PM defends recent visits

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves contained expenses as much as possible during his recent visits to Taiwan, and to London for the wedding of Prince William.{{more}}

Gonsalves said the cost of the airfare to Taiwan was covered by the government of that country. He explained that he would usually fly to Taiwan via the United States, but instead flew via the United Kingdom to make the trip cost-effective.

Furthermore, he contended that accommodations in Taiwan were taken care of by his hosts.

While he said that he did not have the exact cost of the hotel in London at the time he spoke to members of the media, last Tuesday, he said that when he makes visits the objective is to contain expenses.

Gonsalves further contended that while he is known as a republican, or not in support of pledging allegiance to the British Monarchy, he has nothing personal against the Queen or the Monarchy.

He said that while he tried to have a home-grown constitution here, the people did not accept that.

“I’m a democrat, so at the moment the Queen remains the Queen of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Governor General is the representative,” he said.

“Therefore, if Her Majesty invites me to the wedding of her son, I consider myself dutiful to attend,” he added, saying that while there, he also attended to other matters.

He said that there were persons who had advocated ‘no’ to the proposed changed constitution and they were the same persons objecting to his attendance at the wedding. (DD)