Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor

SPPF A (OUT)LAW UNTO ITSELF

Sir, may I have a little space to comment on the most recent People (sic) article entitled “The People have Spoken” following the recent National assembly elections. Firstly, I must say that I was dismayed at the flagrant breaches of law committed by SPPF activists on the day which were not only blatantly ignored but actively encouraged and supported by our Officers of the law. The photo chosen by the “People” as its lead Article, amply demonstrates this fact. The photograph of the motorcade of SPPF activists was taken in the district of Bel Ombre, as evidenced by the photographs of the loser Dan Frichot on the electricity posts. The lead vehicle in the photo has on board it appears at least one Minister and possibly another ex Minister, both of whom are standing in a pick up in contravention of the laws of Seychelles. The driver of the vehicle is without a seat belt, so too his passenger, who is himself sitting outside the vehicle on the windows edge with most of his body protruding from the vehicle a very serious driving offence in Seychelles and every other Country in the world. Looking in detail at the motorcade it is clear that almost without exception most vehicles are overfilled beyond the licenced capacity and they have numerous offenders breaking the laws of Seychelles in a similar manner to the first vehicle. The lead vehicle began outside the Beau Vallon Police station and was “escorted around the island” again by police out riders. What does this image say to foreigners visiting our Country . It says that Seychellois (because we are all tarnished), appear to be a bunch of loud, drunken thugs, who periodically dress in red and wizz around the country in total disregard for the international norms established as to safe driving practices and common road courtesies and where policing is something we do from time to time. SPPF are indeed a law (less) group unto themselves. It is a great pity that they are able to so openly flout the laws and in so doing encourage others especially our children to imitate their often immoral and vulgar ways.

It would be nice to have the views of Commissioner Waye-Hive on that one. I bet you he has no comment…..

Name withheld

NATION SHOOTS ITSELF IN THE FOOT AGAIN!

Sir, allow me to make a brief comment on an article that appeared in the Nation of 21st May 2007, relating to the appointment of Peter Sinon to the ADB. The article suggests by implication of this appointment that Seychelles stands to benefit considerably (as a result of the appointment). This is typical of the lack of understanding evident in the NATION (de facto SPPF) thinking. They seem to have the impression that because Mr Sinon now sits at the executive head of the ADB he will be in a position to push Seychelles issues more favourably than those of other States. The Executive Director works for a Bank (ADB). His position is not based on an individual State and his decisions (recommendations to the ADB Board) must be based on a critical analysis of financing opportunities in the overall interests of the board (hence all Member States) of the ADB. At best he can achieve positive gains for Seychelles in ensuring indirectly that Seychelles receives equal weighting to other States in decisions taken. This is his task. Articles of the kind in Nation only serve to further promote our already tarnished image abroad that Seychelles cannot act in an impartial manner in its undertakings.

John Joe

Editor’s note: By their comments they have now put Mr. Sinon in a very embarrassing situation.

SPPF SUPPORTER SPEAKS OUT!

Sir, SPPF wanted to win 25 Districts and eliminate the Opposition from the political life of Seychelles. We lost in this effort, but won 18 seats. This gives us another chance to keep on making money at the expense of the People of Seychelles.... We can protect our fat cats and our simple supporters that need attention like disability access to public buildings, those that need houses, those that need social help, will just have to wait and listen to excuses why the Government cannot perform. Thank you.

Opposition complain that in the country we have shortages of essential items. As a proud SPPF supporter I can be honest with you. When I go to Mauritius, I buy nice red onions to cook my food back home. Sometimes I buy 4-5 Kilos and sneak it in as luggage allocation weight. I even buy meat and fish in Mauritius in packets. I buy lentils just in case we run out in Seychelles. If SPPF did not have a regular program for food shortages, I would not be able to go to Mauritius for shopping for food. In fact I make a lot of friends in Mauritius while shopping at the market in Quatre Borne. They always ask me if I live there. I tell them I live in Seychelles. They say we do not know how life works because we keep on voting for a Communist Party. I tell them SPPF is not Communist, it just does not like free thinking People and does not like new ideas. They ask if our system is so good, why do I buy onions to take back home. I tell them that they are red and with the Air Seychelles flights paid in Seychelles Rupees, it is the only thing I can buy in Seychelles in Rupees and besides, it is fun to shop in Mauritius, there is so much choice.

