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Odlum/Compton conflict delays launch of Alliance?

An alleged leadership struggle between George Odlum and Sir John Compton was reportedly behind the abortion of the announced launch of a new National Alliance for Unity (NAU) last Tuesday. This, at least, is how press secretary to the prime minister, Earl Bousquet, explains the non-event. As for Odlum and Compton themselves, The Wednesday Star reported that the latter simply dismissed the fact that a launch was imminent while George Odlum in the House of Assembly on Tuesday explained that he had seen "signs of conflicting perceptions which might not augur well for the success of the venture". Odlum, as a result, announced to his Labour party colleagues in the House that he would not appear on a combined United Workers Party/NAU platform that evening. Although it had been widely anticipated that Odlum would be fired for publicly flirting with the NAU, there have as yet been no signs of such repercussions. Nevertheless, press secretary Earl Bousquet makes it clear in the Wednesday Star that Odlum's stated position will not go entirely without consequences. Without giving away the government's position, Bousquet states that Odlum's "role in party and government from here on is a totally different matter that involves many more minds and even more serious political consideration. ... Odlum and the Labour Party certainly have much to talk about ...".
Last week, UWP leader Dr Morella Joseph announced that her party was interested in merging with the - still anonymous - 'concerned citizens' who have been behind the idea of a new political alliance. She also declared that the National Alliance for Unity (NAU) would be launched from a UWP political platform in the William Peter Boulevard, last Tuesday, 20th March. But the only Alliance member who is out of the closet so far (besides Peter Josie), former UWP leader and former PM Sir John Compton, subsequently contradicted Dr. Joseph, saying that as far as he was concerned, no such launch was on the cards. UWP general secretary Stephenson King, on Monday, stated that the launch had been "postponed" but added that it might still take place next week (27th March). This is reported in The Tuesday Voice. King cited as one reason, the fact that the UWP and "the group pushing for an alliance" were still negotiating.
Press secretary Earl Bousquet, however, in the Wednesday Star, writes "[a]ccording to the reports, one meeting was held last week to consider who would lead [the NAU] and a vote was taken between the former prime minister [John Compton] and the foreign affairs minister [George Odlum] that resulted 9-1 in favour of the minister. But Sir John reportedly refused to concede". As a result, claims Bousquet, George Odlum decided to bow out of committing himself to the National Alliance for Unity - an additional reason being that his constituency group in Castries North East does not support his move to the NAU either. In a statement released to the press on Monday evening, Odlum's close core of followers state that they "remain strongly suspicious of some elements of the United Workers Party who in the past have embraced the idea but rejected it when convenient" and, further, that "over the years Hon. George Odlum has been used and abused by many political aspirants. The group fears that this latest move might be another episode in the attempt to 'piggy back' on Oldum's good nature and long-held belief in the principles of national unity".
Meanwhile, the nation's response to the aborted launch appears to be mostly one of scepticism: a group of mostly faceless persons proclaiming to be better and more inclusive leaders than the current crop of political leaders - but as yet incapable of uniting even themselves. Is it "another show of indecision, another false start?", wonders the editor of the Tuesday Voice. Jeff Fedee in the Wednesday Star writes cynically: "It would make an extremely unqiue historical situation of this disparate group of absolutely dissimilar political ideologies could merge into a harmonious whole. ... These contradictory and strong personalities would be unable to resolve their differences and political animosities of the past. It will forever haunt them. ... This metamorphosis from old political enemies into a convenient cabal of luvvies can only end in disappointment. I see it as just reckless political adventurism".
Only Rick Wayne continues to see the aborted launch from a possibly positive point of view, considering it yet another publicity boost for the Alliance - although Wayne, too, now wonders if the people behind the Alliance will be able to live up to public expectations if and when they finally decide to show their faces.
Whether or not the Alliance actually comes into being, the anticipation and speculation has certainly revitalised the debate on the need for a different, less divisive style of politics in St. Lucia. George Odlum, in his speech to the House of Assembly last Tuesday, reiterated this to his cabinet colleagues: "Today the problems which confront St. Lucia and the islands of the Caribbean are so serious, so endemic that they threaten to overturn the moral and social order and destroy the body politic. ... I am convinced that these fragmented and vulnerable islands must move purposefully in the direction of regional cohesion and integration. As a prelude to this, each unit should attempt to unite its people and offset the culture of hate and divisiveness which threatens to make our people almost ungovernable. It is a quarter of a century since I have been adumbrating the idea that our political system is an instrument for division and hatred and it is not beyond the creativity of our politicians and our people to devise a new constitutional order which will minimise the acrimony and the carnage which accompanies electoral battles in our small fragile democracies. Incumbent governments are always too self-protective to even think of opening the processes of governance to accommodate perceived enemies or opponents who might have skills to offer the country. The opponents of government, on the other hand, might be more readily disposed to accepting the national unity concept as a means of promoting their own political designs. ... Mr. Speaker, no spin doctors can remove the perception that our country is stymied under a malaise. St. Lucia is like a fully rigged ship with the sails aloft but no wind to move the ship. The people are demanding and clamouring and individual parties seem incapable of understanding the phenomenon, much less solving it".
As a general sentiment, that opinion is certainly shared by the editor in the Tuesday Voice, when he writes "Throughout the years, those who are out of office (leaders as well as followers) fight to overthrow and bring down those who are in; and those who are in fight to keep them down, destroy and hinder any advancement in the fortunes of those who are out. At the same time, the real enemies, outside of our borders, fight to keep us from getting any share of the financial cake which we would aspire to obtain ... Only a fool chooses the wrong battles to fight".

