The Foreign Affairs 
Committee. The FAC, about which I have previously written [link here], has begun its consultations. Our Chief Minister met with the Committee during the recent meetings in
Q104 Chairman: You are only the Chief Minister?
Osbourne Fleming: I am only that and I delegate and I leave the guys to themselves. However, we are doing well financially. When you consider our geographical position, we are edging up. Our offshore services are slowly coming up. I am glad that the Minister of Finance is here: sometimes I get tired of him over there.
To read the testimony for yourself, you might like to click on the following link:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmfaff/uc147-i/uc14702.htm
Well, what do you make of it?
It should be noted, as is customary with such hearings, that the FAC has stated that "any public use of, or reference to, the contents should make clear that neither witnesses nor Members have had the opportunity to correct the record. The transcript is not yet an approved formal record of these proceedings."
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see if the Chief Minister "corrects the record."
I will help him and give him much to correct.
ReplyDelete----------
Like I have said on numerous occasion , these jokers cannot go to England and lie to us anymore. So, let Hubert Keep talking about a British plot ot enslave us. We need to understand these jokers time have pass and they have no clue how to govern Anguilla in this century,. They are only in office for the retirement benefits.
The Chief Minister has confirmed to us that the United Front cannot run Anguilla. The people have been saying that for months on this blog and elswhere. Now he has said it out loud. Perhaps if they appoint experts as advisors and stop putting friends in position they would get more help.
Chief Minister Fleming: "..four of us cannot run the Government of Anguilla."
When asked about crime, here is his answer:
"There is some stealing and some larceny. Luckily for us, this has not been against tourists over the last year and a half. It has been localised up to now, but the criminals will not stay in one spot. They will go where they think there is prey. It is not out of control, but we must begin to close the gap quickly." (Anguilla Chief Minister)
The people of Turks and Caicos should be proud of their Chief Minister, Dr The Hon Michael E. Misick LLB, MLC. He knew what he wanted and obviously knew his people needs. Infact he appeard to be the only who interest the British.
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Q101 Chairman: May I ask you, Mr. Fleming, about problems that you face? The Foreign Office website mentions that the main focus of overseas territories expenditure in Anguilla is devoted to enhancing the capabilities of law enforcement agencies. Do you have
a particular problem with crime?
Osbourne Fleming: Yes. I have made a note here and I want the Committee to know that we are into tourism. The only industries that really propel Anguilla's development are tourism and construction. We have seen an unusual level of crime coming through the country, and most of it can be attributed to the fact that we have a number of foreign workers in Anguilla as well as Anguillans who may be involved in crime.
We need some help to combat the criminal activity that is going on. We feel that if something is not done about it, and quickly, we could lose the industry by which we survive. We have come to London to make this plea and I hope that this Committee can help us. We need some help to combat the criminals; otherwise, we may be back on the grant in aid again. We never want to subject ourselves to that again.
Tourism is a fragile industry-I know that I am speaking to the choir, here. It can be wiped away by criminal activities. Although we are doing fairly well, we need some help in that direction. Of course that presence is costing us, but we are better off sacrificing ourselves to keep some help from London in Anguilla than to lose the whole country.
Q102 Chairman: What kind of crime are you talking about?
Osbourne Fleming: We have had some murders this year, which were unprecedented. There is some stealing and some larceny. Luckily for us, this has not been against tourists over the last year and a half. It has been localised up to now, but the criminals will not stay in one spot. They will go where they think there is prey. It is not out of control, but we must begin to close the gap quickly.
Q103 Chairman: May I ask all of you about your financial regulation systems? In a previous session we had evidence from the Cayman Islands and from the British Virgin Islands. What is the position in your territories? Are you satisfied with the current situation?
Osbourne Fleming: Unfortunately, I am not the Finance Minister in Anguilla.
Q104 Chairman: You are only the Chief Minister?
Osbourne Fleming: I am only that and I delegate and I leave the guys to themselves. However, we are doing well financially. When you consider our geographical position, we are edging up. Our offshore services are slowly coming up. I am glad that the Minister of Finance is here: sometimes I get tired of him over there. He has brought many measures to the House of Assembly that ensure that we run a clean operation. Anguilla's name cannot be tainted. So we try out best to put all the regulations and Acts in place. As you might know, Mr. Chairman, we sell high-end tourism. We want everything that we sell to be high end, even the financial services. To that end we go forward. We are going forward and ensuring that we deliver the best.
Q110 Chairman: Finally, may I ask you all a question that we asked the previous panel? Are you satisfied with the relationship that you have with the UK Parliament?
Osbourne Fleming: I have already reported this to the Committee and I want you to take the message forward because we need help on it: four of us cannot run the Government of Anguilla. You are well aware of the problems taking place in that country. The situation is very hard for us. I want to push that point.
I am sure the lawyers will comment once they retire. Just like the retired civil servants are now speaking out. And those who speak up for more pension benefits.
ReplyDeleteI have observed the eloquence and professionalism displayed by the other speakers during the sessions. However, our Chief Minister appeared ill prepared at such an important meeting. Is this the type of leaders we need, who always seems to embarass us? He had no clue as to our financial status when asked by the committee. Even as chief minister, he should be acutely aware of the health of each ministry and department under his leadreship. How can he effectively lead or govern if he is unaware of what is happening in the rest of the government but yet still he is asking for more ministers. We can not afford to run Anguilla as if it is a high school project and the various offices are in competition for bragging rights.
ReplyDeleteWe need to air his substandard responses and allow Anguillians the opportunity to hear how ridiculous he sounded. It would appear to all that there is nothing wrong or needing improvement in Anguilla except a need for an additional minister or contract police from the UK.
Is this what we really need? Is this what Anguilla needs as its modern leader? I beg to differ.