Election controversy in St Kitts-Nevis over Trinidadian 'researcher'
Thursday, October 14, 2004
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts: Trinidad-based
British passport holder Derek Ramsamooj rushed to Nevis to get an extension of
time in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis last Friday, one day after he
was identified by Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas as encouraging the People’s
Action Movement to adopt alleged “intimidatory tactics which were unknown in
St. Kitts politics.” Ministry of National
Security information also revealed that Ramsamooj made a false declaration on
his Application of Extension dated 7th October.
While Ramsamooj told BBC Caribbean Report and WINNFM earlier this week that he
was assisting the People’s Action Movement in the General Elections campaign,
he wrote on the Application for Extension submitted in Nevis that he was in
the Federation to “complete research.”
Ramsamooj wrote on that form that his address in Nevis was Jessup Estate,
although he had written on his immigration card, that he would be staying in a
hotel in St. Kitts. Announcing the date for
the October 25th General Elections last week Thursday, Prime Minister Douglas
revealed, as a result of intelligence from the Police, plans by the People’s
Action Movement to disrupt voting on Election Day.
“Their plan is to bring the country to a halt. Their plan is to disrupt the
polling. They will object to every voter who they know will not vote for them,
to deliberately delay the process. They are planning to spill ink on the
documents. They will call in bomb threats at polling stations. All these
little, conniving tactics, this group has discussed, to disrupt and frustrate
the will of the people,” Prime Minister Douglas told the nation.
He said his Government “will not tolerate such in this Federation” and called
for a “clean, peaceful and dignified election campaign.”
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Douglas reiterated in a BBC Caribbean Report
interview that the questioning of Ramsamooj by police in St. Kitts was in
keeping with intelligence reports received.
Dr. Douglas, who is also Minister of National Security, said he understands
that the police having received the intelligence information picked up and
released Ramsamooj after he was questioned with regard to the allegations that
were being made. “I am satisfied with the
report that I have received from the police that there has to be something
that is irregular and suspicious about the movements of Mr Ramsamooj in and
out of the Federation over the last five months,” said Prime Minister Douglas. Evidence from the Ministry of National Security indicates that Ramsamooj
during his 20 visits to St. Kitts and Nevis over the past five months used two
British passports - #761035887 and #740053897.
“This pattern of arrival into the country and departure from the country is
consistent with someone who is working full time as a consultant, yet he has
never applied for; no one here who he is working for has applied for a work
permit; therefore he is violating the immigration laws of St. Kitts and
Nevis,” said Dr. Douglas, who in response to a question from the BBC’s
Reporter said he has ignored Ramsamooj over the past few months.
Prime Minister Douglas disclosed that on his return to the Federation from the
World Bank/International Monetary Fund Meetings in Washington, D.C. last week
Monday, he was briefed at the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport by the
Acting Commissioner of Police and the Commander of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence
Force. “If it becomes necessary in the
interest of the national security of this country to have Mr Ramsamooj removed
from this country, I shall do so within the confines of my authority. I will
not overstep my authority. Mr Ramsamooj has been identified by the police to
be involved in patterns of behaviour, patterns of travel, which are
inconsistent with what is his immigration status in this country and as long
as he continues to behave within the confines of the law, then he is not a
problem,” said Prime Minister Douglas, who in response to the BBC says he has
foreign advisers. “There is no problem here.
What I am saying is that he must obey the law. The law indicates that he must
get a work permit if he is practicing his craft here in the country. And
likewise, I emphasise that if he is involved in any activity that is
intimidating to the conduct of the election on the 25th October then of course
I shall deal with the situation,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
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