Virgin Islands a no show at Nelson Mandela’s funeral
Director of Communications in the Premier’s Office Mrs Arliene T. Penn, when contacted, told Virgin Islands News Online no one will be attending from the Virgin Islands. It is unclear if any attempts were even made to attend or if the Dr. Smith Administration sought to be part of the British, the OECS or CARICOM delegations.
"At this point in time we do not have a delegation from the Government attending the funeral...but I must say that on December 6, Premier [Dr The Hon. D. Orlando Smith] would have sent a letter to His Excellency Jacob Zuma [President of South Africa] expressing his condolences on behalf of the people of the territory," Mrs Penn added.
The British Delegation will include Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Leader of the Opposition Ed Miliband. The Royal Family will be represented by Prince Charles.
Well over 91 heads of state, 10 former heads of state, 75 dignitaries and 86 delegations from various organizations have confirmed their attendance and are already in South Africa.
Caribbean Leaders line up to attend
The Virgin Islands, which seems not to be engaged in the regional and international community outside of simply attending meetings and workshops, will not join their counterparts of the many Caribbean leaders who have already confirmed their attendance and are already in Johannesburg, South Africa for the memorial and funeral of the icon, international hero and late President Mandela.
The funeral will see from the Region, Cuban President Raul Castro; Haitian President Michel Martelly; Suriname President Desi Bouterse; Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad Bissessar; Jamaican Prime Minister, Portia Simpson-Miller; President Donald Ramotar of Guyana and Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie will all be in attendance.
In addition, the Caribbean Region will see Grenada’s Prime Minister Keith Mitchell; St Lucia’s Prime Minister Kenny Anthony and St. Vincent and the Grenadians Dr. Ralph Gonsalves among others attending.
International Leaders in attendance
A national memorial service for the man who, as the country’s first black president, forged a new multiracial, democratic South Africa, will be held at a Johannesburg stadium today December 10, 2013.
Mandela’s body will lie in state at the Union Buildings, the seat of government in Pretoria, from Wednesday to Friday, followed by his funeral and burial in Qunu on December 15, 2013.
Among those who are already in South Africa are U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle and his three predecessors, George W. Bush and Mrs. Bush, Bill Clinton and Mrs. Clinton as well as Jimmy Carter.
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, along with his predecessor Kofi A. Annan, is also in Johannesburg for the memorial service.
Other leaders and dignitaries who have confirmed they will be at the funeral include French President Francois Hollande; Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany; Brazilian President Dilma Rouseff; Cyprus’ Parliamentary Speaker, Yiannakis Omirou; Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt; Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, and Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
African Leaders
President Robert G. Mugabe of Zimbabwe is among the many African leaders, including President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan, Uganda President Yoweri Museveni, both Leaders from the Congo states and Equatorial Guinea and India President Pranab Mukherjee.
The Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, Tony Abbott, the Australian Prime Minister, and Crown Prince Haakon of Norway are in attendance. Pope Francis is among the world’s dignitaries expected to attend parts of the memorial for Mandela.
King Willem-Alexander and Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans will attend on behalf of the Netherlands, and are already in South Africa as well as Iran President Hassan Rouhani.
Many celebrities are also in South Africa including Pop star and human rights activist Peter Gabriel, The Spice Girls, singer Bono and Oprah Winfrey.
The NDP after 2 years
The ruling National Democratic Party Government has been under fire from the business community and the Opposition in its handling of international relations, in particular the protection of the vital Off Shore financial sector which has been under attack.
Many have argued that the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government of Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE did more and a better job to protect the sector.
The National Democratic Party (NDP) Government at its two year mark has only signed 3 Tax Information Exchange Agreements (TIEA), with the third one being signed just a few weeks ago with the Government of Poland. The lack of signing of these TIEAs by the NDP Administration is indeed compelling as the international community regards the signing of these agreements as a serious signal of commitment to keeping the jurisdiction clear in accordance with internationally agreed standards.
The former VIP Government signed 22 TIEAs.
It was reported that the Controversial United Kingdom appointed Governor William B. McCleary had a book at his office to be signed in remembrance of the international freedom fighter Nelson Mandela.
However, while no press release was dispatched on the book signing, it remains unclear if this was just a political gimmick for Ministers of Government to get in the news and their photo taken or what was the role of the ordinary citizens in signing the book of remembrance.
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40 Responses to “Virgin Islands a no show at Nelson Mandela’s funeral ”
So What is the big deal if they dont attend the funeral???
Same VIP bloggers would be blasting you all for wasting money for going !!!
Set of two tongue b*tches!!
according to CNN there was a representative from every country in the world even Russia. Even The Congress Woman Donna Christian Christensen from the USVI was in attendance. So yes the Premier or a member of the Gov't should have went; its not matter of wasting money its a matter of respect.
Mandela will be forever etched in history.
South Africa must have been soooooo devastated that the Virgin Islands was a no show..............lol
last election they pull the wool over our eyes!