NEWS Flash!!! Seychelles Intercepts Pirates - Puts them on Mother Ship

Seychelles Coast Guard intercepted a group of suspected pirates and destroyed two of their skiffs on Sunday.
A Seychelles coast guard patrol boat caught up with the suspected pirates on Saturday evening about 250 nautical miles northwest of our motherland and only after being led to them by a Swedish aircraft operating as  part of the EU NAVFOR force.
The suspected pirate boats consisted of a whaler used as a mother ship and two fast-attack skiffs.
The Seychelles Coast Guard destroyed the two pirate skiffs and then embarked the pirates on their mother ship. Presumably wising them bon voyage to Somalia.
This incident continues to highlight the vulnerability of the Seychelles's inner islands to a shore based pirate attack since the pirates are increasingly operating closer to Mahe. The Michel Pp Collaborator government continues to rely mostly on foreign forces to protect our vital security interest and has no plans for coastal defense, though it is becoming increasingly obvious that such a strategy is vital to protecting our critical national interests.

Mouvman Leadership Committee Memeber Elected to Board of Seychelles Hotel & Tourism Assoc.

A member of Mouvman Seselwa Rasin's leadership committee, Mr. Christopher Gill, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association. The Mouvman congratulates Mr. Gill on his election and are confident he will add significant value to the governance of the organization. Mr. Gill has had previous roles in the Association and has contributed to the development and welfare of our vital tourism industry. We wish him well in this endeavor.

The Mouvman Issues Warning on North Island Sale

THE LETTER FOR EASE OF READING

May 28, 2010

Johannesburg Stock Exchange


Via Email – info@JSE


Botswana Stock Exchange

Via Email – info@bse.com.bw


Re: Wilderness Holdings, Ltd. dba Wilderness Safari

Dear Sir or Madam:

It has come to the Mouvman Seselwa Rasin’s (“The Mouvman”) attention that Wilderness Holdings Group, Ltd. may have a listing on your respective stock exchanges.

The Mouvman believes that Wilderness Holdings Group, Ltd. dba Wilderness Safaris, or one of its affiliates or subsidiaries, currently owns a long term lease of North Island in the Republic of Seychelles.

The Mouvman is informed and believes that this lease agreement was obtained in what The Mouvman considers to be circumstances that can be described as questionable. As such, when The Mouvman installs a Rasin-sit government in Seychelles it intends to review this lease agreement under the provisions of Article XX of the Rasin-ist Creed.

Article XX of the Rasin-ist Creed states: “Any gains or any other assets or rights accumulated by any person who obtained them or any part of them by any bribes, insider dealings or any other fraudulent or illegal means shall be forfeited to the Government of Seychelles in addition to the imposition of any applicable criminal or civil penalties.”

In addition, a Rasin-ist government will seek to reduce any lease term of North Island to a maximum of seventy-five (75) years under Article XIX of the Rasin-ist Creed.

This information should be included in any prospectuses or disclosure statements required from the listed company, and should be made available to any potential purchaser of its shares or interests related to North Island.

Sincerely,

Leonard Francis Gill

Member - Leadership Committee


Cc: Botswana Gazette – Via Email – info@gazette.bw.com

Coral Reefs in Seychelles Face New Dangers of Bleaching

Reprinted from the Save our Seas Foundation:

The islands of the Seychelles lie north of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean and are a mecca for tourists with stunning blue seas and palm fringed beaches. The islands and atolls, surrounded by fringing coral reefs, have also long been a strong attraction for thousands of divers every year, in particular those looking to encounter the endangered whale sharks and turtles. The area’s coral reefs, which support a large local fishing industry and were once claimed to be the most stunning in the Indian Ocean, were decimated by a coral bleaching event in the El Nino event of 1998, which damaged many reefs throughout the Indian Ocean.

Coral bleaching occurs when the tiny photosynthetic algae, called zooxanthellae, present within the coral polyp’s tissue leaves due to stress, such as that caused by an increase in water temperature. The zooxanthellae are essential for the survival of the coral as they provide each polyp with approximately 80% of its energy requirement. The exact mechanism via which corals bleach remains elusive, but it can result from a variety of factors (eg. changes in temperature or water chemistry) causing coral colonies to lose all colour and on most occasions starve to death. Soon, all that remains is a ghostly white skeleton.

Recovering coral in the Seychelles. Photo by Rainer von Brandis.

After the 1998 El Nino event the damaged coral in the Seychelles had severe knock-on effects for all marine life. What was once an area of pristine coral reefs transformed into expanses of barren rock and algae, much to the detriment of all organisms up the food chain. However, now more than a decade has passed and the marine life in the Seychelles seems to have been back on track for recovery; some stunning diving can be had similar tothat of the time before El Nino and many fish stocks have returned to healthy levels.

But, in recent weeks, there has been concern of further bleaching being caused by unseasonably high water temperatures…

SOSF cameraman Owen Bruce states ‘I spend a lot of time in the Seychelles. I love it here… it’s such a fascinatingly diverse place and I’ve had some incredible underwater encounters with all forms of marine life. One of the highlights for me is always returning to familiar dive sites and checking up on the development of new young coral colonies that in the last two years in particular have started to do really well. In the last month or two though the water has been noticeably warmer (a local dive guide told me the water temperature reached 31 degrees celsius in March) and the number of newly bleached coral colonies is quite alarming. The glowing skeletons are visible below as soon as you get into the water.‘

Even without the threat of coral bleaching, the Seychelles is an archipelago subject to various pressures on the marine environment such as unsustainable over fishing practices, including shark finning by local and foreign vessels and the harvesting of numerous marine species from shells and sea cucumbers to hawksbill turtles. The recent bleaching of coral, and the concern that 2010 may prove another El Nino year, is worrisome to those who fear that another large bleaching event may be disastrous for the marine life of the Seychelles and all who depend on it for their livelihoods.

