Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad
Badawi has succeeded in bringing about some level of unity among opposing
political parties here.
Leader of the Opposition SVG Green Party, Ivan O'Neal will be part
of this country's official delegation when Prime Minister Dr. Ralph
Gonsalves makes a reciprocal visit to Malaysia in June. O'Neal's invitation
came from Badawi himself on Tuesday 2nd May.
The invitation came this week after Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace
informed Parliament that O'Neal, a war veteran, had fought to defend
Malaysian sovereignty against Indonesia between 1963 and 1965.
Eustace was delivering an address at a special sitting of Parliament
to mark the official visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah
Badawi last week.
Following that parliamentary session, O'Neal wearing his medals,
was presented to Badawi by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.
"I shook his hand and spoke to the Malaysian PM in Bahasa Melayu
(native language), welcoming him to St Vincent and the Grenadines
and asked how he was feeling," O'Neal told reporters.
The visiting prime minister then told Dr Gonsalves, "I am giving
you an invitation to Mr O'Neal (to come) back to Malaysia as part
of the official delegation."
O'Neal said however he was not invited to attend any of the local
functions in honour of the visiting Prime Minister.
"It is very small island politics. SVG Green Party had been
denied its protocol, we do not get anything in terms of invitation
to be at the airport. I attended the Parliament meeting as a private
citizen," O'Neal added.
He said he only received official recognition when the Opposition
Leader questioned him about the significance of the medals he was
wearing.
O'Neal has accepted the invitation and described the Malaysian people
as very friendly, helpful and courteous.
Source: http://www.caribworldradio.com/6.htm
|
