CMC- The Antigua and Barbuda Cabinet has endorsed the recommendations and negotiating position outlined by Prime Minister Gaston Browne regarding ongoing discussions with the United States on accepting a limited number of non-criminal third-country nationals and refugees.
In supporting the Prime Minister’s position, Cabinet noted the longstanding and mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries, adding that the United States remains one of the country’s “most important strategic partners, with cooperation spanning trade, investment, tourism, security, education, and development assistance.”
A statement issued after the Cabinet meeting said Browne had informed ministers that negotiations with United States officials have resumed following the submission of Antigua and Barbuda’s counterproposals and that “constructive dialogue continues between the two countries”.
The statement said that Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders, is leading the negotiations on behalf of the government and “is actively engaged in advancing the country’s interests while ensuring that any agreement reflects Antigua and Barbuda’s laws, values, and national priorities.
“Cabinet was further advised that Antigua and Barbuda has made it clear that it will not accept any individuals with criminal backgrounds and that comprehensive due diligence must be conducted in every case.”
It said that the government has insisted that “detailed reports be submitted on each individual, including information relating to criminal history, security assessments and health status, before any consideration is given to admission into Antigua and Barbuda”.
The statement quoted Browne as emphasising that the government “must retain the sovereign right to determine who may enter and reside within the country”.
“Cabinet was informed that Antigua and Barbuda has indicated a willingness to consider accepting a limited number of persons annually, estimated at between 14 and 16 individuals, subject to the strict screening and approval processes established by the Government.
“Consideration would also be given to skilled individuals whose qualifications and expertise could contribute positively to national development and economic growth,” the statement noted.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet agreed that Antigua and Barbuda should continue to engage constructively with the United States administration on matters of mutual interest, including migration and border management issues, while ensuring that the country’s national security, public health, and social interests remain fully protected.
“The Government remains committed to maintaining strong diplomatic relations with the United States and will continue to pursue discussions in a manner that reflects Antigua and Barbuda’s sovereignty, humanitarian values, and responsibility to safeguard the welfare and security of its citizens and residents,” the statement added.
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They support nothing, it’s like all who have money looted and stash away in these offshore banks abroad is threatened of seizure of finance that may be acquired by criminal means along with properties.
So at this moment the PM is working hard on getting us to palate the refugee resettlement to save all their stolen loot, trump or Rubio not doing one thing to us , it is the prime minister doing us damage, Rubio heckled and said we will send the worst criminal and rapist to these Caribbean islands, but our prime minister is using the media to sanitize them for us to accept them by saying they accepting skilled deportees, would a skill deportee be doing jail time? but wait Gaston will sanitize them as engineers and doctors, what a thing just to stop america from freezing their foreign bank account.
Of course Cabinet Members are going to support the Prime Minister. This goes without saying. Duh!
Wouldn’t it have been better to have taken each and everyone of Browne’s Cabinet members to one side, and then be interviewed by a forthright and no nonsense interviewer (with no serious consequences to their political futures), who’ll ask them the pertinent questions on behalf of concerned Antiguans, who do not want any of Trump’s refugees or deportees coming here.
I’ve never come across such a bunch of Ministers controlled by such an overwhelming and bullish leader, where candid and straightforward debate is curtailed.
Bunch of lily livered wimps!
When are any of them going to truly represent us?
Secretary Rubio recently said in no uncertain terms that the United States is actively searching and looking for countries to send some of the most, and i quote , “despicable human beings in the US, to include, child rapists, pedophiles, murderers and other criminals.” Antigua and Barbuda expecting purely vetted, non-criminal individuals is wishful thinking given the realities of large-scale international migration agreements. . We are silly into thinking is just “church brothers, priests and nuns” will come here. I maintain that there ought to be consultation with the citizenry into this refugee situation.
CABINET SUPPORTS YOU SAY.DO THEY HAVE ANY OTHER CHOICES.GASTON BROWNE WOULD THROW PISS ON THEM. THEN ASKS THEM,HOW DOES IT SMELL.THEY WOULD ALL SAY IT SMELLS LIKE CHANEL BLEU AND CHANEL PERFUME.THEY KNOW IT SMELLS LIKE PISS. THEY WOULD DO AND SAY MOST ANYTHING TO SATISFY EL JEFE. THAT MAN WITH THE CHARLIE CHAPLIN MOUSTACHE.