Recent bleaching on a reef in the Seychelles. Photo by Rainer von Brandis.

Leader of the SOSF hawksbill turtle project in the Seychelles added ‘The bleaching was indeed quite bad this year. Here at D’Arros it was certainly the worst year since the 1998 event. I estimate that in excess of 50% of the remaining corals of the genus Poccillopora alone have perished. The entire month of April was calm with very clear water and this led to an extended period of high sea surface temperatures. Often coral polyps can survive short periods of bleaching but now that the temperature has reduced again (27 degrees at present), it is evident that most have died.‘

Further coral bleaching will affect all forms of marine life in the Seychelles, some in more direct ways than others. It will damage the foraging ground of endangered hawksbill turtles, affect the plankton on which the whale sharks come to feed and will disrupt local fisheries by removing a resource on which so many fish species depend.

Increasing frequency of severe bleaching events around the world is of growing concern in the current context of ongoing climate change.

PP Collaborators Start Bogus Human Rights Watch Seychelels to Discredit The Mouvman

The PP Collaborators have created a bogus human rights organization they call Human Rights Watch Seychelles. This fake human rights organization is being used by the PP to smear Mouvman Seselwa Rasin in an effort to derail The Mouvman's efforts to remove them from power and bring them to justice for their crimes agaisnt the Seselwa Rasin people - their own people.

The fake human rights organization has falsely stated that The Mouvman is a Nazi organization, is intending terrorist activities and that one of its leaders Leonard Francis Gill is currently convicted of serious offenses failing to mention that Mr. Gill was declared innocent by an unconditional pardon issued to correct the injustice perpetrated against Mr.Gill.

The bogus human rights organization, in The Moouvman's opinion, is being spearheaded by PP paid henchman and Fabrike Mark Jeyasingh who received his Fabrike citizenship in questionable circumstances he refuses to explain. Mr. Jeyasingh is also suspected of being involved in money laundering stolen Seselwa Rasin money pocketed by the PP Collaborators and squirreled away in foreign bank accounts presumably with Fabrike Jeyasingh's assistance or complicity. He is presumed to be assisted by his usual cohort, Pauline Ferrari, who has recently been awarded contracts by the PP Collaborators. Both are presumed to be working for the PP Collaborators in their efforts against The Mouvman. Ferrrari and Fabrike Jeyasingh appear to be spearheading efforts to fake profiles of individuals on Facebook and to  use other people's pseudonyms in order to sow confusion and stifle the free speech The Mouvman has advocated and practiced on LAVWA Blog, STAR Blog and on its Facebook page.

Ms. Pauline Ferrari's family is also known to be closely associated with the Seychelles National Party (SNP) whose cadres have been engaged in a well organized effort to attack The Mouvman also in an effort to derail the founding of the party which is expected in the next several weeks.

The Mouvman will not be deterred by any of these machinations and is forging ahead with its program as scheduled and as planned.

Plantation Club is Demolished in a Sea of Allegtions of Corruption and Insider Dealing

EDITORIAL COMMENT By: Leonard Francis Gill

The Plantation Club, previously one of Seychelles's premier establishments, is currently being demolished. The Hotel has been at the center of allegations of a multimillion dollar scheme to deprive the original rightful owners of the property.

The alleged scheme by highly placed PP Collaborators to confiscate the hotel from its original owners and sell it to a person described as a Saudi Arabian investor, was described in some detail by Mark E. Davidson, whose family was the prior owners of the Plantation Club.

Mr. Davidson, in a letter to the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry in April of this year surrounding the Fabrike Ramadoss' power grab at the Chamber, describes allegations of conduct that has a familiar pattern of corruption to those of us familiar with the machinations of the PP in selling off Seselwa Rasin patrimony to fill their pockets.

The Mouvman reproduces Mr. Davidson's letter and photographs of the demolition process for the benefit of those who may not have read the letter. 

FORMER OWNER'S APRIL 2010 LETTER DESCRIBING ALLEGATIONS OF PP IMPROPRIETY

A Message to the Members of the SCCI [Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry]

Mr. Chairman, Members of the Executive Committee, Councillors, Members, Friends,

I would like to take the opportunity to address certain issues, in advance of the 2010 Annual General Meeting of the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to be held tomorrow.

My father, the late Dr. George R. Davison arrived in these island in the mid 1970’s, before the Independence of Seychelles, and found a beautiful, peaceful land with friendly people.  He came to work on a hotel project at Intendance, which was doomed to failure, because the then owners did not have the necessary resources and acumen to mount such an endeavour.  It was only thereafter, by sheer accident, that he founded the Plantation Club, after a long struggle which, at one point, nearly broke him financially.  He ended up falling in love with Seychelles and it was his wish to end his days here in the islands, which he did in 2005.  During his time in Seychelles, I believe that he embodied all of the spirit of enterprise which our chamber represents.

Since my fist arrival at the beginning of 1988, I have, likewise, grown to love the Seychelles, her islands and her people.  It has, for many years, been my great pleasure to devote my energies to contributing to the life of the community which has welcomed me and included me so warmly.  I have enjoyed being part of the very diverse and engaging business culture here.  It has certainly been an interesting challenge!

When one considers the dynamic and varied business activity in this tiny country, which yet manages to flourish and to innovate very impressively, despite all of the disadvantages and hurdles set in its way, I remain convinced, as I have said to many people in the past, that Seychellois business men and women, were they on the level playing field offered by most other countries, could outshine and outperform anyone.

