden McLaughlin has described the decision as “constitutional overreach” and is lobbying for changes in the relationship be- tween the Cayman Islands and the U.K. Mr. McLaughlin, along with Financial Ser- vices Minister Tara Rivers and a delegation of Cayman Islands government officials, met with Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, Min- ister of State for the Commonwealth and the United Nations, Monday for “bilateral talks” on the issue. The premier has indicated he would like to see section 125 of the constitution – which gives the U.K. full power to make laws for the “peace, order and good gov- ernment of the Cayman Islands” – either dropped or revised. Following last month’s beneficial owner- ship decision, he believes this clause needs to be clarified to make clear that the U.K. should only intervene in the territory’s affairs, for matters involving “the most serious of circum- stances [such as] a fundamental breakdown in public order or endemic corruption in the gov- ernment, legislature or judiciary.” The Cayman group also met with two leading barristers in London Monday as they President Trump, Kim Jong Un commit to denuclearization SINGAPORE (AP) – Clasping hands and forecasting future peace, President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un committed Tuesday to “complete denuclearization” of the Korean Peninsula during the first meeting in history between a sitting U.S. president and a North Korean leader. Yet as Trump toasted the summit’s results, he faced mounting questions about whether he got too little and gave away too much – including an agreement to halt U.S. mili- tary exercises with treaty ally South Korea. Meeting with staged ceremony on a Singapore island, Trump and Kim came to- gether for a summit that seemed unthink- able months ago when the two nations traded nuclear threats. The gathering of the two unpredictable leaders marked a striking gamble by the American president U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with North Korea leader Kim Jong Un Tuesday at the Capella resort on Sentosa Island, Singapore. – PHOTO: AP PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 6 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 6 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 6 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 6 »2 LOCAL NEWS WEDNESDAY JUNE 13, 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) OCEANS 8 (PG-13) 1:20 VIP I 4:25 I 7:20 VIP I 9:40 ADRIFT (PG-13) 12:45 I 4:40 I 7:00 I 10:00 AVENGERS INFINITY WAR PART 1 (PG-13) 1:25 I 3:20 I 6:30 I 9:25 DEADPOOL 2 (R) 1:30 I 4:30 VIP I 7:00 I 10:00 VIP SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY (PG-13) 12:40 I 3:40 I 6:50 I 9:50 BREAKING IN (PG-13) 1:00 I 3:10 I 5:20 I 7:30 I 9:45 Bermuda court strikes down same-sex marriage ban Cayman Water sponsors local art competition SPENCER FORDIN sfordin@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman Water is counting on art to impart an im- portant message. The utility company has enlisted the help of three local schools – Grace Chris- tian Academy, Cayman Inter- national School and Weslyan Christian Academy – to par- ticipate in an art competi- tion centered on water as an essential building block of Cayman society. The three schools each entered one painting in the competition, and people can vote on the winner by vis- iting Cayman Water’s Face- book page and clicking “Like” on their favorite work of art. The competition will run through June 21, said Manuel Thomaz, general manager of Cayman Water. “We want to be closer to the community. That’s very important for Cayman Water,” said Mr. Thomaz. “We don’t want to be just a company that supplies a product and gets money. We want to be part of the community and we think one good way to do it is to do these kinds of part- nerships with schools. Kids are more open to new ideas and we think they’ll talk about these ideas at home with their parents.” Cayman Water provided the brushes and canvases for the competition, and the three paintings chosen to represent the various schools were composed by children between the ages of 7 and 10. Consolidated Water, the parent company of Cayman Water, will feature the win- ning painting in its annual report, which will be dis- tributed to stockholders all around the world. The win- ning school will be awarded $500, and the class re- sponsible for the winning painting will tour a local de- salination plant. Mr. Thomaz said the com- pany has had great coop- eration from local teachers and principals, and it hopes to continue the competition next year and open it to a wider array of schools. The art classes were in- structed to highlight the im- portance of water for West Bay, and their painting is supposed to underline how West Bay can use water healthfully and productively. The painting from Grace Christian Academy depicts people enjoying the beach and the Cayman Turtle Centre, and the Cayman In- ternational School painting portrays a sea life scene with the slogan “Water is impor- tant!!!” The final entry from Wesleyan Christian Academy shows water submerging an island and surrounding sev- eral buildings. “It’s very important,” said Mr. Thomaz of educating children. “Water is a scarce resource, especially on an is- land where you don’t have rivers, dams or reservoirs. All the water we produce – even for much of the irri- gation – needs to be desali- nated. It’s an expensive pro- cess. We don’t have problems in Cayman because there’s enough capacity between us and the Water Authority to supply the whole island. But everybody should be aware of the importance of water. They really shouldn’t waste water.” JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Bermuda govern- ment’s decision to repeal same-sex marriage rights has been overturned by the island’s Supreme Court. The same court ruled in May 2017 that the territory was compelled to permit same-sex marriages as a matter of Bermudian law. The government at the time did not appeal the decision, but following a general election, the new adminis- tration responded by intro- ducing a Domestic Partner- ships Act, which revoked the rights granted by the court and created the alter- native of civil partnerships for gay and lesbian couples. Campaigners argued that was not sufficient to meet the requirement of equal rights for all and mounted a new legal chal- lenge. Last week, Bermuda’s Chief Justice Ian Kawaley ruled that the new law was unconstitutional, effectively reinstating same-sex mar- riage in the territory. That decision will not take immediate effect, how- ever, because the chief jus- tice granted a six-week stay to allow the territo- ry’s government to decide whether to appeal. Chief Justice Kawaley ruled that sections of the new act were invalid be- cause they favored one re- ligious interpretation of marriage over another. Citing a point put for- ward by Mark Pettingill, the lawyer for the plain- tiffs, he drew parallels with past racial discrimina- tion in Bermuda. He wrote, “Mr. Pettin- gill evocatively submitted that same-sex couples being permitted to par- ticipate in legally recog- nised domestic partner- ships but not marriages was akin to people of co- lour in Bermuda being per- mitted to enter the the- atre but required to sit in special seats. It was not an answer for the Crown to say that being allowed into the theatre meant that no discrimination was taking place.” Chief Justice Kawaley, in what is likely to be one of his last judgments in Bermuda before he takes up a role on the bench in the Cayman Islands, said the act contravened rights of freedom of conscience and freedom of creed guar- anteed by the Bermuda constitution. He said allowing same- sex marriage did not in- terfere with anyone else’s rights, but the prohibition to conduct same-sex mar- riage breached the freedom of those churches that believe in it. He wrote, “Persons who passionately believe that same-sex marriages should not take place for religious or cultural reasons are en- titled to have those beliefs Wesleyan Christian Academy’s painting