Fellow Anguillians,

On May 30^th, 1967, a band of patriots, our forebears, fed up with the lack of modern facilities, modern amenities, and infrastructure; plagued with economic hardship; and no assistance provided by the Central Government, ousted the St. Kitts policemen, and set out on a journey of self-determination and economic progress for Anguilla.

As a proud Anguillian, I wish you all a Happy Anguilla Day on this 52^nd anniversary of the Anguilla Revolution.

This day is possible because men like the Hon. James Ronald Webster, Atlin Harrigan, Walter Hodge, Wallace Rey, Collins Hodge; women like Daisy Wong, Mildred, Doreen, Nadine, Verna, Aunt Vie; teenagers like Todville, Mitchell and Wilkin; and boys like Fogel and Bull feared nothing and risked everything because they were willing to spend sleepless nights in the bushes, or mind the beaches, or stand in front of soldiers’ guns and police batons, or travel to St. Kitts to solidify the Revolution, or disrupt a Queen Show to stop the Celebration of Statehood; so that all of us now have a chance to chart our own future; to be called Anguillians. They had courage, clear purpose and a ‘just’ cause, and managed to change the course of history.

For this reason, those Anguillians who served time in prison in the service of their country during the Revolution, such as Todville Harrigan, Mitchell Harrigan and Wilkin Smith, should be provided with stipends and free health care for the remainder of their lives. It is the least we can do to honour their sacrifice.

Mr. Webster wrote in his book Revolutionary Leader, “I learned a valuable lesson that Anguillians were willing and ready to risk their lives to change their political and economic future.”

I think it is simple for us to look back 52 years and think that it was all so clear then; that the path was easy; the future sure. It took struggle and sacrifice, discipline and tremendous courage. This culminated in disruption of a Statehood Queen Show, and police being expelled, and a raid on a courthouse and police station in St. Kitts, and defiance at a meeting in Barbados, and the embarrassment and expulsion of Whitlock. I have often thought about our forebears and wonder where they found that kind of courage. This reminds us that ordinary citizens can somehow find in their hearts the courage to do extraordinary things. The Anguilla Revolution represents what is possible when a people stand united.

Yes, 52 years later we have made some progress, but the very pillars of our progress have been taken away or put in jeopardy by the policies and actions of our government. Our two Anguillian-owned banks, NBA and CCB, are lost, replaced with NCBA, a bridge bank, which by definition is unstable, and must be sold; ANGLEC, our electricity Company, a valuable and vital asset, is for sale, most likely losing Anguillian control and its commitment to social and cultural development; the Social Security Fund is being used as a ‘slush fund’ and not being preserved to cover the sick, retired and unemployed.

The Banking Resolution Act and the Banking Obligations Act have increased the National Debt to almost EC $600 million. Servicing this debt and the proposed Goods and Services Tax will increase the tax burden on our people for several generations. I am not saying we shouldn’t pay taxes, but taxes should be reasonable, affordable and sustainable. We cannot raise taxes when the economy is in a tailspin; when jobs are being cut; when we are using up our life savings just to live and make ends meet; when some Anguillians must decide between buying food or life-saving medications. Government would have us believe that this is OK. I say that is not OK!

Other challenges include economic residency which can change the social and cultural makeup of Anguilla, expose our island to persons who do not share our values, or who are not properly vetted thus having potential to harm Anguilla’s reputation. Also, the recommendation of the Foreign Affairs Committee to mandate by Order in Council that British citizens can vote and contest elections in Anguilla. These are current threats to us as a people which require us to be vigilant to protect our homeland.

We not only have a moment of great challenge, but also a moment of great opportunity. We must all come together to tackle the problems, which have stagnated Anguilla’s progress. We have this chance to work together to make the lives of Anguillians, present and future, better and sustainable.

We must organize even when so many try to stop our efforts. We must speak truth, even when they try to silence our words. We must march, even when they mock us, calling us “headless” and ignore us again and again and again. The road is not easy. But the road to change never is.

We know that the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of thousands of voices calling for change. We must remember that we are not as divided as our politics suggest; we are one people; one nation; and we have demonstrated on many occasions that we work together as a formidable force when necessary.

