CATEGORY:COMMENTARY ----------------------- INSIDE GRENADA NOVEMBER 13,2007 by Lloyd Noel In man’s quest for truth, and what is right as against what is wrong – questions will be constantly asked, some deep, some superficial, many just plain silly and others somewhat embarrassing. But it is also true that no one person, or group have all the answers; and honest self-questioning is the sign of a mature conscience. And over and above the basic positions of people’s behaviour, when it comes down to asking questions about changes and human development generally, we will always be faced with new situations in society, and un-usual patterns of behaviour by some people that in themselves lead to more and more questions. It cannot be doubted, that our small society in these Isles has gone through tremendous changes over the years; and that is quite natural, as the whole world around us and the various races of people all over have been experiencing similar changes and transformations. In our tiny neck of the woods in these parts, because of the closeness of our family relationships – as well as the more trusting attitudes of our people in the society as a whole, especially in the not too distant past – we have tended to maintain traditional positions and customs for decades. So that those of us who were brought up by strict parents, whether there were both parents in the household, or a single mother and the Grandmother present – we often times look back at those days, to help shape our actions as grown ups, and to fashion the guidelines we use when dealing with our young ones. And I see nothing wrong with that pattern of behaviour, because the standards and values and character building we were taught in those days – are still to-day, and will be for generations to come, second to no other that we are experiencing now-a-days. It is from that background, as I was listening to and reading some of the news headlines these past two or three weeks, that I recalled a familiar statement from my dear deceased Grandmother and neighbors in those days, which was ---“Show me your companions and I can tell you who and what you are, or likely to become”, - words to that effect. And from that recollection, I felt compelled to ask the question of those in authority, who are currently responsible for our Nation’s affairs here at home, and in our dealings with nations abroad. Let me say up front, that I have always found it very strange, how it is, that our so-called small and under-developed states Leaders, can do what they please and many times say as they please, because they are independent and sovereign states – but the moment Leaders of the major developed states, respond or react negatively to those actions or statements, the former Leaders begin to cry out foul play and plead all sorts of exemptions from criticisms. My question in the headline above stems from the present foreign policy being pursued by our Government. The Government’s closest allies for some time now have been Cuba, China and Venezuela – the three Countries in the World that are the greatest antagonists towards the U.S.A. And in the cases of Cuba’s Fidel Castro, and Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez, those Leaders go out of their way to make very insulting and derogatory statements about the U.S. President and his Government. Now while our Prime Minister does not engage in such un-diplomatic behaviour, he is nevertheless very close and cozy with those anti-U.S.A. Leaders. Based on the statement from those folks of old about the companion-ship we kept – what other impression can others draw from our Leader’s behaviour? And in particular, what impression must be conveyed to the U.S.A. administration, as they view and review our association with those foreign Leaders? More importantly for us here in Grenada – if we are keeping our eyes and ears open, to see and hear what is being done and said by those Leaders in control, about the actions and behaviour of those in opposition who are seeking, to replace the current regime – because some of those in opposition were once associated with the NJM/PRG group that was very close to Castro and Cuba. Who is closer to Cuba and Castro now-a-days than the current leaders in control of Grenada? In fact, this administration was the one that actually brought Pres. Castro to Grenada on a State visit, not the PRG and members of the RMC. And very true enough, we get medical assistance from Cuba – as that country offers to people World-wide, because it has a huge surplus of medically qualified personnel – but other than that, what else can we learn from their way of life and how their own people are treated? In fact, when those doctors come to us on a tour of duty for a year or two – most of them dread returning to their homeland thereafter. And we seem to be climbing up the same tree, in our association with Venezuela and its very rude, un-diplomatic, and dictatorial President Hugo Chavez. And what is the big bonanza from that association, some Caribe’ oil on credit that we will have to pay for anyway down the road? Judging from the recent actions by President Chavez in changing the Country’s Constitution to give himself more power and authority, and even extend his time in office among other areas of entrenching his hold over his people. Are these the kinds of examples we want to follow in our homeland? Citizens of Venezuela are planning to demonstrate in protest against those dictatorial measures introduced by Chavez. It would not surprise many people – that the President may resort to a State of emergency, and curfew, and other brutal action – on the lines now in operation in Pakistan by that other criminal dictator, Pervez Musharaf, against his people. The civilized World is now on tenterhooks, because of the brutal violations of human rights by dictator Musharaf in Pakistan. Concerned Leaders are fearful that things could go so wrong in that hot bed of rising tension, and because Pakistan has nuclear weapons in its armory – some groups of sheer mad men assuming control, can decide to use those deadly weapon on their journey to meeting Allah, while destroying