KINGSTOWN – Former prime minister Sir James Mitchell has accused Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary General Sir Edwin Carrington of getting involved in the politics of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Sir Edwin paid a one-day visit here last week and media reports here last weekend quoted the outgoing CARICOM Secretary General as praising the administration of Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves over its response to Hurricane Tomas that hit the island in October.
“The capacity was essentially home grown; whether it be housing or farmers and agriculture, school and education or road,” Sir Edwin said during a press conference after a meeting with Gonsalves.
“That, to me, is a measure of preparedness, a measure of resources and a measure of the people’s response,” he added.
Also present at the news conference were Jeremy Collymore of the Barbados-based Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDMA) and Michelle Forbes, Director of the National Emergency Management Office here.
During his visit, Sir Edwin announced that CARICOM would send a team to observe the December 13 general elections.
But Sir James, who was prime minister for 17 years under the New Democratic Party (NDP), said he was disgusted by the comments made by the high-ranking official.
“I am calling to express my disgust at the behaviour of the Secretary General Sir Edwin Carrington getting involved in St. Vincent’s politics at this stage,” Sir James said on local radio.
“How could the Secretary General be praising the government while the Parliament is dissolved and the CARICOM is sending in an observer mission into this country? Can the Secretary be impartial? Does he appear to be impartial in these circumstances?. (CMC)
