The Guam United Nations Papers - Statement of Yasukatsu Matsushima, We are Loochoo

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WE ARE LOOCHOO

By Dr. YASUKATSU MATSUSHIMA

Before the

UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL COMMITTEE of 24 on DECOLONIZATION

66th Session

Towards the Demilitarizaton of Guam

21 June 2011

Kuyoonaara(Hello)

I appreciate for Your Excellency Francisco Carrion-Mena, Chairperson of the Special Committee of 24, members of the Special Committee on Decolonization to give me the opportunity to speak before your Committee.

1. Introduction

I am Dr.Yasukatsu Matsushima, an Okinawan. I was born and raised on Okinawa. Okinawa consists of 160 islands in the EastAsia Sea surrounded by Japan, Taiwan, China, Philippines and its population is about 1.4million. I will appeal that the necessity of demilitarization of Guam from the perspective of Okinawa because the militarization of Guam and Okinawa has been linked strongly by US and Japanese Governments.

2.The Brief History of How Guam and Okinawa Share the Colonization

The militarization of Guam is linked with the building of new bases on Okinawa and the moving of 8,522 US Marines, 9,000 their dependents from Okinawa to Guam. Japanese Government has paid public funds to make new bases on Guam and its Self-Defense Forces has been training with US Forces on Guam. Why Guam and Okinawa is related militarily by US and Japanese Governments? We should understand the historical background of the colonization of Guam and Okinawa. As Guam has been controlled by Spain, US, Japan and now US, Okinawa has been under the control of Japan, US and now Japan and US.

.In1879, Japanese Government annexed Ryukyu Kingdom with its military invasion and started to rule Okinawa as its colony. The Japanese Government has imposed colonialist policies, prohibiting the Okinawan language in school ..Also in Guam, Chamorros had been forced to speak English in school until 1950s. It can be called a cultural genocide.

In 1945, Japanese Government had used Okinawa as a battle ground. The number of the Okinawan fatalities reached around 150 thousand. In 1941, Immediately after Pearl Harbor, Japanese Forces occupied and controlled Guam until 1944. Many Chamorros had been massacred,killed by the Japanese soldiers and destroyed land of Guam thoroughly. Japanese Government has not done the war reparations for Chamorros until now.

During Pacific War, in Guam a lot of lands of Chamorros had been deprived by US Government to make military bases. Okinawa had been directly under the control of US Military Government. Many lands of Okinawans were taken by US Government with weapons.

In 1950s, US Marine Bases had been moved from Japanese Main Islands to Okinawa. Now US Marines will move to Guam.

In 1962, following the United Nations Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, the Ryukyu Legislature passed a resolution, stating that the US rule over Okinawa violated the principles of self-determination and non-expansion of territories prescribed in the UN Charter. This resolution was sent to all 104 member States of the UN at that time.

In 1972, the colonial administration of Okinawa was retransferred from US to Japan. The strong wishs of Okinawans to remove all US bases were ignored. Military bases and economic activities become connected each other in Guam and Okinawa, but almost benefits of base-related economies have gone out of these islands to other places. The military policies on Guam and Okinawa have been decided by US and Japanese Governments unilaterally to ignore these peoples’ claims. So the colonization of Guam and Okinawa has been very clear militarily, politically, and economically.

But Chamorros has used international networks for the decolonization by their groups such as OPI-R(Organization of People for Indigenous Rights), Guhan Coalition for Peace and Justice, We are Guahan and Chamorro Nation and so on. Also Okinawans has participated to UN organizations to resolve colonization problems. In 1996 I had participated to UN Working Group on Indigenous Peoples. Until now, Okinawans have taken part in several UN organizations to decolonize, and demilitarize Okinawa.

In 2006, Dr. Deu Deu Dien,a special reporter of UN Commission on Human Rights, came to survey military bases on Okinawa. He reported that Okinawan situation was abnormal and Japanese Government discriminated against Okinawans. In 2010, UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination said that US military base problems on Okinawa are racial discrimination to Okinawans.

3.Towards the Demilitarization of Guam

If US Marines will move from Okinawa to Guam, Chamorro people will face many problems such like Okinawan cases. We must understand military base problems on Okinawa because ‘Build Up’ in Guam is conditioned to that of Okinawa by US and Japanese Governments.

74% of US military bases in Japan have been concentrated in Okinawa which covers only 0.6% of all Japanese territory. Many military bases reside in small and highly populated island. That is why there are so many accidents and crimes committed by US personnels.

We have faced such serious damages as fieldfires and bomb accidents caused by live ammunition practices, planes and helicopters crashes, deafening roar, t raffic accidents, destruction of environment and historical sites, indigenous cultural heritages, infringements upon the daily life of the Okinawans and so on. From 1972 to 2010, military related criminal cases have occurred 5,705. From 1972 to 2010, accidents and incidents related to Military training have occurred 1,545.

Two of the most shocking cases are the rape case by 3 US soldiers against a schoolgirl (12years old) in 1995 and the US helicopter crash in 2004 at Okinawa International University. This helicopter belonged to Futenma Air Base.

The Japanese Government hasn’t changed the Agreement on the Status of US Armed Forces in Japan in spite of the strong outrage of almost all Okinawans. This Agreement gives the US military personnels the special privileges to refuse handing over suspects to Japanese authority and on-the-spot inspections.

In 2006, US and Japanese Governments agreed on Roadmap for Realignment Implementation of US bases. This Roadmap includes the reversion of Futenma Air Base and 5 other facilities, after the completion of Futenma Relocation Facility in Henoko, Nago City, and moving of 8,522 Marines, 9,000 their dependents from Okinawa to Guam.Futenma issue and Guam realignment are “package”. Japanese Government has been complicit in the construction of new bases in Guam by supplying large public fund ($6.09 billion) even though the big earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accidents have occurred in Japan after March 11 this year. Excuse to pay money, Japanese Government will send more their Self-Defense Forces to Guam for military training.

So much of Okinawans reject the plan of construction of new military base on coral reef of Henoko.Okinawa Pref.Governor Hirokazu Nakaima and Nago City Mayor Susumu Inafuku also refuse to accept a new base anywhere in Okinawa.

Okinawans are against moving of US Marines to Guam and the construction of new bases there because the colonial situation of Guam will be fixed so deeply and the militarization on Guam is against the process of decolonization on UNC-24.

The reduction of bases on Okinawa will promote that of Guam. I think the relationship of Guam and Okinawa is like sisters and brothers. We insist that Guam should be demilitarized on this decolonization process in UN C-24.

I appreciate Former Senator Hope Cristobal and Dr.Lisa Natividad so much for accepting me for a member of Guam delegation and giving a chance to speak in UN C-24.

Niifaiyou (Thank You)

References

Joseph Ada (1993) The State of the Colony, Guam Government,


Wakako Higuchi (2001) “The Japanisation Policy for the Chamorros of Guam, 1941-1944” in The Journal of Pacific History,Vol.36,No.1


Okinawa Prefectural government (2011), US Military Base Issues in Okinawa,Okinawa Prefectural Government


Political Status Education Coordinating Commission (ed.) (1996)Issues in Guam's Political Development: The Chamorro Perspective, The Political Status Education Coordinating Commission


R.Rogers (1995) Destiny’s Landfall-A History of Guam, University of Hawaii Press


Pedro　Sanchez (1988) Guahan Guam-The History of Our Island, Sanchez Publishing House　


Ronald Stade (1998) Pacific Passages-World Culture and Local Politics in Guam, Stockholm Studies in Social Anthropology


Robert Underwood (1998) The State of Guam’s Agenda in Washington 1997, The Office of Underwood


Yasukatsu Matsushima (2007) Micronesia - The Challenge of Islands’ Peoples for Self-governance, Waseda University Press(Japanese version)

Association of Pacific Island Legislatures Supports Guam Self-determination process

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By Therese Hart

Marianas Variety

Guam Reporter . HAGÅTÑA — During the recent 30th General Assembly Conference held in Palau, member island nations of the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures passed a resolution supporting Guam’s struggle for self-determination and the decision of its residents to hold a plebiscite.

