The petition prepared by the St. Barths Association of the Friends of Sweden (ASBAS) and co-sponsored by the island's elected leaders and various associations proved an outstanding success. The number of signatures, 3040, represents nearly half of the island's resident population of 7000, and 84% of its registered voters, a far higher percentage than voter turnout figures for either municipal or national elections. The petition was open for signing to any island resident over 18, foreign residents included.
"Operation Petition," an inherent part of the awareness campaign launched in February (read article March 15, 2002), aimed to publicly solicit the winners of the presidential primaries -the Gaullist contender, Chirac, and the extreme-right leader, LePen- to officially recognize the specific fiscal rights that the Franco-Swedish treaty granted the island and to observe a fiscal moratorium until a project for statutory evolution can be fully elaborated.
Island residents were given two weeks to rally around ASBAS' political call-to-arms and show the nation's future president that St. Barths residents are serious, and united, when it comes to defending their fiscal rights. Despite the political timidity or apathy that is often manifested when central island issues are being discussed, this time, residents responded, and they responded in number, surpassing the 2,500 signature-goal that was set for Operation Petition.
Last Saturday, ASBAS spokesmen interviewed on Radio St. Barths congratulated residents for their coherence, and told the noon audience that the public awareness campaign was starting to yield results, especially after the report written by six law professors (three French and three Swedish) hired by ABSBAS to legally analyze the international treaty, was published. The team of legal experts found that the 1877 Franco-Swedish treaty, does, in fact, provide the island with a specific fiscal regime. Since the ASBAS sent the report to the country's key policy makers, it has received more than 100 replies. Some of them, like the letter from Alain Juppe, former French prime minister, have been particularly encouraging.
Striking the iron while it is hot might be-under other circumstances-an intelligent strategy, but the association has wisely opted to wait until the agitation of the presidential primaries subsides. "We'll send the results of the petition once the presidential and legislative elections are over," said Daniel Blanchard, the association's spokesman.
In the meanwhile, local leaders are calling for St. Barth's voting public to go to the polls on May 5 and support Chirac. Without mincing words, local public figures like the mayor, the island's regional and general counselors, are not only asking their constituents to vote for the candidate who has always shown his support for the island and its political agenda, but to use their vote to combat the spread of Front National's popularity locally. That the extreme right has succeeded in getting its candidate, Jean-Marie LePen past the primaries, has sent shock waves through France and abroad. Locally, the FN candidate received a whopping 20% of the local vote, the highest percentage in the entire region of Guadeloupe, where, in comparison, he received a mere 4% . Elected officials do not want St. Barths to be affiliated with the extreme right, or the policies of xenophobia and racism with which it is largely associated, and are asking voters to do some long-range thinking before casting their vote on May 5.
Yves Bourel
Beyonce and Jay-Z have taken their daughter on her first vacation. The couple, who celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary last week, have been enjoying the sunshine on the Caribbean island of St. Barts with three-month-old Blue Ivy over the weekend, and took the tot for a day trip on a yacht.
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Kick-off Les Voiles de Saint Barth 2012 Caribbean regatta in the magical French West Indies sailing paradise!
Today the prestigious and top-class Caribbean sailing regatta Les Voiles de St. Barth 2012 with Gaastra Sportswear as the official partner starts: At the third edition run...
Inside the Bucket.
This video features the 2012 St Barths Bucket Regatta and music by the Evan Goodrow Band. Special thanks to the entire crew of the Rebecca, Baz Bar, St Barths Online and the guys from the Evan Goodrow Band for putting on a fantastic show. The song from the Evan Goodrow Band is c...
On board with Rebecca.
The best event in St Barths took place on March 24 - 27, 2012. This video features the beautiful 141 ft sailing yacht, The Rebecca.
produced by Real Media Travel for St. Barths Online and Baz Bar St Barth.
The age old saying of "I need a holiday to get over my holiday" actually seems applicable if you happen to be Paul McCartney.
