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Is the UK planning takeover or independence of VI?

- Donald deCastro questions
The issue of independence for the VI has been an ongoing topic to which opinions are divided. Photo: VINO
Donald deCastro is positive that the UK is either aiming at giving the VI independence or taking it over. Photo: VINO
Donald deCastro is positive that the UK is either aiming at giving the VI independence or taking it over. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI-Talk show host Donald deCastro is suspicious that the United Kingdom is reportedly either seeking to let go of the Virgin Islands or make a complete takeover of the Territory and that the signs are there for persons to see.

Speaking on his Radio Programme ‘Straight Talk’ on March 21, 2012, deCastro said he has heard the talk about the United Kingdom wanting to approve the budget of the various multi-island territories including the VI but claimed that is reportedly just another tactic in a process of taking over the Territory.

“This whole process started with their willingness to make us citizens of the UK by giving us their passports and so many of us, not me, were so glad to grab these passports for convenience... The UK knows what they are doing, believe me, trust me.”

deCastro also believes the White Paper, which will be published this year, is also another trick up the UK’s sleeve. “You see how successful they have been with the financial services and with this new White Paper. All these things are their tactic either to make us go independent or take us over entirely. Folks I know too many of you don’t listen or pay attention to what I am saying. The UK know what they are doing, believe me, and you will see.”

The talk show host then suggested that independence might be the best route “because unless we become independent we can’t make a lot of decisions but we have to find and get the young people trained into honesty and integrity so that we can have the kind of leadership to go independence so that we don’t run into the same kind of disastrous situation some of our Eastern Caribbean Countries and others did by going independent unprepared.”

deCastro also brought up the issue of embattled former Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands Michael Misick and said the VI could also be caught up in such a predicament.

Misick announced on March 19, 2012 that he had gone into hiding and had sought asylum from criminal prosecution by Britain in an unnamed country. He had issued a press release within hours of news breaking internationally that Interpol wanted to arrest him in connection with allegations of government corruption in the UK territory. Neglecting to name the country where he had sought asylum, Misick denied that he was on the lam and said he was, instead, being targeted unfairly by the UK Government. He added that his family had also become targets, as had former Cabinet ministers and their families and developers who supported his Progressive National Party during his tenure as premier.

The former leader also elaborated on his theory that he is being persecuted because of his plans to remove the multi-island territory from British rule.

