BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - IF he were next to be stripped of his diplomatic passport, former Deputy Prime Minister of the Federation the Hon. Sam Condor said he would not be in the least surprised.
A couple of days ago, while at the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport, former Senior Minister in the Denzil Douglas-led Administration the Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris was asked by an immigration officer to hand over his diplomatic passport, which he reportedly did.
In his comments following the incident, Harris explained it as “a wicked act” and noted that he had not even received any formal correspondence indicating that the diplomatic passport was required of him.
Condor – in a brief interview with this publication – described the incident as unfortunate and declared that the government was being vindictive.
“That is really unfortunate that a former senior minister of the government, longstanding in Parliament for 20 years, has been a minister for 18 years and has a diplomatic passport, that it should be withdrawn that way.
“In fact, there was something that went out to all Parliamentarians about a new policy with Parliamentarians and former ministers of government that they would have a diplomatic passport and opposition people will get a diplomatic passport after eight years in Parliament. So the government violating its own laws and rules. The government is being vindictive.”
Although he does not agree with the government’s move regarding Dr. Harris, Condor said he would not be surprised if he is the next person to be asked to surrender his diplomatic passport.
However, a release from the Communications Unit of the Prime Minister, dated December 4, 2013 and headlined “Dr. Harris did not adhere to the established procedure and now attempts to convey a false impression”, claims that Dr. Harris is aware of the procedures that governs the issuance and cancellation or withdrawal of various classes of passports.
“Diplomatic passport DE 0000064 issued on May 8, 2012 to the Honourable Dr. Timothy Harris during the period when he served as a Minister in the Federal Cabinet was rescinded following its non-return to the Ministry as is the standard practice. The action taken is consistent with Section 3 (2) of the Passport and Travel Documents Act, Chapter 6.04 which grants the Minister discretionary authority to cancel or withdraw the various classes of passports at any time,” a statement the release quoted from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security, Labour, Immigration and Social Security that was made yesterday (Dec. 3).
The release also noted that the Ministry said it has been aware that the “Honourable Dr. Timothy Harris has on numerous occasions following termination of his services used the document bearing his former designation of Minister to travel to a number of countries including Canada. The Honourable Dr. Timothy Harris has done so being very much aware that such is in fact contrary and inconsistent with the intent of the legislation and is certainly counter to accepted standards in diplomatic relation”.
It further noted that the statement said: “Having served as a Minister of Government for eighteen years, and having occupied the portfolio as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Harris is knowledgeable of the procedures governing the issuance and/or recall of diplomatic passports. The document rescinded by the Ministry was to be returned by Dr. Harris. Dr. Harris has not complied and continued using the documents to facilitate his personal travels.”
