OAS Secretariat relocated in building own by an envoy in PM Harris' office

The secretariat of the Organisation of American States (OAS) has been relocated.

It is now located on New Street in the Kennylin Building owned by Her Excellency Ambassador Constance V Mitcham, an Envoy in the Office of St Kitts and Nevis' Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris.

The building also houses Ms Mitcham's law office, Mitcham and Benjamin.

The OAS Secretariat had occupied a building on the corner of Wilkin Street and Horsford Road since it was established on November 10, 1985.

On January 5, 2014, the Embassy of Venezuela was gutted by fire and an attempt to burn down the OAS Secretariat failed. No one has been brought to justice, although two persons were charged in connection with the embassy fire.

In a statement on January 23, 2014, the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force said one male of Phillips’ Village and formerly of Lodge Project, had been formally arrested and charged in connection with the fire which consumed the building that housed the Venezuelan Embassy.

The Police said the Fire Department had indicated that according to the evidence which they discovered at the scene, it was suspected that it was the work of an arsonist.

The man was charged with arson and malicious damage.

On January 31, 2014, the St. Kitts-Nevis Observer reported that a female, also of Phillips’ Village, was charged with arson of the Venezuelan Embassy.

“She faces the offence of ‘unlawfully and maliciously setting fire to a certain building devoted and dedicated to a public use to wit the Venezuelan Embassy’,” said the Observer report.

The OAS Secretariat located not far away was also set on fire but received minor structural damage before Fire and Rescue extinguished the flames.

“Investigation revealed that the building was intentionally set on fire, and an abandoned vehicle, motor car P7809 was found at the scene and taken into police custody along with other items,” the Observer newspaper reported quoting Police Public Relations Officer Inspector Lyndon David.

A January 8, 2014 St. Kitts-Nevis Observer report quoted then Team Unity leader Dr. Timothy Harris as stating that he would have no confidence in any report coming from these incidents.

The two Phillips’ Village residents who were arrested, charged and bailed are yet to face trial. Sources say the charges have been dropped since Dr. Harris became Prime Minister and Minister of National Security in mid February 2015. The two are from the constituency that Harris represents in parliament.