Letters to the Editor

LETTERS

Prev    Next Letter: 'Papa Doc' and 'Baby Doc' Published on Friday, October 16, 2009 Email To Friend    Print Version Dear Sir: I have been following the discussions taking place in my homeland St Vincent and the Grenadines regarding the Referendum to be held on November 25, 2009, which will provide the people of citizens of St Vincent and the Grenadines the opportunity to vote 'yes' or 'no' on the proposed Constitution reforms - being hotly debated at present. Let me begin by saying I am not really a student of history and it was never one of my favourite subjects in school, but recently I kept on getting the urge to read up on Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier and his son Jean Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier. I finally gave in to the urge and decided to do some research on the political life of these two men. According to Answers.com: Francois "Papa Doc", was the President of Haiti from 1957-71. He was the notorious ruler of Haiti throughout the 1960s. Duvalier was a physician (the source of his nickname, "Papa Doc") who worked in the Haitian government beginning in the mid-1940s, with the army's support, he was elected to the presidency in 1957. Answers.com goes on to say After the election of 1961 and the "continuation" of 1963, it was only a matter of time before Duvalier moved to have himself installed for life as Haitian President. "Responding" to just such a request, Duvalier consented on April 1, 1964 - Duvalier's rubber-stamp Legislative Chamber rewrote the 1957 Constitution, specifically altering Article 197 so that he could be declared president for life. A "referendum" was held, and on June 22, 1964, Duvalier was formally invested. 2.8 million people voted "yes" and only 3,234 voted "no". His regime soon grew to be one of the most repressive in the hemisphere. In January 1971 Duvalier induced the National Assembly to change the constitution to allow his son, Jean Claude Duvalier, to succeed him. Duvalier died on April 21, 1971, and his son succeeded him without difficulty. As the wisest man ever lived said in the Book of Ecclesiastes 1:9 - "The thing that has been, it is that which shall be: and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun." That was then, and now Chavez in 2009 through a national referendum 54% to 46% won the right to unlimited terms in office - on his way to President for life. Chavez partner Manuel Zelaya of Honduras was recently removed from office thru a coup when he ignored court orders to drop plans for a referendum calling for a popular assembly to reform the Constitution. His opponents accused him of wanting to end the Constitutional ban on re-election. Incidently, Chavez, Zelaya and Gonsalves are very close politically - and they share the same mentor Fidel Castro. I believe that Vincentians like all freedom loving people on this planet would love to be independent and to be able to determine our own destiny. However, we are a country with a fragile economy and few resources, except our human resource and even the state of development in that is area is fragile. A recent Human Development Index (HDI) report of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) states that St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the lowest ranked independent country from the OECS. We need our traditional trading partners during this crucial time - we cannot depend on Cuba, Venezuela and Iran they have their own problems to deal with. An example is the government of Cuba recently discontinued a workers free lunch program. Venezuela is getting itchy about the money we are owing Petro Caribe - I believe we may have to renegotiate payments. So, although Vincentians would love to be free of the Monarchy - there are still benefits to be had. Canada a rich country, a member of the G8 with a large land mass and massive natural resources with a population of over 25 million continues to be represented by the Queen. As a matter of fact a Black Haitian woman is the Governor General of Canada. That country could afford to cut the strings, but they are not in a hurry to do so. I believe for the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines it's a matter of "TRUST". Is it a choice between the Monarchy or ALBA? What is the motive behind Constitutional reform at this time? Could we afford to use up our limited resources at a time when things are so tight around the globe. Is this part of a plan to run our election campaign with funds from the national Treasury? Vincentians do you want a President for Life? (not even elected by the people) - Do you want a "Papa Doc" and "Baby Doc" Dynasty? Don't be fooled with a bellyful now and a few sheets of galvanize - think about future generations to come - sometimes we have to go thru the wilderness of hard times before we can enter the Promised Land. I have been thru the wilderness of hard times in St. Vincent and many of you know what I am talking about - you have seen my name in the newspaper concerning my debts. They tried to shut me up, but I will not bow my knees to a spirit of fear- because God did not give me a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and a sound mind. They will try to destroy your character if you stand up to them - they will say all manner of evil about you, but the good book says "Fear not". Too many of God's people in my homeland are fearful - afraid they will lose their jobs, homes and their children won't get scholarships. If God be for you - who could be against you? Again the Church is silent. Vincentians go out and vote 'no' on November 25, 2009. Amory Lashley Canada   Reads : 1138   Prev    Next

Clck here for Letters archives prior to February 16, 2007...