Caribbean & Central America - June 2011 (ISSN 1741-4458)

*** TURKS & CAICOS PARTY REJECTS DRAFT CONSTITUTION.  The People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), which ruled the British dependency from its first general election in 1976 until defeated in the 1982 election by the Progressive National Party (PNP), has rejected a new draft constitution for the territory.  The PNP won the most recent elections, in February 2007, with a landslide, taking 13 of 15 seats.  However, following alleged corruption by the government of former Prime Minister Michael Misick, the UK assumed direct rule in August 2009.

Now, in an article published on 18 May, PDM leader Douglas Parnell has rejected the draft constitution drawn up by the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

Parnell’s main objection is the granting of additional powers to the governor, including the power to reject decisions made by the cabinet, the power to make decisions against the cabinet’s will, and the power to make appointments to public bodies.  Parnell argues that the draft constitution makes the governor “a complete and total constitutional dictator”.

He also argues that the FCO is acting contrary to the UN Charter, in particular Chapter XI of Article 73 which, inter alia, says that countries that rule over territories that have not yet achieved full self-government, must “recognize the principle that the interests of the inhabitants of these territories are paramount”.  The colonial power is obliged “to develop self-government, to take due account of the political aspirations of the peoples, and to assist them in the progressive development of their free political institutions, according to the particular circumstances of each territory and its people and their varying stages of advancement”.

Strong opposition to the proposed changes was also expressed during public meetings with FCO officials in mid-May.  In addition to the extra powers for the governor, there are local objections to changing the way of obtaining ‘Belongership’ and altering the method of electing members to the House of Assembly.

The Privy Council is scheduled to approve the new constitution in July, and the UK government has said that the new constitution has to be in place before there is a return to local rule.

*** ST KITTS & NEVIS REVEALS DEPTH OF RECESSION.  Dr Timothy Harris, temporary governor for St Kitts & Nevis on the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) board of governors said on 27 May that the St Kitts-Nevis economy contracted by 4.2% in 2010 after a 4.4% contraction in 2009.  The construction sector was down 28% and manufacturing declined 15%.  However, 2010 did see a recovery in the agriculture sector, which rebounded by 6.3%.  On 15 May, Prime Minister Denzil Douglas told a ruling Labour Party conference that there were now signs of recovery.  He said the economy is expected to grow by 1.5% in 2011.

• Trinidad premier supports minister

Trinidad & Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar issued a statement at the end of May that “until there is evidence to the contrary” she will stand by transport and works minister Jack Warner.  Warner is vice-president of FIFA, football’s governing body, and he has been accused of accepting bribes.  The prime minister said: “A son of our soil who served this nation faithfully at that very football organization and who was instrumental in leading Trinidad & Tobago to its very first World Cup qualification just a few years ago must be allowed to present his case against the allegations made against him.”