The Beatle took wife Nancy Shevell on a romantic break to the Caribbean island of St Barts, just days after the pair visited Paris.
Last week, the lovebirds showed support ...
On the day their pregnancy news was announced, Thor star Chris Hemsworth, 28, and Elsa Pataky, 35, were seen in sunny St. Barts, France on Wednesday (January 18). The Fast Five actress looked lovely in blue, sporting her beautiful baby bump.
Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky
Chris and Elsa - w...
She might be 44, but Tamara Mellon still boasts a figure that women half her age would be proud of.
The Jimmy Choo co-founder showed off her toned figure in a sexy animal-print bikini as she hit the beach with her daughter in St Barts yesterday.
The skimpy string two-piece highlighted Tamara's env...
With almost every other celebrity couple enjoying the New Year in exotic locations, Gary and Danielle Lineker weren't going to be any different.
The married couple were spotted enjoying a romantic walk along a beach in St Barts today - and looked very much in love.
Gary, 51 and his wife, 32, had o...
Which beaches to choose?
The glamorous island of St Barts is one of the Caribbean's top beach destinations. Ringing the island are immaculate strips of sand and ethereal turquoise waters. The shallow reefs that encircle the island help to protect these renowned beaches, and they also provide excell...
St. Barts, Why Not?
Since the wealthy and celebrated frequently visit St. Barts for a tropical vacation, you will find that many plush St. Barts Resorts can be found on this stunning island. For those taking St. Barts holidays, it is simple to find hotels with each luxury available. Frequently thes...
Vacation With the Rich and Famous at St. Barts.
Want to bump into celebrities and be seen hanging out where the rich and famous play? Then the Caribbean island of St. Barts is the place to be.
While warm sand and blue waters do make an ideal vacation location, this destination has that and a whol...
Where to go for one day in Caribbean?
St. Maarten / St. Martin
The half-Dutch, half-French island of St. Maarten/St. Martin, with its many restaurants and hotels, makes a great base for an island-hopping adventure. Graced by the nickname Unspoiled Queen, tiny little Saba is not the kind of Caribbe...
Villa La Plage in St Barts.
The posh French resort isle of St. Barth's was already a prize destination when Roman Abramovich purchased an estate there for $89 million in 2009; since the oligarch arrived it has become even more so.
Now Christie's International Real Estate has listed another impres...
Baywatch in St Barts.
Making it official after five years of engagement, Brooke Burke and beau David Charvet have reportedly tied the knot while yachting in St. Barts.
According to Life & Style, the "Dancing with the Stars" host and the former "Baywatch" hunk, who have been vacationing in the...
St. Barth Summer Sessions Aug. 5-15, 2011
St Barth Summer Sessions 2011 this year will have a focus on artists from Brazil. The festival will take place at a variety of different venues all over the island, and in the end of the festival there will be a big common concert in the Harbor of Gustavia ...
The Eclipse, no ordinary yacht.
It probably hasn't escaped your attention that, with modern methods of transport, measuring and telecommunication, no "terra incognita" is safe from the crazed enthusiasm of certain explorers of scientists. Everything has already been discovered and minutely placed o...
Ashley Rodriguez Trio
Ashley Rodriguez, one of the famous finalist from the American Idol 2010 is back in St Barth between May 5-15. Ashley was participating last summer for the St Barth Summer Session in august 2010 at La Plage and she will now come with her 'All Girls Band', Liz on the guitar ...
The La Plage restaurant introduce :
ST BARTH SUMMER SESSIONS
« 5 to 15 august 2010, 10 days of crazy music ! »
Festival program
La Plage St Jean Tel: 0590 52 81 33 Email: tombeach@wanadoo.fr Site: www.stbarthsummersessions.com
THE GREAT FISH DEBATE There seems to be a bone of contention among a few of my friends. Fine folks who love some of the finer things in life, such as Dover Sole That flat fish floating in butter and capers. Known in French as Sole Meunière, it is made from what is called in European fisherman ver...
