The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr. Lutz H. Gorgens has commended Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves for having reached out personally to the family of Martin Griff, and to all the other victims immediately, following the tragic and gruesome events which occurred off Walliabou Bay late last week.

Martin Griff, a 49 year old, accountant of Germany was shot and killed, while Reinhold Zeller, a 63 year old, sea captain of Germany sustained a gunshot wound on his left shoulder, after they were attacked by unknown assailants, while on board a yacht at Walliabou on Friday March 4th.

In a letter to Prime Minister Gonsalves dated March 7th, 2016, Ambassador Gorgens noted that the tragedy is difficult to bear for Germans as they are for Vincentians, and said he wish the police force of St. Vincent and the Grenadines success in bringing the perpetrators of this heinous attack to justice as soon as possible.

The German Ambassador said he also wishes that the shared grief will contribute to further deepening the solidarity of our two nations in good days and bad days.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Martin Griff, a 49-year-old Accountant of Germany, which occurred at Walliabou on Friday.

According to reports the deceased was on-board a yacht when he was attacked by unknown assailants. He sustained a gunshot wound to his throat and succumbed to the injuries.

A postmortem examination is expected to be perform on the body.

Police is also carrying out investigations into the attempted murder on Reinhold Zeller, a 63-year-old Sea Captain of Germany, which also occurred at Walliabou on Friday.

Mr. Zeller sustained a gunshot wound to his left shoulder after he was attacked on-board a yacht by unknown assailants.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has condemned the shooting death of a German tourist.

Speaking on a Radio Program on Friday, the Prime Minister expressed profound sympathy to the other persons who were on board the yacht as well as the families of the victims.

He said the Government was making travel arrangements with SVG Air to airlift the passengers on board the yacht.

The Prime Minister said he is saddened by this incident, noting that it is a very terrible stain on St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Prime Minister said he will be writing a letter to the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel to express sorrow to her government about the incident.

Police in St Vincent and the Grenadines around this time in March of 2006 was  offering EC$50,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of those involved in the murder of Glen Jackson, press secretary to Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves.
Acting Commissioner of Police at the time Berthie Pompey said Jackson died of a single gunshot to the back. His naked body was found about 2 o’clock on a Monday afternoon, facedown in the backseat of his vehicle. The vehicle was parked at the roadside in Jackson’s upscale community of Cane Garden, in east Kingstown.
Police say he was last seen alive the day before (Sunday). The acting commissioner said the police they were working with several theories and were considering seeking help from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) in the United States and the London-based Scotland Yard.
Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves who on the Tuesday addressed the nation from Malaysia where he was  on an official visit, described the press secretary as a very talented all-round individuals and a strong supporter of the government.
“I mean who would want to kill Glen?” the Prime Minister asked.
Jackson was known as a chairperson for rallies staged by the Unity Labour Party (ULP) and the role he played in unseating the New Democratic Party (NDP) administration in the elections of 2001.
However, during the 90s, as a morning show host at the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC Radio), Jackson led a campaign against Cable and Wireless and what the Vincentian populace agreed were exorbitant rates.
He also led a campaign dubbed “Hands off Windward Islands’ Banana” against Latin American multinational corporations, Dole and Chiquita.
His company, Studio 99 is the main organiser of the National Carolling Competition, which began when Glen was an employee of the state-owned radio station.
Jackson ended his commercial media career shortly after the Ralph Gonsalves-led ULP won the 2001genreal elections and he was appointed Press Secretary to the Prime Minister.
He however made regular appearances as host of the pro-ULP “Shake-Up” interactive radio programme on WE FM 99.9.
 

First publish on Caribbean Life News Author Nelson King

In continuing his expansion in Europe, Vincentian-born international soca superstar Kevin Lyttle has partnered with the Dutch entertainment company, Perpetual Motions Entertainment.

