BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS (SEPTEMBER 3, 2002) - The contribution to St. Kitts and Nevis by late Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, His Excellency St. John Payne, has been hailed by the Federation's Ambassador to the United States His Excellency Dr. Izben C. Williams.
     
     Speaking at a Thanksgiving Service in Toronto last week, the Nevis-born Diplomat said the service of Ambassador Payne also extended to Caribbean people, especially immigrants needing advice on matters of citizenship, settlement and access to social services in St. Kitts and Nevis as well as Toronto and the United Kingdom, where he lived.
     
     'To the very end St. John engaged in planning as if for the next ten years; not as one in denial of his impending fate but rather as one committed to giving of himself in service to the very end,' Ambassador Williams told the large gathering of mourners and family members.
     
     He interpreted the large presence 'as testament to your recognition of the valuable role he has played in all our lives, to an acknowledgement of his dedication to the service of his people, a recognition of the representation he has diligently made on our behalf - on behalf of his country, and of the quiet dignity and humility with which he executed his relations and his functions.'
     
     Ambassador Williams said the family of St. John Payne has lost a faithful head and conscientious provider.
     
     'The (St. Kitts-Nevis) Trades and Labour Union has lost a stalwart and dedicated leader. The Government and People of St. Kitts and Nevis have lost a committed administrator, a statesman and a wise counsel. The Foreign Services of St. Kitts and Nevis has lost a valuable senior diplomat, the many persons whom he has helped or whose life he has touched have lost a friend, a significant ally and a positive influence in their lives and we have all lost a selfless and devoted friend in St. John,' said Ambassador Williams, who is also the St. Kitts and Nevis Permanent Representative to the United States.
     
     Dr. Williams brought condolences and words of solace on behalf of the Government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis, the many nationals throughout North America, many of whom have been in touch with the Embassy in Washington, enquiring and expressing condolences; on behalf of the staff at the Embassy in Washington and of other St. Kitts Nevis Missions and staff, as well as his many other past and present colleagues throughout CARICOM and in the Western Hemisphere diplomatic corps and on behalf of his own family to the widow and children of Ambassador Payne, who died in Toronto on August 24th.
     
     Dr. Williams said a book of condolences has been opened at the Embassy so that nationals, diplomatic colleagues and the many others, may record their expressions of sympathy.