ST GEORGE‘S, Grenada: Opposition political parties here are at this time discussing plans to end the reign of the ruling New National Party (NNP) as allegations of corruption and dealings with shady individuals continue to throw a dark shadow on the life of the government. However to analyze the dilemma faced by the government one must first go back since it is impossible for any society to move forward without taking the past into consideration. Firstly it must be noted that the Keith Mitchell administration violated the offshore laws of Grenada when as Minister of Finance accepted $110,000 and a photocopy of a photograph of a jewel from First International Bank. The laws of Grenada provide for the provision of evidence of $1million in cash in order to obtain a license to set up a bank. As a result of the ‘error or design’ by the NNP government, American investors were defrauded of some US$435 million, the largest bank failure in the history of the Caribbean. This bank was headed by no lesser person than Van Brink who is now wanted in the United States for money laundering charges. It is important to note that a letter signed by the Prime Minister surfaced and was published where the Prime Minister who is the leader of the NNP was thanking David Rowe an official from First Bank for financial contributions made to his party during the 1999 elections. It must also be remembered that gifts were accepted from the likes of Victor Kozeny known as the Pirate of Prague who is also indicted in the United States. As if the aforementioned were not sufficiently embarrassing, members of the NNP government flew all over Europe in the personal jet of Victor Kozeny and in his company. Now let’s look at the saga facing the Prime Minister as it relates to the allegation that he received a briefcase containing US$500,000. He admitted that he received between 12-14 thousand dollars from German Eric Resteiner the then holder of a Grenadian diplomatic passport to pay for a promotional tour to several countries in Europe. However based on the funds the P.M has admitted receiving it is clear that it is insufficient to pay the way for a delegation here to visit all the European countries enlisted, a simple check with a travel agent would prove this. After all maybe Resteiner was paying part of the tour? But the P.M did not mention part payment so we will have to take him at his word except that it was a two man delegation and even so it is still insufficient when taking into account hotel accommodation, meals, airline tickets internal transport etc. Anyone who has his or her shoulder well on the shoulder can speak to a travel agent and find out what is the average cost per ticket to go to all the countries mentioned in the media release from the Prime Minister’s office then will off come to a conclusion without being a mathematician. From all the issues mentioned here it is clear that every-one must look with a fox’s eye at any allegation of corruption involving shady characters since there is a history of dealings with such individuals as outlined in this article. It is well established that over the last ten years enough has happened to damage Grenada’s reputation in the international community. All already some have blasted Grenada in several publications as having links with shady characters such as Van Brink, Victor Kozeny and several others in the offshore sector some of whom are in prison in the United States. The fact that the Prime Minister has NOT denied going to Resteiner’s home and collecting a briefcase is shocking to all and sundry since it is not usual that the holder of the office of Prime Minister goes to a man’s home and comes out with a briefcase containing money. Whether the sum is 12-14 thousand or $500,000 is not so relevant here as far as Grenadians are concerned the fact remains that it’s not our style here in the Caribbean. As to how long this administration will hold on to power depends on the people but political pundits believe that within six weeks the Prime Minister will be forced to advise the Governor General to dissolve parliament in preparations for fresh elections. Most Grenadians have already showed their willingness to fight the NNP to the very end. Reprinted from Caribbean Net News caribbeannetnews.com