Beache questions timing of protest

A CLEARLY UPSET Glen Beache conveyed his disgust with the members of the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) who organized a protest at the Kingstown Ferry Terminal.

“The opposition has no moral authority to question me (in parliament) about tourism whatsoever,” the Minister of Tourism said at a press conference called on Monday.{{more}} “Every time they ask me a question on tourism, I will begin my answer with this incident which took place last Friday.”

The incident the minister was referring to was the protest action that took place last week Friday at the terminal, against the $1 user fee for persons traveling to the Grenadines.

Although Beache indicated that he was not against person exercising their democratic right to protest, he was not happy with the day chosen, as it coincided with the inaugural port call of Holland America cruise line, which brought over 2,000 persons to these shores.

Beache said that initially many visitors were reluctant to exit the ship, because they thought the protest was about them being here.

“Most of the passengers were afraid to go outside, they were asking if it was safe or if it was because of them the protest was taking place.” Beache said.

He indicated that after the tourists were informed of the reason for the protest they relaxed a little.

He said that the opposition New Democratic Party is not concerned about this nation as a tourism site, and that this was just part of the opposition plan to ruin tourism here.

He said that the protest could have taken place on another day so as not to send the wrong message to the visitors.

Speaking on the protest and the violence that followed, Beache said that although it was the right of persons to protest, he thinks the $1 fee of the terminal is a non-issue. He also indicated that a Port Authority security report he received on Monday indicated that a security officer was assaulted by a member of the opposition.