DEFENDING THE TOURISM INDUSTRY

THE MAIN PILLAR OF OUR ECONOMY

LOCALIZATION: - MYTH OR A REAL BELIEF OF THE GOVERNMENT?
The Ministry of Employment is set to ensure that jobs in the hotels are protected for Seychellois. It sounds like a good and patriotic statement, but the whole procedure being employed is baseless and borders on a joke. It is even an insult to the Seychellois People, the talk at Pirates Arms echoes.

A hotel may be refused the employment of a security guard or a chambermaid because a Seychellois can do that job. Yes they can, but they can also be a Marketing Manager at Air Seychelles, an Accounts Manager at Air Seychelles, a Paris Based Representative at Air Seychelles or a Business Development Manager based in Paris. These Managerial positions are what we should be aiming to have Seychellois occupy. Let foreigners do the menial jobs, but let us be a proud nation managing the workforce of foreigner laborers. We surely have it all upside down. Jocelyne Bonnal at Air Seychelles can have over one hundred local applicants who can do so much better than her. The same applies for all those in the Air Seychelles office in Paris. Let the management staff at HQ Air Seychelles take a promotion and manage the Paris office. Six foreigners exist at that office, let us give them their due notice and send six Seychellois to replace them.

As for the CEO Rajiv, let us advertise the post and see how many will apply for that position even for half his salary if the 10000.00 US Dollars per month is deemed too much for a Seychellois! But give the Seychellois team just a few months and then see the difference at Air Seychelles. Staff morale, the bottom line, loyalty to Seychelles to fill up local rooms and not those in Mauritius - all these will change overnight. We only need the will to force the issue through. Please let us stop trying to localize the simple and menial jobs. We are a willing and able people and we need to see the management positions earmarked for Seychellois.

We need to see some concrete plans from Minister Mondon herself on how the government is planning to localize all these posts mentioned above. Right now, there is only lip service being paid to this issue and we need some decisive action. Is that asking too much from government?

LAND MUST BRING RETURNS FOR SEYCHELLES

Many will recall what Albert Rene and the SPPF Government had to say on the issue of land back in the days of one party state … "Many people who own land have no interest in planting - most people who wish to plant have no land. Government will pass a law which will make it compulsory to declare what development he is carrying out on his land, what plans he had to develop his land and how many acres he is capable of developing. Everyone will be given six months to make this declaration.... If the landowner refuses to develop his land the Government will take over what is not being developed and will redistribute to other people who do not have land... The landowners will be compensated according to the revenue accruing from that land at the time of transfer".


With the arrival of a more liberal economy, government has gone the opposite direction. It has adopted a careless attitude towards the availability of land for sustainable development. Today we have flats left idle and two flats owned by the same person at Eden Island. We learn that Minister Joel Morgan has set aside land for his wife to build flats on state land to rent out and generate personal wealth – at the expense of his fellow Seychellois who are struggling to find decent shelter. We have once productive land, such as Fairyland, Anse Cocos, ex-Choppy's, Therese Island, Conception, Cote D'Or Dauban land, etc… being left idle. No revenue for the country from these vast land tracts, but a culture of speculation. Everyone in the country is upset with such a practice. What is our ‘responsible’ government going to be done about it? People still have no land to cultivate. Yet many have blocks of apartments. Many still do not have a flat, let alone a house... That promise from the Government dates back to 1977... “Judge me by my action”...

ILLEGAL ACCOMMODATION ESTABLISHMENTS

This phenomenon is now becoming a cancer for the local hotels and guest houses. They do not pay a license, they do not pay GST and they benefit on all the marketing efforts being made by the country. What does the law have to say about this? What is the STB doing about this? Can Mr. Peter Moncherry and his team show that they are working in the interest of the legal tourism establishments that pay their taxes to keep them in their jobs? Why do we expect the small Seychellois guesthouses to pay for everything when illegal accommodation is allowed to flourish everywhere? We can now count the apartments at Eden Island that are doubling up as a hotel. The Desroches Villas are being sold without a license. There are today over three hundred rooms being rented out with NO LICENSE. Is that acceptable? This sad state of affairs is a clear signal that the Government has failed its small entrepreneurs. It is now getting VERY SERIOUS! The Judiciary, the Attorney General, Finance and STB must sit together and move fast to halt this growing cancer, if not dismantle the inspectors office at STB as they are of no use as their only mission seems to be the harassment of bona fide small Seychellois hoteliers.

BREAKING NEWS

Soldiers are 'trading in illegal arms'

Army probing claim that officers bought weapons on black market

By Tom Prendeville
Sunday June 13 2010


A Defence Forces investigation is under way into claims that serving officers were involved in buying illegal weapons in another country.

It is understood that the inquiry into the allegations is being carried out by military police investigators and concerns a small number of serving army officers.
The probe has been going on for several weeks, but the Sunday Independent has learned that so far it has not stood up the claims.
News of the investigation only came to light in the Dail last Wednesday.
A brief written reply by Defence Minister Tony Killeen confirmed the move but did not give any details.

He had been asked by Sinn Fein's Martin Ferris for his views on reports that serving officers in the Defence Forces have been implicated in buying illegal arms, and if he would make a statement on the matter.

Mr Killeen replied: "I am advised by the military authorities that they are conducting an investigation into the matters referred to by the deputy.
"In these circumstances it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the matter until this investigation has been concluded."

Yesterday, Mr Killeen declined to elaborate on his statement , saying it still stood.
 The Dail was not told the nature of the allegations. However, it is understood that they centre on claims by Clare businessman Gerry Walshe, who is a constituent of Mr Killeen, that Irish Army officers were involved in purchasing arms on the black market in South Africa for a group operating in the Seychelles.

The businessman, who is an electrical contractor with a background in security, claims he came upon the evidence from an Irish-based security contractor. The claims come amid growing Irish involvement in the Seychelles.


Former Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald, who has been a consultant to the Seychelles on three occasions, recently recounted how the country had turned to Ireland for assistance. He said public servants were being trained by the Institute of Public Administration, and former Irish Navy and Army officers were advising the country on dealing with Somali pirates.

Mr Walshe, who has set up anti-corruption website Spirit of Truth, said he had written to Mr Killeen to look into his accusations, as well as Justice Minister Dermot Ahern and the gardai.

"There is no evidence of a real inquiry," said Mr Walshe, who plans to have the issue raised in the Seanad and said that he had also seen evidence of bank payments and weapons manifests.

Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins also wrote to Mr Killeen about the claims, saying he was concerned that Irish Army personnel and equipment had been used in private security operations abroad.



Tom Prendeville
Sunday Independent
THANK-YOU JAMES MICHEL FOR DRAGGING OUR COUNTRY'S NAME INTO DISREPUTE. YOU ARE BEING JUDGED BY YOUR ACTIONS...
NOW WE HAVE A CLEARER PICTURE OF DR. FITZGERALD'S PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT IN PROPPING UP MICHEL'S REGIME AND PERSONAL ENDORSEMENT OF HIS BOOK OF SPEECHES. THE IRISH LEECHES ARE SERVING THEIR PURPOSE AND ARE FLEECING MICHEL AND HIS BUNCH OF PUNCH DRUNK IRISH ADMIRERS!!!

