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Dear Sir:

I read with interest the speech that was made by Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves on August 24, 2012, on the occasion of the 55th ceremony of the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic studies, titled: The independence Experience of the OECS and the Future Prospect for the Future; the first part of which was published as a commentary on the Caribbean News Now (CNN). I will take the time to analyze this document in its various phase of publication on this forum.

First off, it was indicated in the beginning of the presentation by the author that he was asked to make the presentation. I hold another opinion I am suggesting that Gonsalves or one of his agent acting on his instruction approached the editor of the CNN and request that they publish this document.

Okay, now that we have gotten that out of the way, let’s examine the first part of this document. The beginning of the document is laced with published opinions of many individuals and institutions, and thus far there has not been an original thought that was born in the intellect of the PM. However, it is good to know that PM Gonsalves is exposed to such pertinent facts. The question I will also attempt to answer is has the prime minister’s knowledge of certain facts been helpful in his decision- and policy-making and the implementation of projects.

Agriculture:

In bullet point number 2, which dealt with agriculture, the industry on which many of these countries’ economies are built and sustained, is an extremely sensitive topic. At this stage of the presentation, the sitting prime minister is in a perfect position to offer solutions and should be taking measures and molding policies to spur on this industry. Unfortunately at this point of the discourse, he did not present any solution, which could instill some life in the devastated agriculture industry. However, he presented some very important statistics that generate some questions.

It is said that in St Vincent and the Grenadines, the state of which Mr Gonsalves is the chief decision maker, the country wherein he can effect the most change, the prime minister shared with us that there are 20,000 acres of arable agriculture land available for the purpose of cultivation and this make up one fifth or 20 percent of the islands’ acreage.

To the agriculturally uneducated, when one sees there are 20,000 acres of agriculture land available that person may be impressed. Sadly there is nothing impressive about this number. When you think that this country is asked to compete with privately owned farms that have dedicated more land than the entire nation. And just to think this comparatively small allotment of land is responsible for sustaining the economy of the entire nation of over 100,000 people.

It is important to note that over the years St Vincent and the Grenadines has seen a conversion of agriculture land into the building of domestic dwelling. Yet no step was taken by the current sitting prime minister to change this trend. I can also bet anyone that with a re-assessment of the acreage you will find that this finding has long been obsolete. How serious is Prime Minister Gonsalves on the issue of agriculture; with the daily decline of arable land dedicated to agriculture, do you really expect St. Vincent and the Grenadines to produce farm product in any quantity and quality that is viable for export?

Is there any reason, as of late St Vincent and the Grenadines has been experiencing some many obstacles as it relates to agriculture? As I have said previously, the first time as a teenager writing letters to the Vincentian newspaper and a few weeks ago when I addressed this topic on Caribbean News Now.

Labour productivity:

In point three, which dealt with labour productivity, revealed some staggering results about St Vincent and the Grenadines. The prime minister brought to our attention that St Vincent and the Grenadines has an economically active population of 50,000 people. This represents that section of the population that is eligible and is capable of contributing to the county’s labour force. He also informed us that we have a fairly comparatively low productivity labour force, as it relates to international standards, with an unemployment rate of 20 percent of the population.

Something has to be extremely wrong; it is not normal for a country with a population of about 125,000 people and 72.5 percent of the population for one reason or the other (illness, too old, too young, etc) is not contributing to the development of the nation. In other words, this means 72.5 percent of the population is dependent on someone or some institution for their survival. This is a totally unacceptable figure.

In my opinion, to ask a well trained, highly educated, skilled individual to go on retirement at the tender age of 55-years-old is a waste of resources; age 55 is much too young an age to cause such an in-demand human resource to stop producing. At this age, the level of experience, knowledge, technical and practical knowhow of the outgoing workforce is priceless and has a direct impact on the comparatively low labour productivity rate that St Vincent and the Grenadines is currently experiencing.

In the prime minister’s speech, he said that 20 percent of the population is unemployed. What the prime minister should have said is 20 percent of the economically active population, which is 50,000 people are unemployed. Let’s break it down the stats that the average person can understand. Of the 125,000 people who call St Vincent and the Grenadines home, only 40,000 people are gainfully employed. This is the perfect scenario for high crime, overwhelming poverty, high level of government dependency, a bloom in prostitution, etc. Nothing economically good can come from the above statistics.

