BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - POLITICALLY-charged statements made during the past weeks have led to expressions of concern by three groups within the Federation which have made calls for civility, peace and the free course of democratic processes.
The calls were made by the St. Kitts-Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CIC) via a press release and a joint release was issued by the St. Kitts Evangelical Association and the St. Kitts Christian Council, both of which were issued within the last 36 hours.
The Evangelical Association and the Christian Council have expressed their “alarm at the present political climate characterised by claim, and counter-claim, and now an increasing use of language which is spilling over into the public domain”.
The Evangelical Association made a call for all “to be civil, and respect the views of all so civil discourse prevail, and peace and order abound in the country”.
The Chamber’s release spoke to the need for Parliamentarians to desist from producing statements that could fuel existing tension. It also spoke to the need for expeditious resolution of specific outstanding parliamentary matters.
“The Chamber calls for the unsettling parliamentary matters, including the motion of no confidence in the Government, to be dealt with in a timely and constitutional manner and with political maturity.
“The Chamber also calls on the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and all other politicians to refrain from making statements which might raise tensions or be interpreted as inciting their supporters to physical hostility. All should instead directly and consistently urge their supporters to follow and respect the law and the democratic process.The best way to preserve the investment climate is for the parliamentary issues to be dealt with in a calm and civil manner, expeditiously and in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law.”
The CIC informed that both the President of the Chamber and the Chief Executive Officer recently met with Prime Minister Douglas, who assured them that notwithstanding the unsettling effect which the outstanding parliamentary matters have on the business community and possible effects on the investment climate, “he will do his utmost to maintain the current climate investment”.
It explained additionally that the President “thanked the Prime Minister for his assurances and undertook to convey them to the Chamber’s membership which he has done”.