the region. Those types of brutal dictators see themselves as demi-gods and no one should question their actions and motives. For them, niceties like a Constitution, and human rights, and the Judiciary and Courts of Law – are distractions subject to their removal or suspension as they see fit. So whether we looking at Pakistan, Venezuela, Cuba, and now China, it matters not what they give to us as handouts – the treatment of their own people, and their behaviour in the face of opposition to their leaders’ political madness, are far more than enough to warn our leaders to stay well clear of them all. So when our leaders associate with these types and they become real partners, in defiance of the civilized World Leaders opinion of their outrageous behaviour – what must be the opinion of our lot? And now look at where that kind of association and ill-advised crazy decision, have landed our thousands of un-employed young men and women – who have since “Ivan and Emily” especially, sought employment in the Construction and re-building industry. Because mainland China promised our Government a new Cricket Stadium after Ivan, to be ready for Cricket World Cup in April this year – on the one condition that the said Government kicked out Taiwan, whose Government had been our most dependable economic benefactor for well over a decade. The Government obliged, and China kept its promise by building in St. George’s a quite outstanding “White Elephant Stadium” – that we cannot afford to maintain, will hardly be used effectively and economically more than four or five times per year, and in the process our un-employed young people are destined to become like “illegal immigrants” in their own homeland. The Chinese Contractors that their Government sent here to build the said Stadium, brought in about 400-500 Chinese to work day and night on the job at peanut wages, because they had no choice in the matter. Being in Grenada was no different from being in China, where their entire lives are state – controlled from birth to death. So when I hear very prestigious officials in our state hierarchy, saying things like ---“we could learn a lot form the Chinese work ethics” – I am obliged to remind them, that slavery was abolished in the nineteenth century and we are now in the Twenty-first – so please guys give us a break. Anyway, those same Contractors have all sorts of the same equipment they used on the Stadium building – all brought in duty-free quite naturally. Then they bringing into Grenada hundreds of their vast millions of un-employed, at the same peanut wages, to be housed in a big dorm-like building being erected in woodlands. These are not the Technicians and top managerial staff any Contractor would bring in – but mostly ordinary Laborers. So how could any local Contractor compete with that? The result is that hundreds of our young people will remain sitting at home in idleness – and even the economy would suffer on the outside, because those Chinese $6.00 and $7.00 U.S. per day, would make no difference to the turn-around in the local market place, that our young ones spending from their wages of $80 to $100 per day would have done. So who is benefiting from all those propaganda economic agreements, those Ministers of Government are always boasting they have concluded in high level talks with the Chinese Government officials? Did the Taiwanese ever behave like that? Our wise old folks also used to tell us, that if you do good to others and treat them as you would like to be treated - others will do good to you and treat you likewise. But the pundits say – that the good we do are sometimes buried with our bones, while the evil deeds live on to haunt us. Time and the unfolding events will surely tell its tale- and those who survive will discover with time. The St. Louis developments Island wide are no doubt progressing in some areas faster than in others, and while the projects in the Lagoon basin and Mt. Pandy area may have slowed down, and or reduced in the depth and extent of their initial expansion – the people who were removed from Mt. Pandy, and re-settled in Beausejour and in the La Sagesse areas, they are experiencing severe hardships and undergoing quite un-necessary stresses and strains. The huge sums of money that are being bandied around, as having been provided for financing the re-settlement - these should have produced the requirements with thousands to spare, and the people re-settled some time ago. I heard a lot of talk from those in authority – that the matter is being urgently re-visited to solve the problems. I am therefore saying no more, in the hope that all will be satisfied. Another issue that is raising its ugly head again – is the longstanding dispute between members of TAWU and the CCC Limited – that is the Workers Trade Union and the Road Contractors Company that seems to get nearly all the Government Contracts for roads and bridges repairs and re-building. At one stage it was all JANIN Company, and they sub-contracted to CCC Ltd. Who had different bosses? The dispute went to Arbitration, because the Minister of Labour could not resolve the issues – and all parties were represented on the panel of Arbitrators. The three-man Committee, or Arbitrators, handed down a unanimous decision which TAWU accepted. I have not seen CCC response, but I have seen communication from the Minister of Labour in which Minister Claris Charles has stated that she disagrees with the recommendations of the Arbitration Tribunal – and she is now proposing a new structure for resolving such disputes that will encompass all in the so-called Construction Industry. I understand the Union is not impressed by this latest intervention by the Minister, and there could be repercussions. Another issue that is far from settled – concerns the Electoral office Computer system of Registered Voters, and the reported fear that ALL the names have been lost (not just 10,000). The Supervisor of Elections press release on the matter left, not just a can of worms opened – but a whole Boat-load of far more questions than answers. A case of birds of the same feathers flocking together perhaps?