ST JOHN'S, Antigua:
JAMAICAN INVESTOR Gordon 'Butch' Stewart was assured yesterday that his multi million-dollar investments in the country would be protected regardless of which political party emerges victorious in the upcoming general election in Antigua and Barbuda.
In a rare show of public agreement between government and opposition, Stewart was able to get Prime Minister Lester Bird and Opposition Leader Baldwin Spencer on the same platform and speaking the same message, for the second time within five months.
On this occasion, the two leaders were participating in the groundbreaking ceremony for the start of construction of Sandals' Mediterranean Village estimated at US$25 million, to be completed by July 2005.
NEW DEVELOPMENT
The new development will feature 90 junior suites along with 10 one -bedroom executive suites and 12 plunge pool suites as well as a 15,000 square foot pool complete with a swim-up bar and Jacuzzi.
With the elections close there was some banter.
Having thanked the government for the assistance given to him, Stewart said, tongue-in-cheek, "I hope everybody here will be back again for the opening."
"So PM, Mr Spencer, I wish everybody the best," Stewart said as the audience erupted in applause and laughter.
Spencer told the ceremony that he was giving Stewart and his group the assurance that "should there be a new political dispensation in Antigua and Barbuda and there are signs that that might very well happen", he has absolutely nothing to fear.
FULLY ON BOARD
Spencer said his party was "fully on board" with the developments taking place to enhance the tourism sector and make it "truly the market leader in the Caribbean."
In his remarks, Prime Minister Bird told Stewart: "As we go forward in this country, elections and everything else, we know that by the new Mediterranean Village, you have ensured that the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) in this country is going to be at least eight per cent."
"I surely can't leave that for somebody else to have a dispensation," he added.
No date has yet been announced for the poll that is expected to be a straight fight between Bird's ruling Antigua Labour Party (ALP) and Spencer's United Progressive Party (UPP). The poll is constitutionally due by March.
