The gamesmanship of political patronage

by Melanius Alphonse

Globalization has become a key word in our modern day world. However, a closer look at the inference of the word simply means making something more adoptable globally.

In 1994, NAFTA and Mexico took control of trade and off shoring, while China made its entry into the World Trade Organization.

What followed were a mass exodus of manufacturing, construction and urban development and the off shoring of goods and services.

Were the authorities’ looking out for the people then and now?

Or is it proper to ask, have the people lost control of their government, and to whom?

There are many theories on how to package an economic recovery; how to boost consumer confidence; and how to jumpstart economic models. But, the assertion to Value Added Tax (VAT); - while ignoring trade loopholes; - industry policy and theories are all gamesmanship of political patronage and economic potholes.

On Tuesday, June 26th,   2012 in the parliament of Saint Lucia, we all witnessed a clear indication of such.

First, the realization that the implementation of VAT schedule for September1st 2012 requires more time. The new date, according to Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Kenny Anthony for the implementation of VAT is October 1^st2012.

In my opinion, more delays, more time and more confusion is expected. The VAT infrastructure is simply not in place and subsequently not ready for implementation.

Secondly, we witnessed the usual norm.  And when it finally came, it was no surprise when the Prime Minister announce that his government would be borrowing an additional US$50 million – (Note the currency of choice) - He claimed that; the money is expected to be used towards the implementation of projects under the capital expenditure component of the 2012/2013 budget.

       

Evidently, government stimulation has not jumpstart any economy and will not. The theory to spend or stimulate out of it won’t happen either; except to create a bottomless pit of hopelessness.

To top it off, Prime Minister Kenny Anthony finally admitted what most of us have known all along.  The collection of hotel base revenue has never been a priority for governments past and present. 

According to Dr. Anthony, “when persons do not pay taxes as required by law the state sometimes turns a blind eye, how else can we explain the fact, that in the Hotel sector for example there are outstanding liabilities of (HAT) hotel accommodation tax of EC$36 million. How do we explain that?"

As head of State of Saint Lucia's ( past and present government), was this an attempt by Dr. Anthony to lay blame at the feet of others, and not judge his own stewardship as  commander in chief of our country?

Of course, Stephenson King has a lot to answer for derelict of his responsibility in protecting the interest of the people of Saint Lucia, but so does Dr. Anthony.    

The collection of taxes is a principle obligation of the State. It is done to meet “government” responsibility for the safety and well being of its people.  Therefore, one can fully understand why citizens complain when there isn't a social safety net to protect them, after they have had to struggle so hard to make ends meet with very little in their pocket.

Meanwhile, on one hand EC$36 million in hotel accommodation tax is classified as outstanding liabilities - and on the other hand, large sums of tax concession are authorized for these same hotels by the government of Saint Lucia.

Who’s fooling who?

 It is not surprising; --- It’s the gamesmanship of political patronage.

In return Saint Lucians get poorer, the future of Saint Lucia is mortgage to the maximum allowed, with the expectation that 15% VAT will take care of runaway borrowing.       

The bottom line is this, more times than not, I have to admit that the decision makers are over their heads and should be reminded that - it’s not the governments money, but that of the people of Saint Lucia.

And even if no one in political authority will  ever take this advice, there are alternatives through the LPM press release dated June 9^th 2012 – “The SLP government needs to inherit equity to safeguard potential losses now and in the future” and the article of June 14^th 2012 Options to Growth, published in the Voice of Saint Lucia.

Melanius Alphonse is a management and development consultant. He is an advocate for community development, social justice, economic freedom and equality; the Lucian People’s Movement (LPM) critic on youth initiative, infrastructure, economic and business development. He can be reached at malphonse@rogers.com

THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES: CRUMBLING OR GROWING?

A previous PowerHouse article took issue with the authorities for allowing our Flower Festivals to crumble, while one million dollars each year is being poured into Carnival to keep it afloat. Despite this huge financial injection, major problems persist and apparently, the formula does not seem to be working as anticipated.

