Council of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Organization (COSAGO), Inc.
26th Anniversary of Independence
On October 30, 2005, the Council of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Organization (COSAGO) sponsored the 26th Anniversary of Independence celebration for St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). The gala luncheon was held at the Glen Terrace in Brooklyn. It was quite a memorable occasion. Many thanks to Mr. Arnold Charles and the COSAGO membership for promoting this event. The affair was well attended. The program was well organized and the entertainment and food were superb. The attendees were priviledged to listen and dance to the Mighty Beckett and the great Frankie McIntosh on keyboard. If all of the ingredients are repeated next year, it should be another success.
Cocktail Menu
* Jerk Chicken * Curried Goat * Roast Pork * Oxtail * Rice and Peas * Codfish Cakes * Fried Plantains * Tossed Salad * Watermelon Basket with Fresh Fruit * BBQ Chicken * Baked Ziti * Fried Calamari * Fried Vegetables with Dip
Entrees
Roasted Half Chicken Caribbean Style
Filet of Red Snapper
Open Bar
Program
Master of Ceremonies
Don Bobb
Invocation The Rev Glyger Beach
National Anthems (USA & SVG) Sharon Jones-Coombs
President's Remarks Arnold Charles
Introduction and Presentation of Honorees
Caiphas "Super Eyes" Cuffy
Gail Idalia Fraser
Independence Greetings Hon. Cosmus Cozier
Introduction of Keynote SpeakerHon Cosmus Cozier
Keynote Speaker Mrs. Eloise Gonsalves (Wife of PM)
Vote of Thanks Lennox Joslyn
MESSAGE FROM
ARNOLD C. CHARLES
PRESIDENT OF COSAGO
As is usual for this time of year, our Independence Celebrations are tempered by the recent news of devastation by hurricanes, both in the Caribbean and on the U.S. mainland. This is our 26th year of Independence and in addition to being thankful for coming thus far without any major damage, our growing Nation is eagerly anticipating the announcement of the date for the next elections.
Although the legal deadline is June 30, and the Prime Minister has promised a date before March 31, both in 2006, it is quite easy to conclude that the campaigns have already begun. The candidates of both prominent political parties have already been announced; there have been recent shifts of Cabinet positions in the current Government, reportedly a prelude to campaign strategy; and, for several persons here in the Diaspora, an announced date will be the starting gun to finalize travel plans to St. Vincent and the Grenadines; the purpose, to participate in the election process.
Within the St. Vincent and the Grenadines communities at home and here, this is almost always the first topic of discussion. In instances where it is not, a conversation quickly gravitates to that subject. It appears well known that we Vincentians are normally always consumed by politics, but the elevated level of interest in recent weeks is inescapable to the casual eye.
The political process is but one barometer by which we measure our maturity as a nation; and each anniversary is perhaps an appropriate time to do so. Historically, our elections are conducted without the significant level of violence experienced by other countries. Hopefully, the trend will continue with this election, as discussion and debate are most healthy alternatives to violence.
The Council of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Organizations USA Inc. (COSAGO) continues to contribute to the development of our Nation in accordance with the aims and objectives of each member, and of the group as a whole. Mindful of our prohibition against support of political party or candidate for office, we encourage our nationals, to the extent possible, to exercise their rights as citizens, join the debate and be a part of the process to elect our representatives.
On behalf of all member organizations, Happy 26th Anniversary of Independence!
INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE 2005
PROGRESS AND CHALLENGES
BY
DR. THE HON. RALPH E. GONSALVES
PRIME MINISTER
Our nation celebrates its twenty-sixth anniversary of independence on October 27, 2005. Our achievement of independence in 1979 was the formal culmination of a process of political emancipation which commenced with the abolition of slavery in 1838 through various stages of constitutional decolonisation. The root-and-branch constitutional reform exercise currently underway in St. Vincent and the Grenadines will, among other things, determine whether the final umbilical cords with Britain of the Privy Council and the monarchial system will be severed.
Every year when we commemorate our Independence Day, it is right and proper that we remember with reference the seminal role of the nation's Founding Father, the Right Honourable Robert Milton Cato, of blessed memory. We commend, too, the Movement, who placed the progressive well-being of our nation above narrow partisan, oppositionist politics.
Since Independence in 1979, our nation has made real progress. Each succeeding administration has sought to build, where necessary and desirable, upon the efforts of its predecessor. At the same time, there has been some bad governance; and there has been less-than-wholesome inheritances bequeathed to successor governments. History will, of course, deliver the final verdict on the administrations of Prime Ministers Cato, Mitchell, Eustace and Gonsalves.
The truth is that the bulk of the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines have been responsible for whatever remarkable advances have taken place. To be sure, leaders make history but only to the extent that circumstances permit them. The so-called "ordinary people" are the ones through individual and collective work, who produce the wealth and provide the goods and services. Of course, the people must be appropriately led. The highest mark of leadership is the ability to draw out of the people that which is good and noble in them and often to do so even when the people doubt that they possess such goodness and nobility.
