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St Martin and Anguilla

 
Ninetenjack 2017-09-11 22:10:19 

I am hearing reports that it's total anarchy in Saint Martin, gangs running the streets stealing, robbing, killing. This is on the French side. In Anguilla everything is running out, the Brits simply have not responded.

 
Chrissy 2017-09-11 22:27:08 

In reply to Ninetenjack

None of di colonial masters give a $hit.

 
bravos 2017-09-11 22:59:52 

In reply to Chrissy

Gosh..

 
bravos 2017-09-11 23:01:47 

In reply to Chrissy

We pick up ours..and others..

 
mikesiva 2017-09-12 04:25:01 

In reply to Ninetenjack

"UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is to fly to the Caribbean later in the wake of the devastating Hurricane Irma. The BBC understands he will visit the British Virgin Islands and Anguilla, both British overseas territories which were badly damaged by the storm. Mr Johnson will see the relief effort at first hand, visit affected communities and meet local governors. His trip follows criticism from people living in the Caribbean and senior MPs that the UK's response was too slow....Anguilla, Turks and Caicos, and the British Virgin Islands (BVI) are among 14 British overseas territories which are all self-governing but the British government is responsible for their defence and security with a duty to protect them from natural disasters. Anguilla suffered extensive damage, and at least one person has been confirmed dead. Widespread damage was caused to the Turks and Caicos Islands, but the full extent of it is still unclear. Similarly, there has been damage caused across the 50 British Virgin Islands, and five people are known to have died."

More here

 
nick2020 2017-09-12 06:16:54 

In reply to Chrissy

Chrissy I get you don't like the setup but clearly that isn't true.

 
Ninetenjack 2017-09-12 07:48:37 

In reply to Chrissy

I agree, governments and politicians for the most part will only respond if it serves their interest.

 
Ninetenjack 2017-09-12 07:50:12 

In reply to mikesiva

And while he is coming on his fact finding mission people are hungry, angry and thirsty...

 
camos 2017-09-12 08:35:35 

the Brits would respond faster if someone on Anguilla declare independence.

 
johndom90 2017-09-12 08:42:44 

In reply to camos

So why can't caribbean people get along, instead of degenerating into anarchy and needing
the colonial boss to come help.

Resources are scarce and its survival of the fittest.

 
RemainsUnknown 2017-09-12 09:55:07 

In reply to johndom90

So why can't caribbean people get along, instead of degenerating into anarchy and needing the colonial boss to come help.
Exactly. Some people bad-mouth those same colonial masters and want then to come their service only when it's convenient for THEM.

It's funny how life works....

 
mikesiva 2017-09-13 04:17:00 

"The UK is facing criticism for its response to Hurricane Irma, but what are its responsibilities to its overseas territories? Britain has 14 overseas territories. They are mostly former colonies and are located all over the world, from Gibraltar and the Falklands to Anguilla, Turks and Caicos, and the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. Most are largely self-governing with their own constitutions and governments. But the people who live there are British citizens, the Queen is their head of state and Britain is responsible for their defence and security. As such, the UK government has a clear duty to protect the citizens of these territories from natural disaster."

This is why the UK is facing criticism

The arrangement between Britain and its colonies is that the mother country is responsible for protecting its colonies from natural disasters. The Antiguan government is responsible for Barbuda. However, while the Antiguan government responded pro-actively, by evacuating Barbuda when Jose was looming, the UK were nowhere to be seen.

You might argue that colonies like Anguilla should've realised this, and forged its own way. That's another argument to be raised with Anguillans, who chose to stay with the UK, instead of becoming independent with St Kitts and Nevis.

 
DonD 2017-09-13 08:36:13 

In reply to mikesiva

Didn't Anguilla attempt a "Rhodesian" style UDI - unilateral declaration of independence- from Britain and St. Kitts in 1966 or 1967? I recall PM Harold Wilson sending a massive war ship to the island to quell the rebellion.The incident was dubbed "The mouse that roared." Oddly enough, Harold Wilson did nothing when Ian Smith declared Rhodesia's UDI in 1965.

