Barbados begins three days of mourning; Chastanet and Pierre extend condolences

(Barbados Government Information Service)- Former Prime Minister of Barbados, The Right Honourable Owen Arthur, passed away earlier today at 12.26 a.m.  Starting today, Monday, July 27, due to the passing of the former Prime Minister,  there will be a period of national mourning for three days. In addition, all flags will be flown at half mast. 

Minister of Labour and Social Partnership Relations, Colin Jordan, will be the coordinating Minister for the funeral arrangements. The Government of Barbados extends sincerest condolences to his wife, Julie, his daughters, Leah and Sabrina and his extended family.

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Earlier today Prime Minister Allen Castanet stated:

“The Government and People of Saint Lucia extend deepest condolences to Barbados following the passing of the Right Honourable Owen Arthur, former Prime Minister of Barbados. Arthur was Barbados’ longest serving Prime Minister, from 1994 to 2008. Our heart goes out to his wife and daughters and all his family and friends and to the Government and People of Barbados.”

Opposition leader Philip J. Pierre in a statement said that Arthur’s passing will be a deep loss not only for Barbadians but for the entire Caribbean:

The news of the passing of Professor the Right Honourable Owen S. Arthur, the former Prime Minister of Barbados, has been received with profound sadness. Barbados and the Caribbean Community have lost a true patriot and a great champion of Caribbean civilization.

Arthur was small in stature, but a giant of a man in every sphere of his existence. He emerged as the
colossus of Caribbean politics in the 21st century, challenging leaders across the region to adopt a
transformative mind set to propel our regional community to aspire to greatness.

Dedicated as he was to uplifting the people of his beloved Barbados, he was equally committed to advancing the cause of Caribbean regional integration. In his inaugural term as Prime Minister, his first significant regional overture was towards the OECS, when in 1998, he tried to revive the links and federal idea between Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean islands that had been severed in agony in 1965.

His vision of a new Little Eight; a confederation of Barbados and the members of the OECS; was unfortunately not grasped by other Eastern Caribbean leaders. This did not diminish his allegiance to regional integration and he poured his energy and considerable intellect into the vision of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) for which he was the Lead Prime Minister. That the CSME has progressed to the stage it is today is due largely to his drive and passion for the region.

Hon. Owen Arthur was a friend of the Saint Lucia Labour Party and we will always remember his stimulating and thought provoking address to the Party’s Annual Conference of Delegates in 2015. On becoming the Political Leader of the Party, I frequently sought his advice on matters relating to the economy of Saint Lucia and the region.

The fact is, Arthur leaves an indelible footprint in the soil of the Caribbean and his passing will be a
deep loss not only for the people of Barbados but also for the people of the entire regional community. This is a testament to the magnitude of his contribution to the development of Barbados and the wider Caribbean.

On behalf of the Saint Lucia Labour Party, I extend my sincerest condolences to his wife Julie, daughters Leah and Sabrina, other relatives, the people of Barbados, and of our Caribbean.