Letters to the Editor
Mrs Potter living in the
SIR – When I watched the news at 8 pm on Monday evening this week, it made my blood boil. I was furious to the point of smashing my television set, if only it costs one rupee, like the land they sold to Arabs and Mr Francis Savy. Mrs Marie-Louise Potter had the guts to say that at the speed the country is moving to prolong the electoral process would be detrimental to our economy.
This is rubbish Mr. Editor, because last year, 2006, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan, proposed in a motion the dissolution of the National Assembly in order to hold both Presidential and National Assembly elections together. Mr. Ramkalawan stated clearly that elections are not very good for the economy because it is both disruptive and costly. “However, we all agree in principle that there is no cost to democracy.” - He said at the time. SPPF members protested, putting forward all kinds of silly arguments. Eventually, the motion was voted down by members of the ruling party in the National Assembly. They were acting on the orders from their political masters. Now that President Michel believes, correctly or falsely, that the situation will favour his party, he has dissolved the National Assembly without any consideration to its impact on the affairs of State.
Mrs Potter insulted everyone by saying what she said on Monday night. We all know that
(An observer)
PRESIDENT Michel THE student of Mr Rene
Sir, on Tuesday 20th March 2007, President Michel, towards the end of his State of
While listening to Mr. Michel’s address I was reminded of this story. A young man sees a nicely dressed lady in the streets. He chats her up and decides to take her home. However, upon getting there, after she undresses, he discovers that there is a real stink under her dress!! Just like Mr. Michel’s address, it initially had so much to offer, but real smelly underneath.
Moving forward, I will like to bring to the attention of Mr. Michel, the SPPF and everyone in
“In previous addresses I have focused on particular elements of importance in the modern democratic agenda. Today I want to emphasise seven areas:
1. Several recent Commonwealth elections have highlighted yet again the importance of balanced media coverage. Equitable access to the media by political parties at election time matters.
2. But balanced coverage – on the part of the State media in particular – matters even more: and it must be balanced all the time, not only at election time. Unfortunately, not all Commonwealth countries have ensured such balance. I commend to them and to you the recent Guidelines produced by the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association, and hope that there will be improvement in this critical area in the years to come.(Judge Reilly please note).
3. I have referred in the past to political parties as the “key link” in the democratic chain.
They can also be one of the weakest links. In many, of our countries, our political parties need refurbishing and renewal (SPPF?).In particular our parties need to demonstrate much greater commitment to democratic virtues and values in their own activities and their own processes. Parties are essential to the democratic process, and multi-party systems are the most democratically effective. But how do parties truly reflect their membership; do they really debate the big issues; how do they treat each other – these are the key questions.
4. I have in the past stressed the importance of the full involvement of civil society in building democracy in the Commonwealth. In many countries the relationship between Government and civil society is still disfigured by an atmosphere of mutual suspicion and distrust. Many civil society bodies developed because they could not influence the political process. Politics, in any country, will never be totally harmonious. There will always be arguments and debates – after all, that’s what politics is all about. But in this day and age, political parties cannot ignore the power of civil society. And if they do, they will end up paying the price.
5. In previous speeches I have stressed the importance of the work of Parliamentary Committees. Despite the work of the CPA there are still Commonwealth Parliaments without properly functioning committee systems (
Opposition members must be able to play a relevant part in the Committees, even if they never have a majority of the votes. They are also elected by the people and must represent the people. I look forward to the day when all Commonwealth Parliaments have effective Select Committee systems that give the people greater confidence in the Parliamentary system and democratic institutions. (this is provided for in our Constitution but SPPF will not apply it).
6. I equally look forward to the day when there is no longer under-representation of women. It is wrong in itself and it undermines the credibility of the democratic system.
Democracy means gender equality and we need to see steady and regular progress on that front.
