According to yesterday's Observer (Feb.14, 2008), the Ministry of Transport & Works has defended its decision to replace Prof. Vascianne as chairman of the Air Policy Committee. http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20080213T220000-0500_132519_OBS_WHY_HYLTON__AND_NOT_VASCIANNIE__IS_THE_RIGHT_MAN.asp
The Ministry focuses almost entirely on the suitability of Noel Hylton as Prof. Vasciannie's successor, citing Mr. Hylton's supposed credentials in the field of shipping and aviation. My wife Alison had an excellent rebuttal, which was published in the Observer of Feb. 15, 2008. The essential point that Alison raises is that Noel Hylton's credentials were never in issue; what was, and continues to be in issue, is why the government saw fit to replace Prof. Vasciannie at all, considering its own acknowledgement of what he had accomplished as committee chair.
See http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/letters/html/20080214T210000-0500_132545_OBS_MINISTRY_OF_TRANSPORT_MISSES_THE_POINT_ON_VASCIANNIE.asp
Friday, February 15, 2008
Further on Prof. Vasciannie's dismissal as chairman of the Air Policy Committee
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Is it personal, Mr. Golding? By Alison Irvine- Observer- Feb.05, 2008
Today's Observer also features a pointed critique by my wife Alison Irvine of Prof. Vasciannie's removal as chair of the Air Policy Committee. Alison exposes the folly of replacing Prof. Vasciannie, who not only has the qualifications for the job, but whom the government has recognized as having performed creditably during his tenure.
Alison points to the Attorney General's endorsement of Stephen Vasciannie's credentials in international law/international relations at the same time that she was objecting to his selection as SG, because of a purported lack of litigation experience. Certainly, Stephen Vasciannie cannot be disqualified from chairing the Air Policy Committee because of any lack of expertise in international law/relations as regards the formulation of Air Policy.
Noel Hylton, Alison points out, is chair of the Police Service Commission. Like the Public Service Commission, the Police Service Commission was sued for retiring a person in the public interest. The Police Service Commission retired a police inspector in the public interest, but the Supreme Court quashed the decision as unlawful for failure to observe natural justice. Alison rightly questions why the Police Service Commission was not subject to the same treatment as the Public Service Commission, following a similar adverse judicial review (in respect to Lackston Robinson).
The bankrupt order of Jamaican politics continues, despite Mr. Golding's promise of something new and different.
http://activepaper.olivesoftware.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Sk1PLzIwMDgvMDIvMDUjQXIwMDkwMA==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
Why this animosity towards Professor Vasciannie? - Observer editorial - Feb.05, 2008
The Observer has an excellent editorial today (February 05, 2008) on the issue of Prof. Vasciannie's removal from the chairmanship of the Air Policy Committee. See:
http://activepaper.olivesoftware.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Sk1PLzIwMDgvMDIvMDUjQXIwMDkwMA==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
The Observer juxtaposes Prof. Vasciannie's removal with the government's opposition to his appointment as Solicitor General. The Observer notes that this behaviour on the part of the government is evidence of animosity toward Prof. Vasciannie and indeed what "appears to be the genesis of a campaign to deny him the opportunity to serve his country". Well said Observer!
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Gov't axes Vasciannie from Air Policy Committee- Sunday Observer, Feb 03, 2008
The Sunday Observer has also published a story on the removal of Prof. Stephen Vasciannie as chairman of the Air Policy Committee. There appears no rhyme or reason for replacing Stephen Vasciannie, an expert in international law/relations, with Noel Hylton, a septuagenarian, who has no similar experties. This action by the government, combined with the derailment of Prof. Vasciannie's selection as Solicitor General is indicative of a sinister agenda to undermine or discriminate against Prof. Vasciannie, regardless of the competence he brings to either position.
In November 2007, the Attorney General had objected to Prof. Vasciannie's selection as SG because of a purported lack of litigation experience. This objection cannot validly be invoked with respect to Prof. Vasciannie's chairmanship of the Air Policy Committee, given Prof. Vasciannie's undisputed credentials in the area of international law/relations.
This development further confirms the government's agenda of arbitrary governance, despite the lofty promises of 'inclusiveness' made by the Prime Minister at his inauguration.
See the Observer story at: http://activepaper.olivesoftware.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Sk1PLzIwMDgvMDIvMDMjQXIwMDMwMg==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