There is no point in crying over spilt milk, in complaining about the unfairness of certain aspects of life in the Seychelles.  That unfairness, however, does not make it right that we who have committed ourselves to the economic growth of this country, should suffer, or tolerate, the corruption and iniquities of the system that we have to combat with all of our might and resources, before we can even begin the difficult challenge of trying to build a profitable and competitive business.

No one person alone can change the environment for business in Seychelles.  It is therefore up to the Chamber of Commerce to fight for this, and we are lucky that we have a chamber to take up the gauntlet.  By this I do not mean that it should be left to the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry to make it all happen for us.  I mean, very specifically, that it is up to the entrepreneurs who have joined forces under the structure of the Chamber to work together to make it happen.  This means that each and every one of us must make a sustained commitment, through continued and daily and repeated efforts, to push for a change in the circumstances in which we find ourselves.

It means sticking our necks out.  It means risking the lot for our principles and our futures.  It means not taking injustices lying down.  I know that some of you are champions for the cause of justice and equity and have fought for this for many years.  However, an association does not mean the courage of the few, it means the courage of all.  We must all become warriors.  Why must we do this?  My opinion is that it is for the children of tomorrow’s Seychelles.  If we do not have children of our own, then it is for future of our friends’ children.  They are the ones who will make Seychelles what it will be and they are our responsibility.  If we do not champion the cause of justice and fair opportunity, then what chance do they have to sustain and build this tiny nation?

The Plantation Club is perhaps the most glaring example, in recent times, of what I am trying to illustrate.

Before talking about the Plantation Club in detail, however, I would like to state that I make no apologies for any sentimental expressions which punctuate my speech.  It sounds corny, particularly in this clinical, profit-oriented day and age, but we feel that our company was about as close to being, genuinely, a “happy family” and a community-oriented business as one can get and I care about it very much.  One only has to consider that around 120 of our staff came from all over the country, last October, from Silhouette, Praslin and even from as far as Desroches, at short notice, to celebrate the 21^st anniversary of the opening of the hotel, despite the fact that the they had been forced out of their jobs by James Michel’s government almost two years previously and that the hotel had belonged to the Saudis for more than a year.  To me this is the result of what I consider corporate responsibility, or, in more simple terms, the whole point of doing business.  We must care for the personal worries of each employee, to enable them to contribute the maximum they can to our business.  They care for the mother, the mother must care for the children.

While the Plantation Club case has, to some degree, faded from everyday conversation and while many who suffered from the loss of the jobs they had had for years in a company that they loved, we, the management and shareholders, supported by many loyal members of the Plantation Club family are still fighting to force the Government to reverse the unlawful seizure and to get the Arabs out of the hotel, and subsequently, out of the country.  And yet, the injustice done now more than two years ago is still as unjust as it was then.  If we never succeed in reversing what has been done, the injustice will remain as grave forever.  While it might seem to have become a personal vendetta against these particular Saudis, I have nonetheless not lost sight of my long-held belief, which I know is shared by most Seychellois, that many of those Arabs who are in Seychelles represent an insidious body of people for the country, who distort the due process of government by bribing, and who, to many, also represent the worst aspect of a system which has deprived Seychellois of opportunities rightfully theirs, by transferring much of what they can aspire to into the hands of outsiders with, in the most part, very little interest in the country and her people.

In 2004, when I took the helm of Ailee Development Corporation Limited, just about one in every hundred working Seychellois worked for our company, according to the government’s figures of Seychellois in employment.  Some 96% of the staff were Seychellois, including almost the entire Executive Management.  We have estimated that some eight hundred people derived their livelihood directly from someone employed at the Plantation Club.  The economic “trickle-down” effect was vastly greater.  All of this benefit has been lost to the country.  The following approximate figures give an idea of the economic loss, over the past 27 months, caused by the expropriation of the Hotel:

Foreign exchange inflows into Seychelles                        24 million USD

Wages                                                                          27 million Rupees

Trades Tax                                                                   9.45 million Rupees

Social Security Contributions                                          6.75 million Rupees

Pension Fund Contributions                                            1.62 million Rupees

This leaves aside the fact that almost all of the revenue of our hotel operation went into the local economy by way of payments to suppliers, revenue for DMCs, etc.  All of this has been lost in favour of what the Government said was necessary in the interests of the tourism industry of the Seychelles, upon which the economy relies heavily.  And yet the new Saudi owners have done nothing but build a pleasure palace for themselves, contributing virtually nothing to the economy.

This demonstrates why it is important to fight nepotism and corrupt or unethical practices, wherever they are encountered and why democratic principles must be kept pure and not prostituted for the interest of one man or one small group of powerful people.  It was this very nepotism and corruption which cost all those connected with the Plantation Club everything for which they had worked for more than twenty years.

Last year an unscrupulous scheme was perpetrated to ensure that control of one of the Seychelles’ most important civil society institutions, by which I mean this very Chamber, was put into the hands of one man, for his benefit.  This may have been done by democratic process, but not according to democratic principles.  I have since made efforts to enlist as many new members as I could, to have as large as possible a cross-section of the business community present at the forthcoming meeting, each with one equal vote.  This is not to oust the present chairman for personal reasons, but to break the self-interested, preponderant majority purposely created by him, thus ensuring that an even-handed chance exists for all of the Chamber’s membership to vote, according to pure democratic principles, for the person they feel can best steer their interests in these dangerous waters.  This should ensure that no-one can crown himself king.  The Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry is an association, not a feudal, private facility, and it is there to serve all of its members equally.  If the majority of Chamber members vote to re-appoint the present chairman, then I will embrace my duty to serve him as a member or our association.  If someone else is voted in as chairman, my duty to the Chamber will, likewise, be to serve him, or her, in any way that I can.