18 Responses to “Is the UK planning takeover or independence of VI?”

  • Iron Lion (22/03/2012, 09:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    My goodness someone please muzzle him. The UK will be glad if we asked for independence tomorrow! When will people understand that the UK are ultimately responsible for the debt incurred by their dependent territories? deCastro, if we don't want the UK in our 'sauce' then we should cook our 'sauce' properly! We should manage our finances properly. You look at how the country was run for the last few years and shocked that they're looking into our finances? THe UK itself is facing hardship do you think they want their 'children' (dependent terrritories) being an additional strain on them? use common sense man, you all sickening now.
  • Iron Lion (22/03/2012, 09:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh and in addition to that, Missick is a cri......! Look at all the bullsh$t he did with the T&C Government money. For starters, he was allegedly jet setting on the state's jet with Lisa Ray, balling hard in the USA and he was caught up in a lot of scandals with investors, kick backs, selling crown land for $1 and other foolishness. Missick is no saint!! It's just like blaming the police when you're caught with guns and drugs in your house! NONSENSE! who do you think is responsible for cleaning up T&C mess right now? Ask the people in T&C if they want independence you will be surprised by the answer!
  • update (22/03/2012, 09:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Vino please put a more up to date picture up of Mr.D, these days he is sporting an afro of sorts and hardly recognisable from the above pic!
  • Son of the Soil (22/03/2012, 10:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hope the UK government does takeover the running of these once beautiful islands. Ayo people wit your corruption and greed done run this country into the ground. Look how we got raw sewage running in our streets with car plowing through it spraying urine and feces on the school children dem as they walk through the capital. Look how our elected officials talk about how we should invest in cock fighting to help engage our youths and help build them a future. Look at our sporting facilities, soccer field full up of rocks, no decent locker rooms, toilets always broken, softball field lights bust and yet spent millions of dollars on these projects lining the crook politicians pockets. Look at our schools, teachers getting paid dirt in crumbling buildings and the most of da youths dem not ready to take on a real job or higher education when they done pass through the system. In our tourist areas such as Cane Garden Bay, look at all the derilict buildings, yards full a broken down vehciles spilling oil all over the place and trash flowing through the ghuts. At the dock the tourists greeting by tents of people selling tack in an area that looking like a refugee camp. Let us embrace our mother country and let them guide us back to a path of good development for all. In the BVI we are generating hundreds of millions through our IBC program and we cant seem to support and provide infrastructure for a little village of 30,000 people. Without the UK's backing and legal structure we would never have been able to create the international confidence that allowed us to build this economy and if we dont act soon we could lose it all. We need to get our spending under control, why not seek the advice of economists from our mother country who have far more education and expierence than our own few familiy's can provide. We are British people, why not seek help from our British brothers and sisters and stop being such seperatists beliving the world owes us something because we were born on a special semi British, semi autonomous rock in the Caribbean sea. Until we change our attitudes we are destined for failure and the further destruction of this land which we call ours but really belongs to the children of the future.
    • Iron Lion (22/03/2012, 11:54) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well, I really dont think anybody can argue with anything you have said, you are 100% right and its shameful for real. to think that we spent over $1billion dollars between 2007 and 2011 you would want to know where it gone. our budgets have been over $250ml for the past 4yrs which is where the over $1bil total comes from, sad.
    • BVI Fah we (22/03/2012, 13:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Look de man. Who he tink he is some smaat person or someting. Yuh less. I does like a lil tola smell like pi$$ and poo. I does like tings all mash up and ting. I does like dum dum teacher man teachin a whole load a junk to youts dem. I tink dis place does match how we been tinking.
  • DADDY FRIDAY (22/03/2012, 10:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    what a ting we need to go independent if you ask me
  • Hogwash (22/03/2012, 11:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    He speaks nothing but crap and stirs up contraversy amongst naive people who can't think for themselves.
  • Pam (22/03/2012, 11:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think deCastro looking fame or credit in his old age. Anyway, independence for the BVI is a very serious matter, and it is a matter that we must be adequately prepared for. Since we may lose the use of the US dollar, we may lose some of our essential valuable human resources. Therefore Virgin Islanders locally need to be adequately trained in (white colour and technical workers) jobs. Virgin Islanders abroad need to be given incentives to return home and assume these positions that may now become available. We must develop and maintain our farming and tourism industry. Our financial services industry also needs to be maintained. We also need to identify any of our natural resources that could possibly be developed for local use and exportation purposes. People, this is a very serious matter. Just my thought
    • Concern (22/03/2012, 13:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Do you have idea what going Independent really means? Let's start by saying, the same people who cry about the prices in the BVI (groceries etc); since MOST of what we sell are AMERICAN products, those prices will increase. They are only mandated now because we have UK to back us up. Off shore banking - we only have that commodity because of th UK to back us up. Other than tourism, can you name another resource we have here to boost our economy (can't use off shore banking because that will be gone if we go Independent). I bet you can't. We don't export ANYTHING from the BVI, so how would you expect people to thrieve. Why do you think so many expats from other caribbean islands come here to work and send money home, because our currency is US Dollar, if we go independent, that would be ou second currency, we will have to create our own dollar. Think about what you are asking..and say, do you really want this for our BVI.
  • Iron Lion (22/03/2012, 11:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The same people asking for independence will be the first ones to flee when things hit rock bottom. It will be the same like the old days when they fled to USVI and US mainland and left the caribbean expats to fend for themselves. Then when things build back up they returning claiming their homeland with their piss. it will happen again especially since most of us have American passports (born in PR, USVI, or us). so ask for it.
  • rodent (22/03/2012, 12:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Disconnecting from the UK would probably cause financial disaster. Although the BVI's have a good tourism industry there is a good chance under independence that the premier could little by little take over the industries sort of like Chavez or other dictators do if there is not a back up country to prevent this. Also when the economy goes south, which it does every 20 to 30 years the larger nations have the power to pull themselves out.
  • fat man (22/03/2012, 20:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    decastro he self aint Independent must less dey whole bvi....
  • Seriously? (23/03/2012, 06:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is there a reason why a reputable news site is quoting De Castro and reporting his ramblings as news? steups!
  • Sense? (24/03/2012, 20:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well you guys may think deCastro crazy but you will all eat those words... de man paying attention. Things will change with the UK rule of BVI one day... i hope deCastro around to say i told ya so!
  • Billy (25/03/2012, 21:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Long live the U.K. Government, and may God bless all the British Governors in Anguilla, Tortola, Turks,Cayman and others. It is high time that the British administer direct rule in Anguilla to get rid of that chief minister, rule supreme in Tortola,Cayman,and all other overseas territories. The racist empty head idiots who want independence shall never have their wish. Never should the islands go independence,it is in the islands best interest to remain a British overseas territory for ever. Love the British and forward ever and backward never. The Decastro must have been drunk or cracked-up and knows not what he saying, he talking foolishness.


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