Fellow Grenadians, tonight I address you on a matter of profound importance. I am fully aware that during the past few days you have been bombarded with some outrageously libellous statements from the political Opposition and detractors of the Government regarding an investment promotion mission I undertook to Europe in June 2000.

They have accused me without evidence. They have tried me in public without evidence. Now, they seek to sentence and crucify me without evidence. They have questioned my devotion to this Country and have accused me of cheating on my people.

Sisters and brothers, for the past decade, I, as leader of your Government, have devoted my political and intellectual energies to this beautiful Country. I have devoted my efforts to promoting moral and ethical behaviour in Public Office.

As I stated at the beginning of this address, I am fully aware that you have been bombarded with some outrageously libellous statements.

These statements are primarily designed to destabilise the Government and seize the reins of power. Remember the words of the Opposition that they would make Grenada ungovernable and that the New National Party would not last more than six months after the General Election of November 27.

Sisters and brothers, we are just about six months after the last General Election, which can explain this most recent and decidedly desperate effort at destabilisation. I want to tell you that, based on instructions from my attorneys, I have not commented on these scurrilous statements, or those published on the Internet and elsewhere before.

Now that the legal process is fully underway, and court action is being taken on my behalf, I take the opportunity of this national address to present the facts to you, the citizens of this Nation. Other important facts will be forthcoming during the process of the libel cases that are being filed on my behalf.

This latest attempt by the official Opposition to confuse and mislead the Grenadian people is predicable, as it is reminiscent of previous attempts. As that old adage says, time will tell. Time will prove these latest allegations to be nothing more than the work of an Opposition desperate for power. Desperate men use desperate measures.

As the statement issued by our Government Information Service on May 10 states - Eric E. Resteiner was appointed by Cabinet as Trade Counsellor for Grenada in 1999.

When plans were underway for me to mount an investment and promotion mission to Europe and an Official Visit to Kuwait, Trade Counsellor Resteiner offered to cover the expenses for Grenada's representative to the European Union, resident in Brussels, as well as two Officers of the Royal Grenada Police Force and myself.

The promotion mission, which took place in June 2000 - and may I remind you he was appointed in 1999 - was arranged in collaboration with Grenada's Permanent Mission to the European Union in Brussels and our Permanent Representative to the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation - UNESCO - in Paris.

The offer to cover the expenses was considered and approved by Cabinet. There is nothing unusual or sinister about a Trade Counsellor, an Ambassador at Large or a Honourary Counsel covering such expenses. There are precedents for this. This procedure has been used by previous governments on many occasions.

Nor is there anything illegal or immoral or wrong with a Trade Counsellor, an Ambassador At Large or a Honourary Counsel, to arrange for the Prime Minister, other Ministers of Government or Public Officers to meet with potential investors.
During that trip, I visited France, England, Austria and Switzerland seeking capital investments for projects to benefit Grenada, as well as other direct assistance for our citizens.

Sisters and brothers, it is the practise for international agencies, such as the World Bank, to provide cash to Public Officers and Ministers when they travel on official business. This is a form of budgetary support and direct assistance to the Country, which generally covers tickets, accommodation and other daily expenses.

We have received such cash donations from international agencies, friendly countries and other donors. This cash is made available when the person travels, usually in the country or countries where it is to be used. This is an acceptable form of budgetary support that saves the taxpayers money.

This practise is not new. It was not started by the New National Party Government. Previous Governments operated in a similar manner. Indeed, many Small Island Developing States, given our limited financial resources, accept this practice as a way of alleviating the burden on taxpayers.

This is perfectly legal. It is moral and above board. There is nothing irregular, immoral or clandestine about it, as much as the political opposition would have you believe otherwise.

What are the issues in this particular case? I received approximately 15,000 U.S. dollars from the former Trade Counsellor while in Switzerland. I had already travelled from Grenada to Paris.

I had used my own Credit Cards to finance the trip for my delegation and myself. This was in keeping with the Cabinet Conclusion that the expenses would be reimbursed, in accordance with the offer from the Trade Counsellor to finance the expenses of the investment promotional trip.

Fellow Grenadians, I reiterate that the sum I received was approximately 15,000 U.S. dollars. This can easily be verified by the receipts, which I have in my possession and will make available to my attorneys.

Regarding the fancy-named briefcase, I have never had it. Therefore, it must be a figment of the imagination of my detractors. The only briefcase I can speak of that I had in my possession was my own, which was already filled with documents and personal effects for my Official Visit.

Fellow Grenadians, the question arises: Why has the political opposition sought to libel your Prime Minister in such reckless and irresponsible ways? It is clear they are not interested in the truth.. They are not interested in moral, ethical values.

It is certainly not out of concern for you, the citizens of Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique. In pursuit of their own narrow political agenda, they are prepared to destroy the stability and development of your own Country - of our Country, of your Country, sisters and brothers.

Fellow Grenadians, this allegation that I collected 500,000 US dollars in a 'Louis Vuitton' briefcase is certainly not true. It is utter nonsense. If those vocal members of the Opposition can produce any credible evidence that I received 500,000 US dollars in a briefcase, or in any other way, then, fellow citizens, I am prepared to put my political credibility on the line.

I am prepared to put the last 20 years as an elected Parliamentary Representative of the people on the line. I can assure you with the utmost confidence, fellow citizens, that your Prime Minister will be vindicated.