In a letter dated 22 June 2010 sent to you, Prefet Jacques Simmonet, and the French Ambassador to the United States in Washington, D. C., I asked for a response to only ten (10) questions. That letter was posted in this newspaper's website that day and now is on the Internet for everyone to read. People want answers from you, as do I.
I have been told by staff at the Embassy of France in Washington that the responsibility to investigate and respond to this inquiry rests with you alone, not the head of the Gendarmerie or others who report to you. They have told me to expect a reply from you. You have my address, as does the world. It is time to live up to your responsibility conferred upon you by the Government of France.
You, sir, have the staff and resources to order a complete and thorough investigation and report on the results. People on St. Martin have reported to various news reporters and other residents on the island who I have been in communication with that an investigation was initiated within days of the posting on my letter in this newspaper. So what happened? Have you decided the best response is no response? Has anyone instructed you not to respond? Is this the lack of transparency all citizens of French St. Martin can expect from your office? Now is the time to demonstrate accountability not only to the citizens of the French side of St. Martin, but to the people in the French Government who have faith in your integrity and honesty.
Recently there have been shootings on the French side of St. Martin and the violence seems to appear weekly in this newspaper. People have died. Robberies are becoming more daring and dangerous, as in the Grande Case shooting at midday this week.
The Gendarmes make much publicized "controls" where fifteen (15) Gendarmes armed with machine guns surround the cars of citizens and tourists to demand their papers and be subjected to searches for guns and drugs. Arrests were made and guns and drugs seized. Is this how you administer the French side of St. Martin? With four Gendarmes per vehicle carrying machine guns stopping cars for "control" checks? Is this how the world's tourists should see "The Friendly Island"? Instead of the use of massive and overpowering force, could you request from France professionally-trained investigators and real detectives, not the clowns posted at the Grande Case Gendarmerie who sit back, smirk at victims, threaten them, and then dismiss them?
You must recognize 85% of the island's revenues are from tourists like myself. To intentionally ignore a letter sent as a result of apparent misbehaviour by your Gendarmes sends a clear message to people considering coming to the French side of St. Martin: travel in groups, hire your own security, film any interactions with the French government officials, or if necessary, go to another island.
I am publicly requesting you respond to the letter I sent to you on 22 June 2010 within the next two weeks. Please indicate you will allow me to post your reply in this newspaper for all to read. I am asking only for a reply to the ten questions contained in my letter of 22 June 2010.
How difficult is that, and why should it have taken so long to get the answers? If you are incapable of answering questions, you should resign your postion and return to France to request a competent Prefet for St. Martin. That might save lives.
Claude Bordelon