The APIL members vowed to acknowledge and support, “both in their country of origin and in international bodies that they may be party to, the struggle for Guam’s self-determination and the decision of the People of Guam that may come of any plebiscite,” according to the resolution.

Speaker Judi Won Pat, who is the current APIL vice president, said: “As our island moves toward our self-determination, it is important to ask for the support of our regional family. Many of the members of the Association of the Pacific Island Legislatures have permanent missions to the United Nations – and they are in the perfect position to support whatever status our people choose for our future in that international body. I am excited that the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas has passed their own resolution in support of our path so quickly after the APIL General Assembly, and I thank them sincerely for their efforts.”

The United States placed Guam on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories in 1946, and Guam is still identified as such at both a national and international level.

Regional leaders from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of Nauru, the Republic of Kiribati, and the Federated States of Micronesia, which is composed of the States of Yap, Chuuk, Kosrae and Pohnpei, are all members of the United Nations, where they either participate, or are able to participate, as independent countries, and take part in important votes regarding the direction of the United Nations. They have all vowed to support the “decolonization of Guam.”

Won Pat said it was important that Guam’s quest is supported and endorsed by its neighboring islands and she hoped that APIL members will promote, recognize and work to support Guam’s path to political self-determination at local, national and international levels.

“This is important because when our colleagues from these neighboring islands bring up Guam during conversations at these levels, it causes a ripple effect and we are maximizing our network so that the conversation will circulate, therefore, we will not be ignored or forgotten,” said Won Pat.

Univ. of Guam Cooperates with Phillippines Institute on Engineering Program

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UOG SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH PHILIPPINES' MAPUA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

to support Engineering Program

University of Guam President Robert A. Underwood and Mapua Institute of Technology (Phillippines) President Reynaldo B. Vea signed an agreement on June 21 to develop academic relations between the two institutions which will support UOG’s efforts to launch an engineering school.

The Mapúa Institute of Technology’s electrical engineering, electronics engineering and computer engineering have been granted accreditation by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), the recognized accreditor of engineering and technology programs in the United States. The Mapua Institute of Technology is the only educational institution in the Philippines to achieve ABET accreditation.

The agreement will enhance relations between the two institutions and further the development of academic and cultural exchanges. The two institutions hope to promote cooperation in such areas as faculty and student exchanges, training and study programs, collaborative teaching projects, collaborative scholarship, and other joint endeavors according to principles of reciprocity, common understanding, and mutual benefit.

“This agreement will enable us to forge a strong relationship as we seek ways to enhance our programs,” said UOG President Robert A. Underwood. “This relationship with the Mapua Institute of Technology brings us in close communication with the only institution with ABET accredited programs in East Asia. Their close geographic proximity will benefit our students and both of our institutions.”

ABET, Inc. is the recognized accreditor for college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology. Among the most respected accreditation organizations in the U.S., ABET has provided leadership and quality assurance in higher education for over 75 years.ABET accredits over 3,100 programs at more than 600 colleges and universities worldwide.

Univ. of Guam President Named Vice Chair of Asian Pacific Islander University Association

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President Robert Underwood to lead group of colleges, universities serving Asian American, Pacific Islander students


MANGILAO, Guam-The University of Guam President Robert Underwood, Ed.D., has been named vice chairman of the board of directors for the Asian Pacific Islander American Association of Colleges and Universities, which was launched yesterday to help address the complex set of social realities facing students in the underrepresented and underserved Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

Underwood will help lead the new national umbrella organization and advocate on behalf of all Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions-minority-serving institutions designated by Congress that have at least a 10 percent enrollment of AAPI students and have a significant number of AAPI students who are Pell Grant eligible, among other criteria-to better serve the unique needs of the nearly 1.2 million AAPI students attending these institutions across the nation.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., APIACU supports AANAPISIs in a manner similar to that which the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, and the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education serve Tribal Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities, respectively.

The mission of APIACU has four objectives: (1) To promote the development of member colleges and universities; (2) to improve the quality of postsecondary educational opportunities and access thereto for AAPI students; (3) to meet the needs of business, industry, and government through the development and sharing of resources, information, and expertise; and (4) to support and lobby for the success of AANAPISIs through the development of programmatic activities of AANAPISIs.

“The University of Guam serves a student population that is over 90 percent Asian and Pacific Islander. This new organization brings national focus to the unique population we serve and allows us to collaborate with other institutions across the country to develop ways to enhance educational experiences and provide additional opportunities to our students,” said Underwood.

Serving along with Underwood on the APIACU board of directors are chair Mark Mitsui, president of North Seattle Community College; and co-vice chair Gabriel Esteban, Ph.D., president of Seton Hall University. Together they will work with APIACU president and CEO Ruby G. Moy to lead the organization.

The idea to develop APIACU was presented last year during the first annual higher education summit held by the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund-the nation’s largest nonprofit organization devoted solely to providing college scholarships for AAPI students-in which the group gave its endorsement to create a national organization of this kind.

APIACU was announced during the 2011 APIASF College Completion Forum: Strengthening Institutions that Serve Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. (UOG)

Sint Maarten to Seek associate membership in The Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

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Prime Minister holds preliminary talks at Heads of Government Meeting of CARICOM

Basseterre, St. Kitts

2011 (CUOPM) – St. Maarten has expressed an interest in becoming an Associate Member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

This was disclosed by St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister and Chairman of the regional integration movement, the Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, who said the St. Maarten leader (Hon. Sarah Wescott-Williams)  was one of several Heads of government and Institutions, who CARICOM leaders met with during the 32nd Regular Meeting of the Conference of the Heads of Government.

“The dynamism and solidity of our Community have encouraged one of our special guests at this meeting, the
Prime Minister of St. Maarten, the Hon. Sarah Wescott-Williams to talk with us about submitting a formal request for her country to become an Associate Member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Prime Minister Douglas announced at the Closing Ceremony.

Prime Minister Wescott-Williams, who attended the Opening Ceremony on June 30th, held talks with
Caribbean leaders during the luncheon session of the first caucus at Ottley’s Plantation on Saturday 1st July.

Prime Minister Wescott-Williams during the luncheon meeting brought Caribbean leaders up to date on the recent constitutional changes in Country St. Marten with the Dutch Kingdom.

CARICOM has several Councils on matters of interest to St. Maarten,” said Prime Minister Wescott-Williams in a recent statement reported in the St. Maarten Herald.

In accepting the invitation from Prime Minister Douglas to attend the Conference, the St. Maarten leader said she hoped to discuss “St. Maarten’s involvement in these Councils and eventual membership of CARICOM during the visit to St. Kitts.” The communiqué issued at the end of the conference said:

“Heads of Government and the Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, the Hon. Sarah Wescott-Williams held preliminary discussions with a view to Sint Maarten submitting a formal request to become an Associate Member of the Community.”

During the four-day meeting, Heads of Government also exchanged views with His Excellency Juan Manuel Santos Calderón, President of Colombia; His Excellency José Miguel Insulza, Secretary-General of the Organisation of American States (OAS) and Mr. Andris Piebalgs, European Union Commissioner for Development.

CARICOM Chairman Douglas also met with the Special Envoy of the Government of Cuba, His Excellency Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla.

CARICOM Member States and Head of Government are Antigua and Barbuda, Dr. the Hon. Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister; The Bahamas, The Right Hon. Hubert Ingraham, Prime Minister; Barbados, the Hon. Freundel Stuart, Prime Minister; Belize, the Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister; Dominica, the
Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister; Grenada, Hon. Tilman Thomas, Prime Minister; Guyana, His Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo, President; Haiti, His Excellency Michel Martelly, President; Jamaica, the Hon. Bruce Golding, Prime Minister; Montserrat, the Hon. Reuben Meade, Chief Minister; St. Kitts and Nevis, the Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, Prime Minister; St. Lucia, the Hon. Stephenson King, Prime Minister; St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. the Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister; Suriname,
His Excellency Desi Bouterse, President; Trinidad and Tobago, the Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Prime Minister.