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UWP joins National Alliance; launch on Tuesday

While the nation remains glued to its television screens in anticipation of any revelations as to who will lead the mysterious new political alliance, long television appearances by both Sir John Compton and George Odlum have as yet failed to firmly settle this and other burning questions. However, at a United Workers Party meeting in Vieux Fort last Tuesday, UWP leader Dr Morella Joseph announced that her party has decided to join forces with the new alliance and that the resulting National Alliance for Unity (or NAU as The Voice calls it) will present itself to the nation on Tuesday the 20th of March in the William Peter Boulevard in Castries.
In the meantime, speculation is rife. Thus far, the names linked to the NAU are, besides Dr. Morella Joseph, those of Sir John Compton, George Odlum and Peter Josie, with Josie stating on the DBS evening news last Thursday that George Odlum had been tipped for the leadership position. However, Odlum himself in a subsequent live TV interview with Rick Wayne on 'Talk', said he was as yet undecided on his role in the new Alliance.
Sir John, during a two-and-a-half hour interview on 'Talk' on Sunday 11th March [click here for the full text] also avoided taking a clear stance on his role in a national alliance. He will join, he said, if "they" ask him to and if "they" think he may have "something to bring to the table". Other than that, Sir John concentrated his "discourse" with Rick Wayne on presenting a broad historical view of the socio-economic development of St. Lucia since, roughly, the 1950s, touching on the rise (and fall) of bananas, education, tourism, manufacturing, telecommunications and his firm belief in the virtues of "social engineering".
As was to be expected, Sir John's TV appearance provoked a wide range of responses - from the vitriolic to the condescending and from the mildly interested to the strongly supportive.
On a factual level, statements were released by the National Insurance Scheme, the Office of the Prime Minister and minister of Agriculture Cass Elias, taking issue with certain statements made by Sir John. The NIS, for one, denied that it had ever made or approved loans for the construction of the new prison at Bordelais. The PM's office challenged a statement made by Sir John in which he claimed that the SLP government had changed the Pension Act of 1990 to arrange more favourable pension terms for members of parliament. The PM's office accuses Sir John of choosing to "deliberately and publicly mislead the public" on a matter he knows is "untrue and impossible to prove". Sir John is further challenged to furnish proof of his "wild and misleading" accusation, or else to publicly apologise for his "blatant and deliberate alteration and misrepresentation of the truth for selfish political gain and petty partisan advantage". This is reported in the Wednesday Star.
Finally, minister of Agricultue Cass Elias in The Voice takes issue with several of Sir John's statements regarding the (lack of) development in the banana industry. Basically, Elias claims that contrary to Sir John's claim, money provided by STABEX has in fact been used to develop irrigation schemes on banana estates - namely at Mabouya and Troumassée, with others to follow. As for Sir John's claim that there are no agricultural engineers on the ministry's staff, Elias claims that there are in fact two.
Minister for Community Affairs, this week, saw the need to issue a press release disassociating himself from the new political group and to say that he remains firmly committed "to the principles and policies of the St. Lucia Labour Party".
On the subject of who else may be involved in the new alliance, the prime minister's press secretary, Earl Bousquet, claims he has seen "a list of nine names identifying persons said to have confirmed their participation". According to Bousquet, "The list included two former Prime Ministers, a government minister, an opposition leader, a former unelected government minister, a senior public servant, two media personalities and a tax consultant".
With respect to George Odlum's much-anticipated appearance on 'Talk', the response seems to be more of a consensus than in the case of Sir John, with disappointment at the lack of clarity and the perceived lack of determination in Odlum's words. The Voice editor put it: "anticipated ... as the roaring of the mighty, mischievous, magnificent Crown Prince of St. Lucian politics, whom so many suspect of nursing aspirations to one day be King of the Jungle, the show left most with the impression of having, instead, been given a peek into ... the elephants' graveyard".
