Comments on: Tobago’s Internal-Self Governance — No Façade Structure

By: Herbert Garvin

Herbert Garvin — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:15:27 +0000

When the battle for internal self government for Tobago heated up, one of the reasons proffered even by the likes of A.N.R. Robinson was that Trinidadians did not like Tobagonians, a we and them scenario.

If one follows the logic now postulated in the new attempts at internal self government, the kinds of conditions demanded–recognizing territorial waters/airspace, residential qualifications, titles of THA officials et al–they all point to secession rather than internal self government.

Prior to the discovery of oil and natural gas around Tobago, those deposits from Trinidad supported Tobago. Suddenly now oil and natural gas deposits around Tobago ‘belong’ to Tobago. Share Trinidad own, but allyuh own is allyuh own.

Quite frankly some of the demands in the name of internal self government are quite excessive: the proximity of these islands cose to each other and comprising of one territory makes any claim for territorial sea etc ridiculous to say the least.

By: Trini

Trini — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 16:28:14 +0000

Dear Audley
“Sovereign right and dignity as a people” Tell me Mr. Graham which Caribbean Island is Sovereign? The sovereignty of Nations is a thing of the Past. Show me a nation that is not entangled in the this World Bank or IMF policies, drowning in Debts… yet we talking about sovereignty!!!
What about Self Determination? Do we determine our selves, or is this just another fluke in the game.Colonialism and Imperialism is so strong within us, we don’t know we are still being controlled in another guise.
Tell me a little about Tobago’s Industrial Sector?
Agricultural Sector? Exports?
What rights? When we cannot carry out our own Laws.
We are being fooled with this word: Caricom, this grand scheme by the Super Powers thinking it enhance self determinism.
I wish we had dignity as a people, but elaborate here:Americanism, Imperialism and Globalism, do we think Tobago or any other Island can stand apart from this?….
Peace

By: Audley Graham

Audley Graham — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 20:41:36 +0000

Dear Trini
Your myopic and parochial view is definitely obscuring your vision. You are reverting to the outdated and discredited issue of secession of the 1970s. Tobagonians are not talking about seceding. That argument is long over. Today we are merely exercising our right to self determination. Consider for a moment, If the small LDCs of the caribbean or countries such as East Timor or others such as Angola and Mozambique lived in fear of the future, they all would continue to struggle under the weight of colonialism and imperialism. Currently, the Falkland Islands is preparing to vote on their right to self determination and not unlike Tobago, they have significant reserve of oil and gas within their maritime boundaries.
You need to abandon your antequated and petty imperialist viewpoints and recognise that self determination is about exercising our sovereign right and dignity as a people.

By: Trini

Trini — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 13:18:22 +0000

Do we think by creating a deep water Harbor and upgrading the Airport can make and Island stand on its own? Where was the THA budget coming from all these years?
Tourism, International Flights, Resorts, this sounds great, but what about when Natural disasters strike,what about resources-where would this be coming from? Natural gas, Oil, And most of the basics, What would Tobago imports and exports be?
Being separated from Mother land Trinidad would be ultimate self-suicide to the Max! What about all them Trini’s who gone there, realize they want to come back home? Is there sustainable enterprises in operation to keep the Revenue going?
If Tobago would be getting Statehood or nation Status, Palestinian are entitled to the same.
Afghanistan is the poorest and most illiterate place in the world, yet the super powers are contending for it.$$$ Billions are being invested here, but do we question what is the paybacks?
If Tobago feel like breaking away and standing on her own, no probs, but the Question would re-main- What is the Paybacks? Politicians or is it Big Business after this move?