St. Maarten Private Eye

Thinking outside the box

Flipper, thanks for scanning and posting the the clip "Flemming on economy" . Scanning articles is a tedious and time consuming job and much appreciated by us all.

Fleming seems to be a man of action. I am sure there are so many issues with the new constitution that it must be overwhelming, and I am sure Fleming is doing a good job.

The only sad think with the current political situtation is so filled with urgent practical issues so no one really has the time to be visionary. Unfortunately I believe that when the practical issues will eventually be resolved, the basic problem will still remain, namely that St Martin is putting all the eggs in the same nest.

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Immigration creatively trying to slow SXM growth

At the same time the IMF reports lower overall growth in the Caribbean, the St Maarten Immigration is working overtime in trying to find more ways to slow the economy.

Immigration to be enforced - 24th October 2007

Immigration procedures - 24nd October 2007

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I'd say: "French side is a bunch of whiners"

The Daily Heralds editorial suggests a more relaxed attitude towards drinking and driving as a way for the French side to regain business. The French Chamber of Commerce President suggests (more) tax breaks for failing businesses. Here's why both ideas are terribly, terribly bad.

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"French side is hurting"

"If you did not know it yet, the French side is hurting. The economy is not doing well and Chamber of Commerce President Raymond Helligar is sounding the alarm and calling the elected officials to action."

FS economy worries - 22nd October 2007

Clic

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IMF predicts lower Caribbean growth

In its latest World Economic Outlook report, the bank predicts that growth in the Caribbean next year would be its lowest in four years.

The IMF says it expects Caribbean economies to grow collectively by 4.4 percent next year. That is down from the six percent projected for this year, the 8.4 percent recorded in 2006 and 6.5 percent in 2005.

The Fund said Latin American and Caribbean countries were experiencing the longest period of uninterrupted economic growth since the 1960s.

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St Maarten could attract another US low cost carrier

St Maarten might add another low-cost carrier service between St. Maarten and the United States, JetBlue Airways. According to sources of the Daily Herald, negotiations about the daily service from New York are in the final stages.

Update: JetBlue expands in the Caribbean

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Lt Governor concerned about findings in SXM organised crime report

Lt Governor Franklyn Richards said to the Daily Herald on Tuesday that as Local Chief of Police he was particularly concerned about the findings of the crime situation and organised crime on the island, not because the contents of the report were entirely new, but because "this detailed three-year study acutely underscores the need for timely implementing measures".

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Justice Minister Dick not shocked by money laundring report

(DAILY HERALD) Antillean Justice Minister David Dick stated during a press briefing at the Antillean House in The Hague that now that the report on organised crime and upholding the law in St. Maarten produced by Dutch Scientific Investigation and Documentation Centre WODC had been published, authorities had an assessment of all that was wrong and could work towards solving the problems.

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"Maintaining the law here is a farce"

(DAILY HERALD) "Maintaining the law here is a farce", says scientific investigation to be published soon. A report titled “Organised Crime and Maintaining the Law in St. Maarten” produced by Dutch Scientific Investigation and Documentation Centre WODC has painted an ugly picture of the overall crime situation in the island territory.

According to the report, there is no cooperation among the almost 30 different judicial services available, there is no sharing of information, no form of registration and information system has been set up, and cooperation with the French side also needs better structuring

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St Maarten - funding terrorism?

(RADIO NETHERLANDS) St Maarten is an important centre for international drug trafficking. The island might also be involved in financing terrorism in the Middle East and Afghanistan.

These are two conclusions reached in a confidential report about to be published by the Dutch Research and Documentation Centre (RDC). The researchers say the money comes from drug trafficking and people-smuggling. They also point to a US request for legal assistance in which a company on St Maarten is suspected of sending money to the Taliban in Afghanistan.

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van Lottum: 18 days max in police cell

(TODAY) "Criminal justice has to be applied if there are no other options. Certain judicial powers are far reaching and the public prosecutor will only be able to exercise them if I give my permission. I am an independent and impartial judge with equal respect for the prosecutor's and the defendant's interest."

Mr F.W. van Lottum started work as residing judge at the Philipsburg courthouse at the beginning of August. The 34-year old served already four years as a judge in Dordrecht, near Rotterdam...

Source: Today, October 8, 2007

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Prisoner who attempted suicide released

The prisoner who unsuccessfully attempted to hang himself last Friday has been released to relatives on the French side following the incident.

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