Let the facts speak for themselves

Tue Feb 24, 2015

Editor: On August 13, 2013, I wrote a letter to the Leader of the Opposition, the Honourable Arnhim Eustace, about the “Political Situation in St Kitts and Nevis”. The letter is attached hereto and is self-explanatory.{{more}}

Amazingly, I have heard members of the Opposition in St Vincent and the Grenadines and allied commentators distort my stance on this matter, even though there is a written record.

Among the points which I made in the letter were the following:

1. A vote of no-confidence against a government ought to be deliberated upon and determined by the legislature in the shortest time practicable, having regard to all pressing or other extraordinary exigencies of State. And that the prolonged pendency of the no-confidence motion was cause for unease.

2. The controversy in St Kitts-Nevis was fundamentally a political issue, not a legal one, although the law was its foundation stone and the judicial process, an arena of the on-going political war; and that in due course it would be resolved politically, most likely through the general elections.

3. The issue of “moral legitimacy” cut both ways with abundant polemics on either side.

4. It was imperative that the Law Courts act with speed to hear and determine the matter before it.

5. There was no basis, in terms of inter-state relations, for the OECS, CARICOM or the Commonwealth to intervene, because the internal judicial and political processes were addressing the issues at hand.

The intervention by me and other CARICOM governments after the recent general elections was a direct consequence of the failure and/or refusal of a public official, the supervisor of elections, to count the votes and declare the results. This was behaviour which required condemnation, in all the circumstances.

I have highlighted relevant parts of my letter. I say at the same time: Facts are sacred; comment is free, but must be responsible. Every person is entitled to his/her opinion, but not to his/her facts!

Dr The Hon Ralph E Gonsalves

Prime Minister

Editor’s Note: Persons desirous of having a copy of the Prime Minister’s August 13, 2013 letter to the Leader of the Opposition which is referred to in this letter should request one by sending an email to: editor@searchlight.vc.