CASTRIES, St Lucia (AP) — Prime Minister Kenny Anthony said yesterday that the US-led war in Iraq may negatively impact St Lucia’s economy, especially its tourism industry.

“Unquestionably, this war has very serious implications for us and for our economy,” Anthony said, addressing the country on radio and television stations.

Caribbean leaders fear that the war will hurt their struggling economies, keeping tourists away just as they recover from a slump following the 2001 terrorist attacks in America.

The war comes as regional tourism officials report some recovery this winter season, with between 60 and 90 per cent hotel occupancy rates.

“Understandably there will (now) be a greater reluctance to travel, particularly by US and British citizens, who are St Lucia’s main source of tourism revenue,” Anthony said.

In addition, scores of St Lucians have enlisted in the US and British armed forces in recent years, including 300 who were recruited last year by the United Kingdom, the prime minister said.

“The Government will maintain close contact, particularly with British officials, in order to be kept informed about the welfare of these young St Lucians.”

He said the war had come at a critical time for St Lucia, whose foreign minister, Julian Hunte, is preparing to assume the presidency of the UN General Assembly’s next session, which begins in September.

“This war will leave in its wake, unimagined turbulence and insecurity among nations, peoples and religions,” Anthony said. “The leadership of St Lucia at the General Assembly of the United Nations will surely be tested.”

St Lucia, a former British colony of 160,000 people, belongs to the 15-member Caribbean Community, which issued a joint statement last month calling for a diplomatic solution in Iraq.