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Ramphal rejects claims
Sir Shridath Ramphal
Published on: 8/26/2009.
FORMER Commonwealth Secretary General Sir Shridath Ramphal has rejected claims that he linked Barbados' immigration policy to 'ethnic cleansing'.
"I very much regret the misleading information that has wrongly attributed remarks to me about 'ethnic cleansing' in Barbados," he said in a statement issued yesterday.
"I make it absolutely clear that I never made even an insinuation about this in relation to Barbados, or any other country in the Caribbean."
'Ethnic cleansing' is the persecution through imprisonment, expulsion, or killing of members of an ethnic minority by a majority.
Sir Shridath's dismissal of the charge came about two months after Guyana's Stabroek News published a report about an address in which the term was used.
The comments triggered condemnation by several Caribbean academics, and last Sunday, Prime Minister David Thompson complained about "the refusal by (someone) who should know much better to publicly acknowledge the inappropriateness of the allegation of ethnic cleansing".
Sir Shridath said he had referred to 'ethnic cleansing' but people misinterpreted his comment.
"The only reference I made to the notion of 'ethnic cleansing' was in a speech on 25th June to a meeting organised by the Caribbean Court of Justice in Trinidad. "In doing so, I was criticising an editorial in a regional newspaper for intimating such a notion and I was making the very specific point that no Caribbean leader would countenance it.
"My remark was the very antithesis of the connotation that has been put on it."
According to him, what he actually said at the meeting was: "It is always a sadness when, however propelled, our societies are caught in a downward spiral of separateness with fellow West Indians cast as outsiders; those times when, as Annalee Davis (the Barbadian researcher) has described them, we become 'locked into nationalist crevices . . . and exclusivist cultural legitimacy'.
"We are at such a time, and both policies and practices are deepening Caribbean divides.
"'The knock on the door at night' is not within our regional culture; still less are intimations of 'ethnic cleansing'.
"No Caribbean leader would countenance such departures from our norms and values."
Sir Shridath stressed that he did not allude to genocidal practices Bosnia-style, "which are wholly alien to our Community, and especially alien to Barbados, which I have proclaimed globally to be a standard-bearer of human values within our region". (TY)
22 comment found!
Sound the Alarm , they are up to no good.. : 8/26/2009
A major Caribbean scholar gave a prepared speech about Barbados' immigration policy in which he deliberately introduces\references\intimates that the policy is akin to ethnic cleansing - a social policy that is not only foreign to the Caribbean but totally out of place and non applicable to anything relating to Barbados. If that is not what he he meant what was the relevance....what did the reference have to do with Barbados immigration policy. After two months of editorials , headlines,scathing criticism and daily commentary our learned friend tells us he neva sey dat...not true...dat en wha ment ...he think Barbados is a beacon in the region for human rights en allyuh stupid...allyuh din onderstand whey he sey. Ladies and Gentlemen Sir Ramm forget that he and Rickey Singh aren't the only bright people in the Caribbean...Maybe Singh gave\wrote the speech and Sir Ramm didn't read it before he delivered it...i don't think so I believe it was a collaborative effort. Brothers & Sisters this is a wake up call as to what we could be dealing with down the road if we don't monitormwho we let in and rigidly enforce the immigration policy ...Also be mindfull that if they can't destroy with lies and labels they are going to send in their "badjohns" to kill & rape tourist and do mischief and try to turn our little place into the hell hole that Guyana has become. Guys & Gals the price for our freedom and peace is eternal vigilance and not letting "nuh smartman pin labels pun we...dem hills & fields are we wun en we inten to keep dem soh"
Not convinced : 8/26/2009
I am not convinced by Mr. Ramphal's lame excuse of the phrase he used 'ethnic cleansing'. Why did he used it in the first place. We are an educated people and cannot be fooled into believing this 'sorry excuse of his'. If people did not respond as they did, I believe he would not have given this explanation which, I personally, do not accept. He needs to come clean by admitting the truth and apologize to the people of Barbados. If he would spend more time writing about what is causing Guyanese to flee from their country, which is by far richer than Barbados it would make a lot of sense. Unless he is hoping one day that Guyana becomes the Indian Republic of Guyana when all the black Guyanese are pushed into Barbados. We will not allow this to happen so he might as well put away his pen and paper.
Ignorance is Bliss : 8/26/2009
Does he think that the people of Barbados and the Caribbean are un-educated? We understand the English language. How dare him insult our intelligence!! An apology is in order.
Hard to accept : 8/26/2009
Sir Shridath stressed that he did not allude to genocidal practices Bosnia-style, "which are wholly alien to our Community, and especially alien to Barbados, which I have proclaimed globally to be a standard-bearer of human values within our region". As a Bajan this is a very hurtful situation. What he has said in the above statement is the Barbados I know. Bajans are among the most easy going and welcoming people in the world(not just the Caribbean. He has allot more work to do to win me over. People like this should be highlighted as divisive, so that when they speak people are familiar with where they stood in the past. Hopefully he will make amends by speaking of Barbados' impeccable history of working to unit and help other in our Caribbean region. This is very hurtful because it is soooo misplaced.
Print the entire speech! : 8/26/2009
What is the problem with obtaining the text of the speech and printing it in the newspaper?
ETHNIC CLEANSING : 8/26/2009
Shridith's mention of ethnic cleansing was unnessary and disrespectful to a entire notion. I feel that he now owes an apology to thoes he insulted.
Time for Action : 8/26/2009
If he has re-quoted himself correctly, then Sir Shridath still, in my opinion, has to explain the comment "still less are intimations of 'ethnic cleansing". He needs to point out the editorial, the context, and the statements that in his perception suggested these "intimations". Far from clearing the air, this statement has made the issue more nebulous!