Upon the compound problem that was outlined above we were also told that St Vincent and the Grenadines is undertaking the construction of an international airport utilizing some 30 percent of the country’s GDP. Are you joking? So this is the reason the international donors want nothing to do with the construction of the international airport. For when you put the facts and the figures together, this is going to ensure St Vincent and the Grenadines is worse off than we were, before the international airport began.

The sitting prime minister uses these words to describe the St Vincent and OECS economy:

1. The declining secular rate of the economy
2. Low growth high debt economy
3. Comparatively high rate of import with the low rate of export
4. Insufficient creativity and risk taking

When you consider all of the points made above, does it make good financial and or economic sense or a display of sound managerial skills to invest 30 percent of the country’s GDP on a project that is destined to leak monies into the sea for many years to come? Such action is not only irresponsible, it is ignorant.

Allan Palmer

Editor’s note: When Dr Gonsalves said, “I am truly honoured to have been asked to address you,” in the first part of the series of excerpts from his presentation to the Conference at the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies last month, it should surely have been apparent that he is referring to the invitation to address the conference, not any invitation from Caribbean News Now, and the “you” he refers to are those present at the conference, not our readers. Furthermore, regular readers will be aware that from time to time we publish such papers and presentations by different authors in one or more parts for the edification of the region as a whole.

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Peter:

Well researched and well written. I must say I am pleasantly surprised, I was led to believe by Simon Anderson an Patricia Patterson [both false names, both morons] that ALAN PALMER was stupid, they must be really annoyed now to be shown to be lying SOBS.

D. Markie Spring :

I also read with interest Allan Palmer’s analysis!

Palmer, I am in agreement with your comments in the 3rd paragraph as the same thought came to me. All we have seen is a reenactment of the IMF and World Bank’s statements. Some of which I have commented on prior to his submission. There is nothing original in his publication, but tremendous efforts were place in conceptualizing what these institutions and individuals have put forward, into an SVG stronghold and excuse for failure. As a matter of fact, we have not heard what PM had done in the past to curb the horrendous economic meltdown or what he intended to d in the future – good observation Palmer!

Under your agriculture assessment, Palmer, I will have to agree also. However, I won’t repeat what you have said already; instead, I will make further assessment of the degradation of Agriculture in SVG. It seemed as though the PM does not recognize the importance of agriculture to our economy. I have reason for saying this since they allowed the Banana Industry to vanish.

The PM spoke eloquently about natural disasters that are affecting agriculture. At the time of Hurricane Tomas there were hardly any crops to be destroyed’ everything was almost to the point of no recovery. Everyone knows failing to capture the potential of agriculture in our economy is like Saudi Arabia doing nothing about its abundance oil. For us to have sustained agriculture we must seek to diversify this sector of our economy.

Moreover, the same natural disaster that is affecting our agriculture industry is the same disaster that affects our tourism industry in which the PM seemed to be focusing right now.

The CIA in their assessment of SVG’s economy stated that the current government is unsuccessful in introducing new industries necessary for economic growth and sustainability. They also stated that agriculture is an important criterion in the country’s economic activities; hence, the 20 percent unemployment rate.

Under labor productivity, I am also in agreement with Palmer that the unemployment figures are unacceptable. The PM is could be correct in his assessment of the people who are not in the work force. I believe PM when he said that some of these people are too sick to work – considering the deteriorating medical infrastructure.

When it comes to the GDP the PM is quoting the country’s GDP (Power Purchasing Parity - PPP) and per capita, which is different from the GDP (nominal) and per capita. What they won’t tell us is that the GDP (nominal) is just $700 million dollar (estimate). If you look at the GDP equation part of it is private consumption in which remittance plays a big role. Remittance has an extra ordinary role in SVG’s GDP.

I ask the PM - Do you think that Karl Marx has the answer to the world economic recovery?

Simon Anderson:

HERE ARE PALMER'S WORDS:

"I was fired from the Police Force and arrested, charged, tried, convicted, and imprisoned for conspiracy to kill Ralph Gonsalves."

PALMER bragged about this in his letter dated Jan 3, 2012 (PARAGRAPH 5) entitled "An open letter to Ralph Gonsalves and his supporters."

PALMER has always been obsessed with the Prime Minister, hence his attempt to kill him, and PALMER'S resulting JAIL term.

YES, PALMER went to JAIL in St Vincent, and he admitted it himself.