I do not expect to win points with the powers-that-be for these statements.  In fact, I am sure there will be negative repercussions as a result of this.  That, unfortunately, seems to be Seychelles today.  After all, who am I?  Just some damned foreigner with his notions of the universal rights of all people to fair opportunity.  However, I am also an equal member of this chamber and part of the business community of Seychelles, foreign or otherwise, and I have a right to express my views to my fellow Chamber Members.  Unfortunately, my absence from the Seychelles renders me unable to present this before the Chamber, in person at the meeting, but the important thing is that, before all of you, I am practising precisely what I am preaching.  I am commenting openly, despite the risk of negative consequences.  If we want to make a difference, we must stand together and face each dragon, not run from its flames and hope that it will just go away.

As regards the Plantation Club, I would like to ask all of you for your support in our continued fight.  It is a fight not just for our own interests, but for the interests of the country and our chamber.  You all know and, I believe, fear that if they can do this to us today, they can it to you tomorrow.  This doesn’t mean that you have to wield a sword on my battlefield.  It merely means that even your moral support and the pressure you can bring to bear on those in power will help us in our struggle and help all of you in yours.  As I am committed to support all of my fellow members, when they call upon me to do so, this member now asks you for your support.  We hope, one day, to see our company back in business, employing Seychellois and helping to build a strong Seychelles economy.

I would also like to say that I regret the damage that the Plantation Club affair has already done to the reputation of Seychelles, particularly in terms of its reputation as a destination for Foreign Direct Investment, and realise that my continued actions in fighting for justice in our case will continue to cause the spotlight of international scrutiny to shine on the dirtier aspects of the country, even if the situation was not caused by us.  I nevertheless believe that the pain of treatment is necessary for the long-term healing of a sick patient.

Building a nation is not achieved by complacency or by observation from the sidelines.  It requires personal involvement, dedication, courage, sacrifice and tenacity.  It requires courage to continue when there is no more energy left to fight.  It is a mutual effort of blood, sweat and tears, with only the hope that someone, someday, will live the life of which we are dreaming.

In closing I would like to say:

I ler pou tou biznesmenn (ek fanm) Seselwa debout, pou mazinen zot lepase e zot lavenir, pou vremann “koste” e ensiste lo enn vre “Sesel pou tou biznesman Seselwa”

God Bless Seychelles and all who sail in her.

Thank you

Mark E. Davison

Ailee Development Corporation Limited (The Plantation Club), “former” Managing Director

Hotel Development Corporation Limited, Director

Westend Development Company Limited, Managing Director

St. Antoine Company Limited, Director

April 2010

NEWS Flash!!! Francis Savy Becomes a Friend of The Mouvman

By: Leonard Francis Gill

Recently The Mouvman has seen a varied group of friends building on its Facebook page. This has occurred simultaneously with The Mouvman's efforts to gather membership registrations on the ground in Seychelles, and through its on-line vehicles.

Consistent with that trend, The Mouvman noticed that on May 26th 2010 Francis Savy became a friend of The Mouvman. This is in addition to current Mouvman friends who were previously stalwart or loyal PP Collaborator supporters and cadres. Perhaps it is becoming clear to the PP Collaborators that The Mouvman is the force of the future. 

The Mouvman welcomes all, but we remind all that those with Rasin blood on their hands and who are one of the Gang of 15 who have fleeced the Seselwa Rasin people, that you will be brought to justice for their crimes against the Seselwa Rasin people. Your acceptance of guilt, your repentance, and your willingness to make restitution to the Seselwa Rasin people and your future efforts to remove the PP Collaborators from power will however be considered in mitigation of any sentence that will be imposed on you if you are found guilty of the crimes alleged against you.

NEWS Flash!!! In a Further Erosion of Our Sovereignty PP Collaborators Now Rely on Indian Navy to Patrol the Rasin Homeland's EEZ

EDITORIAL COMMENT BY LEONARD FRANCIS GILL

The Indian Navy, by their own admission, is currently engaged in extensive patrols of the Seychelles' Exclusive Economic Zone. These patrols are touted by the Indian Navy as part of its efforts to develop a "blue water" navy.  Apparently the Indian Navy now considers our homeland waters as part of its area of influence.

These patrols are occurring outside of any announced bilateral treaty that would allow the Indian Navy to patrol the Rasin Homeland's Exclusive Economic Zone. Given this omission and the reckless omission of the PP Collaborator government of James Michel to devise and implement a comprehensive maritime defense plan to protect the inner main islands of our motherland from potential Somali pirate attack, it is clear that the PP Collaborators are relying on a patchwork of uncoordinated efforts to defend Seychelles' maritime interests.  Our overall economic well being rely on the security of our maritime environment.

These omissions and the negligent treatment of our soveregn rights is further evidence of the PP Collaborator's lack of respect for the sovereignty of the Rasin homeland and is further evidence of PP incompetence in the defense of our interests. 

If the Indian Navy, or any other navy, is to be granted the right to patrol our Exclusive Economic Zone it should be in the context of a recognized bilateral treaty that specifically defines the parties corresponding rights and obligations. And such a treaty should be executed only in the context of a comprehensive maritime defense strategy that should balance Indian influence with similar treaties with the United States and possibly France. This is too important an issue to be treated with such reckless disregard for our sovereignty as has thus far been exhibited by the incompetent PP Collaborators.  

ARTICLE FROM THE HINDU NEWSPAPER

(New Delhi - May 10th 2010) The Indian Navy has begun shouldering out-of-area tasks in a bigger way, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Nirmal Verma, told his commanders at the bi-annual conference of top commanders here on Wednesday.

