Chief Minister John Osborne’s Press Statement on his recent trip to the United Kingdom Aired on Radio Montserrat, Tuesday, October 16, 2001

Moderator: Claude Hogan, MP. Journalist, Winston Cabey, Radio Montserrat.
C. Hogan (first part of tape missing) … about his recent mission to the UK, during which time, he attended the Overseas Territories Consultative Council along with other colleague ministers from the other Overseas Territories.
That Council took place over the period 24th to 26th September 2001 in London, England. Chief Minister, right over to you, sir.
CM: Thank you, Claude. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London convened the 3rd Overseas Consultative Council on the 24th to the 26th of September 2001 under the chairmanship of Baroness Valerie Amos.
I attended this meeting along with the Director of Development, Mrs. Angela Greenaway. Other Chief ministers and Heads of governments of all the other overseas territories, with the exception of Gibraltar, were in attendance.
In her opening remarks, Baroness Amos welcomed the opportunity for frank and open discussions with the Heads of Overseas Territories on a wide variety of issues.
She commented on the events of September 11th 2001 in New York and welcomed discussions on the impact that this would have on the economies of the Overseas Territories.
Discussions were held under the general themes of relationship with the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories, international issues, social development issues and strategies for sustainable development.
It was very clear that all territories were anxious to move forward on the issue of constitutional reform.
There was a call for constitutions that reflect the rights of citizens of the countries to national self-determination.
The concepts of modernization and partnership are set out the Chapter 1 of the “White Paper” were lauded but is was pointed out that these concepts need to be developed into realistic policy positions and then put in the constitutions to reflect a new progressive and modern practice.
A new relationship based on the four fundamental principles of self-determination, mutual obligation and responsibility, freedom for the territories to run their own affairs to the greatest degree possible and a firm commitment from the United Kingdom to help the territories develop economically and to assist them in emergencies.
It is hoped that constitutional reform will bring about the necessary changes which would allow the overseas territories to make their own decisions on issues that impact on them in the spirit of partnership as set out in the “White Paper.”
An update on the implementation of this bill was given by Lord Rueker, the Citizenship and Immigration Minister.
The bill has started its passage through parliament and it is hoped that the legislation will be in place early next year with implementation following a few months later.
This will include the arrangement for the issue of passports. It was made very clear that a status of British citizenship would include the right to travel freely to and from the United Kingdom and European Union and to work, study and conduct business in any European Union member state.
There was a concern by some Overseas Territories’ Heads that this arrangement would eventually become reciprocal to British and European Union citizens.
It was made very clear that immigration policies are the responsibility of the Overseas Territory governments and this bill would not confer the rights of citizenship of the various Overseas Territories to United Kingdom or European Union citizens.
New measures such as the European Union “Taxation on Savings Directive” and its impact on the Overseas Territories’ offshore industries were discussed at length.
The issue of the regulation of offshore industries was even more pertinent in the light of September 11th terrorist attacks and the possible use of some of these jurisdictions in storing funds.
It was disappointing to learn that CARICOM colleagues have insisted that the Overseas Territories should not be a part of the United Kingdom Caribbean Forum in 2002, to be held in Guyana, in their own right, but under the United Kingdom umbrella, if they choose to attend.
I’m planning to raise this issue with my CARICOM colleagues.
I was asked to make a presentation in London on the role of the SDP and the CPP, which was well received.
I highlighted the fact that these documents provided a useful framework for development assistance.
However, their usefulness was sometimes thwarted by the policies of the funding agencies themselves.
The important issue was diversification of our economies.
It was necessary, especially, in light of the September 11th events and the impact that this will have on the tourism and financial services industries.
It was recommended that her majesty’s government set up a stabilization fund to assist those territories that will be severely impacted by the events.
The meeting concluded with all heads of government signing the environment charter with the United Kingdom government.
This charter sets out the guiding principles for dealing with the environment in our various territories.
I had very useful meetings with DFID officials including the Parliamentary Undersecretary of State, Hilary Ben on the project approval process and other projects in the pipeline.
It is important to note that even though the Secretary of State, Clare Short, was tied up with issues relating to relief to Afghanistan she spent some time discussing issues relating to Montserrat with me.
During our very brief meeting, I expressed our appreciation for the valuable aid that we have been receiving.
I stressed the point that as a government we have had some hard choices to make but in recognizing the magnitude of the rebuilding process that has to take place, we are faced with no alternative.
I made the point that government has to take some hard decisions including privatization of fuel, increased utility rates, the airport issue but we recognize that they are important for our overall development.
For her part, Ms. Short emphasized her continued support for Montserrat.
She indicated that she wanted to see less micro-management of projects from London and wanted the government of Montserrat to have more autonomy in dealing with the projects.
She also repeated her commitment to visit Montserrat in the not too distant future.
Ms. Short’s goal of less micro-management was good to hear since I had raised the issue some time ago of being allowed to spend up to 10% of our local revenue on minor projects without having to go to DFID for approval.
I stressed the need again for Ministers of government to have a greater autonomy in terms of expenditure.
I discussed this issue again and the Head of the Overseas Territories Department promised to review this and respond quickly.
I am pleased to report that since our meeting, the Secretary of State has approved the Housing Program for Montserrat to the tune of £10 million sterling.
The main components of t he housing program are: development of a further 200 serviced lots at Lookout at a cost of £2,500,000;
(These would provide service lots for housing, churches, shops and recreational facilities.
