Democrat newspaper reporting the resignation of Hon. Sydney Morris as St. Kitts and Nevis' Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education in 1994.

Dr. Douglas in response to questions posed by the General Secretary of the opposition People's Action Movement (PAM) and journalist, Mr. Selwyn "Rusty"

Liburd, during a recent Press Conference said the political affiliation of the two men extradited last week to the United States to stand trial on drug allegations had no influence in his government's decision to obey the Order of the Court and gave instances how party affiliation affected the decision making process of the Peoples Action Movement while it was in government.

"How that (political affiliation) influenced my decision? It didn't. The (St. Kitts-Nevis Labour) Party is a political party.  I sit here as the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis.  My government is not the type to be overly influenced by party politics, when it comes to the national interests and I'll tell you why," said Prime Minister as he compared the actions of the Labour Government to that of the previous People's Action Movement administration of Dr. the Right Hon. Sir. Kennedy Simmonds.

"Back in early 1990's, we had an (PAM) administration that put the interest of individuals and party supporters, above the national interest.  We had the serious allegation, in fact more than allegations, the serious case of the sons of the (PAM) Deputy Prime Minister, (Hon. Sydney ) Morris being allegedly involved in cocaine.  In fact,  it is said that it is statements made from that case, &.that at least one of (Morris' sons), seemed to have been allegedly named in the United States during trial, with regard to cocaine involvement," recalled Prime Minister Douglas.

Democrat newspaper reporting the disappearnce of St. Kitts and Nevis Ambassador to the United Nations and the OAS in 1994.

explained Dr. Douglas, who also recalled that several years ago the international community including the United States and the British had named (then St. Kitts and Nevis Diplomat), Dr. William Herbert as a gun runner and Drug King Pin in the international narcotics trade.

"They asked Dr. Simmonds to relieve him (Herbert) of his duties as Ambassador.  He (Dr. Simmonds) relieved him (Herbert) of his duties as Ambassador to the United States of America, but maintained him as the Ambassador of St. Kitts and Nevis to the United Nations and Permanent Representative (to the Organisation of American States (OAS) thereby keeping intact his diplomatic immunity).

"Soon (1994) Billy Herbert himself and several other innocent people disappeared," recalled Dr. Douglas, suggesting: "Maybe if party politics were not placed above the interests of the nation, they, maybe, might have been here today."

"When we sit as a Government and as a Cabinet to consider this matter,"

explained Prime Minister Douglas, it was known that the men were supporters of the Labour Party, "(but) the national interest must come first and all that we're doing here is distinctly and specifically, being guided by the court to arrive at our position."

Prime Minister Douglas pointed out that in 1996, when he was also the Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Security, the extradition matter was brought to his attention shortly after his Labour Party assumed office in July 1995.

"The government has not even settled down as yet. These were charges that were laid back in 1992. I think it was at a meeting with me at the (US) State Department and I said (to the US) why are you doing this?  Mr. Moore was also sitting with me as my Principal Advisor. Why are you doing this to St. Kitts and Nevis?  Why are you doing this to the Government?  He said, because we "did not trust the other Government, but we trust your Government to do the right thing". That's where party politics lies in the former administration," said Prime Minister Douglas, who said that for his Government not to abide by the Order of the Courts, would have sent a signal to the international community that St. Kitts and Nevis is a rogue State.

"Imagine the courts of the land have said at all levels that the evidence that has been produced, because that is we said it should go to the court; we said as a government in 1996, I brought in three QC's to advise me on this matter and they all said "Mr. Prime Minister, you have to follow the leading of the court. Let the court examine the evidence, let the courts examine the charges to ensure that they are not frivolous charges; that they are serious charges, that can lead to extradition and when those would have been looked at by the court, at all levels, then your Government would have a decision to make and the decision of this Government is absolutely clear,"

emphasised Prime Minister Douglas.