BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – SCATHING criticisms have been flung in the Prime Minister’s direction for allegedly acting in the interest of himself and a select few rather than in the interest of the Federation, its inhabitants and visitors and their security.
The sharp criticisms came from educator, historian and social activist Washington ‘Washie’ Archibald, which follow Dr. Douglas’ announcement that Sam Condor, Minister of National Security, was stripped of his responsibility for the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and the St. Kitts Nevis Defence Force.
Dr. Douglas further informed that while those organisations would no longer be within Condor’s purview, he is still responsible for Immigration, Passports, Prisons, Fire & Rescue Services and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and has been labelled the Minister of “Homeland Security”.
Archibald stood on Church Street opposite Government Headquarters bearing a number of placards in a one-man peaceful protest against PM Douglas’ “slap in Condor’s face” and his attempt to “embarrass him”.
The placards read: “Douglas is a disgrace to democracy”, “A shame for Sam…Dougy is a disgrace”, “Down with Douglas”.
Speaking with SKNVibes, Archibald said, “This is a protest against the way in which Dr. Douglas has been treating the Honoruable Sam Condor. I am appalled at the way in which the crime part of Sam Condor’s ministry was unceremoniously taken from him and transferred back to the Prime Minister. I don’t believe the Prime Minister has done this in the interest of national security. I believe he has done this in the interest of himself, of the Permanent Secretary who Sam Condor protested against and the new Commissioner of Police.
“I believe that this is a serious slap in the face and people who listened to him would realise that he was not aware of what was taking place. Mr. Condor was not aware that the Prime Minister was planning to reposition him and take away from him the Ministry of National Security. I understand from reliable sources that Mr. Condor was not aware that his portfolio would be redistributed and, if that is true, I think that that is a slap in the face of a Senior Minister by the Prime Minister and I believe that this is a travesty of democracy.”
Archibald explained that in 2010, while standing before the National Assembly, Dr. Douglas vehemently declared that the government has or takes no responsibility for crime in the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis.
He said the public outcry was for Dr. Douglas to retract those comments and accept responsibility.
Rather than doing so, Archibald further explained, Dr. Douglas has taken control of the RSCNPF and the SKNDF, over which he has had previous control and failed in their administration.
“What the people have been calling for is his renunciation of the remark that he made some time ago in the National Assembly that he takes no responsibility for crime. I don’t think people have been calling for him to take over the Ministry of National Security. So why didn’t he do it instead of giving Sam Condor that ministry? Asking him to take responsibility is asking him to dissociate himself from the remarks he made when he sat back in the National Assembly, smiled and said that crime is not his responsibility.
“Everybody must take responsibility for crime! But the way in which he has abused the Deputy Prime Minister makes the Deputy Prime Minister look very fallible in the eyes of the community. And I don’t think it promotes the interest of the Deputy Prime Minister…I don’t think it is a good thing at all that he did for this country.”
Condor’s constituents were urged to protest against Dr. Douglas’ “insult” on their Parliamentarian and his disregard for the feelings of others.
“I believe it is an open insult to the Deputy Prime Minister and the constituencies of the Deputy Prime Minister should protest against this insult. Dr. Douglas’ behaviour was that of a dictator who does things on his own impulses without any regard for what other people feel, without any regard for what other people think and without consultation with other people.”
