The Meaning of St Vincent’s Victory at the United Nations

by DAVID  COMISSIONG

Proud Citizen of the Caribbean

Yesterday– Friday 7th June 2019– the Caribbean nation of St Vincent and the Grenadines scored a magnificent victory in a contested Election at the United Nations (UN) for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

St Vincent and the Grenadines contested the election for the seat on the Security Council that is reserved for a nation from the Latin America and Caribbean region, and went up against an electoral opponent that was sponsored and supported by the United States of America (USA) — the central American nation of El Salvador.

Well, the Election results speak for themselves! St Vincent and the Grenadines garnered a massive 185 votes of the Member States of the UN; El Salvador managed to attract 6 votes; and there were 2 abstentions.

As a result, St Vincent and the Grenadines has made history by becoming the smallest nation to ever win a seat on the United Nations’ highest organ– the UN Security Council.

Clearly, this electoral victory, with such a commanding majority of votes, is a tribute to the very principled, courageous and responsible manner in which St Vincent and the Grenadines has conducted its Foreign Policy over the past several years.

The governmental leaders of St Vincent and the Grenadines have consistently stood on principle and have never been afraid to speak truth to power.

Indeed, this tremendous vote of confidence in St Vincent and the Grenadines demonstrates the respect that the great majority of the countries of the world will always have for a nation that defends the all important principles of International Law, and that promotes a constructive Diplomacy of Peace.

I also cannot help but think that the role that our Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has played over the past six months in urging a Diplomacy of Peace and a respect for International Law in relation to the crisis situation in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela was helpful in embellishing St Vincent and the Grenadines’ reputation and image in the eyes of the World Community of nations.

Congratulations to the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines! Special commendations to St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Ambassador to the UN , Her Excellency Rhonda King, Foreign Minister Sir Louis Straker, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, and indeed to the entire Government on a job well done!