Odlum Fired As Friend Becomes Newest Caribbean PM - April 3, 2001

By Earl Bousquet 

It was not a good week for former Foreign Affairs Minister George Odlum, who was dismissed on the same day that a long-standing friend and political colleague was sworn in as the Caribbean’s newest Prime Minister. On the same day, last Thursday, another friend also replaced Mr Odlum as the island’s new Miniter of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

Dr Ralph Gonsalves was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, just hours before the axe fell on Mr Odlum, who was scheduled to appear later that night on a local TV programme to announce what everyone else knew: that he was part of the proposed alliance of forces opposed to the ruling party and government he formed part of, at the next general elections.

Mr Odlum last Thursday evening claimed he had resigned before he was dismissed. But he was stumped when asked by one local journalist why he was still driving the government-owned vehicle a day later.

The former minister was dismissed by the Prime Minister by way of a letter delivered by a police motor cyclist to his home at Marigot. The letter told Mr Odlum his Cabinet colleagues had lost all trust in him and were no longer prepared to serve with him as a fellow minister. Besides, the Prime Minister said, Mr Odlum had engaged in “activities inconsistent with your role as a Minister”, particularly his involvement with the proposed opposition alliance and his announcement that he would not contest the next election on a Labour Party ticket.

Dr Anthony announced that Mr Odlum would be replaced by St. Lucia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Julian R. Hunte, himself a longtime friend of Mr Odlum. Mr Hunte has since returned to the island and will be sworn-in as a Senator, to enable him to assume his new ministerial post.

Earlier in the day, an article by Voice reporter Micah George accused Mr Odlum of betraying his former party and colleagues, yet again, by his decision to once more break with a government he was part of through a conspiracy with opposition forces.  

Mr Odlum had promised to “make a case” for the alliance in a scheduled TV appearance with Sir John Cmpton and UWP Leader Dr Morella Joseph. However, his second effort in three weeks of crusading for the alliance left more questions than answers. Neither of the three offered convincing response to the questions and concerns of viewers and callers to Rick Wayne’s Talk show that evening.

Most of the discussion surrounding the alliance since the appearance of the three politicians on talk concerned the amazing proposition that the coalition will be led simultaneously by three “co-chairmen” who were not the least interested in competing for the position of Leader until after they won an election.

Viewers were also skeptical that neither of the three responded positively to invitations to name the still invisible “concerned citizens” who seem to be the ones pulling the alliance’s strings.

After finally returning the minister’s jeep (an installed cellular telephone) almost a day later on Friday, Mr Odlum told the Government’s Press Secretary and an HTS reporter that he wished to send a clear message to the Prime Minister and his former Cabinet colleagues: “If they want to play nasty, I will reveal all their dirty secrets.”

However, when criticized by media commentators for belatedly threatening to expose Cabinet decisions he was part of making, the former minister shifted gears and beat a hasty retreat, claiming his message was intended, not for his colleagues as he had said, but for “the Press Secretary” and “the other spin doctors.”

 In other news this past week, the National Commercial Bank (NCB) and the St. Lucia Development Bank (SLDB) – each in their 20^th year of operation -- moved one step closer to amalgamation and consolidation by inviting designers to submit proposals for logos for the merged entity that will result from the twinning of the two indigenous banks. The NCB and the SLBD were both started by the Labour Administration in 1980.

Director of Tourism Hilary Modeste says the calendar shift of St. Lucia’s carnival celebrations from April to July has paid dividends, as it has helped promote St. Lucia as a tourist destination. He said last week the facts and figures showed that St. Lucia fared better in July last year than in April and he has every reason to believe this year will be better.

St. Lucia’s Queen of Culture, Dame Sessenne Descartes, celebrated her 88^th birthday last week at her brand new home, recently made available by the Government on behalf of the people of St. Lucia. She was congratulated by Culture Minister Damian Greves and a long list of other well-wishers, including Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy.

                The Water and Sewage Company (WASCO), warned St. Lucians last week that the country is in the midst of a serious drought and citizens should conserve water. The Fire Service also warned against careless setting of outdoor fires. To date there have been mixed but favourable responses, as St. Lucians seem to have been taking heed of the warning to conserve this precious resource.

                Cable & Wireless and the governments of the OECS met in Grenada last week for another round of talks towards telecommunications reform for the sub-region. It was reported that the two sides came to an amicable agreement that will be signed this weekend.

                EC Express announced it was pulling its planes out of the Eastern Caribbean, just as Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony announced that another regional airline, Caribbean Star, is about to begin operations in and out of St. Lucia. EC Express said it had lost one million dollars in its first year of operations because, it said, there were too many airlines serving the islands. The local Civil Aviation Authority is now said to be in a position to consider Caribbean Star’s application for landing rights in St. Lucia. Meanwhile, other existing airlines have said they are willing to absorb the trained staff that would be left by the closure of EC Express.

                Preparations were far advanced this past week for the presentation of this year’s Throne Speech by the Governor General and the Budget Address by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr Kenny D. Anthony this coming Thursday. The long-awaited estimates of government’s revenue and expenditure will feature the Prime Minister revealing government’s revenue sources and expenditure on projects across the island for the next financial year. Cabinet Ministers, government ministries and state corporations have all submitted their budgetary proposals that were crystallized into the document to be presented by the Finance Minister at the House of Assembly. The debate on the budget will take place next Monday and Tuesday, April 10th and 11th.

                The Tourism Ministry announced this past week that it has a new Permanent Secretary in the person of Mr McHale Andrew. A former top official of the East Caribbean Central Bank, Mr Andrew was appointed effective March 1^st. Meanwhile, the ministry also announced last week that it had suspended the issuance of licenses for watercraft operating on the island’s beaches and in the nation’s coastal waters, pending a reorganisation of that growing sector.

                Prime Miister Dr Kenny D. Anthony last week congratulated his new Vincentian counterpart Dr Ralph Gonsalves, whose Unity Labour Party won last Wednesday’s general elections in the neighbouring multi-island state. The Prime Minister said the victory showed that Labour Parties across the Caribbean continued to command the support of the vast majority of the people. Dr Anthony said he and his new Vincentian counterpart will be able to work together to address the crucial financial position of the OECS Secretariat and to strengthen efforts to improve its standing.

                Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce Mr Brian Louisy said this past week that local businesses would have to change the way they do business if they are to survive in the current changing economic circumstances. He told reporters there are several reasons why companies would close down, but in all cases they would have to change and restructure to meet the competition of today’s markets.

                St. Lucia’s Ambassador to the United States Ambassador Sonia Johnny this past week addressed an association of women ambassadors in the USA, during which she said the Caribbean had developed a special relationship with the Clinton Administration that she hoped would be continued under the current Bush administration. Ambassador Johnny said this relationship held hope for US support for the Caribbean’s banana problems at the level of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and she hoped the Bush administration would give the Caribbean’s concerns a receptive ear.

                Youth Month was launched here this past week, with Youth Officer in the Ministry of Youth Anselma Cauldron indicating a programme of activities has been launched that will involve youth across the island during the rest of the month.

[ Home ] [ Up ] [ Search Prime Minister Press Secretary ] [Site Help]

© 2001 Government Information Service. All rights reserved.

Read our privacy guidelines.