Astaphanism and Dominican Politics

The most closely studied political economy is that of the United States of America.  The politics of this country is characterized by what is termed as special interest groups.  Lobbyists are professional bodies formed to influence the direction of government policy.  Special interests are what they are, interest groups interested in pursuing particular activities and projects.  They can determine where ‘earmarks’ are created and where they come to bear.  Strategically, the elected government officials are positioned to carry out the calls of the special interest groups.  They provide bedfellows with campaign finance and the wherewithal to direct the local, state and federal elections.  Policy initiatives are sometimes influenced throughout the tenure of elected officials and statutory institutions and individuals.

In the Caribbean, there are similar groups (usually businessmen) with similar functions.  Historically, in the capitalist state, those with economic power have generally wielded political power whether directly or indirectly.  Howell D. Shillingford comes to mind.  He was once upon a time the political king of the west coast partly because of his economic power – he owned a lot of land!  Even the surname Charles was a powerhouse several years ago from J. B. Charles to Dame M. Eugenia Charles.  Money meant power.

In our contemporary time there’s Astaphan:  Anthony Waddy Astaphan (Tony), the son of Waddy Astaphan, grandson of Joseph Astaphan.  They have the economic power and their affiliation have somewhat affected political power and direction in Dominica.

Tony Astaphan is an attorney by profession and his legal practice takes him across the Caribbean representing several prominent individuals like the Birds from Antigua, Dr. Kenny Anthony from St. Lucia, and Dr. Ralph Gonsalves from St. Vincent among others.  Of course, he’s popularly known as senior counsel by some and notoriously so by others.  Nonetheless, this is an accomplishment he’s attained in his legal endeavors in 1999 bestowed upon him by the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.

When the Birds ruled Antigua & Barbuda Tony’s advice influenced government affairs there.  Because of his outspoken and vocal nature and his consistent convincing manner of speech he is listened to.  He continues to have much influence in the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) and the Labour Administration.  He is considered the number one public government defender!  He claims to be merely an advocate.  Depending on the issue at hand he is more less a defender of the government or of the prime minister.  He has been a public embarrassment both here and abroad too as we shall see.

Let me at this point attempt to define ‘Astaphanism’. Astaphanism represents the concerted precept whereby Anthony Astaphan’s political and economic views are superior to that of others and should stand.

Tony Astaphan was instrumental in having Ambrose George removed as Finance Minister during the tenure of Pierre Charles as prime minister of Dominica.  At the time he proclaimed that no one should be finance minister but the prime minister himself.  We would all recall the famous line from him in relation to Ambrose George, “He knew, he knew, he knew….”

Think of controversy, and think of a mediocre spin on it in the Dominican political context.  Layou River Hotel saga, justified; suing Matt Peltier and The Times for exposing the truth about questionable land dealing by the Prime Minister – justified; the opposition parties which represent almost 50% of the nation’s voters on the question of electoral reform – ridiculed as being unnecessary.

Astaphanism is thus derived from the conspicuous presence of Mr. Astaphan’s well-known public positions which carry through in government policy.  He speaks for the Prime Minister (I guess with or without permission).  This is also expressed in his legal services that are employed by the Labour Administration.  For all intents and purposes it sometimes suits the government to allow Astaphanism precedence over the Ministry of Legal affairs and the Attorney General’s Chambers.  Legal services provided on behalf of the Government of Dominica on the current and very famous Layou River Hotel/ambassador David Hsui case in the British Virgin Islands is a case in point.

It is alleged that much financial help and other support was given to the Dominica Labour Party during their campaigns especially in 2005.

A senior counsel in legal terms is a high rank distinguished lawyer, but Dominicans probably know Tony as the de facto prime minister of Dominica.  It is said that he speaks for the prime minister out of convenience.  Ladies and gentlemen, regardless of what you think, the man is listened to by all.  Unfortunately, his criticisms of those he apparently does not like are distasteful and uncharacteristic of a senior counsel. This is apparent when he calls them names.  It reminds me of the colonial era when ‘certain’ human beings were considered inferior, or less than others.  Humans are humans, and not animals.  Genetically, biologically, socially and intellectually humans are characteristically different from animals.  In spite of this expressed attitude some people still like the man.  He apologizes when it suits him and takes back the apologies when he wants.  Remember though, he is not a politician.  Some people are afraid of him because he is a high-powered lawyer.

