FBI report on local gang culture presented to joint Cabinet
By Pauline Waruguru
Nevis Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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| Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas and Nevis Premier Joseph Parry |
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis - THE Prime Minister’s Press Secretary, Erasmus Williams, told reporters yesterday (Dec. 3) that a representative of the US-based Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was present at the St. Kitts and Nevis joint Cabinet meeting to disseminate a report on gang culture following an FBI assessment.
Williams was at the time responding to reporters’ questions shortly after Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas had delivered the opening statement. The press was allowed to cover the opening statement but the rest of the meeting was held in camera.
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Williams told reporters that the content of the gang culture report would be made public at a later date. He said the FBI’s assessment was conducted on invitation of the government.
The Press Secretary said the FBI representative would be involved in interventions aimed at combating gang related violence.
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Joint Cabinet
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The FBI representative’s presence in the Federation follows the record-breaking total of 22 homicides committed in St. Kitts and Nevis for this year. Prior to this total, 17 murders were recorded in 2007.
Earlier, in his opening statement, the Prime Minister thanked the Premier of Nevis, the Hon. Joseph Parry, for the warm welcome he and his entourage received. He said the past joint Cabinet sessions hosted in St. Kitts were absolutely necessary since they had proven to be worthwhile and practical.
“They have served the purpose of guiding us as we attempt to develop the Federation as one country, but at the same time recognising that there are specific peculiarities with regard to two institutions of government as prescribed in the constitution,” he said.
~~Adz:Left~~ He said too that the meeting came at an opportune time given the global and local challenges both islands are facing.
“The continued need for us to cooperate and these factors [global and local challenges] in particular, make it extremely worthwhile for us to meet at this particular time…and so on behalf of my colleagues, I say thank you Premier for hosting us,” he said.
Premier Parry expressed satisfaction with the close cooperation between the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) and the Federal Cabinet over the past two and a half years, as he welcomed Dr. Douglas and his Cabinet colleagues to Nevis. The joint meeting at Mount Nevis Hotel on Tuesday is the second to be hosted by the NIA.
Premier Parry regarded the agenda for the day-long meeting as “interesting” and was confident that they would achieve their objectives.