Associate Members are Anguilla, Hon. Hubert Hughes, Chief Minister; Bermuda, Hon. Pamela Cox, Premier; British Virgin Islands, Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal, Premier; Cayman Islands, Hon. William McKeeva Bush, Premier; and the Turks and Caicos Islands. (OTR Note: Since 2009, elected government has been suspended in the Turks & Caicos Islands by the United Kingdom, the territory's administering power).

In 1972, Commonwealth Caribbean leaders at the Seventh Heads of Government Conference decided to transform the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) into a Common Market and establish the Caribbean Community, of which the Common Market would be an integral part.

The signing of the Treaty establishing the Caribbean Community, Chaguaramas, 4th July 1973, was a defining moment in the history of the Commonwealth Caribbean. Although a free-trade area had been established, CARIFTA did not provide for the free movement of labour and capital, or the coordination of
agricultural, industrial and foreign policies.

The objectives of the Community, identified in Article 6 of the Revised Treaty, are: to improve standards of living and work; the full employment of labour and other factors of production; accelerated, coordinated and sustained economic development and convergence; expansion of trade and economic relations with third States; enhanced levels of international competitiveness; organisation for increased production and productivity; achievement of a greater measure of economic leverage and effectiveness of Member States in dealing with third States, groups of States and entities of any description and the enhanced co-ordination of Member States’ foreign and foreign economic policies and enhanced functional co-operation.

In 1989, when the Heads of Government made the decision to transform the Common Market into a single
market and economy in which factors move freely as a basis for internationally competitive production of goods and provision of services, it was also decided that for the transformation to take place, the Treaty would have to be revised.

In 1992, following the adoption of the report of the West Indian Commission, an Inter-governmental Task Force was established, to work on the revision of theTreaty. Between 1993 and 2000, the Inter-Governmental Task Force (IGTF) which was composed of representatives of all Member States, produced nine Protocols, for the purpose of amending the Treaty. These nine Protocols were later combined to create a new version of the Treaty, called formally, The Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas Establishing the Caribbean Community, including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy.

Allowances have been made for the subsequent inclusion in the Revised Treaty, by way of additional Protocols, new issues such as e-commerce, government procurement, trade in goods from free zones, free circulation of goods, and the rights contingent on the free movement of persons.


Erasmus Williams
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
Government Headquarters
Church Street
Basseterre, St. Kitts


Tel: 869-465-9698
Fax: 869-466-9997
Cell: 869-665-8422

Integration of Puerto Rico as a U.S. State would reduce representation of remaining U.S. states

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By Stefan Antonmattei

Puerto Rico Daily Sun
 

Territory would gain 5 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives

 and 2 seats in the U.S. Senate seats 

If Puerto Ricans ever voted to become a state of the union, the island could face a formidable opposition from the very large, and very Republican state of Texas. It could also face resistance from another large populated area, the swing-voting state of Florida which in 2004 voted for George W. Bush but in 2008 voted for Pres. (Barack) Obama. Other states that would lose congressional seats, were Puerto Rico to become a state, are California, Washington, and Minnesota.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Sun, Dr. Dudley L. Poston, Jr., a Texas A&M University professor of sociology said that were Puerto Rico to become a state, the island would gain five U.S. House of Representative seats and two U.S. Senate seats. The study was based on an analysis of the 2010 Census.

“The Congress has the final authority regarding the admission of a new state. Most assume that if Puerto Rico submits a petition for statehood, the House and Senate would pass a resolution authorizing statehood. But I really wonder if the passing of a resolution will be that easy. It will be interesting to see if the senators and representatives from the five states that will lose seats, especially the Republican-voting Texas, and the swing-state of Florida, would favor such a resolution. Texas is a bright red state [Red referring to the color given to represent a Republican state — the governor of Texas, both senators, their legislative body and many of their congressional representatives are Republican]. Seat assignment in the U.S. House is a zero-sum situation. If Puerto Rico (or, for that matter, Washington, D.C.,) became a state, some of the 50 states must necessarily lose seats,” said Dr. Poston.

A White House task force recently recommended that Puerto Rico conduct a plebiscite on its political relationship with the U.S. and decide whether the island wants to remain as a commonwealth, become a state of the U.S., or independent of the U.S. On his June 14 visit to the island, President Obama promised he would support the outcome of the plebiscite. Obama’s “support” for statehood — if that were the result — was conditional on a “substantial majority” of Puerto Ricans voting in favor of statehood. The term “substantial majority” has been used by all former U.S. presidents and congressional leaders with respect to solving the island’s status. The undefined technical definition of a “substantial majority” has never been specified in terms of what exact number or percentage of the vote it would represent.

The U.S. Census Bureau has already determined the distribution of House seats based on data from the 2010 census. According to Dr. Poston’s application of the equal proportions method to the 2010 population data from the Census Bureau, the five states that would lose representatives if Puerto Rico is added as the 51st state are Florida, Washington, Texas, California and Minnesota. Without Puerto Rico as a new state, the 2010 census data show that Texas gains four new seats, Florida two, Washington one, and California and Minnesota none. If Puerto Rico is added as a new state, Texas will only gain three new seats, Florida one, Washington none and California and Minnesota will each lose a seat.

Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico

Both Alaska and Hawaii became states in 1959. Alaska was seen as rich in natural resources and Hawaii, as a bridge to Asia. The current population of Alaska is 710,000 and Hawaii 1.3 million. Puerto Rico’s population is 3.7 million. Another 4.6 million Puerto Ricans live on the mainland U.S. More than 800,000 Puerto Ricans live in Florida, a key state in the general elections. Of the 308.7 million Americans living in the states, 50.5 million (16 percent) are Hispanics.

“Statehood has its benefits, both for Puerto Rico and, to a certain degree, for Obama and the Democrats. Puerto Ricans living in the U.S. tend to vote Democratic in presidential elections, particularly in New York where the bulk of the 4.6 million mainland Puerto Ricans live. But this is not the case for Florida where more than 800,000 Puerto Ricans live,” said Dr. Poston.

“Since it is unlikely that the House will increase its number of seats beyond 435, seat assignment is a zero-sum game. If a new state is added, there will not be an increase in the number of House seats. One exception to this rule occurred with the admission of Alaska and Hawaii. For one session of Congress there were 438 seats (one for Alaska and two for Hawaii). However, with the results from the next census in 1960, the House reverted back to its basic number of 435 seats. I doubt that this will occur again, that is, that Congress will allow a temporary increase of more seats for Puerto Rico prior to the 2020 census, and then revert back to 435 seats after the new (2020) census data are issued,” said Dr. Poston.

Recent plebiscites in Puerto Rico

The last two status plebiscites in Puerto Rico, held in 1998 and in 1993 — both held under the pro-statehood administration of Gov. Pedro Rosselló — did not result in a substantial majority for any particular status, be it statehood, commonwealth, or independence. In the 1998 plebiscite an option under the auspices of the pro-commonwealth status Popular Democratic Party named “None of the Above” (Ninguna de las Anteriores) won 50.3 percent (787,900 votes); the pro-statehood garnered 46.5 percent (728,157 votes); and the pro independence party won 2.5 percent (39,838 votes).

In the 1993 plebiscite, the pro-commonwealth position won with 48.6 percent (826,326 votes) versus 46.3 percent (788,296 votes) for statehood, and 4.4 percent (75,620) for independence.

The last plebiscite held in Puerto Rico was in July 2005. Only 22 percent of the more than 2 million registered voters participated. On that date 83.8 percent of the voters (464,010) voted to reduce the legislative body from two chambers to one, and only 16 percent (88,733) voted to keep the current system. To date, nothing has been done about it.

Dr. Poston is a demographer and professor of sociology in the College of Arts at Texas A&M University in College Station. He is also a Guest Professor of Demography at the People’s University in Beijing, China and a Guest Professor of Cultural Studies and Sociology at Fuzhou University, also in China. Prior to Texas A&M, Dr. Poston was a professor at Cornell University and at the University of Texas at Austin. His research interests include demography, human ecology, and the sociology of gender, with a special attention to the populations of China, Taiwan, and Korea. Earlier in his career, he studied the Hispanic population in the U.S. In 1968 he obtained his Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Oregon. Dr. Poston is a Vietnam veteran where he served as a 1st Lieutenant and Captain and where he was awarded a Bronze Star.