Take a look yourself, and see that PALMER almost exclusively, writes about nothing else but PM Ralph Gonsalves.

This is one sick puppy!

D. Markie Spring:

"Peter and Palmer stop wasting your time with this man Horace Wiliams. He is constitutionally flawed in all his ways.

Imagine such excellent analysis of the PM's publication/ speech, yet, they try to discredit.

Horace looks like he is on his own. Is the PM in NY? and Patterson from Kingstown Park seemed to vanish, leaving the incapable HOrace to fend on his own.

Horace Williams, tell us what part you played in the just concluded Peaceful Caribbean Conference. Tell us what you and Patterson from Kingstown Park did to ensure had planned!

Tell us the family Real Estate firm!

Horace, Patterson from Kingstown Park said on his radio show that he will get rid of me on Caribbean News Now - tell us what his plans are!

Horace: take a lesson from Patterson from Kingstown Park, quit while you can!

Hope you have answers for us!

Peter:

COOeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! SAFE HOUSE PROVIDER SIMON HORNBLOWER WILLIAMS, you have the audacity to say " PALMER writes about nothing else but PM Ralph Gonsalves".

You continually write about nothing but PALMER writing about nothing but GONSALVES. You continually write a load of crap loaded with lies about everyone and anything. You the fraud who doesn't know right from wrong.

Your a fraud in word and deed, you should not be let near clients houses, you are a dangerous MARXIST collaborator involved in the dodgy passport problems.

We are keeping a welcome in the hillside, when are you coming to the island next?

HOMELAND SECURITY, SAFE HOUSE PROVIDER, KEEP WATCHING.

Peter:

In February 2008, a 36-year-old female cop, a member of the prime minister’s security detail, said he raped her on January 3 while she was on duty at his official residence.

The Director of Public Prosecutions officially discontinued any inquiry into the allegations without allowing the case to be heard before a court.
The cop later withdrew a civil suit, amidst rumours of an out-of-court settlement, even as Gonsalves denied the accusation.

In 2008, a Toronto human rights lawyer, 48, also accused the prime minister of sexually assaulting her during a private meeting in January 2003.
The Director of Public Prosecutions officially discontinued any inquiry into the allegations without allowing the case to be heard before a court.

Simon Anderson:

Peter Brian Alexander, when would your lies end?

When would you explain the Police swooping down on you at work?

What questions did they ask you?

Did the Police visit have anything to do with the missing money from your job at PH Veira?

Brian Alexander....."ANSWER ME QUESTION!"

Simon Anderson:

MARKIE SPRING, DID YOU, OR DIDN'T YOU STEAL FROM A PRIEST?

Markie Spring, tell the readers what you stole from Joel Osteen?

Markie, you are a damned thief, and a damned liar as well.

Markie, tell the readers why you wrote that lying article on December 6th regarding pre-election violence in Chateau.

Three ULP women were attacked, kicked and beaten by four NDP men. Markie Spring reported the incident, but falsely reversed the roles, and reported it in that manner ON THIS FORUM.

MARKIE SPRING lied to the public, and has never explained or apologized for his short-coming.

Spring is a serial LIAR!

Peter:

COOeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Hello MOKO! SIMON ANDERSON, we know exactly who you are. Your the safe house provider for dodgy passport holders. That is why the Homeland Security is watching you. You are also a proven fraud and convicted cottager. Everything you write is a bunch of lies.

You continually call me Brain Alexander, fully well knowing I am not, your way of damaging that man.

Markie Spring stole nothing, that is an outrageous lie on your part. Again an attempt to damage the man. You are the serial liar, SPRING is a decent honest man of integrity who uses his own name. Unlike you who hides behind a false name. You are Horace Williams a dunce, who pretends to be Simon Anderson, at other times whilst being Anderson you have frequently purported to be a police officer and all sorts of other crap.

I shall be writing again to your licensing people and the Homeland Security. Someone as sick as you should be deported and certainly not allowed into peoples homes pretending to assist them in the sale of their home. Your very sick and very dangerous.

Simon Anderson:

Peter, ah mean Brian Alexander, so you will be making another "complaint" against me?

WHY? Did they IGNORE you the first time?

Well fool, if you didn't succeed the first time, go right ahead, and try again.

Brian, you just came here on the scene. How would you know what happened before your arrival?

Anyway, thanks for the opportunity to report the story of Markie Spring's theft once more.

