It is most unusual for me to be offended by our mild-mannered Prime Minister, Hon. Tillman Thomas. But when, at his Town Hall meeting - held at the Grenada Trade Centre on the evening of Tuesday, March 31st - he seemed to dismiss certain concerns raised by citizen Cliff Robertson in respect of Georges Cohen of Calivigny Island infamy, I was taken aback and deeply offended, even AFFRONTED. 1. Citizen Concerns: Mr. Robertson raised the following concerns: 1. Mr. Cohen’s diplomatic status (as Grenada’s ambassador to the United Nations Office in Geneva) and his appropriateness to represent Grenada – was he a diplomat, endorsed by the current administration? 2. The denial of citizens’ right to enjoy the beaches of Calivigny Island, now owned by Mr. Cohen. In Grenada, all beaches are public. All land up to specified distance from the high water mark is Crown Land – i.e. belongs to we the people 3. Allegations that some persons/boats in distress were not allowed to come ashore on Calivigny Island and that the security personnel on the island refused to offer assistance. In one incident one person had drowned. If the Prime Minister had indicated to Mr. Robertson that the objective of the Town Hall meeting was to address the “stimulus package” and that he was not willing to entertain other concerns at the time, that would have been reasonable. But to seemingly dismiss Mr. Robertson’s concerns by saying that it was “all talk” was INCOMPREHENSIBLE. After all, he is the Prime Minister and Minister of National Security. It is less than one year since the “wind of change” administration assumed office. What other (nasty) surprises can we the people expect??!! I reflected on whether it were unreasonable of “we the people” to expect our “wind of change” administration to be concerned about /to address these citizens’ concerns. After all, when we voted them into office, it was with high expectations that there would be meaningful “change” and a commitment to right some of the wrongs of the last era which tarnished and disgraced Grenada’s image and dispossessed and alienated we the people. 2. Cohen and Calivigny Island: Ever since he arrived in Grenada, Georges Cohen has been courting controversy. He bought Calivigny Island, we were told, to build a luxury resort and villas. Calivigny Island, although privately owned, was already part of the National Parks and Protected Areas System, identified as part of the Southern Protected Seascape. The significance of all of those areas making up the southern protected seascape was: – scenic value, outstanding fisheries, recreational and educational resources (as a result of the geological and geomorphological features), an area to be protected for the use and enjoyment of future generations. So this is an island that should not have been allowed to fall into the exclusive grasp of this French millionaire. But who cared/cares about the interests of the Grenadian people? Then the Secret Harbour hotel and marina also came under his control. And it was a shock when we the people found out that we were confronted with barbed wire and security guards when we tried to drive around the loop, as we were once able to do, to enjoy and to show off the scenic beauty to our visiting friends and family. Before Mr. Cohen took it over, Secret Harbour bustled with activity. It added significantly to the room stock of the country and was a centre which hosted many special events, local, regional and international. The following references to Mr. Cohen and Calivigny Island are revealing: (i) A Carib Update news item of March 1st, 2001 , titled Access to Island Beach Spurs Controversy - reported the following: “ Cohen is said to have shown hostility to Grenadians who visit the island and in a particular incident on the beach snatched away the tape recorder of the CANA Grenada correspondent who asked him for a comment. ‘I do not care about the media. The media and bullshit are the same,’ Cohen shouted.” Jimmy Bristol, the lawyer for the developer, said "No one has been denied access or will ever be denied access to the beaches....” Note well who was Cohen’s lawyer – the present Attorney-General, Senator Bristol! (ii) The online Grenadian Connection story of January 6th, 2004, French Millionaire Defends His Name in Grenada reports on a press conference held by Cohen and his legal team. According to the story: ‘”Cohen has instructed his Grenada counsel to file an action for defamation of character against lawyer Anselm Clouden, who had made calls for authorities to speak on the rumoured arrest of Cohen, and the media houses that reported on the comments.............. The millionaire who recently became the owner of Secret Harbor Hotel and Marina, one of the major tourist facilities in the eastern Caribbean, is the prime owner of an 86 acres offshore island where he is developing