A Time To Speak

The point has been made to the United Nations Special Committee of 24 on Decolonisation that the will of the Anguillian people must not be misunderstood when it comes to self-determination. Indeed our turbulent history reveals that we are a fiercely-independent-minded people, never liked subjugation from any outside power, as the courageous battles against the French and Wild Irish invasions of the 18th century demonstrated. The upheaval and rebellion against union with, and dominance by St. Kitts over a century and a half, culminating in the 1967 revolution and quest for self-determination, was another demonstration of our resolve to handle our own affairs without foreign force or interference.

The Chief Minister was right when he told the UN Caribbean Seminar that he would not be “very surprised if a significant majority of our citizens were not in favour of embracing the principle of self-determination.” The campaign for independence by a group of persons on the island is understandable because it is reflective of our historical pride to be a free people, living and enjoying life as we please and in our own way. They must not be slighted for their stand. There are however certain obvious difficulties which we would not be able to handle ourselves and so the matter of ultimate self-determination or independence must be carefully examined and not rushed into blindly.

The UN Caribbean Seminar in Anguilla came at a good time when we are working towards constitutional advancement. We can use the experience of any useful information emanating from the seminar to help guide us in our thinking and creation of a system of constitutional reform and governance that would enable us to eventually occupy a comfortable and honourable position in the global political environment. Notwithstanding Wednesday night’s town meeting, there may well be some complaints that the seminar did not provide enough opportunity for an airing of views on self-determination issues, but it is believed that in other sessions Anguilla’s case may have been put across reasonably well.

We agree with Civil Society that the United Kingdom, the Administering Power and the United Nations must assist Anguilla and the other non-self-governing territories to prepare to assume the responsibilities of sovereign states. It is alright for Anguilla to have severed its political and constitutional ties with St. Kitts, but to seek outright independence, without the necessary assistance, support and precautions, would be a very bold step to take by ourselves. The seminar offered us some limited opportunity to speak and be heard. We hope the message is clear that yes we want to go down a path towards self-determination, but we need to be adequately prepared for the journey.