PM – We have no intention of taking legal action against the US government

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has advised that the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has no intention of taking legal action against the government of the United States.{{more}}

The Prime Minister said following the “arrest, detention and assault” of Camillo Gonsalves, this country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations on March 28, Ambassador Gonsalves has been on contact with civil attorneys in New York.

The Prime Minister, at a media briefing on Tuesday said he has been in touch with local lawyers as well as in New York City.

“As indicated last week, I’ve spoken to Mr. Jomo Thomas who is licensed to practice in New York City … he’ll be part of the legal team.

The Prime Minister also said that he has asked the Ambassador to consult former Solicitor General of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Oscar Ramjeet, who now practices in New York.

In addition to Thomas and Ramjeet, the Prime Minister said an American, who is part of a prestigious law firm will also consult with the Ambassador later this week.

“I want to make it plain that there is no consideration in bringing legal action against the United States Government,” he explained.

Dr. Gonsalves informed that the United States Government is not the entity that is at fault in this particular situation.

“So when persons are talking about any possible legal action, we are not speaking about civil action against the United States Government.”

He explained that the United States is a Federal Government and is not responsible for the New York Police Department, but to the extent that an Ambassador is involved by virtue of the state to state relations governed by the Vienna Convention, 1961 and by the Host Country Agreement between the United States of America and the United Nations.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Gonsalves has received letters of support from the CARICOM Ambassadors to the United Nations along with other dignitaries.

According to the PM, Ambassador Gonsalves has received support letters from CRULAC Chairperson and Permanent representative of Grenada to the United Nations, Dessima Williams, Consulate General for the Bahamas, Rhonda Chipman-Johnson on behalf of the CARICOM’s Consular Corps, Ambassador of St. Kitts and Nevis Delano Bart QC.

A letter of support was also conveyed to Ambassador Camilo Gonsalves by International Development Award Winner and columnist for the SEARCHLIGHT, Renwick Rose.