Fellow Kittitians and Nevisians…please join me in wishing a Blessed New Year’s Day to the hundreds of visitors who have played no small part in helping to make this an exciting and memorable Carnival and Festive season.

During the past two weeks we each got a glimpse of what the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis can become, on a permanent basis, if we but join forces in the service of this our beautiful land.

It was Canadian Anne Murray wished in her song for “everyday to be like Christmas.” These sentiments are particularly relevant as we embrace a new year…a new year that is pregnant with possibilities and opportunities and its fair share of anxieties for the proud people of this, the blessed Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Coming foremost to mind is the clear indication by the Nevis Island Administration of a willingness to pursue, once again, the possibilities offered in Section 113 of our country’s Constitution. vI have stated repeatedly my preference for these two islands to stay together, for them to confront and grapple the challenges that lie ahead as a single entity in this evolving global village.

I believe our prospects for success in battling the rigors of globalisation would be enhanced if we combined forces, if we would only speak with one voice and act in a collaborative manner in our relations with sub-regional and regional partners in hemispheric and global alliances.

At the same time, however, I will not subvert the wishes of our brothers and sisters of Nevis and I certainly would not deny Nevisians whether resident at home or even in St. Kitts, or resident abroad, their constitutional right to pursue a destiny of their own choosing.

At the end of the day they are and shall remain our well-loved brothers and sisters, whether they are resident in Nevis, whether they are resident in St. Kitts or resident abroad. In this context, I must share the observation, that I made over the past two weeks and up J’Ouvert Morning and in fact two nights ago when young Nevisians visited St. Kitts in droves to share and join in the Carnival celebrations. A similar situation, it must be pointed out, obtained in August last year during Culturama celebrations on the sister island of Nevis, when many young Kittitians journeyed to Nevis to participate actively in the Culturama festivities.

I marvel at this heightened movement of Kittitians and Nevisians between the two islands. Those, who are traveling on the inter-island ferries and engaged in exciting and friendly chatting at the ferry terminals, they are no Kittitians or Nevisians…but they are instead proud citizens of this our beloved Federation.

I watch with interest as people step off and step on to the ferries…it is not as if they are venturing into or preparing to exit a foreign land. The young professionals and the students of the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College in particular, co-exist in a most harmonious and co-operative manner. Interestingly, to visitors to the Federation, we are perceived as one people. They see us as “locals.”

The point I wish to make here, Ladies and Gentlemen, is that the integration and unification of these islands is far deeper than many of us politicians in particular may realise.

One wise man pointed out to me over the festive season that if, as he put it, ‘the politicians’ were to leave the issue of the relationship between the two islands to the people, and not to the politicians themselves, contentious issues would be resolved without rancor or without discord.

I am not sure that that is not an overly simplistic way of putting it, but at least it conveys the message that perhaps more attention ought to be paid to the historic and cultural capacity of Kittitians and Nevisians to work together to overcome differences and to overcome adversity.

My fellow citizens, I have never attempted to nor will I seek now on this occasion, to engage the leadership of the Nevis Island Administration in dialogue over the airwaves.

This matter is of utmost urgency and importance to residents of this Federation. I shall therefore convene a round table session of both Cabinets, together with major social partners and other key operatives in the Federation, to again examine the options and the ramifications of any and all of our actions. The Constitutional Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister will continue to carry forward the recommendations of the Constitutional Commission Report of July 1998 and also the Constitution Task Force Report of July 1999.

From the standpoint of my Government, we remain committed to the view that constitutional reform provides a vehicle for addressing the concerns of the people of the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis, a vehicle for avoiding the huge social and economic cost that could result from the splintering of our beloved Federation.

The international community, fully cognisant of the monumental challenges that could be faced by a divided small island state in the increasingly competitive global village, is also quite willing to assist us in accelerating and expediting this reform process. Hence, at the roundtable, I intend to emphasise that while secession is a constitutional right of the people of Nevis that must be respected, it is not the only option available to them.

Whatever the outcome of the roundtable and the constitutional processes, I am determined that the gains we have made over the years as a united and unified people will not be reversed, and furthermore that our very positive rating, economically and otherwise, will be maintained.

Fellow Citizens, we approach 2004 with determination…determination to ensure that peace, progress and prosperity are sustained in the lives of all our people of this Federation.

