 |
| St. Kitts and Nevis' Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas at Friday's Press Conference |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MARCH 3RD 2006 - St. Kitts and Nevis' Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas told the nation on Friday, while it is never a happy event to turn its nationals over to another country, it was in the "national interest that the law, deriving from international undertakings be obeyed."
"The national interest is quite simple. Ours is a small Federation, existing in an environment of fierce global competition. We live within the Western Hemisphere and geopolitical considerations dictate that we be very careful how we conduct our affairs," Prime Minister Douglas told the Nation in a statement during a Press Conference carried live on all local radio and TV stations.
Two nationals Noel Heath and Glenroy Matthew wanted in the United States on drug trafficking charges were on Thursday handed over on Thursday evening to officials of the United States Drug Enforcement Agency in accordance with the ruling of the Hon. Brian Alleyne, Chief Justice (Acting) of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.
"We must take cognizance of the reality that for several centuries the United States has been the main, if not the sole, guarantor of stability within our region. There are other benefits, which our nationals enjoy by having a friendly relationship with the United States of America," said Prime Minister Douglas.
He noted that many nationals of St. Kitts and Nevis make their living abroad and are permitted to visit their families and to do business overseas. "Many of our nationals on a continuing basis get the opportunity to emigrate as permanent residents, and the number of Kittitians and Nevisians who are holding citizenship in foreign countries is on the increase," said the Prime Minister, who also pointed out that American visitors and other tourists that travel by American air carriers as well as those that come by cruise liners, contribute significantly to the nation's expanding tourist trade.
"These are but a few of the many benefits that our Federation derives from maintaining good relations with the United States of America and other friendly countries," said Dr. Douglas.
He said that any act therefore which dishonours an agreement solemnly entered into, can jeopardise those relations and would serve to devalue the pledges and promises made by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis in international circles.
He declared that in deciding to obey the ruling of the courts, his government has done its duty to protect the interest of nationals of this Federation after allowing Mr. Heath and Mr. Matthew to fully exhaust their rights before the courts. "We have carried out our international commitments," said Prime Minister Douglas.
Dr. Douglas said the Government understands the feelings of the families and has instructed the St. Kitts and Nevis Embassy in Washington to monitor closely the proceedings of the trials.
"Fellow citizens, no matter how unpleasant the task, we shall continue to put the interest of our nation first," declared Dr. Douglas.
