NEWS & PRESIDENT'S DIARY
EAST POINT HOUSE
Riots situation in London
We would like to inform members of our community not to travel to certain areas of London(Pekham, Lewisham, Croydon, Brixton,Clapham Junction, and the list may continue) because of riots and looting in these areas. The situation has become alarmant.Please follow all developments on the BBC and the internet.
President Allen is appealing to the whole of the community to stay calm, if ever such a situation were to reach Crawley. He is asking all Parents to talk to their children, for them not to tempted to follow the bad example. The President is following the situation closely.
Nous tenir informe banne membres de nous communauter pou pas voyage dans certaine l'endroit dans Londres(Pekham, Lewisham, Croydon, Brixton, Clapham Junction, et la liste la capave continuer) a coz riot(desordre) and vole dans sa banne l'endroit la. La situation fine vine alarmant. Suivre banne developments lor BBC et internet.
President Allen demande la communauter en entier pou reste dans le calme, si jamais sa situation la arrive dans Crawley. Li demande qui tous Parent cause avec zot zenfant, afin zot pas etre tenter pou suivre banne mauvais l'exemple. President pe suivre la situation de pres.
East Point House
Statement of President Allen
Vincatassin after his meeting today the 11th of July 2011, with the
UK Overseas Territories Minister Henry Bellingham MP at the Foreign &
Commonwealth Office
A firm
partnership commitment struck today
I had a meeting with Minister Henry Bellingham today at the
Foreign & Commonwealth Office. Henry Smith MP and Peter Raines from Coral
Cay Conservation were present at this meeting. The discussions have been around
the recent pioneering conservation trip to Diego Garcia, visits, future
projects in conservation, our partnership work with the Chagos Environment
Network and the Chagos issue in general.
The meeting with the Minister and Government officials today
have been very successful. We have found common grounds for cooperation,
partnership working and good relations. A firm partnership commitment has been
struck today on both sides and our provisional government is looking forward to
delivering.
Government officials told me the UK will, in the next few
days, make significant steps to engage with Chagossian groups on sharing ideas
and making decisions about environmental protection and visits to the islands.
I would encourage all groups to participate, because the UK Government is
committed to ensuring that all Chagossian groups are consulted.
I have agreed with the Minister that this is the way forward
and that he will get the support of our provisional government throughout the
process. I believe opportunities need to go to all Chagossians and their
descendants wherever they are living, whether it is in the UK or overseas.
Allen Vincatassin, President
For picture click on link below
http://www.flickr.com/photos/foreignoffice/5925497441/in/photostream
DIEGO GARCIA CONSERVATION MISSION
The President was on a trip to Diego Garcia on a conservation mission between the 24th and the 30th of June. The team consisted of 3 Chagossians and a RSPB trainer. The mission was a partnership between the Diego Garcia & Chagos Islands Council, the BIOT Administration(FCO), the Chagos Conservation Trust, and the RSPB.
The team worked on the Barton Point Restoration Project which was started by Major Pete Carr couple of years ago, East Point and in other places, removing coconut plants which have invaded some areas and planting endemic plants to help in biodiversity.
On the 28th there was a planting ceremony at East Point where the President and Commander Andrew Marshall( British Representative), planted two Intsia Bijuda plants. The team planted hundreds of Barringtonia plants which is a favourite of the Red Footed Booby birds for breeding
After the planting ceremony, the President gave a small farewell reception at the Yatch Club in the evening in the presence of the Brit Rep, the mission team and some Mauritian friends who works on the island.
This pioneering mission has been a breakthrough and a success.
The message of President Allen to the Chagossian nation can be seen at : Click The message
EAST
POINT HOUSE
United Kingdom
Statement of President Allen
Vincatassin (Provisional Government of Diego Garcia and the Chagos Islands) on
the Chagos Regagne Conference organised at the Royal Geographical Society of London, on May19, 2011.
26.05.11 for immediate release.
I would like to reiterate the
position of our provisional Government in waiting on sovereignty over the
Chagos Archipelago and the future of our people, in relation to the Chagos
Regagne conference on the Marine
Protected Area (MPA) and the way forward.
The majority of the people of
Diego Garcia and other islands of the Chagos Archipelago and their descendants
do not support or recognise Mauritian sovereignty over our homeland. The
mission of our government is for the welfare of all people of Chagos and for
our homeland to be governed by ourselves one day. The right of
self-determination belongs to the people and not to the state of Mauritius. I
stand by my statement at this conference to defend the interest of our people.
