Dear Editor,
On Sunday November 4, 2018, the people of New Caledonia went to the polls in a referendum. The results are that over 56 per cent voted to remain as part of the Republic of France.
Some might say that it was a democratic process and therefore democracy won. But what was the process that this little island with a population of some 269,000 inhabitants, including children, according to France’s 2014 census, went through? Only just over 174,000 of those with longstanding links to the territory are entitled to vote in the referendum.
The following information is not a creation of my person but was researched. I would not want to be accused of plagiarism. I will quote when such is required.
New Caledonia has been under French rule for 165 years; in other words, since 1853. So how did it come the vote for independence? Let us take a journey through history. Source a discussion paper presented in Quito, Ecuador, May 30 to June 1, 2012, The third international decade for the Eradication of Colonialism by the Kanak Development Agency. It is established that New Caledonia is a “Non Self-Governing Territory.”
I quote from this document which reads as follows: “The rendezvous is based on the legal rights to self-determination for which the United Nations General Assembly have attributed a wide scope and have brought many changes in International Law. The indigenous population of New Caledonia, according to a 2009 census, consisted of 40 per cent of the total population which unfortunately is decreasing,” end of quote.
Another quote from the same document: “When New Caledonia was inscribed or re-inscribed on the UN list of non-self-governing territories on December2, 1986, many hoped that the UN specialized agencies would provide the necessary assistance to prepare the population to exercise their right to self-determination. But France maintained its long resistance to UN involvement in its overseas departments and territories,” end of quote.
Can you imagine France, a signatory to the United Nations Charter, resisting the involvement of the UN? I am not surprised. France had a budget deficit of 4.3 per cent in 2015. There were no repercussions or let me say instructions from the European Commission although legally it should not have exceeded the 3 per cent ceiling.
Continuing with the independence issue. It is said that in the 1970s the radical Kanak demands were met with a direct response from the conservative French Government. How did France deal with this issue? Quote: “Massive immigration to the territory to swamp the Kanak independence was evident,” end of quote.
The results, and I quote again: “In 1988 the confrontation became extremely tense and turned into a colonial war engaging land, sea and air French forces against Kanak freedom fighters until the newly elected government of France finally agreed that the concerned population of New Caledonia should determine by referendum their own future,” end of quote.
An agreement was signed in 1988. This came after a bloody civil war in New Caledonia in the 1980s, and I quote, “that culminated in the massacre of 19 Kanaks by French commandos in1988, and the assassination in 1989 of the great Melanesian pacifist independence campaigner, Jean Marie Tjibaou,” end of quote.
The Noumea Accord was signed in 1998 and the Organic Law in 1999. These laws specified the time frame,15 to 20 years, within which the new responsibilities should be transferred to the New Caledonians. I will not go into all the quotes again, but in summary, certain powers were transferred to the island – namely Economic Affairs, industrial relations and external trade – took place in 2000. In 2004 another group of powers was to be transferred and a third to be transferred in 2009. A group consisting of French state and New Caledonia during a congress voted to postpone this third transfer until 2011.
Note the timeframe from 1988 to 2011, 23 years have already gone by. For the next five years starting in 2014, 3 referenda can be conducted on whether New Caledonia should assume the final sovereign powers (justice, public order, Defence, currency and foreign affairs). If a date has not been proposed by Congress within its first four years of this mandate (i.e. y 2018), then the Noumea Accord commits France to conduct the referendum. Hence the referendum held on Sunday, November 4, 2018, 30 years later.
We all know by this time the metropolitans have gained the majority in New Caledonia. As you may recall, the French census of 2009 proved that the indigenous people were on the decline. What the French government did was to delay the process until the influx of metropolitans was to the point where they represent the majority.
I am completely convinced that the islands of the Dutch Kingdom, Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten and the so-called public entities will suffer the same fate because we are playing by rules they have created but they are not complying with. These islands are economically, geographically and strategically positioned for trade and commerce.
In conclusion as it refers to New Caledonia which is located 18,000 kilometers from mainland France: The island is a key supplier of nickel to the world and it also gives France a strategic economic and political foothold in the Pacific as China expands its influence in the region. It is an economic benefit for the Republic of France.
George Pantophlet
Middle Region people are not pleased for bus drivers to use Middle Region Road during the sewage project in Dutch Quarter.
These bus drivers might be in risk.
Tension increasing, let these bus drivers pass through Ash Road, not Middle Region.
We had our eighth closed-door meeting and it is better for the (seven-seat buses) to officially start running through Middle Region, Sucker Garden and Philipsburg as soon as possible.
The only way these bus drivers can pass is if the seven-seat buses start running through Middle Region and Sucker Garden.
On the same date the sewage project in Dutch Quarter starts. That’s what Middle Region people want – for a better cooperation between the bus drivers, transport minister and Middle Region people. This is the best solution.
In other words, for a clear understanding if the sewage project in Dutch Quarter starts on November 12,17, 2018, or December 8, 10, 2018.
Both the transport minister and the bus association must put their act together to have the seven-seat buses running through Middle Region and Sucker Garden the same date the sewage project will get started.
Bus drivers said the government is responsible for lack of buses not running on East.
People of the West of St Maarten said bus drivers going to bed to early.
No bus drivers should get a number plate or plates without being a member of a bus association.
Cuthbert Bannis
Dear Editor,
Lately there has been a very vicious divide in the St. Maarten society … especially after Irma.
