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"Why is it necessary for Mr Bowen to lie'?
This was the question posed Monday night by trade union representative in the Senate, Chester Humphrey during the weekly, "Beyond the Headlines" programme hosted by veteran Journalist, Lew Smith.
Humphrey blasted well-known Editor of The Grenadian Voice newspaper, Leslie Pierre who was one of three panelists on the programme for always trying to cover up for the Keith Mitchell-led administration.
"Each time there is a national issue of great concern impacting on the future of our country and raising concern about the conduct of our ministers, Mr Pierre always seems to rely on some brief he's had verbally and always appears without evidence," Humphrey stated.
He questioned Pierre's role as a journalist. The Voice editor has often admitted his support for the ruling New National Party (NNP) government but would be the first to offer any justifiable criticisms of the regime.
Sen. Humphrey charged that Minister Bowen clearly lied to the Grenadian people a few weeks ago by stating that he had nothing to do with the Grynberg agreement.
"There seems to be something in the mortar besides the pestle", Humphrey said.
A series of government documents have surfaced in the country showing correspondence between the government minister and Grynberg's oil group.
Sen. Humphrey also made mention of a conversation he had with Pierre about six years ago after hearing that Bowen was charged with the mantle of heading oil exploration in Grenada and knowing that he had no expertise in the field.
He spoke of informing Pierre about a burning desire to raise the matter in Parliament but felt that it will look too political and nothing would be done about it.
According to Sen. Humphrey, he urged Pierre who had good relations with the NNP regime to intervene personally and use his column or otherwise to see that Bowen is relieved of such an important portfolio and that people with the relevant competence and character to be put at the helm.
He went on: "...Now we are where we are. Why is it necessary for Mr Bowen to have to lie, that is what baffles me".
In response, Pierre said that he could not recall the conversation although not denying that it happened.
Another panelist, Bernard Jones, Editor of Spice Isle Review, suggested that Bowen's whereabouts in 1996 be tracked down and asked the following questions: What was Bowen doing going to Russia? Who was he going to meet? Was it the two individuals involved in the lawsuit?
Jones said that Bowen's activities during that period should be examined in order to show the people that he has compromised himself, as well as the government and people of Grenada.
Jones is calling on the deputy Prime Minister to step aside until the matter is rectified.
Bowen along with Russians Mikhail Fridman, Len Blavatnik and Lev Korchagin have been sued by Grynberg with conspiring to interere with the oil and gas agreement that he signed with Grenada in 1996.
Attorney-at-Law Lloyd Noel, the third panelists on the programme said that if he had to advise government on this issue, he would have suggested that the administration settle the matter with the american investor behind closed doors and to withdraw the lawsuit.
He said that the agreement between Grenada and the american investor had it gone the right way, it could have impacted positively on the island's dismal economic outlook and leave Grenada "sitting pretty".
Noel stressed that after 10 -11 years of NNP rule, Grenada is not nearly at that point, but rather facing expensive court cases from Grynberg in London and possibly New York.
He said that in London matter not only can Bowen be made to pay damages but the arbitration tribunal can enforce the agreement that was signed by NNP with Grynberg.
He noted that according to the agreement that was signed between the parties, any award of the tribunal is final.
"It cannot be appealed again", said Noel, a former Attorney-General on the island.
