~~Adz:Left~~BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 29TH 2006 - A spokesman for the Police Welfare Association has confirmed a statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister, that the PWA aborted last Tuesday's scheduled meeting with the Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas.
"When we got there, the chief secretary told us that the prime minister could only accommodate five people and we decided that if we cannot go in full, we're not going at all. After that we just turned away," Sun St. Kitts/Nevis quoted an unidentified spokesman for the Police Welfare Association in a front-page story on Wednesday 25th October.
A statement from the Office of the Prime Minister noted that a meeting between the PWA and the Prime Minister was scheduled for Tuesday October 24th and prior correspondence and telephone contact was made with the PWA that the Prime Minister would meet with the five Executive Members of the Police Welfare Association as outlined in the correspondence of October 23rd 2006 i.e.: the Chairperson, the Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary/Treasurer.
On the morning of the meeting, PWA President, Woman Police Sargeant Carla Wallace showed up with a delegation of nine and Legal Advisor, Mr. Tapley Seaton.
In discussion with the Chief Secretary, in the waiting room, the PWA President demanded that an appropriate place should be found to accommodate all who were present.
The Chief Secretary reiterated that the meeting was only with officers of the PWA Executive as it was not one for negotiations.
Woman Sargeant Wallace then said that they were not prepared for that and she lead away from the Waiting Room of the Office of the Prime Minister, the delegation of the PWA, including Mr. Tapley Seaton.
The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has reaffirmed its commitment to continue dialoguing with the Executive Officers of the Police Welfare Association in attempting to address their concerns.
