Montserrat, since 1998, had been following the promise of UK Minister (HMG) that they will develop the North as it was perceived is safe for Montserrat life to continue. But, it has been a struggle, only sometimes we have been our own enemy.
We are convinced that the people through their leaders and governments have over these years since the turn of year 2000 been let down, becoming what can be termed as nothing short of being beggars. What has turned this people from the position of strength whereby they could demand a colonial power to meet their obligation? What forced our Premier to reduce his people to the whims of HMG? Was it his negotiations or the media arguments that got Minister Duncan and Secretary of State Mitchell to admit they have somehow failed us? Other than the Sec of State telling us we have to stand on our own two feet, he knew he had to get us there. It could not be that he was saying, “get the UN of our backs!”
Is the ‘right thing’, carrying out their wishes and demands, or is it merely develop the ability to justify our needs? Montserrat people lost everything; they did not just have to reconstruct or rebuild they had to build from virgin territory, and to get back to pre-volcano or pre-hugo, the colonial power had the obligation. After that, we merely had to be responsible. Therefore, what went wrong, especially after Minister Alan Duncan acknowledged his predecessors own short-comings.
Premier Reuben Meade was at the center at the beginning of the struggle and since then he has always been a member of government, on one side or the other. What has happened that sixteen (16) years later, he is being accused of deception and lies as he proudly says, “I am also certain that the UK supports our stance,” to the only watchdog Montserrat can turn to if matters become abusive. Who is the Premier fooling to say that “we pass our own laws, we make our own decisions, we make our own monetary policies…”
He has taken actions that reminds of points raised to him, then as Chief Minister, by David Brandt in his resignation letter of February 28, 1994 from his NPP government.
Brandt’s letter was very instructive and still is, when one takes on board the issues of very recent times. In that letter Brandt wrote:
“I have come to the conclusion that good government is impossible under your leadership and so I must resign from a Government that has been pulling the country down…”
“Politicians cannot properly serve if they are arrogant, pig-headed, and contemptuous of those who elected them.”
“You have taken action on very serious matters without consulting with your colleagues– sometimes even failing to inform us of what you had done until we heard about it on the street.”
Can anyone accuse the Premier of these today? When or where did the people of Montserrat express the choice, “that they wish to continue being part of the UK for the time being.” And even if they did, or it is argued that they did, where did they say want to free Britain of its responsibility guaranteed to us by the United Nations?
The vast majority of the population (Montserratians), are opposed to de-listing. The matter has never been raised and absolutely no mention made to the public about de-listing. The reasoning given the Premier as justification for his recommended de-listing is false, at the least misleading. There was no cabinet decision for de-listing; and Ministers and legislators were informed about the Premier’s statement on the same day the statement was made, probably after.
Some action must be taken to let the UN Decolonisation know the truth of Montserrat’s position, that no one supports this Premier’s suggestion. They know that case about making our own laws etc. cannot be correct, but they may not know that not even the government sanctioned the recommendation. It was not sought, much more from the people as they would require. In any case there are pre-requisites and the UN is not the UK.
Can we accept that the Government works for the interest of the United Kingdom, and itself, or just one person, and not for the people of Montserrat, but a few? This way we will remain a Colony for the near future. Just like the Premier promised the UK, “We see ourselves as being part of the UK family by choice. Montserrat has by choice determined that they wish to continue being part of the UK for the time being,” his words to the UN.
Ever since the Constitutional talks began even before 2001 the independence talk has always been on the table along with other status such as associated statehood which the UK totally opposes.
Bermuda says at that same meeting: “And yet while the dream of Independence persists if temporarily deferred, our Government’s present cue from our people is that this pursuit is not a current top priority.
“However, like all self-respecting peoples Bermudians aspire to national sovereignty as an integral part of our destiny beyond our present circumstances.”
None of the other Overseas Territories who enjoy the status as Montserrat will ever lie to say they make/pass their own laws, make their own financial decisions, when the truth is anything, they do must meet the approval of HMG.
How could Bermuda make this assertion and Montserrat did not? “Finally, we are appreciative of the work of the UN in supporting us toward our unwavering aspiration,“ Bermuda’s Attorney General offered on her country’s behalf.
We feel that any other Montserratian present could not have been proud to listen to their leader say, “It took nine years for us to reach this stage. It (the new Constitution) is not a perfect document but it is workable with provisions for future Amendments,” and while being rude on the way, say, “I wish on behalf of the Government of Montserrat to thank this committee for its work over the years.”
Bermuda last checked with its people about independence in 1995 and here is what they say today. “It will have to be a concerted effort with hands-on participation by the masses in the process itself and their strongly signalled endorsement of the cause of independence bolstered by their convictions as to the brighter future it will bring.
“This is indeed the challenge that the Government of the day is cognisant of and intent upon pursuing.”
At the end of it all this may be a consolation to the masses of Montserratians that the Premier may very well tell his colleagues and of course the masses, that he merely made a recommendation (suggestion) rather than a request (demand). “…my recommendation that this UN Decolonisation committee remove Montserrat from their list of non-self-governing countries within their Decolonisation discussions.” “Self Governing??” However trite the Premier would wish his people to take this, as the older folks would say, “he out u order”. This is a ‘national’ matter, not a personal one.
