Dear Editor,
This past Friday, it was time for the Chief Minister of Anguilla, the Honorable Victor Banks, to respond to much of the runaway talk which came to St. Martin from Anguilla in recent weeks. The rebuttal of Victor Banks was highly anticipated. This past Friday morning the Honorable Chief Minister was guest on Talking Point with Billy D.
It would have been a pleasant experience, if one had the time to which they could have availed themselves to the entire interview or dialogue, which lasted just over an hour.
The program started quite cordial as the Honorable Chief Minister made his introduction. No time was wasted, the program host appeared quite anxious to question Banks, but gave him all the time he needed to make his introduction; seeing that Billy D and Victor Banks are also personal friends.
While the host seemed anxious to hear from the Chief Minister on much of what he heard over the past several weeks, it was time for re-acquaintance of their personal friendship, Banks claiming it has been some time since they had not met up.
Billy D indorsed Victor Bank and the AUF campaign in the election and delivered an electrifying speech on the AUF podium in the last day of the campain of 2015, to the extent that the opposition and many others attributed AUF’s win to Billy D. His speech is said to have impacted the campaign directly, delivering Victor Banks and AUF a resounding victory; sweeping the entire field of candidates, leaving a single opposition seat.
The program got started and the host did not hesitate from delivering a well-thought-out series of questions that articulated all the information he had received in recent weeks. He directed all of the compelling questions to Victor Banks in search of proper answers, not necessarily for him or to add to the prestige of his already-popular talk show both on St. Martin and Anguilla. He genuinely appeared concerned about what he had heard and wanted answers for the people of Anguilla.
On the other hand, Victor Banks appeared well relaxed and composed. The interview was well articulated, underscoring the astute performance of the interviewer. In responding to the barrage of questioning from Billy D, the Chief Minister asserted himself as a well-groomed politician, but also as an administrator with excellent capabilities and all-round machine in politics and economics.
Banks seemed quite calm and confident. His methodical approach made his presentation believable down to every single word. Questions from the host (Billy D) brought to the forefront the banking issue, the economy, the re-construction process, the debt of the country, tourism and port development. Questions were asked about the British partnership with Anguilla, the Governor and Brexit.
Of course, Billy D reemphasized the debt situation and second time, and told the Chief Minister he was very concerned about that in particular, which increased over the three years he has been in office. The opposition called it unsustainable.
The Chief Minister had already dealt with the issue, but for the second time in the program he methodically emphasized his governing approach in regard to the country. He explained this is normal for any forwarded-moving country to incur some level of debt; emphasizing that the debt incurred was for the purpose of solvency of two of the major institutions the country rely on; the social Security system, its pension fund and the indigenous banking institutions on the island. Both are now well secured.
He also answered a key question from Billy D; how would this debt affect the people of Anguilla in the process of repayment? Mr. Banks explained that it actually does not affect the people directly but more so in indirect forms. He said the repayment responsibility has more to do with the function of government and its economic program and so far his government has not been delinquent in any of its payment responsibilities.
In an all-round analysis, the Chief Minister positioned the island, having a legitimate functional government that operates by the rule of law in cooperation with the British Government. Aspects of government that the British have jurisdiction over are fully within their competence. The aspect of the economy and the function of everyday government are within the competence of the elected government under his leadership and the AUF governing machine.
At any given time the governing process is reviewed, analyzed and scrutinized by the British Government for regulatory standards of legitimacy within the British system, as a British Overseas Territory. On the other hand, the entire government apparatus is under the direct supervision of the British Government. They have oversight responsibility and at any time can withhold approval of any proposal. Banks said, what is important for Anguilla is to maintain an adequate working business relationship with its British counterpart.
It appeared that the host was anxious to hear from Victor Banks after hearing from at least two persons in the past weeks. Victor Banks, however, was in full control of the balance of reason and actually controlled the intensity and variety of the program. In the end, the host appeared convinced.
The Honorable Chief Minister of Anguilla displayed highest characteristics of leadership and representation of the country on this particular occasion. From my perspective, this was a real lesson in civics, and strategic governing; Victor Banks on this occasion, made the entire region proud, in particular Anguillians; it was a reflection of the level of governance the island it now experiencing.
Not once had Banks mentioned a single name of any one of his critics, who in recent weeks used the very same platform in an effort to decimate his character and governing posture; Banks indicating no fear under any circumstances.
For those who followed the last election, it now seems like these two veterans are again set to win the next Anguilla election 2020.
