LAUDING his contribution to Barbados and the wider Caribbean, fellow regional leaders are wishing the best for Barbados’ ailing Prime Minister David Thompson.
Speaking to the Sunday Sun yesterday via a phone link-up, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica expressed regret that Thompson was suffering from cancer of the pancreas.
“It is very sad that we have learnt of the diagnosis of Prime Minister Thompson. He took up office not too long ago and has made a positive impact on the lives of the people of Barbados and CARICOM in shaping the integration process.”
Skerrit, the region’s youngest prime minister, is hoping there will be “divine intervention and that Mr Thompson would get back on his feet to his job for the good of Barbados and the Caribbean Community”.
Recalling a friendship that has spanned 15 years, Skerrit said he was also praying “for courage and strength” for Thompson’s family and for the people.
Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer of Antigua and Barbuda said he regarded Thompson as a person with great intellect. He said he had known Thompson both as Leader of the Opposition and Prime Minister of Barbados, and had grown to regard him also “as someone committed not only to Barbados, but to the Caribbean as a whole”.
“I believe that everyone would hope that his illness would not be terminal and that he will survive to the extent that he may be able to continue to make a significant contribution not only to the transformation of Barbados, but also to the Caribbean as a whole.”
Spencer said he was “somewhat taken aback” on hearing of Thompson’s prognosis and “felt rather sad, because you know the nature of the illness is one that suggests that it is extremely serious” .
“But nevertheless we are all God-fearing people in the Caribbean, and only the Almighty knows the final outcome. And we hope that the God above will be with him, his family, Barbados, and by extension the Caribbean, as he goes through these trying times,” said the Antiguan prime minister. (JS)
