Where is the US$1 million?
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- Parent Category: Nov 2011
- Category: Week ending Nov 19th, 2011
- Published on Saturday, 19 November 2011 22:41
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EDITORIAL:
Over the years, the media have played important roles in exposing wrongdoing and to help bring down corrupt officials whether in public office or in the private sector.
The most recent standout work of the media involved THE NEWS OF THE WORLD newspaper in England that did a sting operation, which resulted in three Pakistani cricketers getting jail sentences for their part in match fixing.
It is not by mistake that some often refer to the media as the Fourth Estate, an important pillar in the democratic system.
As the world continues to evolve and get more and more complex, it is to the media that many persons turn to be informed of happenings around them and to help keep in check those corrupt officials whose only interest is to enrich themselves at the expense of the nation's well-being.
The unfolding stories about the "money diplomacy" in the Grenada-Taiwan-Mainland China connection is a gentle reminder of the important role being played by the media in trying to get behind the thought processes of our leaders in those days.
THE NEW TODAY holds no briefs for anyone whether in the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) or the main opposition New National Party (NNP) in seeking to bring to the attention of the public the behind the scene maneuverings that took place in Grenada's relationships with the two giants from Asia.
It appears that some within Congress feel very uncomfortable with the publishing in the local media of the confidential documents that were obtained concerning the manner in which the Chinese from the mainland were able to influence the former NNP regime into dumping Taiwan for promises of millions of dollars.
As the saying goes, "what's in the dark will one day come to light". The Chinese through the Keppel Foundation made promises of some US$122 million to get the Keith Mitchell government to break diplomatic ties with Taipei.
It is still not clear whether the then government got all the millions promised by China through the Keppel Foundation to pay-off the entire debts incurred by Grenada with Taiwan and now a millstone around the necks of all Grenadians.
What is also strange is the apparent foot-dragging by the current rulers on the search that is needed to determine whether the Mitchell government broke the laws of the country by not getting Parliamentary approval for two of the four loans contracted with Taiwan.
This issue has serious implications and raises serious questions as to whether or not some former officials did not misbehave in public office, which can see some people being hauled before the law courts on charges of committing a criminal offence.
Is there some kind of secret pact between the NDC and NNP to walk softly and carefully on issues involving the Chinese for fear of recrimination?
Congress campaigned on a platform of accountability, transparency and good governance. Mr. Prime Minister, the nation still awaits a fulfillment of these lofty and noble ideals from your government on the Grenada-Taiwan-China debacle.
So too is the NNP and in particular former Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell being called upon to be open with the Grenadian people on his dealings with the Chinese and Taiwanese.
There is documentary evidence about a promise made by the Keppel Foundation to personally hand over to the former Prime Minister a cheque for US$1 million at a banquet in Beijing in 2004 - not for the Treasury of Grenada but for the use of the NNP leader for educational purposes.
Dr. Mitchell often likes to make denials about things not favourable to him. So we would like to quote from a letter dated October 2, 2004 that was sent to him by president of the organisation, Frank Hwang.
It states, "...As the President of the foundation I would respectfully request the honour and privilege of accompanying you (Dr. Mitchell) to Beijing and, at the dinner, presenting a Cashier's Cheque of US$1 Million to you, for the educational interest of Grenadian students affected by the natural disaster (Hurricane Ivan)".
The banquet did take place but no one has heard a single word about the money. Was it handed over and if so, who got it? Was it used for the intended purpose, and if so who were the students to have benefited from it?
How long does Dr. Mitchell expect to remain silent on this US$1 million from the Keppel Foundation?
This is a similar amount in US currency which imprisoned fraudster, Eric Resteiner claimed that he gave to the former Grenada Prime Minister in bribery payments for a diplomatic position in the NNP regime. Another $US1 million!!!
The only person in Grenada who can give an account to the nation about the promised funds from the Keppel Foundation is Dr. Mitchell and not the likes of former Finance Minister, Anthony Boatswain. If Elvin Nimrod was one of the invitees at the banquet then he could shed some light on it.
Perhaps, the former Prime Minister might wish to shed some light on the Keppel Foundation money when he addresses Sunday's public meeting after the NNP General Council.
Is this another case of the NNP leader sending a message to Grenadians that they should not ask any question on the issue because this is "my damn money"?
The country should be really weary of the kinds of cover up that often comes from the NNP.
While Dr. Mitchell was admitting that he collected monies from Resteiner in St. Moritz, Switzerland in June 2000, former Ambassador to Brussels, Joan Marie Coutain testified before the "Briefcase" Commission of Inquiry that she was with him all the time and did not see him collect any monies at all.
Who should the public believe?
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