CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (June 14, 2006) -- Premier of Nevis and leader of the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) lead Nevis Island Administration Hon Vance Amory made it clear that the quest for independence for Nevis was still on course for his government, a sentiment reflected in past budget addresses.
In a televised statement on NTV Channel 8 on Wednesday June 14, 2006, Mr Amory said that the CCM led government had not been silent on the issue of self determination for Nevis and pointed to the past nine budget addresses in which the issue had been raised.
According to Mr Amory, during his budget presentation in 2004, he said that there was no doubt that the progress Nevis had achieved since 1983, had come about as a result of Nevisians gaining greater control over their economic and political destiny.
"I must remind everyone that the journey has not yet ended. If as a people we can achieve so much with autonomy, the possibilities after full independence are limitless. Our people are determined and resilient. These are attributes that will enable us to surmount difficulties in our quest for political and economic advancement and independence," he said.
In the 2005 budget address, Mr Amory said he had encouraged the people of Nevis to participate fully in the development of Nevis.
"Success comes with great sacrifice but hard work and determination we could turn Nevis into a true paradise for the benefit of present and future generations and achieve our ultimate goal" the independence of the people of Nevis. I use this opportunity to extend the hand of inclusion to the members of the opposition to join in unity on this issue to give the people of Nevis what we have longed for over a century," he said.
In his most recent budget address in 2006, Mr Amory explained that although the government did not pursue the complete call for the referendum on the independence of Nevis, the issue was not dead.
"The issue is still alive and will continue to live in the heart and minds of all true Nevisians and in the leadership of this government until this aspiration is achieved. The time will come when all Nevisians will be called upon again to take a stand for justice and freedom for our country without rancour or divisiveness. I believe this is an earnest expectation of all right thinking Nevisians. When the time comes every man and woman will be expected to stand up and be counted," he said.
Notwithstanding, Mr Amory said the CCM government had recognised the need for support of more than 67 percent of all the people and to make the issue of self determination partisan, as done in the past, could lead to failure.
He referred to the issue as being one bigger than sectoral issues because it embraced and provided an umbrella for the greater success of all the macro and micro sectoral issues both economic and political.
Mr Amory thanked the public for their views on the matter of independence for Nevis, citing that the views expressed publicly would continue to provide guidance for the government on such a vital issue.
He said he was hopeful that when the matter would be raised in accordance with the provisions of the constitution that the people would do the right thing under the guidance of God just as the people of Montenegro did even in the face of opposition.
However, Mr Amory explained that independence for Nevis was a non partisan issue which required sober reflection and contemplation by all the people of Nevis for it to succeed.
"It [independence] is not a party political football for anytime be it election time or otherwise. It must be addressed even as we are discussing the issue of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) and free trade issues and it must be done in a calm and objective manner if we are to achieve the objective," he said.
Notwithstanding, Mr Amory said that secession should be discussed, debated and canvassed like every other important issue including economic development, education, job creation and health even during the election season.
"Just as we discuss the issues of development, jobs and health which are vital to the future of our country, and no one takes objection, why should anyone take objection if the issue of secession or self determination or independence is raised?
"It is for the people to take a position when the process has begun and determine if it is what we as a people want," he said.
