Following the publication in *Antilla* of Henri (Luc) Pied’s piece «Pawol’s initil’s,» which was devoted to the *Fondas Kréyol* article announcing the book’s release Crédit Martiniquais (1922–1999). Was Its Demise Inevitable? Raphaël Confiant chose to respond to José Marraud des Grottes.
Editor’s Note: The two men have known each other for a long time. Henri Pied is the founder and longtime director of Antilla, while Raphaël Confiant was one of those who helped launch the newspaper in its early days. This exchange, therefore, continues between two longtime figures in the Martinique press and intellectual discourse.
Below, we publish Raphaël Confiant’s response in its entirety.
«Announcing the publication of a book does not imply endorsement of its content.»
My dear Henri Pied,
I certainly don’t need to tell you—as one of the leading figures in Martinique’s free press for nearly half a century—that announcing the publication of a book does not automatically mean endorsing its content.
I am therefore surprised that my website, FONDAS KREYOL, mentioned the publication of the book titled Crédit Martiniquais (1922–1999). Was Its Demise Inevitable?, by José Marraud des Grottes, published by Caraïbéditions, should not be construed by you as an endorsement of its content.
FONDAS KREYOL simply published the back cover of the book without offering any commentary. It has done the same for dozens of other publications concerning our country for nearly sixteen years—first through MONTRAY KREYOL for eleven years, and then through FONDAS KREYOL for the past five years.
Otherwise, it seems to me that instead of diverting the discussion to another bank based here—whose director had once faced some difficulties, which had led him to go on a hunger strike— it would have been more beneficial for ANTILLA’s readers if one of your editorial staff had thoroughly analyzed J. Marraud des Grottes’s book and refuted his arguments if they were deemed fallacious.
Once this undoubtedly brilliant review is published on ANTILLA, please know that we will repost it immediately on FONDAS KREYOL.
Love and respect.
Afarel
Raphaël Confiant
