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Contact:
John Emmanuel
 Tuesday,
January 06, 2004 - Recently appointed Consul General at the St. Lucia
Mission based in neighbouring Martinique, former Agriculture Minister Mr.
Cassius Elias, says St. Lucians will benefit from a higher level of vigilance in
ensuring that their concerns are addressed effectively within the French
dependent territories of Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guyana.
Explaining his role and functions as Consul General Mr. Elias said, the position
is that of a diplomatic posting and entails looking after the general interests
of St. Lucians in the three territories who have commercial, social or health
interests. “As you may be aware, Martinique and St. Lucia have a very close
understanding as it relates to the health of our people and I would want to see
further strengthening of ties along those lines,” said Mr. Elias.
According to him, one of the major challenges will be to intercede on matters
involving St. Lucian nationals who run into trouble with French authorities.
“This is the biggest challenge for the mission,” lamented Mr. Elias, who has
already spent two weeks on the job in Martinique assessing the situation.
“We have some seventy-five St. Lucians in jail in Martinique for crimes ranging
from drug offences to robbery and house breaking. In Guadeloupe we have about
twenty-four inmates charge with similar offences and then there are offences
involving persons who have overstayed on their visa allotment. Mr. Elias says he
intends to visit as many of the offenders as possible to assess their individual
cases and provide some measure of support and assistance as part of moves
towards minimizing the involvement of St. Lucians in illicit drugs.
Mr. Elias says he intends to work closely with St. Lucia-based associations in
the French dependent territories in order to expose them to the work and
services of the mission and how it can better serve St. Lucians. He says all
efforts will be made under his tenure to protect the heritage, image and
reputation of St. Lucia overseas.
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