CATEGORY:COMMENTARY ----------------------- By Lloyd Noel (Attorney-at-Law) Inside Grenada correspondent Tuesday January 30,2007 THIRTY-THREE year ago on the morning of 7th February, 1974, the National Flag of our Independent Nation State of Grenada, which includes Carriacou and Petite Martinique - was hoisted on Fort George in the Nation’s Capital City, and the only “light” in the entire Island on that night was at the said Fort, by means of a small generator. The general strike, that resulted from the November 18th 1973, “Bloody Sunday” beating of the NJM Six at Bhola’s Junction in Grenville - by Eric Gairy’s thugs then led by “Inspector Innocent Belmar” of the Police Force - was in full swing, and further re-inforced by the killing of Rupert Bishop on the 21st January, 1974, and the looting of business places in the said City thereafter. That was the beginning of our Independence historical record - and it came about because of the struggles of conscious and progressive young and not so young Grenadians, against the oppressive conditions then taking root in the former Colony of the Associated States in association with England. I have heard it said by many commentators, while promoting the festivities and celebrations to mark this anniversary, that it matters not how or why we gained Independence when we did. All that matters, they have said, is that we are Independent and we must be proud of that status regardless. To many that maybe how we should see it, and we should fly the Flag, drink some grog and party - if only to stifle the even more oppressive conditions we have been forced to tolerate, and for a few days before and after the seventh, cover up or gloss over the frustration so many are suffering. I do not have un-limited problems with that mentality or state of mind - because, after all is said and done, if many of the weaker and less fortunate one’s among us, do not find some means to break the cycle of repetitive hardships, and daily deprivation of basic needs and necessities - they will most certainly go crazy and resort to criminal actions. On the other hand, I see nothing wrong in principle, with celebrating or being proud of our statehood anniversary - because, if for no other reason, it marks the end of a very long period of dominance and economic slavery by the Colonial Masters of bygone years. And in addition thereto, if those who were taking over the mantle of leadership - were sincerely and truly concerned about their less fortunate Sisters and Brothers - the opportunity to chart our own course, and share the bread of the Nation State fairly and equitably, could have been the roadmap to peace and a greater measure of stability and equality among our limited population. As someone once said about patriotism and love and pride for one’s Country - “we may not be called to die for our native land, but we must certainly live for it. We must promote peace by building bridges, not walls. Especially in religious and political matters, we must respect lawful authority and the opinions of those who do not agree with us.” We want honest-to-God patriots who realise and respect the power of unity; who are prepared to learn from the past while refusing to live in the past; who are planning positively for the future, under the mantle of the Almighty’s loving supervision. It is all very well to put on the show, fly flags, wear the colours, sing the National anthem, have colorful parades - even organise Ecumenical Services in the Springs Unicorn Baptiste Church, - (where Archbishop Edmund Gilbert once presided over his flock, and he is now languishing in a Prison cell for Eighteen more years). But if all it is intended to be, is simply a show, and we have forgotten, or closing our eyes to the reality existing around and among us, and are refusing to forgive those who not very long ago were praising and exalting us - it might all be looking and sounding good, but all that glitters is not gold. When we were not Independent and could not decide our own fate, even the man who was recognized as the Leader of the people, and was later to become the Father of our Independence - the late Eric Gairy - was the subject of an Inquiry by the Queen’s representative in Grenada at the time, for “squander mania.” And many may very well laugh out loudly, to read now - that the biggest spending spree that landed him in trouble, was $3,500.00 (Bee-wee) for a Baby Piano for his official house. For that offence he was de-franchised and had to give up his seat in the Legislative Council - and at the next local Elections his party lost to the GNP. After Thirty-three years of Independence, so called, similar allegations are made about our Prime Minister, regarding a visit to a con-man’s house in Switzerland where he is alleged to have received a Brief case with $ Million U.S. He said it was only $15,000.00 U.S. to cover his trip to Europe and the Middle East. A similar Inquiry was set in motion by the Governor General in our Independent State, to determine the truth or falsehood of that allegation. Should be no big deal; gather the evidence, have it tested by Cross-examination and let the one-man Commissioner submit his report.But no way, not with Independence Grenada style in 2003-6. Then while waiting on the Briefcase saga to surface one way or another - we had the Gas and Oil Bribery allegation against the Deputy Prime Minister, and a case filed in New York against