UK has no hidden agenda re regiment, says governor
(CNS): Cayman’s new defence force is beginning a second round of recruitment for reservists, as the bill to formalise this local army is headed for the Legislative Assembly. But Governor Martyn Roper has again stated that Britain “has no economic, political, security or national interest in anything other than supporting Cayman and the region in disaster preparedness and resilience”, quashing rumours that there is a hidden agenda.
With tensions still high in the community after the governor, under the direction of the UK, used his reserved powers to pass the Civil Partnership Law, some critics in the community are linking this use of legislative force by the UK with the consolidation of the regiment. Some have also expressed concern that because this reserve regiment is part of the UK’s defence resources, recruits could be drafted to fight on behalf of Britain should it be necessary.
However, the volunteer army was originally an idea posed more than 15 years ago by Premier Alden McLaughlin when he saw the Bermuda Regiment in action here after Hurricane Ivan. The UK had not responded favourably to the request until much more recently, when the current governor, with support from the armed services minister in the UK, helped move the idea forward.
Roper said the creation of the regiment had been supported by the Cabinet and the National Security Council, including the leader of the opposition. “Cabinet and the National Security Council accepted the UK offer of technical support. My job is to ensure that that support is delivered rapidly and effectively,” he said Friday.
A new recruitment drive is underway for fit healthy and enthusiastic Caymanians over the age of 18 to help swell the ranks towards the target of 175 men and women by the end of 2021. The second batch of recruits will begin training in February.
On Friday two of the existing recruits headed to London on the British Airways flight to embark on their junior officer training at Sandhurst, Britain’s military academy.
The bill for the new army is now going through a 21 public consultation before it is expected to be debated in the Legislative Assembly.
Category: Local News
The paranoia of some people on this island is truly frightening. Do you honestly think that this regiment has been formed to subjugate any ‘uprising’ by hoi polloi? That they are going to crush the enemies of the state? No. They are going to be a search and rescue type of outfit to assist when it is going wrong either here or around our Caribbean neighbours. Like International Rescue in Thunderbirds. Some folks watch too much American TV with those nutter militias running about.
Which is why the officers are being trained at a military academy, the soldiers are authorized to carry firearms and all of them are subject to UK military law. Because they are a search and rescue unit. Right.
Read the legislation. Of the various reasons stated for the existence of the regiment, the very first is defence of the islands.
https://www.284media.com/local/2020/09/25/governor-orders-uk-military-ship-to-return-to-bvi-borders-in-fight-against-smuggling/?fbclid=IwAR2zZpZR8_7coGQ4yUzqUgQWldjZQh4eRlliF-dOx59UDObAzWnGe5w-wWU
Give this some thought…
People do not be fooled by Governor Roper and the UK, read the Constitution Section 31, the Governor’s job is to lookout for the UK’s interests, not the interests of the Cayman Islands.
The Governor cannot serve to Masters at the same time. His orders are to serve the UK.
Ehi serves for the benefit of Caymanians?
Please tell me if you ever find out!
Wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Such negativity. A Regiment set up primarily to help. To assist in natural disasters and provide much needed, well trained help. And yet the doubters jump on this.
It’s a good thing people. An organisation which will genuinely help the people of Cayman.
Unlikely, but carry on.
Have another crumpet first.
A lawless army by a lawless governor promoting the MERCENARY FORCE.
Where is the business case study?
We do not need an army to waste more money.
Has Who signed up yet?
Does anyone know who is paying for this regiment and how much will it cause on an annual basis? We are losing $25M per year and will likely get worse as the year progresses..
We have a $40M per annum police force. Do we need more military or is it possible to up skill some of these police officers and maybe even bring in some of the Caymanians that are training in this regiment into the police force.
Folks things are getting worrisome. The pension money is going to run out soon and the tourism industry is pretty much dead for another year. Do we really have the money to be blown on this now..
Us timid fool fool Caymanians will be paying for thev1 army for generations.
TheUK founded Jamaica’s army kills hundreds each year.
Look at Costa Rica, without an army, the most peaceful, prosperous South America and Central America country.
STOP THE ARMY.
I am blown away by surprising sensible comments on this story. I guess the negative posters get it right once a year.
If you think that Cayman having its own Regiment is a bad idea then you should have a mental health check.
We disagree with Gov. Roper”There is no hidden agenda”.
There is always an agenda behind everything the UK does and it is always for their benefit and their interests, it is in our Constitution, just read it for yourself.
Gov. Roper we not all fools kissing up to you, know that.
4.07. what other opportunity do you see for young Caymanians to
Attend Sandhurst
Learn leadership skills
Loyalty
Discipline
Pride in teamwork
Community spirit and entry to a career.
Maybe that is the agenda , the agenda of benefits to Cayman’s youthnthat you refer to.
Sandhurst TRAINS TO KILL!
Every training at Sandhurst is towards one objective – Killing
They teach leadership and responsibility which can be applied to every walk of life.
