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| Hon. Elvin Nimrod |
The umbrella trade union body in Grenada has written to Legal Affairs Minister, Elvin Nimrod urging him not to shirk from his responsibility and do whatever it takes to lay his hands on a controversial video-tape that allegedly shows the island’s Prime Minister receiving a $US 500, 000.00 bribe in Switzerland in June 2000 from international con-man, Eric Resteiner.
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| Rae Roberts |
GRENADA TODAY has obtained the copy of a letter, dated December 18, 2006, which the Grenada Trades Union Council (GTUC) sent to Minister Nimrod in his capacity as Attorney-General.
The letter was despatched after a delegation from the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) met with the trade union movement to present the organisation with the latest bit of information on the Switzerland Briefcase scandal.
It is related to a December 7 article from Miami-based Journalist David Marchant who quoted Resteiner’s lawyer as indicating that the video-tape was made available to a court in Massachussets.
Resteiner allegedly surrendered the tape as part of a plea-bargaining bid aimed at getting a lesser sentence on multiple fraud charges.
The international con-man was arrested in Singapore over a year ago and handed over to U.S law enforcement officials.
Grenada Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell has continued to deny that he received the half-a-million package from Resteiner as bribery payment in exchange for diplomatic protection so that the con-man could avoid prosecution.
In an address to the nation, the Grenadian leader said he collected “approximately US $15, 000” from Resteiner who was a Trade Counsellor for Grenada. The money was to help cover the cost of a trip the Prime Minister was undertaking to several European States and Kuwait.
Minister Nimrod has reportedly indicated a reluctance to take any steps towards pursuing the alleged tape.
Following is the full text of the TUC letter to the senior minister in the Mitchell Cabinet:
Attorney General
Ministry of Legal Affairs
Progress House
Carenage
St. George’s
Dear Sir,
The Grenada Trades’ Union Council (TUC) has followed very closely the “briefcase” allegation and subsequently Commission of Enquiry into the allegation set up by His Excellency the Governor General and is deeply concerned about the negative impact this issue is having on the nation, and more so with World Cup Cricket to be played in Grenada in 2007.
As the umbrella labour organisation representing thousands of workers, we believe that it is imperative that this issue is dealt with expeditiously in order to bring closure to this matter.
At a recent meeting with a delegation from Her Majesty’s Opposition, the TUC was provided with a folder, which included information that a tape recording of the allegation made against our Prime Minister was available in a Massachusetts Court House in the USA and could be accessed by the Grenada Government.
The Prime Minister has categorically stated in Parliament and in the Media that he is innocent and shall be vindicated.
In light of this emphatic statement made by our Prime Minister, TUC strongly urges you to use your good office to immediately access the tape recording from the USA and thus put this “briefcase” issue to rest once and for all.
Offshore Alert (KYC News) has quoted the Chairman of the Commission investigating the allegation, as saying that he has written to you asking that you begin proceedings to access the tape.
As Attorney General you owe it to the people and the nation to explore every avenue to bring this recording to Grenada.
Thanking you in advance for your consideration.
Respectfully yours
Ray Roberts
General Secretary
CC
Governor General
Prime Minister
Chairman of CARICOM
Chairman of OECS
Secretary General of CARICOM
Conference of Churches