This is our defining moment. A moment when jobs are being lost, and threatened to be lost, businesses are being shuttered, our local bank is unstable, the economy is in turmoil, Anguilla’s reputation is severely damaged, and investors are fleeing our shores.

Recognizing our common purpose is only the beginning of our task. Words alone cannot meet the needs of our people. These needs will be met only if we act boldly in the years ahead, and if we understand that the challenges we face are shared, and our failure to meet them will hurt us all. Our problems must be dealt with through partnership. We must engage the people, especially the Youth, so that all feel invested and have ownership, and shared responsibility.

The “cause” of Anguilla is not complete. We are reminded that Anguillians can do whatever we set our minds to. That is the story of our history.

It is as unacceptable now as it was in the 1960’s that our children may not have a chance to get a good education, or a well-paying job, or own land, or experience conditions which give them the opportunity to be successful in Anguilla. This will require a social and economic revolution.

We must better align our actions with our ideals and become a force for good. We will only know what is possible when we come together, united in common effort and by a common purpose.

Again, Happy Anguilla Day as we pray for a better Anguilla.

May God Bless You and May God Continue to Bless Anguilla.

Dr. Ellis Lorenzo Webster

Dear Editor,

  “The wealth of St. Eustatius is beyond your imagination,” the English admiral George Rodney wrote in 1781, just before he would plunder the Dutch colony and rob the merchants of their money and goods. This small island in the Caribbean was called the Golden Rock back then. It was a free port where everyone could buy everything, from slaves and goods to ships and weapons.

  The island flourished during the American Independence War (1775-1783), when the colonies in North America freed themselves from the English motherland and the armaments of the rebels largely took place via Statia. Until the English seized the opportunity and plundered the island. This history is described by Willem de Bruin in his recently published historic novel De Gouden Rots (The Golden Rock). De Bruin, a former journalist, shows in an accessible way how Statia played an historical role in the rise of the United States, but at the same time in the decline of the Dutch Republic.

  Statia wrote world history when nine cannon shots were fired from Fort Oranje on November 16, 1776, to greet the Andrew Doria, a ship flying the American flag which wanted to buy weapons and ammunition on the island. Johannes de Graaff was not only the governor on the island, but also one of the most important traders, something that would have major consequences.

  It was very common at the time that merchant ships fired a salute that was answered by the fort as a sign of friendship. However, the Andrew Doria was no longer a merchant ship, but converted into a warship. De Graaff must have known that, since he and other rich merchants on the island made good money from the legal, but especially from the illegal trade with the US. The Netherlands had promised England that it would remain neutral in the conflict with the American colonies, but for the English this was yet another proof of the unreliability of this ally.

  The salute that sounded from Fort Oranje on November 16, 1776 was the first time that the flag of the US was officially recognised by another country. I don’t think the governor realised the impact of his act at the time, but this First Salute is important in the history of the United States. Fort Oranje has a beautiful plaque, given by President Roosevelt in 1939, in which he thanked Johannes de Graaff for the recognition of his country, which had declared itself independent 200 years earlier.

  But De Graaff’s performance also heralded the end of St. Eustatius as a paradise for doubtful traders. The English used the First Salute to block the free port and to stop the trade. Admiral Rodney also bent the rules in his favour by appropriating part of the wealth. In De Gouden Rots, Willem de Bruin takes a close look at the double lives of directors and traders such as De Graaff and Rodney and how their greed destroyed themselves and the island.

  The “betrayal” of the First Salute also prompted the English to declare war on the unreliable Dutchmen, a battle that the militarily weak Republic could never win. This naval war (1780-1784) was disastrous for the Dutch trade and heralded the end of the once powerful Republic. However, this war was also extremely inconvenient for the English, because it diverted attention from the rebellious Americans, who were still fighting for their independence, which the US actually managed to achieve in 1783.

  Meanwhile, on Statia the English had been chased off the island by the French (allies of the Americans), who eventually gave the island back to the Netherlands. But with the end of the Dutch glory, the Statia free port also lost its importance. Moreover, the US could now do business with everyone and it no longer needed the Statian back door. Author De Bruin also extensively describes this decline of the island.

  It is also interesting to see how the same surnames appear in this history that now still play a major role on Statia, as well as on Saba and St. Maarten. A name such as Heyliger: Johan Heyliger was a descendant of Johannes de Graaff, who married a Maria Heyliger. These old families still have a lot of influence on the islands. Theo Heyliger was the most important politician on St. Maarten for years, until he recently had to resign because he is suspected of corruption.