New rum distillery to open in central Puerto Rico

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Associated Press

 

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A new rum distillery will open in a former pharmaceutical plant in central Puerto Rico, helping to offset the loss of Captain Morgan rum from the island, economic officials said Wednesday.

The Club Caribe LLC distillery is scheduled to open in early 2012 in the mountain town of Cidra and will produce 2 million gallons of rum its first year as part of a 20-year deal, said senior vice president Alberto Rivera.The local company is affiliated to Cc1, a Puerto Rican company that distributes Coca-Cola products in the U.S. territory.

Club Caribe expects to employ 25 people and invest $10 million in machinery and equipment as it moves into the old GlaxoSmithKline factory. "We're going to have a significant production of rum on a global level," said Jose Perez-Riera, Puerto Rico's economic development secretary.

The distillery eventually will produce up to 10 million gallons of rum, both to sell in bulk and as private labels including Club Caribe, a white rum; Black Roberts, a spiced rum; and Carlos Rum, a gold rum, Rivera said.

The company will target the U.S. mainland market. "Vodka is the most consumed liquor in the U.S., but that is changing," Rivera said.

The anticipated production of 2 million gallons next year will eventually generate $20 million in revenue for the island, said Jorge Junquera, deputy executive director of the Puerto Industrial Development Company, a state corporation that promotes business on the island.

The type of affiliation that Club Caribe Distillers, LLC, has with Cc1 is unclear, and a spokeswoman for the company did not clarify the relationship.

Puerto Rico is expected to lose $140 million next year as a result of the lucrative production of Captain Morgan rum moving to the neighboring U.S. Virgin Islands.

In January 2009, liquor company Diageo PLC signed a long-term lease to build a Captain Morgan rum distillery in the Virgin Islands in exchange for a portion of the territory's excise-tax revenue, estimated at $2.7 billion over 30 years.The distillery opened in late 2010 on the island of St. Croix and is expected to generate more than $100 million a year in revenue for the next 30 years.

"We are losing a mountain of money with Diageo's departure," Junquera said.

Puerto Rico has argued that its neighbor unfairly lured away business by using revenue from a tax that U.S. consumers pay on every bottle of rum produced in the two Caribbean territories. All but 25 cents of the $13.50 in federal excise taxes levied on per proof gallon of rum produced in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands goes back to the local governments to spend on infrastructure and public services.After the loss of Captain Morgan rum, Puerto Rico pursued several deals to help generate revenue.

In November 2010, legislators voted to increase the amount of money spent on promoting the island's rum industry from 10 percent to 25 percent of federal excise taxes.

In February, the government awarded Bacardi a $95 million grant to renovate its production plant in exchange for maintaining a minimum level of production for the next 20 years, which translates into more than $230 million in yearly revenue through excise taxes.

Puerto Rico's rum industry employs about 4,500 workers and generates $400 million annually, more than 70 percent of which comes from Bacardi.

Curacao Political Party Leader Sees Future Independent State for autonomous country

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Helmin Wiels of Pueblo Soberano says Dia di Bandera is first step towards a free Curacao

Amigoe

WILLEMSTAD — The celebration of the first Dia di Bandera (Flag Day) in the autonomous country Curaçao must be seen as the first step towards a free and independent Curaçao. PS-leader and State member Helmin Wiels said this last Saturday during the solemn meeting of the States on the occasion of the island’s holiday.

In his speech, Wiels repeated that Curaçao has no business in the Kingdom of The Netherlands anymore.

 “We are repeatedly told we are not welcome, that we are third-class citizens and that we are to leave. We are in a process that is to lead to a free and sovereign nation. State members bear a huge responsibility. We have to lead the people on the new route. This is the first day in the process that is to end in freedom.”

 During his speech, the State member emphasized that this process will require considerable cooperation but that everyone is born to be free. Wiels ended his speech by wishing his audience a happy day en route to freedom.

In his speech, MFK party-chairperson Dean Rozier dwelled on the fact that nobody and no country, including Curaçao, can do everything alone. According to Rozier, everyone is dependent on each other, especially in the globalized world. “Each country is dependent on the other. One cannot be isolated. We need others and we cannot ignore this.”

Just like all others, PAR State member Pedro Atacho spoke about the symbolic of the Curaçao flag, namely mutual respect, good governance, a people that is free and can live without fear, and social laws that guarantee the people’s welfare. Atacho asked his audience what everyone was doing now to bring these values, represented by the Curaçao flag, into practice.

Eunice Eisden (MAN) emphasized that during the past years, too many Curaçao citizens were forgotten. “The sun is to rise for all, also for those waiting along the road side. The members of parliament are to play an important role in this process, " according to the MAN-member. She further argued that the development of the island would not only benefit a small group but the entire community.

PNP-member Humphrey Davelaar dwelled on the fact that last Saturday had been the first celebration of Dia di Bandera in the country Curaçao. He thanked the champions of the Curaçao autonomy, emphasizing they had already laid the foundation for the current Curaçao several years ago.

FOL-leader Anthony Godett petitioned for the population groups in the society to stop getting at one another’s throats and the humiliating of individuals. According to Godett, it is now time to join forces in order to save Curaçao.

Conservatoria De Arte Dramático del Ateneo Convoca a audiciones

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Ateneo Puertorriqueño

ULTIMO DIA PARA INSCRIPCIONES

15 Julio 2011 

El Sr. Presidente del Ateneo Puertorriqueño, Dr. José Milton Soltero, y el Prof. Roberto Ramos-Perea, Rector del Conservatorio de Arte Dramático del Ateneo convocan a la comunidad interesada en audicionar ante el Ateneo para iniciar estudios en la Carrera de Actuación.

Para audicionar al Conservatorio es compulsorio el tomar el Taller Pre-Básico y pre-inscribirse por teléfono.

El Taller “Pre-básico” para preparar la Audición de entrada al Conservatorio de Arte Dramático del Ateneo estará a cargo del Prof. Roberto Ramos-Perea.

Este curso de tres sesiones va dirigido a aquellos aspirantes a iniciar una carrera de actuación teatral en el Conservatorio de Arte Dramático.

El Taller de tres sesiones desarrollará las técnicas para preparar una buena audición, la selección del texto y su preparación, la actitud del actor profesional y la entrevista de la audición. Este curso es absolutamente necesario si se desea audicionar para entrar al Conservatorio en la carrera de Actuación.

El curso constará de 3 Talleres de 3 horas cada Taller, los tres domingos 17, 24 y 31 de julio de 2011, de 3:00 pm a 6:00 pm, en el Teatro del Ateneo Puertorriqueño. Este curso es gratuito y abierto a toda la comunidad interesada. Las audiciones se llevarán a cabo del 8 al 11 de agosto de 2011, de 7:00 pm a 9:30 pm.

El Conservatorio de Arte Dramático fue fundado por Don Alejandro Tapia y Rivera en el año de 1878 y pertenece al Instituto de Libre Enseñanza del Ateneo Puertorriqueño. Su objetivo es el de entrenar actores, dramaturgos y directores de escena para la Compañía Nacional de Teatro del Ateneo y para el trabajo en el mundo teatral profesional puertorriqueño. Para ello cuenta con una facultad de siete profesores y el apoyo de compañías teatrales profesionales como Producciones Xavier Cifre. Para preinscripción debe llamar al Archivo Nacional de Teatro y Cine del Ateneo en días laborables de 11:30 am a 6:00 pm al 787-977-2307.

Chagos representatives meet British Foreign Secretary; Rights of displaced people raised

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Photo: United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office

In a historic meeting on Monday the British Foreign Secretary met representatives of the Chagos people who were expelled from their islands more than forty years ago.

Foreign Secretary William Hague invited the Chagos representatives to a meeting following May’s Chagos Regagné conference on the possibility of a science station and eco-village on Chagos. Ben Fogle and Philippa Gregory, patrons of the UK Chagos Support Association, accompanied chair Roch Evenor and vice chair Marcus Booth to the Foreign Office where they were welcomed by Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell, who expressed his support for their cause.