7. And my last point: The last year has shown again how important it is that all Commonwealth countries make a clear distinction between the Government and the
ruling party and that ruling parties should not unfairly exploit the advantages of incumbency for their own benefit. (which is what Mr Michel did by not allowing the leader of the Opposition to reply to his address, although it is provided for by the constitution.)
I have made it clear to some leaders in some states that the abuse of state resources for party purposes must be brought to an end. (Did Mr. Michel play deaf to Mr. Mackinnon?) I hope everyone here will dedicate themselves to that purpose, whether you are in or out of Government. It is something that the parties should reach agreement on, knowing they could be on either side of the fence.”
Anna Lize
RECIPE FOR DISASTER!
Sir, I live on Praslin and reading your newspaper last Sunday, 26th March, 2007, the article, entitled, ‘Is Mont Fleuri School Revolutionary Or Is This A Recipe For Disaster?’ - particularly caught my eye.
I can tell you that a similar situation exist here in Grand Anse Praslin. It is going to be a disaster if the Ministry of Education ignores the problem it is starting to create. I know of several students who are refusing to go to school. They are complaining that they cannot follow lessons because of the disturbance some students are causing.
The ‘streaming’ of students according to their academic abilities has been in force in our schools for as long as can be remembered. It has not created any major difficulties to our educational system. Though it is true that every student attending schools are there for academic excellence – not everyone will leave school with grades good enough to be doctors, lawyers, teachers or engineers. That is unfortunately the reality. The wheel has already been invented; please stop trying to re-invent the wheel. It is serving the function it was invented to serve!
I hope the geniuses at the Ministry of Education will see sense in my argument. Thank you Mr. Editor for the space, keep up the good work!
(A concerned parent on Praslin)
Seychellois are the new Chagossians
SIR, the Chagossians were recently in the news again and their plight is still an international issue. But let us not forget that like the Chagossians some of us are being denied access to the islands where we were born and where we grew up. And this despite the fact that these islands still belong to the
Yet all kinds of foreigners are being given exclusive access to scores of our islands. The SPPF prides itself on social justice. But this is just propaganda that cannot be justified by facts. Like the Chagossians we are treated like third class citizens. The human rights of Seychellois have been trampled on and Mr. Savy is responsible. One day the United Nations will take note of this gross violation.
Jane
Beau Vallon
“
Sir, the people of
James Michel (and his clan too) became a Minister by stealing the sovereignty of
The Commission of Inquiry presently in
He is a very dishonest, coward, illiterate and idiotic person living in the modern 21st Century era. I would rate him as equal to an evil man with dirty and dangerous mind.
Yours Sincerely
Jess
Blank Cheques for Ascent Project
Sir, I know that you are very busy now with the unexpected announcement of the elections but please just check this out for us because I can see that when you write, things change. Keep up the good work.
I don’t think it is fair for Mr. Rajesh of Ascent Project which I understand is a Company for some people very well connected with the SPPF is treating some of us small contractors. (They are the one that has got the Anse Boileau Police Projects even though their tender was much higher than many of us “Plus ça change”)
Two weeks back they were selling some weld mesh and some timber but they were choosing to whom they selling as when you call there one time they had a size and when you go there they tell you that it is sold out or you cannot get the amount that you want but I know other contractors were getting both timber and all the sizes of weld mesh they wanted. If you try complaining you might not even get anything as Mr. Rajesh will tell you if you have a problem just take it or leave it as he is also a contractor and he has a lot of work to do he will use it himself.
The most mysterious part of it is when you are paying with cheques they tell you not to make the cheque on Ascent just to leave it blank.
“Get ladan pou nou mon frer”
Thank you
Nou pe Soufer
One must speak and one shall speak
SIR, when one says that French is a language of the
L’auxilliaire Avoir
J’ai - I have and so on and so forth, Tu as, Il a, Nous avons, Vous avez, Ils ont
L’auxilliaiere “Etre”
Je suis, Tu es, Il est, Nou sommes, Vous etes, Ils sont
Jessica