Elliot J. Harrigan
Dear Editor,
On February 7 of this year, the Government of the Netherlands decapitated the legitimately and democratically elected government of St. Eustatius by rushing a Dutch law which violates the UN Charter through both houses of Parliament. In doing so, it used a biased and bogus report with unsubstantiated allegations of wrongdoings as a justification for its unlawful acts.
Furthermore, these unlawful acts were supported by the highest advisory body within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Council of State, with Vice-President and former Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations Piet Hein Donner at the helm.
The Government of the Netherlands committed these unlawful acts despite the fact that the Government of St. Eustatius had repeatedly warned them against violating the UN Charter in a number of letters and Island Council motions, and had also proposed a process of dialogue to prevent the Kingdom of the Netherlands and all its citizens from being shamed internationally by the unlawful acts of the Government of the Netherlands.
Unfortunately, the Government of the Netherlands arrogantly dismissed or simply ignored the communications and reasoning of the Government of St. Eustatius and its legal representatives.
It is therefore very surprising, to say the least, that now that the legitimate Government of St. Eustatius has initiated legal action against the Government of the Netherlands for committing said unlawful acts, and have issued them an ultimatum to undo at least a number of said acts by October 29, 2018, they have requested additional time to respond and study the matter at hand.
Both requests for additional time are clear indications that the Government of the Netherlands either did not think through their actions, despite all the time and efforts they put into prepare the execution thereof, or did not expect the unlawfulness of their actions to be challenged and exposed.
Either way, it again demonstrates the consistent bad faith and untrustworthiness of the Government of The Netherlands which I have been pointing out for the past few years.
Despite the speed, aggression, and relentlessness with which the Government of the
Netherlands trampled on the democratic principles by decapitating the Government of St. Eustatius, they now have four extra weeks to prepare the defense of their actions during the main court proceedings.
As coalition, and at the request of their legal representative, Mr. C.R. Rutte of HBN Law, we also granted the Government of the Netherlands an extra week to prevent summary proceedings from being initiated, under the condition that the three main civil servants who were installed to run the affairs of St. Eustatius without a proper legal basis are removed by October 29, 2018.
It is unacceptable that the Government of the Netherlands acts as an international rogue State by using Dutch law to trample on democracy and circumvent and violate international treaties and laws that itself has pledged to uphold.
Clyde I. van Putten
Leader, Progressive Labour Party, St. Eustatius
Dear Editor,
I know who I am and I believe in what I stand for, and I also believe that if you say “A” you should say “B”, but being fair is high among my virtues. My mother used to tell us that it takes just as much energy to do good as it takes to do bad, so preferably do good.
I believe that it takes maturity to be in government. A commissioner once told me that he does not work for me, he bragged about it among his peers and coincidentally he was not re-elected. I made a joke out of it at that time and said that probably if he worked for me it would have worked for he.
I believe that MPs should dedicate more of their time doing what they were elected to instead of investigating a sex scandal between two adults. There are a whole lot more positive things that can be proposed by MPs other than wasting the taxpayers’ time and money on things which should be dealt with by government arbitrators and lawyers.
Because of where I worked desperate people would come to me for advice because of what happened to them. So I know that abuse of power because of sexual advance refusal has been around not alone in government but also in the private sector. Those who have been involved in this practice and who are still involved in it should abstain from this practice because, as we can see, cell phones and taping devices come in all different forms nowadays.
I stand to be corrected for what I am about to write now but I believe that the time has come that if we want to encourage others to do the thing right we should show example. I am of the opinion that Ministers substitute for each other, I am not aware the MPs substitute Ministers. this in reaction to a letter congratulating the people of Dutch Quarter.
More and more people are letting me know that there are a whole lot of gypsies out there who are using cars which are not insured and which are using old French number plates which they take off old French cars. Which encourages me to continue calling on government to put public transportation in the hands of the people and not in the hands of individuals. Probably MP Brison could spend some energy on that.
I believe that if transparency of government is prevelant, finding out what is terribly wrong with the public transportation would be great work. That would be working for the whole community and it would not seem as if he is being personal. I do not think that it is wise for anyone who is just getting his/her feet wet to get them wet in that way.
MP Wescot-Williams called for “justice authorities.” A man told me that he does not make too much publicity of the term “gedoogd beleid” because he is waiting for something to happen so that he could use that to get money from government. I want to know if he was referring to personal damage or material damage.
By the way, now that there are a whole lot of European Dutch in the midst of what is going with the reconstruction after Irma, I expected some signage like they use in Holland when, for instance, diverting traffic, etc. I have not seen any of that and I shake my head and ask myself, “Why not?”
