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Sir John Compton
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BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, SEPTEMBER 13TH 2007 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, who is expected to lead the St. Kitts and Nevis delegation to next Tuesday’s State Funeral of the late Sir John Compton, said the former St. Lucian leader has been an outstanding regional integrationist who has participated in the establishment of several Caribbean institutions.
"Sir John has participated in the dismantling of colonialism in St Lucia and joined with other political leaders of that time in also ending colonialism in the other English-speaking Caribbean islands.
He is one of the crafters of the Caribbean Free Trade Association, (CARIFTA); the West Indies Associated States (WISA), the forerunner of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and also the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) as well as several other regional entities such as the Eastern Caribbean Currency Authority, now the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) and the University of the West Indies," said Prime Minister Douglas at his regular Press Conference.
~~Adz:Right~~Expressing sympathy on behalf of his Government and the People of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, Prime Minister Douglas said Sir John Compton has left a legacy having served in the development of St. Lucia, the Eastern Caribbean and the wider Caribbean region.
"In mentioning the work of Sir John in the development of the Caribbean people, I too, of course would wish at this time to recognize the achievements that we ourselves here have attained as a people under the great leadership of those who have preceded me in office and reflect specifically on the struggles that we have been through as a people in the attainment of our own political independence back in 1983," added Prime Minister Douglas, who added that it was in this context that "we will be commemoration through a number of activities the attainment of our own independence some 24 years ago.
Prime Minister Sir John Compton, who died last week also served as Chief Minister and Premier of St. Lucia. His death closes the chapter on the stalwarts of Caribbean leaders like Sir Robert L. Bradshaw and Sir C.A. Paul Southwell of St. Kitts and Nevis; Sir Vere Cornwall Bird of Antigua and Barbuda; Dr. Eric Williams of Trinidad and Tobago; Sir Errol Barrow of Barbados, Forbes Burnham of Guyana, Sir Eric Gairy of Grenada; Norman Manley and Michael Manley of Jamaica and William Bramble and Austin Bramble of Montserrat.
