Browne Says Gonsalves Talking Foolishness

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Regional

Wednesday, 28 March 2012 02:30

By Everton Barnes

Antigua St John's - Recent comments by Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines Dr Ralph Gonsalves on the issue of economic citizenship (EC) have been described as "foolishness".

Chairman of the opposition Antigua Labour Party (ALP) Gaston Browne was reacting to Dr Gonsalves’ statement that his country would not recognise EC granted to anyone by any of the territories in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

In a radio interview over the weekend, Dr Gonsalves said he had campaigned against EC in his native land, and is philosophically opposed to the idea. He said only people who had attained citizenship in OECS countries through traditional means would receive the same rights and privileges in SVG.

The ALP chairman, who has been a vocal supporter of the EC initiative announced by the government, said Dr Gonsalves is just being "a bully," and urged OECS governments not to pay any attention to the SVG prime minister.

“How will he be able to differentiate between someone who attained citizenship through the EC programme from someone who attained it through traditional means,” he asked.

While he takes issue with Dr Gonsalves on the EC issue, Browne said he must however credit the SVG leader for being consistent on the matter.

”I must credit Dr Gonsalves for his consistency on the subject. I can, however, understand his situation, for I believe that when the EC programme was introduced in SVG, it was not properly conceptualised nor administered,” Browne noted.

He added that should SVG carry through on the threat, as stated by Dr Gonsalves, it may have very little effect on the programme, as SVG is not a high-demand destination, and people who acquire EC may not want to travel there.

He said even if the SVG implemented the ban, it would be difficult for the government to police it, unless it engages in profiling.

Browne is urging the Antigua and Barbuda government "not to be persuaded," and to stay the course.

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