In March 2001, the United Labour Party (ULP) was elected to form the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Over the past 4½ years, our nation has done quite well despite the enormous challenges which we have faced from natural disasters, rising oil prices, war and disease overseas, economic recession internationally, and the severely ruptured banana market due to the changes in the market regime and market condition in Europe. Still, the economic progress has been significant. For this our government has been significant. For this our government has been commended by international organizations and governments abroad. Let us look at the factual situation.
Accordingly, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), that is, the totality of all goods and services produced in a year has grown from EC$904.5 million in 2000 to EC$1.024 billion in 2003 and EC$1.089 billion in 2004. It is estimated that for 2005, the GDP will be about Ec$1.164 billion. Similarly, the GDP per head of population has moved rapidly from EC$8,077 per head in 2000 to EC$10,249 per head in 2004. The estimated figure for 2005 is EC$11,000 per head.
Meanwhile, nearly 8,000 additional jobs, net, have been created in 4 1/2 years.
The ULP administration has detailed all of this in a recent publication Four Years of Progress: Poverty Reduction in St. Vincent and the Grenadines April 2001 to April 2005. The focus of the ULP government's work has been in the areas of education and poverty reduction. The outstanding record speaks for itself.
Every sector of the society has been touch positively by the ULP administration: Children, students, the elderly youths, workers, farmers, fisherfolk, women, public servants of all types, sports persons, diverse personnel in the field of culture, businessmen/women, and every species of bona fide investors.
There is in the air., a mood, a feeling of optimistic success and achievement. Persons such as Halimah De Shong, Sabota Caesar, Kamal Wood, Kioka Cruickshank, Kevin Little, and Deighton Butler have become household names. There are dozens of success stories in every field of human endeavour. The people, especially the young, have rejected the gospel of the learned helplessness. They accept that they can soar to heights like eagles with their wings unclipped.
Sometime before arch 31, 2006, general elections will be held. In a sense the elections campaign has already started. As always the people will peacefully elect a government to their choice; they will do so with maturity and wisdom. I am sure that they will choose wisely and reward accomplishment and political stability.
As our nation grows older, let us remind ourselves of the stirring and apt words in the Preamble to the Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines that our Nation is founded on the belief in the Supremacy of God and the freedom and dignity of man. Let us continue to work in a disciplined and productive way. Let us strengthen our democracy and civil society's participation in it as we continue on our quest to ennoble, in every way, the Vincentian component of our Caribbean civilization.
INDEPENDENCE MESSAGE
H. H. ELLSWORTH I. A. JOHN
AMBASSADOR OF ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES TO THE USA
My fellow Vincentians, as we celebrate our 26th year of Independence, let us address our minds to ways in which we can propel St. Vincent and the Grenadines' integration into the global economy of the 21st century. A strategic inclusive foreign policy designed to confront the many challenges in this highly competitive world in a sure way of ushering in a new era of economic upliftment for our country.
Our approach is two-fold: first to form strategic alliances with other countries that can assist in our economic and social development and second to empower Vincentians in the Diaspora to be advocates and cultural ambassadors for our country.
It will be a fair assessment to say that so far, we have been successful with the first. We have continued the policies of past administrations and supported strengthening the process of regional integration through the OECS and CARICOM. At present, we are seeking to create an even stronger union through the establishment of a single economic space in the form of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME). Additionally, we have sought to build on a tradition of cooperation by forging greater links with Cuba. The number of Vincentians who have gained scholarships to study in Cuba has significantly multiplied over the years, empowering more Vincentians with university-level education and competence in a foreign language, thereby contributing to the enhancement of our economic, human and social development.
We have reached out further afield to our friends from Latin America, and we are receiving substantial technical and financial support from Mexico and Venezuela. Brazil will shortly be sending a technical team to our country to explore avenues for greater technical cooperation. This is keeping with our stated foreign policy of promoting greater integration of all the countries of the Americas, including Cuba.
Our links to Africa are obvious to all. To give more meaning to our African connection, both Prime Minister Gonsalves and the former Foreign Minister Straker have made official visits to several countries in Eastern and Southern Africa, seeking to carve out a foreign relations framework in these countries. With the mounting cadre of Vincentian doctors trained in Cuba, we are now in a position to offer support from our competent doctors to help with the growing medical crisis in many African countries.
Our links to Europe are more than just history. The 25-member strong European Union countries to be a prime benefactor of much-needed technical assistance to our nation and a valued trading partner. With an ever-expanding membership to the Union, St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be well placed to take advantage of market opportunities for trade and cooperation with these countries.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines continues to have a great friend and ally in the form of The Republic of China and Taiwan. The Taiwanese have invested in Vincentians over the years by making contributions to our country's educations, health and agricultural sectors.
