A slap in the face

May 19, 2003

Dear Sir,

I am outraged by the story on the front page of today's newspaper about the late David Allen. I have paid my hard earned wages all my working years towards insurance only to be told that I wasn't covered when I needed a particular kind of medical treatment.

This is a slap in the face to anybody who has paid into insurance. I always thought that if you had a sickness, disease, or ailment you were denied coverage. How could this happen? It is unfair.

As a life long supporter of the PLP I am disgusted. I expected the UBP to do something like this. It's a shame.

I feel like it doesn't matter who you vote in. Either way, it's who you know.

THOROUGHLY DISGUSTED

Devonshire

Allen was 'disrespected'

May 23, 2003

Dear Sir,

The Progressive Labour Party is concerned with the pattern of articles in both Mid Ocean and The Royal Gazette papers not only as it relates to "disrespecting the dead" but also as it undermines the public image and respect for Government members.

We call on the Editor of The Royal Gazette to go further than his statement in today's edition to apologise and retract the story to uphold some level of journalistic respect and integrity in the eyes of the public. We are concerned of the lack of sensitivity to the memory and respect for the late Minister for Tourism David Allen that he appropriately obtained health coverage under GEHI .

As a member of the legislature, under law, he was fully entitled, as confirmed by the Accountant General. We find the same lack of consideration with the questions about the role of the Minister of Finance Minister, the Hon. C. Eugene Cox .

Since these allegations have been proven to be "mischievous, unsubstantiated" as well as "misleading" as reported, we called upon the Editor of The Gazette to apologise in the public interest.

MR . CALVIN MINORS SR.

Devonshire

Editor's Note: There was no suggestion that what was done was illegal. The central issue of the story was that MPs can get insurance coverage without paying premiums beforehand. We stand by our report that members of the GEHI committee opposed putting Mr. Allen on the scheme. We were also aware that the story could be viewed as showing disrespect to the memory of Mr. Allen. But the public interest would not have been served if this loophole was not exposed because of that. It is also worth nothing that the report has not been "proven" to be mischievous, unsubstantiated" or "misleading". Those expressions are the opinion of the Accountant General. We stand by the story.

Allen paid nothing

May 22, 2003

Dear Sir,

It is of interest to me that I have paid all my working life to gain health insurance coverage when I am ill, yet David Allen having paid nothing gains access at 11th hour when be becomes ill.

SAGITTARIUS

Pembroke

Cubans have no choice

April 22, 2003

Dear Sir,

I am writing in regards to the debate that revolves around the decision to send our buses to Cuba or not and whether this will create tension with the US and our financial relationship with them. We must also acknowledge our position as an affluent, capitalist nation enjoying a standard of living among the best in the world. Communist Cuba may not enjoy all the extras that we do in our society and compared with Haiti and Jamaica it appears less poor. But even without its people starving and living on the street, Cuba is still a Third World nation.

I had the opportunity of being in Havana only a week ago after a ten day self-guided tour of this country rich in spirit. However, the unhappiness showed through the many faces. I was awakened to the reality of this US embargo when I witnessed in Nassau Airport folks toothpaste, soap, etc. that they had bought for their families back home. I won't even go into the lengthy line-ups outside Havana storefronts for simple items such as a pair of shoes or some nuts and bolts.

Or, the amount of citizens I saw jammed into hot and crowded city buses and piled in heaps into backs of trucks and hitchhikers of all ages lining the streets by the dozens. I am positive that the people of Cuba would be extremely grateful to Bermuda for such a well needed contribution connecting their towns and cities. Cuba is also one of the most resourceful nations in the world, because they've had to be. Where else can you ride in a 1951 Ford good as new or watch children skate around Havana in their own handmade wooden scooters?

So yes, people are suffering at the hands of the leaders. Many nations are in need of assistance, but as for the Cubans, freedom of choice is not an option.

N. SIMMONS

Pembroke

Cuba critics 'treasonous'

May 23, 2003

Dear Sir,

The United States has trading and other links with Communist China, despite its numerous human rights violations. Clearly its relationship with Cuba has nothing to do with any moral concern about either Communism or human rights violations since the human rights violations of China have not been an obstacle to those relationships. Its Cuba relationship has everything to do with US internal politics, in the form of votes and pressure from the large Cuba exile population in Florida.