Read full article here.

 

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

 

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CHAGOS ARCHIPELAGO ?

by

Chagos International Support

Very few people in the world seem to be aware of the manner in which the inhabitants of Diego Garcia, Peros Bahnos and Salomon Islands – all part of the Chagos Archipelago – were deported in the 1970s. These inhabitants, who number a few thousands, were forcibly gathered and placed aboard the ship Nordvaer and sent to Seychelles and Mauritius. They were left on their own and have lived in poverty since then.

However, shortly after the deportation of the Chagossians, the island of Diego Garcia was ceded to U.S.A pursuant to an Agreement between UK and USA, to be used as a communication station, which, soon after, was rapidly transformed into a military base harbouring highly modern and sophisticated armaments.

Many at the time believed that in the context of the cold war that there was a need to install and maintain a military presence in the Indian Ocean. The era of the cold war is today over. We should therefore all be looking into a broader perspective and we should ask ourselves how could a legitimate population that number a few thousands, pause a threat to anyone in the area?

The exiled Chagossians are to-day spread in several groups and live mainly in Mauritius, Seychelles and London. Almost single-handedly they have been struggling to return to their native islands and are now awaiting a decision of the European Court of Justice for Human Rights over their right to live in their homeland. The Government of Mauritius has, after 40 years, finally woken up to the plight of the Chagossians and has recently challenged Britain's decision to create a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). It has taken the British Government to the United Nations Tribunal for the Law of the Sea over the matter. A decision from the Tribunal is expected by 2013.

As the Chagos saga unfolds, we are witnessing today the rise of an unprecedented worldwide awareness of the case. Chagos International Support basic purpose is to support at the international level the legitimate aspiration of Chagossians to return and live in their homeland.

To-day we move in an ever changing world where democracy permeates societies and nations. The Chagos Archipelago case can be solved peacefully through the fostering of a good spirit of dialogue and goodwill amongst all the stakeholders and endeavouring to lift all obstacles that impede in the way of the legitimate right of Chagossians to live in their homeland.

This is a legitimate aspiration that nobody should deny them in the 21st century. The great powers active in the region should understand that the right to live in one’s homeland is a fundamental basic human right and come to terms with it.

Also see: THE DEPOPULATION OF THE CHAGOS ISLANDS, 1965-73, BY MARK CURTIS

Constitution Day Address of Cayman Islands Premier

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2011 Constitution Day Address

 Premier The Hon. McKeeva Bush, OBE, JP

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My fellow Caymanians and all residents in these Islands…

It is my pleasure to bring you greetings on this Constitution Day holiday. The Constitution Secretariat has chosen Embracing our Constitution as the theme for this year – and it is surely a most appropriate one!

The direct and indirect ramifications of our constitution range from human rights concerns, particularly for the young and for the vulnerable, to the effects of global economic variances. But however diverse the implications, the sage advice holds true: continue to embrace the pillars of democracy as enshrined in our constitution.

The rationale for such advice should be readily evident, but nevertheless bear repeating: As the highest law of any country, a constitution enshrines the rights of a people and sets the parameters of government. This is why countries seeking to ensure democratic governance commemorate their constitutions with special holidays, as we do today.

Yet I also emphasise that we should always hold fast to the foundational values which grounded our forebears, for they have served us well thus far in Cayman. But, like anything else, our new document will best function only if we continue to monitor and nurture it – and yes – even revise it when necessary.

We know that change is inevitable, not just in our personal lives, but for governments and economies everywhere. In fact, things today seem to be moving at an ever-accelerating pace, and, as has been often-repeated, individuals and countries alike must embrace modernization, or risk being left behind.

Whether it is the application of the latest computer technology, or keeping up with global developments, we are all on a fast track. So, Cayman, like elsewhere, requires all hands on deck in order to keep pace with the currents of change.

Accordingly, the Caymanian people will continue to have opportunities to provide input into the workings of the new constitution. This especially applies to the expanding opportunities for civic involvement in government, for instance, on the Constitutional Commissions, Ministerial Councils, and District Councils, all of which allow wide public participation in government.

So, even as you enjoy the holiday, please take time today – and during this week – to refresh your understanding of our vitally important national document. Contact the Constitution Secretariat, visit the website, talk to a neighbour; whatever it takes, stay in touch with your governing document.

I trust that this weekend, you will all embrace and appreciate the safety, peace and comfort we enjoy, and not take them for granted. Instead, recommit yourselves to kindling your sense of national pride…the best protection for any constitution.

May God bless you and our beloved Cayman Islands.

US Virgin Islands Commemorates 163rd anniversary of emancipation from Danish slavery

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Festive - but wet - Emancipation Day

By CRISTIAN SIMESCU 

Virgin Islands Daily News

 

ST. CROIX - Rains failed to spoil the annual Emancipation Day activities in Frederiksted as Crucians on Sunday honored the sacrifices made by enslaved Africans who demanded their freedom from Denmark 163 years ago on July 3, 1848.

The History, Culture and Tradition Foundation's Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow Committee hosted the activities in Frederiksted, also known as Freedom City.

 

Emancipation Day commemorates the day thousands of enslaved Africans from plantations on the western end of St. Croix - led by Moses Gottlieb, also known as General Buddhoe, and Admiral Martin King - came into Frederiksted and confronted Danish soldiers, forcing Danish Gov. Peter Von Scholten to declare all slaves in the Danish West Indies free.

 

The Emancipation Day commemoration started at 5 a.m. with the Fort-to-Fort Walk to Freedom from Fort Christiansvaern in Christiansted to Fort Frederik in Frederiksted. Sen. (Senator) Terrence Nelson, who organized the 14.6-mile walk for the 10th year, said the walk started with about 50 people and ended with about 250 people at Fort Frederik.

 

Nelson said he suspected the number of participants was down this year because of the rain and the fact that Emancipation Day fell on a Sunday.

 

On their arrival at Fort Frederik in a record time of less than five hours, the walkers were greeted by the sounds of African drums as members of the Per Ankh Ensemble, Dembaya Ensemble, St. Croix Drum Circle and other members of the community performed.

 

The official Emancipation Day program started several hours later at 4 p.m. and no sooner had the program begun with the sound of a conch, the rain started pouring. Mary Moorhead, a member of the Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow Committee, said they never cancel Emancipation Day activities.

 

Central High (School) Anthropology Club President Tricia Andrew pulled the podium to the middle of the bandstand and someone held an umbrella for her so she would not be drenched while speaking about the trip she took with 29 other Central High School students to Ghana earlier this year. Others huddled under umbrellas and under the park's shanties as she spoke. Andrew said the trip was invaluable. She said the group saw the dungeons where enslaved Africans where kept before being taken to save ships. She also said they learned of the struggles the people of Ghana have to deal with today including the education students receive.

 

Attorney Emile Henderson III spoke about the importance of a constitution for the U.S. Virgin Islands. Henderson said the people of the Virgin Islands should continue to pursue a constitution. "Whatever document we put together, we will not all agree," he said. "That would be a utopia."

Mario Moorhead, a local historian, community activist and author gave a detailed account of the events leading up to July 3, 1848. Moorhead said the slave rebellion did not happen overnight, nor did it happen by chance or coincidence. He stressed that Danish Gov. Peter Von Scholten did not free the enslaved Africans of the Danish West Indies because of his love for them, but because he was forced to.

Moorhead said that the beginning of the end of slavery started in 1834 when Great Britain abolished slavery because they could more efficiently produce sugar with cheap labor in India than they could with enslaved Africans in the Caribbean, he said. Moorhead also said beet sugar made an entrance to the market in Europe, contributing to a drop in the price of sugar by a third. Fifty St. Croix estates were shut down because they could not pay their bills and clothing and food rations were severely cut for the enslaved people of St. Croix. Moorhead said.

He said those caught or suspected of stealing, experienced the whipping post, which was located in the middle of what is now Buddhoe Park. "If you broke a piece of cane in the field, and put it in your mouth you'd get the whipping post," he said. Soldiers were instructed by Von Scholten to shoot anyone on site trying to escape the island to the British territories, Moorhead said.

