At The Pumps This Weekend Maximum Price ULG per gal 21/05/10 DELTA $14.27 SHELL $12.34 Year 52 NO. 52BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, W.I. FRIDAY, MAY 21ST, 2010 EC$2.00 TEXACO $12.46 2010 LABOUR Conference PM Douglas congratulates CDB for continued focus in promoting a resounding success sustainable economic Party Leader and other Officers re-elected unopposed development and reducing The 2010 National Conference of the ruling St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party held here poverty (cont’d on page 24) (1) St. Kitts/Nevis Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party, Dr the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas speaking at the Labour Party’s National Conference last Sunday, May 16, at the St. Kitts Marriott Hotel in Frigate Bay. (2) A section of the delegates in attendance. Photos - courtesy SKNvibes.com NASSAU, BAHAMAS, MAY 19TH of the global financial crisis on the offshore 2010 (CUOPM) – The year 2009 has financial sector. proven to be quite an amazing year when “I characterize the year 2009 as amazing Caribbean economies had to battle with however, not because of the enormity of the lagging impact of the global financial the impact of these events but because of crisis and economic decline transmitted the scale and forward-looking nature of mainly through the decline in tourist the responses that our countries were able arrivals and falling Foreign Direct Investment as well as the adverse impact (cont’d on page 03) administration’s social and economic Dr. Douglas, who was unanimously PM Douglas: Labour is policies must continue to highlight a re-elected as the Labour Party leader at preferential option for the poor. the conference, highlighted the committed to its mandate of “Poverty and deprivation often rob importance of being relevant in a changing people of that sense of belonging and society if his party is to continue in office. destroy their capacity to realize their fullest “If the Labour Party is to remain social and economic change potential,” he said. “Hence, I emphasize that relevant in changing times then the Lesroy W. Williams Party Conference at the St. Kitts Marriott poverty and insecurity have been the Labour Government in office must Resort on May 16, Dr. Douglas said that the number one enemy of successive Labour continue to execute projects, programmes Basseterre (May 18, 2010)—Prime Labour Party’s historic fourth consecutive administrations in St. Kitts and Nevis.” and activities that are consistent with the Minister and Leader of the St. Kitts-Nevis victory at the polls is a clear indication that “Indeed the failure to address the needs mandate and philosophy of the Labour Labour Party, Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas said the people of St. Kitts and Nevis are of lower income groups has brought about Party and thereby touch the lives of our that his Labour Government is committed confident that his party in government is the downfall of parties all over the world. people in a very positive and meaningful to its mandate of social and economic capable of continuing the social and Labour cannot fail in that endeavour way,” he said. change despite an “ocean of economic economic transformation that the country because the empowerment of lower income “This great Labour Party that was problems and developmental challenges needs. groups and the advancement of the quality created by the workers of this country in of global origins and dimensions”. Dr. Douglas said that if his party is to of life for our people are the rise or death of Speaking at the 78th Annual Labour remain relevant in changing times, his our own party,” he added. (cont’d on page 02) PAGE 03 PAGE 15 COMMENTARY BY PAGE 27 St. Kitts and Nevis Labour women * THE THINKING CITIZEN collaborates with motivated to thrive for * VIEW POINT excellence by U.S * SOTT VOCE INTERPOL to fight crime communications expert * EARL CLARKE 2 - OPINION / LOCAL NEWS - The Labour Spokesman FRIDAY, MAY 21ST 2010 Declines in tourism and construction results in economic THE SPOKESMAN - ESTABLISHED MAY 1957 Published by: The St. Kitts-Nevis Trades & Labour Union contraction, says PM Ag. Managing Director Editor: Dawud Byron NASSAU, BAHAMAS, Masses House, Church Street MAY 19TH 2010 (CUOPM) – P.O Box 239 . Basseterre . St. Kitts . West Indies The economy of St. Kitts and Tel: (1 869) 465-2229 <> Fa: (1 869) 466-9866 Nevis buffeted by the impact Email: [email protected] of the Global financial crisis and Website: www.labourspokesman.com economic downturn, contracted by more than 5 percent in 2009, as a result of declines in tourism and construction. Editorial “However, it is worthy of note that due to tremendous efforts at fiscal discipline we Thanks for the were able to achieve a primary surplus of more than 8 percent of GDP in 2009,” St. Kitts and collaboration Nevis Prime Minister and