During the show, Odlum stated that he is, in principle, a supporter of a government of national unity, but that he is currently awaiting feedback from "the people" before making up his mind about committing himself to the new alliance. The Star quotes Odlum: "I always insist that I try to get the vibes from the people on the ground. If I think something is good for them - and I earnestly feel that national unity is the way for the country - I will stick my neck out on the block as I am doing right now to galvanise the debate and the thinking on national government. I want even the government to feel that there might be something in that and the people are relating to it, so let us get in on the debate".
Odlum further explained that several of his friends, relatives and staunch supporters are uncomfortable with the idea of 'their Brother George' joining forces with some of his best-known rivals: Sir John Compton and Peter Josie. Striking in this respect was a letter written by Odlum's own daughter, Yasmin Solitahe, which was read out to Odlum during the show and which apparently moved him to tears. In her letter, Yasmin summarises the reservations reportedly felt by several of Odlum's nearest and dearest: "[W]hile alliances may heal a nation, alliances should not be allies of lies, taking their chances. Authentic alliances are not built on expedient solutions of egocentric delusions or unrealistic expectations or thwarted ambitions. Authentic alliances are forged in the smithy of committed hearts, minds and souls living a vision for the nation and willing to go the distance against all odds. Fall short of this and something will remain rotten at St. Lucia's core".
But despite anxiety over her father's latest political move, Yasmin Odlum also accedes that she and Odlum's other relatives and friends will stand by him in whatever decision he makes. She writes: "George, for over 20-something years of guts, glory and guava times, you have fought the good fight. But in the twilight of your years, the time has come to fight your best fight. For in the dialectic of change and constancy, a man needs to know when it is time to embrace change - or to refrain from embracing. ... When all accounts are settled, a real man and true statesman can look into the mirror, without a shadow of a doubt that he still has a clear conscience and clean hands. That is all we as a family - and the nation - ask of you at this time. To be our Man for All Seasons staying the right course, even until the bitter end".
St. Lucians, meanwhile, are waiting to see if Odlum's preference for a new style of politics will have dire consequences for his current position as minister of Foreign Affairs in the St. Lucia Labour Party government. Most seem to think he will most likely be fired for his stance - including Odlum himself. "It's up to Kenny Anthony to look and see if what he's hearing from me is in earnest and real. If he thinks I'm just trying to bring down the Labour government, if he's convinced of that, he's justified in getting rid of me. But my motive here is not to bring down a Labour government or to put a UWP government in office. We can easily get rid of someone like me with a mandate of 16-1".
According to The Mirror, Odlum is however prepared for the worst. "I have put all my personal things on a side so that if the worst happens, I can move quickly and there won't be a scramble".

• Full text of Sir John Compton's interview with
Rick Wayne

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Animal abuser to feel full weight of law

The St. Lucia Animal Protection Society (SLAPS) intends to prosecute a man who has allegedly been in the habit of severely beating horses and dogs in the Cas en Bas area, as well as poisoning dogs in the neighbourhood. In past weeks, SLAPS has received numerous reports from both residents and visitors concerning such incidents and the Wednesday Star now reports that SLAPS spokesperson Jane Tipson is calling for witnesses to come forward and identify the man in question. "There are laws against this kind of cruelty to animals. And while these laws are not really adequate, they certainly cover this kind of blatant and unrestrained cruelty to animals", said Tipson. Tipson further states that SLAPS will enlist the help of the police to bring the beatings and poisonings to an end, and that the animal protection society will be happy to raise money to get legal representation in order to prosecute this and other animal abusers. She urges all people with information about animal cruelty, either in Cas en Bas or elsewhere, to report this at telephone 457-7527 where all calls will be treated in strict confidence. For more information, visit SLAPS' website at [www.geocities.com/slapss]

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Businessman apologises for apology

