Marigot:--- Since January 20, 2009, on the initiative of a collective (LIYANNAJ KONT PROFITATION: LKP) of about fifty trade-unions and cultural organizations, the people of Guadeloupe has initiated a movement. This Collective raises basic problems which are at the origin of the suffering, the distress, the discomfort and the identity and societal crisis which affect not only Guadeloupe but all overseas French territories and consequently St-Martin. The massive support of the people of Guadeloupe is admirable.
The claims of this collective, essentially, include those affecting our territory, particularly as regards the fight against the high cost of living and the improvement of the purchasing power, the claiming means for a better and more appropriate Education, issues regarding health and the like and more provisions for public services, but also a priority for local employment, the need for privileging the local companies (small shopkeepers, craftsmen...). These claims also dealt with the urgency to privilege a true endogenous development. In our capacity as a group of elected officials within the Territorial Council of St-Martin and in the name of the Saint-Martin people, we bring a fraternal and massive support to the people of Guadeloupe.
Through our respective battles we advance the general cause of our territories. It began with the Reunion Island, was then followed by Guyana, today it is Guadeloupe's turn to speak out. By means of these movements, the emphasis has been upon the basic problems which are presented and the legitimate claims for which one demands serious attention and real appropriate solutions; the time for surface repair is over.
By our statutory evolution within the framework of article 74 of the French constitution, we have lead the way on a very important subject: the nature of our relationship with France and the granting of our autonomy. This road remains strewn with obstacles because the State never stops reconsidering its primary word and engagements (refusal to compensate for the resources lost due to the suppression of the benefit enjoyed from the shared "octroi de mer", reconsideration of its position on making pro visions for the territories to each have a representative in Parliament in Paris, etc...).
Our territories can no longer continue to ignore their geographical, cultural and identity reality by hiding behind legal provisions. The handling of the identity and societal crisis which characterizes all of our territories becomes as urgent today as the need to give attention to the economic crisis because our dignity hinges on them both.
The Movement LIYANNAJ KONT PROFITATION: LKP brings the evident proof that in our territories the emergence of a "structured civil society" is necessary because it gives a new meaning to participative democracy. This civil society must be heard as being an essential link which best expresses itself today from the "streets", most effective mode of expression of direct democracy that the State can no longer ignore.
"Sovereignty cannot be represented, for the same reason it cannot be alienated; it consists primarily in the general will and the will cannot be represented; it is the same or it is different; it knows no medium. Thus, the deputies of the people are not and cannot be the representatives of the people, they are only commissioners; (...). Any law that the People would not have personally ratified is null...."