 
Ewart 2017-09-13 10:30:55 

In reply to DonD


Welcome back, Don D. big grin big grin


................and teach them!


//

 
bravos 2017-09-13 13:00:21 

A Trini Lady and grandson died in St.Maarten . RIP to all..Good luck to St.Maarten and all affected Islands/Countries ...sad

 
JayMor 2017-09-13 13:47:41 

In reply to DonD

Good to see you, Don!

I learned the word "paratroopers" at that time when such were deployed in Anguilla. As a seller of Abeng and a schoolboy supporter of the Hart boys, I was well vex, yuh hear? If my memory serves me right, they found one deggeh-deggeh illegal gun. Yes, the comparison with Ian Smith and Rhodesia's UDI was stark.

--Æ.

 
DAVE400 2017-09-13 21:35:19 

The rumours in the aftermath of a disaster are themselves disasters...in Cayman post Ivan the kind of shit people were calling me and asking me about is astounding...

I have some faith in the instinctive way human beings commune when living comforts are removed..

witnessed it too many times,

 
POINT 2017-09-13 22:17:52 

In reply to Ninetenjack

Most of the Anguillians who live , or have relatives in Anguilla live on St. Maarten , which is the Dutch side
of the Island .

However Anguillians travelling from
Anguilla to St. Maarten , land on the French side , and then are either picked up by a Relative or Friend , or
take the Bus or Taxi to get to the
Dutch Side .

 
POINT 2017-09-13 22:35:23 

In reply to DonD

At one time St. Kitts ; Nevis & Anguilla had the same Government , the
same Postage Stamp .

A prominent Anguillian whose surname is WEBSTER , decided that Anguilla should separate from the Union , England agreed with Webster ; and so
St. Kitts Nevis came into being .

In Anguilla & Monserrat their Final Court is the Privy Council . So I believe that they both have Governors
.

 
Ninetenjack 2017-09-14 13:55:01 

In reply to POINT

Yes I know this the ferry is from Margot, I have done this trip myself.

 
RemainsUnknown 2017-09-14 16:05:13 

In reply to Ninetenjack

In Anguilla everything is running out, the Brits simply have not responded.


In reply to Chrissy
None of di colonial masters give a $hit.



In London, Prime Minister Theresa May told Parliament an additional 25 million pounds ($33 million) would be spent on recovery efforts as Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson oversaw early aid efforts in Anguilla. Link Text

 
Ninetenjack 2017-09-14 16:48:17 

In reply to RemainsUnknown

Right now I think I trust the French more than the Brits. Hopefully things will improve. Look how quickly Antigua evacuated Barbuda, and these first world nations for days after doing nothing.

 
Norm 2017-09-15 03:21:05 

In reply to DonD

Harold Wilson did nothing when Ian Smith declared Rhodesia's UDI in 1965.

Smith's action provided the Brits with a convenient excuse to do nothing against apartheid in Rhodesia.

Glad to see you are still active!

 
mikesiva 2017-09-15 03:32:44 

In reply to DonD

Quite right!
smile
The British government is finally responding. The problem is that they took a long time to do so. The Antigua and Barbuda government immediately restored law and order. In st Martin and the British Virgin Islands there was looting and prison breaks before the colonial masters finally stepped in a few days later.

 
RemainsUnknown 2017-09-15 10:32:38 

In reply to mikesiva

Quite right!
smile
The British government is finally responding. The problem is that they took a long time to do so. The Antigua and Barbuda government immediately restored law and order. In st Martin and the British Virgin Islands there was looting and prison breaks before the colonial masters finally stepped in a few days later.


The UK, France, and the Netherlands have stepped up relief efforts, sending thousands of troops and promising aid packages after criticism they responded too slowly.
The UK government has pledged £57 million ($75 million) in aid. Prime Minister Theresa May announced on Wednesday that the UK would deploy an additional 200 personnel and 60 police officers on top of 40 tons of aid and 1,000 military personnel already sent to the region.

