An island dictator

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33452, 6 February 1974, Page 10

An island dictator

Full independence for the Caribbean island of Grenada tomorrow is not likely to end the island’s anxious period of unrest. The Premier (Mr Gairy), who governs like a dictator, won office in February last year on a platform demanding full independence on the agreed date. The political Opposition, led by Mr Blaize, was quick to claim that the voting did not reflect responsible opinion. That is probably true. Mr Gairy has the backing of his own party, the Agricultural Workers’ Union, those who have benefited financially from his friendship, and those whom “The Times” recently referred to as “the “sillier of the young”. Mr Gairy is well aware of the resentment aroused by his use of a political “police reserve”, which has been compared with the Tontons Macoutes of the Duvalier regime in Haiti, to break up demonstrations against the Government. These have brought many sections of the small island community, including the dockers, into the streets. He could put the independence issue to the test of a referendum, constitutionally provided for in the West Indies Act of 1967; but he will not risk defeat, which might well be the result, judging by the succession of strikes and demonstrations against Mr Gairy in the last six months. Mr Gairy dismisses the protesters, comprising the professional and business communities, teachers and civil servants, and many workers, as “ a mixture “of Communism and black power ”; he did not hesitate to turn out his “ police reserve ” to break up marches by the New Jewel Movement, which opposes the idea of a continuing Gairy dictatorship. Mr Gairy commands a large majority in Grenada’s small Parliament. He rejects not only a solution by referendum, but also a challenge to go to the polls again. He will not have a new election because of the swift growth of feeling against him. Where independence is involved, he wants the letter of the law; he demands that Britain sever its last link with Grenada —control of foreign policy and defence —by Order in Council. His demand for the removal of the Governor (Dame Hilda Brynoe) led to her resignation. If he retains office, his promise to disband his “ police reserve ” is probably worthless, although it was investigated after the attack on the New Jewel leaders by a commission which has yet to report. Fears of a crisis on the island, as the deadline for independence approaches, are very real. Mr Gairy is a rich and ruthless politician. The Grenadan strikers, of all classes, are not protesting against poverty or lack of employment. They are objecting, as “ The Times ” has said, to one-man rule masquerading behind a parliamentary facade.