It was announced this week that three major Carnival bands went down because of funding constraints and that's as ironic as unbelievable! The Carnival Stakeholders Committee appointed by the last administration and kept by this administration apparently could not mobilise funds in a timely manner to maximise participation.

Serious questions are also being raised about the new framework for judging calypso. It is mooted that creativity and originality which characteristically underline the art form are being compromised. It is a serious moot point which needs review as there are at least two calypsos which made it to the finals that demonstrably do not sound original; and if that is the case, then it is a serious indictment on the judges.

Moreover, a new and emerging “twanche” phenomenon which takes whining to the edge of the extreme is stamping its authority on the carnival landscape. Do we nurture twanche as a positive expression of creativity? Should we make it part and parcel of our creative industries?

While many (of the likes of Adrian Augier) claim that the ad hoc Carnival stakeholder committee (CSC) represents an improvement over CDF, to me it is just a political “Trojan Horse” in the midst of our bacchanal and I don’t believe it will solve the complex problems facing our “Mas”. My impression is the former government had a “fiduciary” problem with the CDF and the CSC was just s stop gap measure, an experiment to iron out that problem.

One may even want to go further to say that the CSC is an affront to CDF which the statutory body vested with mandate for “things carnival”; and although "Boots" and the CDF team seem to be blissfully “at home” with the idea (and I wonder why), my own recommendation to the Minister for the Creative Industries is to dismantle that structure forthwith - for I don’t believe it was progressive. Now that he has appointed a new Board under the stewardship of former AG and Foreign Affairs Minister, he should give it the latitude to do some “free-hitting”

But we can’t be too hard on the new Minister; he is just getting his feet wet and in due course, we expect him to make the fundamental and imaginative changes that would make the cultural industries vibrant and viable; being Minister for Tourism puts him in a strategically ideal position to do so and we hope he will in due course engender a measure of integration and symbiosis between the two portfolios.

One of our expectations is to have the Tourist sector invest more in the development of carnival because they are the major beneficiaries of it.

Another expectation (perhaps in the longer term) is to ensure a more equitable distribution of our "allocations" so that it filters to all “sectors” of the creative economy. While Kenny made a progressive shift in the configuration of the Ministries; let’s pray that it gets far beyond a “name change”.

According to the literature, the creative industries are very complex and far-ranging. One writer (Hesmondhalgh, 2002) contends there are varying definitions of the sector but refers to it as “a range of economic activities which are concerned with the generation or exploitation of knowledge and information”.  Another writer (Howkins 2001) collectively refers to industries as “the creative economy” which includes “advertising, architecture, art, crafts, design, fashion, film, music, performing arts, publishing, R&D, software, toys and games, TV and radio, and video games”.

Generally speaking, there is consensus in the literature that the creative industries have been seen to become increasingly important to economic well-being and proponents (such as Landry & Bianchini) suggest that "human creativity is the ultimate economic resource," and that “the industries of the twenty-first century will depend increasingly on the generation of knowledge through creativity and innovation"

The new minister must remain on top of those complexities of the industry and I would advise him to factor them into his policy initiatives.  As the first Minister for that portfolio, he has the unique opportunity to give it viability, vibrancy and shape.

Let's all wish him the best in that regard!


Meanwhile, his constituency will be celebrating its Music Festival/Carnival in October. We tried it last year and it was a resounding success; and with our Parliamentary Rep being the Minister for the Creative Industries, we would naturally expect it to be even better this year.

AFFIRMING OUR COMMON FUTURE, OUR COMMON FAITH

Remarks from Dr The Hon Kenny Anthony:

The Incoming Chairperson of the Caribbean Community at the 33^rd Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom, Sandals Grande Resort, Saint Lucia. 
4th July, 2012

A SAFE PORT FOR SISTER STATES

Statio Haud Malefida Carinis, “a safe harbour for ships,” is the antecedent motto of this isle, Saint Lucia. It is a signature, descriptive of Port Castries and other secure anchorages that would give calm to mariners of old. Today, I welcome, with unreserved felicitations, this delegation, captains of this Caribbean Armada. You have sailed in on the full moon of the month, but I am sure you would remark that such a greeting luminaire is dim beside the light and warmth of your Saint Lucian hosts.

