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Contact:
John Emmanuel
Friday, January 09, 2004 - A courageous, dedicated and competent leader –
that’s how St. Lucia’s Prime Minister Honourable Dr. Kenny Anthony says he will
remember his dear friend and colleague Prime Minister - the late Pierre Charles
of the Commonwealth of Dominica who passed away late Tuesday, January 6, 2004
from heart complications.
According to Prime Minister Anthony, the late Mr. Charles willing accepted the
daunting task of leader, following the death of another Dominica Prime Minister
Roosevelt “Rosie” Douglas at a difficult time in his nation’s history.
“His courageous decision to enter into a necessary but locally painful agreement
with the International Monetary Fund proved beyond a shadow of a doubt his
absolute disdain for “politics as usual. He accepted that he had to pay a
political price for the greater good of his people and country,” said Prime
Minister Anthony.
In a nationally televised statement Dr. Anthony said, “It cannot be easy for any
leader to embrace IMF-inspired policies and prescriptions. Former Prime Minister
Pierre Charles did, confident that it was in the best interest of his country.
The high office of Prime Minister did not change Pierre Charles. Throughout his
tenure, he remained the same humble, sincere and self-effacing individual who
had entered politics more than 20 years ago.”
Dr. Anthony says despite Mr. Charles’ health problems, he did not shirk from his
responsibilities of service to nation. He says the deceased Prime Minister, who
was 49 years, was well thought of throughout the Caribbean and wider world.
Prime Minister Anthony has expressed condolences to the people of Dominica on
behalf of his Government and people of St. Lucia.
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