Caribbean Nations Fear Gadhafi Ouster Would End Their Aid

The prospect of the possible demise of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi is worrying several Caribbean leaders. Libya has invested heavily in the West Indies, and those island nations now fear that a dip in grants from the Gadhafi government will set them back, the Jamaica Observer reports.

The country with most to lose could be St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where Libya has funded several projects. Opposition leader Arnhim Eustace has slammed the government for accepting what he describes as “blood money.”

Neighboring Dominica also depends heavily on Libyan money. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit told the Observer he had no plans to end relations with the country.

St. Lucia Foreign Minister Rufus Bousquet said his country is well on its way to establishing an investment bank and investment fund with $100 million of Libyan money. Libya plans to open an embassy on the island, and the government says it has “no intention” of breaking off diplomatic relations.

Libya plans to open a bank in St. Kitts and Nevis, and the government of Grenada is due to get a $1.9 million grant to help with public works projects. It also has asked the Gadhaffi government to forgive a $6 million debt.

The islands turned to Libya in 2001 after aid from the United States and their former colonial master, Britain, fell off.