The work done by the many Vincentian organizations in the United States in not to be forgotten. We greatly appreciate and applaud your hard work through the years. We think that you perform a commendable service in the areas of health, education and community service. However, the work is never finished. It is through you that we will be able to realize our objective of empowering Vincentians in the Diaspora.
We would like to work closer with the Vincentian community to supply information and material for the marketing of our country to tourists and investors. Our staff is too small to do the job needed to promote our country by themselves. We need the help of your membership and your friends. Let us therefore work together, with an aggressive foreign policy approach, to make St. Vincent and the Grenadines grow and be the perfect gem of the Caribbean that it can become.
Let me end by wishing one and all a happy and peaceful 26th Independence Anniversary.
26th INDEPENDENCE MESSAGE
FROM
H.E. MARGARET HUGHES FERRARI
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UNITED NATIONS
On behalf of all of us at the Permanent Mission of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the United Nations, I sent greetings to the Executive and members of the Council of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Organizations as we celebrate the 26th Anniversary of Independence of our blessed country, and congratulate you on your continuing work amongst the Vincentian population in New York.
I wish to take this opportunity to laud your efforts on this year's publication and to encourage you to continue your efforts to forge closer ties with citizens in the Diaspora and at home.
COSAGO, the umbrella body of the Vincentian Organizations in New York, is ideally placed to actas a "cushion" and focal point in the upliftment of the Citizens of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. As we celebrate the 26th Anniversary of our Nationhood, let us not forget our struggles, over time, and the achievements of outstanding individuals; our progress has been as a consequence of the combined efforts of these "ordinary" people. Vincentians have a significant role to play in the socio-economic development of our small island and I encourage all to work diligently to build upon achievements for the progress of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. We must continue to be poised, resolute and willing to uplift those who are less fortunate.
Let us pledge to work harmoniously in order to create more peaceful and prosperous environment and implement measures to affect the social and economic development of our nation. The Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is committed to forging stronger ties with its citizens in the Diaspora and it is my hope that all concerned mesh closer together, and work effortlessly to make a contribution. I applaud all those who remain loyal to their homeland and give of all their time, effort and talent to help the under-privileged.
We are reminded, time and again, that the hands of God have touched our island and kept us safe from devastating and cataclysmic natural disasters. The Pre-amble of our Constitution re-affirms that "our nation is founded on the belief in the supremacy of God and the freedom and dignity of man". We must continue to hold fast to those beliefs so that God will continue to bless, guide and protect our nation and its citizens in time of need.
Be assured of the full support of the Permanent Mission of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines during this year's celebration and always. I wish you continued success in your sustained efforts on behalf of your fellow citizens at home and abroad.
Happy 26th Anniversary to us all.
MESSAGE FROM
HON. COSMUS COZIER
CONSUL GENERAL
ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
On behalf of the Consulate General and Tourist Office of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in New York. I bring you greetings on this the 26th Anniversary of the Independence of our blessed land St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
At home we continue to have a stable government. There is a decline in the poverty rate, new jobs are being created and housing for the poor remains a priority as the Government continues to build new homes. Health services are on the rise with emphasis in quality. Hospital care for the poor continues to be subsidized and there is the availability of service for the indigent and poor. Immunization, for children under the age of five, remains at the one hundred percent. The infant mortality rate has reduced from 24.7 per 1000 births in 1986 to 16.3 per 1000 births in 2004. There is also a marked expansion in the number of doctors and nurses in the health service.
Universal access to secondary education is now a reality and the rapid expansion, in this area, is evidenced by an insatiable desire for learning by the students. At the tertiary level, Mexico has offered one hundred and forty (140) scholarships over a period of five years, and Cuba, thirty (30) for 2005. In addition to the 150 students who are presently studying there. Bearing in mind that fifteen percent of the population is functionally illiterate, adult and continuing education is being made available and learning centers are being erected in various parts of the country.
Regarding the infrastructure, considerable road building, road maintenance and construction are being carried out. The airport project at Argyle, the Jet Port in Canouan, the bridge over the Dry River and enhancements to the E.T. Joshua Airport are on the drawing board.
I am not trying to paint a rosy picture, because crimes and murders continue to defy us. Crime as a whole has fallen, but violent crimes increased in 2004, ending with a total of twenty seven (27). Measures, such as an increase in the police force, setting up a Serious Crimes Squad and a Rapid Response Unit have been put in place to combat crime.
As nationals we must continue to contribute in our own way, not only at the political level, but at the national level. We can invest funds in the NIS, GECCU and other local banking corporations where the rate of return will surpass what is obtainable abroad. In so doing we will not only have exercised fiscal prudence, but also help to grow the economy at home.
As we experience the numerous changes in the immigration laws let us avail ourselves of the opportunity of becoming citizens in the country we call home away from home. We must, however, maintain our culture our lifestyle and core values, and stay in touch with our roots.
Happy Anniversary St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and may God bless us all.
