Leader of Government states his position on 'Self-Determination'
Dear Sir,
I refer to the letter to the Editor in the issue of 26th May of another local paper that Mr. Truman and his defeated team are "shocked" that the Cayman Islands Government was represented in Anguilla at a conference on the options of advancing our constitution.
These Islands will recall that the Chamber of Commerce invited that group here recently.
In today's world, it is critical that we enter into dialogue on important issues and the Constitution is an important matter in order for us to make informed decisions. As Leader of Government, I have not shied away from this aspect of my duties, which I think is critical to protecting the interests of the Cayman Islands.
On the matter of the concerns raised by their letter, they show a lack of knowledge on this subject, though admittedly it is not hard to fathom why this is so as they seem to think that they should bury their heads in the sand, for one; and, further, because, like the rest of us, they did not have the benefit of information over the years on the true range of available options with respect to constitutional advancement.
Constitutional advancement does not suggest, as the UK has been saying over the years, that the only options are to remain with the status quo or choose independence. Rather, self-determination offers a range of options, one of which is independence, which I have said this government does not support.
Those options were clearly enunciated at the UN seminar, with a top-ranking UK official sitting at the table and agreeing that those options should now be made clear to the population in all the Overseas Territories (OTs). Among the overriding resolutions evolving from the seminar is one that relates to the UN's intention to continue dialogue with the UK on respective views on the available options, a process that has now started, given the exchange of views as these players sat around the table with OT governments. As part of this process, the UK has also agreed to the UN's assistance with public information in the OTs on this important topic.
Those options as identified by the United Nations are:· integration (within the administering power or with peer countries), · negotiation with respect to an individualized arrangement mutually agreed by territory and administering power, · free association (which allows for greater political autonomy while retaining citizenship with the administering power), and · independence.
I have said that we are not supporting independence and that we would support a constitution similar to Bermuda's constitution, which would give us the autonomy needed to protect our financial industry. The Government intends to consult fully with the public on the implications of each of these options other than independence, while continuing to send the clear message that independence is not an option for the Cayman Islands.
It is entirely untrue that constitutional
advancement implies setting a date for independence, as was said
in the aforementioned letter. In fact, Bermuda and other overseas
territories currently have constitutions reflecting aspects of
2. and 3. above in those respects outpacing Cayman's. At
the same time, all the OTs, including
Cayman, have said very clearly that they do not wish independence
and are not contemplating such. What we would like to achieve
for the Cayman Islands is a constitution similar to Bermuda's
constitution.
So while I understand Mr. Truman's confusion, I ask him to take steps to inform himself and to stop spreading misinformation and misleading the public.
As to the economy and crime, had the three of them done their work while in office, I would not have to stimulate the economy and we would not have such incidents as there have been recently. Mr. Truman would not even admit that we had gangs in school. If you remember, they were called groups rather than gangs by Mr. Truman!
The Auditor General has given the country
a good look at your management and the Pedro Castle fiasco is
yet another good example of your stewardship millions of
dollars wasted and no one yet can find where all the money went.
I will not say that more tourists visited the country as actually
had, as Mr. Tom Jefferson did by padding the arrival figures.
I do hope Mr. Truman will run in the next election, with or without
his newly found friends, the PPM, so I can put the spotlight on
his and their mismanagement.
The country rid itself of Mr. Truman in 2000, a wise choice. I am struggling to rebuild in a world of uncertainty and unprecedented challenges. I pray that God gives my colleagues and I the strength to fulfill our tasks.
For a Better Cayman Islands,
Hon. W. McKeeva Bush, OBE, JP
Leader of Government