Saint Lucia presents a safe harbour to all her sister states, who have indeed, on many occasions, granted her graciously, reciprocity. She commends herself to all members that she may provide constancy and surety in her support for the common good of the Caribbean’s cause.

WISDOM FROM THE RECENT PAST

It is not very often that a leader may chair an organisation like that of CARICOM on three separate occasions. As our Community has now grown to fifteen full members, the rotation of the chair now arises about every seven years or so. Indeed, the last time Saint Lucia had the honour of welcoming Heads to our shores was July 3^rd 2005, at which time I held the confidence of the state as prime minister. Of course, the following year, I was sent to political purgatory for my sins!

As such, political metanoia has dictated my return to the chair; and to share with Heads what should be seen as wisdom from the recent past, that is relevant to the future. Indeed, my days with CARICOM Heads is only to be surpassed in seniority by fellow Prime Ministers Gonzalves of Saint Vincent & the Grenadines and Douglas of St Kitts and Nevis.

And so to CARICOM, to the Heads herein, and to the Community in every state, I rededicate myself to our working enterprise, and to the vigour and volition requisite to this office.

EDIFIED BY THE PRESENCE OF MADIBA

Ladies and gentlemen, in 1998, Saint Lucia had the honour of hosting Heads on the occasion of the 25^th Anniversary of CARICOM; a time in which the entire Caribbean was abuzz with the hopes and, also undeniably, the fears, anxieties and trepidations, of the Single Market and Economy. We were edified by the presence of a man who represented amazing strength and honour, a man who holds a special place in all our hearts, that of His Excellency Nelson Mandela. There were dreams of strengthened ties with the African continent, of indigenous institutions handling the affairs of our commons. Alas, with the benefit of age, I have learnt to temper my exuberance somewhat, as the patience taught by CARICOM could well be concluded for special patenting.

A SPECIAL WELCOME TO HAITI

Today, I welcome to Saint Lucia for the first time many Heads, including those who have recently been elected to office. In particular, I wish to extend a special welcome to President Martelly of Haiti. Our countries share a rich heritage which is suitably celebrated in our language.

Misyé Martelly, pèp-la Ayiti, sé péyi nou ja jwi yon listwa ki byen wich, épi yon kilti ki ni yon chay pawèy kon lanng Kwéyòl-la. Nou menm kon sé péyi Donmnik, Matinik, èk Gwadloup, ni anchay anpawèy.

Mwen sav ou kay santi ou lakay an Sent Lisi. Kay nou sé kay ou. Magwé gwo dézas-la an lanné démil dis, Ayiti ja tjenn konmitman'y pou CARICOM èk osi CARICOM ja tjenn konmitman'y pou fwè nou èk sè nou an Ayiti.

AN ARCHIPELAGO OF MODEST DEFENCES

The struggle and history of Haiti, the first of all Western nations to be rid of enslavement, reminds us that our borders have still been overwhelmed by the powers from far beyond our shores. Unlike our historical conception with cannon guarding every cove and redoubt mounting every hill, we are largely open countries, an archipelago of  islands and states with modest defenses, from economic depression, from deleterious disease and natural disasters.

The challenges brought on by the events of September 11, 2001; the crisis of the world’s financial and banking systems and attendant recessions; the collapse of our very own financial conglomerates; major natural disasters in recent times, from Hurricane Ivan and Tomas to the earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010; the already visible impacts of climate change; the revelation of ponzi schemes; the continued flow of narcotics and illgeal arms – these all have paid their toll on our current Caribbean outlook. We have survived, despite it all.

NO ROOM FOR CYNICISM

However, even in the face of all this, leaders of this era need not falter in their commitments of resource and resolve to the Community. Our people need not feel folorn during these times. Our Caribbean love, togetherness, resolve and determination must overcome external contempt and manipulation. Afford we cannot, should states and their citizens be allowed to grow cynical and quip a defeatist “c’est la vie” in the causality of perception.

