PM Douglas adamant Astaphan’s attempts are to destabilize the Federation

Mr. G.A. Dwyer Astaphan

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, APRIL 13TH 2011 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas is adamant that his former Cabinet Minister Mr. Dwyer Astaphan continues in his attempts to destabilize the twin-island federation.

Dr. Douglas responding to a reporter during his monthly press conference on Tuesday said a planned march the latest attempt “is part of a pattern, a continuing pattern of destabilization.”

“It started (first) with (Astaphan’s) ridiculous statement with the stability and security of the (St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla) National Bank and what it was doing here in this country and the stability it provides to the (Eastern Caribbean) Currency Union in the region in particular.

Secondly, the organiser (Dwyer Astaphan) of the march then made ridiculous statements pertaining to Treasury Bills that are being issued by this Government and that people who invest in Treasury Bills, are going to have their investment dramatically reduced, decreased if they continue to invest in Treasury Bills,” Prime Minister Douglas reminded reporters and the nation during the Press Conference carried live on ZIZ Radio and Television, Radio One, Freedom FM and WINNFM.

Prime Minister Douglas noted that following the malicious attack on National Bank, its Annual General Meeting showed that the local financial institution “was a stable bank in the entire Caribbean region.”

“In fact, at last Saturday’s Dinner to mark the Bank’s 40th Anniversary, it was pointed out to the world that that Bank – that giant Bank located in this tiny country – has already attracted global attention in terms of its stability,” said Dr. Douglas, who quickly referred to his Government’s recent announcement that in response to the request by investors to extend the time period for Government Treasury Bills, six-month and twelve-month Treasury Bills will be introduced with the existing 91-day Treasury Bills and eventually migrating to the Regional Government Security Exchange.

Dr. Douglas told the media the statements were deliberate “to destabilize the country.”

“The march has been stated to be a march against Denzil Douglas. That’s ridiculous. To have a march staged against a person is ridiculous and that is why I say, it is part of the activities of a confused person to create confusion in our stable country,” Dr. Douglas told the media at the Press Conference flanked by his Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Sam Condor and Minister of Public Utilities and Energy, Hon. Dr. Earl Asim Martin.