All sadly lacking with the majority of our youth.
What other opportunity? Well they could join the British army for real instead of playing at it.
Quote:
Governor Martyn Roper has again stated that Britain “has no economic, political, security or national interest in anything other than supporting Cayman and the region in disaster preparedness and resilience”, quashing rumours that there is a hidden agenda.
My response:
I believe you Governor Roper. I have some oceanfront land that I am selling in Nevada, going really cheap, would you like to buy some?
Who does he think really believes this crap?
Ronald Reagan’s famous words come to mind, “Trust but verify!”
If it is just for disaster response and “resilience”, why does it report to the governor? Are those not local matters?
Cayman’s success has been due to peaceful initiatives and organizations, not guns and military activity. There are countless poor countries around the world that have military regiments that do little but protect corrupt leadership. Just imagine the problems from having a “strong man” in power.
Cayman has many problems, including the recent hack and release of FINCEN SARs and the new regulation that will follow. These are difficult intellectual battles to fight, and it is better to spend the resources there.
The hack of FINCEN Sars proves we should not putting our data online or transferred to other countries for review, safekeepings or analysis.
Christ, we have to be able to chew gum and walk at the same time.
HE, ignore these rattle heads and press on.
There has been such an extensive erosion of trust in recent times that I don’t know how and when things will ever recover.
Yeah right… Don’t believe that at all.
This makes me proud, to have something that can help in times of need and that teaches our young men and women valuable life skills is very positive.
Completely agree. I am ex RAF. Taught me valuable life skills, especially to help others when you can
Didn’t they also teach you how to kill people? Because last time I looked the RAF s primary mission was not about helping people. It was a military unit, not the Boy Scouts.
Yes but too many people here subscribe to right wing made conspiracy theories and are devoid of any critical thinking.
In what circumstances does the governor or the premier envisage them being issued firearms?
Post hurricane law enforcement most likely scenario, just as in the aftermath of Ivan when regular police were armed to deter looting
We already have armed Police..
Do we though?
Certain police officers were looking to loot too!
12.30 Source? Proof? Provide links? Evidence? Thought not. Shhhh….
UK PR bot watching and responding to keep the natives under control.
This post is also being tracked because the governor has full unchecked power to spy on all of my telecommunications – yes that is one thing that “Lawless Rule of Law untrusted Roper” is legal.
People forget to look at the bigger picture in that the Regiment could be deployed to provide assistance to other territories that are more dangerous than Cayman.
100 prisoners escaped from the prison in BVI during Irma. If they are sent to assist in these situations I am sure it is better for them to be armed and have appropriate training than just being additional ‘man power’.
UK PR BS again.
Sick and tired of it.
Why should we send our people to BVI? I am all for helping people but wouldn’t this be the responsibility of the UK military to take care of these situations?
I didn’t realise we were grooming our young men and women to go fight battles in other countries for which the UK in the first instance must have the responsibility.
If we are going to have our own army or regiment as they call it, it should be for protecting Cayman not going into other countries to fight battles for the UK.
So Bermuda shouldn’t have helped us post-Ivan?
The Regiment’s main focus is humanitarian assistance and disaster relief which is why they would get sent to other jurisdictions. They would still need the knowhow for dealing with hostile situations both locally and overseas. I don’t see any issue with them being armed in these circumstances. When a hurricane hits here and should there be a need for it; would you prefer a relief force be made up solely of foreign nationals or one led by locals in partnership with them? I know which I would prefer.
As if the UK is going to send a reserve force with basic training into Afghanistan or some other warzone. People have been watching too much TV. These conspiracy theory nutjobs need to lay off whatever they are smoking.
What exactly did the Bermuda regiment do for us after Ivan?
Nothing more than a few people with guns intimidating people.
For the record, we the people of the Cayman Islands together with the expats that decided to stay pulled this country together.
Those that came from other countries were just returning the favor that Cayman had and will always do for them just like we just did for BVI and the Bahamas.
Please stop trying to make people believe that we need an army, regiment, soldiers or whatever you call it to save us.
Caymanians are a tough and resilient people and despite or many differences and battles when push comes to shove, we pull together and make it work….without a regiment..
So you’re only arming them to shoot people in other places, not in Cayman. That’s nice. I guess.
You miss the point: Regardless of location why does an emergency response team need to be military trained & armed? Either they are not an armed response unit, or they are. Don’t claim they are not, except for when you want them to be (whatever justification you think will placate us), and expect us believe they are not.
Can’t win with some people. There will always be some conspiracy theory floating around to throw mud on good intentions and there will always be idiots believing the worst.
There will always be conspiratorial theories by idiots and nay sayers who appear to thrive on them.
Congratulations to the young men and women who have taken the step forward to join. Keep up the good work and inspire more like yourselves to join you in this noble venture.
WW1 and WW2 victims were well-meaning soldiers trusting their evil governments.
Why should these innocents be any different?
They can be proud of themselves for the rite of passage, but that does not make evil right.
Ouch!