SVG totally betrayed!

Fri, Oct 12, 2012

Editor: For sometime now, I have been extremely disturbed by reports of people bringing into disrepute, the record of St Vincent and the Grenadines, in order to gain refugee status in Canada.{{more}}

Even though I have been living overseas for over 31 years, I am still proud of my Vincentian heritage to the extent that I cannot conceive of any circumstances under which I could participate in a scheme that will bring shame on the country of my birth.

Bearing in mind the fact that our country has an economy based on tourism, I have always seen it as my unofficial duty to sell St Vincent and the Grenadines to prospective travellers.

What is most disgusting is the revelation that people whose job it is to serve our nation have participated in this shameful exercise, namely “the refugee scandal.”

I was dumbfounded while reading the “Searchlight” of September 21st, and learning that two senior members of the opposition NDP, its leader Arnhim Eustace, as well as member for Central Kingstown St Claire Leacock have written letters for refugee seekers.

Have these men have no sense of responsibility? Since they do not have the decency to resign, they should at least issue statements of apology to the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Failure to do so should result in a strong rebuke in the next general elections. The unkindest cut of all came from our consul general in Toronto Steve Phillips, who admitted to letter writing similar to those mentioned above.

He is the official face of our country in that city and, as far as I am concerned, he has abandoned any moral authority to continue in that position.

The Prime Minister calls Mr Phillips’ actions a mistake, I see it as much more than that — it is a betrayal. Let me me make it abundantly clear that I am a staunch supporter of Dr Ralph Gonsalves and the ULP; however, this issue transcends party politics. It is about the good name and reputation of our people and our country.

I call on “the Comrade” to fire Mr Phillips for this breach of trust. This entire issue has been a very painful one and in the present circumstances, the Canadians are justified in the actions they have taken. I am confident, however, that both Governments will work through this. In the meantime, a lesson should be learned here.

Ken Wyllie
Philadelphia, PA USA