PM reveals that SVG is getting support from around the world

As the investigations surrounding the arrest of this country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations continue, this country has been receiving support from countries all around the world.{{more}}

This was revealed by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, who indicated that during the just concluded Summit of the Americas in Cartegena, Columbia, top officials from other countries extended solidarity with Ambassador Camillo Gonsalves, who was detained by a New York Police Department (NYPD) officer on March 28 at the building which houses his office in Manhattan, New York.

Dr. Gonsalves said that the leaders expressed genuine concern about the matter, and said they hoped the incident will be resolved soon.

“At the CARICOM meeting, in preparing for the discussions with President Barack Obama and also Prime Minister (Stephen) Harper of Canada, a view was expressed that I should raise the concern…. Another Prime Minister was very strong and wanted it to be done; so I had to urge them not to, and brought them up to date on where we were.”

The Prime Minister said that he informed the leaders of the visit of U.S Ambassador Susan Rice to the office of Ambassador Gonsalves on April 10, which was followed up by an invitation by Rice to Gonsalves for dinner at her house, followed by attendance at a basketball game.

“Of course, Camillo had to take a ‘rain check’ on it; unfortunately, he was leaving for Kuwait the same Friday evening, so maybe some other time which would be convenient between them.”

“The federal government was keeping its word and responding in our view appropriately; satisfactorily on the issue and that was confirmed in my discussion with President Obama on the issue and with Secretary of State Clinton… that is to say they regret very much the incident, and the both of them are very supportive of the efforts of Ambassador Rice.…”

According to the Prime Minister, police investigators and State Department officials visited Ambassador Gonsalves prior to his departure for Kuwait, as part of the investigations.

Dr. Gonsalves said that the ambassador, who is also his son, went through all of the issues with the investigators.

“We are proceeding on the basis of diplomacy and law, and we have been very focused, professional and disciplined in this.”

“Of course, all over the world we know what police enquiries sometimes do; but we wait, and we keep our legal powder dry,” Dr. Gonsalves said. (JJ)