a multi-million high scale resort. When the rumours began circulating about his arrest here late last year, a statement was swiftly issued by Danny Williams and Company, attorneys for Cohen denying that their client was in the custody of the FBI or any other international police agency”. Note who were the attorneys issuing the press release for Mr. Cohen – Danny Williams & Co., the law firm associated with the then Governor – General! (iii). The Grenadian Connection story also makes reference to the following: (a) Mr. Cohen’s encounter with customs officials at Point Salines airport: We the people recall a widely publicized incident when it was alleged that Mr. Cohen had punched a customs official in the face. We the people understand that the matter was pursued by the official who eventually settled the matter out of court. (b) Mr. Cohen’s reluctance to allow uninvited visitors to Calivigny Island – the story reports Cohen as saying “that the beaches on his islet are open to locals though he would prefer that they do not come”. The story also reported that the island was being developed into an island resort for the world’s super rich. (iv) Grenada Today, issue of June 27th, 2008, pg. 17, Woburn Residents are angry and Grenada Informer, issue of June 27th 2008, pg. 8, Woburn residents upset over treatment by foreign investors Both articles reported on a press conference hosted by Citizens in Defence of Grenada’s Lands and Heritage at which it was disclosed to the media that locals, whose boats were in distress, were denied assistance on Calivigny Island and turned away. One incident involved a local sailor. After swimming for five hours, he attempted to beach on Calivigny Island. Instead of being assisted, he and his companion were forced to get back into the water, towing their boat behind them. On hearing of that experience, a Woburn resident, disclosed that he had a similar experience some years before when the boat, on which he and his companion were, experienced difficulties. He swam to Calivigny Island and requested assistance but the personnel on Calivigny Island did not offer any assistance. His companion who was left with the boat eventually drowned. We the people also recall that a couple years ago, there was a mysterious fire on Mr. Cohen’s island. The firemen had to wait over an hour before they could access the island. Up to this day, we have not had any explanation from the former powers that be and the Calivigny managers about the cause of the fire. Given the fact that the island project was touted as a very significant development project and given that a significant number of Grenadian workers were in the employ of Mr. Cohen, the silence has been deafening. How much TAX INCENTIVES did Mr. Cohen get? What was he supposed to deliver in exchange for those incentives? 3. All Talk and Ole’ Talk: How could Prime Minister Thomas dismiss Mr. Robertson’s concerns about Mr. Cohen as “ALL TALK”? Was it that we the people MISUNDERSTOOD when we heard our current leaders, then in opposition, speak or were we the people MISLED by these leaders. Courtesy the NDC blog site, of June 8th, 2008, I found the unedited record of the Parliamentary debate on the amendment to the National Parks and Protected Areas Act which took place on April 13th, 2007. Remember, the then NDC Opposition sought to rally the nation to protest the proposed amendment to the National Parks and Protected Areas Act. This Act prohibited the government from disposing of any land within a national park or protected area by sale, gift or other means. Lands designated as national parks and protected areas were to be maintained so that it would endure unimpaired for the enjoyment of the present and future generations. The proposed amendment gave the Governor-General, then Sir Daniel Williams, the authority, by proclamation, to exempt areas that were designated as national parks and protected areas in order to convey and sell these areas. At that time the amendment was to facilitate the sale of our Dove Sanctuary to Mike Pemberton of Cinnamon 88. It was a debate in which the Opposition stoutly opposed the amendment. Calivigny Island featured in that debate. Hon. Tillman Thomas: Here is an excerpt of what Hon. Tillman Thomas, the Leader of the Opposition said: • “Mr. Speaker,you've been hearing complaints about problems where investors coming here and because of the development they set up, we cannot no longer go up on Calivigny beach. Calivigny Island used to be, Grenadians had access to it at one time.” Hon. Peter David: The following are excerpts of the contribution of the Hon. Peter David! He also spoke about Calivigny Island and about Grand Anse beach: • ”For example, on Grand Anse Beach we've traditionally given leasehold. There is a question now, and I know its under serious discussion about giving freehold to