BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – OFFICER in charge of Trade and Economic Integration, Desiree Field-Ridley has stated that CARICOM would not interfere with internal matters of its member states.
On Tuesday (Oct. 29), during discussions on CARICOM's effectiveness with Field-Ridley, the Change Facilitation Team and media practitioners, the question on the entity’s position of the long-standing Motion of No Confidence in St. Kitts and Nevis was raised.
The discussions were held in the Conference Room of the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Commerce at Bladen’s Commercial Development.
The question asked by a member of the media was: "CARICOM is aware that there is a Motion of No Confidence in St. Kitts that has been sitting almost 11 months. What is CARICOM's position on that, can you say?"
Field-Ridley, who is representing CARICOM’s Secretary General, responded that the organisation could not pronounce on it, as it is an internal matter.
"We can't...it's your internal affairs. Your people will determine how you want to treat it and we would not get involved unless it becomes a regional issue which goes to the CCJ (Caribbean Court of Justice). But, in terms of your own national position, it is something for you to resolve."
Another question asked was: "If the situation in St. Kitts becomes unstable and boils over into the region, is CARICOM then amendable to coming on board or will it then be forced?"
Field-Ridley said if the situation spills over to one of a regional issue, only then CARICOM would do its part.
"Obviously, if there is a situation which requires consideration at a regional level, if it is a regional issue, we would give consideration to it. We've had it in other instances, but right now it is a national issue and it will remain a national issue as far as CARICOM is concerned.
A Motion of No Confidence was filed by the Opposition against the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis in early December 2012 and since then it was not tabled in Parliament.
A second No Confidence Motion was filed on July 4, 2013 and that too has not been tabled. Following the filing of the two Motions, Opposition Members of Parliament, led by Nevis' Deputy Premier Hon. Mark Brantley, had taken the matter to court.
Since then, there have been several hearings and counter-filing of injunctions by both parties.
Field-Ridley said that, as it stands, the Motion of No Confidence is an issue that the Federation could resolve on its own.
"It is a St. Kitts and Nevis issue and St. Kitts and Nevis is capable of resolving that issue."
The Change Facilitation Team was in the Federation to have consultation with various stakeholders in determining the way forward to best serve and meet the needs of the countries that CARICOM serves.
According to Field-Ridley, two more member states are to be visited before the exercise is completed, following which a Five-year Strategic Plan would be implemented that would identify where CARICOM is going.