Lyttle, whose record label, Tarakon Records, is a joint initiative with his wife, Dr. Jacqueline James-Lyttle, said the collaboration with Perpetual Motions Entertainment, seeks to expand the development, production and distribution of music projects.

The partnership also aims to broaden supporting media, marketing and tour, as well as subsidiary licensing of third-party non-music projects and endorsement opportunities, featuring all Tarakon Records artists in Europe.

By partnering with Perpetual Motions Entertainment, the Miami-based Lyttles have appointed Guillermo Tjin as managing director of Tarakon Records Europe and “exclusive representa­tive” of Tarakon Records in Europe.

“Guillermo Tjin is looking forward to this new challenge and to strengthening Tarakon Records’ position in the international entertainment scene,” said the Lyttles in a statement.

“Guillermo Tjin has been in the entertainment scene for numerous years, holding to his credit a broad spectrum of reliable contacts and sound rapport with managers, record labels, promo companies, agencies, promoters and clubs, etc. in Europe and all over the world,” they added.

As chief executive officer of Perpetual Motions Entertainment, the Lyttles said Tjin has achieved an “exceptional reputation in the entertainment scene worldwide,” stating that he has been working with numerous “esteemed internationally-known artists.”

James-Lyttle, Tarakon Records’ chief executive officer, with a Ph. D in civil engineering, said the label, founded in 2007 by she and her husband, is “ready to turn the world on to every genre of Caribbean music in a very big way.”

Kevin Lyttle said he was “thrown into the international spotlight” with his breakout smash single, “Turn Me On.”

Lyttle has been named a cultural ambassador by the government of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines/Cuba Friendship Society says it welcomes the announcement of the proposed visit to Cuba by U.S. President Barack Obama, slated for March 21st and 22nd.

That visit will be the first by an American President to Cuba, since President Calvin Coolidge, did so nearly 100 years ago, in 1928.

In a News release, President of the SVG/Cuba Friendship Society- Renwick Rose said his group is supportive of measures to encourage humane relations between the neighbouring countries and people, and appreciative of the brave efforts of the Obama administration in a hostile political environment.

However, Mr. Rose said his group reiterates its call for the complete lifting of the embargo against Cuba, and endorses the plan for the closure of the Guantanamo Prison. He said the organization also stands with the Cuban people’s demands for the return of Guantanamo to Cuban sovereignty.

The SVG Mission of the Seventh Day Adventist Church will be hosting a number of activities this weekend as it seeks to facilitate national dialogue on religious liberty.

The Church is seeking to dialogue with local lawyers, church leaders and members of the community through its Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Workshop and Convention, which commences here tomorrow.

Public Affairs and Religious Liberties Director, Pastor Terrence Haynes, explained that the event forms part of the annual program of the Caribbean Religious Liberties Association

Pastor Haynes said the day’s activities will climax at the Kingstown seventh Day Adventist Church.

Officials from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) will gather in St. Vincent and the Grenadines next week, for the First Formal Negotiation Meeting for the replenishment of the Bank’s Special Development Fund (Unified) [(SDF (U)].

The SDF (U) is the Bank’s largest pool of concessionary funds, which are used to address poverty and human development challenges throughout the Caribbean Region. The replenishment process is expected to be completed by the end of 2016.

The SDF (U) Negotiation Meeting takes place on March 10th, and will follow meetings of CDB’s Board of Directors, which will be held here from March 7th to 9th.

CDB expects more than 70 attendees at the Meeting, during which Bank officials will hold discussions with current and prospective contributors to the Fund.

“We appreciate the tremendous support of the Government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in planning and coordinating the upcoming events, and look forward to successful outcomes from the meetings,” said Yvette Lemonias-Seale, Vice President (Corporate Services) and Bank Secretary, CDB, who has oversight of the meetings.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has strongly condemned the shooting death of a tourist and the injuring of another on board a yacht, in the early hours of this morning, at Walliabou on the Leeward side of the Island.