Sir Shridath : 8/26/2009
Can someone tell me where to find this article in full. I would really like to read what this blow-heart has to say. He said what he meant, and he said it again, this time he used terms like Nationalist, Crevices, Cultural Legitimacy, same meaning, different words. Barbados has to keep its head, and look toward the kind of future we want for our children, without outside interference, and yes, we are part of the caribbean, but we are also, in this instance, two racially different cultures. I am saying what everyone fear to say.
Sir Shridath : 8/26/2009
So now its Nationalist Crevices and Exclusive Cultural Legitimacy when we enforce our immigration laws to protect our peole and economy. What do you call what goes on in your country?
'ethnic cleansing' : 8/26/2009
The USA deports thousands of people every year, is that 'ethnic cleansing'. What ethnic group do Guyanese or other people from the Caribbean belong to? Did he mean Barbados only deported Indians? How can a tiny country be expected to host every immigrant?
Still waiting for a real apology : 8/26/2009
Sir Shridath was very clear in what he said and in what he wanted to say. By the way the entire speech is still available at NormanGirvan.info, and I have a copy of the full speech. Indeed he said "No Caribbean leader would continence such departures from our norms and values. But the very next sentence partially apportions blame for actions that apparently to him seems to be "INTIMATIONS" of ethnic cleansing. "but all must not only believe, but also act as if they believe, that we forget our oneness at our peril; whether the ‘otherness’ that displaces it is an accidental place of regional birth, or otherness of any kind.” So who is he talking too? What is he talking about? Who is acting as if they do not believe in “our oneness? If he is now to afraid to say it I will for him. He targeted the Government of Barbados and insinuated that it's actions by way of it's manage migration policy forgets the Caribbean oneness. For him to now suggest that he was criticizing an editorial is to at variance with the very contents of the speech he made . In his interview with David Ellis Sir Shridath suggested that we look not at his statement but at the reasons that led to the editorial. Ricky Singh in his attempted defense suggested the same. Clearly he believes it and this is probably why he cannot bring himself to apologize. We are not fools Sir Shridath, your speech was well written and well delivered there was no ambiguity then as to it’s meaning and there is none now. All you have done is with these latest comments is to dig yourself deeper into a place you do not wish to be. Those commentators who sought without success to defend Sir Shridath by suggesting a misunderstanding of the word intimations are not doing themselves any favors. Intimations: A hint; an obscure or indirect suggestion or notice; a remote or ambiguous reference; as, still less are intimations of ‘ethnic cleansing’
ONE CARIBBEAN : 8/26/2009
We should accept Sir Shridath's clarification of any remarks regarding "enthnic cleansing" allegedly attributed to him. An interesting observation noticed throughout the immigration debate is the richness and breadth of intellect of the Caribbean people. Let us use what we have been blessed with to ensure the survivabilty and growth of the Caribbean and all of its peoples.
What buffonery : 8/26/2009
Sir Shridath, you are not fooling anyone with your wishy washy attempts at diplomatic niceities. Apologise to bajans, your host. Nothing less must be expected.
What buffonery : 8/26/2009
Sir Shridath, you are not fooling anyone with your wishy washy attempt at diplomatic niceities. Apologise is what you must do, nothing less should be accepted.
Ramphal Reject Claim : 8/26/2009
WHAT A DEVELOPMENT!!! Seems like Ramphal is eating his words. For months this has been the focus of debates and not a word from this gentlman, so much to say that some radio commentators made the statement that they don't expect Mr. Ramphal to respond because this isn't his style. well I guess the Prime Minister and the overwhelming support by Barbadians on his immigration policies as stated in the CARDES poll,75% support, has put Ramphal and others like him that keep "BAD MOUTHING" Barbados and Barbadians in they place. "WELL DONE" Mr. Prime Minister and this is coming from a strong BLP supporter but a patriotic Barbadian.
: 8/26/2009
Sir Shridath ought to know that speaches and writings can be viewed from many different perspectives. Is not that what we do with Shakespeare's plays. Say not those thing that will return to sting thee. For who can tell what is in the mind of the speaker. I am glad that he is able to say what he really meant. Thank you for clearing the air, Sir.
Ramphal rejects claim : 8/26/2009
It is so sad that a man like this can't even admit when he is wrong. There is something flawed about these people there cant even come to geips with natural truths. We need to stop embracing people like this. There are not our friends as we would like to think. They will destroy anything or any body for their own self interest. Good Luck Barbados with people like this around.
: 8/26/2009
SO did he wait TWO months to correct the interpretation of his speech??I am absolutely sure that he was cognizant of its negative implication on Barbados and the political mileage gained by the indo- communist racist ppp govt of Guyana.
CLARITY ..FINALLY!!!! : 8/26/2009
Wow, initially when i heard reference to the term 'ethnic cleansing' it seemed a harsh and asinine point of view for anyone of our caribbean leaders to take. Now having read this article some clarity has been put on its use. It is so unfortunate when poor reporting of the facts are done and as a result people are mislead.
Not good enough : 8/26/2009
What he should have expressed regret for is reference to the term in the first place. That was offensive to many. "Ethnic cleasing' is foreign to our region and should not have been factored in at all, in my opinion.
The way the statesman dresses : 8/26/2009
First off, someone should speak this man about that way he dresses. Purple shirt with pin strip Jacket and dotted white tie? My God is he trying to be Hugh Heffner?
Too Little Too Late : 8/26/2009
This is to little, too late. Publish the full text of the speech for those who still care to read. Usually, there's always some truth in the initial reports. Come again.
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