Moorhead said the events leading up to emancipation culminated in July 1847 when the Danish governor announced that all newborn black children in the Danish West Indies would be free, but all others would have to wait 12 years for freedom.

He then said a year later on July 3, 1848, the town of Frederiksted was filled with the enslaved people of St. Croix beating drums and blowing conch shells. When Von Scholten made his way to Fort Frederik and asked the soldiers why they had not stopped the rebellion, they said slaves had stolen the gunpowder from the fort and replaced it with sand. Moorhead said Von Scholten came out to greet the people outside the fort with a big smile on his face and said "all unfree in the Danish West Indies are free."

"This is the only place on the planet, not just the Caribbean, where a people said, 'we are not taking slavery any more,' " said Moorhead.

The Emancipation Day program culminated with a quadrille performance by the We Dey Yah group. The United Caribbean Association also planned a stage a program featuring music, drumming, dancing and skits honoring Emancipation Day later in the evening.

Amsterdam (Netherlands) observes 148th anniversary of emancipation from Dutch slavery

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Emancipation Day speakers call for broad recognition

Daily Herald

AMSTERDAM--Amsterdam observed Emancipation Day and the fact that the Netherlands abolished slavery 148 years ago during a ceremony on Friday that was both colourful and solemn at the same time. Speakers agreed that 1863 was so not long ago and that it was time for broad recognition.

Thousands, mainly of Surinamese descent, went to the Oosterpark, one of the larger parks in Amsterdam where the national slavery past monument has been located since 2002. People went to listen to the speeches, witness the laying of wreaths, but they also went to enjoy the food, music and the parade with participants dressed in colourful traditional clothing.

During the formal part wreaths were laid at the "Shared past, common future" July 1 monument by Second Chamber Chairlady Gerdi Verbeet, Ministers Plenipotentiary Edwin Abath of Aruba, Sheldry Osepa of Curaçao, and Mathias Voges of St. Maarten, and by Consul General of Suriname Roy Lieuw A Sie, Amsterdam Alderwoman Andrée van Es, representatives of the national slavery heritage institute NiNsee and the embassy of Ghana.

Verbeet referred to the big role of the Netherlands in the slave trade. At the height of slave trade, there were 50,000 slaves in Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles, but many more had been transported on Dutch ships. She remarked that the Netherlands was one of the last countries to abolish the "barbaric laws" of slavery.

"It is only a short while ago," said Verbeet who said that she would not shun this piece Dutch dark history. She said it was important to recognise and discuss this past. She said slavery still existed with young girls being forced into prostitution. But, she added, "At least authorities are now hunting down the offenders and not the victims as happened in the past."

Alderwoman Van Es pointed out that on July 1, 1863, 33,000 slaves were liberated in Suriname and 12,000 on the Antillean islands. "Today's observation presents us the opportunity to observe what happened, to recognise what that means. When we think about this, we are filled with shame," she said, adding that slavery had left "deep marks" in the mental and social structure and that there should be "broad recognition for the pain and suffering" that was caused.

National Institute for the Study of Dutch Slavery and its Legacy NiNsee President Eddy Campbell supported Van Es' call for a broadening of the recognition for the Dutch slavery past. Together with Amsterdam and Middelburg, the two main cities with historical ties to slavery, NiNsee wants to organise a big event in 2013 on the 150th anniversary.

Campbell also touched on the plans by the Dutch Government to stop the subsidy to NiNsee from January 1, 2013 as part of the broad cuts in the culture budget. "These cuts are draconic, barbaric." Campbell said it was "unacceptable" that Antillean and Surinamese participation organisations would have to shut down due to the budget cuts. He said the absence of members of the Dutch cabinet confirmed that they had no respect.

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‘Emancipation’ an ongoing process, say Parliamentarians and ministers

Daily Herald

PHILIPSBURG (Sint Maarten) --Emancipation is a work in progress. This was the general sentiment expressed by Members of Parliament (MPs) and members of the Council of Ministers during a special gathering of Parliament yesterday in observance of Emancipation Day on Friday.

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The programme for this year's celebration began with an ecumenical service at the New Testament Baptist Church in the morning. This was followed by the Parliament gathering then a luncheon hosted by the Education Minister for invited guests at the Sheer Restaurant on Front Street.

It culminated with a Cultural Parade which began at the Courthouse, made its way along Front Street up to the Emmaplein and then to the Sundial School roundabout, along the Walter Nisbeth Road (Pondfill) and turning in by the Salt Pickers Roundabout to end up at the Square where Tanny and the Boys was scheduled to entertain the public.

Parliament gathering

MPs Roy Marlin (DP), Romain Laville, Dr. Ruth Douglass and Gracita Arrindell (UP) and George Pantophlet and Dr. Lloyd Richardson (NA) attended the parliament gathering. Governor Eugene Holiday, Ministers Rhoda Arrindell, Franklin Meyers and Theo Heyliger and Dr. Louis Jeffry representing French St. Martin were also in attendance.

In remarks at the session Rhoda Arrindell knocked local newspapers for not publishing any supplement for Emancipation Day, while supplements are published for events such as Halloween.

She said from the moment she entered into government, priority number one was to make July 1 an official National Public Holiday. She said the process began in December 2010, less than two months after taking took office. "At the time, I signalled my intention to bring before Parliament a draft law that would make Emancipation Day, a national public holiday. The Council of Ministers approved the draft law more than two months ago. This draft law is making its way through the constitutionally mandated channels and I hope Parliament would be able to handle it when it returns from recess," she said.

Recognizing the importance of this day, the Council of Ministers decided to grant all government workers the day off.

The minister said emancipation did not come about as a result of a change of heart by those who had enslaved our ancestors. "It is the victory of the indomitable human spirit over the inhumanities and injustices of slavery. What we are celebrating today is therefore the hard fought freedom of our ancestors whose struggle gave testament to the saying that "men are enslaved by force but remain slaves by choice.

"This is a powerful statement that should make all of us reflect on the constitutional path we have chosen. In two referenda six years apart, the people of St. Martin chose to remain within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is a choice we need to revisit; it is a choice our leaders led us into. What will history say about our choice? What will our own children say about it? Would they be able to celebrate that choice as a victory? Victory over what? Victory over who?

"Slavery was an evil system of mad exploitation and dehumanizing oppression. It stigmatized both the oppressed and the oppressor. The effects of Slavery are still very much with us today. Its psychological impact still lingers on. It is like a deeply infected wound which we think is cured by bandaging it. The smell it oozes out alone is toxic. The only way for it to heal would be to cleanse the wound, sanitize it, disinfect it, and apply an ointment that may burn us, before drying it up. What we have been doing thus far, is seeking short-cuts to real and enduring freedom. There is no short cut to freedom. There is no measure for it either. You cannot be half-free, somewhat free, or almost free: you are either free or not. And freedom, in my humble view, is the condition sine qua non for progress."

Important step

Gracita Arrindell said she is confident that after the draft legislation is submitted to Parliament and is reviewed by the relevant advisory councils, on July 1, 2012, the people of St. Maarten will be able to observe Emancipation Day as an official national holiday.

She said Friday's observance was "yet another important step in our nation's political history as we strive to evolve not only in the process of building our governmental institutions but more so, as we strive to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery clothed in its myriad forms."

"While our young nation has faced a number of challenges, and will continue to do so, as we move forward we must chart our own course for the future of all our people. Emancipation is an ongoing process. There simply is no expiration date," she said.

Gracita Arrindell continued: "In the past eight months several Members of Parliament, members of government, as well as citizens have expressed their strong reservations about the manner in which ... we the people of St. Maarten remain shackled to, and by, some of the vestiges of our colonial history.

"In keeping with our new constitutional status, we might be a more autonomous political entity within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in some respects, but in some ways we are even more shackled than before...Today, as I have done before, I state boldly: Some of the challenges we face today, could and should have been avoided, if only, collectively we had the courage to stand up, draw a line in the sand and say, 'so far and no further.'

"We still have a lot of work to do if St. Maarten is to attain its full measure of the right of self-determination. This is just the start, not the end."

