 |
|
St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas speaks to the contingent headed for Grenada on the tarmac at the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport. Extreme right is Cabinet Secretary, Mr. Joseph Edmeade (c); Defence Force Commander, Colonel Patrick Wallace (l) and Acting Commissioner of Police, Mr. Robert Jeffers (r). |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS (SEPTEMBER 9TH 2004) – As 25 Kittitian and Nevisian law enforcement officers left the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport for hurricane-ravaged Grenada early Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas told them the prayers of the twin-island Federation are with them.
“Let me on behalf of the Government and the People thank you, for I am sure, volunteering your selection to go to Grenada,” Dr. Douglas told the 15 soldiers of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force and 10 officers of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force assembled on the airport’s tarmac.
“We here in St. Kitts and Nevis have been through this, that is hurricane disaster on many occasions and I believe that although many of you may not have had the opportunity to perform in situations like these before, you must be prepared, because you have been part of it here in St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Prime Minister Douglas, who is also the Minister of National Security and Chairman of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
St. Kitts and Nevis has had its share of five hurricanes in the last nine years; hurricanes Luis and Marilyn in 1995; Jose in 1996, Georges in 1998 and Lennie in 1999 and a flood in 1999.
 |
|
Prime Minister Douglas speaks to the contingent at the airport. |
 |
|
Prime Minister Douglas shakes the hands of the soldiers and police oficers. (All photos by Erasmus Williams) |
“I want you to convey to the people of Grenada, our very profound sympathy and regrets at the loss of life and property. That they are in a situation that we ourselves have many times in the past,” said Dr. Douglas, who said he was sure that his own friend, Prime Minister of Grenada, Dr. the Right Hon. Keith Mitchell “will welcome you with open arms.”
“I want you to be of your best, not only your best behaviour, but the best of your service that you can give to your own fellow men and fellow women there in Grenada. Let us hear good things about you. Our prayers are with you. Go and do a good job,” said Prime Minister Douglas to the applause of the law enforcement officers.
 |
|
Prime Minister Douglas shakes the hands of the soldiers and police oficers. (All photos by Erasmus Williams) |
Prime Minister Douglas then personally shook the hands of each policeman and soldier and wished God-speed andsafety in their humanitarian journey.
There was no immediate indicationhow long the St. Kitts and Nevis contingent will stay in Grenada.
The contingent was also bid farewell by Chief Secretary, Mr. Joseph Edmeade;Commander of the Defence Force, Colonel Patrick Wallace and Acting Commisioner of Police, Mr. Robert Jeffers.