We had a cascading flow of events starting with the Marlin Government being thrown under the bus.
Logically that government was a blind eye to looting and was absolutely not prepared for the hurricane. That government wanted to run the country but was ill prepared for a single natural disaster. There are various specifics in this, but bottom line was that the population suffered equally due to the disaster as much as for the ill-preparedness of the Government of the day.
Fast forward ahead and we got the next government with the supposed Dutch blue-eyed boy. He had been a thorn in the eye of the Dutch but here opportunity stuck and both shook hands to pull the rug under the Marlin Government and we were presented with a new government via an election.
All seemed to proceed fine until the oil (read – money) which greases the wheels (read – politicians) was controlled to a trickle by the Dutch.
The Dutch overshot their gamble and the local present-day government started doling out information which portrayed the situation of colonial yesteryears.
Extreme division and a sense of “take over” is being pushed to slowly push the “Independence” agenda.
As per UN, every country has a right to self-determination. But will this self-determination be for the people at large or is it for the self-enrichment of the selected few?
We have a population of approximately 60,000. Voting population is about 35,000. We take daily pot-shots via social media against Trump who is very right-leaning. Our own society here on SXM very right-leaning where we complain about legal naturalised citizens and their voting rights which we say are diluting the agenda of the “local St. Maartener.”
Few individuals (can be counted on our fingers and toes) control the flow of the economy. The writing on the wall is clear. The politicians don’t want any higher supervision and they don’t want control over them. The harbour has been plundered, the airport has been plundered, the courthouse has been plundered, we are more expensive for telephone and Internet services as compared to our EC islands. Our Government payroll is highly inflated.
Of course, we want to herd our people like sheep into the colonial mentality and make them vote for independence.
If we get independent, do we have answers for below:
1.) Disaster fund
2.) Study Grants
3.) Travel
4.) European Funding
5.) Military – French have taken over part of Oyster Pond
6.) Border control, including access to French side which would be France
7.) Dump
8.) A report on parliamentarians hawking independence – how many have French nationalities or other.
9.) Antilles federal structure took a part of our turnover tax when it was just 3 per cent and we almost doubled the collection to 5 per cent and retained the complete collection and face a deficit. How will we manage with no big brother?
10.) Corruption
Instead of chastising the Dutch, foreigners, etc., let the community come together and rationally debate how we can get the above 10 points into our foundation. Come with a time span of say 15 years and start working on all this. Once we see we can take care of things which are important for the “Community” and not the “Politicians” then we can discuss independence. Right now, we are not ready.
We don’t have leaders who can lead. So, let our schoolchildren read – hopefully with a united society we can build a better society. Work towards uniting the society.
Vote for leaders who work to unite. Don’t vote for people who speak for a single community or chastise another community. Work to build a single SXM community.
Name withheld at author’s request.
As a long time and permanent citizen of this beautiful country called St. Maarten/St. Martin I came from the United States of America 28 years ago and decided to make. St. Maarten my home.
I have seen when St. Maarten had its highs and lows. Memorable lows were the devastations caused by Hurricanes Luis and Lenny, the effects of 911, which had a negative impact not only on St. Maarten but worldwide. Last year, we again had to grapple with one of the most devastating hurricanes of all times, Hurricane Irma. Hurricane Irma crippled our economy and has set us without a doubt back for many years.
I am saying all of this to say the following. We need all hands on deck to ensure that this country is rebuilt better than it was. We need persons with real leadership and vision.
Let me share this one experience with you that left me in awe. Yesterday, I went to the airport to pick up a friend. The plane landed at 1:45pm, and it was not until 4:10pm that she was able to obtain her baggage. The rain, which we have no human control over, delayed her arrival even more. I observed that our visitors were standing in the rain waiting for taxi service. My heart went out to especially an elderly lady who had no umbrella to shield from the rain. When I saw this, I went over and shielded her with my umbrella until she was ready to take a taxi.
The state of the airport is no secret. However, for the sake of our visitors, there should be some small provisions made so that their first impressions are not blighted by not having these simple accommodations in place. What would it take to erect a canopy alongside the area of the passenger arrival which will serve as a shelter in the times of rain or even from the heat?
And speaking about having leadership and vision especially where the airport is concerned, I have always said that if Mrs. Regina Labega, the former director, was still at the helm, the airport would have already been much further along. Her hard work at this main port of entry should never go unnoticed. It is alleged that Mr. B. Mingo will be taking on the position as CEO at the airport. In my opinion that is an excellent choice. He proved himself at TelCell and I am quite sure he will do the same at the airport. However, I strongly believe that having Mrs. Labega at his side will be an excellent arrangement until he is able to take over the reins independently.
As a matter of fact, this would be one of the best decisions the Government can take at this crucial time for the airport. The Government needs to use its limited resources to get the airport and country back on its feet. It is about time we start to rebuild seriously so that St. Maarten can regain its place as the number one tourism destination in the Caribbean.
By most, I would be crucified as an outsider, but I too want to see what is best for St. Maarten. If this was otherwise, I too would have returned to the United States after Hurricane Irma. Love St. Maarten with all my heart.
M. Daniel
Dear Editor,
On September 7, 2017, the outlook as a nation was bleak. Hurricane Irma ravaged our beautiful island in the sun, yet through the strength and will of our people, St. Maarten now has more than just a glimmer of hope, we are on track to re-establish our dominance as the preferred tourism destination in the Caribbean, taking full advantage of the opportunity to rebrand and improve our product.