Gracita Arrindell said to the more than 102 nationalities in St. Maarten: "If you choose to come here to make a living, a new life, come out and celebrate with us, not only when convenient. On our way to becoming a full self-governing country, as the people's representatives, we are challenged to come together and to continue building a strong and viable nation. Everyone is needed onboard. Everyone has important roles to play.

"I take pride in the fact, and I am grateful, as I am sure we all are grateful, to be able to play critical roles in this process of emancipation and nation-building. Let us not fail our people."

Don't lose focus

Speaking on behalf of the Democratic Party MP Roy Marlin said this is the first time that St. Maarten as a country is in a position to officially observe Emancipation Day. He said while the meaning of this day is remembered, we must not lose focus and realise that in this many people around the world today are still subjected to slavery servitude.

He said Emancipation Day is a time to reflect on how far we have come as a people and how far we still have to go. "It will live on as long as we acknowledge the achievement of our forefathers who suffered for us," Marlin said adding that it was because of their struggles that St. Maarten is able to form a government.

Speaking on behalf of the National Alliance MP Dr. Lloyd Richardson said it was NA's leader William Marlin who had first brought the idea of making Emancipation Day an official holiday to the floor of the former Netherlands Antilles Parliament, but it was turned down because Curacao's Flag Day was being observed on July 2.

He applauded the Culture Minister for taking up the task to making this day an official holiday now that St. Maarten has become a county. We must remember, he said, that our freedom did not come easily. "We must reflect on our situation in the present and see how it compares to what it was then," Richardson said adding that while we are a free people, if there are economically and educationally constraints, we are still in some sort of bondage. "If educationally we do not find the means to give every person who occupies this island the freedom and the means by which they can be educated freely based on their capabilities and not the judgement of others we still would consider ourselves enslaved hence it is incumbent on us who in our minds feel we are free to insist and ensure that the opportunity is given to extend to those less fortunate than us.

"It is in this vein that members in this house attacked the six months contract because there was and still are abuses of the exercises of power domination and more so economic gain for this society and we can go on and try to cite problems that still exist in this community. We would rather look on the positive side and see if we can encourage all of us to take part in the emancipation of ourselves, but everyone we come into contact with in this community where we hold jurisdiction that's why we are one of pride. We just want the freedom to be able to develop ourselves without restrictions, without obstructions so that we could then through our hearts give back to whoever once they are human beings and form part of this and other communities of the world."

MP Romain Laville, who spoke on behalf of the United People's (UP) Party, asked whether we are truly emancipated. He said emancipation speaks of political rights that people may have the ability to choose whichever party, persons or individuals they see that have the vested interest for them and their kids. It speaks, he added, about equality no matter a person's skin colour creed race.

Tourism Minister Franklin Meyers said freedom is something that fuels "our very soul," while "slavery makes it weak." He said freedom is a desire that comes from within.

Emancipation Day is not just a time that was fought for, it is a time to reflect on the struggle of our forefathers. "The struggle must still go on," he said adding that St. Maarten is a place in the Caribbean that he can say is truly free.

U.S. Releases Report on Applicability of U.S. Wage Laws to American Samoa and the Northern Marianas

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Report of the U.S. General Acountability Office

American Samoa and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: Employment, Earnings, and Status of Key Industries Since Minimum Wage Increases Began

Report No. GAO-11-427

What GAO Found



In American Samoa, employment fell 19 percent from 2008 to 2009 and 14 percent from 2006 to 2009. Data for 2010 total employment are not available. GAO questionnaire responses show that tuna canning employment fell 55 percent from 2009 to 2010, reflecting the closure of one cannery and layoffs in the remaining cannery. Average inflation-adjusted earnings fell by 5 percent from 2008 to 2009 and by 11 percent from 2006 to 2009; however, the hourly wage of minimum wage workers who remained employed increased by significantly more than inflation. Private sector officials said the minimum wage was one of a number of factors making business difficult. In the tuna canning industry, future minimum wage increases would affect the wages of 99 percent of hourly-wage workers employed by the two employers included
in GAO’s questionnaire. The employers reported taking cost-cutting actions from June 2009 to June 2010, including laying off workers and freezing hiring.


The employers attributed most of these actions largely to the minimum wage increases. Cannery officials expressed concern in interviews about American Samoa’s dwindling global competitive advantage. Available data suggest that relocating tuna canning operations to a tariff-free country with lower labor costs would significantly reduce operating costs but reduce American Samoa jobs; however, maintaining some operations in American Samoa would allow continued competition for U.S. government contracts. Some workers said they were disappointed by the 2010 minimum wage increase delay; however, more workers expressed concern over job security than favored a wage increase with potential for layoffs.


In the CNMI, employment fell 13 percent from 2008 to 2009 and 35 percent from 2006 to 2009. Average inflation-adjusted earnings rose by 3 percent from 2008 to 2009 and remained largely unchanged from 2006 to 2009. Over the same periods, the hourly wage of minimum wage workers who remained employed increased by significantly more than inflation. In discussion groups, private sector employers said minimum wage increases imposed additional costs during a time in which multiple factors made it difficult to operate. In the tourism industry, scheduled minimum wage increases through 2016 would affect 95 percent of workers employed by questionnaire respondents. Tourism employers reported that they took cost-cutting actions from June 2009 to June 2010 and planned to take additional actions, including laying off workers. Few of these tourism employers attributed past actions largely to the minimum wage increases, and one half or less did so for each of the planned actions.


Available data suggest that hotels generally absorbed minimum wage costs rather than raise room rates. Hotel payroll will represent an increasing share of total operating costs due to the minimum wage increases. In discussion groups, some tourism employers expressed concern about the minimum wage increases, but others said the increases were needed and manageable and that the primary difficulty was the CNMI tourism industry’s decline. Workers participating in GAO’s CNMI discussion groups expressed mixed views
regarding the minimum wage increases and said they would like pay increases but were concerned about losing jobs and work hours.

Why GAO Did This Study

In 2007, the United States enacted a law incrementally raising the minimum wages in American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) until they equal the U.S. minimum wage. American Samoa’s minimum wage increased by $.50 three times, and the CNMI’s four times before legislation delayed the increases, providing for no increase in American Samoa in 2010 or 2011 and none in the CNMI in 2011. As scheduled, American Samoa’s minimum wage will equal the current U.S. minimum wage of $7.25 in 2018, and the CNMI’s will reach it in 2016. Recent economic declines in both areas

reflect the closure of one of two tuna canneries in American Samoa and the departure of the garment industry in the CNMI.GAO is required to report in 2010, 2011, 2013, and biennially thereafter on the impact of the minimum wage increases. This report updates GAO’s 2010 report and describes, since the increases began, (1) employment and earnings, and (2) the status of key industries. GAO reviewed federal and local information; collected data from employers through a questionnaire and from employers and workers through discussion groups; and conducted interviews during visits to each area.

Native sovereignty encompasses 'aina, people, ways

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 David Kauila Kopper and Camille Kalama

Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation

for
Star Advertiser

Most people in Hawaii have heard of or are familiar with the state motto, "Ua mau ke ea o ka ‘āina i ka pono." Today, many translate it as "the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness."

But how many truly know its meaning or origin? As Americans celebrate their independence from Britain, a deeper look at this commonly used phrase provides invaluable insight into the differences between the American and Hawaiian understandings of independence and sovereignty.

On July 31, 1843, after the nation of Hawaii regained its independence from Britain through stealth diplomacy, King Kamehameha III, Kauikeaouli, said to his people, "Ua mau ke ea o ka ‘āina i ka pono." So in that context, ea did not mean "life"; it meant "sovereignty." That's why July 31 is known and celebrated as "Sovereignty Restoration Day."

But Kauikeaouli was not referring merely to individual, personal sovereignty. It was sovereignty of the ‘āina, of which we the people are a part.

‘Aina carries significant meaning and encompasses much more than just "land." Translated as "that which feeds," ‘āina captures a relationship people had and have with this land, ka pae ‘āina o Hawaii.

