Cess pool.

The Special Committee of 24 defines self-determination as free association with an independent State, integration into an independent State, or full-bore independence.  The UK argues that a 1970 UN resolution (Principles of International Law Concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in Accordance with the Charter of the United Nations also makes clear that “any other political status freely determined by a people constitute modes of implementing the right of self-determination by that people.”

In addition to again calling for Puerto Rican independence, the Special Committee of 24 are also working on the perennial “omnibus” draft resolution entitled “Questions of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands”.

Interestingly, the committee seems to recommended the recall of the Constitution of the Turks & Caicos in the face of TCI’s current political crisis, welcoming the UK’s efforts to restore good governance and sound financial management there.

This is their Cake.  And they are Eating It Too.

Our own Dr. Brown has perplexingly tied his boat to the discredited PNP administrations of Michael Misick and Galmo Williams.  It is surprising that he would choose to spend his political capital in this way.

It appears that the Misick glitz has long ago lost its lustre.  At a large church service this week:

At that point, Ellis became political and said that this country has shown a lot of progress since then and “we cannot let the Commission of Inquiry ‘Stop the Progress’”, which was a repeat of the PNP campaign slogan of 2007. “We all have leprosy,” Ellis was heard to say, referring to the population of the TCI, but only Misick is being singled out, he said.

At that point, large groups of people were seen on TV walking out and the cameras momentarily caught the large exodus then turned away. However, Bishop Ellis shouted in front of the camera admonishing those leaving calling them “Sissies and punks.” Then he turned to the remainder of the crowd, telling them, “Go on all you sissies and punks, get out, get out!”

Update:  The TCI Governor acknowledged receipt the report, and said that an announcement would be made within 3 weeks regarding its public release and commencement of the interim government.

Here’s a clue.

In a speech to the UK Parliament on April 23, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Gillian Merron said the British Government has instructed Governors in the overseas territories to review the TCI commission interim report and to ensure a thorough assessment of any systematic controls that need improvement in their territory.

“From my discussions with representatives of the territories, I am in no doubt about how exercised they themselves are about the report on Turks and Caicos Islands [shout out to Dr. B!]  Because they wish to keep their reputation, I hope that we can use the report to great benefit across the overseas territories.”

“We have also revised the requirements on those being appointed to governorship to ensure that they have the right capabilities for the job and that they are clear about their responsibilities for good governance. We have also made it clear—I hope that this will be welcome—that Governors who raise concerns about good governance will have support from the FCO.”

Merron said it is right that territory Governments should take the majority of decisions in the territories because that is the nature of the modern relationship. She added however, that it is also true that the British Government expects and demands the highest standards of governance in return.

The man doth protest too much, I think.

“the dissolution of the [Turks & Caicos] government by the UK was the main subject of discussion at the Fifth Summit of the Americas this weekend.”

After all, the scandal-ridden TCI was not on the agenda at the regional summit, leading the Premier’s Chief of Staff to tone down the claim:

“It was discussed during personal conversations between leaders.”

I am sure that’s true as pictures from the event show the Premier hangin’ out with the embattled TCI leadership.

And now TCI media seem to indicate that it was our Dr. Brown who was trying to inject TCI into discussions around the summit.  Personal agendas?

I wish he had stuck to working for Bermudians’ benefit rather than playing cheerleader for the discredited TCI administration.

It seems that the many governance shortcuts that have been taken in pursuit of rapid growth have seriously undermined the country and, in effect, created a failed state.

A consultative council will be formed to advise the Governor on the needed reforms.

“The Commissioner states that the written information obtained in the first six months of the Commission’s inquiries, when coupled with the evidence in the public hearings in TCI earlier this year, have provided information in abundance pointing to a high probability of systemic corruption or other serious dishonesty. In his view this, together with “clear signs of political amorality and immaturity and general administrative incompetence”, has demonstrated a need for the urgent suspension in whole or in part of the Constitution, and for other legislative and administrative reforms and change…”

“As drafted, the Order would leave in place important elements of the Constitution such as the fundamental rights chapter and provisions relating to the Governor, the courts and the public service, while removing the Cabinet, House of Assembly and references to ministerial and related powers. Powers and functions currently exercised by Ministers would be exercised by the Governor acting in his discretion, including in relation to public finances, legislation and necessary regulatory reforms…”

“I can confirm that consideration is being given to the establishment of a special civil recovery team, and the need to bolster the capacity of the police and to appoint a special prosecutor to undertake prosecutions which may be warranted in keeping with any evidence of criminality which may be disclosed by it [the final report].”

The Commission’s interim report may be found here. It’s breathtaking.

The report includes recommendations to pursue criminal deals that may have taken place, a integrity in public life law, requirements for ongoing scrutiny of political financing, greater emphasis on audit and audit timeliness, and ziiiiiing widening the franchise to include long term residents, etc.

This is the second time in 23 years that the TCI constitution has been suspended.