The deceased, along with the injured person, who is reported to have been the captain of the vessel, are both nationals of Germany.

Speaking  on WEFM, Prime Minister Gonsalves said the “criminal act” was carried out by two masked intruders.

Dr. Gonsalves said he met today with the other persons who were onboard the yacht and extended profound sympathy to them, as well as to the families of the victims.

He also said that the government is making travel arrangements with SVG Air to have the people on board the yacht including the injured captain flown out to Martinique then to make their connecting flights to Europe.

“This is a terrible, terrible stain on our country said Prime Minister Gonsalves, adding that “this criminal act by these two masked intruders disturbing the tranquility of persons on the yachts could cost millions of dollars.”

He said the tourists were praiseworthy about the Coast Guards which arrived within 20 minutes of being called.

The Prime Minister said he is really saddened by this incident, and noted that he will be writing a letter to the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel to express sorrow to her government about what happened to two of her citizens.

FIRST PUBLISHED WEFM ST VINCENT

A Vincentian were among 3 persons arrested last night during a drug operation in Vieux Fort last night, according to reliable sources.
The operation was conducted by the SSU, the drug squad, and the Marine Police with support from a French helicopter, the sources have said.
During the operation, which is reported to have taken place at the Shanty Town Beach, an estimated 300 pounds of marijuana was recovered.
One of the locals who was arrested during the interdiction received a gunshot wound to the left leg and was hospitalized.
A reliable source told the Times that although 3 arrests where made, it is suspected that 1 suspect is likely on the loose.
The sources describe last evening’s operation as one that began unfolding from about 7:00 p.m. last night.
Written from source news

FIRST PUBLISH WEFM ST VINCENT

C.C.A. Limited in Canouan says it is forced to significantly lay off employees amid an impasse with some residents of the island, which has now impacted on the operations of the business.

Chief Executive Officer of CCA Limited, Josee Atkinson said in a statement obtained by WEFM News, that “the last few weeks has been very tumultuous with the issues created by Terry Bynoe and others that led up to many blockages of the access to the Resort.”

Atkinson says that due to the circumstances, the resort had to stop all negotiations with hotel operators and delay the formal launch of the hotel, which has resulted in severe negative consequences for CCA Limited.

She noted that until peace and stability is restored, the present condition of instability no longer attracts and retains investors.

First published NBC Radio

An Executive Committee has been elected to co-ordinate the activities of the newly established Canouan Island Development Council.

A release from the Committee said the elections were held last Thursday 25th February at a meeting of residents of the Island, held at the Canouan Hard Court.

The Executive is led by President, Terrance Bynoe; and also includes First Vice-President Duane Lewis, Second Vice-President Andrew Foyle and Third Vice-President, Peter Laidlow.

Valcina Gregg was elected as Secretary, Zico Garraway as Treasurer, and Shanique Pompey as Assistant/Secretary Treasurer. The Public Relations Officer is Hansel Henry, and the Committee Members are Lisa Frederick, Shelly King and Casita Laidlow.

The Executive will serve for two years, and the Council is currently developing its constitution and would be registered as a non-government and non-profit organization.

The release also stated that the purpose of Council is to work for the good and general welfare and the development of Canouan and its residents and to foster a better relationship between Residents, Investors and the Government of SVG.

Its Motto is: Striving for a better Canouan.

Written from source news

Triumph Covenant Ministries International is advancing plans for the hosting of the Spiritual Warfare Conference slated for later this month.

The Conference will be held on March 26th and 27th under the theme “Releasing of the Destiny of Nations”.

Senior Pastor of Triumph Covenant Ministries Apostle Samuel Young says he is hoping that many will attend the sessions where they will receive new insights on Spiritual Warfare from International Speaker, Dr. Cindy Trimm.

Apostle Young says he is expecting that after the presentations, person’s spiritual lives will be strengthened.

On March 26th, the session will be held at Triumph Covenant Ministries in Kingstown and at the Victoria Park on March 27th