appears to show water flooding and overwhelming Grand Cayman. Cayman International School’s artwork is a simple sea life motif emblazoned with an important message. Grace Christian Academy’s painting depicts people enjoying water at several Cayman landmarks. respected and protected by law. But, in return for the law protecting their own beliefs, they cannot require the law to deprive persons who believe in same-sex marriage of re- spect and legal protection for their opposing beliefs.” He said Bermuda had a secular constitution and its Christian heritage was no jus- tification for restricting legal rights of other groups. “The present decision vin- dicates the principle that Par- liament cannot impose the religious preferences of any one group on the society as a whole through legislation of general application.” The decision was cele- brated by campaigners in the Cayman Islands who believe it strengthens the case for same-sex marriage in the ter- ritory. Leonardo Raznovich, a lawyer and former law school professor in the territory, said Cayman’s constitution con- tains stronger protections against discrimination on the grounds of sex and sexual ori- entation than equivalent legis- lation in Bermuda. He added that the Bermuda decision, though not binding on Cayman’s courts, would be a persuasive authority for the judiciary here to consider if and when a similar case is brought in this territory. He said, “At the very least, the Bermuda decision de- stroys the argument that the Cayman Islands is in a re- gion culturally different [to the U.K. mainland] and there- fore those protections [of rights for same-sex couples] should not apply.” Another significant aspect of the decision, said Mr. Raz- novich, is that it affirms that rights, once enshrined in law, cannot be legislated away: “The implication of the judg- ment is that once a funda- mental right becomes guar- anteed by the court under the bill of rights of the constitu- tion of the territory, the leg- islature can’t go back and re- move those rights; this may be possible under the West- minster system of parliamen- tary democracy in which Par- liament is supreme, but it is not legally possible under a constitutional democracy such as the one in Bermuda or the Cayman Islands, in which the constitution is supreme.”The islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CAYMAN COMPASS • WEDNESDAY JUNE 13, 2018 FRIDAY JUNE 22ND 2018 6:30PM - LATE GRAND CAYMAN MARRIOTT BEACH RESORT LTD. 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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. Governor Anwar Choudhury has pledged to “shred or burn policies or bits of bureaucracy” that serve no apparent purpose. We say: “Burn, baby, burn.” “Everywhere I look, I see unnecessary bureaucracy that ties up the civil service … and delivers nothing but frustration for the customer. You sometimes wonder why people are working so hard, and the outcome doesn’t match up,” Governor Choudhury said. We have some ideas. Apparently, so does the governor. In an interview with the Compass (see page one of today’s newspaper), Governor Choudhury said he is leading a thorough review of government policies and procedures, looking for ways to streamline civil service processes. Already, he said, the review has yielded nearly two dozen targets for elimination, including at least one department’s arbitrary rules preventing employees from assisting customers before 8 a.m., and banishing bur- densome customs forms for airport arrivals. (He could probably spend the rest of his tenure with us just elimi- nating superfluous forms.) The governor is insightful in his observation that much of government’s workload represents “soul-destroying” busywork that keeps an army of civil servants occupied at the expense of citizens, who are forced to navigate a tangle of bureaucracy to accomplish even routine tasks. While the governor is working at cutting back on pro- cesses and paperwork, we urge him also to take the logical plunge into the government’s real “cost center” – that is, the size of the civil service itself. We favor taking what is called a “zero-based,” or blank-blackboard approach, evaluating the value and necessity of each activity in the public sector. (In other words, the first question should be, “What is the conse- quence of not performing this activity at all?”) A look at the record reveals that Cayman’s civil service has grown at an astonishing rate over the past four decades. Consider: In 1975, there were 556 government employees, rep- resenting just under 4 percent of our island’s population of around 14,000 persons. A decade later, government payroll had more than doubled to 1,367 workers – 6.5 percent of the islands’ 21,017 souls. But by 2016, public sector employment (including central government, statutory authorities and gov- ernment corporations) had expanded again to some- where around 10 percent of the islands’ total popula- tion, accounting for 15 percent of all employment. In fact, after proclaiming “austerity measures” during the 2008-09 economic downturn, the civil service ranks actually included more staff at the end of 2017 than it did a decade earlier. This is as disheartening as it was predictable. And consider what Cayman’s residents receive in return for their overly large investment: Underperforming schools; an overwhelmed court system; roadways punc- tuated with potholes; uncollected garbage; long lines and confusion in every customer-facing department – from immigration to social services to DVDL. Further, these official figures do not include the hordes of “volunteers” serving on well over 100 politically appointed bodies that handle much of the government’s business – from permanent residency applications to building and work permits to financial services regulation, to the administration of health insurance and pensions … the list goes on. Fortunately, for Governor Choudhury and the rest of us, we do have a clear path out of our morass. Two reports, commissioned by government, paid for by tax- payers, but largely unimplemented, show the way. We refer to the “Miller-Shaw Report” and its successor, the “Ernst & Young Report.” Reading consultant reports does not rank high on our list of pleasures, but these two are exceptionally authori- tative, enlightening and convincing. In fact, for Governor Choudhury, who seems intent on improving the delivery of government services, we would suggest they are MUST summer reading. Gov. Choudhury puts government on ‘burn notice’ Krauthammer: A note to readers I have been uncharacter- istically silent these past 10 months. I had thought that si- lence would soon be coming to an end, but I’m afraid I must tell you now that fate has decided on a different course for me. In August of last year, I un- derwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in my ab- domen. That operation was thought to have been a success, but it caused a cascade of sec- ondary complications – which I have been fighting in hospital ever since. It was a long and hard fight with many setbacks, but I was steadily, if slowly, overcoming each obstacle along the way and gradually making my way back to health. However, recent tests have revealed that the cancer has returned. There was no sign of it as recently as a month ago, which means it is aggres- sive and spreading rapidly. My doctors tell me their best esti- mate is that I have only a few weeks left to live. This is the final verdict. My fight is over. I wish to thank my doctors and caregivers, whose efforts have been magnificent. My dear friends, who have given me a lifetime of memories and whose support has sustained me through these difficult months. And all of my partners at The Washington Post, Fox News, and Crown Publishing. Lastly, I thank my col- leagues, my readers, and my viewers, who have made my ca- reer possible and given conse- quence to my life’s work. I be- lieve that the pursuit of truth and right ideas through honest debate and rigorous argument is a noble undertaking. I am grateful to have played a small role in the conversations