The country is still grappling with the Gregory Bowen episode and up comes another major news article that would be the talking point in the homes of many Grenadians during the entire Christmas vacation.
It involves the revelation by the Editor of Offshore Alert, David Marchant that the controversial video with Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell at the Switzerland home in June 2000 of international con-man, Eric Resteiner.
Our people have grown accustomed to the abused statement: “Never a dull moment” in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, and the subsequent question: When will it all end?
The psyche of the Grenadian man must be shattered over the fact that both the Prime Minister of this country and the Deputy Prime Minister are embroiled in serious corruption and bribery allegations.
And it makes a laughing stock of Dr. Mitchell’s own campaign theme in the 1999 general elections when he enjoyed a clean sweep of 15 seats at the poll: “Time to settle down”.
The allegations that are levelled against both the Prime Minister and his deputy are not coming from the opposition forces in the country but foreigners who have no known link, relationship or affiliation to any of our nationals.
Despite all the happenings, GRENADA TODAY is even prepared at this late stage to give the benefit of the doubt to Prime Minister Mitchell who has continued to protest his innocence over the allegation that he was given a bribe of US$500, 000 from Resteiner in order to provide diplomatic cover for him to carry on his illegal dealings.
The latest article from Marchant alleges that the video tape shows the Grenadian leader collecting cash money in a 'Louis Vuitton’ briefcase at the home of the conman in St. Moritz.
The leader of this country has categorically denied receiving money from Resteiner in a briefcase.
As Dr. Mitchell told the nation two years ago: “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, this allegation that I collected 500,000 US dollars in a 'Louis Vuitton' briefcase is certainly not true. It is utter nonsense.”
It is this particular statement that would determine the faith of our Prime Minister in the weeks and months to come with the ICC Cricket World Cup in the ear and to be followed by general elections.
If a video-tape can be produced to show Dr. Mitchell receiving a briefcase with money from Resteiner then according to our people, “Case Close”.
There is nothing on the face of this earth that could be said by the Prime Minister to vindicate himself in such a situation.
And Dr. Mitchell has already alluded to the fact that if what he was saying is not the truth then he is prepared to put his entire public life on the line.
He told the nation back then: “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”.
Indeed very interesting times are ahead. The race is definitely on by the “detractors” of the Prime Minister to accept his offer to put his “political credibility on the line” with the video-tape.
The David Marchant latest expose definitely raises some very serious questions and concerns about the role being played by Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Elvin Nimrod on the alleged video-tape issue.
Marchant cannot be that crazy to impersonate Dr. Richard Cheltenham, the Commissioner that was appointed by Governor-General, Sir Daniel William to investigate the US$500, 000 briefcase allegation against Prime Minister Mitchell.
This newspaper takes careful note of the fact that there has been no denial from Minister Nimrod about the correspondence between himself and the Commissioner as quoted by Mr. Marchant.
It is evident that the door was certainly open for the authorities in Grenada to lay their hands on the Resteiner tape and to prove to the outside world that it was a fake and the Prime Minister was clearly vindicated.
The apparent refusal by the Grenada government to use its good offices to approach the U.S administration and obtain a copy of the video tape that Resteiner allegedly provided as part of his plea bargaining in Boston raises more and more questions.
As the “Briefcase saga” unfolds, the people would be the eventual judge of the issue, “all in the fullness of time”.
History would be the final judge as to whether both Prime Minister Mitchell and his deputy Gregory Bowen would become the most disgraced persons to be ever elected into public office in this country.
