By Steve Thomas
Observer Nevis Editor
(Basseterre, St. Kitts) – Lindsay Grant, political leader of the People’s Action Movement, kept up the heat on the Labour Government of Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas at PAM’s recent convention, sharply criticizing Dr. Douglas for leasing property to the Taiwanese government.
“I want to make it abundantly clear that the lease of the property is unethical improper and a breach of international protocol and norms, it ought not to have been done. No amount of intimidation and threats about law suit will make me afraid. You have put me here to ensure that the government is kept in check with all its dealings and that will be done. The Prime Minister has compromised a foreign government and history will record this as a fact. The issue is whether the act of leasing the property is right or wrong. It is for honest, decent right thinking citizens to answer that question,” Mr. Grant said.
Controversy has recently arisen over the Taiwanese ambassador leasing property owned by Dr. Douglas. The ambassador and the PM’s government have said they did nothing wrong.
“With regards to the issue of Ambassador’s Residence, it is purely a commercial lease (and) at no time was the Prime Minister included in any negotiations for the leasing of the premises. We pay rent in accordance with fair market value. There is absolutely no secret arrangement between the Embassy and the Prime Minister,” Ambassador Liu said at a press conference in mid-March.
The scandal erupted after an article in the PAM-owned newspaper, The Democrat, brought the lease to light. The government responded strongly, striking back at the party and the paper in a statement that read in part: “This attack demonstrates an appalling ignorance on the part of both the paper and the People’s Action Movement regarding the requisite standards of decorum and, indeed, basic protocol, in dealing with diplomatic representatives of sovereign states based in our federation. And if the vitriol leveled against Taiwan was not based on ignorance, then there is even greater cause for concern in that this reflects a willful and ugly boorishness that is an awful reflection on both the Democrat and the Peoples Action Movement – and, indirectly, on our country.”
In other news from the 43rd convention:
-The announcement of the party’s new general secretary, Ms. Shirley Julius was announced as the party’s new general secretary.
“Ms. Julius received a rousing ovation from the hundreds in attendance. Ms. Julius brings not only a wealth of experience in politics and organizations but she adds to the very significant presence of women in the leadership of the party. She joins Deputy Chairperson Cindy Demming and Assistant General-Secretary Mrs. Avenice Jeffers-Thompson to form a formidable force of women in the PAM leadership,” according to a press release from the party.
– The other speakers included present and upcoming candidates for the next general elections including Dr. Charles Warner, Roy Fleming, Glenroy Blanchette, Eugene Hamilton, Jonelle Rawlins-Drew and the Hon. Shawn K. Richards who all roused the crowd. Outgoing Chairman and new National Spokeperson Lawyer Chesley Hamilton. Incoming Chairman Syndey Osbourne chaired the proceedings, according to PAM.
