Repatriation of Cubans sees refugee costs soar

Repatriation of Cubans sees refugee costs soar

Wednesday, October 4, 2006

Julianna O'Connor Connolly
Opposition MLA

During the Financial Year that ended 30 June 2006, the Cayman Islands
spent close to one million dollars on Cuban refugees - almost sixteen
times more than the amount originally budgeted.

On 2 October, legislators met in Finance Committee to formally approve
additional sums spent during the past financial year and heard for the
first time the dramatic increase in the amount already spent on refugees.

Financial Secretary, Hon Kenneth Jefferson who directed the Committee's
proceedings explained that the formal presentation of supplementary
expenditure, even after the year had ended, was "normal to tidy up the
previous year's activities."

The original 2005/6 Budget itemised $58,000 for "Services to Refugees"
however, $896,000.00 was actually spent, and legislators met last Monday
to formally approve the additional expenditure of $838,000.00.

Even before a breakdown of the expenditure had been provided, Opposition
Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Julianna O'Connor Connolly
asked when last was the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Cayman
and Cuba revised, adding, "Can we attempt to negotiate sharing the cost
of repatriation of refugees?"

Questions on the matter were directed to Chief Secretary, Hon George
McCarthy, under whose portfolio this item falls, and he disclosed the
following breakdown in expenditure: $118,000 on airfare for
repatriation; $104,672 for renovating the Immigration Reception area to
handle the matter; Meals, $62,471; Hiring Security, $541,139; Overtime
for police and other such officers, $14,907.00; Leasing Halls for
lodging, $15,075; Medical Care, $28,075; and hosting a Cuban delegation
of negotiators, $4,291.00.

Mr McCarthy said that in the last meeting held with Cuban officials, "to
discuss repatriation arrangements, Cuba's institutional arrangements did
not match our timelines and we need more cooperation on their side.

"However, we have had improvements, but not to the extent we would
like," Mr McCarthy said.

Opposition MLA, Rolston Anglin, pointed to the comparatively very low
figure of $62,000 budgeted for this financial year, ending 30 June 2007,
and asked the reason for it - especially since $896,000 was the figure
spent in the last financial year.

"It is very difficult to anticipate the number of Cubans," Mr McCarthy
replied.

"However, the expectation is that word would have got around that such
persons would not be provided with assistance with equipment for their
onward journey, if they should come to Cayman. Consequently we expect to
see a reduction in numbers."

He said that there had been a reduction over the last three to six
months and an indication that the numbers will be returning to normal.

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