Antigua Labour Party writes fence-mending letter to China

by Sarrah Hadeed
Caribbean Net News Antigua-Barbuda Correspondent
E-mail: sarrahhadeed@yahoo.com

Friday, October 21, 2005

MARBLE HILL, Antigua:  The Opposition Antigua Labour Party (ALP) has sent a letter to Ambassador Ren Xiao Ping, Ambassador-Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) expressing its recognition of PRC and its 'One China' policy.

The ALP's October 12 letter, a copy of which was e-mailed to Caribbean Net News, follows the disclosure that officials from the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) were on their way to Taiwan to purchase two "second-hand" generators for the company.

News of this sparked concern in several corners as Antigua and Barbuda has no diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which is considered a rogue province by the PRC.

The issue became a major talking point that even forced Antigua and Barbuda's non-resident Ambassador to the PRC Sir David Shoul to voice concern.

However, the APUA in staging what several regional and international diplomatic observers told Caribbean Net News was a face-saving telecast on state television, pointed out that there was no government to government contact as the matter was simply a matter involving two private companies and also expressed ignorance of the One China Policy.

However, fearing a diplomatic fallout, the visit was cancelled.

Below, we reproduce for our readers a copy the of the ALP's letter which some see as a "mere political stunt", without further comment:

Dear Madam Ambassador,

I write in my capacity as Elected Leader of the Antigua Labour Party regarding the information acknowledged by the A.P.U.A., that it has appointed two emissaries, Malcolm Edwards and Brian Nicholas, to travel to Taiwan in an official capacity to buy two generating plants.

It is a matter of record and peculiarly to your knowledge, that in 1981 under the leadership of the late Rt. Hon. Dr. V.C. Bird, the ALP Government, upon attaining Independence, established Diplomatic Relations with the People’s Republic of China.
I myself as the Foreign Minister was privileged to effectuate this significant decision.

I wish to remind you that at that momentous occasion in 1981, Antigua and Barbuda was the only country in the O.E.C.S. to recognize the P.R.C. as the legitimate China. We embraced with you, your declared policy of ONE CHINA and eschewed the many blandishments made to us by Taiwan to reverse our decision.

I have been instructed by the Antigua Labour Party, now Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, to state categorically to you that we remain resolute on our recognition of the People’s Republic of China and its ONE CHINA policy.

Accordingly, we wish to express the view that the action of the government could do harm to the special relationship that exists between the People’s Republic of China and Antigua and Barbuda, as it is alleged by the Chairman of A.P.U.A that the matter was taken to the Cabinet who instructed them to go to Taiwan.

We hope this will not affect your decision to finance and build the Cricket Stadium for World Cup 2007, a process which began while the ALP was the government and I was the Prime Minister.

It is our hope that you will put this action of the UPP Government in its proper perspective.

Please convey our sentiments and feelings on this matter to your government.

Yours truly,

Lester Bird
Former Prime Minister
Leader of the Antigua Labour Party

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