"Antiguan opposition condemns plans to grant airport contract to US investors"

Tuesday, January 18, 2005

Antiguan opposition condemns plans to grant airport contract to US investors
Caribbean Media Corporation


St John's, Antigua: A small group of supporters of the opposition Antigua
Labour Party (ALP) [on] Tuesday [18 January] picketed outside the Office of
the Prime Minister while cabinet was in session to protest the government's
plan to approve a contract for a group of US investors a contract to build a
new terminal building at the V.C. Bird International Airport.

Cabinet was discussing the deal for the terminal, estimated to cost 100m US
dollars.

"They are giving away the airport," ALP leader and former Prime Minister
Lester Bird said during the protest.

"They (the investors) bring no money. They are taking away our revenue
streams to secure [the] loan. We don't know who these people are. This is a
senseless thing."

Former Ambassador Lionel "Max" Hurst, who was also part of the protest, said
the government should build the terminal to replace the existing one in time
for Cricket World Cup 2007.

"There is no justification that Antigua and Barbuda could not find resources
to build an airport on its own. There is absolutely no need to turn to
private persons and give them a 40-year lease," Hurst said.

The ALP also protested statements made by new Information Minister Dr Edmond
Mansoor that the contribution of the ALP and the Birds should have been
confined to the dustbin of history.

Bird said Mansoor's comments showed "total contempt for the country" and
called for an apology.

"Baldwin Spencer should ask him to apologize, failing that we will continue
to protest," Bird said.

"Their (Birds') contribution will always be revered by generations to come.
I find Mansoor's comments objectionable," former Ambassador Hurst said.


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