EDITORIAL

The days, weeks and months ahead would be characterised by more and more breaking news that would have quite significant bearings on events in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

And the latest bit of news that our people would have to chew upon concerns the bribery claims being made against Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell.

It has nothing to do with the stalled Commission of Inquiry set up by Governor-General, Sir Daniel Williams in which Barbadian jurist, Dr. Richard Cheltenham is asked to enquire into allegations that Dr. Mitchell accepted US$500, 000.00 from international fraudster, Eric Resteiner in exchange for a diplomatic posting.

Our eyes should be glued and fixed on the United States where upcoming court matters could have significant bearings on the "Briefcase saga".

It is our information that U.S oil investor Jack Grynberg has served subpoena documents on both Resteiner and his lawyer John Amabile in connection with the videotape that is allegedly in the possession of Resteiner.

GRENADA TODAY understands that Resteiner was served with his papers last week Thursday while his lawyer was served on Tuesday.

Our sources indicate that the Grynberg Group has given the two parties two weeks to hand over the video-tape to them for use against both Prime Minister Mitchell and his deputy, Gregory Bowen.
Grynberg has brought a bribery charge against Minister Bowen in connection with allegations that the senior government minister demanded a bribe from him in relation to the oil and gas agreement that was signed in 1996.

It would be left to see what happens over the next two weeks as the American oil investor seems very determined to lay his hands on the so far illusive video-tape that can have far-reaching implications for Grenada.

All political parties in the country especially the ruling New National Party (NNP) government and the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) would undoubtedly monitor this breaking news in the United States closely.

The existence of a videotape depicting Prime Minister Mitchell receiving money from Resteiner in Switzerland is enough to bring down the current administration and pave the way for new general elections.

No amount of "ole talk" from the NNP and Dr. Mitchell would be able to save the current government. The recovery of such a tape would destroy in totality the claim made by the Prime Minister that the briefcase never existed.

And it is against this background that GRENADA TODAY is viewing the two recent conventions held by both the NNP and NDC with the next general elections only 18 months away.

Both parties would be watching each other rather closely given the results of the last general elections as the NNP was left holding onto power by a questionable six votes and a one-seat majority in Parliament.

GRENADA TODAY is very doubtful whether the ruling party has managed in any way to significantly increase its support base in the country given the events of the last 3 to 4 years with the strong bribery allegations against Prime Minister Mitchell and Minister Bowen.

The emergence of the tape for public viewing in this country can see elections taking place on the island not in the next 18 months but in a matter of weeks since the government could fall.

As the events in the U.S unfold, the Grenada United Labour Party (GULP), which is the oldest political organisation in the country, should be very mindful of what is happening around it. In 1999, Prime Minister Mitchell managed to gain his historic 15-0 win over the opposition due to the massive support he received from the GULP support base.

There was a reverse in fortunes in 2003 as GULP supporters, realisiing that their party was in disarray and stood little chance of succeeding at the polls, threw in their lot with the Congress party because of the betrayal of their trust, confidence and faith by the NNP.

Our information is that both NNP and NDC are once again looking towards support from the labour camp in order to get a decisive edge in the next general election. It is very unlikely that the ruling party would be able to work out an accommodation with certain forces within the GULP.

Whether or not the briefcase issue brings down the NNP, it is imperative that the various factions in the labour party understand the need to put their house in order not only for the next general election but also for the future of the country.

The next election would have major casualties and the GULP if handled properly can step in to fill the void that would be created since there is always need for opposition in a democratic society.

The ball is in the court of the main players in the GULP like the Political Leader, Gloria Payne-Banfield, the two deputies, Reynold Michael Baptiste and Reynold Benjamin, as well as Winston Whyte and company to grasp the urgency of the situation.