Philipsburg/ Marigot: --- President of the United Saint Martin Movement (USM) Aline Choisy and Daniella Jeffry addressed several key issues affecting the French side of the Island on the radio Program "Breakfast with De Robert". Hosting the environmental program was Daniella Jeffry who had Choisy as her guest.
The two veteran politicians first tackled the concerns of the several persons who are commenting on the plans for an expanded and new marina to be built on the French side. Choisy said it seems more likely that the person behind the project is trying to compete with the Dutch side since they are seeking to have a deep water pier on that side of the island. She said it is time for elected officials to look in promoting eco-tourism and not build a set of concrete structures. Another point she raised on this issue is that more focus needs to be placed on the island's culture.
The USM leaders however gave a deeper insight on the ongoing saga regarding the ousting of President Frantz Gumbs by the State Council. Choisy said while there have been two presidents ousted on the French side within the last two years there is actually five presidents that held office in such a short time. Because of this trend Choisy said this can be considered a shame and embarrassment towards the people.
Choisy said the RRR party has lost their credibility in the Territorial Council from the very beginning and now they are crying fowl. "In 2007 the RRR group voted for Louis Constant Fleming to be president of the COM. They also voted for the program Fleming provided instead of setting the stage by providing their own governing program and presenting a candidate. Even though they would not have won the election of president then, the bottom line they would have laid down the basic principles in politics". The former opposition said that because of this the RRR became weak.
As for the annulment of the 2008 elections the host Jeffry and her guest Choisy said the majority UPP committed fraud when they used the pre-printed ballots in the 2008 election.
Both women commended the RRR and Ogoundele Tessi for taking this matter to court since it shows that there was a lack of confidence within the UPP group; some of the councilors of the majority were supporting Ogoundele Tessi along with the opposition which she believed created a fear. Choisy said this is a clear indication of dictatorship within the ruling party and this has to stop. "I heard they were going to use pre-printed ballots and I personally spoke to them about it but the UPP group did not listen to me then." Choisy said while the ousted president is saying it's an administrative mistake with the 2008 election in several newspapers she said it is not a mistake instead the UPP leaders took away the freedom of expression from their councilors.
‘These councilors were elected to represent the island yet they are not able to take a pen and paper and vote for the person whom they wish; then they cannot represent me. These councilors should have told their party boss that he lacked trust in them and he is aiming at controlling them."
Choisy said the reason the State Council annulled the election of the president is because they considered fraud was committed. She urges the UPP group to tell the people the truth and stop fooling them "The UPP should take responsibility and admit that they committed fraud." Choisy said.
Jeffry said in the beginning there was some controversy since the lawyer representing Ogoundele Tessi said the COM is back to square one. However, in the decision it is only the President was ousted while the executive council remains which is giving the majority (UPP) a lead in the legal affair while the Opposition looks weak since they did not provide sufficient evidence against the executive council in their court case.
Jeffry also shared her concern about the silence from the other politicians; instead she said they are voicing their opinions individually.
Choisy and Jeffry said right now the French side does not have any opposition in the council at this time since the RRR has failed to inform the population on critical issues.
Choisy said it is clear the opposition is divided since only one councilor under the umbrella of the RRR is speaking out against the present shame the island people is enduring. Choisy said that councilor whom she knows well and understands is very hurt, that councilor should also know that it is not possible to have a general election. Choisy said to have such an election a lot of procedures has to be followed since there is a constitution that rules the Republic of France. "I don't think it is going to be easy to have a general election on St. Martin. St. Martin people are not what they were before. While I agree that the population can make it happen the people of St. Martin are not ready to put up a fight." "The diluted population of St. Martin is not interested in general elections instead they are focusing on putting food on their tables. Yes the people are concerned and they know what their island is going through but Saint Martin people are not like those people in Guadeloupe who went on a 44 day strike earlier this year." Choisy said while many would wish for that to happen, people she said needs to stop dreaming because a new election would not take place.
She said the councilor that is voicing her opinion is not even getting the support from the opposition which she is part of, which shows that there is a breakdown on both sides.
Choisy said while several people are saying that Ogoundele Tessi should be given a chance the present political affair is not about chance since Ogoundele Tessi does not even have a political party, she is part of the UPP. This person even took her own party to court and won which means they would get rid of her.
Choisy said the coming election would be hot since the opposition may not give Ogoundele Tessi their support due to the outcome of the senate election and the UPP will definitely get rid of her. Marthe Ogoundele Tessi; is a member of the Executive council because the RRR party gave her one of their seats in 2008 when the UPP eliminated her.
Choisy said she does not believe Ogoundele Tessi would postulate in the coming election because she would not be getting any support from either side. "To do that one has to have guts and a party". Choisy said.
Choisy said she wants to know what is the Prefet doing since his job is to look over the affairs of the State. He is the one that is responsible for the legal aspect of the COM. "I need to know if this person did not issue and advise to the UPP group.
Choisy also said that the 23 councilors who voted for Louis Constant Fleming in 2007 used the pre-printed ballots and none of them complained because they all voted for Fleming.
She said because of this error she believed the opposition RRR should be the first ones to retire since they are not proactive enough. "They voted for Fleming and his program and they are constantly being reminded of it in the council meetings when they disagree on matters." Choisy said.
She said the present situation is indeed shameful since they have to again vote in another president but she wants to know what are the technicians and the prefet in all of this. She said while St. Martin voted a new status to handle their own affairs there are a number of Guadeloupians and Metropolitans in top positions on St. Martin and the local people are eliminated.
Article 74 or 73?
Another point the USM leaders made is the fact that several politicians are saying that St. Martin received article 74 of the French Constitution which is same of St. Barths. Jeffy the host of the program said St. Martin did not receive 74 but St. Barths did. She said St. Martin got something that looked like article 73 because of the requirements for 74 were not met.
Jeffry said to acquire 74 there had to be special laws in place. She said laws that were voted in France could not be directly implemented on St. Martin; instead it must go through the local council who would decide whether or not these laws can be implemented, this is according to 74.
Jeffry said in the new status St. Martin got direct implementation of all laws voted in France which is part of article 73. She said another point all other territories are supposed to be associate members of the European Union, this she said is outlined in the Organic law. Jeffry said this is not the case for St. Barths.
Jeffry said St. Barths has the possibility to decide if they want be an associate member as an overseas territory since their GDP (Gross Domestic Product) value is too high for them to benefit from the FIDER funds. She said these are the two main characteristics of 74. Jeffry said St. Martin did not make that choice considering the amounts of monies the departments get from the EU. Jeffry said difference between St Barths and St. Martin is St Barths received the measures of autonomy in favor of their population, while St. Martin was denied that option.
She urged the people to read her book the "Status Scandal" that is in both languages if they are to understand the true nature of the status given to St. Martin. She said the people were not told that the administrative aspect of the island is controlled by the State of France.
