'We have choices' for self-determination- Premier Wheatley
Premier Wheatley outlined the three choices for self-determination, which are Independence, Integration, or Free Association, during his contribution to the debate of the 2022-2023 Constitution Ref...
Premier Wheatley outlined the three choices for self-determination, which are Independence, Integration, or Free Association, during his contribution to the debate of the 2022-2023 Constitution Reform Commission (CRC) Report at the Ninth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly on Thursday, September 18, 2025. "Now, we have choices.
The three choices are either independence, which is the one people speak about a lot, but it's not the only option. And we know all the independent countries in the world. An example of integration would be those French territories. They are not listed on the Special Committee's list.
So Martinique, Guadalupe, French Saint Martin, they are a part of France. They have representation in the French parliament. Then you have a free association, where both parties can agree to cooperate on terms beneficial for both. One does not have the ability to dictate to the other.
It is a partnership," Dr Wheatley stated. 'UN hasn't given up on this idea of colonialism being eradicated' The Premier also said that the Government of the Virgin Islands engaged with the Special Committee on Decolonisation, noting that, through the engagement, the government was successful in having a visiting mission to the Virgin Islands.
He also commended the Chair of the Special Committee and all the other members of the C24 committee for their assistance with the visiting mission. "I’m grateful to the chair of the Special Committee, Menissa Rambally, Permanent Representative to the UN, of StLucia, for the assistance and all the other members of the C 24 committee, including those who belong to the OECS." The Premier added that the visiting mission came to some conclusions after having a series of missions with various entities here in the Virgin Islands.
He further encouraged Virgin Islanders to read the mission’s report. Dr Wheatley also referred to the conclusion of the report, which highlighted the Fourth International Decade for the eradication of colonialism, stating that "Every decade the UN declares a decade for the eradication of colonialism.
So at the beginning of this decade, in 2020, the UN declared it the 4th International Decade for the eradication of colonialism. "So, the UN hasn't given up on this idea of colonialism being eradicated, and neither should we." This online news site is the sole property of and is operated by Advance Marketing and Professional Services dba Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) in the Virgin Islands.
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