Premier objects to USVI deadline for charter talks
File photo: Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley and USVI Governor Albert Bryan Jr.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has objected to USVI Governor Albert Bryan Jr’s deadline for charter-fee talks in Washington, saying the two territories should resolve the dispute through direct discussions.
Speaking on the Virgin Islands Voice show yesterday, September 30, Dr Wheatley said he had written to Bryan explaining that he saw no need to escalate the matter to the United States. He remained willing to meet in the BVI.
“I would have much preferred for the governor of the United States Virgin Islands to pick up the phone and call me as opposed to imposing deadlines as communicated through the media,” Dr Wheatley said.
Bryan had requested confirmation by September 25 that the BVI would participate in an Inter-Virgin Islands Council meeting in Washington during the week of 12 October. The proposal followed discussions with US federal agencies about the impact of the BVI’s increased charter fees on USVI businesses.
Dr Wheatley said Bryan subsequently repeated the deadline in a letter. He argued that the Inter-Virgin Islands Council provided a bilateral framework through which the neighbouring territories could settle matters themselves.
“And if you have the involvement of the United States, which is the administering power for the USVI, you most certainly would have to have the United Kingdom as well involved,” he said.
The Premier said the BVI had previously negotiated compromises with the USVI, including concessions for day-trip operators and a licensing arrangement with a per-trip charge after seven visits. He said the subsequent effort to involve Washington surprised him.
Premier Wheatley defended the revised fees, saying the BVI relied on its own resources to finance schools, healthcare and roads, without budgetary support from the United Kingdom.
He also rejected suggestions that the charges applied simply to people entering BVI waters. The fees covered licences for commercial activity, he said, while people sailing without conducting charters remained subject to regular immigration procedures.
Local charter boats also faced increased fees, Dr Wheatley said. Their rates reflected their contribution through provisioning, repairs and marina rentals. He stressed that the foreign-vessel charges applied beyond the USVI.
“Well, you know, we are open to having a meeting here in the Virgin Islands and to further engage on the issue,” Dr Wheatley said.
He expressed hope that the territories could continue working constructively and restore a friendly relationship.
“But if our neighbours want to engage more and to discuss more, we’re certainly open to that,” he said.
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I heard Hon. Walwyn warning the government about this and they didn’t listen. Now look what happen here now.
We need as much diplomacy as we can.
Try this headline.
Premier willing to have another meeting with the USVI Governor to resolve the issues locally rather than going to Washington.
You sound like a woman that stays with a man that beat her because he got money and buy nice things.
Who don’t hear going feel. He up and down traveling and wouldn’t do no work. He was warned by Myron to fix this things before it get out of control and we win on one hand but lose on another. Now he fraid to go by Trump when he could have met with Bryan a long time ago here.
Dr Natalio Wheatley’s response is an intelligent and measured response. He makes us as BVIslanders proud. His response is that of a statesman.
I totally agree that Brian is out of place. The Premier doesn’t need to have any more meetings with him.
Anguilla, the Bahamas, and all of the countries in the region are tightening their borders to secure their tourism product.
Brian and some StThomians live in a false world, thinking we are under them.
As for Plasket, she is so out of touch, saying she will raise tariffs when we come down to shop for groceries. I wonder if she knows our GDP
A BVI delegation met with Bryan earlier in the year. Concessions were made on the original fees.
“including concessions for day-trip operators and a licensing arrangement with a per-trip charge after seven visits.”
These fees are applicable to all foreign based boats and not simply USVI charter boats. Fees also increased for local commercial vessels.
When the USVI bann our bands, we didnt go crying to the UK
“Even try to call customs”
Imagine fighting to use someone else’s waters for your tourism product, while making it harder for us to have the same luxury in yours.The fall of the US empire
Hon. Premier, do not go to Washington. if they want to discuss access to our waters and resources, let them come to Road Town.
Setting deadlines for Premier Wheatley and talking about escalating this to Washington was unnecessary and disrespectful. Deadline for who? We ain’t no damn children.
We already made concessions.The fees should not be lowered any further. No more. The VI negotiated in good faith, compromises were made, and adjustments were already agreed to. So why should we keep giving up more just because some people still aren’t satisfied?
Do the math and break the fees down properly. They are not these outrageous, unbearable prices they’re being made out to be. If you are coming into our waters to operate commercially and make money from what we have, then there is a cost attached to that.
Virgin Islanders have spent money in the USVI for decades. We paid your taxes, your fees, bought your goods and supported your businesses. We didn’t demand that you lower your charges because we didn’t like them.
So if further discussions are needed, sit down and talk like neighbours. But enough with the deadlines, threats and pressure. We have already compromised.
If you want to come into the Virgin Islands and make money from what belongs to us, PAY FOR IT.
Keep your clock or correct it; we are not the “British Virgin Islands” we are The Virgin Islands, a stated on birth certificates and passports.
why should BVI go to Washinton. Let them set of demons come to us or go to UK to talk with who they wanna talk to. It is them who have the problem. America think they are the world vacuum cleaner. Do not let them intimidate you
These people have been bullying and taking advantage of us for decades. Stole our name and now telling us our fees are too high and demanding that we go to washington? What kind of nonsense is this? WE pumped tens of millions if not hundreds into their economy. I for one have started boycotting the Danish West Indies.
I am so proud of our premier if funny man was premier we was dead and the country would have been sold
The premier will get 4 more years