Cabrera threatens tourism? No way

Last week, a friend wrote to “. . . note that a [CNMI] delegation is visiting Japan to discuss with appropriate officials the possibility of their rescinding the ominous travel advisory relative to reduced crime . . . in the CNMI.” My friend also noted that “This is occurring at an inauspicious time when a former government official [none other than Mr. Antonio R. Cabrera, the former Secretary of Finance, of course] has been found guilty of theft. . . Not exactly perfect timing.”

With all due respect to my friend and to others who may also feel the same way, honestly now, I hardly think that Mr. Antonio R. Cabrera presents–or, indeed, has ever presented–a danger to our Japanese tourists. Mr. Cabrera, after all, was convicted of essentially committing a white collar crime. He was charged with theft, not robbery or rape. The bribery charges could not be upheld in court.

Japanese officials, on the other hand, have frequently been exposed for their rampant graft and corruption. Make no mistake: Japan has its own fair share of government scandals–scandals which include ties to organized (Yakuza) crime.

Since when has Mr. Cabrera been connected to a Mafia of any kind? By all accounts, Mr. Cabrera acted alone and physically harmed no tourists in the process of carrying out his dubious government transactions.

The idea that Mr. Cabrera presents–or ever presented–a clear danger to the local tourism industry is utterly preposterous. The notion is so far-fetched that it is downright absurd.

Mr. Cabrera is not a vicious, predatory purse-snatcher. You will not find Mr. Cabrera hanging around Garapan just waiting to accost, ambush or waylay a pair of unsuspecting Japanese office ladies on their vacation.

Don’t get me wrong. Given the excellent OPA report, there is no question that Mr. Cabrera acted improperly. He clearly made some costly and regrettable mistakes. But to argue that his recent conviction would only undermine our pleas to have the Japanese travel advisory rescinded is absurd. It is a fantastic notion that should be categorically rejected.

The Marianas Visitors Authority and the Teno administration should get the facts on crime. Let them check with the CNMI Criminal Justice Planning Agency. Let them consult with the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report. Let them check with the Honolulu Police Department, Hawaii being one of our prominent competitors, and look up their annual police reports. Let us perform side by side comparisons. Let us look at the facts. How many Japanese tourists have been victimized by crime in the CNMI vs. Hawaii on a per capita, population-controlled basis? The results may surprise us.

Meanwhile, leave Tony Cabrera out of it. The man should have been prosecuted in local, not federal, court. He was convicted while others went free (settling with the local AG’s office instead).

Strictly a personal view. Charles Reyes Jr. is a regular columnist of Saipan Tribune. Mr. Reyes may be reached at charlesraves@hotmail.com