Dr. Warner died on 16th May, 2011, while at a hospital in Trinidad and Tobago, having battled an illness. Prior to seeking further medical attention in that territory, Dr. Warner was reportedly warded at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Joseph N. France (JNF) General Hospital.
PM Douglas, in conveying condolences on the death of the former Ambassador/High Commissioner and former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications, Works and Public Utilities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, “I wish to begin by extending sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Dr. Asyll Warner who, we have just learned, has passed away. In the midst of life we truly are in death, since it was just last week, during my visit to him at the J. N. France General Hospital, that he and I were talking as easily as I am to you today. And so to Mrs. Warner and all his relatives then, I again extend sincere sympathies.”
Dr. Douglas made the comments during Tuesday, 17th May, 2011’s edition of his weekly radio programme, “Ask the PM”.
PAM’s leader, Lindsay Grant, in expressing similar sentiments, recounted that Dr. Warner’s enthusiasm and spirit, thought he has departed, will remain with us.
“I must on behalf of my family and I and the great party which I am proud to lead, express profound sadness and heartfelt condolences to Dr. Asyll Warner’s wife and son and entire family…His enthusiasm for life and for the political diversity and richness of St. Kitts-Nevis were infectious. Dr. Warner’s spirit and enthusiasm will live on in our hearts and moreover his legacy in many fields of endeavour from his professional success in diplomatic and educational circles to his contribution to the overall social development of our country, in particular his hometown of Sandy Point will endure.”
Parliamentary Representative of Dr. Warner’s hometown, Sandy Point, and PAM’s Deputy Political Leader, Shawn K. Richards has also expressed condolences to the family of the late educator and diplomat.
“As Constituency representative, on behalf of all Sandy Pointers, I wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Asyll Warner one of Sandy Point’s proudest sons…The departure of this industrious and indefatigable former civil servant, diplomat, social commentator and educator will no doubt leave a huge void not only in the hearts of his family, friends and fellow Sandy Pointers, but also the nation. I certainly will miss Dr. Warner’s wit, humour and sound advice. He will be surely missed. May his soul rest in peace,” Richards expressed.
Academic and Diplomatic Background
Dr. Warner obtained a Ph.D. in Political Science with an emphasis on International Relations with specialization include International Public Administration, International Law and Economics, and Diplomacy from St. Louis University from 1974 – 1978. His Dissertation: “The Process of Nationalization in Latin America.” He obtained a B.A. in Social Science with areas of specialization in Political Science, Economics and History from the College of the Virgin Islands (CVI) from 1967 – 1971. His Thesis: “A Comparative Analysis of Caribbean Government.”
Since 2000, we was lecturing at the University of the West Indies, University Centre, St. Kitts & Nevis in Public Sector Management (Levels II & III), Compensation Management (Level III), Human Resource Management (Level III), Office Procedures (Level III), Introduction to Political Institutions (Level I), Caribbean Civilization (Level I), Law, Governance & Society in the Caribbean (Level I), Caribbean Studies (Associate Degree) and Introduction to Research Methods (Certificate).
Between from 2004 to 2006, he was faculty representative on the team mandated to restructure the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College autonomous tertiary education institution.
He also lectured at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College, St Kitts from 1997 to 2006 in Introduction to Political Science (Level I), Law, Governance & Society (Level I), Principles of Management (Level I), Caribbean Studies (CAPE).
From 1991 to 2000, he served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications, Works and Public Utilities in St. Kitts and from 1989 to 1991as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
From 1978 to 1983, he was the Research Coordinator at the Department of Education in the U.S. Virgin Islands with responsibilities to coordinate job market surveys, conduct surveys of community attitudes towards higher education, assist with the development of academic programmes, review the status of higher education.
He also lectured in Political Science and a Board Member of the Eastern Caribbean Centre at the College of the Virgin Islands in St. Thomas.
Dr. Warner taught in St. Kitts and Nevis from 1964 to 1967.
As a Government official of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Warner also attended CARICOM Heads of Government Meetings in 1984, 1985 and from 1987 to 1992; CARICOM Foreign Ministers Meetings, 1987 – 1992; OECS Meetings, 1983 – 1992; the Structuring of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union; Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings, 1987, 1989 – 1991; UN General Assembly as alternate delegate, 1987-1991; OAS General Assembly, 1988-1990; Law of the Sea, 1989; Caribbean Basin Assembly, 1988-1990; General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, 1989; World Summit on Development and the Environment, 1990; Miami Conference on Caribbean Development, 1993, 1986 and 1987; Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of St. Kitts & Nevis with responsibilities to Oversee operations of overseas missions, coordinate foreign policies, manage economic, social and political matters related to CARICOM, provide daily briefings on matters of state, act as coordinator and chief spokesman for the government on the Eastern Caribbean Federation; act as chief accounting officer to the Prime Minister for the construction and maintenance of the infrastructure of St. Kitts & Nevis; Air and sea transportation; Chair the Board of Tenders for government contracts 1984 to 1986; Commissioner General for the OECS – Expo ’86 with responsibility to ensure the proper and effective operational activities of the OECS pavilion 1983 – 1986; High Commissioner/Ambassador of the OECS to Canada representing the seven members of the OECS, coordinate all business and investment interests and foreign policies pertaining to the member countries, negotiate agreements and treaties relevant to individual countries, liaise among crown agents, non-government organizations, aid assistance agencies and member governments, monitor events and conditions in Canada, and prepare reports for ministers of foreign affairs, screen and recommend prospective investors, visit provinces of Canada periodically, promote trade and industry, manage administration and budget of the High Commission, promote tourism for the individual countries, international Telecommunications Union General Assembly, 1992-1994.
He held membership in the Caribbean Studies Association, American Political Science Association, International Affairs Association and World Review Foundation.
His major presentations include “The Caribbean Electorate: A Political Analysis”(St. Kitts, 1995); “Energy Efficiency: The Gateway to the 21st Century” St. Lucia, 1994); “Trade Policies within the Caribbean Community” University of Puerto Rico, 1993); “Economic and Political Cooperation: The United States Virgin Islands and the Eastern Caribbean” (University of the Virgin Islands, 1993); “Financing of the Global Economy” (University of the Virgin Islands, 1992); “OECS Unity”(New York, 1991); Address to the Organization of American States (OAS, 1989); “The Process of Nationalization in Latin America” (St Louis University, 1988); “Options for Eastern Caribbean Unity” St. Kitts, 1987).
(Portions of this article were incorporated from CUOPM and PAM press releases)