An Army for St. Kitts and Nevis?

Inter Press Service, June 1997



lans are clearly underway to reinstitute an army in the small Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis, yet the government is keeping a lid on the details. A source involved in the planning process revealed to IPS that "legislation will be brought to the House soon."

Over the past year Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. Denzil Douglas has mentioned "the reinstitution of a full-time Defence Force" in several public speeches, including the commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the force. However, after some dozen calls to the Prime Minister's Press Secretary, IPS was told that the Chief Secretary "doesn't wish to comment on it at this particular time."

The 1997 Budget Estimates include a national security goal of reintroducing "a regular unit of the Defence Force to complement the police in crime prevention," but there is no money budgeted for such an expensive proposition. The budget increase for the Defence Force is a paltry US$6300.

Leader of the Opposition Hugh Heyliger believes that a US$1.6 million contingency fund is being eyed by the Labour Government to finance the army, which is rumoured to include about 50 people as a starting force.

"We are completely opposed to it," said Heyliger emphatically. "An army is a costly exercise," he continued, noting that many countries of the world are now reducing the size of their militaries.

The Defence Force, whose roots stretch back to efforts to suppress revolts of the black majority in the late 1800s, was embodied into a full-time force in 1967 during the time of the Anguilla rebellion. The following year a standing army was created.

After being elected Prime Minister in 1980, Dr. Kennedy Simmonds brought back the army unit which had been stationed on Nevis and disbanded the full-time force early the following year. "We didn't need an Army, we didn't have anyone to fight," Simmonds said. "The issue is internal security which can be handled by the police."

The government's hints about why they are establishing an army all refer to fighting crime and drug trafficking. Two articles published last October in the Centennial Anniversary Magazine of the Defence Force, while not official government positions, added to the call. "If St. Kitts and Nevis is serious about the influx of crime and other related threats we must as a priority seek to reestablish the Regular Corp of the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force," wrote Lt I Keithly Phillip.

When Chief Secretary Joseph Edmeade met recently with the Special Services Unit (SSU) of the police, the question of why an army was necessary in this regard was raised. However, the government has provided no explanation to the public as to why the police force of over 400 can't be strengthened to carry out duties which are clearly part of their job.

One high-level police source told IPS that "better training, sophisticated equipment and updated legislation are what is needed to make the fight against drugs more effective." Other police officers wonder how the Army would interact with the police and where lines of jurisdiction would be drawn.

In a tactful statement, Acting Commissioner of Police Brian Reynolds said, "where the insidious spread of drugs permeates society, any additional help would be appreciated."

International agencies involved in the fight against drug trafficking in the Caribbean were reluctant to comment on what is "an internal decision for St. Kitts." However, concern could clearly be heard between the lines.

St. Kitts and Nevis has been part of the Regional Security System since its establishment in the early 1980s. Like the other participating countries, excepting Barbados and Antigua, they have been represented by the SSU. There have been no indications that this system isn't functioning effectively.

The police are in the midst of a major restructuring effort which has been underwritten to the tune of US$1.85 million by the British Government. Most observers believe that important strides have already been made in reviving a demoralised and poorly-run police force. Some are concerned that the introduction of an army could confuse the situation and retard continued progress.

Others see a more sinister motive afoot. "This prospect will be perceived with great concern," said a community activist on Nevis. "The Nevis Island Administration is against the creation of a standing army," Nevis Premier Vance Amory told IPS last November.

Simmonds used stronger language, "we can only see it as an intimidation arm of the Labour Party." Heyliger recalled times before Labour's electoral defeat in the 1980 elections when the army was used "to intimidate and oppress people."

Heyliger expressed concern that the force is "being hand picked," reporting that people have come to him saying that they have been approached to join it. A senior police officer conceded that prospective members would be "screened for Labour Party support."

Politics clearly plays a major part in the whole affair. It may be that since PAM abolished the army, Labour feels compelled to reinstitute it now that they are back in power. Additionally, it appears that the Labour Government questions the allegiance of the SSU, which was created under PAM.

While the fears of the opposition may very well be exaggerated, it is clear that the government is being unusually tight-lipped about this important public policy question. In a society where resources are so limited, a significant and expensive proposal such as the reinstitution of a standing army deserves wide-ranging public debate. Only time will tell whether the people of this small country are given that opportunity.

UPDATE:

On 8 July 1997 the House of Assembly passed the St. Christopher and Nevis Defence Force Act 1997, establishing the regular unit and making many other changes to create a "modern defence force". For example, the Coast Guard will now be part of the Defence Force. Dr. Douglas said that the Army will originally consist of 60 soldiers.