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FRIDAY,
AUGUST 08, 2014
VOLUME 108, No.32
www.thevincentian.com
EC$1.50
SVG CITIZENSHIP NOT FOR SALE
Gonsalves, whose office has direct responsibility for the issuance of citizenship to nonnationals, maintained, “I have a fundamental, philosophical objection to economic citizenship. I maintain that the highest office in the land is that of citizen. “ Dr. Gonsalves did, however, explain that citizenship granted to some investors is not economic citizenship, because they were required to have a commitment to the country for several years up front, and then consideration was given for citizenship. He said such was the way in which Sir James Mitchell granted citizenship to Canouan investor Antonio Saladino, “and that is the way I did with Dave Ames and one Daniel Cummings, Opposition MP for Dr, Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of SVG, and two others.” West Kingstown, accused the repeated his and his government’s firm stand But as far as the Prime against the introduction of an Economic Citizenship government of ‘practising’ the policy Minister is concerned, while not officially endorsing it. Programme. Vincentian citizenship and by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY due diligence.” Eustace, has been pushing for passports are not commodities for sale. AND KENVILLE HORNE And while Dr. Gonsalves’ an economic citizenship “Who wants to do economic reiteration came in response to facility for years, “because Mr. citizenship, that is their ST. VINCENT AND THE a question at the press Eustace knows how critical it GRENADINES will not be conference, it also came on the is to look for alternative forms business… if I am the last man standing with that, that encouraging the practice of heels of finger-pointing by of financing for government,” Economic Citizenship. Opposition MP for West and referenced “big countries” is the position which I hold, and I happen to believe that Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Kingstown, Daniel Cummings, who have Economic that is the position of the vast Gonsalves reiterated this who, at an opposition New Citizenship Programmes. majority of people of St. policy position last Monday, Democratic Party (NDP) ‘Ring Cummings questioned during a press conference he De bell’ Rally in Kingstown whether the policy was in fact Vincent and the Grenadines,” hosted. last week Thursday, accused in place in St, Vincent and the Gonsalves declared. As it stands, Vincentian Dr. Gonsalves described the Government of collecting Grenadines, and wanted to citizenship is accorded on the Economic Citizenship as “a money for citizenship, even as know, “how many persons basis of birth, descent, superficially attractive option,” the government has opposed have gained citizenship and but was quick to add, “The such a move. passports under ULP, and how marriage to a Vincentian, downside outweighs whatever According to Cummings, the much money has been paid to naturalization, and under a provision in law where money you can collect; the NDP, through its president, the treasury …… ?” someone has had a connection downside being the problems Opposition Leader Arnhim But Prime Minister to the country for five years you may have, dealing with
David Ames, the mastermind behind the Buccament Bay Resort, was awarded citizenship by the ULP government, amidst contention he had with overseas investors. and has made a significant economic, social or cultural development to the country. In the latter case, a person must be of sound character, understands what it means to be a citizen, and be able to write and speak the English language with a certain level of proficiency. Currently among OECS countries, Economic Citizenship programmes exist in St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica. St. Lucia is exploring the possibility of introducing such a facility, and Grenada is moving towards re-introducing its programme which was discontinued in 2001.