Apparently the Sids Conference got us a lot of international exposure and now onwards we will be known as the country that knows how to organise great conferences. I am glad. Not too pleased though with the amount of money that has been spent while schools for the handicapped are closing down because the government doesn?t have enough money to fund them. But hey?.

I don?t know if the intention was also for us to be known as great hosts. Because in that, I think we have dramatically failed. Let me explain. A junior minister of the Blair government comes to Mauritius. He was here for the Sids conference. He is a guest. We are the hosts. Our guest goes to visit the Chagossians. He tells them he is concerned that the Mauritian government had decided not to put the ?Trochetia? at their disposal. He represents his government and has his government?s interest at heart. Not ours. Is this surprising? I don?t think so but I am starting to believe I am the only one.

What were the motives of Bill Rammell? I do not know. It is a matter between two countries to discuss. It is and remains a diplomatic issue. Bill Rammell does not decide what happens to Chagos. Neither does Bérenger. Nor does Blair for that matter; it is not that simple. But do you know what happens? Our offended prime minister calls a press conference. He speaks of Mauritius? guest in insulting terms, referring to him as the ?junior minister? in a tone meant to be belittling.

And the admirable people that we are applaud Bérenger for ?standing up? for our honour. How about telling him that he did this country no favour?

But that?s not the end of it. Reports say that despite having been in office for over two months and having requested an appointment with the prime minister on two occasions, the new British high commissioner is still being kept waiting. The reason? Blair was rude to Bérenger and did not meet with him when Mauritian Premier was in London.

We were told Blair was rude. Fair enough. So, we have to go down to his level? So what is this, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth? What do we hope to achieve by retaliating? We indulge in petty politics and lose our sense of decorum just because Tony Blair has taken leave of his manners? Will this help us recover our sovereignty over the Chagos? Give us a break. We are expected to be offended by Rammell?s statement that Mauritius?s claim to the Chagos is invalid. Come on is this news to us? We already knew what Britain?s stand is.

No one is suggesting that we bow down to ?mighty? Britain. Gone are those days. But for heaven?s sake, should every move Britain make be considered as her treating us as her inferiors or taking us for a ride? Isn?t it time we got rid of our complexes?

Only time will tell where we are going with this diplomatic tiff we are having with Britain over the Chagos. But it is important that we do not ruin our long-standing good relations with our former rulers. And not make it a personal fight. That?s why diplomacy was invented. Let us not let ego get in the way. And learn how to be a good host.