By Cherisse Sutton
Reporter SKNVibes.com
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| Minister of National Security Dwyer Astaphan. |
(Basseterre; St.Kitts): "I did not start serving St. Kitts and Nevis when I got into politics and I won't stop simply because I'm no longer a candidate or parliamentarian or Minster," said Dwyer Astaphan in a recent interview with SKNVibes.com.
Astaphan who is the Minister of National Security and member of the ruling party the Labour Party said that he will not contest the next elections.
"When I first entered politics in 1992 I told the people of St. Kitts that if they were mindful to elect me, I would be honored and seek to serve them as their representative for two terms," he said.
"I was not elected in 1993 and was elected in 1995 and re-elected in 2000," the Minister said.
He then indicated to his party after the 2000 elections that it was not his intention to run again, however, his fellow members of the party asked him to reconsider which he did.
He said that he reconsidered with the interest of the party and presented himself to the people of Central Basseterre who graciously endorsed his candidacy and elected him to a third term.
"Since the last election of October 25, 2004 I have stated publicly on a number of occasions that I would not be seeking re-election," he said. "However, I am a committed supporter of the Labour Party and Labour Movement and I believe in the philosophy of the Labour Movement and will do all I can to assist the Labour Movement in carrying out our objectives and carrying on the great tradition and legacy which has been laid before us."
Astaphan believes that an individual doesn't need to be a candidate, a parliamentarian or a minister of government to support the cause in which he believes in. He said long before he got into politics he was involved in a number of community and national causes and it is his hope to continue doing so after he has left elective politics.
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"There is a lot of work to be done," he said. "We have a country to build, we have a society to secure, we have a number of young people who have hopes and we have to nurture all of these things and I believe that the Labour Movement in the conduct of its best traditions is the movement best suited to do that."
He said that while there is no set date for the next election there are persons being considered to fill his post and that it will be someone of tremendous value, compassion and ability.
"I don't think that my decision would affect the people of Central Basseterre but they will in fact be getting two for one because I will still be assisting the new candidate in serving the people of Central Basseterre," he said. "However, one of my reasons for stepping down is because I think it is time for someone else to be in my position."
In closing Minister Astaphan said that after he has stepped down as a politician there are a number of things he will do like consultations and solicitor's work as he is a qualified lawyer.
"There are many things I can do as I have sustained myself and carried out my own private and financial commitments and if I am called upon by government to assist in anyway, I would certainly give it positive consideration."