The Seychelles Column - By Christopher Gill

Time To Clear The Air, Separate Fact From Fabrication (PP Style)

At the beginning of the year 2010, I wrote the first article on “Sesel Pou Seselwa” and we set the course for a political sail that was bound to take us through turbulent seas of political attacks.
 As the ideology of “Sesel Pou Seselwa” has begun to intellectually challenge everyone’s imagination and perception of their realities, there have been many who have felt disenfranchised by the ideology MSR is advocating as a course of action and a way forward for the People of Seychelles. Many have felt empowered as well.
 Some have attacked, counter attacked in debates. Caveats have been raised and we have listened. Others have attacked senselessly in vain, imploring the senseless, sublime, and even the ridiculous, in an attempt to derail the MSR ideology and prevent MSR from even forming as a political party in Seychelles.
 The resources of State House have been engaged. Plants have been engaged, spies have turned up and been turned down, agents living overseas, have been employed to stir confusion in regards to the “Sesel Pou Seselwa” Creed.

In meetings, my words have been recorded in hope of finding a weakness to the whole campaign. There is no weakness. “Sesel Pou Seselwa” is as strong the granite boulders of Seychelles. Sesel Pou Seselwa is the power of our people. PP knows it. Rene knows it! Michel is worried over it!

In this brew of confusion, a number of Facebook pages have been created, and a number of fake profiles have been created, to attack the advocates of “Sesel Pou Seselwa”. To every action, there is usually an equal and opposite reaction.

In the defence of “Sesel Pou Seselwa” and the confusion intentionally created by those who are bankrupt of ideas, the ideology has remained unscathed and unchanged.
 I will clear the air and address issues that remain on the confusion list once and for all.


1. We Are Pro Seselwa Rasin

First and foremost, “Seychelles is for Seychellois”.

This is the founding principle of the Republic of Seychelles set out on June 29th, 1976.

Over the years, SPPF has forgotten this founding principle. MSR’s job today, is to make it the centre stage of all development in Seychelles. We cannot advance as a Nation today, if Seselwa Rasin become displaced in the process. “Sesel Pou Seselwa” must claim its rightful place in the national psyche of all who call Seychelles their home, or call Seychelles a friend.

2. We are Pro Foreign Investment, we are not anti foreigner investment
How do the fabricators of this lie and misrepresentation think Seychelles will advance without foreign investments? Under MSR, we will welcome foreign investment, but it will have to be planned, and rules and regulations will have to be followed by investors.
 Seychelles cannot be a cake on offer for anyone to come up to her and just carve her up as they wish and not respect our laws.

By a Government not respecting their own laws does not mean we in MSR will pardon fraud, misrepresentation in transaction. We will not and we will hold everyone accountable for criminal deals.

Investors in Seychelles must follow the law, dot the ‘i’s & cross the ‘t’s and keep the investment clean. Pay your fair share in taxes; do not devise schemes to avoid taxes as we have seen with Sheik Khalifa and others recently. This type of under the table dealings Seychelles does not need. Deal above board and pay your way, do not pay a little here and there after the fact.

If you are an honest investor, MSR welcomes you to Seychelles; if you are not and have shady deals going on with public officials, MSR will deal with that like any new government would in any country.
 3. Our Citizenship Is Not For Sale

The SPPF have on a wholesale basis sold passports to Fabrike citizens over the years. We in MSR say clearly, our passport is not for sale. No deals for passport sales will be tolerated in an MSR Government. No deals to buy a passport by any foreigner with the SPPF government will be tolerated by an MSR government.
 Our position is clear and has been muddled by opponents of change. In the case of false purchased passports, we will cancel them, not renew them, and we will seek out properties and investments made under false passports and cancel the transactions. If the transactions involve government of Seychelles land that belonged to the People of Seychelles, we will use Rene’s Land Acquisition Act to acquire the same properties and vest them back to the People of Seychelles.
 If a person has not purchased a passport, he/she will not be affected by such action.

One thing is clear, the days of buying and selling passports will now end.



4. Naturalization
Every Country has naturalization laws. MSR government will amend the existing laws. Residency we believe must be increased from 5 years to 10 years. A spouse married to a Seselwa Rasin can qualify for residency and then citizenship. This is normal in any society.

5. Humanitarian Grounds For Citizenship

MSR has said countless times that an amendment in the naturalization laws need to be amended to allow for humanitarian grounds citizenship. This can be applicable in bona fide humanitarian reasons to grant citizenship.
 6. We are not Racists

There has been a systematic attempt by SPPF/PP to paint MSR as a Racists right wing grouping. We are not Racists and are not right wing either. MSR is made up of an array of individuals of many different races. What brings us all together is the common bond of being Seselwa Rasin and sensing an urgent need to set the course of our country back on course.

We have drifted off course; the time has come to set us back on course.

Mon Fes Y Grate Facebook has spouted us as being Nazi. We are not Nazi. We hate no one, kill no one. In some states of the United States, it is a crime to accuse someone of being a Nazi if they are not.
 We in MSR are interested in protecting our country and our people who are being displaced in one generation by JJ Spirit and Rene. We hate no one and we have only love in our hearts for Seychelles. That this love should offend anyone bewilders us all Seselwa Rasin.
 The effort of “Mon Fes Y Grate” and Miss Pauline Ferrari the self confessed on STAR BLOG, designer of Zomn Lib, in conjunction with PP JJ Spirit have joined to paint a false impression that we are racist- is a failed attempt to stop us in our tracks.
 No one has believed them; we have not been deterred nor feathered by their comedic attempts at destroying MSR and the MSR Creed.
 Recently we have learned that Miss Pauline Ferrari is now Honorary Vice Consul for the Republic of Seychelles, in France. This means she is not just involved in Human Rights as a hobby; she is an actual employee agent of James Michel, head of JJ Spirit. You cannot get more twisted and more confused than that.
 This explains why she has been fomenting chaos and foaming over the MSR Creed. We have made it impossible for her to entice shady people to Seychelles and partake in the sale of passport schemes that has been in play for years now - dating before Kumar De bankrolled $3 million and made for the hills of the Himalayas.
 This explains why often these days she blurbs JJ Spirit phrases in her futile defence.

MSR holds no ideological position on any political spectrum. We are neither right, left, centre for any period of permanence.
 As Seychelles requires a particular ideology, MSR will shift to it to meet the needs of Seselwa Rasin. We in MSR are smart enough to know Seychelles problems are complex enough to require great versatility to overcome the failures of SPPF and PP. We will think out of the box, and not just be Jack out of a box.
 The ideology Seychelles needs today is Nationalism- Centre-Left, to restore Seselwa Rasin as the rightful people of the Seychelles. It is our land and our country, our home, not anyone else’s. All those that come, must respect that this is a non-negotiable premise. We Seselwa Rasin are the people of Seychelles. Not PP or any other fakes PP imports.
 Once Seselwa Rasin are respected in Seychelles, and they can claim their rightful place in their country, we will shift the political spectrum positioning further right and more pro business and development to best cater for growth and prosperity for all its rightful citizens. We will have to rehabilitate a significant portion of the population and re-educate many. Thirty-four (34) years of communism has taken its toll on us as a people and Seychelles as a society and a micro state.
 For example, today, we need a moratorium on large developments until such time as we have enough sewage treatment, enough water storage, enough roads, enough electricity, enough airplane taxi and parking space, to cope with development that has been approved but cannot be digested. The La Misere fiasco is a perfect example of unfettered approvals being given without any foresight. Now 1,200 residents suffer from an event that could have been avoided. 2,700 Indian workers living next to Eden Island without an increase in sewage capacity will cause the Victoria Sewage Project to burst and over flow into the street. Pumping the human excrement out to sea will be worse; since it will all come back in fish we consume or make its way on to our beaches.
 7. Fabrike Stay Out of Our Politics