Those Bermudians who have insisted on linking their political disagreement with the United States are really inviting, even urging, the US to react or respond to an issue about which it would otherwise be totally indifferent.

Regardless of the wisdom or value, or lack of it, of this Government's actions and secrecy, I consider this attempt to invite outside interference, for their own political ends, to a Bermudian issue to be treasonable and, in the long run, destructive to even their own interests. Our decisions and interests are already too distorted by our economic dependency on the outside world, as well as our dislike and distrust of each other.

EVA N. HODGSON

Hamilton Parish

Losing her appeal

May 27, 2003

Dear Sir,

Attorney General Dame Lois Browne-Evans' comments on the floor of the House last Friday, during the debate on Bermuda's relationship with Cuba, seem in direct conflict with what I understood her own enduring legacy to be.

As a person who has dedicated her life to ensuring a fair and effective legal system, I anticipated Dame Lois would have used her pulpit to point out that Cuba's citizens are denied by their Government the most basic of human rights; the right to fair trial, the right to a defence, and the right to due process.

As a person who has dedicated her life to causes of social justice, I anticipated Dame Lois would use her time on the floor to denounce that the citizens of Bermuda's newest trading partner are not afforded by their Government the rights to freedom of expression, of the press or of movement.

As a person who has dedicated her life to causes of labour and worker's rights I anticipated Dame Lois would have invited the moment to censure the Government of Cuba for not affording its citizens the rights of association and assembly.

When the world was confronted with the opportunity to change the injustice of apartheid, people of the law, people of social justice, and people of labour stood together and demanded the most basic of human rights for the citizens of South Africa.

Dame Lois had on Friday an opportunity to make a stand for a cause that transcends party politics. I respectfully suggest that Dame Lois take her own advice and "read, mark and understand your history". She may find that it offers her tremendous perspective on the present.

OLD LAWYERS NEVER DIE, THEY JUST LOSE THEIR APPEAL

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Learn from mistakes

May 23, 2003

Dear Sir,

Recent overtures made towards Cuba by the Bermuda Government should be a cause of concern to each and every Bermudian. Former Premier Sir John Swan's statement in the Mid-Ocean News recently that there is a growing sense of alienation and frustration among Bermuda's traditional friends and business partners as a result of certain pronouncements and decisions that have been made by the current Government has been borne out by recent comments made by US Consul General Dennis Coleman.

While I personally have no problem with Bermuda establishing ties with Cuba, I do not see why this country should risk jeopardising its relationship with the world's only superpower in order to do so. Let's face it: Our economy is totally dependent upon the United States. International business from America and American tourists are the primary reasons why we enjoy the standard of living that we do. The last thing we want to do is alienate them.

There are other factors that we need to consider. First the current White House administration is dominated by the conservative right wing that has traditionally been enemies of Castro's Cuba. Also, since 9/11 the Americans have become extremely sensitive and quick to react to those who in any way, shape or form are seen to be acting against their interest. One case in point is the current anti-American sentiment towards the French for their failure to support the war against Iraq, which has resulted in American importers of French wine, and other French products reporting a sharp drop in sales. French producers and manufacturers are no doubt feeling the pinch financially.

The fact that British government has no problem with our establishing ties with Cuba is neither here nor there, because they are not the ones upon whom this country is economically dependent. Further if there were an American backlash I doubt very strongly whether Britain has either the desire or capability to pick up the financial slack.

We need only look to an island to the south of us whose flirtation with Cuba ended in tears. Jamaica under Prime Minister Michael Manley forged closer ties with Cuba despite warnings from Washington. In 1976 Manley visited Cuba and in 1977 Fidel Castro went to Jamaica. Washington targeted Manley's government, "putting the squeeze on the economy", as Manley himself described it. By the end of 1980, Jamaica was nearly bankrupt and Manley was defeated in elections by Edward Seaga. In 1989, a new Manley emerged. Gone was the anti-imperialist rhetoric instead Manley espoused capitalism, private investment and good relations with the United States resulting in a resounding victory over Mr. Seaga in national elections. Mr. Manley said he had learned from his mistakes.

"I think there are two types of people: those who won't learn and those who try to," he said. "I try to learn."

Bermuda should learn from the mistakes of others!

OBSERVER

Smith's Parish