VI already systematically prepared for Independence – Dr Carlyle Corbin
Dr Corbin made the statement during the March 29, 2022, edition of the Honestly Speaking radio show hosted by Claude O. Skelton-Cline, on the topic of the VI and its readiness to seek independence from its former colonial masters.
According to Dr Corbin, “The overall recognition of the capacity of the Virgin Islands to assumer its full measure of self-governance, is very clear… I think that there is a tendency to some degree of hesitation on that subject… but you find that the society is and have been prepared and is systematically preparing itself,” he said.
VI’s preparation for self-governance commendable - Dr Corbin
Dr Corbin added that the preparation for self-governance has been quite commendable over the past decade while referencing VI Leaders like H. Lavity Stoutt, Willard Wheatley, Ralph T. O’Neal, Dr D. Orlando Smith, and current Premier, Andrew A. Fahie (R1).
‘Every one of them in my mind has made a considerate effort to elevate the people in education, in terms of training, in terms of looking at the economy,” he said.
“It’s clear that the preparation for self-government is largely achieved, the issue becomes to what extent,” he added.
Dr Corbin said the VI must now explore whether it wishes to proceed to independence and how to proceed, which are all issues to be determined, “but certainly the society is prepared,” he said.
Meanwhile, other issues to be ironed out would be the need for international embassies, in addition to having an army, defense force, and securing local borders.
Army & Securing Borders
“There’s already a regional security system for example where OECS countries have a system whereby one can assist others in the case of natural disasters [and] any kind of unrest,” he said.
He said, however, that while the issue of protection would be ensured under the OECS, the VI would have to decide on if to establish an army or defense force.
The topic of independence from the UK and greater self-governance in the VI is one that has been on the front burner of the Fahie administration since taking officer in 2019.
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37 Responses to “VI already systematically prepared for Independence – Dr Carlyle Corbin”
this territory was called a bird sanctuary and our ancestors lifted us up and forward but some where on the journey we lost focus
some took what we had and sold it to the highest bidder this includes various government administrations
history books will recall when our forefathers were released from indentured servitude “emancipation”
2022 we sitting in limbo await the voice of the former slave masters to let our people know which is up “commission of inquiry “
With all the problems that we are now burdered with, who in their right will heighen the load on their employer but those that seek total domination? Oh, in my opinion, I think I know who, the current VIP administration.
"Their mind must have told them that we are real coonumonoes," according to The Mighty Sparrow?
Ok. The VI is a small, resource-poor locale with the opportunity, a few strengths and a host of weaknesses. The opportunity is clear and its major strength is the will and the yearn of its people for a change. But the change must be sensible. Now, let’s take a quick peek at its weaknesses.
The first weaknesses is that there is uncertainty as to what political status the majority of its people want, for they have not been given the opportunity to decide what they want. A referendum needs to be held. Bermuda, the oldest and sister OT, held a referendum on independence in 1995 with the majority of those voting deciding against independence. Second, the VI has a fragile and un-diversified economy buoyed by tourism and financial services. I’m of the view that VI should have a stronger economic foundation before pursuing political independence. Third, the level of education needs to be improved to approach a critical mass; it still is recruiting labour for positions outside of the VI that Virgin Islanders should be able to effectively perform. Fourth, it lacks a national development plan; the VI cannot repeat the mistake of its sister regional countries which were pushed into independence without a development package. Fifth, its infrastructure ( roads, water, wastewater,,electricity,,ports, telecommunications, storm water,) lies somewhere between 3rd World and 1st World. Sixth, its health system needs improvement. Other area of concerns include food security( imports most of its food), import-export ratio ( export little) government as a major employer, justice administration, skyrocketing cost of living, , etc.
The VI may be able to check a few blocks on a checklist but in my humble opinion, it is not yet prepared for independence.
Free Association: When a territory has reach a full measure of self-government, it can voluntary elect to associate with an independent country. Examples include a)Palau, Micronesia Federated States and Marshall Islands—US, b)Cook Islands—New Zealand and C)Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten—Netherlands.
Integrated Territories: A territory that has attained a full measure of self-government can voluntary elect to integrate into an independent country. An example is Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana. It is important to note that integration must conform to Principle VIII of UN General Assembly Resolution 1541. As such, integration must be on a)the basis of complete equality, b)equal status and rights of citizenship and c)equal rights and opportunities for representation and effective participation at all levels of the country integrated into.
The VI populace must be educated on and become engaged in these political status options. And they, along with the status quo, should be options on THE referendum; a referendum is needed. The people must have buy in to the process. The administering power is lukewarm on promoting either the free association or integration option. Why?
Moreover, the next constitutional review must a)focus on more devolving of power to the VI, and b)more self-governing autonomy for the VI. This is vital for the VI to attain a full measure of self-governing, preparing itself for either independence, free association or integration. The constitutional review must also fight against the unilateral reversal of devolve powers.
Note also that in a second failed attempt at a West Indies Federation, the UK created another status for the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, and Anguilla, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent——Associated Statehood with the UK(1967). Eventually, all of these territories were pushed unprepared into independence. They are still in various stages of economic, political and social challenges.
I’m not averse to independence but the BVI is definitely not prepared for independence. Just a casual view of the BVI will show that the BVI infrastructure and institutions are not yet in a mature state to fully support and sustain development and prosperity. E. Leonard listed many of the infrastructural and institutional weaknesses that needs to be addressed. Much work needs to be done. The UK, the administering power, needs to provide more resources and work cooperatively and collaboratively with the BVI to help it prepare for independence if that is the choice of the people. A big step is providing the BVI more self-governing autonomy.
[Lets lead like eagles, not careen off the cliff like buffaloes]
Let's look at taking ten of our best and brightest, and schlepping them off to Ottawa, New York, Washington, London, Berlin, Paris, Brussels, Beijing, Dubai and Tokyo. These are the world capitals, one would think we'd want embassies in each, staffed with our smartest individuals. Each one will need an office, they are all high-rent areas, each will need a staff, and each will have expenses for dealing with the social diplomatic scenarios in which they are living. And they will require salaries.
Sending off the ten of our best and brightest constitutes "brain drain".
The rest of the expenses are going to be a huge economic drain, hundreds of thousands of dollars for each embassy.
These are the costs of independence we can ill afford.