that have helped guide this extraor- dinary nation’s destiny. I leave this life with no regrets. It was a wonderful life – full and complete with the great loves and great en- deavors that make it worth living. I am sad to leave, but I leave with the knowledge that I lived the life that I intended. Charles Krauthammer’s email address is letters@charleskrauthammer.com. © 2018, The Washington Post Writers Group Charles Krauthammer WEDNESDAY JUNE 13, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS All tariffs must go LEONID BERSHIDSKY President Donald Trump’s unexpected call to remove all trade barriers didn’t gain much traction with other Group of Seven leaders, perhaps be- cause they were fuming about the U.S. president’s behavior during the summit in Canada this weekend. But a partial implementation of the idea would be a good way to defuse the brewing trade war without preventing nations from pro- tecting certain markets. Trump’s demands for fairer terms of trade for the U.S. has focused on tariffs. On average, these levies don’t put the U.S. at much of a disadvantage even though those imposed by the European Union and Canada are generally slightly higher than America’s. The averages hide some aberrations. The EU taxes U.S. cars at 10 percent, 7.5 per- centage points higher than the U.S. tariff on European autos. But the U.S. levy on railroad cars is 14 percent, compared with 1.7 percent in the EU. Every imbalance represents some industry’s pet peeve, which creates a near-endless potential for clashes as in- terest groups exert pressure. Removing tariffs alto- gether would get rid of the uneven headline numbers. At the same time, it would leave nations with ample tools to protect specific markets with more finely tuned non-tariff barriers, such as quotas, san- itary regulations and quality requirements, which can be far costlier, and far more un- equal, than tariffs when ap- plied among Western allies. Reducing non-tariff bar- riers between Western allies was a more important sticking point in the TTIP negotiations. Europeans were worried, for example, that their market would quickly fill with inferior American food (“chlorinated chicken” was a rallying cry). Again and again, Trump has assailed Canada’s 270 percent tariff on U.S. milk. But the reason he’s worried about milk exports to Canada is a non-tariff measure. De- terred from exporting whole milk to Canada by the tariff, the U.S. dairy industry began selling so-called ultrafiltered milk, a protein-rich product used in the making of cheese that wasn’t subject to the tariff. U.S. exporters did great until last year, when a regu- lation pushed through by Ca- nadian dairy farmers priced local milk product ingredi- ents at below international market prices, hurting the vi- ability of U.S. imports. Canada still buys more dairy products from the U.S. than the other way round. If it were to cancel its 270 per- cent tariff, it can still protect its farmers through moves similar to the National Ingre- dient Strategy, which created a new milk product class. Abolishing tariffs would be a good start, if only because it would help take trade out of the populist realm of simple solutions and back into negoti- ating rooms filled with detail- oriented professionals. There’s a reason Trump keeps talking and tweeting about Cana- da’s milk tariff but not about Pricing Class 7, the actual problem for Wisconsin dairy producers: It’s much harder to explain in a tweet. Zero tariffs would give Trump a victory he could trumpet without hurting America’s allies any further. Bershidsky is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering European politics and business. © 2018, Bloomberg Opinion 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 find their own way”5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • WEDNESDAY JUNE 13, 2018 FOR RESERVATIONS Contact: 345 947 7449 or Email: Info@morritts.com Sunday June 17th 11am - 4pm B R U N C H PRICE $47.95 COLD STATION CHEF’S ASSORTED SALAD COLD SEAFOOD PLATTER FEATURING POACHED LOBSTER & SHRIMP CURED MEATS PLATTER MAIN DISHES BREAKFAST ASSORTED OMELETES EGGS BENEDICT HAM, BACON AND SAUSAGE LUNCH ROASTED C.A.B TOP SIRLOIN OF BEFF CAYMAN STYLE FISH CHICKEN PICATTA SIDES HASH BROWN RICE & BEANS SEASONAL VEGETABLES DESERTS ASSORTED DESERT PLATTER Lawmakers seek to reimpose stricter murder sentences BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman Islands law- makers are seeking to reim- pose automatic life sentences in particularly egregious murder cases, except in sit- uations where a court con- siders there to have been “exceptional” extenuating cir- cumstances in connection with a killing. According to proposed amendments to the Condi- tional Release Law, 2014, which the Legislative As- sembly is expected to con- sider at its meeting later this month, life sentences must be imposed for certain types of murders. Those crimes include: the killing of two or more people where substantial premedita- tion, abduction or sexual or sadistic conduct is involved; the murder of a child that in- volves abduction or sexual/ sadistic conduct; a murder done on ideological grounds for political, racial, religious or other reasons; or a murder committed by someone who was already convicted of a separate murder. In such circumstances, the amendment bill reads: “the period [of incarcera- tion] shall be whole life be- fore the prisoner is eligible for conditional release unless there are extenuating circum- stances, exceptional in na- ture, in which case the court may impose a lower period of incarceration.” The Conditional Release Law sets a general sen- tencing guideline for the courts of 30 years for the of- fense of murder, which can be increased or decreased at the court’s discretion if there are mitigating or aggravating factors involved. Before the Conditional Re- lease Law came into force in February 2016, all mur- ders – regardless of the cir- cumstances – necessitated a life sentence. The latest amendments by lawmakers seek to give the local courts more spe- cific guidelines on who must be sentenced to life in prison, based on the specific nature of the crimes committed. The issue of life sentences for murder has a long history in Cayman. In 1991, the death penalty was the only avail- able sentence for that crime, but it was abolished via an order in council of the British government and imprisoned killers were given automatic life sentences instead. Fifteen years later, in 2006, the then-Human Rights Com- mittee took up the case of six inmates serving life sen- tences at Northward Prison for various killings – most which had been committed in the 1970s and 1980s. Committee members ar- gued in a report to govern- ment that keeping all mur- derers imprisoned for life amounted to cruel and un- usual punishment and “inhu- mane treatment,” and warned that the six “lifers” – as the convicted killers were called – would undoubtedly win their case if it was taken to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France. The Cayman Islands Con- stitution Order, 2009, offi- cially gave the territory’s resi- dents the absolute right to be protected from torture or in- humane treatment. Four years later, in 2013, the Human Rights Commis- sion warned that Cayman should change its rules around life prison sentences for murder or risk adopting a sentencing system being im- posed on it by the U.K. A year later, in 2014, the Conditional Release Law was brought to the Legislative As- sembly and passed. Within the bill’s memo- randum of objects and rea- sons, it was stated: “It is now considered inhuman and degrading punishment for any person to be incar- cerated for the rest of his life without the possibility of ever being released …. All prisoners serving what used to be whole life terms must have a specified term of imprisonment.” At the time, there were 19 prisoners in Northward serving whole life sentences and many of them have now had their sentences re- viewed and reduced from life imprisonment. Northward Prison currently holds a number of murderers whose life sentences were