On the question of the MPA, I
believe that some people will have to make up their mind on whether to support
it. It’s unproductive to have a situation where people continue to discredit
others because they want to advance their own agendas, and advance the agendas
of Mauritius. Chagossians were consulted on the MPA and they are being trained
to participate in the MPA. Those who want to join the work that the Chagos
Conservation Network and ourselves are doing are free to do so. It is better to
spend money to support Chagossians where they are living, rather than to invest
in construction of a scientific station, or eco village on the outer islands.
I understand that our removal and
our banishment from our homeland was appalling, but they are not reasons why we
cannot work together for the protection of our homeland while continuing to
solve other issues. The divisive emails to create enmity inside Chagossian
communities behind the back of different leaders of Chagossian groups must
stop.
I am urging the Prime Minister of
Mauritius, Dr Navin Ramgoolam, to apologise to the Chagossian people, and to
pay us a compensation for what we had to endure in our exile there.
Declassified documents show his father Sir Sewwoossagur Ramgoolam and his
government did not defend what was done, but condoned it by assisting in our
removal. They did not provide for our
basic needs on our arrival in Mauritius, although they agreed with the UK to do
this. Mauritius has been party to the breach of our fundamental human rights.
We were British subjects being removed and sent to an independent country, but
Mauritius helped arrange the fiction that we were migrant workers.
The Prime Minister should refrain
from all attempts to regain sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, because our
people want to remain British, and want to get Diego Garcia back when it ceases
to be a military base. We intend to take legal action if not. It is high time
Mauritius ceases to pretend it supports our return to the Chagos Islands, and
that the UK Government is the worst enemy of Chagossians. The only reason
Mauritius wants sovereignty back is so it can get financial deals with the US.
We welcome the effort of the UK
Government in organising visits to the island and their work to support
environmental protection in Diego Garcia and in the MPA. We will continue to
talk to the Foreign Office and try to find solutions to pertinent issues. We do
not want others to do that on our behalf. I am writing to the Prime Minister of
the UK to indicate our position, and would urge Mr Cameron to give careful
consideration to the rights of Chagossians who are British Overseas Territories
Citizens by virtue of their birth and connection with the British Indian Ocean
Territory (Chagos Archipelago).
The UK is responsible for
ensuring our rights as a people are respected in the future. I appeal to all
Chagossian community groups to support the actions and policies of our
Government because they are in the interests of the people. I appeal to our
people to unite. Those who support Mauritian sovereignty over our homeland have
no place in our midst, unless they change. I remain open to all those group
leaders who want to work together with us for the benefit of Chagossian
communities.
Note:
The President is due to make his
first address to the nation of the Chagos Archipelago on May 30, 2011 at 1pm
(UK time), which will be on the internet (www.allenvincatassin.com(News
section) or “allenvincatassin” on YouTube, on part of the programme of the
provisional Government for 2011-2012.)
More info contact his press
officer Alex Morrison at alex.morrison@hotmail.co.uk
----
Swearing-in Ceremony at EAST POINT HOUSE
East Point House
COMMUNIQUE IMPORTANT(180511)
Mo ena le plaisir pou informe la
population Chagosien dans Manchester qui mo fine appoint Mr Misley Mandarin
comme Minister for Home Affairs & Security et Mrs. Cyndie Residu comme
Junior Minister for Welfare & Support(Manchester Region) dans nou Gouvernement.
Mo demande zot collaborer et travaille ensam avec sa deux Ministres la pou
l’avancement Chagosien dans Manchester.
Mo fine faire provision pou deux
demande prioritaire dans L’education et service support qui zot ti faire durant
mo dernier visite dans Manchester, mo pou announce sa officiellement dans mo ‘Discours
Programme’ a la nation Lundi le 30 May, quand mo pou donne programme gouvernmental
en detaille pou 2011-2012.
Merci,
PRESIDENT ALLEN VINCATASSIN
ROYAL WEDDING
Today the President has conveyed his best wishes to His Royal Highness Prince William and Kate Middleton on their wedding.
EAST POINT HOUSE
28.04.11
April 2010 celebrating the establishment of the MPA of Chagos in Crawley.
Message of the President from EAST POINT HOUSE on 1st Year of MPA
'Today mark the first year since the Marine Protected Area was announced by David Miliband MP(former Foreign Secretary) for the Chagos Archipelago.
