June 6, 2013Dear Sir,The seconds tick away as the date for the G8 summit draws closer. So does the debate on the status of the Overseas Territories tick away with Martha in the crowd yelling “look the boss is surely showing his hand now and I told you we should have went independent”. I will yell back at her and say “this show is not about Independence Martha, it’s about equality and integrity”. The world has reached a new frontier and once again requires a stretch of imagination and reasoning to understand all the variables that are present with large nations interfacing economically and socially with small jurisdictions. The uppermost consideration I bear in mind is that regardless of the disproportionate sizes of the nation, we as a human family are equal on this earth. The days of large empires dictating and exercising hegemony over the presumed weak, should not be tolerated in these times.Unfortunately class and economic disproportion happens systemically, often in ways that we are unaware. It’s just the rule of economics and simple math that underscores that the greater the numbers within an economy, the greater is its potential strength and hence corresponding benefits for its population. That is the underlying prudence of forming the EU, the USA, the confederation of Canada, the strength of China etc. The cry for independence was always preceded by some form of repression and victimisation; otherwise the call has always been one for greater interdependence and alliance.The so called Overseas Territories cannot economically exist in comparative isolation on their own and must be bought into a greater union while simultaneously respecting their nativity. It may sound to some as a step backward but the reverse is true. There was a time for separation and now is a time to join. The intellectual disparity alone should jolt our minds, while the Americas are producing astronauts for those inclined towards science and American and British Idols for those inclined to the arts, while we languish like banana republics for the lack of real opportunities.I know a few despots who don’t mind ruling in the darkness without scrutiny over little territories because it benefits them to keep waving the flag and reminding those of the struggle to gain it. Having the flag while your fridge is empty, your health is poor and the cost of care too heavy. I know some not so despotic who do it for the glamour and privilege, too few do it to advance mankind. The formation of the US constitution was not the end of the struggle; it should have been only a beginning. That which seemed to have begun in 1775 including that of Haiti must continue. It was not that one country or one people become free, but all people are entitled to certain inalienable rights and must be free. Nitpicking small nations for compliance is not the answer, we need hemispheric coordination that is somewhat of a confederacy and a global move to create a balanced approach towards a globalisation that is progressive and human.KHALID WASI