MAY 22

Opposition Leader Tillman Thomas has called for an independent probe into the 2000 financial exchange that allegedly took place in Switzerland between Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell and German suspected fraudster Eric Resteiner.

Speaking at a public meeting of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Sunday night in Grenville, St. Andrew's, Thomas suggested that Dr. Mitchell should step down from office while the investigation takes place.

He dropped strong hints that the congress party will insist on the removal of Mitchell from office as Prime Minister as part of a struggle to protect the democratic institutions in the country and to ensure "greater accountability" in governmental affairs.

The Miami-based Offshore Alert magazine carried a report on the financial transaction between the Grenadian leader and Resteiner who at the time was a Trade Counselor for the island. There are unconfirmed reports that the German national who has been criminally indicated in the United States is currently held in custody in Singapore.
According to Thomas, the allegation of financial wrong-doing on the part of Dr. Mitchell will only serve to damage the image of the country and the Office of the Prime Minister.

He told the large gathering that since the ruling New National Party (NNP) took office in 1995 the country has been questioned too often in international circles. He made reference to the NNP's dealing with questionable characters like Steve Altman who was prevented by the Customs Department from bringing into the country a number of sex-related goods for sale, as well as Viktor Kozeny who is known internationally as the "Pirate of Prague".

Thomas also said that the NDC will use the next few days to meet with interest groups in the country like the Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Trade Unions, and religious leaders to inform them about the latest developments in the country.

He announced that letters would be despatched by the party to Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders to brief them on the situation in Grenada. Speculation is rife that the NDC is prepared to continue taking action aimed at bringing down the Mitchell government from office right through July's planned CARICOM heads of government summit to be hosted in St. George's by Prime Minister Mitchell.

The NDC leader also accused the ruling party of using threats to prevent the Grenada Broadcasting Network (GBN) from airing the daily BBC Caribbean report in which coverage was provided of the allegations made against Prime Minister Mitchell.

NNP insiders have said that the party is prepared to combat the latest push by NDC in order to maintain their hold onto power in the country.
A party source said that the ruling party is confident of the Prime Minister surviving the latest set of allegations made against him but has taken steps to ensure that the party holds onto the seat of government.

He stated that if the Prime Minister is forced out the party would most likely turn to new Communications and Works Minister, Dr. Clarice Modeste-Curwen to assume the post of Prime Minister. "Even if he (Dr. Mitchell) is forced out, we would still have eight in parliament to remain in the majority", he said.

"We know them boys (NDC) planning something and we are not sitting down idle too. We are mustering our troops to face them", he added.