BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FOLLOWING the controversy over members of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF) marching in combat fatigue last Monday (June 10) in commemoration of the 46th Anniversary of the failed attempt to overrun the military base at Camp Springfield, Public Affairs Officer Captain Kayode Sutton is once again attempting to set the record straight.
Monday, last, marked 46 years since a group of armed Anguillans and three American mercenaries attempted a coup d’état but were repelled by some brave members of the SKNDF.
In remembrance of that event, a contingent of soldiers in combat fatigue, led by Capt Sutton, marched through the streets of Basseterre early Monday morning.
That march, however, was seen by the Leader of the People’s Action Movement, the Hon. Shawn Richards, his Deputy, the Hon. Eugene Hamilton, and a number of citizens of and residents in St. Kitts as a show of force at a time when the government is under pressure to debate the Motion of No Confidence that was before the Parliament since December 2012.
Some individuals also claimed that it was staged to intimidate the populace and that it was the first time they had seen or heard members of the SKNDF marching in remembrance of the Saturday, June 10, 1967 event.
Capt Sutton, in putting the record straight, declared that the march was not a show of force but one to honour the efforts of members of the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla Defence Force who were at Camp Springfield at that time of the invasion.
In addressing the issue of the march being the first time members of the Defence Force had done so since the 1967 incident, Sutton said, “The route march appears to have been interpreted by some in our society as having an ulterior and sinister motive. The SKNDF wishes it to be known that this year’s commemorative march was no different from the other route marches conducted on that date in past years. The Force was simply commemorating its successful defence of our democracy.
“We note with keen interest that certain people are claiming that this year’s SKNDF route march in remembrance of the event, which took place 46 years ago, was the first to be held on a 10th of June. To dispel that lie and also to debunk the anti-Defence Force Propaganda being voiced by those persons, the Public Affairs Office of the SKNDF conducted a search of various online news services archives for evidence.
“Many articles were found on past route marches, but we wish to draw to the attention of the public one particular article found in the SKNVIBES NEWS ARCHIVE. That article dealt with the commemorative march conducted on 10th June 2011. Please see the link as well as the article below produced on that memorable day by sknvibes. http://www.sknvibes.com/news/newsdetails.cfm/29446”
SKNVibes’ Editor-in-Chief concurred with Capt Sutton on the article found in this media house’s archive and noted that it was a press release. He also noted that an article headlined “Army Commander congratulates Sutton on June 1967 Invasion initiative”, dated Monday, June 13, 2011, was written and published by this media house and that it corroborates the army officer’s statement.
Speaking to the role of the Defence Force, Sutton said, “The SKNDF is mandated to support the police in the maintenance of law and order and to defend the territorial integrity of our Federation from external aggression. The Force also works with agencies of the Federal Government in times of natural disaster to alleviate suffering and discomfort of our citizens, visitors and guests to our islands. Over the years, the SKNDF has conducted its operations with professionalism and is committed to continuing the fine tradition of selfless service to our Federation.”
The Public Affairs Officers added that “we wish it to be known that the Force had no intention of intimidating the good citizens of our Federation whom we have taken an oath to protect and defend, and will never indulge in any activity not in the best interest of the people we serve. Through culture, habit and the rich military traditions inherited from the British since the Force was established in 1896, as well as significant and important experiences and occurrences that characterises the Organization, the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force strives for the highest standards of professionalism”.
Capt Sutton declared that the SKNDF does not have a media outlet and depends on the local media houses to disseminate information to the public.
“We acknowledge the fact that the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force does not have its own media outlet; hence, it depends on local media houses such SKNVibes to put out our information. The media houses of the Federation have habitually publish our articles on events and on occurrences…and to all we say, thank you.”
