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Rodrigues: Freedom on a leash
As I tap on this keyboard, residents of the tiny New Zealand territory of Tokelau are voting on whether to become one of the world?s smallest self-governing states. Fewer than 800 voters from its local population of 1500 are choosing between keeping (120 year-old) colonial ties and reclaiming their sovereignty. Though a previous ballot requiring a two-thirds majority to succeed had failed by 30 votes, this time around, it is expected that 85 % will support independence in free association with New Nealand.
Tokelau?s coral atolls of Nukunonu, Fakaofo and Atafu cover a combined land area of just 12.2 sq km. They have few resources except for fisheries, and are without a port, airport or capital. And, according to data from the world factbook, Tokelau has the world?s smalles economy.
Be that as it may, the United Nations Decolonization Committee, and the New Zealand government not only agreed to the current referendum, but encouraged Tokelauans to pursue their inalienable right to self-determination.
Other small islands, including Nauru and Tuvalu with populations of less than 10,000 are already independent states. Yet, when it comes to Rodrigues island, with a history written in the teeth of suppression, whole perches of critics still squawk about it being too-small, too-poor, and not-yet-ready. In fact, as an independent states, on top of fishing licenses, it would become eligible to aid from international sources, now closed to it because of its status.
While smaller countries proudly reclaim their heritage in the human family, Rodrigues, it seems, is fated to remain on the end of a colonially attached leash ? for time without end.
<B>Alain LEVEQUE</B>
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