Contemporary Astaphanism really began to take hold when the late Pierre Charles was prime minister of this country.  The distinguished calypso writer Pat Aaron pen the words of “Puppet Master”, and this song helps to explain the whole concept a bit clearer sharing some insight into Astaphanism and Dominican politics.  Perhaps a closer look at this splendid work of art will help you decide one way or the other if there’s any such thing as Astaphanism in this small island state called Dominica.  Please read these two verses as expressed in calypso:

Does your country have a puppet master,

Who controls all the people through their leader?

He controls for his profit

He has the leaders in his pocket

He trades economic power for political power

Dominica has its puppet master

He doh like no foreign investor

The government is in his hold

He doh like leaders who he can’t control

Puppet master never runs for office

For people’s welfare that is not his business

He doh want man who competent

To have no say in government

He’s the king of the law

Taking anybody as leader

Each time a leader dies he puts a successor

Each time telling the public this is the best leader

He really thinks he is a little god

He sees desi black girls as his reward

Please read the lyrics one more time, digest and think it through.  The song makes reference to power hungry puppet master and propaganda puppet master. Pat Aaron is skilful at analyzing one’s personality and fashioning words to ably communicate that personality to his listeners through songs.

Notable criticisms of Astaphanism

Well-known and eloquent US-based Dominican attorney Gabriel Christian had this to say about Tony Astaphan recently on the Hot Seat on Q95: “Senior Counsel is loose with the truth…; the man is injurious to the national interest”.  Christian was expressing utter disgust at the fact that Mr. Astaphan responded “no” to a question from Christian as to whether or not he’d read the Contract between the government and West Indies Power granting the corporation rights to explore for geothermal resources in Soufriere.  He was aghast at the unsubstantiated defense being put up by Astaphan as a senior counsel defending something he was ignorant about.  These two gentlemen campaigned for the very same cause years ago, that was to get the Dominica Labour Party in government.  Some things must have fundamentally gone very wrong.

He is always in a battle of sorts with one of the Caribbean’s best eloquent and investigative journalists Lennox Linton.  The only thing they agree upon is that they breathe the same air!

The Griffin St. Hilaire – Pierre Charles succession plan issue now comes to mind.  There have been documented inconsistencies in the position(s) held by Astaphan.  According to one journalist Astaphan says that there was an agreement in principle for St. Hilaire to have succeeded Charles at one point.  At another time he stated that there was no such agreement.  What are we to believe?  Was there a concoction of sorts, a confused defender or deliberate misunderstanding of the facts?

The latest embarrassment for Astaphan was a live incident on radio when he sought to characterize Athie Martin and Angelo Allen as political antagonists of the government.   He accused them of concocting a story about what turned out to be a factual statement made by Dr. Edwin Carrington insinuating that Hugo Chavez’s position could possibly be the biggest concern for CARICOM at the Summit of the Americas held recently in Trinidad.  Astaphanism was put to shame.  He later apologized but still sort of later recanted.  His lack of research, quick to condemn attitude, political biasness took precedence over better judgment. Alas, it was not a court of law!

According to the St. Lucia Star newspaper dated April 8^th 2009 he apologized to Sir Fenton Ramsahoye in a Commission hearing when he represented Dr. Kenny Anthony former St. Lucian prime minister.  This was another silly mistake that could have been avoided by the gentleman because he got the facts wrong.

Perhaps the most notable was the Matt Peltier Roosevelt Skerritt court case.  The matter is still current but from all accounts both the court and public opinion are on Matt’s side.  The PM has already paid over $51,000.00 to the State in the land matter and the Court Master recently denied Mr. Skerritt’s legal counsel, led by Tony Astaphan, a request for disclosure of sources of information by Matt Peltier and The Times.

Benefits of Astaphanism

-         Astaphanism has proven to be an effective distraction to the opposition parties.  They always respond to his points of views whether or not they can be validated as truth or untruths.

Setbacks of Astaphanism (cautious points)

-         distraction to the conventional political process.  When sitting governments

allow non-elected members to be so influential in the political process this skews everything from who has real power to who actually wields that power.  Elected members and even ministers are subjected to his legal, economic and political positions on matters of national interest.  When the prime minister does not speak on selected issues the senior counsel speaks on them.  By all means he’s a much better spinner!

How will Astaphanism play in the upcoming general elections?  I guarantee you these public outbursts will continue and the labour party’s ‘advocate’ will have his say in spite of and despite…  Let democracy reign.  Democracy is perhaps the political system which is supposed to allow freedom of expression to reign.  In this system however, some are freer than others to do or say as they please.  One’s ability to articulate well will be advantageous to the orator.  If you continue to repeat truth over and over again the listener will believe, and likewise if you are bombarded with what appears to be untruths and distortions all the time the listeners will eventually believe!