Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, on Wednesday, read on state radio the letter he wrote last week to Russian president, Vladimir Putin.
“As a longstanding friend of the Russian Federation, St. Vincent and Grenadines is deeply disturbed at your government’s initiative of a special military operation in the territory of Ukraine, an independent republic,” Gonsalves read.
There have been repeated calls by the parliamentary opposition, including Leader of the Opposition Godwin Friday for Gonsalves to release the contents of the letter.
The prime minister has said he “may or may not” release the letter and that he would do so at a time of his choosing.
He said on his weekly show on state-owned radio on Wednesday that he was giving the announcer a “scoop”.
In the letter, Gonsalves told Putin that the government of SVG understood “your articulation of the legitimate security considerations of the Russian Federation and your perspectives on the political situation in the region of Donbas, inclusive of the declaration of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic”.
Gonsalves, however, said that Putin’s government stance on the matter at hand, “taken at its highest in your favour, cannot reasonably justify the special military operation upon which Russia has embarked.
“Self evidently, the metaphoric horse and chariot have been driven through the chatter of the United Nations.”
He said that historically, the Russian Federation has been “a staunch defender” of the Charter of the United Nations, inclusive of “the sacred principles of multilateralism, the peaceful settlement of disputes, sovereignty and independence, non intervention and non interference in another country’s internal affairs.
“As a fellow defender of these principles, as a witness to the insidious effects of interventions and external aggressions across the developing world and as a small island state whose independent existence depends on faithful global adherence to the letter and spirit of the United Nations Charter, St. Vincent and Grenadines is urging your government to reflect with solemnity and reasonableness on these principles and others and see the special military operation.”
Gonsalves told Putin that he had been listening carefully to the views of the leaderships of countries globally.
“Overwhelmingly, world opinion is against your government’s special military operation. Indeed, among true friends of Russia in the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa, Asia and even in Europe, there is a near unanimous objection and opposition to your government’s military operation.
“From our perspective, the special military operation is neither necessary nor desirable.”
The prime minister told Putin that “the special military operation” would “undoubtedly add much suffering to ordinary folks the world over, especially those who are still finding it very challenging to handle a pandemic, climate change and natural disasters.
“The people of St. Vincent Grenadines and the Caribbean will undoubtedly be affected adversely. Please, let us give peace and diplomacy a real chance to succeed.
“In our view, the nobility of peace is far preferable than an ignoble military adventure.”
Gonsalves said he was aware that some Western countries were “engaged in the hypocrisy and doublespeak, and their history of neocolonialism, imperialism and interventionist adventurism undermines their self righteous proclamations, but their ongoing agendas and self righteousness ought not to induce other dangerous errors, such as the special military operation in Ukraine.
“At a personal level, as a friend of the Russian Federation, I am urging you very strongly to cease the special military operation in Ukraine.
“Peace is a great cause and great causes have never been one by doubtful men and women. I have full confidence in you, a distinguished son of the magnificent Russian civilisation, would weigh carefully what I have written. Let us go forward in peace, security and prosperity for all. Please do not disappoint me.
“All the best to you, your family, your government and people. Please stay in touch.”
Did the prime Minister read the letters that was sent to him on behalf of the public servants That was fired by his administration ? That’s is exactly how putin will treat his latter.
If or when Putin reads comrade Gonsalves’ letter he will draw only one conclusion: “I have the support of the 100,000 strong population of St Vincent And the Grenadines. Therefore, despite almost total international condemnation, it’s OK for me to continue with the invasion and genocidal acts against innocent women and children of sovereign Ukraine”.
In referring to this unprovoked onslaught as a “special a operation” and alluding to western leaders who denounced it, as hypocrites, Gonsalves has demonstrated a lack of sincerity in the plight of the Ukrainians, and therefore his plea for “comrade” Putin to end the invasion is hollow.
This is one Vincentian this letter doesn’t speak for.
How do we know this is a true copy of what he wrote to Putin. Because our closet ally Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela said this today ‘Maduro accuses that sanctions against Russia are “crime” against the people’
https://www.msn.com/es-mx/noticias/mundo/maduro-acusa-que-sanciones-contra-rusia-son-crimen-contra-el-pueblo/ar-AAUx1BA?ocid=msedgntp
Mr chance you are not doing a very good job. You seem as though as if you not interested no one is forcing you. But if you going to stay in this business you going have to do better than this. When much is given much is expected because does who dont like what you do have to respect what you do. Your standard as a journalist is above the sky that’s why I said when much is given much is expected .
A who dat? The boss? Talking bout above the sky ego? Surely, you mean somebody else?
This letter from the official SVG letterhead does not sound like a “private letter to my buddy Putin.” Another attempt to trick the Vincentian people by lying. And then, the oligarch’s super yacht shows up in Kingstown taking in 40,000 gallons of fuel. Why not go next door to their buddies in Venezuela which is an oil producing country? SVG does not produce oil as we all fully well know. As our parents say “something in the mortar besides the pestle.”
The question remains- was there a private letter to his buddy Putin? Ralph is complicit with dictators and with Putin and not working in the best interest of the people of SVG. When the people of SVG are ready to get rid of him, they will. But after solidifying his dictatorship status by allowing 5 in a row, hell will freeze over first.