him, and another in England against the Government of Grenada on the same Gas and Oil issue. And as if to add insult to expensive injury, credible documents surfaced showing that Millions of dollar (U.S.) were paid to Government, and the same Deputy Prime Minister was the Minister allegedly involved in the transaction - with another set of foreigners for the same Gas and Oil resources in Grenada’s Offshore Waters, or Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Except for some not very enlightening statements from the said Deputy Prime Minister - silence and arrogance abound. And since then, the said Governor General, the Speaker of the House of Parliament, and the Attorney General - all very commendable Offices and Institutions adopted from the Motherland and inherited with Independence - they have been approached and or had their say, but the people are still no better off, or any the wiser about their own Nation’s business. Yet they are being beseeched every hour on the hour, to fly their flags,, wear the colours, and be proud of their Independence - Thirty-three years thereafter.Is there something to be proud of, in light of the above? And if we add the treatment being meted out, to the last bastion of our Constitutional provisions for the protection of our freedoms, and guardian against dictatorship and Executive oppression - that other commendable institution inherited from the Motherland, the Judiciary - the answer to the question above becomes even more revealing and very, very, disappointing.But don’t get me wrong by thinking that nothing worthwhile was accomplished. The basic utilities of Electricity, Telephone, and Water, have all been made available and accessible Island wide; whether those who have those facilities can pay for them in to-day’s economic conditions, without sacrificing a meal or two most days - is quite another matter. The roads have been extended into the farmlands almost, so that the farmers could have transported their produce and crops to the market place much easier - at least before Ivan and Emily came calling. And because of the very improved road network, the Doctors in the parishes could have visited patients in their homes in out-lying districts, that were wholly in-accessible for decades before Independence. As for the Health System itself, and other facilities that are taken for granted in to-day’s World - despite the brand new Hospital building, and new buildings for Education and Finance and Agriculture, among others - the services provided or available in those places leave a whole lot to be desired. We had our new Port on the Esplanade and the Mall that goes with it, and our new Stadium before Ivan at Queens Park. All the foregoing have left us with a National debt that boggles the mind for a mini-State like ours. How and when we will ever be able to extricate ourselves from that debt, and the consequences flowing therefrom, is in the hands of the “gods” - or a Divine Miracle. It must also be recognized that the foregoing did not all take place under the present administration; they were accelerated in terms of implementation, and got worse in terms of careless-ness and reckless-ness since 1995 and continuing. And after Thirty-three years of freedom from our Colonial Masters in England and Europe - including four and a half years of Revolutionary dictatorship, between March, 1979 and October, 1983 - we are on the threshold of another significant Milestone on our journey to the promised land on this Earth - not the hereafter. The CWC 2007 which is due to commence on the 11th March in Jamaica,, and the hosting of Six games in Grenada from the 10th April - is being publicized as the biggest event ever to take place in the Caribbean. And the same can be said about Grenada - assuming that everything goes off as planned. But like our forced-ripe Independence that came on stream in February, 1974, some serious questions and concerns have been prevalent since after Ivan and Emily, and will continue so to be long after the last Match of the Final in Barbados on April 28th 2007. I heard a report that the Minister for Finance, in his recent Budget presentation in Parliament, had said that Grenada is spending $12 Millions on the World Cup preparations, and since we expect to collect $18 Millions in gate receipts from the Six games - we stand to make a profit of $6 Millions. It was not clear whether U.S. or E.C.C. If that was to happen, Grenada will be the only Match venue in the Caribbean to make a profit from its outlay. As for the stated $12 Millions, the Minister could not have been counting all the expenses from the projects that are still on-going. Not including the National Stadium built by the Chinese. It is that level of mamaguyism and deceptive mis-information that have been the hallmark of our Independence over too many years. Not having a big Daddy looking over their shoulders, and paying little or no heed to the structures and systems enshrined in the Independence Constitution to safeguard and promote Accountability and Transparency - those in power simply ride rough-shod over honesty and integrity in public office, and the result is what we now have. Too many pieces are missing, or mis-placed, in the body politic that drives our Independence National vehicle. It is not the vehicle, but the Drivers who are taking us on the wrong road.And the question begs itself - Thirty-three years thereafter - where are we?