Gov’t clears the air on $28 million consulate

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – RECENT media reports on “one of the most expensive houses in Canada” now being used as a Consulate of St. Kitts-Nevis have been clarified, with the government stating that it does not own or have interest in the multi-million dollar property.

A recent article published in the Times Colonist on June 2 revealed that a waterfront Uplands property, reportedly valued at CAN$ 28 million, is now being used as an official consulate for the Federation.

The 15 900-square-foot residence, referred to as Sweet Pea, is said to be located at 3195 Humber Road and sits on about 2.5 acres of land alongside 450 metres of waterfront. The article raised a red flag for many nationals and the issue has spurred much public discussion in the past two days.

In an interview with SKNVibes, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Astona Browne explained that the residence referred to in the news articles is owned by an honorary consul to the Federation, Tod Axelrod, who has served in this capacity for over two years. She emphasized that the property is not owned by the government and that it has no interest in that respect.

“The article is referring to the residence of Tod Axelrod, an honorary consul of St. Kitts and Nevis. The government does not own that property and the government will never own it.

“He has been there for more than two years.... He resided in St. Kitts for some time... and he is not even paid a salary, that’s why it is called an honorary consul. You don’t even have to be a citizen...,” Browne told this media house.

The Canadian property, according to the Times article, has seven bedrooms, an indoor swimming pool and spa, manicured grounds, a desalination plant and an enhanced and hi-tech security system.

While she could not recall the specific news article, Browne said that the notion of the government owning the 28 million dollar home seemed “sensational” and was perhaps due to lack of knowledge of consular protocol.

“The government appoints people with means who reside in certain parts of the world, which allows them to not go through the expenses of setting up an embassy and getting a staff. These people live in their own houses, which may be used to deliver consular services on behalf of the government they represent in their jurisdiction.

“I don’t know what people are trying to get at. If you read the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations [and Optional Protocols]... they would understand it,” Browne said.

The Times reports that the flag of St. Kitts and Nevis and a plaque bearing the Federation’s coat of arms could be seen outside the lavish Canadian property.

However, according to the Article 29 of the Convention: “the national flag of the sending State may be flown and its coat-of-arms displayed on the building occupied by the consular post and at the entrance door thereof, on the residence of the head of the consular post and on his means of transport when used on official business”.

Browne added that in St. Kitts-Nevis, the situation is similar wherein prominent local businesspersons have been appointed honorary consuls for countries around the world and may bear the coat of arms of their respective countries at their homes or business places.