proprietors on Grand Anse Beach. That is a national asset that belongs to our people. Grand Anse Beach belongs to all of us.” • You know Mr. Speaker, I remember when Calivigny Island was being built and we said, many people said everybody would have the right to go on the beach and you can still go over. Ask the people of Woburn if they can go over to Calivigny Island and have free access. You see sometimes we believe that we simply take for granted what persons say in order to get their foot into the door. What's Calivigny Island now, you know dog will bite you. You go to Calivigny Island you will be running back, not you, because you may have access but we the people will be bitten by those dogs that roam the beach. Strangers in your own land according to the Leader. And this is a serious issue. It is an issue that is being discussed throughout the world. • So I spoke about Grand Anse Beach, so now we are considering giving away freehold land on the beach. That is something that we must discuss. No one in this Parliament has a right to give away the assets of the people without consultation with those people who own it. That is all we are saying. • We need to have a national discussion about land use and environmental preservation in our country. • In other words, development yes, but not at any price. • Surely, none of us would oppose development, but all of us would oppose anything that threatens that bird that we call our national bird. WERE OUR LEADERS SPEAKING FROM CONVICTION? Were they saying what they meant and meaning what they said? If they were, then what has happened since July 8th when our people gave them the mandate to address these and other concerns? Or was it just political gimmickry, “all talk” and “ole’’ talk”? We the people deserve an explanation! 4. Change (?): We the people understand that relations between Mr. Cohen and residents of Woburn have been rather strained since those disclosures were made at that press conference last year. We the people noted with interest the recent handing over of the rebuilt Woburn jetty by Mr. Cohen’s Calivigny Investment Group to the Woburn community, a couple of weeks ago, on March 27th. Among the high powered representation at that handing over were Attorney – General/Chairman of the Grenada Sailing Committee, James Bristol who “took his hat off” to Mr. Cohen and his family for the gesture of rebuilding the jetty and Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. Glynis Roberts. Hon. Roberts’ remarks were indeed interesting: “Be comforted that we are friends and partners in this and I ask you to continue to do your good job and feel welcome in the constituency while I am at the helm”. (Ref. Grenada Broadcast, March 30th – Accolades for Calivigny Investment Group) So will someone, anyone, tell we the people what the hell is going on? • A press statement on behalf of Mr. Cohen advises that he is a naturalized Grenadian citizen. We now know that economic citizenship was negotiated for him by none other than the present Attorney-General, Senator Bristol. Is there CONFLICT OF INTEREST somewhere? How can Sen. Bristol now properly represent the interests of the people of Grenada in any matter involving Mr. Cohen? • Is it true that some years ago a local charter boat with tourists anchored off Calivigny Beach as per usual? Is it true that Mr. Cohen called the owners/operators and asked them to get the tourists off his beach? • How could Mr. Cohen present credentials to the United Nations Office in Geneva, on 21st, October 2008, THREE MONTHS AFTER a new government is elected? • Who gave the go ahead to Mr. Cohen to present his credentials? • What did Grenada get/what is Grenada getting in exchange for affording Mr. Cohen diplomatic status? • Has Hon. Peter David and his Ministry of Foreign Affairs finished reviewing diplomatic appointments? What is the present status of Mr. Cohen’s appointment? • Did Mr. Cohen deliver the “development” he promised on Calivigny Island? How much is it contributing to the Treasury? Or is Calivigny island his private, tropical paradise residence? In that case, will he be repaying any tax incentives? • Will the Prime Minister, or his designate, investigate allegations re denial of assistance to persons in distress who attempted to come ashore on Calivigny Island? • Is it true that our entire Cabinet was recently wined and dined on Calivigny Island? We the people voted for change. We the people know that there is a difference between ‘caca poule’ and egg white. We also understand that there is something called CONFLICT OF INTERESTS. We trust that our leaders understand same because we the people “did believe and we did simply take for granted” what our leaders said about GOOD GOVERNANCE when they asked us to vote for them. GRENADA DESERVES BETTER! WE STANDING UP FOR GRENADA!! By: Sandra Ferguson