Sept. 10, 2009 -- Anguilla's Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming has expressed concern about the rising unemployment situation on the island.

Fleming told reporters here during the government's weekly media briefing that the situation will continue to worsen until the island begins to attract investors. He said every person on the island is affected by the global financial crunch. According to the government leader this has nothing to do with the local administration despite the views expressed by opposition contenders.

"This is a worldwide situation. Banks are affected, supermarkets
are affected, lawyers office are affected, doctors, you name it. We need to understand the situation we are in," Fleming said.

Parliament on Monday without the support of the opposition members approved a resolution for the government to borrow EC$49 million to deal with the current situation and despite getting the official blessing of the United Kingdom government. Anguilla is a British Overseas Territory.

Fleming said if the government of Anguilla cannot access borrowing money at this time, it means it cannot pay bills. "The only alternative we have now is to borrow money, we have no other way. There is no other way." he said.