We need not quiver in our Caribbean resolve, even unto the disasters of man and of nature which have confronted our homelands, even in considering in the enormity of breadth or proportion. We have a rich and unique heritage as a Caribbean People, and though our politics may often not attest that we are home to the world’s fastest sprinters, our people, by their determined wills, tell us that we have the genius to realise the consummation of our dreams.

CATALYSING OUR POLITICAL CHEMISTRY

Of certain significance to Heads is that in exactly one year, CARICOM would mark its fortieth anniversary since the signing of the Treaty at Chaguaramas. As such, it is most fitting that Heads gathered herein are afforded the time to concentrate on the critical matters affecting this organisation: its framework its challenges and its directions.

I am pleased to inform Heads that we have formulated what I hope will be adequate time for frank discourse in camera. We need to talk with each other. I have therefore, so arranged our Agenda to devote an entire day to a caucus of Heads, initially alone, and later, with our officials. I believe we must take time to share our hopes, dreams and aspirations for our beloved though enigmatic region. We must start again by re-establishing the “political chemistry” that bound us together. We need to re-affirm our common future, our common faith.

We cannot afford to leave the winds of progress uncaught when they blow. The gales and harmattans of global politics and economics mean that we must be willing to venture through waters uncharted. We must be enterprising, yet perceptive and willing to put into our “common cloud,” the store of knowledge and expertise held throughout our states. 

REMODELING OUR INDIGENOUS INSTITUTIONS

While there are indeed nascent challenges abounding, there also belies a hysteresis within our institutions and in our political responsiveness. Of great concern to me is the apparent recurrence of issues related to the management of our institutions which were addressed years before. These are like recurring decimals and we really must summon the will to settle them once and for all.

As a consequence, we must not fear to reform and reshape our political architecture within regional and national spaces. Cognizant that our Community is a diverse and evolving entity, this will require flexibility and responsiveness. Our operational matrix has been transformed since the start of the millennium when we embraced Suriname and Haiti into the fold. Our community is now multilingual and some would suggest even multicultural despite our strong affinities. More fundamentally, there is a desire and a need to realise better governance and participation in decision making throughout our states.

In 2005, I urged Heads to be weary of those cloaked as “paragons of universal freedom, virtue and justice” and to embrace our home-grown democratic principles and institutions. We now manage mature democracies, albeit not without blemishes. I say to all present that the ideal of self-determination should still remain; that we should strive to actualise our own accords and accomplish our political craftsmanship, lest these be driven by storms from across the seas.

This is a message I shared at the last meeting of the OECS Authority as outgoing chair and I believe it has applicability throughout our region. We must refashion our governance structures at the national level to strengthen our maturing democracies. We have won the right to our independence and we should proudly and consciously make these reforms on our own volition, on our own terms; not for the compliance of external requirements or the appeasement of others.

Mature societies act freely and not only when forced to do so. If we are to expect better governance, then we must find the courage and the determination to reform our parliamentary processes as well as our electoral machinery and related practices. Furthermore, we must craft responses to jointly address corruption and the abuse of power. We must rethink our financial management systems to make them more transparent and accountable to the shareholders of our states; so that it reflects the totality of government operations, not simply that of Central Government. Thankfully, we have the prior experience of Jamaica, which has led the way in innovations such as creating an Office of Contractor General and modifying budget procedures to better capture government spending.

Such a redesign would not be complete without considering better modes and controls for financing of political campaigns. Again, Jamaica has led the way as it seeks to tame the excesses of campaign financing. 

REFOCUSING OUR GLOBAL RELEVANCE 

Ladies and gentlemen, ours is a peculiar region with great disparities in size and scale. One state, Haiti, represents 57% of our population; two states, Trinidad and Jamaica, 53% of our economy; Guyana and Suriname combined are 81% of our land mass; Saint Lucia, 50% of Nobel Prizes. And so, it may be difficult to envisage parity given such varied parameters; but this also suggests the breadth of our wealth and the need to realise one common agenda for prosperity.

TIME TO RETHINK FOREIGN POLICY POSTURES

The entire world has changed around CARICOM in forty years, and such change continues apace. Indeed, embracing these shifting winds means that we must respond to redefine our global space.

