Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace has called on the Ralph Gonsalves government to make a statement amidst rumours that Edson Augustus, deputy St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ New York Consul, is no longer in his post.
“For the last few days in particular, we are hearing grumblings coming out of New York in relation to the St. Vincent mission there,” Eustace said.
“It seems that something has happened and what I am hearing could redound not to the benefit, but shame to St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” Eustace said Monday on his weekly radio programme.
“And I would hope that some time today, the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines can clear the air to stop all these rumours … and to give us the assurance that all senior staff are still in place,” Eustace further said.
“I know other persons would have heard it and I don’t want to just accept it by what I hear on the street,” said Eustace, a former prime minister.
“I’d like the government to give a very clear position, probably better off today to stop some of the rumours that are circulating on this matter and I am really looking forward to hearing something about that,” Eustace further said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs told I-Witness News on Monday that the foreign secretary, Sen. Camillo Gonsalves, was in a meeting.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nathaniel Williams was on the telephone when I-Witness News called his office twice on Monday, and on the third attempt, his staff said he had gone to an emergency meeting and will be asked return our call when the meeting ends.
The office of the Prime Minister also said that Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves was in a meeting.
It was not clear whether the three officials were attending the same meeting.
Meanwhile, the Consulate in New York, when asked on Monday whether Augustus was still a member of the staff, directed I-Witness News to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kingstown.
A staff member of the Ministry told I-Witness News that only the Permanent Secretary or the Minister can answer that question.
Augustus was appointed a diplomat in May 2011, three months after he resigned as a Seventh Day Adventists pastor.
Certain allegations were made against him ahead of the resignation, but he declined to comment on them.
“Augustus was appointed a diplomat in May 2011, three months after he resigned as a Seventh Day Adventists pastor.”
So they are leaving Church now for worldly positions? I don’t think Jesus would have done that. And the people of SVGhave every right to know what happened in our names over seas. The government must issue a statement.
Augustus was lured and entrapped by Satan, as the whole of SVG is at risk of being. We are at risk from a self confessed worshiper of Obeah who I believe is a disciple of Satan pretending to be a Christian.
WAKE UP PEOPLE AND SMELL THE SULPHUR, STOP SUPPORTING A LIAR.
Eustace wants Govt to explain alleged staff change at SVGs Consulate in New York. When? Before or after the explanation for the US$1M?
Augustus don’t resigned as a Seventh Day Adventists pastor. The church fired him for some other reason but he is still a good man, all of us make mistakes some time.
Level of language needs to be raised in your articles, Mr Chance.
Eg. 1.Deputy consul. Placing St Vincent after deputy distorts the meaning and it makes for improper word placement.
2. Only the Permanent Secretary AND the minister would be able to answer that question.
3 A representative from the Prime Minister’s office. I’m quite sure the office didn’t say anything as an office doesn’t have the gift of speech
4. There was no transitional statement that prepared the reader for “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs told I-Witness News on Monday that the foreign secretary, Sen. Camillo Gonsalves, was in a meeting.
5.Some sentences were too lengthy
6. There are other words that can be used in lieu of “said”.E.g expressed, opined,etc etc
7. Please also note that the past participle is formed by amalgamating the auxiliary verb “to have” with the past participle of the verb in question.
Eg I have seen, He has gotten, She has made . While not present in this particular article, I have seen a frequency in the misuse of this tense.
I am in no way bashing you . It’s just that I am of the opinion that hiring a proof-reader wouldn’t do you any harm. We are humans and imperfection is in our nature.Nonetheless, this shouldn’t impede your desire to want to perfect your craft