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Political storm in Grenada over Owen Arthur's visit

Monday, October 13, 2003

ST. GEORGES, Grenada: Opposition parties in Grenada are charging that if Barbados' Prime Minister, Mr. Owen Arthur, accepts an invitation to be guest speaker at an upcoming political event of the ruling party, it will be conceived as meddling in the internal politics of Grenada and could also sour relations between the two countries.

The Barbados Nation yesterday reported that a political firestorm is brewing over Prime Minister Arthur's scheduled appearance at next Sunday's convention of Prime Minister Keith Mitchell and the ruling New National Party (NNP). Mr. Mitchell has announced he will disclose the date for new general elections at the Sunday convention.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC), an opposition party, in a strongly worded letter reportedly sent to Mr. Arthur, has called on him to cancel his visit "in what is a very partisan political event on the eve of a general election."

"The way he [Mitchell] has been announcing your participation in the event at his almost nightly meetings also leaves the impression that you [Arthur] and your party are officially endorsing the re-election campaign of the NNP," the Nation quoted portions of the letter as stating.

The correspondence signed by political leader and attorney-at-law, Mr. Tillman Thomas, also reportedly states: "We will view your participation in the NNP convention on 19th October, as a direct intervention and unnecessary meddling in the internal politics of Grenada."

The Opposition Grenada United Labour Party (GULP) also joined in the appeal for Arthur to turn down the invitation.

Spokesman and Senator, Mr. Anselm Clouden, was quoted by the Nation as saying his party was contemplating approaching Antigua's Prime Minister Mr. Lester Bird to intervene in the matter as a senior member of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) countries.

"A visit by Prime Minister Arthur can endanger the integration movement because, should a new administration take over government, it would strain the relations between St. George's and Bridgetown. A new prime minister may be hesitant to engage in dialogue and open discussion," Mr. Clouden told the SUNDAY SUN yesterday.

Both parties also opposed the holding of the convention next Sunday, since it commemorates the date on which former Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and his cabinet colleagues were killed in an attempted coup.

"The day itself has historical significance to the people of Grenada and there's some clamour about whether the convention being held on that day is appropriate and if not designed to promote a certain element in the country," added Mr. Clouden.

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