Editorial
The People of Cayman stoodup - and 'roared'
A delegation of senior Government officialsleft the Cayman Islands - again - last Tuesday, ironically onthe Fourth of July, the day the people of the United States celebratetheir Declaration of Independence from Mother England.
The previous day, Monday the 3rd of July, the people of the CaymanIslands celebrated yet another Holiday - Constitution Day.
As representatives of these two celebrants met to discuss anddecide on what Cayman's relationship(s) with citizens should bewith those who do not abide with their countries' tax laws - andother matters - many in Cayman are still convinced that theseislands are getting jumped on from all sides by the biggest political,military and in some cases, populous powers of the world.
Over the past couple of years - and even more so in the last sixto 12 months, never in the history on the Cayman Islands havethis territory come under such 'heavy manners' except the timeback in 1977 when the Committee of 24 of the United Nations cameto the Cayman Islands to try and convince the populace that theyshould consider becoming 'de-colonized' - in other words a recommendationthat these islands should move towards constitutional advancementto independence.
The committee held meetings in various Districts - and receivedsuch a warm rebuttal - that they retreated back to the UnitedNations in New York, totally whopped by the firm "No"message sent out by the people.
Following hot on the heals of the UN Team's retreat in 1977 -was a delegation of the Government of the day made up of the thenGovernor - Mr. Thomas Russel, the Hon. Truman Bodden, ExCo Memberand MLA for George Town, George Smith - both members of the triumphantUnity Team of 1976, which controlled 11 out of the then 12 seatsin Cayman's House of Assembly. Also on the Cayman delegation,was Mr. Richard Dalton, First Secretary of the UK delegation.
Today, the Cayman Islands are humbled in the sense that it isnot only the members of the countries belonging to the OECD whoare pulling these islands slowly to its knees - its in particularthe big brother to the North which has everything to gain - andnothing to lose, by ensuring that this territory - which has survivedmany earlier attempts to shut down its tax-free status, by threateningsanctions, if we do not cooperate.
Drawing on this historical reference as to how the people of theCayman Islands dealt with a threat to their 'independent' willto choose back in 1977 - today's acceptance of what is dishedout to this successful country - a status which is envied by smalland large states alike - pales in comparison with Caymanians'resolve for self-determination.
In his 17-minute address to the United Nations back on 13 September,1999, Mr. Truman Bodden told the Committee of 24 during a meetingin the U. N. Economic and Social Council Chamber: "The peopleof the Cayman Islands do not wish any change in their constitutionand they are not going to accept any such change. I want thisclearly understood."
There must have been at least close to a dozen trips that Governmentdelegations have made overseas in recent months to negotiate ourcountry's position in respect of the strength and necessity ofour Financial Industry's operations which have been hailed widelyas nothing short of good order.
Now, it seems that we are being ordered - under threats - to amendour laws to suit those of other countries - which cannot regulateor control their citizens income.
Whatever happened to the "mouse that roared" when theCayman Islands took on the whole world - the United Nations backin 1977?
During his appearance on the popular Radio Cayman's 'Talk Today'show a few days ago, the Governor of the Cayman Islands in someway suggested that it has been Government Officials who has beenspeaking to the powers who want to amend the way we live and dobusiness. Not the people themselves.
What we see and hear as told by officials, after their visitsoverseas, may not be what we will get in the long run.
Therefore, instead of remaining confused, the people of the CaymanIslands should take the initiative of his Excellency the Governorand speak up... or forever lose their piece of prosperity.