changed by a court to give them definitive sentences before they can apply for release. Under proposed amendments to the Conditional Release Law, 2014, life sentence terms could be reintroduced for certain types of murders. – PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY Voting station will be open in Cayman for Colombian presidential runoff Eligible Colombian voters in Cayman will be able to participate in their country’s presidential runoff, with a voting station at the Govern- ment Administration Building scheduled to be open on Sunday, June 17, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to an an- nouncement from the Em- bassy of Colombia in Jamaica. Colombia is holding a presidential runoff since none of its six candidates won 50 percent of the vote in the original election last month. Conservative Ivan Duque was the leader with 39 per- cent of the votes, followed by leftist Gustavo Petro with 25 percent. The candidates are vying to fill the position left by departing President Juan Manuel Santos, who won the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize for striking a peace deal between his government and guerillas from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The election is widely seen as a referendum on Mr. San- tos’s efforts: Mr. Petro sup- ports the deal, while Mr. Duque opposes it. POLICE WARN OF FINANCIAL SCAM EMAIL The Royal Cayman Is- lands Police Service advised the public Sunday about an email scam circulating in the Cayman Islands. The scam uses an email address that falsely purports to represent the Cayman Islands Govern- ment and attempts to solicit money from innocent parties. The emails, which have been sent to members of the public, request payments from properties and busi- ness owners and describe the funds as taxes levied by the government. The RCIPS said Sunday that the email ad- dress is false and the emails have not been sent by the Cayman Islands Government. The RCIPS is currently investigating the matter in the hopes of identifying the perpetrators. Members of the public who receive an email should disregard it. People are ad- vised not to open those emails and to avoid clicking on any links or paying any money through the email address. People with information relating to this scam are asked to contact the RCIPS Financial Crime Unit at 949-7774 or call George Town Police Station at 949-4222. Ivan DuqueGustavo PetroThe islands’ most-trusted news source 6 WEDNESDAY JUNE 13, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS in receiving swift justice or simply receiving a license plate for a car – are due to unnecessary bureaucracy, then the governor should offer a direct solution. “Shred or burn poli- cies or bits of bureaucracy,” he said. “Literally, burn them. We’ve just selected 20 [such policies].” One policy that made Governor Choudhury’s list of 20 wishes to set on fire was a rule in one public ser- vice department that was told it could not open its doors to customers until 8 a.m. Some of the staff had arrived at around 7:30 a.m. and were seen by customers waiting outside, but no- body could open the door even though the depart- ment’s workers were al- ready in place. “The customers are just standing there, missing work, and nobody could open the door,” he said. Another piece of paper the governor said was on the burn list was the cus- toms form for goods dec- larations coming through Owen Roberts Interna- tional Airport. “It’s much better to get rid of the form. Everybody hates the paperwork. This is a tourist destination. The last thing people want to do when they get here is fill out another form,” Mr. Choudhury said. The governor was quick to acknowledge that any civil service must have a set of operating rules, lest chaos ensue. However, he believes there is ample opportunity in Cayman to reduce the sheer number of policies and pro- cedures both customers and employees must endure. This will require some out-of-the-box thinking, or as the governor referred to it, “flexibility of mind,” en- couraging civil service managers to approach bu- reaucracy-burning solu- tions in new ways. “We’ve got to get rid of that bureaucracy mind- set … we destroy people’s souls by not allowing them to think originally,” Mr. Choudhury said. To assist with the bureau- cracy reduction, the governor said he intended to form a “high-level” panel to as- sess the civil service perfor- mance each year. The group will be made up of Cayman’s senior busi- ness leaders, members of the Legislative Assembly from all sides of the political aisle and some non-governmental organizations – including members of the local media. The panel would be ad- visory in nature but could examine issues like cus- tomer service, e-government and even what policies may be outdated and fit for the shredder. Or the incinerator. “We are looking at every step to see how we can expe- dite and introduce pace into the civil service,” Governor Choudhury said. Governor pledges to ‘burn away’ Cayman’s sprawling bureaucracy CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Governor Anwar Choudhury in his office at the top floor of the government administration building last week. - PHOTO: BRENT FULLER strictest confidence. The Ombudsman’s Of- fice has the powers of a court in investigating re- ports of wrongdoing and monitoring compliance with the law. If evidence of wrongdoing is found, the ombudsman can ei- ther refer the matter to the person responsible for internal discipline [in ad- ministrative cases], refer to the commissioner of police [if criminal wrong- doing has occurred] or to the governor [if the wrongdoing was com- mitted by a high-ranking government official]. The legislation seeks to prevent public and pri- vate sector employees from making frivolous complaints or reports that are designed to em- barrass their employers. Reports of wrongdoing will not qualify for pro- tection against retalia- tion unless they are made “in the public interest,” according to the legis- lation. In addition, if it would normally be an of- fense to disclose informa- tion or if the information disclosed is considered legally privileged, the person disclosing it would not be protected. considered their strategy ahead for further constitu- tional discussions. Sir Jeffrey Jowell, QC, who advised on the drafting of Cayman’s constitution, and Lord David Pannick, QC, advised the Cayman Is- lands team about “desired outcomes, formulation of a plan for the way forward and setting time lines nec- essary for the Cayman Is- lands,” according to a press release on the meeting. “We talked about the way forward with con- stitutional talks,” Mr. McLaughlin said. “We are concerned about the actions of the House of Commons in seeking to leg- islate for the Cayman Is- lands, which amounts to constitutional overreach by forcing the Cayman Islands to adopt public registers of beneficial ownership.” Eric Bush, Cayman’s representative in London, said the meetings had gone well and the territory was “making progress” in de- veloping desired improve- ments to the constitutional relationship. Mr. McLaughlin has previously indicated that Cayman’s main goal is to ensure that, provided the Cayman Islands is not in breach of interna- tional standards, the power of internal self-gover- nance is absolute. to grant Kim long-sought recognition on the world stage in hopes of ending the North’s nuclear program. Both leaders expressed optimism throughout roughly five hours of talks, with Trump thanking Kim after- ward “for taking the first bold step toward a bright new future for his people.” Kim, for his part, said the leaders had “decided to leave the past behind” and prom- ised: “The world will see a major change.” Soon, Kim was on a plane headed home, while a clearly ebullient Trump held forth for more than an hour before the press on what he styled as a historic achievement to avert the prospect of nuclear war. Along the way, Trump tossed out pronouncements on U.S. alliances, human rights, and the nature of the accord that he and Kim had signed. Light on specifics, the agreement