The celebration of the 36th anniversary of independence and 12th anniversary of the Republic laid stress on unity. Both the president of the Republic, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, and the prime minister, Paul Bérenger, insisted, in their traditional address to the nation, on the fact that all Mauritians had to join forces. They stressed the importance of saying no to hatred so as to promote a social atmosphere conducive to work and progress. Because, they both insisted, the coming years are going to be tough.

The slogans, uttered by both authorities, had this year less of a hollow ring than usual. To remind the population that it has to live together as one nation and work together to build it further ? as enn sel nasyon, enn sel destin (one nation, same destiny) ? the President and the head of government referred to the difficulties the country has encountered. They both highlighted the verbal faux pas in the debate on the computation of oriental languages in the Certificate for Primary Education. Various socio cultural associations deviated from the main issue into personal attacks, which could have flared up into ethnic division.

Using the fatherly tone that usually brings unruly kids to their senses, Sir Anerood Jugnauth has appealed to the conscience of each and everyone: ?I trust in you,? he said, referring to the fact that the country has always overcome such difficult situations. ?The strength of a nation is to overcome differences and controversies and to allow citizens to express their opinions, while showing unity and solidarity.?

<B>Lesson for the future</B>

The president added that he felt it was his duty to call on the population to show ?moderation, tolerance, comprehension and mutual respect.? Moreover, it is everybody?s duty to find solutions ?for the good of the country and the future of our children.?

The PM was on the same wave-length. ?Unity between the different components of the rainbow nation is essential for progress in the country.? He said he was sure the difficulties the country faced recently would be a lesson for the future.

This appeal to oppose all social tensions is justified considering the real economic problems the country is faced with. Centring his speech around the latter, the PM stressed on the efforts made by the government regarding sugar and textiles. With the World Trade Organisation (WTO) director general, Supachai Panitchpakdi, as guest of honour, it could not be otherwise.

There was no unanimity around his visit. For the opposers, the PM explained that the WTO was created in order ?to control and orientate globalisation and liberalization of world trade so that they can benefit less developed and more vulnerable countries.? Besides, this visit was supposed to allow the DG of WTO to see the problems that Mauritius, as a small country, has to face and try and find a solution to help it.

Supachai Panitchpakdi has grasped the message.?Now that I have seen how things are going on in Mauritius, I think I better understand the problems you have in the fields of sugar and textiles.? Nevertheless, he added that he could not give all the answers. Mauritius has to tackle the problems and participate more in negotiations.

Alongside those speeches with ?tragic? undertones, the words of former president of the Republic, Cassam Uteem, at a dinner at the Toasmaster?s Club to celebrate independence day, had a somewhat comforting tone. ?We are very fortunate to live in a country where democracy and freedom prevail,? he said.