St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas is escorted into the 40th Annual Meeting of the Caribbean The recent finding of 24 firearms and over 900 rounds of Minister of Finance, Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas told the Development Bank (CDB) at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort and ammunition by the Security Forces is a big step in the fight against Hotel in the Bahamas Wednesday. (Photo by Erasmus Williams) crime, in particular, gun crime. Plenary Session of the 40th Annual Meeting of the Board It underscores that the Security Forces continue to be relentless World Bank and the of Governors of the Caribbean reform, the curtailment of in their pursuit of national security, ridding the streets of these International Monetary Fund Development Bank (CDB) in expenditure on goods and deadly weapons. (IMF). the Bahamian capital. services and the rationalization They are to be commended. Prime Minister Douglas is of But, equally to be commended are the many persons who are Dr. Douglas said St. Kitts of tax concessions. the view that developing small collaborating with the Security Forces in providing the intelligence and Nevis has achieved a fiscal “I wish to emphasize that economies can learn from each needed to carry out the assault on crime. primary surplus over the past each country must at this time other “as we seek to navigate More persons are encouraged to collaborate with the Security five years. However this has consider its strategic options in these treacherous waters of crisis Forces. not been sufficient to place the light of its own vision for its which was triggered by the The fight, however, is far from over and efforts must not be twin-island Federation in the people and the need for malfunction of the financial sectors in the advanced relaxed. fiscal position that is resilient sustained growth and come up economies.” “I want to commend the police force in general for the work and that provides room to with a solution that is workable maneuver when crises occur. in its own context,” said Dr. He said he was certain that they continue to do in working to improve their professionalism, the Caribbean Development image and strategies,” Minister of National Security, Hon. Sam “The Government has Douglas. recognized the need for even “This is what St. Kitts and Bank given its position and role Condor said. as a highly recognized and “I want to say how pleased I am with the progress we are stronger fiscal adjustment in Nevis is seeking to do at this order to ensure the sustainability time. We have been creating respected regional institution making. I don’t want to become too overconfident…I know we “can help to devise a home still have a long way to go,” he added. of our fiscal and debt position several internal vehicles aimed and secure the environment to at ensuring the engagement and grown formula for cooperation All of us, who love our beloved country, want to see a society and collaboration at this time where we are not held prisoners of fear by criminals. We want foster economic growth. inclusion of all citizens in the Therefore in our 2010 budget continuing process of nation and one that can serve as a our country to progress economically and socially and to enjoy a benchmark for response to good image at home and abroad. address we announced a series building recognizing that it of measures aimed at closing cannot be business as usual,” similar events in the years The implementation of community policing is an important one ahead.” that can build trust between communities and the police. This the financing gap on the Prime Minister Douglas told budget,” said Prime Minister delegates from all CARICOM Dr. Douglas encouraged aspect of policing is extremely important in people gaining optimism in the region’s ability confidence in the police and the police gaining confidence in the Douglas. member states as well as non- He said that the measures borrowing members from to recover from this period of people. This trust must never be betrayed but enhanced. extreme financial and With increased mobile patrols, increased surveillance and include the implementation of a Canada, the United Kingdom, Value Added Tax on November Italy, Germany, Mexico, China, economic difficulty and to come vigilance and the employment of the canine unit, the police will together to protect the people continue to yield more good results. 1st 2010, a wage freeze in the Venezuela and Colombia and context of wider public sector financial institutions such as the from the ravages of these Those who work at our air and sea ports in the Department of crises. Customs and Excise must continue to collaborate with the police. “I would like to stress the need They must be people of the highest integrity, who hold national for urgency as there are real people security as the highest priority of the government.