Now this. If we are kingdom partners, what do not all the partners understand and agree with about Statia’s struggles with Holland? Should it not be so that now that we are partners, we should be able to deliberate with each other instead of Holland constantly flexing its muscles? And should not this be proportionate? Is there any difference to when we were colonies? Which age are living in?
Russell A. Simmons
Now ah days the only time
You hear mention kerosene
Is if they talking about
An aeroplane
Back on we days
We lamp in the living room
Was kerosene
We hurricane lantern
Hang up in the outdoor
Kitchen
Was kerosene
We two burner stove
Big improvement
From the outdoor coalpot
In the yard
Was cooking on kerosene
kerosene was big business
Miss Mêlée
Aunty “MelMel” for respect
Set up ah kerosene retail
Store just for the village
Selling kerosene
And matches by the box
Cauz everybody needed
Kerosene
Kerosene for lamp
With those Home Sweet Home
Lamp shade
Kerosene fo yo lanthern
Even for the torches
Used out door for lighting the
Walk way
We Needed kerosene
for cooking on yeh
Kerosene stove
And when Mr. Frigidaire
Came on the same
Replacing the ice box
He too needed kerosene
So you see kerosene
Was King
Long before Mr. Gas King
Was born if tez me
Yeh asking
Raymond Helligar aka “Big Ray”
Dear Editor,
Sometimes it’s better to sit back and watch the drama unfold, before one weighs in on the extravaganza that has plagued the country for the past weeks. By scrutinizing the episode from afar, it’s easier to sift out the truths from the lies and further examine the character of each actor. What a soap opera! Who would have thought that the island would be entertained to such a level and that the story line would be written by the actors themselves and not a professional script writer?
With all the excitement and embarrassment, the striking features that caught my attention are: the passive behaviour of the entire UD Party and the hypocrisy of the opposition and some persons within the community. Avoiding the press and not having the decency to address the people of a situation that has their concern is nothing more than a complete lack of leadership and an expression of disregard.
Back to back, the community has been bombarded with unpalatable issues regarding members of the Council, and up to date, the people have not heard any statement that addresses their concerns nor an announcement that reassures the public of government’s responsibility to exercise integrity. Instead, the Council of Ministers is acting as if all is well, not realizing how these unfortunate episodes and their hands-off attitude have damaged the reputation of the country.
When I listen to the Minister of TEATT, his overdue response to the allegations is quite troubling. Anyone who studies the behavioural patterns of individuals will conclude that his extremely speedy, brief and reluctant reaction are not in harmony with his demeanor. And his run-on, unrelated other topics give me the impression that they were put together as a decoy to keep the spotlight off him.
If I were to ignore the WhatsApp messages completely and focus solely on the Minister’s behaviour at the press briefings, it does not reflect someone who is dealing with the pain of his name being dragged through the mud; nor do I sense the importance of his desire to repair the fractured relationship that has occurred among his colleagues and the community.
More troubling is, as a former teacher and principal, does he feel any sense of accountability to the many children that were in his care, and who have access to these indecent conversations, whether factual or doctored? What are their impression of him now, versus then? How about the parents and staff? Don’t they deserve more than brushing the issue aside with a prepaid speech that has no substance at all?
Generally, whenever someone falls victim to another person’s malicious intent, the injured person does not need to defend him- or herself through a written speech. Instead, he or she speaks from the heart and expresses the discomfort that is associated with the situation. From his evasive attitude towards the press and the community, my conclusion is that this is just the beginning of the Minister’s troubles and it’s only a matter of time before he falls from grace.
There is no need to throw anyone under the bus when the facts are unclear, but for members of the UD party to say let the justice system take its course and everyone is entitled to privacy is just a weak and careless way of their unwillingness to lead and take charge of the situation. Yes, the privacy of all should be respected, but when persons in positions of leadership fail to manage their personal lives effectively, then it becomes the business of the people.
It is rather ironic that the population would hear, let justice take its course, when the same people have been complaining of the inaction of the Prosecutor’s Office regarding several pending cases. So, what is the real deal? Is it to allow the matter to run the course of delays so the population would forget about it, or UD has just exposed itself once more of being indecisive and unresponsive?
The opposition has some nerve to condemn another, when they themselves are just as guilty. Has it not that these hypocritical politicians displayed questionable behaviours that warranted their immediate dismissal? How quickly have they forgotten! The abuse of power has no measure whatsoever! Abuse is abuse, period! People, whatever is done in the dark must come to light. Give it time!
Joslyn Morton
