Published 16 May 2017
Opposition Leader Douglas tells Cabinet members they are collectively responsible for fallout from Chinese scandal
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, May 16th 2017 – Leader of the Opposition, the Right Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, warned Tuesday any further negative on the country’s Citizenship by Investment Programme, will affect the nation’s economy, people, image and credibility.
China said St. Kitts and Nevis is becoming a haven for criminals and has accused the Team Unity Government of Prime Minister Harris of refusing to handover Ren Biao a Chinese for allegedly stealing US$100 million from a Chinese state company. Chinese diplomatic sources have also disclosed that in an intercepted communication on April 16, Ren called relatives in Beijing seeking an additional US$190,000 to pay for his protection by Kittitian authorities.
“It is a very serious charge,” said Dr. Douglas during his weekly radio call-in programme “Ask the Leader” on Kyss 102.5 FM.
He warned that the standoff can not only engulf the citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis, but also the members of the three-party coalition that make up the 27-month Team Unity cabinet.
“You are going to be held collectively responsible. That is why an appeal must be made to the members of the factions of the coalition. An appeal must be made to PAM. How much more of a liability must Prime Minister Harris be to this government before you do something? The appeal must be made to CCM. How much longer must Harris be a liability to this government before something is done? How much longer must Harris be a liability to the government and the country before the PLP does something?” said Dr. Douglas.
The former emphasised that the appeal must go out to the governing factions that make up the PLP/CCM/PAM coalition.
“The members representing the parties in the government have Dr. Harris in the position as Prime Minister,” said Dr. Douglas. The PAM has four seats, the CCM, two and the PLP, one – held by Dr. Harris.
He was of the view of the notion by Dr. Harris, that he is the only person in the Cabinet who can hold the office of Prime Minister and the condemnation from the Chinese Government and the unsatisfactory IMF report with regard to Dr. Harris’ financial management stewardship of the country are serious charges.
Dr. Douglas told listeners that Dr. Harris is of the view that no one else in the Cabinet can perform the role of prime minister.
Being cautious not to reveal his source, Dr. Douglas disclosed that he has been told by someone “that if Cabinet pressures him (Harris), and talk about some change in the prime ministership, then they would really see who and what he is., because he is threatening to return to the polls.”
“Here is Dr. Harris, who believes strongly in unity to get into government; rode on the backs of the guys that make up the coalition to get into government as prime minister, but when it appears as if there is a threat to him continuing as prime minister, all of a sudden he is threatening to bring the whole house down. Unity flies away. That is why we said at the beginning that unity was only to bring Harris into government as prime minister. He was already in a government for 18 years,” Dr. Douglas said.