There was a time when the Caribbean was the centre of discovery of new things, new styles, new ideas, and even of trade and wealth. Believe it or not, Castries was once the twelfth busiest port in the British Empire – a time when ships were powered by coal, that is. Now, empires are no more; and we cannot remain still and expect the world to embrace us. We must negotiate with ourselves and determine where we want to be in the world before negotiating with the world where they want us to be.

The time has come for CARICOM to overhaul and redefine its foreign policy positions and postures. I accept that there will always be differences between and among our states. But that does not mean that we should ignore the need to remodel our space in this dramatically altered world.

The reality that beholds us is that the prospects of global growth will be determined by decisions made in Beijing. China is on course to be become the world’s largest economy in the next few years and a superpower in its own right.

Sixty percent of the global population is in Asia with a growing share of the world’s GDP – currently 22% and rising. Major emerging economies including India, Indonesia, Korea and Malaysia are increasingly important to global demand.

In our own hemisphere, the countries of Latin America, once told that they were doing everything wrong, have emerged out of this global economic quagmire relatively unscathed.

Although Africa’s GDP is currently about one twelfth that of Asia’s, it is a massive continent of nearly one billion persons and with exciting opportunities. African states are finding a new era of stability which is fuelling economic growth and a socio-cultural renaissance. In many ways, Africa is embracing and adapting technology at a faster rate than the Caribbean. South Africa and Nigeria are not the only regional powers enjoying increased prosperity and even formerly war torn states such as Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo are becoming major partners for investment flows from China.

With such rapid change and enormous opportunity, where does CARICOM find itself? The Caribbean and Africa are historical extensions of each other. We know the potential exists to develop strong Trans-Atlantic partnerships in trade, tourism, technology, education and cultural fusion. Unfortunately, we have allowed our relationship with the African Continent to rise and fall with the fortunes of the ACP. We need to re-engage Africa urgently.

We are all aware that Europe now faces an economic crisis of unprecedented proportions. Europe will never be the same again. We need not be naïve of the likely impacts that these may have on future assistance from the European Union. Already, efforts are underway to redefine us. Please do not misunderstand me. We should certainly ensure our economies benefit from the existing Economic Partnership Agreement with Europe. However, we must come to terms with a Europe that is deeply wounded.

Without renouncing our traditional friends and allies, for we are not known to be disloyal to our friends, we must develop a common policy and programme for engagement with new and emerging global partners. Our terms must be defined by our strategic interests.

 Over the ensuing months and looking into the future, it is my fervent hope that we dedicate our efforts towards a dynamic and outward stance of engagement with third states, particularly with Africa, Latin America and other emerging economic regions. We must move apace to use fora such as the Commonwealth and the ACP to enhance our global reach and relevance. Economic and socio-cultural partnerships that benefit all parties are needed; and these must allow CARICOM to share with the world as active participants, not as after thoughts.

This is not a time to be contemplating becoming a weaker Community. While we must be cautious that our membership must share our common values and principles, we should also seek to dispel stereotypes that the rest of the world has already cast aside.

THESE ARE EXCITING TIMES TO UNITE

Ladies and gentlemen, our people expect delivery of common services and efficiencies in trade and economy, as promised. From business executives to craftsmen, our people are growing accustomed to instant messaging, instant coffee and online banking. While the world of diplomacy and international relations is not reputed for its instantiation, we must synthesise approaches that make the right decisions; that realise results, albeit against the constraint of time. We must also communicate more effectively as a community so that the organisation and its values resonate in Stan Creek, in Spanish Town, in Siparia, in Soufrière, and all over our states as much as it is felt here this morning in this Chamber. These are old challenges, the recurring decimals of which I spoke.

This is a time for our differences to be leveraged as our strengths. Our political design must be creative and responsive to the calls for participatory democracy. Our chemistry must realise formulae that are hinged on our strong bonds as a Caribbean family. These are exciting times for us to pull together, and to break the internal partisan moulds that often grip us. These are extraordinary times to embrace each other and share ideas and inputs to realise common Caribbean outcomes. We must not be afraid of the future. CARICOM is our creation, born of the dream and faith of Caribbean men and women just like us. And so, in this era, we must further this idyllic Caribbean dream and set it anew.

