Young Caymanians Express theirviews:
In the interest of the public's concernrelating to foster open discussion on these and many other mattersimpacting the Cayman Islands Cayman Net News canvassed a numberof young Caymanians, asking them to air their views on matterswhich they believe will affect their future.
They were asked: "in relation to matters to be discussedwith Baroness Scotland, what do you consider to be the most importantquestion that you would like to ask of the Minister?"
Amongst those who were asked the question were a number of CivilServants who declined to go on record or to have their photographpublished. Hopefully, with the enactment of a Civil Rights Billfor the Cayman Islands in the not too distant future - with theBaroness' help - these well meaning future decision makers, (whoseremarks we could not publish becasue of our policy of not attributingcomments to an anonymous entity) will not be in fear of expressingtheir views.
The following are some oftheir responses:
"Is this the first initiative in aseries of future initiatives that will eventually eradicate smallerbanking industries around the world?"
Perry Powell
University Student/
Banking & Financial Industry
"Britainsupports enhancing participation in international agreements includinginitiatives taken by the OECD. In regards to the Cayman Islandsposition on the White Paper, have financial institutions and regulatorybodies been adequately consulted to ensure that the Cayman Islandsposition is representative of the views of these institutions?"
Alric Lindsey
CPA/Pre-LawUniversity Student, George Town
"Sincethe Cayman Islands has been forced to change the structure ofour Tax Haven by Britain in conjunction with the United StatesGovernment was Britain aware that the United States was aboutto lift their embargo with Cuba? Cuba now being one of the mostviable tourist destinations in our Hemisphere and consideringtheir possible growth potential which will now pose a new competitivemarket for the Cayman Islands in both the financial and touristindustries. Why then has the Cayman Islands, a 'democratic country',been forced to give up one of our main sources of industry inthe interest of a better, more cooperative, global economy withstandingthat Cuba's government will not be controlled by anyone and couldnow be a serious competitor for the Cayman Islands in both thefinancial industry and tourism markets?"
Ivan Mclean
Sales and Marketing
Bodden Town
One Civil Servant commented:
"Do you believe that thestaunch biblical values, which has been the foundation of thebeliefs of the Caymanian people, be a primary consideration inthe implementation of the Human Rights issues for the Cayman Islands?"
Another said:
"I feel that many peoplein the Cayman Islands are not properly informed as to the wholeissue of the White Paper and its potential impact on these islands.I think that the official elected members of the Government ofthe Cayman Islands did not live up to their promises of practicingopen policy Government, and in light of this the people have aright to be skeptical and suspicious of the issues addressed inthe white paper. Therefore, with all the threats made by the G-7and OECD of black listing so-called Tax Havens, can the Baronesssay that these bullying tactics are a genuine attempt to crackdown on harmful tax practices or just a ploy to gain access tolegitimate investors accounts and is this just an attempt to furthertax citizens of G7/OECD countries who choose to invest their honestlyearned money elsewhere?"