BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS – Opposition St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP), Sen. the Hon. Nigel Carty has accused St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris, of exploiting the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Republic of china (Taiwan).
Referring to the suffering of the people of Venezuela, Sen. Carty noted that as a result of Venezuela’ own political orientation they have been exploited by a number of persons.
He said the Timothy Harris-led Team Unity Government has been part of that exploitation over the last several months.
“When Prime Minister Harris can go to a poor country like Venezuela under the pretext of needing money to pay sugar workers monies that they were owed (by the Labour Party Administration when the Industry closed in 2005) and once they would have gotten that money, the government says to the people, it is not money we owe you it is a gratuitous payment, then we know it’s part of the exploitation,” said Carty, who noted that with the ongoing economic and political crisis Venezuelans are lining up for hours and hours to buy basic needs.
He said the human crisis in Venezuela is as a result of the exploitation of that country by persons like Dr Timothy Harris and others, who do not understand that “people only give because they have been placed in a position where they have to make a choice of either breaking friendship or they will have to squeeze themselves to give you.”
Last year, Venezuela gave the Harris government a US$16 million grant to pay ex sugar workers and US$6 million loan at low interest rate to the Development bank of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Millions of dollars reportedly remain uncollected as relatives of deceased ex sugar workers continue to claim their inability to get monies due to family squabbles and to get legal documentation. Scores of ex sugar workers also complain that they have not been paid due to political affiliation with the opposition St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party.
Sen. Carty also expressed concern that although the Republic of China (Taiwan) has done so much for St Kitts and Nevis the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is or about to begin negotiating with the Government of the Peoples Republic of China – main land China.
“It is my understanding that they have been making great demands and instead of growing the economy and generating more revenue for the country, they are trying to rely on the Government of Taiwan and because of the stance that the Government of Taiwan has taken and kick out Taiwan and bring in mainland China,” said Carty on Wednesday’s “Issues” programme on Freedom 106.5 FM.
Carty said the exploitation by the Timothy Harris PLP/CCM/PAM coalition is not only on the ordinary people of St. Kitts and Nevis, but also the nation’s long-term friends, partners and allies are also been exploited.”
Early June, Foreign Minister Hon. Mark Brantley signed an agreement with Taiwan’s Resident Ambassador His Excellency George Gow Wei Chiou under which Taiwan will provide monetary grants to the Federation annually for a period of four years. The amount was not disclosed.
Two cheques, one in the sum of EC$ 2 million was handed over for the construction of the National Heroes Park and the other for EC$50,000, for renovation work in the micro-communities of Mansion’s and Tabernacle Villages.