LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
‘THE PEOPLE’ IS SO DESPERATE'
Sir,
As a Seychellois who cares about his country I read all newspapers from my beloved Seychelles and I do care very much what happens in and to Seychelles.
I was reading The People recently and happened to notice an article about a meeting that the SNP leader, Mr. Ramkalawan, attended in London a few weeks ago. The article claimed that the meeting ended up like a boxing match - the police had to be called and that Mr. Ramkalawan had to run for cover. There was even a cartoon depicting a poor Reverend running away.
Now as I said before I care about Seychelles and therefore I duly attended that meeting and cannot understand where The People got its information from. I know all the political papers in Seychelles have a go at each other but this concoction confirms that The People is, as I have always suspected it to be, gutter press.
The meeting was conducted in a dignified and orderly manner. Mr. Ramkalawan made his introduction and explained his vision for Seychelles if the SNP/DP alliance wins the forthcoming elections. He was clear and concise and conducted himself as a respectable politician. He took questions from the audience and answered them in a professional, and what I believe to be, a truthful and honest manner. Never once did he pretend to be anything else but a simple Seychellois who cares for his country.
After the meeting he stayed around far a while and chatted with everyone. After his departure some of us stayed behind for a while longer and basically we had a good time over a beer and everyone left in a well behaved and orderly manner. I cannot recall seeing any police around.
How can you Ms. Editor of The People come up with that crap about political fighting at the meeting? This shows your lack of respect for the Seychellois community overseas, portraying us as a bunch of misfits. Your party has been lying to the Seychellois people for nearly 30 years now. Your leaders have presided over mysterious deaths of Seychellois citizens in Seychelles as well as abroad, disappearances, forced exile, and many more wrong doings.
How long are you going to pretend that your government is the best thing for the Seychelles? Personally I think that if your SPPF government really cares for the country it should not even take part in the forthcoming elections. You should say sorry to the country for the suffering and malaise you have caused over the last 30 years and let somebody else try and restore some dignity and pride to our lovely country and people. You are trying to install fear in the people with your lies about the opposition. I believe that any government that takes over from you cannot do any worse than you have done for the last 30 years. The country and the people deserve a chance of a new leadership. Your government has proved that when power becomes too much understanding becomes too little.
Finally, I expect the People will come out with some insult for me, therefore, I will let you know in advance Ms Editor (whoever you are): I lived not far from the Chang-Him family at Bel Ombre and I still remember his funeral on 5th June 1977, although we were kept away by armed gunmen. I remember helping to carry Simon Desnousse’s coffin from the mortuary. I remember being one of the few to visit Gerard Hoareau’s body at the undertaker’s in Hounslow. I remember that night in September 1984 when I heard Alton Ah-Time had disappeared from the Coral Strand Hotel never to be seen again. I also remember Berard Jeannie - someone I spent a lot of time with ‘lo camp guard’ as a youngster – my father was a senior policeman. There are many others to remember from Hassanali to Gilbert Morgan etc. So whatever insults you come up with I promise you it won’t hurt. Will you therefore Ms Editor stop lying to the nation and try and write something constructive in your rag? Are you so desperate?
In conclusion, the People editor should take note of the amount of gun crimes in Seychelles and ask herself who introduced guns in Seychelles. To that person who wrote in the People about how proud he was that the SPPF made him a medical science graduate after being sent home from St. Dominic Savio School. Why didn’t you put your name to your letter and demonstrate your pride? Could that be a false pride?
Regis D’Unienville
Hayes, Middlesex, UK.
SPPF - TRUTH IS REVEALED
Please allow me a brief comment on a two page spread which appeared in the People rag bag of the 2 June 2006 under the heading “NOU BAN KANDIDA I KOZE”. The most interesting thing about this article is that within a few short lines the SPPF government has admitted publicly, that it is a vicious, malicious and dangerous government for the people of Seychelles. If one is to look very closely at the short segment (on St Louis and others), the article admits very candidly that “St Louis inn ganny bokou neglize”. Mr Michel and virtually all of his Ministers, cronies, backers, and MNAs have always told us all that they represent all of the people of Seychelles, that they show “no fear or favour”, that they are the elected government of the day responsible for development of all districts. One can therefore only ask the question as to why St Louis has been neglected given that it was clearly the SPPF government’s responsibility to advance the district. If they have failed so miserably to date as they themselves admit they have neglected the district, how can anyone trust them now that an election is near to do what they admit they should have done long ago. The reality may be quite evident. They have deliberately snubbed and neglected the Districts where the inhabitants exercised their political rights and responsibilities and rejected the SPPF team. No doubt, if one was to look at the state of other non SPPF districts the picture would become self evident. Fearing a massive swing expected against them now they try to shift their negligence onto the opposition, knowing full well that it was they that held the decisions of power, financial and otherwise, as to what development takes place in a district. I think the inhabitants of all districts, especially those who were brave enough to weather the negligence, bias, dishonesty of the SPPF MNAs and SPPF government, should open their eyes to reflect on what has taken place and show the SPPF the call for them to step aside is unequivocal and focal and soon to be upon them.
