ST GEORGE'S, Grenada: Prime Minister of hurricane-ravaged Grenada, Dr. Keith Mitchell, reiterated in various ways in a Monday night speech that his recent trip to Beijing was successful and was meant to negotiate “with a view to seeking help for Grenada” in an effort to “successfully address several of the developmental challenges in the post Ivan years”. “The exercise of the visit to, and negotiations with, the People’s Republic of China is about a search for help to meet the needs of the Grenadian population. It is not a personal matter, as some have selfishly tried to suggest. It is about helping you the people, from all sections of the Nation” said Mitchell. However, in an exclusive interview with Caribbean Net News opposition MP Nazim Burke said, the Grenadian leader does not have the people’s interest at heart. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP said the way the Prime Minister chose to make his exit is questionable and disrespectful to the guidelines pertinent to parliament and the people of Grenada. Mitchell denied claims made by the Taiwanese Ambassador that he secretly opted to visit Beijing by stating, “Before embarking on the visit, I wrote to the Premier of Taiwan to advise him that I would be going on the visit to Beijing in the context of our reconstruction efforts and to also review our international relations. "Grenada has acted very honourably and transparently with the ROC on Taiwan. I have also been very transparent with the local Ambassador, and have had multiple conversations with the Ambassador on this important matter. In all our dealings with Taiwan, this Government has been very open, honest and frank. We have done nothing behind their backs. We have kept them abreast of all our activities. All our dealings have been handled in a private, confidential and diplomatic manner,” Mitchell added. Taiwan’s foreign minister said Mitchell’s visit to China was like blackmailing Taiwan and Grenada’s opposition National Democratic Congress views it as an embarrassment to Grenada because of the manner in which it was done. However, Dr. Mitchell insisted that there was nothing wrong with the decision he took; noting that Taiwan saw him as a “small person” they did not take seriously. Mitchell said this approach by Taiwan is not his fault. Mitchell further justified his decision by saying: “the development of friendship with one country does not, in itself, negate friendly relations with others. For example, Grenada has diplomatic ties with Cuba. We are also very good friends with the United States of America. Dr. Mitchell made further reference to the fact that other leading countries including countries within the region also have diplomatic ties with China. Mitchell’s visit to Beijing has aroused grave concern and heightened interests among Grenadians at home and abroad including persons within the Caribbean region, but Mitchell said that any one with any brains will see the wisdom in his decision. “Politically and diplomatically, it is in the long term best interest of Grenada to ensure that it does not become an isolated State within the polarized but wider global community” said the Grenadian leader. The Prime minister disclosed: “I am therefore pleased to report that in Beijing we successfully negotiated a package of assistance that will flow directly to various sectors of our economy and our Country, and will extend over the next five to six years. It is a significant package that we have negotiated and it will assist Grenada through a difficult period. The understanding between both sides is that, until the official signing, we cannot disclose the specific details. You’ve got to bear with me on this. We expect to do that soon. “In fairness to, and out of regard for my responsibilities towards my Cabinet colleagues, I decided to return to consult them on certain aspects of the package.” However, Grenada’s opposition MP Nazim Burke described the Prime Minister’s response to this concern as “ludicrous” and emphatically exclaimed that Dr. Mitchell is not telling the truth and should admit and accept that the trip was a failed trip. Longstanding Caribbean journalist Ricky Singh reportedly stated that Dr. Mitchell returned home empty handed from his trip to China. Dr. Mitchell expressed disappointment in the reporting by Ricky Singh saying that he still respects him as a journalist. Dr. Keith Mitchell holds firm that he did the right thing, disclosing that relations between Grenada and Taiwan grew sour. “It is sufficient to say that His Excellency the Ambassador of Taiwan, as well as senior Government Officials in Taipei, know very well the truth of the relationship during the past few years. Since the current Government in Taipei came in to power, I have had occasion to complain to diplomatic personnel here in Grenada, as well as to high level personnel in Taipei, at both Ministerial and Officials levels. These complaints focused on our dissatisfaction with the attitudes and relations Grenada has been experiencing at the hands of the present Taiwanese Government personnel, both in Taipei as well as from the local representatives. “The way the relationship was being managed is a source of grave concern to us here in Grenada. Many of our Government Ministers, during various visits to Taiwan, in recent times under the new Government, have raised the matter of our dissatisfaction with the highest officials and Ministerial contacts. “I had also taken the liberty to ask some Ministers and Diplomats of friendly countries to speak to the Taiwanese on our behalf, and that has been done for the last one and a half years. The feed back we had from these diplomatic initiatives and behind-the-scenes approaches led us to the conclusion that Grenada was no longer important to Taiwan.” Dr. Mitchell said the funds that will be received from China will be utilized to develop the basic sectors within the economy. “In keeping with the priorities of your Government, the assistance will be directed to Low Income Housing, Education, Agriculture, Health and Sports.” Reprinted from Caribbean Net News caribbeannetnews.com