Up Front
FCO Chief to meet with thePress
Head of the Overseas Territories Departmentof the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Mr John White,began a four-day visit here with a tour of Northward Prison lastWednesday (December 6) morning.
Mr White, who arrived at 6:50 p.m. the day before, is scheduledto begin the day on Friday, December 8 in meetings with ChiefJustice Anthony Smellie and members of the judiciary for discussionson the judicial system and human rights issues.
He is to also meet with members of the Cayman Ministers Associationand with the Commissioner of Police, Mr. David Thursfield, followingwhich he is to be hosted for lunch at the Grand Old House by TheChamber of Commerce Board.
After lunch, he meets with Cable & Wireless Managing Director,Mr Tim Adam before leaving for East End around 3:30 p.m. On hisway to East End, where he is to be taken on a tour of the CaribbeanHaven Residential Drug Treatment Centre at Breakers, Mr Whitewill stop briefly at the Pedro St. James Historical Site.
While touring H.M. Northward Prison on Wednesday, Mr White wasaccompanied by His Excellency the Governor, Mr Peter Smith, andthe Chief Secretary the Hon. James Ryan. Prison Director, Mr JohnForster, was also on hand to brief Mr White on how the prisonoperates.
Following the tour of the prison, the FCO official was a guestat a Bankers Association luncheon at noon, following which hepaid courtesy calls on Mrs Valia Theodoraki, Chief Executive Officerof the Cayman Stock Exchange, and Mr John Bourbon, Managing Directorof the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority.
Mr White, who has held his present position since 1997, was alsoa guest of honour at the RCIP, Fire and Prison Services Long ServiceAwards Ceremony at Government House, following which he had adinner meeting with the Law Revision Commissioner, Mr MichaelBradley.
The main item on Thursday's agenda was a meeting with the ministersof the Executive Council and the Governor at 9:00 a.m. Prior tothis, Mr White met with Civil Aviation Authority Director, MrRichard Smith.
His meeting with the ExCo ministers was followed by discussionswith Auditor General, Mr Nigel Esdaile and a private lunch atGovernment House at which Mr Rod McDowell of Red Sail Sports andMr Martin Van der Laan of the Marriott Hotel were guests.
His meetings in the afternoon included discussions with staffof the Department of Environment and the Permanent Secretary ofthe Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Transport, followed bya call on the National Trust office.
On Thursday night, Mr. White was a guest of honour at a GovernmentHouse reception marking the 16 Days of Activism Against GenderViolence.
Saturday, December 9, is being reserved for rest and recreationbefore Mr White leaves for London on a British Airways flightat 7:20 p.m.
This is Mr. White's second visit to the Cayman Islands. He washere in March this year when he accompanied HRH the Duke of Yorkon a visit to Cayman.
He is scheduled to meet with members of the local press at theGovernor's residence, on Saturday, 9th December.