JAN 24

Opposition Leader Tillman Thomas stayed away on Tuesday from a government organised public consultation on the national Budget held at the Grenada Trade Center in the south of the island.

Thomas, the political leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), told reporters that he was forced to opt out of the proceedings due to the manner in which the invitation was extended to him in his capacity as Opposition Leader.

Following the November 27 general election in which the ruling New National Party (NNP) government was returned to office with a slim 8-7 seat in Parliament, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell promised to involve the entire population in the decision making process.

To this end, the Ministry of Finance held a one day consultation Tuesday with the different interest groups in the country to get their views on what they would like to see implemented in the 2004 Budget which is expected to be presented to Parliament next month.

According to the Opposition Leader, the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure is a serious document which calls for serious consultation.

He said that on January 13 he received a telephone call from Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Timothy Antoine inviting him to the consultation on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Thomas said he strongly believes that if such an invitation has to be issued to him the onus is on Dr. Mitchell himself as Prime Minister to do so directly and not someone in a capacity as Permanent Secretary.

A programme released to the media from the Office of the Prime Minister last week had the Opposition Leader down to make some brief remarks at the opening ceremony.
However, Thomas, a Barrister-at-law by profession, pointed out that he gave no one permission to put his name on any programme.

He said that the opposition side sees nothing wrong with consultation but feels that it should be done in a more organised way.

The Opposition Leader questioned exactly what the NDC would be called upon to consult since a number of documents related to the economic situation in the country were asked for but not provided to them.

He also stated that an opportunity should have been provided by government for the Opposition to to chair some of the committees set up by the Finance Ministry to facilitate the consultation.

Parliamentary Representative for St. George's North-East Nazim Burke who also spoke at the press conference insisted that the Opposition would not be part of any "puppy show" since the members of the congress are not puppies.

Burke, an economist and barrister-at-law, accused the Mitchell government of not showing any commitment in the past to serious consultation in the country.

He made mention of two committees, the National Economic Council and the Tri-Partite Committee involving government itself, to make recommendations on several issues.

He noted that none of the recommendations coming from those bodies were ever implemented by government.
Burke charged that Tuesday's consultation was not genuine and nothing but a "cheap means of silencing the opposition" when debate takes place in parliament on the budget.

He also accused the Mitchell government of attempting to shorten the Budget presentation in order to try and lessen on the time allotted for Opposition members in parliament.
Burke said that the Thomas-led Opposition group in the Lower House intends to make use of the provisions in the Standing Orders of the house to respond effectively to the Budget when it is presented.