Prime Minister Condemns Brutal Attack on Couple

Contact: Earl Bousquet

Thursday, October 18, 2000 - Prime Minister Dr Kenny D. Anthony says he is “struck by the horror” of the attack and gang rape committed on a couple of non-nationals and “Government is prepared to take strong steps to ensure protection of all visitors to the island, whether as tourists or in line of professional duty.”

Dr Anthony, commenting on the latest attack in a remote area between Laborie and Choiseul on a French woman and her French Canadian companion, said it was “hard to understand the mentality behind that animalistic attack.”

The Prime Minister said he was “encouraged by the fact that two of the four alleged perpetrators are in custody”.

Last weekend’s incident, the Prime Minister said, though having taken place in a relatively isolated part of he country, was nonetheless “capable of doing irreparable damage to our industry and our economy.”

The Prime Minister said he understood the statements by local tourism and hotel officials on the matter and he concurred with their view that if increased security measures are not adopted at local tourism sites and in the society in general, the all-important tourism industry can suffer long-term negative effects.

He also noted that “inaccurate media reports can cause even more problems than the attacks themselves.”

Dr Anthony said: “Government has been involved in ongoing discussions with the St. Lucia Hotels & Tourism Association on the question of improving and increasing security, and the Police Force has been cooperating with the SLHTA in developing measures to address the problem of visitor harassment.”

The Prime Minister however called on senior tourism and hotel officials “to review their position the possibility of issuing advisories to visitors against unaccompanied travel to sites around the island.”

He urged caution to ensure that “whatever measures were adopted would not lead to tourism agencies painting parts of the island as enclaves of crime or dangerous areas.”

Dr Anthony reiterated that “Government is willing and will continue to work with the associated agencies with a view to stamping out the scourge of tourism harassment and its attendant ills, in the defense and protection of our tourism industry, our economy and the future of our country and people.”

He said last weekend’s attack “had a dampening effect on the interception just days before of one of three armed robbers by the police at Coubaril,” during which one of the masked assailants was fatally shot.

Dr Anthony noted that it was “physically impossible to have police stations or a police presence in every part of the country.”

“But,” he added, “in such remote or isolated areas as in the recent incidents, we are proud that we can count on the good neighbourliness of citizens like the those who alerted the Police of the marauding band of armed robbers at Coubaril, the gentleman from Saltibus who went to the rescue of the assaulted victim and the vehicle driver who rescued her companion.”

Dr Anthony said the latest report of an accused murderer walking free from the local courts for want of prosecution “is indeed worrying.”

Said the Prime Minister: “While I am aware of the limits of the police force in their overall quest to bring criminals to justice, I am also very concerned about the apparent ease with those accused of serious criminal offences against locals and visitors alike seem to walk away from justice.”

He added: “Government has no intention of interfering with the justice system. However, in the eyes of the public and in keeping with the mandate of public trust, Government also has a responsibility to ensure that the justice system works from top to bottom.”

“From this responsibility,” Dr Anthony added, “we shall not shirk.”

The Prime Minister said: “The government and the people of St. Lucia wish for a speedy recovery by the victims of the latest attack and assures them and their relatives, as well as the citizens of St. Lucia, that the strongest steps will be taken to bring the perpetrators to justice.

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