National Notes

August 2000 Table of Contents

NATIONAL NOTES

Bahamas on Tax Havens List: The Bahamas is one of 15 jurisdictions listed as posing a threat to global financial stability by the Financial Action Task Force. It is claimed that Bahamian banking secrecy rules encourage the hiding and laundering of illegally obtained money. Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham stated that The Bahamas should not be on the list. "The Bahamas is not willing or interested to import the proceeds of crime," he said. "The Bahamas is not willing to allow bank secrecy laws to assist criminals in escaping the reach of the law in their own countries. The Bahamas is not interested in denying timely and adequate responses to cross-border regulatory authorities. The Bahamas is not willing to operate its financial sector otherwise than in accordance with best practices."

Archdeacon Dies: Archdeacon William Thompson died in hospital on 23rd June after a four week fight for life after being shot twice during a robbery of the Rectory where he and his wife lived. On 11th July a 22 year old man, Neil Brown, was charged with murder, burglary and armed robbery in the case.

Best Yet: Bahamian sprinter Debbie Ferguson won the Women's 200m dash at the Athletissima meet in Lausanne, Switzerland, on 5th July with a time of 22.43 seconds. This tied the best mark in the world so far this year.

Choose to be Happy: At a pre-Independence Day youth rally in Nassau, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham urged the young people present to make The Bahamas a gentler and less violent place. "I want to make a special request of you, our young people, to make good choices in your future. Choose to be happy," he said. The Bahamas celebrated its 27th year of independence on 10th July.

Accidental Death: A jury in Nassau delivered a unanimous verdict that the parasailing death of a Washington DC woman on 21st August 1999 was an accident. The mother of Tosha Walker, 26, was present and was shocked and angered by the jury's verdict.

Former Prime Minister Speaks Frankly: Former Prime Minister Sir Lynden Pindling told the public that his prostate cancer has spread to his bones and he would he undergoing treatment in the US. Sir Lynden said he had always been frank with his public while in office and would continue to be so in respect to his grave illness.

Cargo Plane Crashes: A DC-3 cargo plane on route from Nassau to Freeport crashed shortly after take off at 1.20 pm on 20th July. The pilot had communicated with Nassau Airport that he had a right engine shutdown. The plane was returning to Nassau Airport when the crash occurred. Witnesses said the plane exploded on impact about one mile east of the Bacardi complex. The pilot and co-pilot, neither of them Bahamian, were killed on impact.

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