The dawn of 2004 inches us closer as well, to the coming into effect of several regional and hemispheric treaties that will have far reaching impact on and implications for the social and economic well-being of these two islands.

Much has been said of the soon to be instituted CARICOM Single Market and Economy, the Free Trade Area of the Americas and even the Caribbean Court of Justice.

For years these have all been harmless clouds on the horizon…never seriously threatening or impacting, but today, they are just around the bend and are coming full steam at us.

Kittitians and Nevisians must begin to prepare for the challenges and opportunities that these treaties bring as well as the fundamental change in outlook and approach that will be required of our people. It cannot and will not be business as usual. This goes not only for the individual, but for the corporate world as well.

I remain convinced that the primary engine of growth in any market-based economy must be the private sector. The Central Government could only facilitate economic activity but it is our enterprises and businesses that must convert opportunity into profit, and must generate employment, foreign exchange earnings and enhanced economic activity for the benefit of the country as a whole.

These treaties will pry open our market to goods and services from all over the world, but they should also create new markets overseas for the output of our enterprises. However, if our enterprises are not vigilant and conscientious in their quest to enhance competitiveness we could find ourselves importing more foreign goods without, at the same time, benefiting from greater access to international markets.

The enhancement of competitiveness is, nonetheless, a multifaceted endeavour. It requires that our enterprises institute reward systems to motivate our workers, and that they continually update their technologies and their managerial and operational capacities.

It requires that our workers approach their work even more enthusiastically and that they take advantage of every opportunity to update their knowledge and skills.

It requires that the society as a whole become even more conscious of the importance of enhanced productivity to the progress of our proud nation and that an attitude of productivity, an attitude of efficiency and service is infused into our culture and pervades all aspect of life in this our beautiful Federation.

This is one of the reasons why my Government is continuing to give very high priority to human resource development. Already we are making computer training available to school children and adults in our state-of-the-art computer laboratories and we are currently in the process of implementing a major training programme, through the new Hospitality Centre at the CFB College, which we expect will eventually reach all persons providing services to the many tourists visiting our Federation, our proud and progressive Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.

My Government is also working assiduously to accelerate the pace of liberalisation of the telecommunications industry. We expect that during the course of this year, our citizens would have more options in choosing their telecommunications providers and that they will benefit from improved and technologically advanced products and telecommunication services. We are convinced, we remain firmly convinced, that the modern telecommunications infrastructure is critical to global competitiveness and we shall be relentless in our quest to revolutionize the telecommunications sector in our Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Fellow citizens and well-wishers I admired greatly the love and concern you exhibited one for the other during the just concluded yuletide season.

The absence of the so-called “Double” served to heighten awareness of the fact that many in our midst could not and would not have been able to make it on their own.

I have admired the way you each reached out and sought to touch your fellow man. I was impressed by the number of community and social groups delivering hampers to the elderly and to the less fortunate in our society. Also, there appeared to have been a preponderance of family ‘get-togethers,” where persons reached out to relatives and friends and catered to their gastronomic and other comforts. As I said earlier, this brought home to us just what a near perfect place the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis could be like, if we but become our brother’s keeper.

The focus of your government in the New Year will be to continue the stabilization exercise we embarked upon in the aftermath of major adjustments as a result of severe external shocks and natural disasters.

We shall continue to strive for greater social and economic cohesion, while we contain the cost of living and enhance the quality of life of our citizens. In this regard, as part of our comprehensive programme of consumer protection, Cabinet has recently decided to update our price control regulations and to ensure that price controls are enforced with greater vigilance.

We remain persuaded that fiscal stabilisation must be one of our priorities at this time if we are to protect the progress that we have made and create a solid platform for future economic growth and development. But we are also persuaded that the protection of the poor from the devastating impact of cost of living increases becomes even more critical in periods of stabilization and adjustment.

The stabilisation programme will go hand in hand with a comprehensive strategy for privatization, which will allow Government to focus on core government activities, generate additional resources to finance our development, and boost capital market activities.

During this year, we intend to engage in extensive consultations in respect of the privatization strategy and to give our people the opportunity to influence the formulation and implementation of that strategy.

There are several capital projects that will continue and there are others, which are set to come on stream. These will help to build and modernize our infrastructure as well as maintain and generate new employment opportunities for our people.