Castries businessman William Charles - president of American Drywall Building Centre and husband of Supreme Court Justice Madam Indra Hariprashad-Charles - has published a further apology in this week's issues of the Wednesday Star and The Mirror, expressing in more explicit terms his regret at having violated a court order to cease construction of an extension to his American Drywall building on the John Compton Highway. Charles had already published what he deemed to be sufficient apology, three weeks ago, and donated a washing machine to the St. Lucy's Home. However, neither appears to have satisfied the relevant authorities who late last month ordered him to apologise publicly and make a "generous donation to a charitable institution". In this week's advertisement, Charles states "The DCA [Development Control Authority] has always shown a willingness to assist and enter into dialogue with me. This was not made apparent in my apology."  I am anxious to show that I am fully remorseful for my actions and sensitive to the concerns they aroused, and my apology was unqualified. What I did was wrong and I fully acknowledge this and apologise for so doing".
Charles has also made a further $10,000 donation to the St. Lucy's Home.

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Victor Reyes back at altar in Castries Cathedral

Victor Reyes, one of the serious burn victims of the violen New Year eve's attack on the Castries Cathedral, was back at the Cathedral last Sunday morning, once again acting in his familiar role as animator during the 6am Mass. An emotional Cletus Springer - who was himself present during the attack but who escaped physically unscathed - reports this in The Mirror. Springer further reports that Fr. Gaillard, the officiating priest during the attack, who was doused with gasoline and set on fire, has reportedly made a recovery that his doctors describe as "nothing short of miraculous". Fr. Gaillard is still in hospital in Martinique but is reportedly looking forward to coming home. "Not surprisingly, he was full of forgiveness for his attackers. I can tell you that that was a distinct hum of disbelief from among the congregation, when Father Theo dropped that last revelation".
Curious is a statement made by Springer in which he indicated that to him, being able to speak with Victor Reyes "brought relief, insofar as his recall of the incident essentially gelled with mine. I must tell you, dear reader, that after reading the 'official and factual account' of the incident, I have been extremely worried that my own recall - which I shared with listeners to Radio 100, that same morning - was fundamentally wrong. Although several witnesses have since sought to assure me, that I wasn't wrong, hearing it from Mr. Reyes made a hell of a difference. Standing at the Ambo, for the length of time that he did, he would have had the best view of the carnage".
Springer does not reveal any details of the discrepancy between his own version of events, and the official version later released by the government but he was, at the time, chided for stating that the attackers had used cutlasses to inflict injury. According to the official version of events,  wooden clubs were used. Some witnesses have also maintained that there were three - not two - attackers involved. Two men - who identified as being Rastafarians - have been charged for the Cathedral crime, in which a religious sister, Theresa Egan, lost her life and a dozen others were seriously injured.
Springer finishes off his article in this week's Mirror by saying: "The crowning glory in Sunday's service came at the very end, during the reading of the Notices. It came when Father Theo encouraged parishioners to participate in the monthly cleaning of the Basilica. He pleaded with parishioners not to be intimidated by the presence of a large group of Rastafarians who've been assisting with the clean-up. That was truly a startling piece of news. It suggests that reconciliation after this dreaded incident, is possible after all".

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Three violent deaths unreported in most newspapers

