In his most-recent commentary titled “Red Herrings”, which can be read on MiyVue.com at http://www.miyvue.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1490&catid=53 , Astaphan informs that the next meeting will be held on Thursday, 24th February, 2011.
During the first leg of Operation Rescue, in addition to Astaphan, three individuals, debater Kasim Queeley; social activist and educator Washington ‘Washie’ Archibald and former minister in the People’s Action Movement (PAM) administration, Richard Caines addressed the gathered audience as well as those watching via live stream and listening via radio and internet.
All speakers called for a unification of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis stressing that the strength of the nation depends on the bond of its people.
Caines, Astaphan and Archibald, however, attacked the leadership of Prime Minister and Leader of the St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party, Dr. Denzil L. Douglas noting that he continues to plunge the Federation into the recesses of debt and despair.
They suggested that Dr. Douglas is not fit to handle the affairs of the country and called on the people of St. Kitts to make a change.
Astaphan, in the aforementioned commentary, informed that, “At next Thursday’s public meeting, we‘ll be covering some new ground in terms of content. And we’ll be proposing next steps in terms of action.”
He further indicated that this meeting will afford audience members to “come on stage briefly to ask a question or make a comment. The objective is to use our platform to encourage and assist the people in finding their voices in the responsible and respectful debate of the nation’s issues.”
He reminded however, that that platform represents neither PAM, Labour nor any other political party but is representative of the people of St. Kitts Nevis.
“We’re not running for or against anybody. In fact, we’re not running at all. Rather, we’re standing, and we’re calling on you, the people, to stand too, in your own cause, whatever the issue may be, and whenever it arises. We must set higher standards, we must keep leaders’ feet close to the fire, and we must fire leaders( whether in Government or in Opposition) who fall short, whether it’s at election time or not.
“Ours is the people’s platform. Your platform. And we look forward to seeing you in your numbers, Labour, PAM and the others, sitting and standing next to each other in peace and mutual respect, and listening intently, just as you did at our first meeting.”
At the previous meeting – which was held on 3rd February, 2011 at Greenland’s Park – it was indicated that Astaphan got possession of a 150-page document concerning Lex Consulting and indicated that during his next public meeting, some of the content of that document would be revealed. Notwithstanding that he made no mention of the document in his commentary, it is possible that – as was promised – some information would be disclosed.