ST LUCIA-POLITICS-Former Barbados government minister steps into St Lucia political impasse

By Ernie Seon

CASTRIES, St Lucia, CMC – Former Barbados government minister and prominent jurist Sir Richard Cheltenham was holding talks with members of the ruling United Workers Party (UWP) as efforts continue to prevent the collapse of the Stephenson King government in St. Lucia.

UWP officials confirmed that Sir Richard, a former chairman of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), would be meeting individually with disgruntled members of the government who have been calling for the resignation of the Prime Minister as well as the dismissal of the Economic Affairs and Planning Minister Ausbert D'Auvergne.

The officials said that the former Barbados government minister would also meet collectively with members of the Cabinet in what is being described as a last ditch effort to save the King administration.

They said that Sir Richard is expected to prepare a report on his meetings and offer an independent view on the way forward for the embattled Prime Minister, who took over the government last September following the death of Sir John Compton.

Sir John had led the UWP to victory in the December 2006 general elections ending a 10-year rule of the St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP).

UWP officials said the meeting with Sir Richard is aimed at uniting the two factions of the government with one faction, including dismissed foreign affairs minister Rufus Bousquet and the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Marcus Nicholas, supporting the Sports and Public Services Minister Leonard Montoute for Prime Minister.

Bousquet told reporters the address to the nation by Prime Minister King late on Tuesday night did not contain any solution to the crisis.

In his 15-minute radio and television broadcast, King gave no indication that he would adhere to the demand of the disgruntled members of his government nor did he mention the name of D'Auvergne, who was brought into the government by Sir John.

"As I said before when I took the oath of Office of Prime Minister, I took that oath seriously and will do everything that I must do to uphold the integrity of the Office of the Prime Minister. I am therefore not prepared to put the interest of my party or of any group or individuals before the interest of the country.

"Sometimes politicians forget that they are elected not to serve their own interest, or to pursue their personal ambitions for power, but to serve the people and to bring improvements to the lives of every citizen.

"I expect every member of my Cabinet to continue to place the interest of the people first," he said, adding "I am aware however that certain individuals will do their utmost to prevent this administration from achieving its goals, but I know that you, the people, will deal with those who seek to undermine the progress of our beloved St. Lucia."

"I will personally continue to place the interest of the country above all else," he added.

UWP officials said they expect the crisis confronting the government to be solved "one way or the other by early next week".

The SLP and other organisations on the island have been calling on King to call fresh general elections and end the impasse within the government.

SLP leader and former prime minister Dr. Kenny Anthony said King should do the honourable thing and call fresh general elections.

He said the recent radio and television broadcast by the Prime Minister did nothing to improve the situation within the country.

"The people wanted to hear the Prime Ministers proposals to resolve the problems confronting the Government and the country. In some ways I thought it was rather a bizarre speech as one gets the impression that the Prime Minister is in denial," he said.

"We in the opposition had repeatedly warned the Prime Ministers that Ausbert D'Auvergne is unfit for public office but what is curious is the fact that there is something that binds the Prime Minister and Ausbert D'Auvergne and even (Tourism Minister) Allen Chastanet.

"The question is what is it? The Prime Ministers seems prepared to allow the country to sink and to save Ausbert D'Auvergne. Why?"

"We have given the Government a lot of time and a lot of space to resolve their issues, so too have the people of St. Lucia. They have been patient, they have been understanding and reflective, but all they have gotten in return is shame, disappointment and frustration," he noted.

Anthony said that if the Prime Minister is serious about the future of the country, he would consider tendering his resignation and allow for fresh elections.

"He has to invite the Governor General to dissolve the House and allow the people of St .Lucia to determine their future, as the country cannot be allowed to continue bleeding," he said.

CMC/es/pr/bm/08