Statement by Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and The Carter Center on the Death of Sir John Compton

Rosalynn and I are deeply saddened by the death of Sir John Compton, Prime Minister of St. Lucia.

Sir John was known as "Father of the Nation" for leading St. Lucia into independence from Britain in 1978. In and out of office, Sir John worked tirelessly to promote democracy and economic development not only in the Caribbean, but throughout Latin America. He was a strong voice urging international support for Haiti.

The Carter Center had the privilege of working with Sir John on many occasions. During the past two decades, he was an active member on the Center's Council of Presidents and Prime Ministers, and contributed significantly to the formation of the Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter. Most recently he led the Center's 2006 Guyana Election Observation effort.

My colleagues and I extend our deepest sympathy to his family. Our thoughts are with the people of St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Both countries have lost a truly great man.