INSIDE GRENADA JANUARY 03, 2008 By Wallace J.A On “… December 31, 2007, I met with Bernard Coard, Selwyn Strachan, John Ventour, Liam James, Leon Cornwall, Dave Bartholomew, Callistus Bernard, Kamu McBarnett, and Ewart Layne. I had a wonderful and warm meeting with these men. Forgiveness and reconciliation were embraced and welcomed by all.” These were the words of Nadia Bishop, daughter of slain Grenadian Prime Minister, Maurice Bishop. During a press conference held at the Conference Room of the Flamboyant Hotel on Tuesday January 1, 2008 (New Year’s Day), Ms. Bishop made an appeal to Grenadians to join her in forgiving all those who were responsible for the tragedy which took place in October, 1983, which led to the death of Maurice Bishop, some of his cabinet colleagues and other Grenadians. She further apologized, on her father’s behalf,”… to all those who felt harmed by the Revolution and by my father personally…I apologize to the daughter of Hyacinth Brizan; She was only eight years old when her father was killed on March 13, 1979 - day one of The Revolution…For all those who were detained or felt they were otherwise wronged by the revolution, and held my father personally responsible for their detention, I apologize on his behalf.” Ms. Bishop expressed the opinion the 2008 should be a year of unconditional forgiveness and reconciliation, which should not be based on anyone admitting responsibility for anything. Ms. Bishop said that her meeting with the men, who were held responsible for the debacle of October 19, lasted for approximately three hours. She went on to state that “….In my mind I had never imagined that the word joy could be associated with any meeting between me and these men. But I can honestly tell you that I felt joy in speaking with all of them, and we mutually freed each other from the bond of negativity that had existed between us these past twenty-four years.” Ms. Marcel Belmar, sister of Jemma Belma (one of the victims of October 19), was also present with Ms. Bishop at the press conference and she too made an appeal for forgiveness and reconciliation. She stated that over the years, she was one of the persons that was very vocal in calling for the ‘guys on top the hill’ (referring to the Richmond Hill 17) to remain in prison for the rest of their lives. She admitted publicly, however, that she has had a change of heart. Like Nadia, she declared that she had visited the prison to meet with the men and that “…I was able to brace each and every one of them; I was able to express love; I was able to pray with them, and I really thank God.” She too stated that her forgiveness was totally unconditional.