The leaders of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States ( OECS) made it clear that they are opposed to moves by the United Kingdom to impose direct rule on the British Virgin Islands (BVI).
Grenada’s Prime Minister Keith Mitchell, who chaired a meeting of the sub-regional leaders on Monday, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that the OECS leaders were of the view that they could not “support” the move by London.
Dr Mitchell said that the general feeling is that the leaders don’t understand why the British in the 21st century, is making such a decision.
“We agree that for them to be making the same decision in the 21st century, given all the issues that have arisen, is not in their best interest, and certainly, having a colonial-type decision has never been in the best interest of the region,” he said.
He continued, “We are also advising the people of the Virgin Islands, that they should be united, there should be a non-partisan approach to this British conclusion. That the government should consult with the opposition on this fundamental issue.”
He stated that the people of the BVI should be able to sort out issues related to their premier.
“They should be able to sort out that problem internally and the OECS was in fact indicating, was prepared to provide an advisory group of members from the OECS to help the political organizations in the BVI to deal with that issue and to be able to look at the way forward given the details of the Commission of Inquiry report,” Dr Mitchell said. “They should be able to be allowed to deal with these issues within their country as a whole with the support if they so wish of the advisory group from the OECS.”
