Ball is in Ralph’s court

by Dr. Richard A. Byron-Cox 05.SEPT.08

Talk is making the rounds that Balliceaux and Battowia are for sale, destined to be another Disney Land for rich Europeans and Americans. With some reports indicating that astronomical sums are to be invested, hitherto unknown Nostradamuses prophesy tremendous benefits for SVG. Beyond doubt, this country, like most of the so-called Third World, finds making a living a very combative exercise where we are now prey of even our onetime “benefactors.”{{more}} With the notion of the natural right to development being incompatible with voracious capitalist greed, WTO rules are invoked as legal justification for a world economic/trade order where destruction of the weak like SVG, is jus cogens or imperative law. And hence, the unconditional ready embrace by these newly minted Nostradamuses of this sale as “God send” regardless of the opportunity cost. I am not persuaded.

A minority is already cognisant of the negative effects this proposed playground would have on these islands’ terrestrial and marine environment. Indications are that their legitimate concerns would be veiled and eventually dismissed as the baseless contentions of environmental alarmists. Other patriots have argued against the sale due to the sacrosanct historical importance of these isles. This latter question and its relevance to our present and future is my central thesis here.

It may be argued that these islands are privately owned, and the owners can dispose of them as they wish for this is the fundamental right which private property bestows. But quite often invaluable treasures of a nation’s heritage, history, sovereignty and independence become custodial to private ownership. Where such obtains, national interest must of necessity take precedence over individual right. This is indisputably the case with Balliceaux and Battowia, and private profit cannot supersede SVG’s history, self-respect and dignity.

Chatoyer is our only national hero. Is it right for us to allow the sale of the final resting place of thousands for whom he died to be turned into an amusement park for the descendants of those who murdered him and those thousands? Isn’t permitting such an act making a mockery of our honouring of His Excellency and contemptuous of his noble sacrifice? Such betrayal might result in material gain, but as in the case of Judas, history will not pardon us if we sell the blood of our national hero and with it our children’s heritage and future.

I might be wrong, but my view is that this proposed sale directly contradicts many policy positions enunciated by Ralph as regards SVG’s development and ennobling our “Caribbean civilisation.” Here is the reasoning behind this conclusion.

Ralph came to power vowing to “right historical wrongs”, and some he did do, like delivering justice to former workers on the Orange Hill estate. The historical evil committed against the Garifunas has its greatest tragedy in our land being conquered and the death of thousands on those islands. Ralph must not break his vow by consenting to the heirs of the perpetuators of this genocide, turning these shrines of Garifuna suffering into a playground and virtual apartheid enclave.

In our quest for progress, we have de facto surrendered sovereignty over jewels of our tiny state: Mustique is a prime example. As Noble Laureate Walcott put it at CARIFESTA X, this is “prostitution” masquerading as development. But Ralph has declared his mission of building a “post colonial economy.” Question is: Does he think this can be accomplished by “Selling out our lands like whores to foreigners” as Walcott alleges? Can Ralph’s plans come to fruition if tourism -a corner stone of the economy- is white and foreign dominated? Or is it that neo-colonial is his “post colonial?” Further, Ralph boasts that his is a labour government. The experiences of our workers in these foreign enclaves in most cases leave much to be desired, with most changing bed sheets and mopping floors for a pittance. Will this playground be any different? And let’s not forget the aforementioned issue of our exercise of genuine sovereignty over these isles once sold.

Although I mean no disrespect to the Athena on what’s best for SVG. Still, I expect his usual stultiloquence and vituperative outburst, “Rubbish! Absolute Rubbish!” Suffice to say patriotism compels my exposing the negative consequences of this proposed sale and my highlighting our PM’s duty to lead the way in preventing these, thereby safeguarding our patrimony, heritage and children’s future. He must be prepared to nationalise these islands as a last resort if need be. Remember how he defended the Iron Man? Oh, that was mere politicking? Maybe; but he rightly refused to pay the Ottley Hall debt, to ignore the World Bank as regards universal secondary education, and to stand firm on relations with Cuba and Venezuela. Here, too, he must do the right thing and reject this insult to Chatoyer, our heritage and history! And I declare that I am fully prepared to march with him to Jericho should he choose this most noble path. Yes, he can hold me to that.

Finally, let it be known that this writer is not proposing that we totally reject the idea of exploiting the economic possibilities of these islands. Rather, my argument is that we must do this in a manner that protects and upholds Chatoyer’s honour and our heritage – including environmental – for which His Excellency and many others paid with blood. I am willing to share my ideas as to how this might be done. But then again, any idea that differs from Ralph’s is “unpatriotic rubbish!” Yes, never mind how patriotic the messenger, and never mind how valid the message.