In this respect, he drew attention to the ever-increasing demands of maritime security both in the littorals and high seas and the consequent need for the Indian Navy to maintain a high state of preparedness.

“Professional excellence, coupled with material preparedness, sound logistics, effective maintenance and comprehensive training are the cornerstones of combat readiness.”

The Navy Chief also emphasised the need to maintain the highest standards of moral conduct and integrity in addition to professional excellence.

FUND UTILISATION

The Chief of Naval Staff informed his commanders that during the previous fiscal, the Navy had signed major contracts such as additional MiG-29K, cost revision of Gorshkov and had fully utilised the allotted budget.

He was also appreciative of the Defence Ministry for making additional funds available for clearing important schemes. Due emphasis is being laid on improving the efficiency of the internal processes associated with the acquisition to achieve the goals laid out in the Maritime Capability Perspective Plan.

During discussions on the operational status of the Navy, it was brought out that the tempo of operational commitments has been increasing significantly necessitating greater attention to improving operational efficiencies and material availability.

In its quest for blue water status, the Navy maintained a continuous patrol in the Gulf of Aden with 17 ships on duty. In addition, Indian warships patrolled the exclusive economic zone and maritime areas of interest of Mauritius, Seychelles and Maldives.

Deliberations will continue on the maintenance philosophy, operational readiness, availability of ships, submarines and aircraft, cyber security and personnel matters impacting the welfare of personnel.

NEWS Flash!!! PP Collaborators Seek to Boost Regional Anti-Piracy Efforts But Fail Closer to Home

EDITORIAL COMMENT BY LEONARD FRANCIS GILL

The PP Collaborator Government continues its efforts to boost the regional capability to counter the threat of Somali piracy near the Seychelles the Seselwa Rasin homeland. While undertaking these regional efforts that are connected to obtaining increased aid from the European Union, the PP Collaborators have utterly failed to articulate and implement a comprehensive defense strategy to defend the inner islands in the Republic of Seychelles from pirate attack. Thus, the resorts of the Rasin homeland are left exposed to possible piracy that may eventually lead to kidnappings of tourists for ransom from our resorts. This possibility left unattended by the PP Collaborators would be devastating to our economy and well being. The PP Collaborators must take a stronger defense posture to defend our inner islands and resorts from Somali pirate attack in addition to their regional efforts to combat the problem.

PRESS RELEASE

(KUNA) -- EU foreign and security policy chief Catherine Ashton met with the ministers of Djibouti, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles and South Africa in Seycehlles on Friday to discuss regional cooperation to fight the menace of piracy, noted an EU statement on Saturday.

"Piracy is today an international problem which requires a comprehensive multilateral solution. The participants agreed that to be effective in addressing the challenge of piracy, the countries in the region will have to act together. They agreed to forge strong regional cooperation because regional solidarity is essential to fight piracy" said the EU statement.

The participants recognised the crucial role of the EU anti-piracy mission Atalanta off Somalia.

In the medium-term, it was stressed the need to strengthen the capacities of the countries in the wider region on the prosecution and imprisonment of pirates.

But it was agreed that a comprehensive strategy can only be achieved by addressing the underlying security challenges and development causes behind piracy.

Representatives from international organization such as the UN, Africa Union, INTERPOL also attended Friday's meeting in Seychelles.

The participants agreed to meet again soon and continue their concerted efforts for a coordinated international action for sustainable solutions on piracy, added the statement.

Ashton also visited Kenya and Tanzania during her African tour earlier this week.

NEWS Flash!!! North Island Sold Though Closing of Sale Not Yet Firm

Wilderness sells North Island

Written by NCHIDZI SMARTS

Wednesday, 19 May 2010 00:00

The North Island, situated in the Seychelles and owned by Wilderness Safaris is up for sale, the tourism outfit has announced. The Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) and Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed company last week cautioned its shareholders to exercise care when dealing in the company’s shares until a further announcement is made.

In a statement released last Friday, shareholders were advised of a transaction that could potentially affect the company’s share price. Shareholders were further advised that the transaction pertains to the sale, by an associated company of the Wilderness Group, of North Island situated in the Seychelles, and as such the transaction is subject to a number of conditions. “Shareholders of Wilderness Holdings are advised that an associated company of the Wilderness Holdings group has entered into negotiations which, if successfully concluded, may have an effect on the price of the company's shares. Accordingly, shareholders are advised to continue exercising caution when dealing in their Wilderness shares until such time as a full announcement is made.”

In addition, the directors announced that Wilderness has concluded a joint venture agreement in respect of Duba Plains Camp in the Okavango Delta. “In terms of this agreement the camp will continue to be marketed by Wilderness Safaris (Pty) Ltd but henceforth will be managed by Great Plains Conservation. The assets of the business have been sold and the proceeds of US$4.5 million were received, thus improving the group’s cash resources and balance sheet accordingly.”

Wilderness Safaris, established 26 years ago, operates over 60 camps and safaris in Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the Seychelles.

On the local bourse, Wilderness Holdings is reported to have been one of the biggest movers during the week. Motswedi Securities reported that Wilderness Holdings moved for the first time to 425 thebe since the company listed on the BSE on April 8. The tourism operator will also be releasing its maiden financial results to the market on May 31.

We Are Not Anti-Foreigner...We Are Pro –Seychellois!

We Are Not Anti-Foreigner...We Are Pro –Seychellois!

In the State of the Nation for 2010, President James Michel was quick to point out that there was a xenophobic movement taking root in Seychelles and he categorically defended the hiring of a number of Irish Ex-Army, as Police Officers, and as part of the Financial Intelligence (FIU) based at State House.

