US ADVISES ST. VINCENT NOT TO START A CBI PROGRAM, WARNING THAT THE U.S., U.K. AND EU REGARD SUCH PROGRAMS AS A NATIONAL SECURITY RISK; IT ALSO SAYS NOT TO CHANGE DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS FROM TAIWAN TO CHINA

In a move that demonstrates America and Europe now regard Citizenship by Investment (CBI) economic passport programs as a direct security threat, The United States has strongly advised the government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines against creating a new CBI program. America further advised the Caribbean island state not to switch its diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China, as such a step could have serious economic consequences for the St. Vincent domestic economy, which could also negatively affect the heavily in debt Eastern Caribbean economic system. Outstanding loans potentially being declared in default by creditors, and the devaluation of the East Caribbean Dollar are among the consequences mentioned.

The fact that such advice has been delivered at the highest levels of government in St. Vincent was publicly disclosed in a session of the country's House of Assembly, its Parliament, by the Leader of the Opposition, former Prime Minister RALPH GONSALVES, as the present government has thus far
concealed this information from its constituents. Caribbean governments often keep their citizens in the dark regarding actions which could adversely affect their personal welfare.

The impact of the announcement will reverberate throughout the five EC states that presently sell economic citizenships, as they digest the fact that CBI programs in the Caribbean are now an endangered species, and the United States is now more forcefully stating that their continued existence could result in serious economic problems, in a region already beset with staggering public debt services, troubled domestic economies, and a growing dependence upon a controlling Chinese economic burden.