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This
Letter was sent to reporter Sergio Leon to seek clarification of the statements
made by Rayfields Hodgson.
Dec 26, 2003-We, the apprehensive black costeños in the Washington, DC and Miami metropolitan areas, will
not lend ourselves to be used. By means of this missive, we seek clarity of the
statements by Rev Rayfield Hodgson, president of the RAAS counsel, published in
La Prensa on December 22, 2003 in the article “Costeños radicados en EE.UU. motivados a invertir en RAAS” by Sergio
León C. Read the article for more information.
(http://www-ni.laprensa.com.ni/archivo/2003/diciembre/22/regionales/regionales-20031222-05.html)
We believed the statements to be inaccurate and
deleterious. Indeed, there are many costeños in the US who are motivated to
invest in the Caribbean coast given the right environment, transparency, and
accountability. We do have clarity of the potential of our natural resources and
the socioeconomic benefits they can yield. We are also aware of the current
dysfunctional regional government in light of the national political upheaval
due to corruption and mismanagement.
For many costeños who might be interested in investing in
the RAAS, Rev. Hodgson statements were certainly “news” to them. Absolutely
no one we know was aware of his mission or presence in the US.
Bluefieldspulse.com conducted a survey on Tuesday, December
23, 2003 in the Washington, DC and Miami metropolitan areas
costeño communities to find out if any one knew or heard about Rev.
Hodgson’s visit. The results were astounding because 100% of the people
surveyed responded that they did not know or heard about the reverend’s visit
to the areas. And 50% said that had the meeting taken place with their
knowledge, they would have liked to attend to be informed and possible invest in
the projects mentioned by him in the newspaper.
We feel that Rev Rayfield Hodgson should state publicly who
were the costeños he met with in
the US in order to set the records straight. And that the next time he plans to
visit these areas on business, please be courteous to invite the costeños who
he may have excluded this time.
The following costeños who wish to set the record straight
are:
Araia Sloan.
Steve Hooker Sr.
Gregory Lewin
Austin Lewin
Wyckerfee Wilson
Fernando Budier
Eladio Holmes
Steve Benedict
Adalbert Johnson
Other related article http://www-ni.laprensa.com.ni/archivo/2004/enero/06/regionales/regionales-20040106-05.html
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