In the same breath, he defended his hiring of Australian tax agents which included the highly qualified and capable Mr. Richard Nusse. In that group of Australians were individuals like Mr. Simmon Hannaford, and Mrs. Fiona Powell at the Seychelles International airport and Port Customs who the Government of Seychelles, simply did not need to staff the Customs office of the Government of Seychelles. There is no debate there.

“Sesel Pou Seselwa in 2010”

In my first article on STAR for 2010, I announced that this year, the theme of my writings were departing the standard business , economic and social issues, and would refocus on the founding principle of the Republic of Seychelles: “Seychelles Pour Seychellois. The new translation under Rene’s KREOL is now: “Sesel Pou Seselwa”.

I am happy to note that the Leader of the Opposition took notes of the article and used a substantial portion of it in his rebuttal on the State of the Nation, though I never received any credit for it, or even a thank you card.

I could make out the faint call of “Sesel Pou Seselwa” in the speech as I heard it over the radio, driving through Victoria. It was weak, but at least he tried.

Many have asked me why the sudden shift in gear in 2010. I will clear this up, today.

The reason I launched this year under the banner “Sesel Pou Seselwa” is simple enough to most of us, today, but it would have been overlooked completely if I had not taken the banner to task and raised it from the closets of history.

The SPPF, after the Coup of 1977,dropped the banner of “Sesel Pou Seselwa”. Since the Coup of 1977, the SPUP turned itself into SPPF and never looked back.

The SPPF turned thug criminal organization, abandoned the banner that united us all as one People. To stay in power, to run the country, as many highly capable Seychellois left Seychelles between 1977-1992, the SPPF imported foreigners to Seychelles, made them Seychellois Seselwa Fabrike’s), to the point that no one in Seychelles even questions the application of citizenship of these individuals, prior to my writings this year. Even in the State of Nation address, Madam Gamatis, said this banner, “Sesel Pou Seselwa”, is not longer relevant today.

I say, “Sesel Pou Seselwa “ will always be and remain relevant to Seychelles. Hence why, MSR founding and enduring slogan will remain: “Sesel Pou Seselwa” for generations to come, even long after, I am gone.

The SNP opposition remains silent on citizenship applications, though they call themselves the Seychelles “National” Party. They remained silent on who is a Seselwa for many years. With this in mind, why do they use the term:”National”? Does it refer to National fan, to blow up and inflate their salaries solely, today?

As the Mouvman Seselwa Rasin (MSR) begins to take root in Seychelles political life, as a Nationalist movement, we will displace the middle of the road sleeping moderate, softy “national” party, that has taken to cocktail parties to lobby the Government of Seychelles run by PP. For what ever they want. The list over the years, has been endless and much of it resolved over cocktails and shrimp tails.

MSR will work hard and tirelessly to remove PP. from power. Why? Because for Seychelles to succeed, they have to go, simple enough, nothing complicated in that assertion.

“Define a Seselwa”

The first intellectual challenge to lifting the banner of “Sesel Pou Seselwa” in 2010, has been to define who is and who is not a Seselwa, in the social quagmire SPPF created from 1977-1992 and beyond.

MSR took on this challenge early in the year 2010. We knew we would face opposition in the definition of who is a Seselwa. But we did not waver and came up with a plausible definition, which made sense and the People of Seychelles are grasping it quickly. The exceptions include naturalization applicants, individuals married to Seselwa –Rasin, and humanitarian grounds if we miss any one unfairly through a loop hole.

Repeatedly, I have asked the SNP to define who is a Seychellois. They refuse to take any political risk and do not define who is a Seychellois in Seychelles today.

This political posture of the Country’s main opposition, only gives the PP a Carte Blanche to go on doing what it has done for the last 34 years, sell passports, to anyone who will buy them, and make a citizen anyone who will remain loyal to them.

With that in play, the voters list is stacked, with defeat for the Opposition becoming a permanent rule to the democratic process in Seychelles.

SNP ignores the 10,000 odd residents of Eden Island, citizens in the making, as they ignore SIVA’s Ambassadorship and Citizenship, because it is profitable to do so.

We need to find an acceptable medium status for these people. They have invested in Seychelles, and we need the investments. But we do not need to sell our citizenship, and they have no right to participate in the political affairs of our country.

The Eden Island residents, should be granted investor residency status, an appropriate amendment made to the laws and constitution allowing for the status with caveats on citizenship application. No exceptions.

The Siva’s of the world, are many, they buy passports and buy status and must be sent a strong message from the People of Seychelles: “ we will not honour such deals made with PP or SNP”.

On Facebook page “Sesel Pou Seselwa”, created by SNP to override the MSR ideology, I have repeatedly asked the administrator, no less then 3 times, to define who is a “Seychellois”. The administrator has remained silent, preferring to allow all that register to believe what they want in their minds.

Another page by SNP’s Pauline Ferrari has been started in response to MSR ideology and it is called : “Sesel Pou Tou Seselwa”. This gives us an idea of what the SNP are up to.

They accept everyone as a Seselwa under their nationalist ideology. I suppose as long as the incoming new citizens pay their way, much like SPPF and PP today. In one article in Regar, they suggested that economic benefactors to Seychelles, should be allowed citizenship. If that is not a political sell out ideology, I do not know what is. I find it grossly unacceptable. Some of their spokesmen have made the same comments on STAR Blog.

It is a recipe for national disaster.

Silence Is Deemed Acceptance of An Allegation By Public Figures

It has been alleged and never denied, that Mr. Ramkalawan received euro 150,000.00 to remain silent on the SIVA Ambassador at Large nomination, while Mr. Mancham’s nomination for the same post was taken off the order paper of the National Assembly. Silence is deemed to acceptance of an allegation.

