The Vincentian apologises to Dr. Gonsalves

FORM OF APOLOGY

On Friday, 14th, 2005, The Vincentian published a poem written by one Gary Stewart captioned, “This Is Your Comrade Speaking” which clearly referred to Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and which made a number of libellous allegations against him namely, that he was a drug trafficker, a money launderer and has conspired with others to commit murder.{{more}}

The Vincentian accepts that these libels are unfounded and totally false and sincerely regrets being associated with their publication through our newspaper. We have in past issues of The Vincentian, praised Dr. Gonsalves for his tough stance on drug trafficking and money laundering and have reported on the ULP administration’s enacting into law the Proceeds of Crime and Money Laundering Prevention Act and other pieces of legislation targeting drug traffickers and their assets. We acknowledge, too, that Dr. Gonsalves and his government have always acted, or caused action to be taken to stamp out drug trafficking and to bring drug traffickers to justice.

We reiterate that this poem should never have been published. It has wronged Dr. Gonsalves grievously and maliciously. Such a publication cannot be defended by right-thinking persons.

We are happy to take the earliest opportunity to offer our sincere apologies to Dr. Gonsalves, his family, and his government for any distress and embarrassment which has been caused by the publication of the said poem.