largely amounted to an agreement to continue discussions, as it echoed pre- vious public statements and past commitments. It did not, for instance, include an agreement to take steps to- ward ending the technical state of warfare between the U.S. and North Korea. Nor did it include a striking concession by Trump, who told reporters he would freeze U.S. military “war games” with ally South Korea while negotiations be- tween the U.S. and the North continue. Trump cast the de- cision as a cost-saving mea- sure, but also called the ex- ercises “inappropriate” while talks continue. North Korea has long objected to the drills as a security threat. It was unclear whether South Korea was aware of Trump’s decision before he announced it publicly. U.S. Forces Korea said in a state- ment Tuesday it was un- aware of any policy change. Trump phoned South Korean President Moon Jae-in after leaving Singapore to brief him on the discussions. Trump also said he had obtained a separate conces- sion from Kim to demolish a missile engine testing site, though it was just one site of many connected to the nu- clear program. As Trump took a victory lap on the world stage, ex- perts and allies struggled to account for what Trump and Kim had agreed to – and whether this agreement could actually be the first of its kind not to be broken by the North Koreans. The details of how and when the North would denu- clearize appear yet to be de- termined, as are the nature of the unspecified “protections” Trump is pledging to Kim and his government. During his press con- ference, Trump acknowl- edged that denuclearization will not happen overnight, but said, “once you start the process it means it’s pretty much over.” North Korea is believed to possess more than 50 nuclear warheads, with its atomic program spread across more than 100 sites constructed over decades to evade international inspec- tions. Trump insisted that strong verification of de- nuclearization would be in- cluded in a final agreement, saying it was a detail his team would begin sorting out with the North Ko- reans next week. The agreement’s lan- guage on North Korea’s nu- clear program was similar to what the leaders of North and South Korea came up with at their own summit in April. At the time, the Ko- reans faced criticism for es- sentially kicking the issue of North Korea’s nuclear ar- senal down the road to the Singapore summit. Trump and Kim even directly re- ferred back to the so-called Panmunjom Declaration, which contained a weak commitment to denuclear- ization and no specifics on how to achieve it. Between handshakes, a White House invitation, and even an impromptu tour of “The Beast,” the famed U.S. presidential limousine known for its high-tech fortifica- tions, Trump sought to build a personal connection with Kim and said they have a “very good” relationship. The U.S. president brushed off questions about his public embrace of the autocrat whose people have been oppressed for decades. He added that Otto Warm- bier, an American who died last year just days after his release from imprison- ment in North Korea, “did not die in vain” because his death brought about the nuclear talks. In the run-up to Tues- day’s historic face-to-face with Kim, Trump has ap- peared unconcerned about the implications of feting an authoritarian leader ac- cused by the U.S. of or- dering the public assassina- tion of his half brother with a nerve agent, executing his uncle by firing squad and presiding over a no- torious gulag estimated to hold 80,000 to 120,000 polit- ical prisoners. In their joint statement, the two leaders promised to “build a lasting and stable peace regime” on the Ko- rean Peninsula. Trump has dangled the prospect of economic investment in the North as a sweetener for giving up its nuclear weapons. The longtime prop- erty developer-turned-politi- cian later mused about the potential value of condos on the country’s beach- front real estate. The formal document- signing, which also included an agreement to work to re- patriate remains of pris- oners of war and those missing in action from the Korean War, followed a se- ries of meetings at a luxury Singapore resort. The optimistic summit was a remarkable change in dynamics from less than a year ago, when Trump was threatening “fire and fury” against Kim, who in turn scorned the American presi- dent as a “mentally deranged U.S. dotard.” “Everywhere I look, I see unnecessary bureaucracy that ties up the civil service … and delivers nothing but frustration for the customer. You sometimes wonder why people are working so hard, and the outcome doesn’t match up.” GOVERNOR ANWAR CHOUDHURY Cayman’s leaders seek constitutional reform CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Gov’t: Whistleblower Law applies to all President Trump, Kim Jong Un commit to denuclearization CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Light on specifics, the agreement largely amounted to an agreement to continue discussions, as it echoed previous public statements and past commitments. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1The islands’ most-trusted news source 7 CAYMAN COMPASS • WEDNESDAY JUNE 13, 2018 British Airways pilot jailed for drunkenness A British Airways pilot has been jailed for eight months after he went to work with a blood alcohol level more than four times the legal limit. Julian Monaghan was arrested on Jan. 18 when a technician smelled alcohol on his breath as he prepared a Boeing 777 for takeoff on a flight from London to Mauritius. 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If your Suzuki falls within the following model range, please contact your local Suzuki Dealer who will advise whether the recall is applicable to your vehicle. • Suzuki Jimny • Suzuki Grand Vitara • Suzuki XL7 Please note that the local Suzuki Dealer will carry out any remedial action required on vehicles affected by this campaign – Free of Charge. Suzuki cares About You CAR CITY, Durham Dr. Industrial Park, PO Box 10440 APO, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands Sales: (345) 949-0440, Sales Fax: (345) 949-0116 Trump’s vow to end military drills with Seoul stuns a region SINGAPORE (AP) – President Donald Trump rocked the re- gion with the stunning an- nouncement Tuesday that he was halting annual U.S.- South Korean military drills – and wants to remove the 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in the South as a deterrent against North Korea. Trump’s surprise, almost offhand comments, made during a news conference after his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, seemingly upended decades of the U.S. defense posture on the Korean Peninsula. The remarks contradicted countless previous declara- tions by U.S. political and mil- itary officials over the years that the drills are routine, de- fensive and absolutely critical. Trump has now essen- tially adopted the standard North Korean line, calling the military exercises a “provoca- tive” drain of money and an- nouncing they would stop while he continues talks with Kim, whom he repeat- edly praised as a solid nego- tiating partner. His statement was quickly portrayed by critics as a major, unreciprocated con- cession to a country that only last year was threat- ening Seoul and Washington with nuclear war. It also seemed to leave of- ficials completely off guard in South Korea, where the presence of U.S. troops has long been described as neces- sary to maintaining peace on the peninsula. Seoul’s presidential of- fice told The Associated Press that it was trying to parse Trump’s comments. The South Korean military seemed similarly surprised. “At this current point, there is a need to discern the exact meaning and intent of President Trump’s com- ments,” Seoul’s Defense Min- istry said, adding that there have been no discussions yet with Washington on modi- fying drills set for August. U.S. forces in South Korea said they have “received no updated guidance on the execution or cessation of training exercises” and will continue to coordinate with South Korean partners and maintain the