Too Much Wood To The Fire

Recently, the Seychelles Weekly has written a strong anti –foreigner editorial. One article written even said “Foreigners Go Home!” I personally do not write in Le Nouvo Seychelles Weekly, and deny any involvement in its Editorial or its policies in 2010. Le Nouvo Seychelles Weekly does use some articles that are posted on STAR, and they have asked permission to do so. This we do not object to that.

MSR and all the writers, and journalist of STAR and mouthpiece Lavwa-Seychelles are not anti-foreigner.

We are all pro Seychelles and pro Seychellois, and this is the bond that brings us together from all political party colours be it former Reds, Greens, Blues and Yellows.

To preserve Seychellois interest and rights in Seychelles, large commitments are forth coming from common citizens who love their Country. The recent pledges made to me are nothing short of heart wrenching to see patriotic Seychellois, coming forward one by one to support the MSR movement . MSR thanks them all for the voice of support.

We Are Not Fools!

In October 2008, Seychelles went officially bankrupt under the Michel Administration. Today, we are undergoing a Three (3) years IMF Reform Program. How will Seychelles come out of national bankruptcy if we are anti foreigner ?

We need foreign investment in Seychelles. The process for investing must be streamlined and made easier for foreigners, in areas that Seychellois cannot

obtain adequate financing. What we do not agree with, is granting of favourable concessions to foreigners because of under the table deals have been struck.

All foreign investors must contribute to the infrastructure of the country through Development Impact Fees, and not get concessions that give them an unfair advantage over Seychellois investors. Priority should be given to Seychellois, that have a proven track record in development and business. Foreign investors, should take on Seychellois partners in all development, to maximize Seychellois participation in the development of the country.

Additionally, we will not tolerate the victimization of any Seychellois business or individual in Seychelles, while foreign investors get carte blanche from the PP. Large projects, need to have a corresponding large investment in education, and training to boot strap our young people, as not to displace them in the development process.

Our people have no free lunches, investors should have no free lunches as well. The grossly favourable treatment of the Sheik Khalifa’s of the world is completely unacceptable as a mode of seeking out investments. This type of investment, Seychelles does not need. Under no circumstance, must Seychellois have to go on their knees to please any investor, and cover up his misfeasance and malfeasance to the extent that our sovereignty is compromised, not even for a scanner, or a building that has a scanner.

As Seychelles faces a downturn, we will have to regroup and reset our economy with Seychellois at the helm. We do not need foreign investors that destabilize existing investments. New investments must be carefully analyzed to assess impact and consequence on earlier gains.

Example what use is a 440 room Emirates hotel, if Air Seychelles does not allow additional flights in bound? If you allow the new foreign investment and do not allow additional flights, Government destroys existing Seychellois investments.

Additionally under the MSR Creed, we do not accept that a foreigner should work in any management position of our Army, Police, Defense Forces, or occupy any managerial post of the Government of Seychelles. Foreigners are free to work for the private sector, under GOP. While here, they cannot apply to become citizens of Seychelles, unless they fall under an exception.

The management of our governmental affairs must always remain Seselwa Rasin managed and run.

This provision of our CREED is not anti – Foreigner, it is pro-Seychellois. Why? Because there are more than enough capable Seychellois to occupy the leadership positions of the Government of Seychelles. However, that does not mean they will work for PP, under existing conditions. This being the case, the conditions will have to change.

Wise Up PP

PP will have to become more transparent and it will have to allow the managers of government affairs to operate openly, and freely, without fear or favour, towards PP cronies.

For example, the Police Force has more than enough capable officers the Irish had fired, that could be brought back to run the Force effectively. Mondon, Simeon, Mousbe, Tirant, are all highly capable and better qualified then Mr. Naill Scully an Irish ex Army not ex -Police, to run the Seychelles Police.

If Conditions Do Not Change?

If conditions do not change, then the imminent collapse of the Government of Seychelles, and the PP will take place, just as the imminent collapse of the Seychelles economy has taken place and I provided SPPF with ample Three (3) year advance warning. Here is your second advance warning.

Then What?

Then capable Seychellios, will rebuild Seychelles, without PP.

We Are Not Xenophobic

We fear no foreigners and welcome and accept them all, as long as they are not part of a corruption scheme to disenfranchise Seselwa-Rasin of their motherland and rightful place in it.

With MSR ideology, you are more than welcome to Seychelles, but regularise your status and do not buy it from PP. Pay your taxes, obey the laws and be respectful towards our people, however disenfranchised you may find them to be, after 34 years of Communism and Croni-ism. 34 years of mafia rule and Marx, has its disadvantages on a People.

Just remember one thing, before June 5th, 1977, we were not like this.

I cannot speak for other political entities in Seychelles, they appear to be in a toss of confusion between money received from SIVA and doing a Robert Mugabe on us all.

But I believe I have made a sincere effort, to clearly state the position of MSR on foreigners in Seychelles.

Sesel Pou Seselwa!

May God Bless All Freedom Loving Seychellois! 

NEWS Flash!!! Seychelles Refered to as Illegal fisheries Hub & Fugitive Paradise by International Press

By: Leonard Francis Gill

EDITORIAL COMMENT
It is now becoming common knowledge in the international press that the PP Collaborators have turned our motherland into an international paradise for fugitives such as Radovan Krejcir who was given a Fabrike passport by the PP Colaborators.

A recent Press Release refers to our motherland as a "fugitive paradise" and a "pirate hub". It is becoming clearer by the day that the issuance of Fabrike citizenship has not only done incalculable damage to our democracy and liberty but is doing equal damage to our international reputation.   

