Rufus Bousquet

Rufus George Bousquet is a Saint Lucian politician who represents the constituency of Choiseul for the United Workers Party. Bousquet won the seat at the general election held on 11 December 2006.

Bousquet served in the government under Prime Minister John Compton as Minister for Financial Services and the National Development Corporation before being dismissed in 1995.Vina Frederick, [http://www.stluciastar.com/NewsHome/LocalNews/tabid/571/newsid1152/1862/Default.aspx "Cabinet re-shuffle: Bousquet fired, again!"] , "St. Lucia Star", June 12, 2007.] Following the UWP victory in December 2006, he became Minister for External Affairs, International Financial Services, Information and Broadcasting in Compton's new government, sworn in on 19 December. [Anselma Aimable, [http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/cgi-script/csArticles/articles/000048/004841.htm "St Lucia swears in new government ministers"] , Caribbean Net News, December 20, 2006.]

On May 1, 2007, he signed an agreement with Taiwanese foreign minister James Huang restoring diplomatic relations between the two countries at the expense of St. Lucia's relations with the People's Republic of China. [ [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/05/02/world/main2752584.shtml "Tiny Caribbean Nation Feels China's Wrath"] , Associated Press (CBS News), May 2, 2007.] In early June 2007 Bousquet was dismissed from the government by Compton; some speculation attributed the dismissal to the restoration of relations with Taiwan. [ [http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-1968--20-20--.html "Reallocation of ministeral portfolios in St Lucia cabinet"] , Caribbean Net News, June 9, 2007.]

In August 2007, Bousquet expressed his readiness to seek the UWP leadership at its planned convention in October 2007. [ [http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/934/88/ "Dismissed minister joins UWP leadership race"] , radiojamaica.com, August 31, 2007.] Following Compton's death on September 7 2007, reports indicated that Bousquet only supported the designation of Acting Prime Minister Stephenson King as Prime Minister on the condition that he be brought back into the cabinet, [http://www.nationnews.com/story/356070344440206.php "KING AT THE HELM"] , nationnews.com, September 10, 2007.] but he was not included in it when a cabinet reshuffle occurred on September 12. [ [http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-3526--20-20--.html "St Lucia swears in new cabinet ministers"] , Caribbean Net News, September 13, 2007.]

On June 6, 2008, having restored a good relationship with the Prime Minister and the cabinet, The Honorable Rufus Bousquet was sworn in as Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce, Investment and Consumer Affairs (http://www.stlucia.gov.lc/pr2008/june/rufus_bousquet_officially_back_in_cabinet.htmzzz)

References