For example, after the illegal overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani, loyalists to the queen and patriots of the Hawaiian Kingdom called each other aloha ‘āina. On Sept. 6, 1897, James Kaulia, president of the Hui Aloha Aina, said to the maka‘āinana gathered: "Do not be afraid, be steadfast in aloha for your land and be united in thought. Protest forever the annexation of Hawaii until the very last aloha ‘āina!"

To Hawaiians of 1843 and of today, freedom and independence are not about individual "unalienable" rights vested in "all men" by the Creator.

Independence of the individual was permanently woven into the fabric of ‘āina, our relationship to our lands, resources, and to our one hānau, the sands of our birth.

This concept of sovereignty and ‘āina developed over 2,000 years of living in these islands and supporting, cultivating and living on the land — to ensure that together they could feed a people, a lāhui, in one of the most physically isolated places on Earth. It is continued in part in our "traditional and customary" practices we continue to fight for, engage in, and protect today.

Some people in Hawaii hear the word sovereignty and independence and immediately fear exclusion. Perhaps they are envisioning a Honolulu Tea Party, complete with natives throwing prized belongings off of Matson containers, or haole being sent to the continent like so many defeated and dejected redcoat soldiers.

These are unfortunate, misplaced reactions to a very sophisticated sense and state of being that has been marginalized through a western paradigm which misses the mark.

Indeed, the Hawaiian belief that life, independence and governance are intertwined within ‘āina stands in stark contrast to the stated ideals that support America's independence, wherein the rights of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" are secured by "Governments … instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."

Understanding sovereignty on our terms, not America's, is to understand that sovereignty is not based on independence for some individuals at the expense of others. It is sovereignty for our ‘āina, which includes land, people, and the reciprocal relationships between them that in turn gives us life, liberty, and true happiness.

So, "ua mau ke ea o ka ‘āina i ka pono." Ua mau — it has been continued, perpetuated. Ke ea — the sovereignty, independence. O ka ‘āina — our lands, our people, our resources and the traditions and practices that enable us to feed each other. I ka pono — in justice. In righting a wrong.

We are still waiting. The ‘āina is still waiting …
Aloha ‘āina ‘oia ‘i ‘o.

Guam legal expert examines self-determination

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 A legal appraisal of self-determination


 Julian Aguon

for the Marianas Variety

(Editor’s Note: Julian Aguon is an attorney who specializes in international law, and has authored several books and law journal articles on the subjects of self-determination, decolonization, and international human rights law. He teaches International Law at the University of Guam and has lectured extensively on these and other issues on four continents. This is the first of a series on his legal appraisal of Guam’s quest for self-determination.)


The imprecision let loose on this island is more dangerous now than it has ever been, and writers, like myself, are being called to battle in a way we were not before.

In these high-stakes times – when the chips we are gambling with are children, coral reefs, limestone forests, narratives, whole imaginations  – writers are called upon to do more than use our words; we are called to wield them. And in a time when words have been so methodically drained of meaning, it is irresponsible, if not indictable, to be imprecise.

The recent clamor around self-determination has demonstrated the danger of haphazardly flinging words around. The onslaught of opinion about the right of self-determination – namely what it is and who holds it – has reached a deafening roar.


We can hardly hear ourselves think. But in the end, opinions about the law are not the law. And despite the aggressive assertions of some, self-determination, at least as a matter of law, is not entirely up for debate. For instance, self-determination is not principally a race-based issue. Neither is it a purely political (as opposed to legal) one.


The right of self-determination has a certain shape and contour on which nearly the whole world has agreed. Self-determination is well-established in both the legal literature and actual practice of countries, and is an exalted normative domain in the contemporary international legal system. The recent clamor, then, is cruel. It does not help the people of Guam make sense of self-determination. It clouds, not clarifies, the law in this area. The following is a brief legal appraisal of self determination under international law, which is offered in an attempt to erase some of the confusion surrounding the fundamental human right.

What is the right of self-determination?

Upon the founding of the United Nations at the end of World War II and continuing thereafter, the international community increasingly recognized that the plight of colonized peoples, and later of indigenous peoples, must be terminated and their self-determination assured. The UN Charter itself, being both a political compact and an organic document, made but cursory references to this norm. Its Article 1 calls for the development of “friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples.” Article 55 then states that the United Nations shall promote, among other values, “universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.”


Article 73, which addresses the rights of peoples in non-self-governing territories (like Guam) who have not yet attained a full measure of self-government, commands states administering them to “recognize the principle that the interests of the inhabitants of these territories are paramount.” These Administering Powers accept as a “sacred trust” the obligation to develop self-government in the territories, taking due account of the political aspirations of the people. Toward this end, subsection (e) of Article 73 commands Administering Powers to submit annual reports to the United Nations on the steps they have taken and the progress they have made to move the territories toward self-government. The interpretation of these Charter articles has been set out in major declarations adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.


For instance, the 1960 Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, or Resolution 1514, states that “[t]he subjection of peoples to alien subjugation, domination, and exploitation constitutes a denial of fundamental human rights, is contrary to the Charter of the United Nations and is an impediment to the promotion of world peace and co-operation.” Although the general rule is that declarations and resolutions of the General Assembly are not in themselves binding, to the extent that they illuminate and record the position of the international community on any given subject, they may be, and are frequently invoked as, evidence of the practice of states, which is a source of customary international law.

International Court of Justice (ICJ)

Moreover, where General Assembly resolutions concern general norms of international law, their acceptance by a majority vote both constitutes evidence of the opinions of governments on any given subject and provides a basis for the progressive development of the law.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in its 1975 advisory opinion in the Western Sahara case adopted this perspective when it relied heavily on General Assembly resolutions to establish basic legal principles concerning the right of peoples to self-determination.


Major international conventions, or treaties, have lent further meaning and growth to the concept of self-determination. Both the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (known collectively as the 1966 Human Rights Covenants) enshrine self-determination as a right. Approved by the General Assembly in 1966, and legally binding as of 1976, these treaties bind those countries that ratify them. The first article in each covenant, identically worded, indicates the fundamental importance of the right of self-determination in international law and sets out its classic wording: “All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.”


Finally, the 1970 Declaration on Principles of International Law Concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation Among States, also known as Resolution 2625 (XXV), provides that all peoples have the right to determine their political status without external interference, and that every state has the duty to respect this right.


Unlike the 1966 Covenants, which bind only those states that ratify them, Resolution 2625 is considered a datum of customary international law binding on all countries.

DON PEDRO ALBIZU CAMPOS FOTO EXPO

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El Presidente del Ateneo Puertorriqueño, Dr. José Milton Soltero Ramírez, su Junta de Gobierno y el Instituto Pedro Albizu Campos, le invitan a la Exposición Fotográfica de Don Pedro Albizu Campos en conmemoración del natalicio de Don Pedro (29 de junio de 1883).


En el marco conmemorativo el Presidente del Ateneo expresa:

"El maestro Pedro Albizu Campos junto al Padre de la Patria Ramón Emeterio Betances, pasado, presente y futuro de la identidad Nacional Puertorriqueña, de la cual nuestro Ateneo se siente custodio y propulsor de nuestra razón de ser como Nación Latinoamericana y Caribeña. La respuesta al gran llamado del maestro Albizu, Yankees o Puertorriqueños, hace 136 años la dimos los Ateneístas. SOMOS PUERTORRIQUEÑOS, LATINOAMERICANOS y CARIBEÑOS."

La celebración consta de una exposición de decenas de fotografías, pintura, escultura y documentos relativos a la vida pública del líder nacionalista.

La apertura de la exposición fotogáfica será el 30 de junio a las 7:00 de la noche en la Galería del Ateneo Puertorriqueño y se extenderá hasta el 15 de julio. Los horarios de de visita son de 9:00 am - 5:00pm (lunes a viernes) y 12:00md - 5:00pm (sábados y domingos)

Para más información se pueden comunicar al 787-721-3877
Coordinadora de medios Amber Lee Vélez: amberleevelez@gmail.com o al (787) 307-2621.




Ateneo Puertorriqueño
PO BOX 9021180
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO 00902-1180