MARKIE SPRING actually DID steal from a Priest ....just like I said.

Ready for the story?

One Sunday morning, Markie Spring heard TV Evangelist Joel Osteen preach an excellent sermon. I believe that Markie probably recorded that sermon, since he reproduced it EXACTLY the way Joel Osteen delivered it. I mean, EXACTLY!

Markie immediately jumped on his computer and submitted the sermon to CARIBBEAN NEWS NOW for all to read. He even signed his name -- AS BEING THE AUTHOR!

In other words, he was claiming that the ideas contained therein, were his.

I accused Markie of stealing someone's creative work (a sermon). "WHY?" Because I was listening as well, and heard the SAME sermon the day before...just like Makkie did.

GUESS WHAT? Markie was so ashamed, that he has not ever said ONE WORD in response.

Well, he stole from a Priest.

Now I want to hear him say before God, that he did no such thing.

BRIAN ALEXANDER, when you don't anything, shut your 8888888 mouth! "SEEN!"

Peter:

COOEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! ‘SIMON ANDERSON BLOW YOUR HORN KARL MARX HORATIO WILLIAMS’ Joel Ostean is not a Priest, there is lie number one exposed.

As far as Joel is concerned his words are the words that God has given him and any one is free to use them with or without his permission or knowledge. ANDERSON you have no right whatsoever to declare them stolen, they are not your words, unless you are God today. For you to claim that would not surprise me, its common for MARXISTS to claim to be likened to Lord Jesus, GONSALVES did it, CASTRO has done it, and so has CHAVEZ.

ANDERSON, EVERTHING YOU HAVE YOU STOLE, BEING A LIAR, YOU ALSO STEAL THE TRUTH. REMEMBER GONSALVES THE GREAT MARXIST LEADER LIAR SAID “SHOW ME A LIAR AND I WILL SHOW YOU A THIEF”

I KNOW THAT JOEL OSTEEN WOULD SEE IT AS A GREAT HONOR IF ANYONE WROTE, SPOKE OR REPEATED ANYTHING THAT HE SAID OR WROTE. UNLIKE YOU HE IS A REAL CHRISTIAN AND A GOOD PERSON WHO TRULY CARES ABOUT OTHERS.

GONSALVES told us he is here to finish the work of Maurice Bishop, knowing myself from Grenadian public records that Bishop had instructed that state figures should be falsified in Grenada to commit fraud against the World Bank, the IMF and others, we need GONSALVES to tell us that he does not include that part of BISHOPS work in what he has undertaken to finish.

Perhaps you can ask him to confirm this, without using you SVG police methods for getting an answer.

As you are an established and recorded MARXIST liar, perhaps we expect to much from you when we ask you not to tell lies on the good people that come here.

Rape accusations against St Vincent and the Grenadines PM dismissed
29 May 2008 in Rape and Sexual Assault, South America.
Two sexual assault cases against the prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines were dismissed summarily, spurring critics to say ‘old boy’ networks trump the rule of law.
http://womensphere.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/rape-accusations-against-st-vincent-and-the-grenadines-pm-dismissed/

Simon Anderson:

Peter, ah mean Brian Alexander from Stubbs of PH Veira infamy, have they found who stole PH Veira's money?

Brian, you said that Joel Osteen is not a Priest. Who or what is he?

Peter:

COOeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
‘SIMON ANDERSON BLOW YOUR HORN KARL MARX HORATIO WILLIAMS’
Don't ask me ask a Priest, or even Joel. I refuse to educate a fraud and liar like you.

Rape accusations against St Vincent and the Grenadines PM dismissed
29 May 2008 in Rape and Sexual Assault.
Two sexual assault cases against the prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines were dismissed summarily, spurring critics to say ‘old boy’ networks trump the rule of law.
http://womensphere.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/rape-accusations-against-st-vincent-and-the-grenadines-pm-dismissed/

Simon Anderson:
PETER, AH MEN BRIAN ALEXANDER, why did the Police pick you up from your job last week?

Why did they take you to the station, Brian Alexander?

What questions did they ask you CLOWN?

STEVE_HUGGINS:

simpleton 'Simon Anderson', don't you think that such VIOLENT SEXUAL ASSAULT or RAPE allegations and/or charges ARE A TOTAL DISGRACE TO ANY political leader or PRIME MINISTER in O.E.C.S.-CARICOM, much less St. Vincent and the Grenadines ??????