The fake Seychellois, who have been in favour with SPPF in the past and PP now have been told. You are not Seselwa Rasin - the native people of our land. SPPF have made you citizens to tip the ballot box in their favour. We ask you not to involve yourselves in our politics and our affairs. If Fabrikes like Dr. Ramadoss ignore our request, we will cancel their citizenship and deport him when MSR comes to power.
 If a Fabrike is not involved in our politics, they are free to invest and run their businesses in Seychelles. We will respect them as they respect us and our citizenship. Those Fabrikes that respect Seselwa Rasin rights can apply under humanitarian grounds or naturalization if applicable, for Seselwa Rasin status when MSR comes to power.
 Our right to protect our interests is our own fundamental right recognized under the United Nations Charter Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We became a People on June 29th, 1976, in case you forgot PP. Before that we were subjects of the Crown, in case you forgot.
 Our Right to control Immigration is a fundamental national right exercised in all countries. Today in England, France, United States, stricter Immigration laws are being put in place.



Hence the confusion sown by many on this matter has been just that, confusion to foment discourse and ridicule a real threat to the PP status quo.
 I will say this to them: we expected it, and predicted it, every step of the way. We have been delighted to have obliged in exposing you PP for what you are.
 Any one that knows me or other MSR leaders will know that we are pro business and sensitive to the needs of business and the functionality of positive business climate. But everyone must play by the rules in business. Seychelles will no longer be an exception to this. Ask Eden Island, a big project trying to find its way in a micro state conditions and environment.
 Following the rules will make our business community and market more fluid and benefit everyone. When one group cheats to get ahead, then another cheats to stay ahead, we end up with a micro corrupted state, as is the case today. With that, each generation will get poorer and poorer while they are called to work harder and harder, for less and less, as is the case today. ADB confirms (the new minister Peter Sinon will confirm – his former employer’s reports will attest) that we are getting poorer and poorer by the day.
 8. Parliamentary System Best For Seychelles Today

We need a better fluid system of governmental administration, wherein a parliamentary system is put in place in Seychelles, to foster greater debate and shared ministries. The current failed regime of PP does not have sufficient manpower to run the country at managerial levels. A system must be put in place to allow the best Seselwa Rasin minds to contribute to Seychelles. This can be part time or full time. With the computer age, a part time capable worker can do the work of three or five full time managers only 5 years ago. We do not seek dictatorship as State House and Honourable Consul to State House, Pauline Ferrari have insinuated to foment confusion.
 9. Foreign Workers must Not Run Our Government

MSR believes that there are sufficient qualified capable Seselwa Rasin to run the government of Seychelles. We do not need tax agents from Australia, or Ghurkhas, or Irish Police with no Police training. Seychellois can do these jobs. If they cannot, it is an indictment on the current government PP.
 It is MSR Creed position that no foreigner will occupy any post in defence and policing in the Republic or any managerial position of the government of Seychelles.
 No foreigner or Fabrike shall assume the post of President or Prime Minister or run any ministry. If that happens, it will be a call to revolution of MSR to deliberate to reclaim our country.
 10. Foreigners in Private Sector

MSR makes no statement on this issue because we know it is a serious issue that affects the Nations bottom line. All Seselwa must compete in the private sector to make it efficient and prosperous for the Nation.

Seselwa Rasin must be given reasonable priority for employment in the private sector, but failing to meet the challenge, any company must be allowed to import the labour it needs to get the job done and remain viable in the competitive market place. Businesses make decisions that are good for the market and industry, because the decisions are good for each business. When a bad decision is made, they will suffer.
 Let me be clear, under no circumstances must imported labour under GOP be given citizenship unless they qualify for it under one of the MSR exceptions. Marriage, humanitarian grounds, etc...
 Unity of The Opposition

MSR has pleaded for a united opposition as myself personally for years. However, in the Opposition, we are faced with many enlarged egos and many have become rich over night, and believe they are beyond answering questions put by the Public.
 It is for this reason MSR asserts itself and asserts its principles. For today the Opposition hangs on a string, but for STAR, Lavwa –Seychelles, MSR, and Weekly. The sooner the string strengthens in unity of purpose, the better off our country will be.
 While SNP and Regar have done a good job in the past, over the last five (5) years they have become dormant and unproductive. They admit that themselves in private, but in public, their version of unity is running the same candidate 5 times and placing a little blue shadow under their party logo.
 Sorry SNP, I have listened very carefully to you, but Seychelles problems are much more serious than your response and electoral proposal in 2010 and 2011. If you are not serious, you will lose anyways. So we better find another option that can win.
 The time for change is now, the time for unity of purpose is now. Hence my recent call to SNP to lead, follow or get out of the way. If they are out of ideas, we are not, we are full of ideas. If you are tired then they should retire and rest.
 SNP with SPPF have earned their salary and taken an unwarranted retirement which together which amounts to over Scr. 130 Million for the next 40 years. How will we pay for that? I bet they did not even count it all up.

SNP has become the loyal opposition to PP. What more do they want? Our blood? Enough is enough. When I asked Mr.Ramkalwan to give back the raise of 38% in a private meeting last year as a condition for my full support, he ignored my request.
 I believe this will clear up many issues some people are genuinely confused about. But I know for some, the issues will never be clear, because it will upset them to wake up to a new Seychelles, wherein Seselwa Rasin are again masters in their own country as they were June 29th, 1976.



“Sesel Pou Seselwa”!

May God Bless All Freedom Loving Seychellois!

Seychelles Comedy - State House Anytime Now

Made in India, hail to the coup & shuffling the pack

The Seychelles president is on a high! He did all the right moves in all the right places. He even danced to the ‘Made in India’ tune to the amazement of his press secretary! Well, all the good fun frolicking overseas has to come to an end. The campaigning has started early and we need to use every opportunity to rub salt in the wounds caused by the ‘Iron Man’. Well first we need a makeover. Time to reshuffle the pack yet again...
JenPa: Welcome back my good Sir. This humble abode has been dull and monotonous without your presence. It breaks my heart to think that I will no longer be part of this setup. I have been quietly paying my respects to Queau by his tomb and my wish has been granted. I can see that he has visited you in your dreams. My heartfelt thanks for your enlightened decision to make me head of the Maison Queau de Quincy. Not bad for a guy who started out there as a protocol officer huh? I hope I get to keep the hats on the boards. Now good old Pat will have to answer to me! I have served well under your wings and this is the best birthday present I could ever imagine...

Mr. President: You have been the most faithful servant my boy. Your meteoric rise has been unprecedented. I have this Midas touch of making dreams come true. Barry Boy will not be too happy as he was aspiring to fill in Pillay’s shoes. But I will comfort him by bringing him to sit on my lap. He now has a tough act to follow. You have set the benchmark as SOS and he will have to use all his diplomatic immunity experience. I now have the two brothers in arms by my side.

