Barbaric - Consul general worried over spate of criminal activities in Martinique involving St Lucians

CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC):

The St Lucia consul general in Martinique is expressing concern at the high level of criminal activities in the French-speaking Caribbean island, involving St Lucian nationals.

"St Lucia's image in Martinique is very fragile, and that is the result of the criminal activities of certain St Lucians resident there, and it's not just incidents of robbery and assault, but some barbaric crimes as well," Yasmin Walcott told reporters.

She said the situation was also affecting the island's relationship with the neighbouring French island of Guadeloupe.

"It has caused us some stress at the level of our people-to-people relations, and our reputation continues to be tarnished by these continuing incidents," she said, noting that she has received from French authorities, a monthly report on the number of St Lucian nationals in French jails or who had been released from prison.

ONGOING STRUGGLE

"It's an ongoing struggle to keep boosting the image of St Lucia because we have so much more to offer and share with the Martiniquian society."

In 2008, three St Lucian nationals were convicted for a series of criminal activities including the death of a doctor. Last year, a 24-year-old man was arrested in connection with the murder of an 80-year-old French national.