Attorney-at-law, Anselm Clouden has once again raised the issue of a break in the current relationship existing between Mainland Grenada and its two dependencies, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

The outspoken Clouden has accused the ruling New National Party (NNP) government of Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell of neglecting the needs of residents on the island since assuming office in mid-1995.

In a letter sent to U.N Secretary General, Kofi Annan, the lawyer is calling for the world body to intervene and preside over a referendum that seeks greater autonomy for the residents on the two sister isles.

 He is suggesting that a referendum be held in the territories in which the people of Carriacou and Petite Martinique ³would effectively be offered a choice between the autonomy and internal self government².

Following is the full text of the letter dated October 24, 2006 which Clouden sent to Kofi Annan and copied to Governor-General, Sir Daniel Williams:

Your Excellency,

I write to you in my capacity as Chairman of the Committee for Greater Autonomy for Self Determination for the people of Carriacou and Petite Martinique within the present Constitution of the State of Grenada.

Carriacou and Petite Martinique are Island dependencies of the State of Grenada separated by some twenty four (24) miles of sea from the mainland Grenada.

The people of Carriacou and Petit Martinique for the past forty (40) years, have had to endure a level of economic and political neglect that is unprecedented to the Caricom family of nations.

Unlike the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis where Nevis is considered an integral part of the federation, or Antigua and Barbuda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Carriacou and Petite Martinique enjoy no such integral or integrated status with the mainland.

Indeed, trivial as it may appear Carriacou and Petite Martinique are not inscribed on the passport of Grenada as is the case with respect to the aforesaid States. It is indeed embarrassing at times to hear members of Government refer to Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique as constituting the State of Grenada, whereas de jure there is no such State existing. It is the State of Grenada.

The infrastructure of Carriacou and Petite Martinique remains as primitive as it was prior to the Second World War. As a matter of fact, I make bold to say that the infrastructure was better and more conducive to the inhabitant during the period of colonial rule.

During that period there were light manufacturing industries in existence, such as a lime factory, cotton factory, a thriving boat building industry, to mention a few. Carriacou and Petite Martinique economically and socially are now at the level of Anguilla prior to its separation from the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.

All the economic and social ills that were prevalent then are manifest in Carriacou. The same objective conditions that hitherto prevailed in Anguilla prior to its declaration now prevail in Carriacou. There is no longer in existence in Grenada the independence of the judiciary. Since the coming into office of the New National Party administration, there has been a marked erosion of the Rule of Law.

In recent years, Judges are being sued by Public Officers, resulting in direct interference by the Executive in the due administration of justice, resulting in judges being transferred from Grenada to other islands.

The people of Carriacou and Petite Martinique are fearful that Grenada is rapidly descending into dictatorship which is likely to result in a repeat of its historical past. The people of Carriacou and Petite Martinique wish to live in a democratic State, under the Rule of Law in a climate of peace order and good government.

For instance, there is no proper air service between the mainland and Carriacou. The airstrip in Carriacou is unsafe for day landing let alone night landing. The Airstrip is in a dilapidated condition. The shuttle service by sea from the mainland to Carriacou and Petite Martinique is done by a private entrepreneur and without government assistance or concessions.

Visitors and natives, must stand in the blazing sun or pouring rain in order to board the Osprey Shuttle to Carriacou and Petite Martinique. The Port Authority has made no convenience to shelter passengers wishing to visit the mainland. The lack of facility for travelers deters visitors from traveling to Carriacou. The Princess Royal Hospital is in a dilapidated state and when it rains patients must be wheeled from one room to another to avoid getting soaked by the deluge.

There is no x-ray machine or proper medical necessities at the hospital. The so-called maternity ward at the Princess Royal Hospital is non-functional. The livelihood of the people depends on the smuggling trade which is peculiar to Carriacou and has become a way of life to our people.

The Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) would have no positive economic impact on the lives of our people save and except foreigners would have a freehand in speculating with our limited land area.

This is so because the NNP administration of Prime Minister Keith Mitchell has no agricultural or land use policy for Carriacou and Petite Martinique and therefore acquiescence with foreign purchasers will be virtually certain.

In the circumstances, the Committee for the advancement of the people of Carriacou and Petite Martinique strongly propose that a referendum should be held in the territories in which the people of Carriacou and Petite Martinique would effectively be offered a choice between the autonomy and internal self government.

The New National Party Government of Prime Minister Keith Mitchell has deliberately neglected the development of Carriacou and Petite Martinique as an integral part of the development of Grenada.

The people of Carriacou and Petite Martinique therefore invite the Secretary General of the Caricom and entrust in you in conjunction with other regional and international organisations and in particular the United Nations, the organising and conducting of a popular consultation in order to ascertain whether the people of Carriacou and Petite Martinique accept or reject autonomy and/or internal self government for Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

Whatever the outcome of the popular consultation, Caricom would have an oversight role during the transition period pending the implementation of the decision of the people of Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to you His Excellency the assurances of my highest consideration and esteem.

Yours Truly
Anselm B. Clouden