BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FORMER Ministry of National Security Dwyer Astaphan is of the view that some individuals might be planning a number of sinister schemes designed to put him out of action because of his commentaries.
“It has come to my attention that certain persons, who have become increasingly displeased and incensed with my commentary over the past two years, may have begun to design schemes to ‘neutralize’ me,” Astaphan said in a recent press release.
He noted that one of the schemes involves certain members of the Federation’s Security Forces who were said to have been subjected to questioning concerning their relationships with him.
“These individuals,” Astaphan said, “have at the same time being selected for special and unjustified pressure from their superiors.”
The former minister of government claims it appears that the intention may be to concoct a story that he is trying to develop “a cadre of disaffected individuals in our security forces for the purpose of undermining and destabilising said forces and the country”.
He further claimed that the intention is to label him and perhaps even prosecute him on a trumped up charge or charges.
“I am further advised that an effort is being made to accuse a member of said security forces with selling ammunition to a person who is known to be close to me, in order to reinforce the dastardly effort to implicate me and to paint me in a particular, and sinister way, all as part of the process of ‘neutralizing’ me,” Astaphan added.
Astaphan noted that he is committed to seeing new leadership in the Federation and his position is well known to everyone.
“I wish to remind the people of this country that my considered and prayerful position, well known to all, that St. Kitts and Nevis needs and deserves new and better leadership, and my commitment to assist in the process of bringing about that new leadership are contained in a philosophy of peace, orderliness, civility, and the rule of law.”
He emphasied the importance of a people committed to creating change and supports the principles of Jesus Christ and a number of world-celebrated human rights activists.
“I adhere unapologetically to the principles of social change espoused by Jesus Christ, Mahatma Ghandi, Dr. Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela, convinced, as I am, that there is no force more powerful than that of a people who have decided to stand resolutely, unyieldingly and peacefully in their own cause, and no change more sustainable than the change brought about by such resolute, unyielding and peaceful commitment of a people.
“No guns, no ammunition, no knives, no machetes, and no violence. Not even a harsh word; just the peaceful strength and commitment of an enlightened people, who, having ridded themselves of the burden of blind dependency on self-serving leaders, choose to take a stand for democracy and justice. And it is this strength and commitment that the people of this Federation will use to rid themselves of the present pestilent leadership of Denzil Douglas.”
Astaphan claimed that there is nothing those who might be unhappy with his ongoing commentary can do to stop the process.
The release ended with him saying, “God’s Grace, I will continue, in my little way, towards this cause. To God be the glory.”
Astaphan had been a Minister of the Labour Party government since 1995 but resigned on July 31, 2008. Following his resignation, speculations were rife that bad blood existed between him and Prime Minister Douglas. However, at his monthly press conference in July 2008, Prime Minister Douglas addressed the speculations and said a good relationship exists between himself and Astaphan and also among Astaphan and members of his Cabinet.
“I think it is good! I think it is good when Mr. Astaphan has been a member of my Cabinet and has functioned as a Minister of government. I think it is a good relationship,” PM Douglas said in response to a question on the working relationship between himself and Astaphan, but on the aspect of bad blood, he said, “Bad blood...not that I know of.”
At that time, Astaphan gave no reason for his decision other than to say, “For some time, I have been engaged in a process of deep and broad reflection and prayer. This has led me in a particular direction.”
Ironically, shortly after his resignation, Astaphan launched an attack on Douglas’ character and called for his resignation.
The attacks intensified over the past 17 months with Astaphan repeating his call for the PM’s resignation and labelling him with numerous misgivings, including his alleged involvement with Lex Consultancy, the accounts of the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation, and the alleged squander mania of La Vallee and Whitegate.