JenPa: Very good Sir! But we will have to reinvent ourselves again. Jj Spirit is now irrelevant. We now have the JD ticket for 2011. That’s a powerful spirit indeed. A Jack Daniels Seychelles style! Perfect way to another ‘metamorfoz’! The spirit mode will always be with you boss. If you run out of JD then you can opt for J&B. You are really bleeding the young guns. Meriton merits to be designated. He has served well and is the main man of the grassroots. He is planning the biggest party at next year’s IOG.

Mr. President: Yeah... I am desperate for a makeover JP. Thanks to your vision for a more modern and cutting edge dynamism I will empower the young guns. I need the youth behind me. The spirit is gathering momentum. We cannot bank on an aging team. We need to know when to retire the veterans. I am still young at heart with my beautiful first lady, lovely secretary, gorgeous Liz and the thousands of secret admirers on Facebook. Zot, rann mwan mon ventan!

JenPa: Incidentally, we are losing the battle on that front Sir. We tried to wreak havoc with some fake profiles to divert the attention and take on the ‘truthsayers’. Unfortunately things have backfired and all the skeletons have come out of the closet. Pauline has had another mishap and has allowed herself to be crucified. The cat is now out of the bag on her purloin for the media report. She has now earned the title of Mata Hari Ferrari. Cute huh?

Mr. President: Well she has also been rewarded for her covert cyber operations. She will now be closer to you in her capacity of Vice Consul in Paris and will be your private escort to the Elysee Palace. She is still a cutie and I am sure Sarko will eye her up.

JenPa: Bon revenons à nos moutons... You scored some major points on your passage to India. Your visit to the Gandhi memorial shows kudos. You look so stately in all those pictures but your first lady was conspicuously absent. I know you had several lovely ladies in attendance but we failed to gloss on the protocol and you need to be a better role model of a solid first couple. I am happy to note that Ramadoss was well hidden away this time around. The Indians do know how to host, with these lavish banquets in your honor.

Mr. President: Yeah. It’s great to be treated as a real friend. The little lady president laid out the red carpet at Rashtrapati Bhawan. I was wooed by FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM, TERI and TATA. They all wanted a piece of me and I have invited them to partake in our economic diplomatic conspiracy. They already have Ramadoss and Siva as their role models.

JenPa: Good stuff. I will do a follow up visit soon in my capacity as MOFA. I am flattered to be called a minister. So let’s run down the checklist –

• 45% of our debt written off and the rest rescheduled over 20 years. That’s $1.375 million! Your new VP will give you a big bear hug for that!

• TERI to share their knowledge on all environment fronts. Rolf will be in his element.

• More valuable assistance with teachers and scholarships. MacSuzy makes a soft landing at MOE.

• Foreign direct investments, fibre optic cable, TATA regional IT centre – Wow, what a way to usher in Ton Peter!

• Full support for the war on piracy. Hmm Jomo takes on the Slumdog Millionaire role at Home Affairs!

• A bright future partnership in commerce and trade – OMG Ramadoss has hit the jackpot! The empire will grow by meteoric proportions…

Mr. President: Yes, our casino man was the entrepreneur in chief of this mission. He does have some business acumen when he rambles on in Hindi. He has secured several deals and our coffers have been filled to the brim. We are ready for the next battle at the polls. The rally to mark our coup d’état was well attended and the red tide is back to engulf those little minions who think they can unseat this regime. Over my dead body!

JenPa: Indeed Sir. With resilience and determination we have known an unprecedented transformation which is now bearing fruits. It is a great idea to add technology to Danny Boy’s portfolio. He will bring his militant ardour to this domain and we need to get him on Facebook.

Mr. President: Yes. We are a formidable team who is responsible, resilient and realistic.

JenPa: Indeed Sir. I have another milestone to add to my CV. The youngest minister ever! That will surely get me another 500 friends on FB. I can now plan for my assent to the throne. I will be back in this famous abode. My stint at the Maison Queau is the best proving ground. I am glad that you have taken on the portfolio for tourism. You can now ensure that we fly to Lebanon, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai. We should not be held hostage by the Icelandic ash cloud anymore.

Mr. President: Indeed my man! The Sheik really appreciated the detour we did to further discuss the UAE military’s involvement in our islands. His Highness security is of paramount importance and he needs all the protection and diplomatic immunity.

JenPa: I am amazed at how you can handle all these diplomatic shenanigans. You were on cue to welcome the Sheik’s delegation on arrival at the airport. Talk about the mountain coming to Mohammed! Or is it the other way around? You have really put Seychelles on the world map with all these Arab palaces. I have several VIP files that I have to handle as soon as I move into my new ministerial function. With Prince Talal and Sheik Khalifa having their ‘rasin’ now well implanted, we are being courted by Sultans, Chiefs and Maharajahs...

Mr. President: I am so glad to have this new mindset flourishing within my administration. You now need to work on your last masterstroke before you sail into the diplomatic sunset. I need to be seen shaking hands in the company of Zuma and Mandela. Please ensure that I have my own ‘vuvuzela’ to make some noise and cheer on the world cup pretenders.

JenPa: Not a problem Sir. We have pulled all the stops and your team of cheerleaders have dusted their skimpy outfits and ready to rumble...

Mr. President: Go Brazil... Samba time!

The World Cup fever bug has stung the chief and he is in his best sporty mood. Now that he has shuffled the musical chairs yet again, he expects his new team of goal keepers to hold the opposition strikers at bay. We need to take extra care ‘cause the Jabulani can take some wicked deflections....

PP Fighting Hard To Justify Arabs In Seychelles

Recently, the People rag ran an article headline titled:”Nou Napa Problenm Ek Arab”, May 28th, 2010.

The article highlighted the benefits of truck drivers for Sheik Khalifa’s illegal construction company that is building what appears to be his house at La Misere.

The article claims drivers make between Scr. 50,000.00 to Scr. 80,000.00 per month after they pay their bills. The People infer that this justifies the presence of Arabs in Seychelles. They mention that the Morin Brothers make over Scr.100, 000.00 in revenue on contracting heavy equipment services to the illegal contractor, ASCON. The point of the People rag is this: “Arabs pay us for services, so we should be happy with them.”
 The point is not that Arabs pay us well and we should be happy with them. People –rag misses the point. We want anyone coming to Seychelles to pay us well. Arabs must not be the exception. It is not enough to pay for truck and heavy equipment services. They must pay Fair Market Value for property if they buy it. In the case of Government land, tender procedures must be followed. In the case of entry of all goods, all taxes must be paid.

The fact that PP has given special favours to Arabs and treats them with special privileges like duty free concessions when our own people have to pay high duties, the rag-tag paper is silent. They are silent because they are just attempting to mop up the mess after the biggest sell out in our history to Arabs.

Lining up a few truck drivers for a People interview will not bring back La Misere deal for Scr. 1.00 or the 60 other plots sold under value to Sheik Khalifa. It will not bank the $200Million in evaded taxes from the same person either. Nor will the article stop the “Sell Baby Sell”, economic posture James Michel has brought upon us as a people.

People of Seychelles, drop SPPF and PP, they are selling our country and they are making Seychellois third class citizens in our own country.

Finally I have one question for the PP people: where are the criminal charges for La Misere fiasco and where are the criminal charges on ASCON directors for operating without a license as a Contractor?

