Marigot: --- Well known attorney at law Harry Durimel was appointed to represent the region in the European federation on June 6th. Durimel is leading the list "Les Verts" and is a founding member of the ecologist party. On that list is St. Martin born Jeaninie Arnell, this was disclosed at a press conference yesterday.
The ecologist party "Les Verts" have brought honor to Guadeloupe by appointing Harry DURIMEL to lead the list of the large federation "EUROPE ECOLOGIE" in the vast constituency of Overseas territories composed of Guadeloupe, Saint Martin, Saint Barthelemy, Martinique, French Guyana, Reunion, Mayotte, Wallis and Futuna, French Polynesia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon and New Caledonia.
DURIMEL, a lawyer by profession, is a founding member of the Green Party in Guadeloupe said he has always been an ecologist ever since he entered politics because he felt that is the only way to develop the region. He said he is not of the opinion that social funding and benefits can develop any country or region instead more focus has to be placed using the potential resources. Durimel said that he felt the climate in the northeastern region is to the people's benefit which would remain sustainable. "Right now St. Martin is not producing anything, not even vegetables, everything has to be imported. We need to begin to leave space for agriculture so that our food can be cultivated locally. It's not about concrete structures alone". Durimel argued that here on St. Martin there are a number of ethnic groups and people have to work in harmony if the island is to be developed according to its potentials. He said St. Martin must use Europe as an example where people of different nationalities and ethnic groups can work and live together.
Durimel who is human rights activist said he refused to accept discrimination of any type and he believes that people should begin working together and begin working on sustainable development.
Durimel has been newly elected city municipal councilor in Pointe-à-Pitre; he runs the Environment Committee and is working to develop an Agenda 21 for the same city.
During the 2004 elections, the Green Party had gained an historic score. For this reason, it is important for us to continue this momentum and aim for a more pronounced victory with the list "EUROPE ECOLOGIE".
In 2009, we are proud to have on that list along with our leading candidate, a Saint Martiner in the person of Jeanine ARNELL, a committed activist in the community. Arnell is a social worker by profession and is always at the service of her country and its people. Whatever one may say, Saint-Martin, New Territorial Overseas Collectivity must not be silent on these elections. These elections are of an utmost importance for the development of our island.