current posture until they receive an updated guidance from the Depart- ment of Defense or the Indo- Pacific Command. Trump’s comments will be questioned by many in South Korea and beyond, with some seeing in them an effort by North Korea to drive a wedge between Seoul and Washington. North Korea regularly calls the military exercises provocative preparations for a northward invasion, and many of the scariest stand- offs in recent years on the Korean Peninsula have hap- pened when the drills were being staged. Outside ana- lysts believe the North ob- jects to the drills because it must spend precious re- sources on its own war games and troop movements. North Korea also insists that the U.S. troop presence in the South, as well as its nu- clear “umbrella” over allies Seoul and Tokyo, are part of America’s “hostile” policy to- ward the North. “I want to bring our sol- diers back home,” Trump said, although he added that it’s “not part of the equation right now.” Then he said: “We will be stopping the war games, which will save us a tremendous amount of money unless and until we see the future negotia- tion is not going along like it should. But we’ll be saving a tremendous amount of money. Plus, I think it’s very provocative.” The comments could fun- damentally change the way the U.S., whose alliance with Seoul was forged after a 1950 surprise attack by the North started the Korean War, oper- ates in South Korea. Trump’s announcement that the U.S. would stop military exercises, his de- scription of those drills as “provocative” and his sug- gestion that he wants to pull U.S. troops out at some point are “all things that Trump is putting on the table as concessions, all in exchange for some vague promises by the North Ko- reans,” said Paul Haenle, a former China director at the White House National Secu- rity Council in the Barack Obama and George W. Bush administrations. Annual military drills be- tween Washington and Seoul have been a major source of contention between the Ko- reas for years, and analysts have wondered whether their continuation would hurt the inter-Korean detente that, since an outreach by Kim in January, has replaced last year’s insults and threats of war. North Korea last month broke off a high-level meeting with Seoul over South Korea’s participation in a two-week military exercise with the United States. North Korea’s state media, referring to the drills, recently demanded that Washington “stop the acts of threatening its dialogue partner by force.” Since the 1970s, the United States and South Korea have held a major sum- mertime exercise called Ulchi Freedom Guardian that in- volves tens of thousands of troops. There are also annual springtime drills. TRUMP: TRUDEAU’S CRITICISM WILL COST CANADA ‘A LOT OF MONEY’ SINGAPORE (AP) – President Donald Trump said Cana- dian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “learned” from the mistake of criticizing him, and it’s going to cost Canada “a lot of money.” At a news conference Tuesday after his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Trump re- counted his recent tough ex- changes with Trudeau. He said the Canadian leader must not have realized that Trump had televisions on Air Force One, allowing him to monitor Trudeau’s news conference at the end of the G-7 summit. “He learned. That’s going to cost a lot of money for the people of Canada. He learned,” Trump said wagging his finger. “You can’t do that. You can’t do that.” The president said he was annoyed by Trudeau’s comments about not letting Canada get pushed around. “I see the television that he’s giving a news confer- ence about how he will not be pushed around by the United States. And I say, push him around? We just shook hands. It was very friendly,” Trump said. Trump said he had a “good relationship with Justin. I re- ally did.” But Trump called Trudeau “dishonest” and “weak” in tweets following the summit on Saturday. Trump advisers also took up the attack in ap- pearances on Sunday’s news shows, leveling more with- ering and unprecedented criticism against Trudeau, branding him a back-stabber unworthy of Trump’s time. “There’s a special place in hell for any foreign leader that engages in bad faith diplo- macy with President Donald J. Trump and then tries to stab him in the back on the way out the door,” Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro said on Fox News Sunday. When asked about Trump’s remarks in Parlia- ment on Tuesday, Trudeau said he supports Trump’s ef- forts on North Korea and looks forward to the details of that agreement. “On his comments, I’m going to stay focused on de- fending jobs for Canadians and supporting Canadian in- dustries,” Trudeau said before walking away from reporters. The president also com- mented at the news confer- ence on the viral photo taken of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and others standing before him. Trump said it was snapped as they waited for changes he’d requested to the communique he ended up pulling out of. Trump said it “didn’t look friendly” but it was “very friendly.” U.S. President Donald Trump answers questions about the summit with North Korea leader Kim Jong Un during a press conference at the Capella resort on Sentosa Island Tuesday in Singapore. - PHOTO: AP8 WORLD&REGIONAL WEDNESDAY JUNE 13, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS Italy’s new populist government turns away ship with 600 migrants aboard UK justice minister resigns over Brexit ahead of key votes LONDON (AP) – A junior member of Prime Min- ister Theresa May’s govern- ment resigned Tuesday over Brexit, emboldening pro- EU lawmakers ahead of key votes in Parliament on Brit- ain’s departure from the European Union. Conservative lawmaker Phillip Lee, who voted in Britain’s 2016 referendum to remain in the European Union, resigned as a justice minister so he could vote against the government on a measure that would give Par- liament more power over the terms of the break. “The people, economy and culture of my constituency will be affected negatively” by Britain’s EU departure and it is “irresponsible to proceed as we are,” Lee said. He called for Brexit, now set for March 2019, to be de- layed and for the public to get a second referendum on the terms of any exit deal. Lee’s resignation came as May’s fragile minority gov- ernment scrambled to shore up support among law- makers for two days of high- stakes debate and votes on its flagship Brexit bill in the House of Commons. The European Union Withdrawal Bill, a complex piece of legislation intended to disentangle Britain from four decades of EU rules and regulations, has had a rocky ride through Parliament. The upper chamber, the House of Lords, inserted amendments in 15 areas to soften the terms of Britain’s departure. The government says the changes would weaken Brit- ain’s negotiating position, and is seeking to alter or re- verse them in the Commons. But May is facing a poten- tial rebellion from some law- makers from her Conserva- tive Party who want to retain close ties with the bloc after the U.K.’s exit takes effect. They are rallying around an amendment giving the House of Commons power to send the government back to the negotiating table with Brussels if lawmakers do not like the terms of the Brexit deal struck with the EU. Cur- rently, the government is of- fering lawmakers a “take it or leave it” vote on the final deal. “We must under all cir- cumstances respect the re- sult of the referendum,” Brexit Secretary David Davis told lawmakers as he opened the debate. Davis said giving Par- liament power to direct the government’s hand in talks would be “an unconstitu- tional shift which risks un- dermining our negotiations with the European Union.” “It’s not practical, it’s not desirable and it’s not appro- priate,” he said. Another flash point could come when lawmakers vote Wednesday on an amendment seeking to keep Britain in a customs union with the EU. Parliamentary de- bates about complex legal amendments rarely rouse much heat, but passions run high over anything to do with Brexit. Pro-Brexit tabloid the Sun warned lawmakers on Tues- day’s front page that they had a choice: “Great Britain or great betrayal.” The Daily Express thundered: “Ig- nore the will of the people at your peril.” Anna Soubry, a pro-EU Conservative lawmaker, said she knew of one leg- islator who would not vote with their conscience be- cause of “threats to their personal safety” and that of staff and family. May urged Conservative lawmakers to back the gov- ernment and show “that we are united as a party in our determination to deliver on the decision made by the British people.” In fact, her party is far from united. May’s Cabinet is divided between ministers including Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who support a clean break with the EU, and those such as Treasury chief Philip Hammond who want to keep closely aligned to the bloc, Britain’s biggest trading partner. Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29, 2019, and the bloc is frustrated with what it sees as a lack of firm proposals from the U.K about future relations. A paper laying out the U.K. government position, due to be published this month, has been delayed because the Cabinet cannot agree on a united stance. Ivan Rogers, Britain’s former ambassador to the EU, told a committee of lawmakers Tuesday that achieving Brexit would “take years” and be “bloody difficult.” “You should view leaving the European Union as a pro- cess,” not an event, he said. CATANIA, Sicily (AP) – Italy dispatched two ships Tuesday to help take 629 mi- grants stuck off its shores on the days-long voyage to Spain in what is forecast to be bad weather, after the new populist government re- fused them safe port in a dramatic bid to force Europe to share the burden of unre- lenting arrivals. The rescue ship Aquarius has been stuck since Sat- urday in international wa- ters off the coast of Italy and Malta, both of which have denied it entry. The ship has 629 migrants in- cluding 123 unaccompanied minors, 11 children and six pregnant women. The aid group Doctors Without Borders, which op- erates the Aquarius with SOS Mediterranee, urged both Italy and Malta to recon- sider their refusal to allow the stranded migrants land- fall and then safe passage by other means to Spain, which has responded to the plight with an offer of safe harbor. The aid group said the mi- grants were “exhausted and stressed” and warned of se- vere health risks to a number of the passengers during the 1,500-kilometer journey, expected to take three to four days. Italy’s new anti-migrant, right-wing interior minister, Matteo Salvini, is making good on a campaign pledge to close Italian ports to non- governmental organiza- tions that pick up migrants at sea, which he has lik- ened to taxi services for mi- grant smugglers. Salvini, whose League is part of the populist co- alition that took office this month, promised voters that other European countries would be made to share the burden of caring for asylum- seekers arriving in Italy on unseaworthy boats mostly from lawless Libya, while taking particular aim at the aid vessels. “These are all foreign ships flying foreign flags that bring this human cargo to Italy,” Salvini told private television La7 on Monday. “We have hosted 650,000 mi- grants in recent years alone, all of whom pass by Malta, an EU country, and the govern- ment says, ‘Ciao, Ciao, go to Italy.’ … I am happy to have given a small, first response.” While Salvini turned away the Aquarius, an Italian Coast Guard vessel with more than 900 migrants rescued in seven operations is ex- pected to reach Italy’s shores on Wednesday. Meanwhile, hundreds of migrants aboard the Aquarius were being trans- ferred Tuesday afternoon to ships operated by the Italian navy and coast guard, which are then to accompany the aid ship to the Spanish port of Valencia. Many remained on the deck of the over- crowded rescue ship and their safety was at risk for the longer voyage given the forecast of bad weather, said SOS Mediterranee spokes- woman Mathilde Auvillain Fresh provisions – in- cluding 950 bottles of water, 800 boxes of noodles and snacks, blankets, hats and socks – were delivered to the Aquarius on Tuesday, the charity said. Officials in Valencia said they expected the ship to ar- rive in three to four days, de- pending on when they depart and weather conditions. The emergency was prompting vastly different re- actions in European capitals. While Spain’s foreign min- ister said he hoped its ges- ture of solidarity would help push other EU members to re-examine migrant policy at a summit later this month, French President Emmanuel Macron criticized Italy’s cyni- cism and irresponsibility for leaving the migrants at sea, while also deflecting criti- cism for not allowing the ship to dock in France. Macron’s spokesman, Ben- jamin Grivaux said France does not want to “start a precedent” that would allow some European countries to breach international laws and rely on other EU member states. But he quoted Macron as telling Tuesday’s weekly Cabinet meeting: “If any ship was closer to France’s shores, it could obviously dock on the French coast.” Spanish Foreign Min- ister Joseph Borrel said late Monday that “Spain has made a gesture that aims to trigger a European dynamic to stop looking away, allowing one (EU member) to cope with the problem while the rest of us pass the buck.” The new Spanish foreign minister said the decision to offer a docking port in the eastern city of Valencia had been a “personal and direct” move by the country’s new prime minister, the Socialist Pedro Sanchez. Hungary’s radically anti- immigrant prime minister praised Salvini’s move. Viktor Orban said his initial reac- tion to the news was a sigh of “Finally!” He called it “a great moment which may fi- nally bring changes in Eu- rope’s migration policies.” Many Spanish regions and cities have offered to provide long-term support to the mi- grants, said Valencia’s re- gional vice president, Monica Oltra. The Red Cross was preparing shelter and med- ical assistance to meet imme- diate needs on their arrival. Doctors without Borders expressed particular concern for patients who had been re- suscitated and risked devel- oping “significant pulmonary disease after swallowing sea- water.” Another 21 patients suffered severe chemical burns from exposure to sea- water mixed with fuel, while others risk pneumonia and yet others need immediate surgery for orthopedic issues. SOS Mediterannee also said that removing the Aquarius risked lives. “People are still fleeing Libya while the Aquarius is away from the search and rescue area in the Central Mediterranean, where rescue capacities are already totally insufficient,” the charity’s vice president, Sophie Beau, said. Lee’s resignation came as May’s fragile minority government scrambled to shore up support among lawmakers for two days of high-stakes debate and votes on its flagship Brexit bill in the House of Commons. This undated photo shows stranded migrants aboard French NGO SOS Mediterranee’s Aquarius ship sailing in the Mediterranean Sea. – PHOTO: AP9 WORLD&REGIONAL CAYMAN COMPASS • WEDNESDAY JUNE 13, 2018 Godfrey’s Enterprise Clothing & Household Items Discounts from 10-40% on select items. Specials for the Month of June! 48 Elgin Ave. (across from GT Police Station) Phone: 949-7953 or 949-4258 (household) Check us out on Facebook: Godfrey’s Enterprise Ltd. Hours: Mon-Fri. 10:00-6:00. Sat. 9:30-6:00. Cele ating u 60th Srving Cama Year Protesters disrupt Duterte speech KAWIT, Philippines (AP) – A group of left-wing activ- ists heckled and disrupted a televised Independence Day speech Tuesday by the Phil- ippine president and called him a “traitor” amid criticism of his handling of territorial disputes with China. President Rodrigo Duterte briefly halted his speech during the commotion and calmly watched from a his- toric balcony in Kawit town south of Manila as police pulled the protesters away. He asked law enforcers to deal with the protesters “with maximum tolerance” as the audience, which included ambassadors, waited. “Just let them … our con- stitution