You did not forget that, did you?

Nation Contributor Rubbishes About Defending “Sell Baby Sell”

This week Nation does the same glassing over job in an article contributed as the People did the week before.

In this article, the contributor from State House apparently, says: “Thanks to them (Arabs) there is plenty of money in Seychellois pockets”.

The writer says the economic impact of the projects is undeniable citing: Hospital Diagnostic Scanner Centre at Victoria Hospital, Barbarons electricity upgrade and La Misere road upgrade. The diagnostic centre is being built by a Chinese company using Chinese labour! Secondly, if PP had invested in our healthcare system after all those years, we could have built state of the art hospitals as well as a Radiology Centre. Instead, we have to beg funds from the Arabs in order to have anything done. The diagnostic centre is for Sheik Khalifa in case he has an emergency while residing here.
 The Barbarons electricity upgrade is for his own use as the extra load upgrade will be used for his buildings. The investment in electricity and water for Barbarons and La Misere are also not gifts from the Arabs. They are investing because THEY need the power and water as well to run their huge buildings and infrastructure that will house hundreds of servants (note most of them from overseas and very few Seychellois will be hired)!

The La Misere road, well, he broke it so it is acceptable that he fix it. PP calls these investments. I call it a farce.

Read a little deeper into the suggestion of the contributor, and we will see, that the diagnostic centre is being built by another foreign contractor. PP is silent on that, while Seychellois contractors are sidelined. The Architectural and Engineering designs are done overseas and not locally. Workers to build the palaces are imported and their pay checks are exported. In many cases, no GOP fees are paid. No taxes levied, to the extent of $200 Million we are told.

Is This Dr. Rolf ?

The writer suggests that without Arabs, Seychelles would be in doldrums. Sounds like Dr. Rolf Payet’s kind of thinking. Guess what Dr. Rolf (Who knows all), “we are in the doldrums in spite of the Arabs”, which Dr. Mark Jeyasingh would say is a derogatory term. I suppose that would make Dr. Rolf a Nazi if he wrote that little piece, according to Dr. Mark Jeyasingh. Better join “Mon Fes Y Grate”, if it is you Dr. Rolf, sloshing about with a pen.
The false assertions made in Nation by Contributor, alludes to the intellectual bankruptcy of the PP. They are finished. As they implement the “Sell Baby Sell” economic program, they have to sell it to us as a success and fake the success.

The Numbers Do Not Add Up

The Scr. 515 Million Abu Dhabi invests in Seychelles is tax free. With taxes being paid you would not be touting Scr. 515 Million morons, but instead: Scr. 2 Billion. Do you notice the difference PP? The difference represents what you stole under the table with UAE, from the People of Seychelles, not including the Scr. 1.00 land deals you have registered and 20 unpaid tax bills for BMW X5 & X3 series.

This National Day PP, behind Dr. Ramadoss marching in a straight line with a sunflower in hand, why don’t you add 100 Arabs marching in robes behind him, to symbolize the “Sell Baby Sell” economic program Dr. Rolf is likely promoting, since he sits in his office at State House, most of the day adding the number of projects ongoing to make the Mister Sheik Khalifa man comfortable in paradise.

I have news for you PP:


“Sesel Pou Seselwa”!!


Get use to it....... you bunch of thieves and sell outs!


May God Bless All Freedom Loving Seychellois!

Christopher Gill - A proud Seselwa

EYEWITNESS NEWS

PAULINE FERRARI MAKES THE GRADE
According to her favourite publication, the Indian Ocean Newsletter, she finally gets the glory for having supported her paymasters arduously, despite being lambasted by the ruling party's mouthpiece... And she is bestowed the accolade ironically on 5th June 2010.

Seychelles Cartoon

Lucky Luke Rides Again!

 The Commander of the fight on Piracy and the Head of the Prisons has called in the reinforcements! He is not about to throw in the towel and is desperate to see his mandate through as a cabinet reshuffle looms...

The Seychelles Column - By Christopher Gill

Another Day of Treason Upon The People of Seychelles

June 5th, has come again as it does every year. The PP are celebrating their first anniversary as political party, though they have been around for over 34 years. Only in Albert Rene’s brain could those numbers make sense.
To prepare for June 5th, white cloth died red have been cut and stapled to little pine sticks to hang over Maison Du Peuple. A large banner of a yellow sun has been placed on Maison Du Peuple. France Albert Rene has made it a point to spend at least Two(2) hours a day in his office. He has three identical jeeps and leaves one parked at Maison Du Peuple all day, to make the public believe he is working. He is not of course, he just makes his way each day, when he can, to the office to just make sure it is still there, and the new Commissioner of Tax is not auditing Gregoire, or Glenny Savy, or Francis Savy, Dr. Ramadoss any other business associates interests. They are not supposed to pay for the failure, we are and our children must.

June 5th is celebrated by PP and SPPF because they cannot not celebrate the feeding upon of a Nation, and the blood spilled on that day and many other days after. They must celebrate. According to Rene folklore, the day the SPPF or PP stop celebrating the 5th of June, will be the day SPPF now PP is finished. But they are finished anyways.

They will lay wreaths at the foot of Zomn Lib a metal statue, representing the day of Treason against a government in which France Albert Rene was Prime Minister. The statue was commissioned to be fabricated by France Albert Rene himself, and Mr. Ramkalawan’s father, built it to please Rene.

Rene Attempted To Kill “Sesel Pou Seselwa” on June 5th , 1977
The act of Treason on June 5th 1977 destroyed and betrayed the Nation’s founding principle of “Seychelles For Seychellois”. After that day, the existing principle became “Seychelles For France Albert Rene”. Under Michel, the new principle is “Sell Baby Sell” to pay for Rene’s failed ideas and Michel’s years of silence.

Since that dark day of June 5th, 1977, Mr. Rene has dragged our children out of Seychelles College and Regina Mundi and modern school, into NYS. Then he shut down the failed NYS himself after it failed. Rene then back tracked to allow private independent schools to be run in the country. Education in Seychelles has been turned upside down, then right side up. In public education, politics have remained an obstacle to the positive growth and development of pupils and teachers alike. Creole is still taught in schools, a language that does not have sufficient text and books to allow for proper development of our children, in order that they may compete in a competitive world. As our children graduate they have a hard time securing well paid jobs, unless they are politically bent or have no opinion about anything.

Today, Rene’s Party imports Australians, Irish, Indians, Ghurkhas to run the Government of Seychelles, much like he imported Tanzanian soldiers, North Korean soldiers in the early days after the coup to keep him afloat.
In spite of all the imports of foreign managers, keeping Rene, Michel, SPPF, now PP afloat has not been an easy task. Seychelles is officially bankrupt, and GDP has been negative to negligible since James Michel took over in 2004. We are under IMF administration for three (3) years, but perhaps 15 years.

Rene’s act of treason on June 5th, 1977,has resulted in the total bankruptcy of a Nation that enjoyed 17% GDP under the “Seychelles For Seychellois “, banner of unity government in 1976. A total failure Rene and Michel are, that is undisputed this June 5th, 2010. No wreath laying, or parade of over sized butts in red leotards will change the failure status, as sexy as they may be. 100 red flags dripping in red water as the rain falls will not make June 5th 1977 a success. It has all been a grand failure, Rene has been a grand failure, and Michel has been another grand failure. Today, they pay a pension to the person they liberated themselves from, supposedly.

