My fellow countrymen,
Media reports have confirmed that an early morning fire in West Basseterre, St. Kitts on Sunday 5th January, 2014, totally destroyed the building that housed the embassy of the Republic of Venezuela. Media reports further confirmed that a fire at the offices of the Organization of American States (OAS) was extinguished in time due to the rapid response of our Nation's fire fighters. In both cases the initial investigations have suggested suspected arson.
As Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, I wish to make it pellucid that the Opposition unreservedly condemns any acts of arson or other acts of violence in any form and against any person or institution in our Nation. We find especially abhorrent any attack on the personnel or property of friendly foreign Nations which have all provided and continue to provide invaluable support to the people of our Nation.
I am to advise that I have today made direct telephone contact with the resident Venezuelan Ambassador and the resident OAS representative. I have expressed the Opposition's profound sorrow and revulsion at these unfortunate developments. I have also assured them both of the unwavering commitment of the Opposition to the bonds of friendship and cooperation that St. Kitts and Nevis has always enjoyed with the government and people of Venezuela and the many governments and peoples represented by the OAS.
Your Loyal Opposition is committed to good governance, the maintenance of law and order and the elevation of our country above ourselves. I wish to commend our firefighters for their rapid response in saving the OAS premises and for preventing any loss of life or further loss of property. I wish also to remind all of our people that we are and continue to be a country where peace abounds. Just as your Loyal Opposition has led the fight to to protect and preserve our democracy, so too must we now lead the fight to protect and preserve the peace and stability of our country.
I ask our citizens and residents to offer the Police their fullest cooperation and hope fervently that if indeed these were acts of arson, the perpetrators will be brought to swift and decisive justice.
May God bless you and may He continue to bless St. Kitts and Nevis.
Honourable Mark Brantley
Leader of the Opposition
5th January, 2014
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