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But today the Minister of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs clarified that the policy is still in its draft form and consultation phase, so there was no need for the bold display. She told us today that they still have a long way to go before anything is signed and sealed, but that they're slowly working out the details. Here's how she put it.
Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Minister if Indigenous Peoples' Affairs
"First of all, what they tore up was a draft. So we're not, we're not going to cry over that. And please, no disrespect whatsoever to those village members. But we honestly believe that they are acting a bit hasty and because of influence that is coming and one would probably know from where. Now, I can confirm to you that the policy is still in draft stages and is that we will be carrying out further consultations."
"Now, in relation to the extent or when we bring the law in, in relation to the extent that a village goes outwards. It is only one of the suggestions and the proposals that we have made that for a small village, for the actual communal land, it can go out, say at one kilometer but we can increase that. You know, I hope we wouldn't decrease it because it's not a whole lot of space."
"But for a smaller area, the proposal is that the communal land can extend out one kilometer and for bigger villages, perhaps two kilometers or even more. But if you read the policy and this is why I am saying that there are persons out there who are being irresponsible. If you read the policy carefully, it is saying that the government as a proposal and we will still consult with you but as a proposal, we are saying that it can extend a kilometer or two kilometers. But there is a proviso in that section of the draft that says that government would be willing to provide that amount without further proof of use and occupation. So if you can provide further proof of use and occupation. Naturally, we have to take that into account."
"Down in Golden Stream, there is a spice farm that is owned by Dr. Thomas Matthew and his wife. They have been in this country for 32 years. His spice farm is located within what we would call the village of Golden Stream. Now, the question of the devil in the details would be what happens if his property would lie within the extent of going out, the one or the two or three kilometers."
"So the question is something that we will have to work out. I do want to say this. I call on the appellants in the case. We call them the appellants. You know, as I have said, the MLAs is really a misnomer. But I call on the appellants in the case. Be responsible. Don't be railing of the people to tear up a piece of paper when we have not even had a chance to have the consultations as yet."
A team from her ministry will be at a meeting planned in Santa Elena, Toledo for this Saturday.