“Sesel Pou Seselwa”- Not Today
While failing Seychelles, they forgot that “Seychelles is for Seychellois”. They have brained washed their SPPF-PP cadre to believe that “Sesel Pou Seselwa” today, is no longer relevant. If “Sesel Pou Seselwa “, is no longer relevant PP, what is relevant, and who is Seychelles for? Who are Seychellois on this day of Treason, June 5th, 2010? Ramadoss who scammed the Chamber of Commerce elections with stuffed proxy ballots? Siva who bought the Ambassador at large post and citizenship apparently? Krejcir who is really Jules Egbert Savy a dead man? Mr. Petersik who operates an illegal hotel establishment at Port Glaud? Mr. Vallet, a director of Constance hotel who denies us access to Anse Georgette? Who else PP?

June 5th, 1977-AKA “Sell Baby Sell”
June 5th, 1977, Rene and Michel harnessed some AK-47’s and claimed that Khashoggi was buying up Seychelles. Khashoggi paid fair market value for property and did not pay Scr. 1.00 for land. Khashoggi paid his way and did not import 20 BMW’s 5 series with Scr. 25.00 tax assessment or import $1.4 Billion in materials and evade $200 Million worth of taxes which could be enough money to settle half of Seychelles external commercial debt.

This June 5th, 2010, PP will have little reason to wiggle their ass on the main street that whores use to peddle their trade at night. James Michel has bestowed nothing but shame upon the People of Seychelles and even PP supporters are without speech as the “Sell Baby Sell” economic policy has taken form.
La Misere for Scr. 1.00, another plot for Scr. 500,000.00, Joel Morgan told us it is a gift to please Sheik Khalifa. Today we know SNP remained silent because they formed the transaction to sell La Misere to Khalifa. Further gifts for 16 plots at Barbarons to give Sheik Khalifa more space.

SNP Leadership involved in “Sell Baby Sell Deal”
We know today that the transactions for the La Misere land for Scr. 1.00, was done by SNP MNA Bernard Georges. We are perplexed by SNP’s involvement in the sale. Mr. Georges could have said, “No, I will not do this transaction”, but he did not, and instead, he did it.

Mr. Georges did not reply to any questions we pose on Star or Lavwa –Seychelles. Silence has become the norm in SNP leadership. They have become too high and too mighty to answer questions while in opposition. In power, what will they do to us for our questions, shoot us or jail us?

Example, case on point, Mr. Ramkalwan has received every article and every blog comment from Star for over one (1) year and Six (6) months. He still receives them. Lavwa-Seychelles does not bother to send him any comments, Lavwa is an MSR mouthpiece. It has little patience with mediocrity. Star is a forum for all. It allows all views to be published in the interest of fostering democratic practice and openness.

Star has about 3,000 views a week at its peak periods, reproduced in Weekly in part with 2,000 circulation, read by Three (3) people each copy, and Seychelles Column is reproduced in Seychelles e-news with likely 2,000 views a week. Lavwa-Seychelles has about 1,500 views per week.

Beware of Your Generals Who Are Decorated By Enemy
People of Seychelles, beware of your generals, who are decorated and over fed by your enemies. On this 5th day of June, beware, for our generals have been over fed by our political enemies, to the point that they write little or nothing on the 5th of June every year; they say nothing on Eden Island which potentially houses 10,000 new citizens and operates an illegal hotel pool with apartments; they say nothing on the Genocide in Rwanda these days; they plagiarize articles en bloc as a sitting opposition, and say it is ok; they break the political alliance that got them Five (5) extra seats and say the PP Courts said it was fine; they vote themselves a 35% pay hike, and 70% pension and forget about the people and side with SPPF in silence; they remain silent on an Ambassador at Large vote of a fake Seychellois, while it is alleged that they took Euro 150,000.00 for the moment of silence in the form of an abstention. The allegation is not denied, ever, but defended by some as common practice. We can do better than that, and Seychelles deserves better.

Coup Plotters-Conspirators Turn Angels
Jean Francois Ferrari and his father Dr. Maxime Ferrari were part of the day of treason of June 5th, 1977. They took up arms to seize the principle of “Seychellois For Seychellois”. This year, Jean Francois Ferrari has called in the National Assembly: “Sesel Pou Seselwa” in the State of Nation rebuttal while addressing the Sheik Khalifa scandals at La Misere. A historical shift in gear from June 5th, 1977, but welcomed indeed.
I commend him on the pronouncement. But he and SNP must go further than just talk “Sesel Pou Seselwa” today. They must adopt the Creed of MSR, because they have become a national party that is not courageous enough for Nationalism, because it might offend some foreign donors. While they have taken a soft posture on Nationalism, we Seselwa Rasin are losing our country under SNP’s watch. Their Nationalism is now sounding like National –Fan, blowing hot air about to just protect their salaries and pensions they worked so hard for like all retirees.

June 5th, 1977 Retirement Pension in December 2008
What SNP did not tell us in December 2008, is that politicians are not supposed to have a retirement pension. Exception is former Heads of State. Hence, SPPF has turned them into a career opposition. Sad but true if SNP does not act proactively now.

SNP must shed their undermining two-faced style of politics and work sincerely to unite the opposition. They must learn that debate is healthy and highly productive in a society. They must not stifle debate and then defend the act of suppression (refusal to print Weekly). When they do that, they are no better than SPPF/PP. This is particularly damning since they were in fact all SPPF or children of SPPF. They are children of the day of treason June 5th 1977 today; they have become prime benefactors of the very system they are supposed to oppose.

Lead, Follow, Or Get Out of The Way-Man!
If they SNP do not unite the opposition, they must simply step aside, and allow MSR to finish the job they cannot seem to do.
MSR pleads for a united opposition. SNP ignores the call and says they are the main opposition with a mandate. But that does not keep them from copying and pasting, plagiarizing in June 5th style. To unite the opposition, they will at least have to give credit for work they use. Are they brave enough for that?

Complicity in Conspiracy of Confusion-More June 5th Style
Pauline Ferrari has taken the call for “Sesel Pou Tou Seselwa”, meaning Seychelles is not for Seychellois anymore, but for anyone who buys a passport. This Mata Hari of Seychelles politics has been working for James Michel for some time and has been paid to do his work. She systematically, sows confusion in the opposition camp, because people associate her with human rights and that which is right. She has compromised her credibility. She is dead wrong on her hypocritical stances and has lost all credibility in Seychelles politics, while she lives in Paris & Nice, France and travels to Seychelles, courtesy of State House.

Today in Seychelles, it is Nicole Tirant that we associate with Human Rights issues. We associate Pauline Ferrari with covering up State House fiascos on human rights. The Media Report is only one example. Why does SNP not give due credit to Nicole Tirant for her work? Why is her work censored, like my work is censored in your paper? If you do anything, we report it on Star and Weekly does the same. But you people are not doing anything lately, so there are no reports.
If the Ferrari clan and the Ramkalawan clan cannot work sincerely to unite the opposition, which they have a deep moral obligation to for great historical guilt on their family shoulders rest, then they should retire and enjoy their fat 70% pensions they voted themselves in conspiracy with the other children of June 5th, 1977. Even Henry Ferrari told people of Praslin to vote for SPPF in the last election.

