Just a short note to follow up on a couple of points in my last letter in connection with Angulla's Independence and involvement with Caricom and OECS.

Many Anguilians have spoken to me about my last letter and all agree with both the Acquisition of Flag and the Independence issue. Where a small minority have voiced reservation was with the Caricom/OECS stance I proposed. However, when they focus on the fact that of Freedom of Movement within Caricom and the OECS is mandatory for Caricom and OECS Members, and that it will be fully implemented in the near future, they quickly realize that that open Immigration Policy would be adverse to Anguilla's best interests. Further, when informed that the Caricom/OECS have an active proposal, which I understand has been accepted and will be implemented, to raise funds for the "Federal Authority" by the imposition of taxes on Citizens of Member countries, they are united in opposition to such memberships. Over the past few years Government have passed Laws based on uniformity as decided by OECS as, for example, the Banking Act which takes decision making away from our Government and give it, in the case of the Banking Act, to the Central Bank. It is through Uniform Legislation that these OECS and Caricom Decisions are to be implemented. What is good for St.Lucia is not necessarily good for Anguilla, and so on. Uniform Legislation implemented in Sovereign States diminishes the Sovereignty of the Citizens of the individual States, and imposes criteria on some states which are alien to that State and are not in the best interests of the Citizens of that State. I must mention that a couple (two) non Anguilians have indicated disagreement with the Caricom/OECS issue, (a Caricom Member State Citizen ), and with Anguilla Independence, (an Englishman).

Anguilla cannot afford to cede its Sovereignty to OECS or Caricom. We seek to claim our Sovereignty from Britain by the attainment of Independence; we cannot then surrender it to Caricom and the OECS.

We need to openly discuss the issues we face and take decisions to move forward. Our Government must take the lead. The time is now.

With your leave, next week I will develop some of the points with respect to constitutional change etc. mentioned in my last letter.

Thank you Sir.

TOMMY ASTAPHAN

LITTLE HARBOUR
ANGUILLA

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