US Congressional panel wants US missions in Eastern Caribbean states

Engel. Photo credit: Caricom News Network

BASSETERRE. ST. KITTS, AUGUST 9, 2011 – A key United States Congressional panel wants Washington to set up diplomatic missions in St. Kitts and Nevis and every Eastern Caribbean island-nation, instead of having everything done by the American Embassy in Barbados.

Although the diplomatic outposts wouldn’t be full-fledged and fully staffed as in Bridgetown, the committee believes the presence of an American Foreign Service Officer and a permanent mission in Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Vincent and the Grenadines would end the hardship imposed on American business executives and US citizens in those islands as well as those countries’ nationals now forced to travel to Barbados for visas and other services.

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL STORY

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

18 Comments

  1. RastaMarn
    August 11, 2011

    United Sates Code @ http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/28/usc_sup_01_28.html, denotes the United Sates as that Federal Corporation,,, The Central Bank of the Eastern Caribbean is located on that land commonly known as St. Kitts but officially known as the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, Do the maths and comprehend what these folks are trying to accomplish,,, These people have been bamboozling the Globe for the last 450 years-and-then some,,, be very carful of the benefits that are extended ” there is NO Free Lunch” Some One always is left with the Bill after every- One’s Belly full,,,

    There is No reason for that aforementioned Corporation to extend its diplomatic envoy to the adjoining islands,,,

  2. Prophet2
    August 10, 2011

    The OECS is starting to look better and better…no? Long live the little ones/OECS.

  3. Roseau
    August 10, 2011

    At last, somebody has seen the light. Funny how it took China, Cuba and Brazil to shine the torch for them.

  4. Entel
    August 10, 2011

    I say way to go!!! It is just too costly to go to Barbados, I mean Barbados just can’t have it all. I am sure they will find a very cost effective way to do that.

    I am so happy about this news…this is a step in the right direction for the US…

  5. Piper
    August 10, 2011

    In times of peace the US tends to turn a blind eye to the islands. If there was some type of conflict they would have people crawling all over the place. They tend to be very reactive.

  6. Pride Takes Over
    August 10, 2011

    The reason for this rethinking is not as clear cut at you’d think.

    China has an embassy in many islands….and their influence is spreading…..

    The US is trying to now enter, albeit belatedly, to stem the influence tide in the guise of a easing of burdens on persons needing consular services.

  7. Melda
    August 10, 2011

    i think that this is a wonderful idea and should be supported by all .

  8. yani
    August 10, 2011

    Another UNNECESSARY expense for the already bankrupt US economy. It will never happen!! Let Chavez set up Embassies all over instead.

  9. REAL
    August 10, 2011

    I am so pleased to hear of this comment it is a great pressure on other caribbean nationals to travel to Barbados only to find out your visa is not granted. man you feel like walking into the sea and do not return home. I am pleading to the US officials to at least make two appearences to the individual countries of the caribbean twice a year to deal with visa applications. we would be willing to pay four houndred us for this facility because at the end it will save us money,time and embarassment. I hope someone from the US embassy will read my post.All applications could be done online so there will be an idea of how many people to be interviewed on each mission and I am quite sure it will be appreciated by all. However a permanent mission in the respective states will be welcommed

  10. Homeboy
    August 10, 2011

    Well with the current economic climate in the US with all the cut backs and budget cuts, this is wishful thinking as it would cost money to have diplomatic missions in every island.

  11. Cerberus
    August 10, 2011

    Not before time and long overdue. Imagine, Dominica with China, Venezuela, Cuba and Brazil having representation at ambassador level but no U.S. diplomatic post? About time those guys on Capitol Hill started paying more attention to what is happening in their own back yard.

  12. dominican@heart
    August 10, 2011

    This needs to be done urgently. I know this will be the call from all the other caribbean countries facing this hardship

  13. Neutral
    August 10, 2011

    Well is about time that the US make a move to counteract the Chinese and Venezuelan influence.

  14. Barbados
    August 10, 2011

    Barbados will not be happy and will lobby against it.

    • Homeboy
      August 10, 2011

      They can lobby all they want if Congress approves they cannot do anything. But you are correct, they will lose a lot of revenues if they ever do it? I wonder if Congress are supporting this just because Cuba an Venezuela have missions in those islands?

      • Homeboy
        August 10, 2011

        Congress is… Pardonez- moi

    • vivi
      August 10, 2011

      the let them lobby against it….they will be looking out for themselves……so we now have to lobby cuz we will be looking our for our people and finding ways to help save money in those difficult times…….geez an American with some common sense

    • eagles125
      August 10, 2011

      Who cares! Too bad for them. They too fresh and up there.

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available