SENATOR ASOT MICHAEL RESIGNS HIS PORTFOLIOS

Prime Minister Lester Bird this afternoon announced that Senator Asot Michael has resigned from his Ministerial Portfolios with immediate effect.

Mr Bird said that he has decided to respect Senator Michael's judgement and to accept his resignations as Minister of Public Works and Junior Minister in the Ministry of Finance.

The Prime Minister said, "Senator Michael reached his decision after mature contemplation. He has told me that he recognises that the interests of the Labour Party and the Government, to which he remains committed, could be prejudiced because of the perceptions of some of his colleagues in the Cabinet. He said he has no desire to be the cause of any rift in the Government however misplaced perceptions of him may be".

Mr Bird continued, "I am grateful to Senator Michael for his hard work and diligence on behalf of the Government over the last few years. He has worked particularly hard in the Ministry of Finance in very trying circumstances".

The Prime Minister said that he expects to receive Senator Michael's formal letter of resignation later today and he will make it public tomorrow together with his own response.

Mr Bird said, "My task as Leader of the Labour Party and the government is to bind the wounds amongst all my colleagues and restore the unity of purpose that has created the social and economic advances of our nation. I intend to do so fully with the cooperation of the members of my Cabinet and my Party".

The Prime Minister revealed that he will meet his Cabinet colleagues tomorrow to chart the way forward for a united and strong Government and Party.

19th June 2003

Following is Senator Asot Michael's Letter of Resignation:

Senator Asot A Michael
Dry Hill
ANTIGUA

19th June 2003

Hon Mr Lester B Bird MP
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
St John's

Dear Honourable Prime Minister

I write to tender my resignation with immediate effect as Minister of Public Works and Junior Minister in the Ministry of Finance.

I have not reached this decision lightly. In doing so, I have carefully considered the interests of the Government which I have served diligently with all my energy and resourcefulness. I have also carefully considered the well-being of the Antigua Labour Party and all its members and supporters whose welfare is always uppermost in my mind.

I am aware that some of my colleagues in Government perceive that my continued responsibility for the portfolios that you entrusted to me poses a problem for them. Even though I consider their perceptions to be misplaced, I recognise that to them they are real.

I have no desire to be the cause of any difficulties, however misconceived, to the Government and Party to which I have been deeply committed all my life. To the contrary, when I chose to interrupt my law studies to serve the Government and the Party full time, I was motivated only by the aspiration to contribute to their enhancement, and to the improvement of the lives of my fellow citizens.

I never want it said that Asot Michael was the cause of the erosion of the strength and standing of the Government and the Party or their ability to advance the good of our people.

It is in this context that I tender my resignation.

I wish to thank you for the opportunity that you gave to me to serve as a Minister of government. The tasks were by no means easy. Indeed, I assumed responsibility for both portfolios at a difficult period for the Government's finances, and I had the arduous job of finding money to pay the salaries of public servants at a time when expenditure far outstripped revenues. Nonetheless, month after month, at considerable cost to my health, to my enjoyment of life, and to the welfare of my family, I strived to ensure that no public servant went home without pay. Payments may have been late, but payments were always made. The welfare of those public servants and the well being of their families consumed my life.

Now that this heavy burden is no longer on my shoulders, I wish my successor well. On his performance will now depend the livelihood of thousands of public servants. Upon his success will depend the welfare of many.

I now intend to concentrate my efforts on serving the people in the constituency of St Peter who have done me the great honour of choosing me to be their candidate for the Labour Party in the next general election. I intend to give them my devoted attention, and to serve their needs to the best of my ability.

I am aware, Prime Minister, that you too carry a heavy burden. You must constantly balance the interests of all sections of the Government and Party, protect their standing in the community even when their members bring them embarrassment, and preserve unity even in the face of determined division. I take this opportunity to wish you the fortitude and strength that your jobs demand. You will be in my prayers always.

Yours sincerely

Senator Asot A Michael