Christensen praises PM

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has come in for plaudits from US Virgin Islands-born Congresswoman Donna Christensen.

A medical doctor by profession, member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and a stalwart Democrat, Christensen gave the feature address at last Sunday’s 11th Unity Labour Party Convention. {{more}}

Displaying a sense of spiritual affinity, Christensen said her appearance at the ULP Convention was a sign of God’s mysterious works.

She noted that the convention came on the verge of new challenges facing the region, some induced by the return of President George Bush to the White House.

Christensen described herself as “your Caribbean connection to the Congress, your bridge to Washington”.

She said she was keen to strengthen the contact, especially with St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

For, as she pointed out, “SVG has stood the test of time and is laying a strong foundation to carve out a significant place in the region and in the world’s future.”

Christensen also noted Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves’ role in helping to highlight black people’s causes.

“I have seen a country with a clear sense of its place in history. A history that demonstrates from the first approach of the European to your shores, an unquenchable thirst for freedom which continues to this day,” she said.

The US congresswoman outlined SVG’s role in establishing the Caribbean civilisation, and Dr. Gonsalves’ and the ULP’s accomplishments over the past three years. She highlighted poverty reduction, economic growth, crime reduction, education and constitutional reform as areas of improvement.

Commenting on the theme of the convention, Christensen declared: “You have much on which to stand firm and to continue to grow and strive for a second term.”

She highlighted three aspects when she felt proud by the action of Caribbean leaders; and in each case, SVG “figured prominently”.

She alluded to the walkout of World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations in Cancun, Mexico, the nation’s stance in not exempting Americans from the International Criminal Court, and SVG’s strong defence of democracy in Haiti.

“These principled stands reverberated throughout communities of African descent,” Christensen pointed out. “Everyone of us walked a bit taller and held our heads higher because of how you stood your ground and let the world know that we will not be bullied and we will be reckoned with.”