Navin Ramgoolam’s speech, at Quay C yesterday, included the harshest statements ever made by a Mauritian head of government against leading British political figures. He described as «liars and hypocrites» some prominent members of the UK Labour party, in power till last May. He did not even spare British Ex-Prime Minister Gordon Brown, lashing out against the latter’s empty words and false promises.
Ramgoolam’s sharp burst of anger was triggered by the fact that the establishment of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the territorial waters of the Chagos Archipelago came into force this week. The MPA is a marine reserve the UK government has created around the Chagos Islands except for the largest of them, Diego Garcia.
The decision to go ahead was taken though the Mauritian government had made it clear during consultations held with British authorities that there can be no legitimacy to the project without the issue of sovereignty and resettlement being addressed. The Chagossians have also strongly opposed the project claiming that it would in effect bar them from ever returning to their native islands.
They say the marine protection zone would stop them fishing, their main livelihood.
The British Government pretends its only interest in establishing the MPA is to preserve the natural environment of the Chagos and to restore depleted fish stocks by 2015.
Many believe that this ecological perspective is not the real driving force behind the MPA. The UK initiative looks rather like a ploy to corner Mauritius and to prevent Chagossians from returning to their islands. Indeed, the British move is suspicious because of its timing. This marine reserve is being created whilst proceedings are due to start before the European Court of Human Rights where the îlois are challenging Britain’s decision to deny them the right to return.
Mauritius feels it has been stabbed in the back. Understandably, Ramgoolam’s offensive words were mainly directed at former UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband. The latter is a liar, a deceitful man who lacks honesty, says the PM. Ramgoolam went to the extent of admitting that he rejoiced over David Miliband’s failed attempts to conquer Labour Party leadership.
Miliband did promise that the Foreign Office would “work closely with all interested stakeholders’’. He was not only unable to honour his words but he did not speak the truth when he publicly stated that Mauritius gave its agreement to the MPA project. Ramgoolam is adamant about it : this is a lie.
The PM added that Gordon Brown once gave him the assurance that the project would be placed “on hold”. He was trapped. Yet, it is usually Ramgoolam who wins the make-believe games.