We are particularly pleased that work in respect of the reconstruction of the Pogson Hospital will commence during this year. We also expect that the La Vallee Development Project will gain momentum during this year and would over time bring new life to the rural areas though the establishment of a Golf Course, a Marina, a Hotel, hundreds of luxury Villas and a major commercial development.

Indeed, we expect that this important project, which is being undertaken by the White Gate Development Corporation and the Frigate Bay Development Corporation, will jump-start the White Gate Development initiative. The White Gate Development Project is eventually now on its way.

Indeed the La Vallee Development is part of a major strategic initiative of the Government which focuses on the construction of a number of golf courses and tourism facilities throughout the country, with a view towards generating economic activity and employment opportunities particularly in rural areas, and at the same time establish a market niche for our Federation in golf tourism which is one of fastest growth sectors of the international tourism market.

The other major capital projects planned for this year include the continuation of the Water and Electricity Project, which will bring a reliable supply of water and electricity to all our citizens and an end to the power outages that have been creating so much stress for our citizens. There is also the Development of Warner Park, our brand new cricket facilities, the construction of the Kim Collins International Athletics Stadium and the relocation of Carnival Shows to brand-new, indoor facilities in Bird Rock, thus ending the annual concerns of our carnival shows being interrupted by inclement weather.

This will come at about the same time as the upgrading of equipment and facilities used by the Police to enhance their effectiveness in fighting crime. Plans are also afoot for the further development of the Sir Joseph N. France General Hospital, including provision for Radiological CAT Scan services and Dialysis services; and also the construction of the West Basseterre Bypass Road, which should help to ease traffic congestion in downtown Basseterre.

All these capital developments will take place at the same time as the construction of the FBO facilities and the Caribbean Star Headquarters at the Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw International Airport by the Stanford Financial Group. We shall also realise the construction of a new additional cruise ship pier at Port Zante to enhance our expanding cruise tourism and complement the services of our commercial port.

My fellow citizens and residents, the goal also of my government is to improve productivity and enhance efficiency in the public service. We will enforce the laws of this country, while at the same time removing encumbrances to progress.

Generally, 2004 will be consolidating the gains that have been made as well as creating new opportunities for young Kittitians and Nevisians to participate in the economic life of this country.

We shall review the range of services offered to the aged, indigent and less fortunate. We will strive to make Government work easier and better for all of the people that it serves. Of course, as I said in my budget address, priority attention will be given to conclude a new salaries and conditions of work agreement on behalf of public officers. At the same time, every effort will be made to facilitate and respond to the reasoned and reasonable requests and concerns of the private sector.

Fellow Kittitians and Nevisians, I am optimistic about our own capacity to confront and overcome the challenges that this new year of grace offers us.

We shall continue our relentless fight against crime and anti-social behavior. I pray and I pray to Almighty God, that minority elements in our midst will recognize the folly of perpetuating an atmosphere of tension and insecurity and that all, all law abiding citizens will continue to give their full support to the police.

My fellow Kittitians and Nevisians, the prognosis is bright; it is satisfactory for robust economic activity over the next 12 months. Let us therefore as a people renew our faith in one another and with the guidance of God Almighty work diligently to achieve our various goals and our national goals.

I wish to congratulate residents and visitors alike on the peaceful but entertaining manner in which Carnival celebrations were conducted this year. I salute on your behalf, all of the winners of the various categories and express our gratitude to the Hon. Minister of Culture and her team for a programme that has been well executed.

I also take this opportunity to offer sincere congratulation to the following proud recipients of Her Majesty’s New Year Honour Awards.

Firstly, Dr. H.M. Stephen Claxton, Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his contribution to the field of Medicine.

Secondly, Mr. LeRoy St. Clair Pemberton, Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his contribution in the field of primary education and

Thirdly, Mr. Wilbur Alister Harrigan Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his contribution in the field of External Auditing.

My fellow citizens, I urge now, that with the Carnival and Christmas season nearing an end, we re-focus our effort and energies to the task of building and preserving in this beautiful Federation, a climate of peace, a climate of prosperity and a climate of brotherly love.

May God Bless each and every one of you. A Happy New Year to all and May God Bless and preserve the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Thank you, my dear fellow citizens, residents, visitors and friends.