A leading St. George's law firm has given National Security Minister, Major Einstein Louison until September 8 to reply to a letter sent to him in connection with allegations made against Member of Parliament for the town of St. George, Peter David.

The letter was despatched to Sen. Louison by President of the Grenada Bar Association , Ruggles Ferguson who is attached to Ciboney Chambers where David is also a founding partner.

The senior government minister had told reporters that the State Department in Washington was involved in a criminal fraud case brought against David in connection with an alleged fraud committed in the United States.

The U.S Embassy in Bridgetown denied the claim made by Sen. Louison and the the Keith Mitchell-led government issued a formal apology to the american government on the statement.

"If we do not receive a satisfactory reply on or before 8th September 2005, legal proceedings will be promptly taken against you", Ferguson warned Sen. Louison.

Following is the full text of the letter:

August 29th, 2005

Senator Einstein Lousison
Minister of National Security
Prime Minister's Office
Botanical Gardens
ST. GEORGE'S

Re: Hon. Peter David - Serious Libel

We act for the Hon. Peter David of Grand Anse, St. George's. Our client is an Attorney-at-Law, a senior member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and a Member of Parliament. As an Attorney-at-Law, he has operated a law practice both in Grenada and the United States of America, where he practiced among other things, Real Estate Law.

On the 25th day of July 2005 at a Press Conference called by your good self in your capacity as Minister of National Security, you falsely and maliciously published certain defamatory words of and concerning our client including the following:

"I'll...like to call on the leader of the Opposition... to investigate allegations that a senior member of his team is involved in real estate fraud in the United States. These allegations are serious, as we understand that proceedings have commenced that this individual has been served with documents by the courts in the United States...

"The situation as it stands could mean that a senior member of the Grenada Parliament could be tried by a United States court for fraud, for multiple frauds as it is said. This has massive repercussion for our national security and image of our country as it were....

"...Papers have been served and I think as journalists you should follow it up. You would know exactly who it is once you follow it up. It has been served by a local lawyer...."

"As far as I know it came through the United States Embassy in Grenada and it was served by a local lawyer on this senior member of the NDC who is a parliamentarian...and he has to answer those charges in United States, not in Grenada...

"... The leader of the opposition should in fact move ahead to look at the situation, because it affects him, it affects his party. He's a member of his party, he's a member of everything..

"...No request has been made to this government in the context of interfering with what is happening so far. But the fact is that we are prepared to cooperate at any level with the United States Government if there is need to do so.

... The truth is that he has been served and he has to answer the charges. This is not the Government of Grenada you know, get that clear. This is the Government of the United States of America. This is the State Department.

EUGENE MASON (GBN): "Yeah but you're reporting it as Minister of National Security."

EINSTEIN LOUISON: "Yes. It came to my attention because it concerns a Member of Parliament. You understand? And that's the context in which I raise it."

ALPHA FARRAY (GRENADA TODAY): "The State Department you say?"

EINSTEIN LOUISON: "Yes that's what it is."

MICHEAL BASCOMBE (BBC/AP): And you said the US Embassy in Grenada here?

EINSTEIN LOUISON: I did say that.

By the said words you meant and were understood to mean that our client was facing serious criminal charges in the United States; that he (is) now wanted in the United States to face trial in relation to those criminal charges; that his actions had massive repercussions for the national security and image of Grenada; and that the Government of Grenada was prepared to co-operate with the Government of the United States on this matter.

As a consequence of the above our client had been seriously injured in his character, credit and reputation and has been brought into public scandal, odium and contempt. In the circumstances, we are instructed, on behalf of your client, to demand from you:

(I). a full and unequivocal retraction and apology in terms to be approved by us, and to published at your expense;

(ii). an undertaking not to repeat the above allegations or to publish any similar statement of or concerning our client; and

(iii). an indemnity in respect of such costs as our client would have incurred in this matter up to the date of any settlement.

We also wish to know what sum you are prepared to pay our client for the very serious injury to his reputation

We look forward to hearing from you without delay. In the meantime, it must be clearly understood that our client reserves all his rights in this matter. If we do not receive a satisfactory reply on or before 8th September 2005, legal proceedings will be promptly taken against you.

Yours faithfully

CIBONEY CHAMBERS

Ruggles Ferguson