Five people died in St. Lucia in a week of crime and distress. Three persons were killed and two young children suffocated or burnt to death in a home in Anse la Verdure (Canaries). The other three victims all suffered violent deaths in unrelated incidents. The burning deaths occurred last Saturday evening when three children, all aged under five, were left alone in a small, plywood home located some 300 yards from the main road in Anse la Verdure whilest their parents were attending to other needs. Alerted by neighbours that his house was on fire, the father of the children rushed back to the house, where he managed to rescue one child, in the process sustaining burns his torso, arms and face. He could not, however, get to the other two children. Although fire-fighters rushed to Anse la Verdure from Soufriere and Castries, there was little left for them to salvage.
So far this year, three persons have died in fires. Last year there were no victims but In 1999, nine persons fell victim to fire. The Tuesday Voice, Crusader, Wednesday Star, and Mirror all report on this.
Early on Sunday morning, 21-year old Thaddeus Jules was killed after having entered a 16-year-old girl's house in Guesneau at 3 am armed with a cutlass. He is alleged to have accosted the girl, reportedly making her fear that she might be raped. According to The Mirror, the girl briefly managed to escape Jules, found another cutlass, and struck him on the head with it. Jules was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. The Mirror reports that no charges have (yet) been filed against the girl. One Caribbean also refers to the incident but claims that it took place in Forestière. Also in The Mirror - in a four-sentence article at the bottom of page 5 - it is reported that 59-year-old Anthony Beresford was found in his home in Balata at 7am last Monday, suffering from severe head injuries. Beresford, too, was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. A 35-year-old man is reported to be assisting police with investigations.
The Mirror is also the only newspaper to carry a story on the violent death of 25-year-old Sylvester Jn.Baptiste of Pierrot, who reportedly died as a result of cutlass wounds to his head, last Saturday. In a mere three sentences on the backpage of its southern section, The Mirror reports that two brothers, originally from Bellevue (Vieux Fort), were arrested in Castries last Monday in connection with this alleged murder.
Finally, The Mirror reports at some length on an armed robbery, last Monday afternoon, at the Bexon gas station. Three masked men armed with shotguns made off with a few hundred dollars after having stolen a vehicle from Anse la Verdure a day earlier which they had equipped with number plates stolen from a government vehicle. Police are still investigating this crime. None of the other newspapers report on the three murders or this robbery. The Voice, however, carries an article on the successful recapture of a murder convict, last Thursday. The convict reportedly escaped whilst being escorted to undergo medical treatment. His presence in Morne DuDon was reported by members of the public later that day, however, and police officers managed to recapture the convict - albeit after shooting him in the leg. The man is currently under heightened police surveillance in hospital.

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Parent-Teachers unite to improve school life

Seventeen of the island's nineteen Parent-Teachers Associations (PTA) have joined forces in an umbrella body which is to co-ordinate the work of PTAs around St. Lucia. The newly launched national PTA, which was established last week, will assist secondary schools in setting up PTAs and will act as a support and advocacy group at the national level for parents, teachers and, therefore, students, by liaising closely with the ministry of Education and other parties. The Wednesday Star reports this. President of the national PTA is Lawson Calderon, with Nathaniel Reynolds and Goddard Ashmeal acting as vice-presidents. According to the newspaper, "Calderon claims that the precedents for such a group in Barbados and other Caribbean countries show what can be achieved by consensus building and unified approaches to such problems as fighting drugs, education standards, student transportation, school infrastructure and even more sensitive issues like counselling on parenting and school financing". The increased incidence of indiscipline and violence in the schools and during school sports meets has been growing a concern lately. Only this week, a 12-year-old boy was caught during a routine police search of students at a schools sports-meet with an 8mm. handgun and three rounds of 9mm. ammunition. The Mirror and Crusader report this.

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Brain operation goes well for Chris Jn Charles

Brain tumour patient Chris Jn. Charles of Anse la Raye, who united St. Lucians in their efforts to raise enough money for her surgery, underwent a successful operation at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados, last Wednesday. She is reportedly recovering in the intensive care unit. The Star writes this. The operating surgeon, Dr. John Gill, has told Chris' mother that "everything went according to plan" and that he is hopeful she may make a good recovery. The surgeon explained that the hard part of the tumor has been removed, and that the growing part of it will now need to be treated with radiotherapy. St. Lucians have already donated some $34,000 to help pay for the treatment, following an appeal by a caller to Rick Wayne's DBS show 'Talk', two weeks ago [search news archives]. The outpouring of generosity took the nation by complete, but pleasant surprise and lifted - perhaps for the first time since the attack on the Castries Cathedral - the cloud of malaise that has hung over the island.

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Ton of special equipment for disabled children

Over a ton of equipment for use by physically disabled children in St. Lucia was received this week from Germany, thanks to the work and concern of Dr. Brigitte Schüling, coordinator of the Child Development and Guidance Centre - a volunteer service located at the Dunnottar school compound in La Pensee.
Crutches, anterior walkers, strapping material, special shoes, moulded toilet seats, skin stimulating tools and wheelchairs were brought in, as well as special strollers, tricycles, back supports, abduction wedges and special chairs for children with cerebral palsy. The Voice and Star both report this. The donations came from various sources in Germany, while a German Rotary Club and fundraising organisaiton have helped with shipping costs. Locally, Charles Devaux of Ferrands' Dairy has facilitated the shipment by providing storage, while the ministry of Education helped in getting the goods cleared. The equipment is being distributed free of charge to individual children and to institutions such as the Special Education Centre in Vieux Fort, the Special Education and Rehabilitation Centre in Soufriere, and the National Council for the Disabled.

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