BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Commissioner of Police (COP) has granted permission for Dwyer Astaphan to hold a public meeting at Greenlands Park from 7:00 p.m. to midnight on Thursday, February 3, 2011.
In his last commentary - ‘We’re catching him!’ - Astaphan said he had applied to the COP on Thursday, January 20, 2011 to hold a public meeting and “I trust that I will receive the appropriate approval. And in anticipation of it, I invite you to make it a date to attend this meeting. I won’t be the only speaker. Come to listen. If you have a vehicle, bring along some people with you. If you live nearby, walk to the meeting”.
In a release dated January 27, 2011, Astaphan said the meeting would not be a platform of, or on behalf of any political party, and that no political incumbent or candidate would be allowed to speak on it.
“Instead,” he added, “the platform will be one which allows for the citizens and residents of this nation, FREE OF POLITICAL PARTISANSHIP, to focus vigorously, meaningfully, and constructively in unfiltered and respectful examination and discussion of the issues, challenges and opportunities which we face as a nation. No cussing, no abuse, no hype, and no offensive language or behaviour.”
The former Minister of National Security noted that the platform is intended to urge all members of the general public, regardless of their political leanings, to understand that the only way for the Federation to become a true democracy is for the people to take up the responsibility of ending their dependency on politicians and political patronage, and of standing strongly together for fairness, integrity, honesty, transparency and efficiency in public life.
“It is of vital importance for us to understand that it is the people, not 11 elected officials, who must democracy,” he said, adding, “... after the platform speeches have ended, please, feel free to remain for a while and engage each other, and the platform speakers, in discussion and fellowship.”
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.
On Tuesday, January 18, 2011, during his weekly radio programme on ZIZ ‘Ask the Prime Minister’, a male caller sought a comment from Dr. Douglas on Astaphan’s weekly criticisms that insinuate ‘bad blood’ exits between the two of them.
In response, the Prime Minister said, “I have no time to waste and have ‘bad blood’ for anyone. I allow people who are consumed with hatred, who are consumed to a large extent with spite, those who grudge people, those who are covetous, those who I believe are consumed with what has been described as the cardinal sins, they have time to become involved in those things. I have no time to do those kinds of things.”
Dr. Douglas also said he is attuned to what his mission is in life and he would continue to serve the interest of the people of the twin-island Federation as long as they want him to do so.
“I have no time to waste with the Astaphans of St. Kitts and Nevis added.
