BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, October 1st 2012 (CUOPM) – A call from St. Kitts and Nevis for the Republic of China (Taiwan) to be allowed to be accepted as an equal partner in the international community and an end to the trade embargo against the Caribbean nation of Cuba has come from the Federation’s Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas.
Addressing world leaders on Friday at the 67th Annual General Assembly of the United Nations, the St. Kitts and Nevis leader made reference to the recent High Level United Nations on the Rule of Law and quoting from one of Britain’s legal luminaries, called on the UN membership to similarly respect the sacred pillar of international co-existence.
“Mr. President, throughout the twenty-nine years of our existence, as a sovereign nation, the Republic of China on Taiwan has been a highly valued partner and ally. And throughout my nation, evidence of our collaborative efforts abound in areas as diverse as agriculture, agro-tourism, green energy, information technology, community development, and education – to name just a few,” Prime Minister Douglas told World Leaders.
Dr. Douglas pointed out that even in St. Kitts and Nevis, and in the region, Taiwan’s unfailing and valued contributions to the work of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the World Health Assembly, and others have long reflected their outstanding credentials as a valued and impactful member of the global community.
“It is only fitting and just that all remaining strictures pertaining to Taiwan’s standing among the international community of nations are removed. And St. Kitts and Nevis appeals to this body to ensure that this will, indeed, be done,” said Prime Minister Douglas, who went on to make the case for the lifting of the Cuban Embargo.
“This embargo is not, as some may wish to suggest, a matter of merely bilateral import. Not only have we repeatedly heard Cuba oppose it existence in this very body, but we also know that the embargo’s continued denial of certain medical treatments to the Cuban people is simply unconscionable,” added Dr. Douglas.
The St. Kitts and Nevis leader told the World Body that “Cuba and its people have made considerable contributions to international medicine and higher education, and the Caribbean has been amongst its most sustained beneficiaries. It is therefore with utmost conviction, and the clearest possible resolve, that St. Kitts and Nevis calls for the immediate end to the Cuban embargo.”
Referring to the High Level Meeting on the Rule of Law held at the United Nations earlier in the week, saying while there is often debate as to the exact meaning of “the rule of law,” the St. Kitts and Nevis delegation and the people are happy to be aligned with the core principle on the Rule of Law as distilled by Lord Justice Bingham, formerly of the House of Lords and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
Dr. Douglas noted that in his book entitled the Rule of Law, Lord Justice Bingham stated, ‘the Core of the existing principle … is that persons and authorities within the state, whether public or private should be bound and entitled to the benefit of laws publicly made, taking effect (generally) in the future and publicly administered in our Courts.’
“Though not comprehensive, this, in my country’s view, represents a solid basis from which to identify the essential elements of a continually evolving concept, an essential mechanism for conflict resolution, respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms of our people. I support the call of the Secretary General for a comprehensive approach for strengthening the rule of law at the international and domestic levels,” said Prime Minister Douglas, adding:
“I make this point, Mr. President, because over our almost thirty years of nationhood, St. Kitts and Nevis has studiously examined both trends here at the UN as well as developments throughout the international community, as we have evaluated our place in the world. Throughout, we have been faithfully guided by our belief in the rule of law.
We believe that in the international arena, the rule of law was created to protect the vulnerable, and to remind us of obligations to our fellow man, and we further believe that orderly and constructive co-existence requires not only citizens, but indeed nations as well, to be bound by the Rule of Law. Respect for international law has always, then, for our nation, been our guiding force.”
Dr. Douglas noting it was in July and August of this year that the international community participated in the games of the 30th Olympiad at a time of rising international tensions and intensifying antagonisms, “the time has probably come for us to introduce to other areas of inter- and intra-national realms of interaction, that keen spirit of cooperation and mutual respect that has enabled the Olympics to function so constructively and so well, for so very many years.”
He said the international community is, by definition, diverse and throughout this community, however, there run strong seams of commonality that both can, and must, be better utilized in order to promote the constructive airing of differences, the avoidance of violent conflict, and peace.
“And most importantly, when all else fails, we can and must settle the most vexing of international crises through the good offices of this institution. This is the path that would serve all of our best interests. And so I sincerely urge that we take it,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
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