  Last year, all political parties in The Hague decided to intervene on Statia because of “gross neglect of tasks.” The island is now run by a National Government Commissioner who has to reform the government and fight corruption. “The contrast between the poor present and the rich past could not be greater,” says Willem de Bruin. A wealth that, he shows at the same time, was based on colonialism and the slave trade and the greed of Dutch merchants.

  On November 16, 2026, it will be 250 years since the First Salute was fired from Fort Oranje and the US was officially recognized by another country for the first time. Last year I suggested celebrating this anniversary extensively, a plan that was adopted by the Dutch government and, as I learned, was also enthusiastically received in the US. De Gouden Rots shows that this history has many horrors, from slave trade and arms trade and the dubious behavior of Dutch traders. This history of Statia also shows the historical roots of the problems on this beautiful Island and why life here is not easy. As far as I’m concerned, that too will be part of the commemoration of the First Salute in 2026.

  This is also an extra opportunity for the Dutch government to invest in this neglected island and to ensure that by that time Statia is more caught up and the heads of state of the Netherlands and the US can visit a proud island.

Ronald van Raak

(Ronald van Raak is a Member of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament for the Socialist party (SP). He regularly sends contributions to the media. This time, it concerned a book review.)

Dear Editor,

  Please allow me some space in your newspaper to shed some light on a concern that seemingly bypasses way too many people.

Dear Editor,

  It was quite apparent to many that the Minister of TEATT [Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication – Ed.] evaded the question I posed during Friday’s Committee on TEATT meeting.

  Minister of TEATT Stuart Johnson stated during the meeting that the hiring process of the airport’s new CFO is in its final stages. I then asked the Minister if he thinks it is ethical to be finalizing the process of employing someone, without following the proper channels like advertising the vacancy in the newspaper, so that a local person could have the opportunity to apply. Minister Johnson broadly elucidated that he believes that the patrimony of local people should be protected.

  However, he never answered the question that was posed. When I asked for clarification and pointed out that the minister did not answer his question, the minister offensively said that he would “dumb-it-down” for me.

  It came as no surprise to me that the minister would stoop so low regarding a question that has the people of St. Maarten at the forefront. The Minister often gives broad responses that “sounds good” but have no substance and do not answer the questions posed by the Members of Parliament.

  Though the Minister stated that he believes that “the patrimony of the local people should be protected,” I challenge the honesty of this statement. It is clear that the Minister of TEATT together with other Ministers, are selling out our country one managerial position at a time. It is also clear that they do not consider the local people to be competent enough to hold these positions.

  If they do, then why are they so submissive to the Dutch government? Why did the Minister of TEATT allow Mr. Mingo to imply that our local people cannot hold the CFO position because they do not have the ability to crunch numbers? Why are they so lackadaisical and not fighting for the people which they swore to serve?

  The people are being left behind and forgotten time and time again. It’s really a sad situation. When the Minister stated that the hiring process of the CFO was in its final stages, I simply asked him if he thought that the process was done ethically, as it was not advertised for locals to apply. I asked this question because it became clear to me that yet again, the people of St. Maarten were being robbed of an opportunity in their own country. It really bothered me, so that is why I could not let the agenda point close without seeking clarity.

  The shareholder representative, which is the Minister of TEATT, is at the top of the chain-of-command. The Minister is then followed by the holding company (PJIAH) and then the operations company (PJIAE). Based on the chain-of-command, if there is an open vacancy on the managerial board, the Minister has a responsibility to instruct the Director of the holding company (PJIAH) to start the hiring process. Therefore, it is questionable that the Minister would imply that the hiring process has nothing to do with him. It seems as if Minister Johnson has no clue as to how the process goes, based on his distancing himself as if he is not at the helm.

  I suspect that the reason that the Minister avoided his question is because the position is already filled by a non-local candidate brought forward by the Dutch Government.

It is sad to witness the Minister’s lack of passion for our people.

  His deflection will not deter me from standing up for the people of St. Maarten and demanding answers to the questions that they deserve. I will continue to serve my country, focused and un-fazed.

Member of Parliament Egbert Doran