guarantees freedom of the press, freedom of as- sembly and expression,” Duterte said as the small but rowdy group of young pro- testers yelled, “Oust Duterte,” “Traitor,” and “Fascist.” The president later re- sumed his speech, which fo- cused on his battle against illegal drugs, corruption and terrorism, in the house in Cavite province where Philippine independence from Spain was declared on June 12, 1898. “We may not understand each other but, at least, there is a common denominator, and that is love of country,” Duterte said. “Nobody but no- body can ever question my love for the country.” Duterte has come under fire from critics who say he has been far too soft on China over contested South China Sea territories. Offi- cials say his close engage- ment with China has fostered talks over the long-seething disputes and won Chinese infrastructure funds, trade and investment. Critics, however, said Duterte’s approach has fur- ther emboldened China with its increasingly asser- tive actions in one of the world’s busiest waterways. They cited reports that Chi- nese coast guard officials have repeatedly boarded Philippine fishing boats and taken their fish catch in re- cent months at disputed Scarborough Shoal, which was seized by China from the Philippines after a tense standoff in 2012. China allowed Filipinos to return and fish at Scarbor- ough after Duterte rekindled relations with Beijing after he took office in 2016. “It is a complete foreign policy disaster …. It betrays our heroes’ struggle for inde- pendence against foreign col- onizers,” opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros said. Hontiveros cited Duterte’s refusal to demand immediate Chinese compliance with a 2016 arbitration ruling that invalidated China’s vast claims to the South China Sea and upheld the Philip- pines’ sovereign rights to vast stretches of waters. On the sidelines of the Kawit ceremony, Duterte briefly discussed the Chi- nese coast guard’s reported actions against Filipino fish- ermen with Chinese Ambas- sador Zhao Jianhua, who later told reporters that Chi- nese authorities are investi- gating the reports. If the reports are true, “let’s view it as an isolated incident,” Zhao said, adding that such incidents should not affect the improved ties between the Asian neighbors. “China has made appro- priate arrangement for the Philippine fishermen to fish in relevant waters out of goodwill,” the Chinese Em- bassy in Manila said in a statement. “This policy re- mains unchanged.” Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan and Brunei also claim the South China Sea partly or in its entirety. Tensions es- calated in recent years after China turned seven disputed reefs into islands that rival claimants fear could be used as a springboard for its mili- tary to fortify its claims. Protesters are roughed up by plainclothes police Tuesday after heckling Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte at the 120th Philippine Independence Day celebration at the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine at Kawit, Cavite province, south of Manila, Philippines. - PHOTO: AP EXILED YEMEN PRESIDENT GOES TO UAE AS PORT ATTACK LOOMS DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – Yemen’s exiled presi- dent was due to visit the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday to patch up rela- tions ahead of an antici- pated assault on the rebel- held port of Hodeida. President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi’s trip to Abu Dhabi comes amid months of tensions between his forces and fighters backed by the UAE, which have clashed on a number of occasions. Both are part of the Saudi-led coalition that has been at war with Iran-allied Houthi rebels in Yemen since 2015. The two sides were also at odds over the recent de- ployment of UAE forces to the Yemen’s Arabian Sea is- land of Socotra, a dispute mediated by Saudi officials. Over 10,000 people have been killed in Yemen’s civil war. The Saudi-led coalition has been criticized for its airstrikes killing civilians. Meanwhile, the U.N. and Western nations say Iran has supplied the Houthis with weapons from assault rifles up to the ballistic mis- siles they have fired deep into Saudi Arabia, including at the capital, Riyadh. Yemen’s government- controlled SABA news agency announced Hadi’s trip, saying it came after Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited him at his home in Riyadh, where he lives in self-imposed exile. Meanwhile Tuesday, Ye- meni officials said the U.N. had pulled its international staff out of Hodeida, a cru- cial Red Sea port city now controlled by the Houthis. The officials said the U.N.’s operations center there was still being manned by local staff. The port is some 90 miles southwest of Sanaa, the rebel-held capital. The officials spoke on condition in anonymity be- cause they were not autho- rized to brief reporters. The aid group Oxfam said hu- manitarian organizations received warnings over the weekend for staff to evac- uate Hodeida by Tuesday ahead of an offensive. On Thursday, the In- ternational Committee of the Red Cross said it had pulled 71 staff mem- bers out of Yemen after a series of security inci- dents and threats. Before the war, over 70 percent of Yemen’s food and fuel imports came through Hodeida, accounting for over 40 percent of the na- tion’s customs income. The port remains crucial for in- coming aid, food and med- icine for a nation driven to the brink of famine by the conflict and a Saudi- led blockade. U.N. Secretary-Gen- eral Antonio Guterres has said that U.N. envoy Martin Griffiths is in “intense ne- gotiations” in an attempt to avoid a military confronta- tion. However, Griffiths’ re- cent appointment as envoy and his push for new negoti- ations may have encouraged the coalition to strengthen its hand ahead of any talks. The U.S. has provided the coalition with logis- tical support, but it’s un- clear what position the Americans will take if the coalition launches a full- scale attack on Hodeida. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday he spoke with Emirati officials and “made clear our desire to address their security concerns while preserving the free flow of humani- tarian aid and life-saving commercial imports.” Analysts warn that while the Houthis may not need the customs money, they likely want to bleed the coalition with mines and guerrilla fighting. The U.N. says some 600,000 people live in and around Hodeida, and “as many as 250,000 people may lose ev- erything– even their lives.” “As has been the case since the beginning of the war, the cost of the battle for Hodeida will largely accrue to the already impoverished civilian population,” the In- ternational Crisis Group warned in a report Monday. Judge halts 9 school closures in Puerto Rico SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) – Plans to shutter 265 public schools across Puerto Rico have been temporarily derailed with a judge’s order to stop the closure of at least nine institu- tions and his recommendation that other judges do the same in lawsuits still pending on other school closures. The decision was cel- ebrated on Tuesday by the Puerto Rico Teachers Associa- tion, which has sued over the closures with support from parents who say they worry about a lack of transporta- tion to new schools and the disappearance of programs for special-needs students. “Justice was served,” Aida Diaz, the association’s pres- ident, told The Associated Press. “This ruling demon- strates that … nobody has absolute authority to make arbitrary decisions over the rights of our people.” She said three other law- suits that involve some 60 public schools across the U.S. territory are pending. The judge said Monday that the island’s Department of Education did not prove the need to close six schools in the north coast city of Arecibo and another three in the central mountain town of Morovis. He also noted that a recently ap- proved law to overhaul Puerto Rico’s education system does not give officials blanket per- mission to close schools.Next >