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Environmental Treaties
Turning to a brief description of each agreement, the SPAW Protocol serves to protect the marine environment of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean sea, including the areas surrounding the U.S. mainland off the coast of Florida and the Gulf States and territories in the Caribbean region. This Protocol is an outgrowth of the Cartagena Convention, and is one of three Protocols anticipated by the Cartagena Convention. The Convention establishes general legal obligations for the protection and preservation of the marine environment of the Caribbean region. Geographically, it covers the marine environment of the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea and areas primarily within 200 nautical miles of the Atlantic coasts of 20 countries and island territories. Twenty-eight countries of the Wider Caribbean Region are eligible to become Parties to the Cartagena Convention and its Protocols. Currently, ten countries are Parties to the SPAW Protocol, while eleven others are non-Party Signatories. ... [Read More]
Background Notes Archive - East Asia and the Pacific
U.S. Department of StateBackground Notes: Western Samoa, June 1996Bureau of East Asian and Pacific AffairsPrepared and released by the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs,Office of Pacific Island AffairsJune 1996Official Name: Independent State of Western SamoaPROFILEGeographyArea: 2,934 sq. km. (1,133 sq. mi.), about the size of Rhode Island.Cities: Capital--Apia (pop. 35,000).Terrain: MountainousClimate: Tropical.PeopleNationality: Noun and adjective--Western Samoan(s).Population (19991: 161,000.Annual growth rate (1986-91): 0.5%.Ethnic groups: Samoan, European-Samoan, Chinese-Samoan.Religion: Christian.Languages: Samoan, English.Education: Years compulsory--ages 5-14. Elementary school attendance--85%. Literacy--70%.Health: Infant mortality rate--19/1,000 live births. Life expectancy--64 yrs.Work force: Agriculture--90%.GovernmentType: Parliamentary democracy.Independence: January 1,1962.Constitution: January 1, 1962.Branches: Executive--head of state. Legislative ... [Read More]
Money Laundering and Financial Crimes
Similar arrangements can be found in some Caribbean Basin OFCs as well. In the Belize OFC control of the registration of IBCs and ships was ceded to the private sector at its outset. In the case of Antigua and Barbuda, ceding control to an external agent played a major role in that government's decision to change legislation to create a haven for those engaged in money laundering. After intensive but fruitless negotiations with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, the United States, followed by the United Kingdom issued financial advisories in April 1999 warning their own financial institutions to view with suspicion all transactions to, through and from Antigua and Barbuda, or involving any of its Nationals. One result of these advisories was the closing of all but 18 of Antigua and Barbuda's 57 offshore banks. Another beneficial result of the advisories has been the passage of new legislation, which reportedly has corrected many defects of the former laws pertaining to banking. Und ... [Read More]
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