editorial -
Grenada has been in the international news lately, not only for the patriotic nature of the Independence celebrations, but also because of the infamous mix-up of the Red Chinese and Taiwanese national anthems at the official hand over of the Red Chinese-built Grenada National Stadium, and the ruling by the Privy Council that the remaining thirteen of an original seventeen prisoners sentenced for the death of beloved Prime Minister Maurice Bishop, other Cabinet members and others be re-sentenced.
Also Cricket World Cup 2007 is at the doorsteps and the key concern on the local level is whether or not there is full readiness.
The reactions to the anthem mix-up and readiness for Cricket World Cup are mixed and seem clearly to have political basis. It is somewhat surprising that the case of the thirteen did not capture the attention of the public as might have been anticipated.
This can give credence to the suggestion that Grenadians are no longer deeply interested in the issue as in past years. Various times
in the past there have been calls for their unconditional pardon and release just as there were legal challenges to their “illegal” incarceration, while there were still loud calls for their continued imprisonment and even death.
As expected, there were equally strong opposition to the calls for release. Prior to the Privy Council’s ruling, the latest twist in the ongoing saga was a call to “say where the bodies are” of Maurice Bishop and others who were mercilessly gunned down at Fort Rupert on that fateful day.
The twist carried some degree of irony as fingers began to be pointed directly at the seventeen of whom it was said that “they were in charge at the time so they should know.”
In that sense, the Americans, who were initially suspected of “holding the bodies”, will now feel exonerated. With the current pace of events it seems reasonable to assume that, in the not-too-distant future the remaining thirteen could be released on constitutional grounds or even on the basis of mercy. Lets hope they cannot turn around and sue Grenadians for “illegal imprisonment” over the years?
With all that and now ICC CWC 2007 opening just three weeks and a couple days away, the country roadside is still very bushy, agriculture in the rural areas is at an all-time low, while activities are restricted to the few practice venues.
Traffic throughout the city is already a nightmare throughout the day, particularly at the peak hours. Perhaps the RGPF’s Traffic Department has plans in place for the April 10th to 20th period, because during cricket, should an emergency occur, essential services would need to get through quickly.
Maybe our Government will see the need to have “debushing” gangs on the road, at least for the Cricket World Cup 2007?
