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Hon Fraser scoffs at Premier over France blacklisting

-The veteran Opposition member & Third District Representative accuses Premier Smith of being misled by persons in his Administration
Third District Representative Hon. Julian Fraser, RA expressed that he literally gasped after seeing the reaction from Premier Dr The Hon. D. Orlando Smith after learning that France had decided to blacklist the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
Revelations made by the Premier (above) about being shocked at France’s disclosure, amount to 'an acknowledgement that [Premier Smith] is being misled by persons high up in his Administration,' Hon. Fraser stated in his release. Photo: VINO/File
Revelations made by the Premier (above) about being shocked at France’s disclosure, amount to 'an acknowledgement that [Premier Smith] is being misled by persons high up in his Administration,' Hon. Fraser stated in his release. Photo: VINO/File
Hon. Fraser contended that a lack of openness and a kind of protectionism has been the norm for so long, that even a request for mandatory consultations between the Members of the House of Assembly and the FSC was flatly rejected by the Premier. Photo: VINO
Hon. Fraser contended that a lack of openness and a kind of protectionism has been the norm for so long, that even a request for mandatory consultations between the Members of the House of Assembly and the FSC was flatly rejected by the Premier. Photo: VINO
In August 2013, France added Jersey, Bermuda and the [British] Virgin Islands to its list of uncooperative tax havens, paving the way for tougher financial levies as the EU's No. 2 economy tries to crack down on tax evasion.Photo: www.hothdwallpaper.net
In August 2013, France added Jersey, Bermuda and the [British] Virgin Islands to its list of uncooperative tax havens, paving the way for tougher financial levies as the EU's No. 2 economy tries to crack down on tax evasion.Photo: www.hothdwallpaper.net
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Third District Representative Hon. Julian Fraser, RA expressed that he literally gasped after seeing the reaction from Premier Dr The Hon. D. Orlando Smith after learning that France had decided to blacklist the Virgin Islands.

In a press release issued to members of the media today, September 24, 2013 Hon. Fraser said, “What was more troubling to me, and should trouble you as well, was his claim of not knowing of any difficulties with France.”

Revelations made by the Premier about being shocked at France’s disclosure, amount to “an acknowledgement that [Premier Smith] is being misled by persons high up in his Administration,” Hon. Fraser stated in his release.

The Member of the Opposition charged, if what the Premier was saying regarding his knowledge of compliance and information based in a Reuters news report informing of the blacklist, then “this is a precise indicator that the Premier is being kept out of the loop and therefore is not aware of what is happening in our bread and butter industry.”

The Reuters report published on August 29, 2013 stated, “According to data compiled by the French government through to August 2011, Jersey and Bermuda had responded to all French requests for information. The British Virgin Islands had responded to 31 out of 41 requests.”

Hon. Fraser continued, “It would appear that the French authorities in taking this long to take action, had been pursuing local authorities for compliance for a long while, but without success. Or maybe it might be possible that given that both Bermuda and Jersey responded fully and were still blacklisted that the reason for our being blacklisted was unrelated? Only the Premier can answer this, but of course like everything else, he fails to let us know.”

He added that one would think that [the Premier] was not the Minister of Finance, and was also not responsible for [the Ministry’s] actions, especially something as crucial as this.

The Third District Representative accused the Premier of engaging in “double talk with contradiction after contradiction” when he stated that a restructuring of the Finance Ministry was requested in the middle of 2013 with the establishment of the International Tax Authority (ITA).

He felt this was so especially considering that the French action was taken after the middle of 2013. “Here again he lays the blame for the blacklisting squarely at the feet of his Ministry of Finance, after claiming not to know of their incompetence earlier,” Hon. Fraser said.

According to the former Minister for Communications and Works, “This industry has always received the support and loyalty of all Legislators regardless of Administration. Our commitment has been so strong that no one even ventured to question. My thoughts now are: whether we were doing a disservice to the very people now responsible for what is happening to us today, and indeed to the industry as a whole.”

He further contended that a lack of openness and a kind of protectionism has been the norm for so long, that even a request for mandatory consultations between the Members of the House of Assembly and the FSC was flatly rejected by the Premier.

“Isn't it time for this to change?” he asked, “From what I can see, the answer is yes, and it does not have to come at the expense of the industry which has served the territory so well.”

25 Responses to “Hon Fraser scoffs at Premier over France blacklisting”

  • xxxxxxxx (24/09/2013, 08:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Very impressive article. I have read each and every point and found it very interesting
  • shelia (24/09/2013, 08:48) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Only if the VIP could unite for one common good!
  • tola (24/09/2013, 08:51) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Wow! Poor dr. smith aint got a clue
    • @ tola (24/09/2013, 09:27) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      No use crying over spilled milk. We made our bed let us sleep in it. We still have a few years left.T here is nothing we can do about it.
  • mvw (24/09/2013, 08:54) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    That is just political posturing by fraser.
    • Really! (24/09/2013, 12:59) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      We are with you all the way on this one Hon. Frazer.
      • @ Really! (30/09/2013, 00:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Our collective welfare cannot be dependent on any ONE person. A fair, good, or great, leader still requires a cohesive, intellectually efficient, hard-working team with him to effectively lead the country out of this depression we're in.
  • ooooo (24/09/2013, 08:58) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    we all know that doc is way out of touch..no wonder he has earned the nick name "dr.donthaveaclue"...those loose cannons got him one way and turned him into a real prevaricator
  • rattie (24/09/2013, 09:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I couldn't disagree with you more on this
    • CD (25/09/2013, 00:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      What really does Doc know????eh. It is obvious this man is just a puppet leader
  • History (24/09/2013, 09:35) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    I could image Fraser keeping the NDP speech writers and ton of consultants busy..stay tune for the Smoke and mirrors from the Premier
    • facts man (24/09/2013, 12:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      As a people we need to make good governance of the BVI the only thing we r tied to and not the VIP or NDP party.
  • facts man (24/09/2013, 09:48) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    good points fraser. just goes to show the inept and arrogance
    of the ndp government and the people who elected them, they have no respect for protocol, they are easily bribed and hoodwinked...the country will continue to get poorer and poorer as long as we keep electing functional illiterates to rule over us
  • in the news (24/09/2013, 12:27) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    it is clear that Mr. fraser is the real leader of the opposition
  • ann (24/09/2013, 12:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The politicians should invest in education and housing to start. But nothing is fixed over night. And ideas and pointing out problems is always easier than implementing the solution.
  • virgin gorda (24/09/2013, 12:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The interview with the Hong kong tv station should tell the country that this man is clueless about this sector...
  • Binocs (24/09/2013, 18:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    For facts man and in da news,for your in formation.Protocol,who dont'listen to the people that mr Fraser.put up some lights at the round about and never apologize for it.
  • Grumpy (24/09/2013, 21:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    Who gives a $h!t about France?

  • thing you must talk (24/09/2013, 22:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fraser is the only cat around town
  • TT MAN (25/09/2013, 00:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am not a Fraser fan but HE IS RIGHT YET AGAIN ON THE ISSUES THAT MATTERS!!! Time to clean house, this ndp GANG is embarrassing!!!
  • save the bvi (25/09/2013, 12:28) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Frasier has risen to the challenge of saving the country yet again.
    • Grumpy (25/09/2013, 15:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Just shows you can fool all the people all the time. Fraser is all smoke and mirrors.
  • we thank you (25/09/2013, 20:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I applaud and support Hon. Fraser in his crusade to stop this monstrosity
  • uncle sam (30/09/2013, 12:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let there be transparency, I agree with fraser.



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