What Fat Pension?
If they live for 40 years more and retire today, PP and SNP MNA’s June 5th will give them over Scr. 30 Million over the next 40 years. Collectively with the SPPF ministers, it will be over Scr. 130 Million in 40 years, the bankrupted Government of Seychelles will have to pay out to sustain June 5th, 1977. The figures are unbelievable.
People of Seychelles, in one transaction in December 2008, the salary increase for politicians; we were sold out for 40 years. The numbers do not lie.

SNP Faking Unity
I advise SNP, placing a little light blue ocean wave under the SNP logo is not working towards unity. It is a demonstration of the two faced political game the SNP have coined and reputed to play. It is the same type of political game SPPF and now PP play.
No wonder your supporters yell at you in your party conference pour “aret bat nou latet” or “les Nou Koze” and “oli nou larzan”! Sad but true.

We in MSR are straight forward and Truth is our beacon. We hide nothing; expose everything, we accept to be challenged by the public, as long as we do not talk to empty beer bottles or fake profiles. We are loyal to no party colours, but loyal to Seychelles and her people: Seselwa Rasin. We hold all accountable and expect to be reasonably held to accountability as well. With that, we will have a better Country.
We call on SNP, NDP and Independent Boulle, to work towards a united opposition in the next elections. Stop faking unity, SNP! You are looking like losers even before an election. As your Leader likes to say, “Get real”!

Third Call For Opposition Conference
An opposition conference must take place. It is the solemn duty of all of you to unite the opposition. Put your salaries aside stop thinking about your retirement and your next car. Do what you must do and obligated to do for Seychelles and put Seychellois first.

There will be many 5th of Junes, but they do not have to all be the same every year. When SPPF wiggles their ass in town, where whores ply their trade in the evening, show the People of Seychelles, we all can be better SNP. Yes we all make mistakes, yes we are all not perfect, but how many of us try to correct our mistakes in life?
Do something for your people and your country, open your minds and open your hearts, so Seychelles can move on.
After all, you have done enough for yourselves now. Over the last five years, everyone in SNP has a salary, a pension, Four (4) wheels and a villa each at least, some 3 or 4 each.
If you do not shift gears and do something for Seychelles and her People, now, you will only have yourselves to blame.

Unfortunately, you will one day find, that you cannot live in your own country, even with your Scr. 10 Million pensions that amount to Scr. 130 Million collectively, with those bands of thieves that are called PP. The same SPPF/PP you cut the deal with in a conspiracy of silence late in 2008.
This June 5th, 2010, remember late December 2008! The People of Seychelles will never forget the grand sell out!

Meanwhile, SPPF cleaning ladies are paid Scr. 500.00 to wiggle their ass for one (1) hour about how much the whores get paid on the same street at night for their wiggling.

“Sesel Pou Seselwa”
May God Bless All Freedom Loving Seychellois and Our Beloved Seychelles!

Visit MSR on Facebook and sign up to join the Seselwa brother & sisters determined to have their voices heard! ttp://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.phpid=100000886674421

Seychelles Comedy - State House Anytime Now

Education for all & Hello India

June is here and time to take stock of the achievements of the revolution. The report card gives us an F for bankruptcy but we have commissioned a turnaround in education. The president has always had a soft spot for education. He was the first minister after the coup and today we are reaping the fruits of the socialist experiment. With the ‘Moman’ show done and dusted, the man of the people is off to India to woo some potential investors with his special advisor for Indo Affairs, the good old doctor. Full medical cover provided...


JenPa: A very good morning to you my good Sir. Your performance on your monthly show was commendable. Bring on the candidates and onward with the debate. We now boast four new cameras to catch all the angles. We have to contend with some open dialogue that will help show your humane side. The month of June is here and it is time to bathe in the limelight as we start launching your campaign. You are now firmly established on Facebook and your messages are being filtered through to plenty of fans. We will leave all the political stuff to the rear guard and we shall embark on a ‘shock & awe’ international publicity blitz.

Mr. President: I was quite emotional when I spoke about the necessary reforms we need to implement in our education system. I loved being a teacher and I might retire as an associate professor at SeyUni you know. I will also devote some time to writing my memoirs.

JenPa: Well Sir. You were indeed our first education minister that gave us the young pioneers, NYS, political indoctrination etc... Then Danny Boy continued in your footsteps. The experiment has gone full circle. It is great to see all those young products that have been through your systems and are today taken in by the Jj Spirit.

Mr. President: Education is knowledge. Knowledge is power. We need to grasp this power that drives our mind and with determination we will get there. I just have another five year hurdle. If we need to cohabitate, we will work out a deal. We do not want any ‘Reconciliation Commission’ as we will have too much dirty linen out in the open. I now want to involve the first lady to champion everything to do with education.

JenPa: She should also be involved at UniSey. Rolf will be over the moon with her presence there. Would be a good PR coup you know. But we have to concentrate on the tasks ahead Sir. This month we will focus on some overseas missions. First we will respond to the invite from the Indian government and we will hold high level meetings with the business community. As highlighted by chair Ramadoss, there are severrral, biznes oporrrtunities in India memsaab!

Mr. President: Yeah we have a lot of work to do. I have my long list. We need to finish this high tech hospital as a priority. Then we get some teachers and some investment from ‘Silicon Valley of Bangalore’ and we are set for the future. They are now in competition with the Chinese. And the fact that we are being courted by Arab sheiks intrigues them. Ramadoss has made all the right contacts and I will bring along a high level delegation. I need all my boys to shine. Can we also bring a camera crew along?

JenPa: No need for that Sir. Our camera phones will do the trick. We can then upload on your Facebook page and send the footage back to SBC via U-Tube. We need the crew to be focussed on the events around liberation day. Your press corps has everything under control. We also need some support in the field of defence and legal affairs. We need to secure our safety and security.

Mr. President: “A meeting with the visiting President will be a good opportunity for the Indian Industry to understand the vision of the Government of Republic of Seychelles and the possibilities of investments and joint ventures in Seychelles”. That’s good enough.

JenPa: Indeed Sir, “The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in association with FICCI and ASSOCHAM is organizing a Luncheon Interaction in honour of the President and his delegation on 2 June, 1300 hrs, at Sovereign II, Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi”. You will find your time spent in this great country to be enriching and uplifting. I am sure it will give you the oomph to carry you into the next elections.

Mr. President: Salaam Bombay! I love those high powered economic diplomatic missions. ‘Mon pe leve debrouye’! Ki wa pe dir? I am sure we will soon see a weekly flight from somewhere in India. We can develop a lot of partnerships with our neighboring friends. We need them as much as they need us. We used to play the US vs USSR in the ‘80s so we have the experience to handle India and China JP.

JenPa: Sir we already have some great investors from India and one of them is our Ambassador at large. So let’s hope he can open some doors for us. After all, he owns a good chunk of our islands. He also needs to donate a bit more to the community. All he does is set himself up with the best estates. We also have a case on our hands with the concrete tower at Soleil D’Or.

Mr. President: Indeed JP. I would have rather seen Ton Jim calling it ‘home sweet home’ than this illusive guy who has disappeared and left his elephant stables behind. Maybe the Sheik would like to have it don’t you think?

