BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – DEPUTY LEADER of the People’s Action Movement (PAM) Hon. Eugene Hamilton has responded to calls for him to offer an apology for a statement he made during the party’s recent Convention.
Hamilton’s statement - which this publication chooses not to repeat - obviously caused some concern amongst Nevisians and led to his political opponent Terrence Drew calling for him to apologise and resign as Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Number Eight.
While appearing on WINN FM’s most-recent edition of Inside the News, Hamilton addressed the issue.
“So considering that what I said at the Convention may have caused some consternation, I think I ought to address that issue particularly. Because, if you realise what my comment was, which...as suggested by some people, may have been offensive...I regret that my statement or my comment on a historical fact was offensive, and, so for those who are offended, let me say to you the intention certainly was not to offend anyone and I think I clearly said that in my remarks.”
Hamilton suggested that his statement was taken out of context and that it was not an original statement, but one which he had repeated.
The Constituency Number Eight Parliamentary Representative explained that during his presentation he was making reference to life in Nevis before and during the 70s, and the fact that they were “deprived (having)...not enough electricity supply on the island...”.
And he noted that it was in that general context that he indicated that when Nevisians, seeing the utility posts with lights, commented that Kittitians had moon (light) on sticks.
“What I was saying was during those days the Kittitians looked down upon Nevisians... And yes, there were statements made of Nevisians. The one I quoted was not the only one and I want to tell the public that my statement was not an original statement. It is something to which I was referring. And yes, perhaps I could have made the point without making that particular statement...
“I regret that it incensed some people for whatever reason, whether political or otherwise. But if you look at it in its historical context, really and truly, we were saying this is what was happening in Nevis...this is what happened in 80s and beyond. And new relationships in Unity will make a greater bond between the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis in particular and the peoples of St. Kitts and Nevis.”
While he did speak on the matter, it is not clear whether he actually made an apology, with persons in some quarters suggesting that he did and others still hankering for him to make a proper one.
