Dear friends and fellow St.Martiners,
For me, on behalf of our organizations the SNBF/ Asociation L' Esprit de Concordia, it was a privilege and honor to share one platform with distinguished local persons as my friends, Mr. Mc SOOD, Mr. RAWTANI and of course, Mr. Elco ROSARIO.
Each of you gentlemen, as well of course as your large audience in attendance, deserve to be highly recommended for listening to the input, highlighting the angle from the side of the native-indigenous St. Martin population, which often-times is completely ignored.
You listened very attentively,with an open-mind and without any interference and prejudice while we to shared our vision with your.
Whether or not you agreed with all we said indeed is irrelevant.
What is relevant is, that you showed respect for the opinion of others, something that certain members in the local St. Martin media can learn a lesson from.
Let it hereby, once more be confirmed, that we not only remain open to, but more than ever, anxiously look forward working along with the CBA-, all the various cultural- and national organizations in an effort to contribute in a meaningful way to the nation building process of St. Martin.
Integral part of this process-, and of paramount importance is, working towards a dynamic- and harmonious balance in the socio-economic interests of all stakeholders on the island.
Again, the CBA should be highly recommended, for having the courage to initiate a public discussion on issues of very complex nature, but with a far-reaching impact on the entire St. Martin community and indirectly even on a number of regional islands.
In ending we thank the many people, from all walks of life who attended the panel-discussion and who expressed admiration, support for the work the SNBF and the Association de L' Esprit have been doing for years, under oftentimes very unfair circumstances, including unfair access to the local media.
As we have always stated and we agree with our friends Mr. RAWTANI, Mc. SOOD, ROSARIO and Mrs. Iris ARRINDELL, who also took to the floor, that UNITING- and INTEGRATING with the local native-indigenous St. Martin People via their representatives, is the most effective way to safeguard tranquility on the island, thereby protecting your investments- and interest.
Politicians come...and goes, the people remain !.
Success with your future endeavors and be reminded, that as long as you remain committed to respect the rightful position of the natives of this island, you will find a very loyal and powerful partner in us.
With respect,
--
Leopold James
President SNBF & L'Esprit de Concordia
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