It is for partly this reason that The Mouvman seeks to cancel all Fabrike passports, except in cases where a humanitarian waiver is warranted, and approved by a majority vote of the Seselwa Rasin people. Some Seselwa Rasin have questioned the sensibility of requiring such a vote. However, it is the only way to prevent friends of the politicians in power from obtaining a waiver based solely on their friendship, and to prevent briefcases of cash being exchanged for the waiver. Therefore, only with a vote of the Seselwa Rasin people can a Fabrike be legitimately and credibly be considered a Seselwa Rasin.

PRESS RELEASE
Seychelles: a pirate hub
The Indian Ocean and fugitive paradise of the Seychelles turns more and more into an illegal fisheries hub. Mahe now even fights for the defence of pirate ships. The International Maritime Tribunal for the law of the sea in Hamburg (Germany) was on December 8 hearing a submission filed by the Seychelles government against France which has demanded FRF 54 million in compensation from a Spanish ship owner whose vessel is registered on the Seychelles to return his ship seized while it was allegedly fishing illegally in France’s TAAF (Terres Australes et antartiques francaises, Southern and Antarctic Territories) waters.
Ecoterra Intl. – SMCM (Somali Marine & Coastal Monitor) Part II
Ecoterra International – Update & Media Release
2009-02-12 19h40:15 UTC

One of The Mouvman's Leaders Christopher Gill Quoted in Associated Free Press Story on Khalifa Outrage

Seychelles up in arms over Emirati palace

A village in the Seychelles called La Misere is demanding millions in damages for pollution caused by the construction of a huge palace for the United Arab Emirates president, residents said Thursday.

AFP - A village in the Seychelles called La Misere is demanding millions in damages for pollution caused by the construction of a huge palace for the United Arab Emirates president, residents said Thursday.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, also the prince of Abu Dhabi, is building a lavish compound on the highest spot of the Indian Ocean nation's main island, on the site of a former US tracking station.
Now 350 households are filing for compensation because the United Arab Emirates president's hundreds of workers have polluted the village's water system and river with human excrement.
"La Misere was the place with the best clean drinkable water on the island. Now we have diesel and human waste to drink," said one long-time resident, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity.
The board of La Misere residents also said that farming was no longer sustainable and complained of noise as around 100 trucks toil up and down the mountain with building material.
Most of the homes in La Misere have demanded 650,000 Seychellois rupees (55,000 dollars) in damages from the government, which opposition newspapers allege sold the site to the Abu Dhabi prince for a symbolic rupee.
According to Forbes, Sheikh Khalifa is the world's third richest royal and has a fortune amounting to around 19 billion dollars and the world's tallest building named after him.
"Our property value is next to nothing now, as no one wants to be up here. Maybe that was Sheikh Khalifa's plan: to get everyone out of La Misere," said one angry resident.
The local community is charging that the Emirati prince brought his own construction company, workers and material in huge jumbo planes and has contributed nothing to the island's economy.
Sheikh Khalifa's six-storey palace complex will have a 360 degree view of Mahe, the main island of the Indian Ocean archipelago, a paradise destination where a growing number of wealthy foreigners are buying large swathes of land.
Resentment is growing towards Sheikh Khalifa, who is also building a marina on the island, and other Gulf billionaires taking up huge stakes on the island.
"In my view, James Michel is selling out Seychelles' interests to key Arab friends he has established since becoming president..., because his economic policies have failed and consequently his political position is threatened," Seychellois columnist Christopher Gill told AFP.
Gill condemned the absence of legal tender procedures and what he termed "the wholesaling of our national heritage, which is resulting in the displacement of the Seychellois people from their land."
"He is treating the state's assets as his personal assets," said Gill, who plans to create a nationalist party, charging that preferential treatments mean that little in the way of taxes and revenue is generated for the country.
Saudi Arabia's Prince Walid bin Talal bin Abdel Aziz al Saud also has stakes in the Raffles hotel being built on the island of Praslin and has erected a Four Seasons hotel in the south of Mahe.
The Seychelles government has acknowledged shortcomings in the way the construction was supervised but blamed the contractor for the water pollution and environmental degradation.
It had not responded directly to questions over the sale of the land, but stressed that the UAE had granted 30 million dollars to the Seychelles in 2009 and was upgrading Victoria hospital.
The government also said that the Seychelles and the UAE have agreed to the establishment of an Emirati diplomatic mission on the archipelago, which has a population of 85,000.

 

NEWS Flash!!! PP Colaborators Announce Shift Away from Hiring Foreigners

By: Leonard Francis Gill

Yesterday on May 13th 2010, in an interview provided to the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation by Mr. Ahmed Afif, Principal Secretary of Finance of the Government of Seychelles, he announced that it was now the PP Collaborator Government’s policy to replace foreigners in all areas of the Seselwa Rasin Civil Service with qualified Seychellois. No distinction was made by Afif between Seselwa Rasin and Fabrike. It has been the PP Collaborator practice in the past to use Fabrike instead of Seselwa Rasin in key positions throughout the Government service, since Fabrike are believed by some to be more compliant and pliant to PP Collaborator demands, malfeasance and corrupt practices.

Nevertheless, the relentless pressure being brought to bear by The Mouvman on the PP Collaborator government on this issue of foreigners in the Seselwa Rasin Civil Service has forced the PP Collaborators to, after more than 35 years, begin the process of placing Seselwa Rasin in all key positions in the Seselwa Rasin government. Therefore, this announced shift in policy is welcomed news to The Mouvman.

This is but a beginning but far from the end of this issue. There is much work to be done to achieve the founding principle of our homeland of Sesel Pou Seselwa and The Mouvman remains committed to achieving a Sesel Pou Seselwa.

LONG LIVE THE SESELWA RASIN REPUBLIC