As for the hospital, we are lucky to be able to go overseas for treatment. If the hospital in Victoria worked well, do you think we would be able to travel for medical treatment. We should be happy and enjoy the flight. The Opposition is wrong when it says we cannot buy anything with our Rupees. We buy tickets on Air Seychelles. Recently Mr.David Savy even gave us discounts to Singapore and Mauritius. He should be commended and give us even more discounts this year. They complain about his big Euro Salary (euro 7,000.00 per month) . But the workers at Air Seychelles, they get paid in Rupees. That payment is always on time, and they can buy their families tickets on Air Seychelles to travel to Singapore. So why complain. Be happy with what you have and do not complain. If you need Euro all you have to do is stand in line at Barclay’s from 6.00am. You will get Euros, whatever little we have of it…..

Opposition is always crying corruption this corruption that. Government leases part of St Anne Island to Francis Savy’s companies or himself, for one Rupee. Is not a Rupee, a Rupee? What, you wanted more money on the Lease? St. Anne Island is still part of Seychelles. Francis Savy or his company has not taken it to Australia yet. Plus, Mr. Savy did a lot for Seychelles as STMA CEO. He made Seychelles black and white and we could see ourselves when global warming over takes us. What’s the problem? Next thing you will complain about is if he starts a helicopter business. You do not have to know how to fly a helicopter to run a helicopter business...Think Big! Think Big! Never mind about the Big Bills! The People are paying . That is the SPPF Way!

BE HAPPY!

LA FAYA BURNT OUT

Sir, Permit me a little space to comment on the utter trash that reverberates from the distorted mind of the LA FAYA in the People dribble rag each week. It is abundantly clear that LA FAYA has lost all sense of reality and his comments are in the People’s words “meaningless twaddle”. It seems he may have been burned once too often and his so called comments are to my mind not even worthy of the trashy paper (sic) that is the SPPF People. Come on LA FAYA, you tell us why President Michel called “prematurely (People own words)” an early election. This is important since nothing has effectively changed as far as the National Assembly goes. Interestingly enough the word “premature” suggests (happening TOO soon or before the appointed time i.e.: a premature baby or a prematurely bald President, both in need of life support (economic or otherwise). (Macmillan English Dictionary). An interesting analogy given the current State of the economy and our rush to find new so called development Partners in Asia and the Middle East (never mind their glaring abuse of human rights (makes SPPF and LA FAYA feel right at home). amidst the torture, bashing, murder (Tiananmen Square), persecution of Catholic priests and lay and other Christian preachers alike. Interestingly enough the SPPF rag admits that they “clawed” back three key Districts. More interestingly the definition of this word is “to get something again that YOU had lost such as power, especially gradually and with Difficulty. More interestingly, this word is used in connection with Government and involves making people (Seychellois), pay higher taxes or charging higher prices (Macmillan English Dictionary). In this context the use of these words may indeed become significant as we see the SPPF government claw back the money they have used to bribe sections of the electorate in order to claw back a winning margin.

WATER ON FIRE

“latab pann balanse”

Sir, please forgive any ignorance on my part but I was under the distinct impression that the result of the recent national assembly elections was such that both parties have retained exactly the same proportion of seats as they had before the election despite the SPPF pleas for it to have a larger share of power. I say this because in reading the recent article in the People “latab pann balance”, one would only assume otherwise. The President indicated that he wanted a two-third majority or better still an absolute majority and got neither. So I am a little confused as to how the People can translate this into a win situation when you end up exactly where you started in the first place. I think that if anyone got a good lesson, it is the SPPF who were unceremoniously told by the electorate that they would never tolerate a completely SPPF dominated National Assembly. Yes the “People” is correct in saying that Seychellois are increasingly mature politically and punished –‘pinni’ those who deceived. This speaks volumes in itself when one considers that they totally rejected Albert Rene and Michel’s calls for greater influence in the national assembly and most importantly, rejected outright three SPPF MNA’s candidates who spent their time verbally abusing their opponents, rather than demonstrating their ability to bring about positive solutions to the many problems in their respective Districts.

Name Withheld