Dear Sir;

Re: The Anguillian, Volume 11 No. 30, Friday 31st. July, 2009

In the Edition of your Newspaper at caption, on page 30, you published a letter written by me to the Chief Minister regarding my view on the only solution in Anguilla's best interests to the Flag/Temenos Project failure.

The Contributed comment introducing my letter stated: "What amazes me is how come none of Government's economic advisers ever thought about compulsory acquisition?"

While the inference of that question is quite flattering of me, the truth is that indeed the Government's lead economic advisors, as well as at least four other Senior Technocrats, have been recommending Compulsory Acquisition as the only viable solution, since as far back as the Fall of last year! These Honourable Gentlemen, being Civil Servants, are constrained to that role and cannot comment outside of their jobs. I am personally aware that they have been fighting tooth and nail for what in their view is in the best interests of Anguilla. Compulsory Acquisition. They continue to do so.

What is "amazing" is that non-Civil Service "Advisors" who have the contrary view are prevailing; that the Political Directorate seems more inclined to go with the outsiders views than with those of the Civil Servants who are qualified, and are being paid to do their jobs.

What is clear is that the continued maintenance of the status quo that is Flag/Temenos, will have exponentially devasting ramifications for the Economy of Anguilla, and consequently the Society in general.

Time is fast running out for the Government to act. The Golf Course is on the verge of not being able to be recovered without completely rebuilding it, the infrastructure is fast declining, and bad is getting worse while worse is getting 'worser'! There is no proverbial "..light at the end of the tunnel.." this time. As Shakespeare said "..In delay there is no plenty...".

At a meeting in New York this week someone ( not naming names at this stage, but Government knows who it is because the information was relayed to them yesterday) quite arrogantly said that "the Government of Anguilla don't have the balls to compulsorilly acquire anything".

Well, I know the Government Ministers, and they seem to me to be "Men of Balls". How dare that man disrespectfully imply that our Government are "Cowards"!!

Time for the Government to do what is best for Anguilla and Compulsorilly Acquire the Project now. Show him who got "Balls".

Unless, of course, we want Merrywing II on our hands!!

Thank You for your kind attention.

Tommy Astaphan
Little Harbour

| Printer-friendly page | Send this article to a friend |

World News