October 6th, 2010: Some of you may have heard about the most recent attempt to embarrass Dr. Patrick Antoine, by The New Today - alleging, among other things, that he received two salaries to which he was not entitled.

As we all know, Dr. Antoine is more than capable of dealing with this matter. But it is my sacred duty to address it also. In the first place, as the Prime Minister at the time, it was I who proposed an independent investigation into the allegations against Dr. Antoine.

Finally and perhaps most importantly, it appears to me that something new and destructive may have crept into our national politics. A new mindset, a negative spirit, it may be, that seems unwilling to permit certain persons to rest unless - by innuendo, ruse or machination - they are busy deceiving our countrymen, hurting some individual or family, pulling someone down, assassinating the character of another unsuspecting Grenadian. At its worse, it can go further than just the character.

Maurice Bishop, Jacqueline Creft, Innocent Belmar, our unnumbered brothers and sisters who perished at Fort George on that Dark Day, may have paid the ultimate price. But others have suffered too - the late Sir Eric Gairy, our innocent women whose reputations were sacrificed to prove that Sir Eric Gairy was a dictator most corrupt and foul, parliamentarians Anthony Boatswain, Gregory Bowen and to our long-standing national shame, our own Sir Daniel Williams, who then, as Governor-General, could not speak up for himself! I too have been vilified – the list is endless. These few examples both serve to put this latest attack on Dr. Antoine into perspective and bring that unfortunate New Today headline of October 1 - back into focus.

Fortunately, I knew of these allegations against Dr. Antoine, made by a few persons in 2002 - more than eight years ago. Indeed as already indicated, it was I who formally proposed by letter May 15th, 2002, that an Independent Caribbean Professional be appointed to resolve the matter - in the Spirit of Fair Play.

Acting this proposal, while in Spain, the Heads of Government agreed that Dr. Carla Barnett, Deputy Secretary General of CARICOM at the time, would meet both Parties and thoroughly investigate the matter. Dr. Barnett employed the full competence of the Legal Division of the CARICOM Secretariat in reviewing all Agreements, Correspondence and Communications related to the allegations. Let me repeat: Dr. Barnett employed the full competence of the Legal Division of the CARICOM Secretariat in reviewing ALL the Agreements, Correspondence and communications.

In the end, Dr. Barnett's Final Report made it crystal clear that the arrangements for Dr. Antoine’s work were covered by two separate contracts. He was hired to do one job at US $7,000 and then he was promoted to another job, without reducing his attention on the first job at US $ 4,000 plus a housing allowance.

Could he have been promoted from a job paying him US $ 7,000 per month, to a job paying him US$4,000 per month? Frankly, as much as anything else, it was this that finally prompted me to ask for the independent investigation – in which the accuser would not also the judge! The report unequivocally stated that Dr. Antoine rights were seriously violated and that the RNM had no right to do many of the things it tried to do.

The report requested Dr. Antoine not to take legal action against the Community. He agreed on condition that certain things were first settled.

The CRNM and Dr. Antoine then had a dispute over settlement of the matter, which was finally settled by the Secretary General with no payment by either Party. Dr. Antoine was represented by his own lawyers, and they quite properly insisted that the dispute be settled in accordance with the Independent Report mandated by the Heads.

This was the only Independent Report and the finding made it clear that Dr. Antoine was entitled to the two payments which he received.

What is more, is that Dr. Antoine continued to work on behalf of the CARICOM and OECS Secretariats and has provided substantial intellectual leadership to the Community, since that time. But this was eight years old, and it is settled. So why bring it up now! Could it be that Dr. Antoine, by his well-established independent and objective analyses is seen by some as a thorn in the side of the Government!?

You would recall that Dr. Antoine did an interview with GBN's Andre Jerome, where he stated some positions which we frankly - did not share. But we were big enough to absorb them, without feeling that we needed to attack him. So why not address the content, the substance of Dr. Antoine's contribution? Why attack him when he offers perspectives with you do not agree?

I wish to make one final point: Many businesspersons and professionals consider Dr. Patrick Antoine to be one of the most skilled professionals in our region –in his field. This pathetic attempt to damage his character must be seen in the context of his expected continued role in national, regional and international affairs. If we forget everything else we’ve shared together, let us not forget that - where there is no vision, the people perish. If we continue to try to damage our skilled people, there will be no vision!



OFFICE OF THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION