Adams and Astaphan weigh in on report of airport breach

A former minister of national security and an ex-assistant comptroller of customs have weighed in on allegations that a minister of government in the Team Unity administration breached security at St Kitts' Robert L Bradshaw International Airport one week ago Saturday.

Terry Adams, former assistant comptroller of customs with responsibility for port operations and enforcement said the government official, who was not travelling, entered the departure lounge. When informed that he has to be screened in accordance with security protocols the minister launched a verbal attack on the security officer when she insisted.

"That is troubling. No one is above the law. The Ministry of Aviation falls under the Hon Mark Brantley and has responsibility for aviation matters which includes security. If these matters come to the attention of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Transport Security Administration (TSA), Mr Brantley and his technical officers would have to be writing reports to justify why someone who was not travelling was allowed to enter the sterile area. Persons, irrespective of their positions must not abuse the system because they feel they have power," said Adams, a former director on the Board of Directors of the St Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority (SCASPA). who called for an immediate end to such abuse.

Former national security minister Dwyer Astaphan, said safety locally must be of a high priority.

"There are carriers with direct service between St Kitts and Nevis and the United States. Our departure area at our airport is not only of primary concern to us in so far as security and safety are concerned but they would be of primary concern to the Transport and Safety agency, the US State Department because Americans citizens and American aircraft use our facilities and if a flight is non-stop then God forbid that something unfortunate happens," said Astaphan during his weekly radio programme, the Operating Room.

He pointed out that if the allegations are true, "it is not only a problem for St Kitts and Nevis, but also for the United States which would have a very serious interest.

"If anyone is going to compromise the security protocols and disrespect the security officers you are potentially hurting the economy of the country and hurting the opportunities for our people to be gainfully employed in our country," said Astaphan, who also held the tourism portfolio.

Astaphan said the behavior of the government official is not "only an abuse, but also reckless and inconsiderate of the consequences."

"If true and it needs to be examined and fleshed out for the public to discuss it because if there is an official in our public sector who is doing something like that, that has some severe implications for the country, for the economy, then we have to really ask whether that person should be in that job that he or she is in," said Astaphan.

The latest incident is said to be the fifth involving that government minister.