It will also fund the relocation of the existing sewage treatment plant and the construction of a new plant.
The serviced lots project will also facilitate the release of the European Union financing for the construction of 50 starter homes);
provision of sheltered housing for the elderly and mentally ill at a cost of £1.85 million;
continuation of the self-build materials grant scheme at a cost of £3.7 million pounds; refurbishing of housing at Davy Hill and Shinnlands; establishment of a housing corporation, merging the existing Housing Unit and Land Development Authority.
In addition, I have just received confirmation that the project for the construction of the Community College has also been approved.
In conclusion, I found the trip to London very useful and informative.
The British government has promised to review some policies that we as Overseas Territories’ Heads find problematic.
I especially look forward to hearing from them on the issue of the process of selection of governors; the fee structure for our students wishing to enter the educational system and a setting up of stabilization fund.
I anxiously await the outcome of our constitutional review and the passage of the Overseas Territories Bill.
It was also important to meet my colleague Chief Ministers and other Heads of Overseas Territories. We are of the opinion that we should form an association amongst ourselves to discuss matters of common interests and also to negotiate with the British government with one voice.
This was the approach of the Caribbean Overseas Territories at this meeting and we intend to continue this way.
C. Hogan: Folks, that was the honorable Chief Minister, Dr. John Osborne, speaking to you on his recent participation in the Overseas Territories Consultative Council held in London, England, 24-26 September 2001.
And you’ve heard the Chief Minister’s overview of his useful meeting with other OT heads where they have adopted a common negotiating agenda.
There’s the question of the Citizen’s Bill, which is still in progress, financing arrangements for Montserrat, which would be given more autonomy.
Also there is the request for spending on which the Chief Ministers’ principle for the local government to be able to spend some more of its own money has been accepted in principle.
There’s a question of a number of developments in the housing sector with the approval of £10 million and the new Community College.
If you have any questions, please address them to the Chief Minister.
W. Cabey: Mr. Chief Minister, Winston Cabey from Radio Montserrat.
In terms of your meetings with the British officials, especially Minister Clare Short, do we know yet what mechanisms will be put in place in order to speed up the projects?
CM: Well I don’t know what mechanisms need to be put in place other than to give instructions for DFID to approve the projects more quickly.
I don’t know what they need to do, whether their problem in London or the problem is here, but all we want is some system that wouldn’t continue to take 6 months and a year like what has been happening.
It appears that we have overcome that problem.
W. Cabey: In terms of the offshore financial sector, did they have any advice as to how we can probably tighten up a bit on the offshore banking?
CM: Well, not only that; they have sent us draft legislation as to what we are supposed to do and I think (not only in Montserrat, in all the Overseas Territories and even some independent countries and especially now with what has happened in New York) there’s going to be even more restriction when it comes to offshore banking.
W. Cabey: On the question of housing, are you pleased with what you’ve managed to achieve in terms of what we’ll be getting, the serviced lots at Lookout?
CM: It’s fantastic, what they have just done because you are talking about $38 million dollars for housing, which we just approval for this week.
I think that is the greatest achievement up to now. I mean that will make a lot of difference in terms of employment and in terms of the needed housing.
That is, in fact, a wonderful thing that the British have just done for us.
And that came because of the fact that they are satisfied with how we are managing government affairs.
W. Cabey: In terms of the Citizenship Bill, how much emphasis are they putting on that?
CM: Well it’s not their putting emphasis on it; they are giving us citizenship; they are not imposing citizenship on us.
What they are saying is that you can renounce it if you want to, but it’s available on application.
But that gives you the right to go to England and work and do business.
And you can go to Germany or France or any European Union country and work, go to school and do business because you’re there, a member of the European Union, through Britain.
W. Cabey: Are you concerned about the reciprocal arrangements or the possible reciprocal arrangements?
CM: Well, everybody is concerned about the reciprocal arrangements but I don’t think Montserrat has anything to fear from that because there are some islands who don’t want to have a situation where you have such a reciprocal arrangement where the people come by the thousands and cause problems in terms of putting pressure on the services and utilities and so on.
Bermuda is a good example. Bermuda is only 22 square miles and they have 60,000 people.
But if you have such an arrangement where Europeans can come and flood Bermuda, it means you can have 150,000 people who are not a credit to the 22 square-mile-island, which would not be good for anybody.
W. Cabey: And finally, in terms of future meetings, anything scheduled for future meetings-the OT’s and the British government?
CM: Well, I understand this is going to be an annual thing. So, I think every year there’s going to have this meeting.
It’s a meeting-well they claim it’s to have a better understanding and give us a chance to tell the British government what we think they should do to make a better partnership with the Overseas Territories and the United Kingdom as the parent, or the administrative power.
I think it was good that we went because we were able to voice some areas that we feel that they should relieve themselves of and give us more say in our own affairs.
I think every country-This eventually would lead up to self-determination. I’m not saying that we are arguing for self-determination.
I think it would be unwise if I were to make a point for self-determination at a time like now.
There was a time when I was interested in that but that time, we had money.
We were balancing our own budget. We were paying all our bills.
We weren’t looking for Britain for money to pay our civil servants. We even had surplus money at that time.
So if we were going independent, we could stand on our own two feet. The situation has changed, so the question of self-determination, in terms of what some people call independence, is not in my book at this moment.
W. Cabey: Thank you very much Mr. Chief Minister.

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