LETTERS

RELATIONS BETWEEN CATHOLIC CHURCH AND SPUP/SPPF GOVERNMENT

Sir,

I have read with great interest your leading article concerning the reaction of Reverend Father Edwin Mathiot which made clear that the Catholic Church’s relation with the SPUP/SPPF Government has not been as rosy as the SPPF machinery would want us to believe.

I believe at this critical time in our history, it would be pertinent for the people of Seychelles to learn about the sentiments of the late Felix Paul – the Roman Catholic Bishop of Seychelles about the violent coup d’etat which deposed Mr. Mancham, the constitutionally elected President. These sentiments were revealed in a letter which Bishop Paul wrote to President Mancham after the coup d’etat of 1977 which, we now know, had been masterminded by no other person but Mr. Rene who was Prime Minister of the country. I quote this letter in full –

“My dear Jimmy,

I take this opportunity to send you a few words of sympathy. I think I know how you feel after the coup you have passed through. I was indeed extremely sorry to see things going the way they were. It was very hard luck for you after all you have done to lay the foundations for a happy and prosperous Seychelles. You had worked so hard and ceaselessly to put Seychelles on the map. No one indeed can laud themselves to have merited it better. Unfortunately you slept on your laurels too soon so others came in to reap your hard work.

I feel I know your bitter disappointment. May this sad event in your life be but a passing cloud. Ovid’s verse comes to my mind, when he was exiled by Augustus and abandoned by all his friends. ‘As long as you are happy, you will number lots of friends. If clouds cover the sky you will be alone.’ I am proud to say that such a verse does not apply to me. Come what may I remain your friend.

Signed + Felix Paul”

Grateful if you will publish my letter.

Derek Pothin

(Archivist – Glacis-sur-Mer)

OUTSTANDING SNP/DP PARTY POLITICAL BROADCAST

Sir,

Allow me a little space to congratulate the SNP/DP Alliance (Coalition), for their outstanding presentation of the first party political broadcast.

It was indeed a polished performance, offering the people of Seychelles a way out of the economic disorder in which we find ourselves. In contrast, Mr. Michel’s broadcast presentation was simply a repeat of what we have heard so many times: a wish wash of statements about our health system, goods in shops, lower prices, better civil service, greater freedom. The reality as we all know very well is that we are economically bankrupt; our health system is in crisis; our aged are often refused the carer they need.

I can only wonder as to whether Mr. Michel ever gets to meet the real Seychellois: the man or woman struggling to find suitable work; struggling to make ends meet at the end of the month; queuing for long hours at banks and shops, government Ministries and health facilities in order to receive a simple service or the students who struggled and worked hard only to be sent to substandard institutions abroad only to return home dissatisfied and disillusioned or those thousands being forced to endure the indignity of looking for a few dollars on the black market system or being embarrassed because Seychellois are not permitted to carry or hold credit cards for overseas purchases or a system where the banks simply refuse to open new accounts because they fear attracting more useless rupees.

It can only happen in Seychelles where the economy “according to Mr. Michel” is vibrant and “pe bouz devan”…!?!

Name withheld

TAKING THE SEYCHELLOIS POPUL-ATION FOR FOOLS

Sir,

As a regular reader of the “People”, I am very concerned by the blatant misinformation which it is pushing on the people of Seychelles. I wish to refer specifically to the Article entitled “SNP i oule detrir Air Seychelles ...” of the 13 July 2006.

Like many others I read a “Regar” article on the matter and scanned the internet for the references to the Company in Mauritius called Veling. The facts are the Company exists. The facts are Captain David Savy, CEO Air Seychelles, is a Director on the Board of this Company. The facts are his co-director, Mr Veerasamy is an Executive of Air Mauritius. The facts are that it is a “Private company” dedicated to make a profit on leasing/sales/Insurance/spare parts and maintenance of aircraft. The facts are that Air Seychelles, under the management of D Savy, saw at least one of its aircraft leased through this private company onto Air Sahara.

How the SPPF People newspaper, can manipulate this factual situation to say that “pour Sesel annan reprezantasyon lo ban bord bann lorganizasyon internasynal i enportan” in this situation is quite incredible.  Capt David Savy is a Director on a private company selling/leasing aircraft. He had an obligation to inform the Seychelles people of this conflict of interest and like his co-director in Mauritius he should have stepped aside.

The attempt by both Mr. Savy and the People and Nation newspapers to disguise or distort these facts by complicating the picture with discussions of the bilateral air services agreements between Seychelles and Mauritius and their respective Airlines agreements which have no relevance to the Veling company or to the fact that a serious conflict of interest has been uncovered is nothing less than taking the Seychellois population for fools.

OBSERVER

EYES OPEN NOW, VOTE CHANGE

Sir,

I happened to be in Market Street yesterday, and I was handed a copy of the latest People Plus. I also happened to be passing the SNP rally at Bel Ombre last Sunday. The road from Victoria to Bel Ombre was completely congested with obvious SNP supporters on their way to the SNP rally at Bel Ombre.

The media, including the SBC TV coverage clearly showed very significant attendance at the SNP rally. Despite this obvious proof of numbers, the People Plus (Vol 6 number 27), decided to print: “Bel Ombre ... ti napa preski ditou dimoun”.

The People Plus should talk to the Police who were called in to control the traffic heading to Bel Ombre. It appears to me very much like the case of the ostrich hiding its head in the sand.

But no matter how much distortion of fact occurs, the reality will still remain. SNP/DP is clearly on the way up. State House is now more than a matter of a possibility. It is now on the cards as a fact soon to be realised.

SNP/DP Bel Ombre Rally attendant

July 14, 2006