Yesterday I tuned into the briefing of the newly appointed US ambassador to Jamaica..and from what I’ve heard, they never mentioned any visa restrictions being lifted on Jamaica, so if GB and his puppet Saunders think they will be getting a sweeter deal than Jamaica, then he’s as delusional as they get.
By the way, where was all this ‘ working together ‘ with the US when the US sent it’s commanders to Antigua to convince GB to back the US in the Maduro siege?
Yes I know a lot, I know I know.Some of GB supporters hate me for it, but I’ll say this again loud and clear on this entire notion that Antigua will benefit in any significant way on this deal, that GB and Saunders is a day late and a dollar short.
Sorry, but that’s what Antigua is facing here.
The Donald Administration do not take it lightly on those who oppose his agenda, both home and abroad..he looks at you as his enemy..Thats the man you are dealing with, and he’s not afraid to squeeze you under his fingers when he gets a chance..
Don’t blame him, because Putin, and almost every other power nation run their ship the same way..
You should have clearly and decisively backed the US in the Maduro situation back then GB, instead you straddle the fence and think the US didn’t notice it. They came directly to you for your support you joker, and you were far from onboard with them, instead you side with your corrupt side-kick Maduro..
Do you really think the US is not listening to your conversation, duh!
Why do you think they detained, searched, and questioned the CEO of WIOC? For that to happen, any police agency have to have serious evidence, otherwise the case falls apart in court.” Fruits of the poisonous tree”.
Antiguan’s better start listening..Trump is pissed at GB for giving him the cold shoulder, when he clearly knows you are just as corrupt, and when he knows you offer support to the Nigeians when you let in a 1000 illegal African migrants into Antigua, claiming you got duped, but here you are acting like you are all righteous, talking about ” friends to all and enemy to none”..oh please.
Learn to read the room GB .you are terrible at it.
Did you see Any visa restrictions on Trinidad or them getting squeezed like you, nope..
Who is the smarter one now.. huuumm..
Like the lady told you to do..Go and tell the truth to your people why their visa privileges to the US restricted..
Oh yes..these puppets in your cabinet will support you all 👍. Where was the support for the US when it was most needed and critical in the Maduro siege? Antigua’s governments hypocrisy is coming back to bite them.. Deal with it folks.
Again, I’m not a Donald fan, but the man has not gotten everything wrong, he has gotten some very important things correct..I respect him for that.
When are we going to stop the Pappyshow in this damn Country? I guess never, Joanne Massiah said Gaston and Labour is one BIG PAPPYSHOW and she has now joined them, so that is the answer right there. The Cabinet cannot go against anything Gaston decides. They are all MATCHSTICK MEN, when he says jump, they ask, How High Massa.
It’s the Jim Jones effect, he decides, they comply
The prime minister of antigua and Barbuda takes out his private part and play with it in the face of his ministers firstly and then the nations face or intellect.
Refugees acceptance is hinged on saving his foreign offshore bank account, and ostensibly other thieving prime ministers in the Caribbean have been threatened the same by the USA department of justice, what in the dark is forced into the light, and the political club of leaders are working together to hide this from their citizens that it is their bargained agenda with the USA to accept terrorist deportees to save their sten wealth which the USA Justice department and DEA has tied to drug trafficking.
The prime minister of antigua and Barbuda takes out his private part and play with it in the face of his ministers firstly and then the nations face or intellect.
Refugees acceptance is hinged on saving his foreign offshore bank account, and ostensibly other thieving prime ministers in the Caribbean have been threatened the same by the USA department of justice, what in the dark is forced into the light, and the political club of leaders are working together to hide this from their citizens that it is their bargained agenda with the USA to accept terrorist deportees to save their wealth which the USA Justice department and DEA has tied to drug trafficking.
At the end of the day, we have little choice. This is what happens when a country becomes too dependent on the United States for its economic survival. I believe this nightmare will end with the conclusion of Trump’s presidency.
@Wadadli.
Yes we all know that..so why keep biting the hand that feeds you..just work with the people from the get go no man!
That’s the problem here..not that the US is a big bad nation, but GB play the fool and side with the weaker and corrupt link to protect his interest, and not the overall interest of the Antiguan people.
Now we got massive visa restrictions and also now getting criminals we don’t know..
Again..do you see Trinidad in this position, nope..ask yourself why.
Think brother, think..this is not about politics only, this is about which side you are on.. you’re on the inside or you are on the outside..Your leader didn’t read the room correctly, and I think it was to cover his own allegiance to where his money lies.
Sad..but the truth. Follow the stories please..they are stories for a reason..there is nothing random in this world.
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