I am delighted that many Diego Garcians and other Chagossians were able to vote in favour of it, in the UK and elsewhere, despite the bad propaganda from different quarters who dont speak for or represent the voice of the majority of us.
I would like to reiterate my full support to this project as its for the protection of our homeland, and my Government will continue to work with the UK Government and the Government of the British Indian Ocean Territory on its implementation. I would like to thank the Chagos Conservation Trust, RSPB, Coral Cay Conservation, for the training they have given to our young people that will help them to be part of the MPA, in whatever role they may take in future. These trainings have inspired many into the protection of the environment. In the coming month we will be sending one team, to work on the Barton Point Project in Diego Garcia, thanks to the support of the BIOT Administration, the Chagos Conservation Network, PEW, RSPB, CCC and others.
I was saddened by the sudden death of Commander John Topp( the founder of Chagos Conservation Trust, formerly Friends of the Chagos), who has left us with such a good legacy. My last conversation with him before he left this world was on the subject of education. I know that Commander John Topp's colleagues take this mission on the protection of Chagos close to their hearts.
Although this initiative is being contested by the State of Mauritius in a Court, I believe that the people of Diego Garcia and the Chagos Islands and their descendants are the belongers, although they are living in exile. Our Government does not recognised Mauritian Sovereignty over BIOT and so are the majority of our people in the UK, Mauritius and elsewhere. The homeland belong to the people. The people decide their own future.
Let us put our effort together for the continuity of the MPA and pray for its long lasting.'
President Allen Vincatassin
1st April 2011
East Point House
COMMUNIQUE IMPORTANT(280211)
Mo tenir pou informe la
population Chagosien qui ena ene case dans la cour Droit de Lhomme Europeen lor
droit de retour et compensation. Meme qui pena beaucoup dimoune qui fine met sa
case la, so resultat et consequence pou lor nous tous. Case la pe commencer en
avril.
Moi en temps qui President Provisonal Government of Diego Garcia and the
Chagos Islands mo ena la responsabiliter pou surveiller qui sa proces dans
lavantage tous dimoune et qui chaque Chagosien( d’origine Diego Garcia, Peros
Banhos, Salomon et les autres iles) zot droit pe respecter et qui proces la pas
au detriment ene parti dimoune. Fine ena bavure dans le passer cotte mo ti
bizin intervenir, mo pou doubler la vigilance encore.
Nous propre Governement qui fine
met en place li la pou discutte dans ou l’interet, cot tous dimoune sorti
gagnant. Mo la pou zot tous. Si ena dimoune pas ouler qui nous represent zot
nous respecter zot choix.
Li important qui tous Chagosien
conner qui mo pou entame banne negotiation avec Governement L’angleterre et
Americain tres bientot. Li important zot conner qui faudre pas qui Gouvernement
Maurice ou banne qui travaille are zot qui represente ou l’interet. Faudre pas
qui erreur 1982 repeter.
Mo invite tous Chagosien natif,
descendant et banne qui zot parent qui fine mort pou vine enregistrer zot, a partir lundi le
14 Mars dans nou bureau a Bewbush Centre. Zot bizin amene ene preuve
l’addresse, passport, zot act de naissance et act de naissance zot parent. Sa
c’est pou negociation compensation et budget nous programme Gouvernemental.
En temps qui ene Governement nous
pou presente nous programme et projets dans ene grand rassemblement bientôt.
Mo demande la population reste
uni et pas ecoute banne fausse rumeurs et rentre dans banne division.
PRESIDENT ALLEN VINCATASSIN
Telephone Office Bewbush Centre 07500249016
(9 :30am-4 :30pm)
President's visit to Manchester on Saturday(26th Feb)
The President arrived at the Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre in Manchester at about 4:30pm, where he had a meeting with members of our community there. He made an overview of the Chagossian issues and explained how his Government will tackle the challenges ahead.
It was announced at the meeting that the case in the European Court of Human Rights will be on trial in April, and that he will be following this case very close. The President also announced that the community need to register themselves with our Government(see communique above), as he will embark in the process of negotiations soon with the Governemnet of the UK and the US.
'We had a great meeting. I have taken note of the priorities of our people there, and I am looking forward to deliver for their welfare. I am also appointing one Minister and one Junior Minister that are Manchester based.' said President Allen
The President visited the exhibition on Diego Garcia and the Chagos Islands at the Hawth theatre on the 18th of February
President Allen visited Hazelwick School on the 9th of February in Crawley to talk on migration.