Link Text

The UK had a naval vessel, Mounts Bay, preloaded with disaster relief supplies in the Caribbean since July, and within a couple of days had restored electricity at Anguilla's hospital and cleared the airport runway.
French President Emmanuel Macron said his government had mounted one of the biggest airlifts since World War II. Some 85,000 tons of food and 1 million liters of water have been deployed to St. Martin and St. Barthelemy.

[b]US President Donald Trump approved and signed a disaster declaration for the US Virgin Islands, unlocking $223 million in emergency federal funding. Trump also declared a major disaster in Puerto Rico, ordering federal aid to supplement local recovery efforts.
On Wednesday, Cuba received 7.3 tons of humanitarian aid, including mattresses, water, canned food and other vital supplies, from the Venezuelan government, according to the state news agency.[/b]

Security

Looting has broken out on some islands. France's Overseas Minister Annick Girardin said she saw people stealing televisions from shops. Other residents have described fights at grocery stores and gas lines.
But St. Martin residents interviewed by CNN affiliate BFMTV said that French police and soldiers have had little presence on the ground, and reported widespread looting.

But tensions are still high. On Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands, one resident told CNN that he was waiting at a gas station when a man on a scooter cut the line of cars and pulled out a gun.

 
POINT 2017-09-15 11:11:52 

In reply to RemainsUnknown

Please note that The British Virgin Islands , are Dependents of the United
Kingdom .

St. Martin is a Dependent of France , and therefore France is responsible for the Welfare of St. Martin .

 
POINT 2017-09-15 12:23:50 

I believe that if some Governments
give tax breaks to willing Investors , the latter can setup cement Blocks making Factories in the Region so that
the cost of building Sturdy Structures
will be significantly reduced .

Obviously this would facilitate the
building of most if not all Structures , that would be able to mitigate the severity of damage done
by Hurricanes .

 
Dan_De_Lyan 2017-09-15 13:17:20 

In reply to bravos

We pick up ours..and others..



how allyuh doing padnah... big grin

 
RemainsUnknown 2017-09-19 11:43:15 

Over the weekend, we found out that our good friend who lives in NJ has some family members (22 people in total) who live in St. Martin.

He sent me some pictures of these people homes. Total devastation! They have nothing now and are pretty much homeless.

I didn't realize how close to home this hits. They started a collection. Clothing, Money... whatever is necessary. We are trying to get these people and their children back on their feet.

SAD TIMES, indeed. sad sad sad sad sad

 
bravos 2017-09-19 11:58:47 

In reply to Dan_De_Lyan

Well yuh know we lucky to be always below de real action,a lil rain and that's it..we good thanks.

 
POINT 2017-09-22 14:53:48 

In reply to Ninetenjack

So let me enlighten You there is an Island that was divided ,One part of it is French the other part Dutch .

The French part is called St. Martin , this is the part were there is looting .The Dutch part of the Island is called St. Maarten .

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO LOOTING ON

THE DUTCH PART OF THE ISLAND .

BTW , There is no line of demarcation , or Border Guards etc , between the two parts of the Island . One of my Cousins lives in the Dutch part of the Island , his house suffered no damage , however the two cars were were damaged ; One needed a new front windshield , and the other had a dent on the Trunk .

 
POINT 2017-09-22 15:09:11 

In reply to Ninetenjack

FYI Anguilla is a separate Island from St. Martin . There is however
Daily Ferry trips via Boats between Anguilla & sT. Martin ; the Trip takes a little over half an hour by
Boat;

The people from Anguilla , generally
shop for major items in St. Maarten , the Dutch side of the Island .

Interestingly Anguillians who travel
to St. Maarten , land on the French side , St. Martin , because Geographically St. Martin, the French part of the Island is closer to Anguilla than St. Maarten , the Dutch part of the Island .

 
Tryangle 2017-09-22 15:31:05 

In reply to POINT

Any passport/Visa requirements involved there POINT, or do they have special permissions/waivers involved?