I thank you. 

Hilaire to quit top WICB job for diplomatic posting

Jul 4, 2012, 12.37PM IST IANS

FORT LAUDERDALE: Dr. Ernest Hilaire, the outspoken and often controversial chief executive officer of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), is leaving the job.

Hilaire is expected to leave the WICB to be St. Lucia's ambassador in London in September.

The new St.Lucia Labour Party (SLP) government, headed by Dr. Kenny Anthony, is believed to have decided to send him as the envoy, reports Caribbean Media Corporation(CMC).

Hilaire hasa lready informed the WICB that he does not want to renew his contract.

The WICB has since moved swiftly to initiate the recruitment process and has advertised to fill the position.

A prominent strategist and influential member of the SLP, Hilaire had taken leave from his WICB post to join the campaign trail in St. Lucia late last year before the Kenny Anthony administration was returned to office in November.

Hilaire and current WICB president Julian Hunte were also closely involved in St. Lucia elections in 2006, when Hunte was a losing candidate.

Hilaire, who holds a doctorate from the London School of Economics and degrees from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and Cambridge, took over as CEO of the WICB in September 2009 in place of Donald Peters.

His tenure has been regarded as turbulent in several quarters, involving public spats with former West Indies Players Association chief Dinanath Ramnarine and contentious handling of issues relating to senior players, most notably Chris Gayle.

Hilaire also served as chief executive of Cricket World Cup St Lucia Inc, when the Caribbean hosted the ICC showpiece five years ago.

SOURCE:

http://m.timesofindia.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/Hilaire-to-quit-top-WICB-job-for-diplomatic-posting/articleshow/14668891.cms

ST LUCIA PITONS UNDER THREAT

CASTRIES, St Lucia, Monday, July 2, 2012 – The St Lucia Pitons has escaped being added to the World Heritage Danger List by the World Heritage Committee.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature, IUCN, had recommended that Pitons Management Area in the Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia, along with Lake Turkana National Parks in Kenya, the Dja Faunal Reserve in Cameroon, and the Virgin Komi Forests in Russia, be added to the List of World Heritage in Danger.

However, the committee, meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia, until July 6, has rejected all four recommendations.

"We are disappointed that the committee has not inscribed any of these threatened sites on the List of World Heritage in Danger this year," said Tim Badman, director of IUCN's World Heritage Programme.

"These four sites face significant threats to their values, from threats including major infrastructure projects, the extractive industry and property speculation," said Badman.

According to the IUCN, the Pitons Management Area in Saint Lucia has been subjected to significant development since its inscription on the World Heritage List in 2004, and development threats risk irreversible loss of its outstanding universal value.

Recognizable for its two eroded remnants of lava domes rising from the sea to heights greater than 700 meters, Pitons Management Area includes a geothermal field with sulphurous fumeroles and hot springs. The forested spires contain eight rare tree species. The larger one is inhabited by some 27 bird species, five of them found nowhere else on Earth.

Coral reefs cover almost 60 percent of the site's marine area, which is inhabited by 168 species of finfish.

Badman said, "Inscription on the Danger List is not a black mark for countries, but a way of drawing attention and providing support to the sites that need it the most."

A UNESCO agency, the World Heritage Committee identifies cultural and natural properties of Outstanding Universal Value that are to be protected under the treaty protecting World Cultural and Natural Heritage and inscribes those properties on the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger.

The World Heritage Fund provides about US$4 million annually to support activities requested by governments in need of international assistance. The World Heritage Committee allocates funds according to the urgency of requests, priority being given to the most threatened sites.

The committee is composed of representatives from 21 governments that are Parties to the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972.

At the 2012 meeting they are: Algeria, Cambodia, Colombia, Estonia, Ethiopia, France, Germany, India, Iraq, Japan, Malaysia, Mali, Mexico, Qatar, Russia, Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand and United Arab Emirates.

The World Heritage List includes 951 properties forming part of the cultural and natural heritage which the World Heritage Committee considers to have outstanding universal value.