JenPa: Perhaps you can discuss that on your next trip to Abu Dhabi. There might be a horse race coming up soon. I will check on the invite schedule. Meanwhile, the Antonov has resumed its daily runs and discharging its belly of containers heading straight to the La Misere site.

Mr. President: I gather that the pickup services are in overdrive. You see, at least some dollars are being spent locally. This is what we call economic progress JP. When we need a new reservoir, a new power grid, some turbines; we call our friend the Sheik. He even gives us access to some hot wheels and maybe soon you can also ride on a yacht.

JenPa: Sir I think I will need a break sometime soon. My big day is coming up so I need to sort of recharge the batteries. I cannot be the energizer bunny forever you know. So hopefully I will soon be passing on the Jazz for a fancier number. The new SUVs are quite appealing. But no Sir! I can settle for less than an X5.

Mr. President: You surely deserve to be well looked after my son. You have shown your total devotion and passion for the job. You are now taking it to another level with all the different media in collusion with Pauline & co. You guys have done a great job with the State House website. It is really a showcase of the happenings in our abode. We now need to further develop the section on the first lady. She has taken on some new tasks and needs to be seen in action.

JenPa: OK Sir. Just a small incident to report! Our eyes and ears have ‘eavesdropped’ on an altercation between Dolor and the MSR man at some office in town. He seemed to be badly battered and bruised as he could not handle the ‘Sesel Pou Seselwa’ squabble. At the last count he was trying to get ‘Lepep Ameriken pou note’.

Mr. President: Well we cannot win the battle on all fronts. You wonder why we gave him the boot? Let’s focus on our trips shall we? So then we do a detour via South Africa to see our local referee in action on the world stage right? ‘Fer monte nou pavyyon... ansam pou tou leternite...’
 We need to bring everyone together on this milestone day. We cannot count on the 5th as it was more of a stab in the back. Perhaps the 29th? Hmm... Too close for comfort. Oh well, let’s settle this arbitrarily like our ‘Per Fondater’ so dictated. The 18th it shall be ‘Koste Seselwa’ uh, ‘Ansam pou lavenir’ er ‘gouvernay dan nou lanmen’...zzz zzz

DEFENDING THE TOURISM INDUSTRY

THE MAIN PILLAR OF OUR ECONOMY

AIRPORT HANDLING THROUGH AVIATION SEYCHELLES
Today the Seychelles Airport has Air Seychelles handling its operational facilities. Long ago this service was handled by another company called Aviation Seychelles. It was efficient, independent and it made money. ASL Group did us proud, serving all airlines landing here with the same care and attention with no special interest in one airline over another. Everyone had the same treatment with the interest of Seychelles as its guiding mission. No complaints were received and all airlines were very satisfied with the Seychelles airport operations and services. Unfortunately we cannot claim the same feedback today…

It is therefore vital for us to relook at the current scenario as there are numerous complaints from the other carriers who feel that they are not being serviced as they should. Some are even looking at the possibility of positioning an entire operational team to look after their flights. The airport handling is not up to scratch and it is important to review the situation in order to provide a more efficient service that is independent of the national carrier.

Air Seychelles is not in a position to deliver the best services as it is in a very precarious situation. It currently needs and injection of capital from government (taxpayers) for its survival. So instead of looking at its operating costs and large overheads it is conveniently being bailed out. The airline has a huge salary burden for its army of non- Seychellois management team (CEO & wife, marketing director, Paris office with at least 5 foreigners). We gather that the CEO (Rajiv Brisseur) is on a monthly salary of US$ 10,000 plus perks. And yet, there is no designated understudy to this Mauritian who has been in the post for several years. This indeed makes a mockery of the government’s policies to localize all posts while at the same time it lays off workers under the voluntary departure scheme. There is no doubt that these expats are responsible for the big black hole of Air Seychelles. It is the one hole that no amount of profit can fill. Government needs to OBLIGE Air Seychelles to localize these positions, all of them, if they expect the country to follow suit. What is Minister Mondon doing about that? How many companies have to comply with employment of small fish while the big whales are simply ignored and protected? We often hear of the proportion of Seychellois staff working in Air Seychelles, but let us look at the value of the salaries of the dozen or so foreigners versus the hundreds of Seychellois. Why leave only the crumbs for the Seychellois when the whole bread is being taken from under our nose by those most fortunate?

Our dependence on foreigners in these management positions at Air Seychelles constitutes an about turn to the colonial days – we have indeed gone back in time! Government needs to allow a new structure to move in at the airport and provide a service that is independent from all airlines landing here. We need airlines to feel welcome here. We cannot defend the point that Air Seychelles is playing with the services it is providing to give itself an edge instead on working to improve its standards to earn the edge it needs with which to compete. It is a well known fact today for example that Air Seychelles will not operate domestic flights to connect with early departures of Emirates and Qatar flights. This is a sad situation as the domestic flights are operated only when there are Air Seychelles flights. It is detrimental to the destination as a whole as it is a very short sighted vision.

We are also receiving many complaints on the UK flights by both Seychellois and tourists. Is that really the Creole Spirit? We are begging President James Michel to experience that run between Seychelles to London. You will never want to experience it twice.

The staff on board have our sympathy, because they are in the front line and have to receive all the anger from passengers who are frustrated with the food on offer, with the entertainment system that does not work and with having to bear being on a flight working to bring tourists and Mauritians to Mauritius instead of to Seychelles.

FAIR TRADINGCOMMISSION NEEDS TO ACT
The time has come for our Fair Trading Commission to get involved and examine the disparity in the price of air tickets to Mauritius (two and a half hours more than Seychelles) when compared to the cost of flights to Seychelles. This has resulted in numerous complaints by Seychellois travelling on that flight to London, but worst still it is also a bone of contention that every tourism operator has - it is cheaper for tourists to go to Mauritius on Air Seychelles than to hop out here in Seychelles.

We can set the scene for the Fair Trading Commission. There is Mauritian Company in London that sells tickets on Air Seychelles to Mauritians and tourists to travel via Seychelles and connect for another two and a half hour flight again on Air Seychelles to Mauritius. The flights to Mauritius are cheaper than the flights to Seychelles. Is there any logic in that? Is Air Seychelles looking at the Seychelles economy or are they too bothered with taking care of the Mauritius economy? This is such a sad state of affairs and the authorities need to get involved to put some order back into this madness.

EYEWITNESS NEWS

LA MISERE RESIDENTS TAKING MATTERS IN THEIR OWN HANDS

In a chilling reminder to the SPUP days of 'Yankee Go Home' (protests against US tracking station at La Misere), the residents who have been affected by the water pollution caused by the construction of Sheik Khalifa's massive 7 storey palace are taking their protests to the streets. The residents have been promised compensation but the matter is dragging whilst the 'lawyers' are haggling about 'fair' damages.

The plight of these residents who had to endure all sorts of diseases, drinking and bathing in contaminated water is indeed a serious one. The attitude of the government to this situation seems to be one favouring the culprit. The ruling party's mouthpiece 'The People' is doing its utmost to confuse the situation by carrying a front page article waxing lyrical about the Sheik's 'investments' benefitting the pick-up truck businesses!

In the case of 'The People', "Cunning men deal in generalizations" and for the La Misere residents, "After all is said and done, more is said than done".