Letters to the Editor
Constitutional Review
Dear Sir:
I would like to clarify a certain misconceptionthat is being circulated regarding my position on the Constitutionand on the situation of the Constitution in general.
As you are aware the United Kingdom Parliament has issued to itsOverseas Territories (which include the Cayman Islands and Bermuda)a document entitled 'Partnership for Progress and Prosperity',most often referred to locally as the 'White Paper'. In this documentthe United Kingdom categorically, states that "good governance... in the territories should be promoted and their constitutionsrevised".
Also upon her visit to the Cayman Islands most recently, the BaronessScotland stated that constitutional review will take place andthat a Human Rights chapter will be added to our Constitution.Therefore, both the White Paper and the UK Minister for the OverseasTerritories makes it abundantly clear to the Caymanian peoplethat there will be a review of the Constitution, whether we (theCaymanian people) initiate it or not.
Given these facts, and given the position of this present legislaturein dealing with constitutional and other matters of utmost significance(two clear examples of their position being the 'Friday Fiasco'where amendments where made to four significant pieces of financiallegislation overnight, without proper and adequate considerationto the possible effects on our financial industry; and most recentlythe Legislative Assembly rejection of the opportunity to discussthe draft Constitution of 1992), I urge the Caymanian people toask each of your elected representatives, and candidates for theupcoming elections, point blank what their position on the Constitutionis. Ask them whether or not they understand what is going on.
I have come to understand that certain politicians are up to theirusual tricks, trying to scare the people by saying that if theconstitution is changed in any way, that automatically leads toindependence. I heard recently that one MLA stated that upon requestingfull internal self- government that we must set a date for independence.That is complete nonsense!
If that was the case, Bermuda, which has had full internal selfgovernment for many decades now, would have been Independent along time ago. Yet there is no evidence whatsoever that Bermudais heading that way any time soon. Once again, this kind of propagandabeing spread by MLAS who just don't understand the situation ofthe White Paper or constitutional review is what is going to continuecrippling this country from making any of the decisions that needto be made in the best interest of everyone.
I have also learned recently that there is going to be anotherconstitutional review (the third of its kind) early next year.I also know that history has a way of repeating itself and thatit will take a deliberate effort, after having new determined,responsible leadership come November 8, to ensure that we do notcontinue having reviews for review sake only.
I would just like to quote from the two previous reviews thatwhere done by the United Kingdom Government, one done in 1971and the other 20 years later in 1991.
The 1971 Review states, "The new constitution came into forcein July 1959-As early as 1955 the Caymanians had said that inany future arrangement they wished to retain control over taxation,immigration, and the maintenance of their established channelsof trade and employment overseas. At the end of June [1962], amotion was passed by a majority of the Legislature purportingto express the 'wish of the people of the Cayman Islands thata constitution providing full internal self-government be grantedimmediately after the forthcoming General Elections in October1962."
So according the 1971 Constitutional Review of the Rt. Hon. TheEarl of Oxford and Asquith, KCMG, the Legislature from as farback as 1962 recognised the need for full internal self-government,meaning that we (the Caymanian people and Government) will keepour association with the United Kingdom, but maintain power overour internal affairs.
Internal Self Government would also mean that the Legislaturewill, by law, have to be more responsible and accountable to thepeople of the Cayman Islands, who they are elected to serve. Fromas far back as the 1960s the ìdesire both of elected membersand of the thinking public to be kept more closely informed aboutthe conduct of government business and about administrative decisionsîwas the norm.
According to the Constitutional review of 1991, "the 1972Constitution has served the islands well, there is no doubt thatit lags woefully behind the constitutions of nearly all otherDependent Territories ... A group of islands [the Cayman Islands]... must be capable of managing a constitution which does notadvance their status beyond their present desires and wishes butwhich advances in a meaningful way their political maturity andstability." Again the theme of internal self-government ringsloud and clear! So the desire of the Caymanian people to manageour internal affairs and to continue to mature politically andsocially is not a new concept.
The lack of real initiative to deal with the Constitution andits relevance today must lay squarely on the shoulders of thetype of leadership that we have had certainly over the last eightyears, if not longer in most cases. We need new leadership whichis capable and willing to take decisions in the long term bestinterest of the country and the people of the Cayman Islands.
It is totally unacceptable for any MLA to shy away from discussingthe issue of the Constitution, especially at this time given thefact that the UK has made it abundantly clear that there willbe changes to our constitution, whether we like it or not. Thesesame MLAs cannot continue to keep the people ignorant about theFACTS, by trying to spread the usual propaganda and scare tactics.
The people of West Bay and the Cayman Islands deserve ResponsibleLeadership and Innovative Solutions to the problems facing thiscountry. And we deserve leadership who understands the issuesand who are not afraid to address them head on, in the best interestof the long term good of this country. Not leaders who continueto get "fat" off the blood, sweat and fears of the people.
The position on the Constitution taken by myself and my associatesis that we (the Caymanian people) need to review the present Constitutionto assess its relevance and ability to deal with the nationaland global challenges facing the Cayman Islands. And given thiscomprehensive review, we must ACT upon the recommendations putforward by you, the people. Nothing more, nothing less!
Tara Rivers, West Bay
NB: Copies of the documents referred to can all be obtainedfrom the Legislative Assembly or the Public Libraries.
On-line Letter from Korea
Dear Sir/Madam:
I browsed through your online newspaperthe other evening and found it informative, well written withan imaginative layout. Well done to the staff, especially youreditors. Keep up the good work.
Philippe Anglade, Seoul, Korea