These include 739 cultural sites, 183 natural sites and 29 mixed cultural-natural properties in 155 countries. As of March 2012, 189 of the world's 193 governments had ratified the World Heritage Convention.

SOURCE: http://www.caribbean360.com/index.php/news/st_lucia_news/593391.html

AUTO THEFT HITS CHOISEUL: LET’S GET TOUGHER THAN TOUGH WITH THE LAW!

Forget about the semantics! Are we being unfair to the police when we accuse them of “extra –judicial” killings? Are we giving them the necessary support to deal with the increased army of well-armed and professional criminals invading and terrorizing our society?

I find the police to be generally extra-judicious and perfectly normal; but can the police afford to remain “normal” when the peace and security of our little island are threatened by extraordinary criminal circumstances, bordering on international terrorism? Should the police lie down or should they respond appropriately, decisively and proactively?

Choiseul in the spotlight

Even Choiseul – a normally peaceful West Coast community – is challenged nowadays! Lately, the community has been hit by a spate of auto theft and other types of sophisticated criminal activity. Over the last three months, three jeeps have been stolen from the premises of their owners: Firstly, a Suzuki jeep was stolen from a La Fargue residence; then a similar vehicle was stolen from the premises of a Morne Jacques resident (and up to day it has not been recovered). And just in the wee hours of July 2, a white Daihatsu Terios was stolen at Le Riche.

Dilemmas

Just imagine for a moment, you are a licensed firearm holder and you catch a thief trying to make away with your vehicle from your private premises, what do you do? Or what do the law authorize you to do to protect your private property? Will inventions of extra-judicial killing against the police by (Mary Francis and Martinus Francois) help? Will these individuals help to stop and catch the thief and bring him to justice? Will they help you recover your jeep? Will their human rights advocacy deter the criminals and contribute to the safety and security of society?

I’ve never heard either Martinus or Mother Mary said a word about the persistent violations of the Finance Act by Mr Chou and the King Administration. I have never heard either of them comment on the right to life (the no. 1 human right) of those murdered by the criminals. I haven’t heard those self-styled human right experts offering suggestions on how to deal with the increasing army of burglars terrorizing St. Lucia and depriving us of our right to property; but when the police intervene and use deadly force to protect us and property from the criminal gangs and collateral damage results in the process, Mother Mary cries fowl and accuses the police of extra-judicial killings!

It is a fact that Governments do allow police, citizen, corrections, or other security personnel to employ force to actively prevent imminent commission of crime, or even for deterrence (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Use_of_force).

Use of force vs extra-judicial killing

The use of force (deadly or otherwise) by members of law enforcement entities should not be confused with extra-judicial killings. In general, all armed bodies, be they the police or military have the ability to authorize the usage of such force.

The international context

The power to use deadly force is often granted to police forces when the person or persons in question are believed to be an immediate danger to people around them. The use of deadly force is also authorized when a person poses a significant threat to a law enforcement officer, usually when the officer is at risk of serious bodily injury or death.  In fact, Australia has gone “ahead of the curve” and recently proposed that police officers should have this power when a person might in the future pose a threat to others.

Now, don't tell me that the pursuit of criminals by our police in the dark of night does not put their lives in serious danger. We have had cases where our police have been shot at and murdered by those criminals.

In the United States, even a civilian may legally use deadly force when the civilian feels that his own life, the lives of their family, or those around them are in legitimate and imminent danger. Why therefore criminalise our police force by accusing them of extra-judicial killings when what they are actually doing is to put their lives at risk to maintain peace and security for us?

Discretion

Having said this, I also understand that deadly force may not be used unless it is necessary to prevent the escape and the officer has probable cause to believe that the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury to the officer or others. Now only a court can make that decision, not a human right advocate!

Let the police do their work

I’m never afraid of the police! Are you? They are among my best friends. I feel safer and more secure when I’m in their company.

Mary and Martinus, let the police do their work! What you call extra-judicial killings has brought order from the chaos that gripped St. Lucia a few months ago! The police must hunt down the criminals and drive them "out of civilization" and if force is necessary to do so, then let the police use it.