To argue that Premier Parry's visit to Lebanon is somehow a slap in the face of the United States or to St. Kitts & Nevis' own foreign policy is punctuated with ignorance to international relations and displays a dangerous apathy to the role of diplomacy in building bonds where common interests converge.   This is a bad precedent for the people who want to conduct the business of Nevis overseas. I'm sure Mr. Brantley and Mr. Amory can agree with that!  As St. Kitts and Nevis diversifies its economy based on tourism and financial services, engagement with the rest of the world is even more necessary. We cannot pick and choose our allies and friends based on inaccurate information or caricatures of governments in places we do not understand.  Rather we ought to do so based on common interests, mutual respect and our larger strategic goals which should be anchored on the principles expected in our community of nations.
 
First, if the United States foreign policy is the measure by which we conduct our own business, in the context of Premier Parry's opponents, it is imperative to highlight that the United States maintains full diplomatic relations with the Republic of Lebanon and has been involved in that country's pursuit of democracy since its independence in 1943.  In fact, for those of the CCM who are unaware, Ambassador Michele Sison heads the U.S diplomatic Mission in Awkar, Lebanon and maintains a fully staffed embassy.
 
The geopolitical conflicts involving Israel and the Arab states have put the U.S at odds with most Arab states including Lebanon.   That maybe why the CCM seems to be riddled with misunderstanding.  However, that fact has not diminished the U.S' role and investment in that country.  According to a January 2009  release of the U.S State Department, “The United States seeks to maintain its traditionally close ties with Lebanon, and to help preserve its independence, sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity.  The same release went on to state, "One measure of U.S. concern and involvement has been a program of relief, rehabilitation, and recovery that from 1975 through 2005 totaled more than $400 million in aid to Lebanon. For relief, recovery, rebuilding, and security in the wake of the 2006 war, the U.S. Government substantially stepped up this program, pledging well over $1 billion in additional assistance for the 2006, 2007, and 2008 fiscal years.

“This support reflects not only humanitarian concerns and historical ties but also the importance the United States attaches to sustainable development and the restoration of an independent, sovereign, unified Lebanon. Some of current funding is used to support the activities of U.S. and Lebanese private voluntary organizations engaged in rural and municipal development programs nationwide, improve the economic climate for global trade and investment, and enhance security and resettlement in south Lebanon. The U.S. also supports humanitarian demining and victims' assistance programs. Over the years, the United States also has assisted the American University of Beirut (AUB) and the Lebanese American University (LAU) with budget support and student scholarships. Assistance also has been provided to the Lebanese-American Community School (ACS) and the International College (IC)."
 
From that brief snippet, one can confidently assert that the U.S would not have made those investments in a country presided over by a terrorist group as the CCM appears to believe.   Mr. Brantley and Mr. Amory should note that Hezbelloah, which the United States and the European Union consider a terrorist organization, is not the leading voice in that country.  That country has approximately 20 parties involved in electoral politics. Let it be reemphasized for education sake.  Hezbelloah, which is commonly regarded as a terrorist organization, IS NOT the governing party of the state of Lebanon.   That country's head of state is H.E Michel Sleiman, while the Head of Government is Fouad Siniora.  This government is a Western backed government propped up by European and American dollars and support. The presidency is reserved for a Maronite Christian; The prime minister, a Sunni Muslim, and The speaker of parliament, a Shi'a Muslim.  None of these people come from Hizbelloah which is a radical and marginalise group.  One would remember in 2006, Israel did not go to war with the state of Lebanon. It retaliated against Hizbollah.
 
We are certain that the government of the State of Lebanon would not appreciate the members of the CCM making such outlandish and baseless claims about its government and people, tagging them a terrorist country.  This is a country's where it is neither paradise; neither is it purgatory. Like most young nations, it is attempting to reconcile its civil differences and become apart of the community of nations. With Syria's withdrawal, which the United States, the EU and the U.N largely endorsed, the country is beginning anew.  

Also, if the CCM wants to caricature the State and People of Lebanon as terrorists, it may well want to remember that the Caribbean enjoys a very mixed heritage including people of Lebanese decent. One has to look no further than Hon. Dwyer Astaphan. Is the CCM also ready to assert that Honourable Dwyer Astaphan is a terrorist and that nobody should associate or do business with him?
 
Premier Parry's visit to Lebanon should not be viewed through a partisan prism, rather it should be dissected through a larger strategic development lens.   For too long, we have gotten too comfortable with convention where we seek friendship only with those who we are accustomed to.   The urgency of development and growth demands that we go beyond what and who is comfortable and ordinary.   That is the bold leadership that the Nevis population expect.  Not leadership based on claims, conjecture, caricature and on political posture.

Just a few weeks ago, we saw that former President Bill Clinton travelled to North Korea to ensure the freedom of American journalists.  There is no other country that gets under the U.S' skin more than North Korea with is unpredictable leadership.  Yet serious business demanded a visit.  Likewise, the U.S does not have full diplomatic relations with Cuba and congressional delegates often times visit that country to see common ground.  Just recently, Gov. Bill Richardson visited Cuba to organise agricultural exchanges.  Where common ground exists, sincere efforts should be made to maximise opportunities. That is the thinking that informs Premier Parry's journey to Lebanon and that is the premise that motivates the NRP led NIA.