Letter; The solution of a financial fiasco - Ottley Hall Marina - Part 2
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| Published on September 24, 2012 |
Email To Friend Print Version | Dear Sir:
So far we have discussed the creation of a serious financial fiasco in St Vincent and the Grenadines in the form of the Ottley Hall Marina, where a total debt of approximately EC$180 million inclusive of interest was incurred by the former NDP government.
This matter was finally settled by way of a debt relief payment in the amount of US$6 million negotiated by Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves in full and complete settlement. These negotiations took six long years of extremely hard work, tough bargaining and exceptional negotiating skill.
Not Defaulting, but Deferring Payment
Since Arnhim Eustace was involved in this project, first as Minister of Finance, and later as Prime Minister, he attempted to save face, and was not supportive of Dr Gonsalves' efforts in this matter. He was actually scornful of the government's stance, and actually raised the suggestion that a default would harm our credit rating. Eustace strongly advised that we continue to make payments in accordance with his sell-out renegotiated agreement.
The prime minister responded by saying that he would not permit foreigners to rip us off, then bully us into submission. The PM had a strategy in mind which would extricate us from this mess the NDP got us into.
Dr Gonsalves briefed the CARICOM Secretariat, the OECS, the World Bank, the IMF, the UK and the US governments concerning the rip-off at Ottley Hall. He was determined to fight for fairness, and was preparing the ground for a prolonged fight with the respective lenders.
An Italian lawyer and a top-ranking Italian businessman with political connections were recruited, and a meeting was arranged in London at the High Commissioner's Office in July 2001. Maurice Edwards, the director general of finance and planning accompanied the prime minister, and was involved in these negotiations to the very end.
The representative from West LB was hostile to the government's demand for substantial debt relief. SACE's representative was just as intransigent as well. They even threatened to report the Vincentian government to the IMF and the European Union for default.
Dr Gonsalves calmly responded by saying that we do not succumb to threats or intimidation, and recommended that the lenders refrain from making them. The banks were informed that the SVG government had already explained the facts to the IMF, and the PM would be doing so very shortly to the European Commission in Brussels.
PM Gonsalves further informed the lenders that every year, if necessary, he would go to the United Nations General Assembly and denounce their irresponsibility in this matter. Dr Gonsalves also went on to inform them that a judicial enquiry was being set-up into the entire Ottley Hall project. It was an election promise to the people, and must be done in the interest of political hygiene and justice. The meeting adjourned and agreed to meet in six months.
Necessary Follow-Up
Between 2002 and 2007, Maurice Edwards and the prime minister met with West LB and SACE on several occasions in Rome and London as negotiations progressed. With each meeting, the Vincentian team sensed progress approaching. There were personnel changes over time, and the new people desired closure of this long-outstanding financial matter. Some of them even whispered to the PM informally that they understood the situation and appreciated his government's stance.
At one stage, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Italy was on his yacht off Mustique, and Dr Gonsalves invited him to breakfast one morning. Obviously, the subject of Ottley Hall came up, and Berlusconi gave Gonsalves his phone numbers in Rome and Milan. Berlusconi promised to help behind the scenes, and asked Gonsalves to keep in touch. Like most other world leaders, the Italian took a liking to the Vincentian, and the two prime ministers got along well. Subsequently, at a meeting in Rome, a deputy foreign minister hinted to Dr Gonsalves that Berlusconi was being helpful behind the scenes.
At a meeting in 2006, in Rome, it was proposed that the debt be settled for US$14 million on the principal debt of US$65 million. Maurice Edwards advised the PM to settle at that figure, but Dr Gonsalves gently rejected that advice. He understood Maurice's logic and advice, but Gonsalves' instincts as a bargainer/negotiator hinted at the possibility of a better deal should he wait for a few more months.
In February 2007, another meeting was held in London, and senior executive Ms Michal Ron of SACE led the bank's negotiating team for discussions on the Ottley Hall debt. Ms Ron immediately took control of the situation, and announced that she had come to conclude a final settlement on behalf of the lenders.
Gonsalves Makes His Case
Prime Minister Gonsalves did not miss a beat. He quickly shot back by saying that he was pleased that she came with such a strong mandate. He repeated his stance about which she had already been briefed, which was: "a one-off payment of US$5 million in full and final payment of the principal which now stood at US$66 million."
The PM advised Ms Ron that he had already stated this position in Parliament and was unable to renege on the deal. He went on to reiterate that this amount represented the actual value of the asset at Ottley Hall. Dr Gonsalves even reminded Ms Ron that the preceding Minister of Finance had already made payments of over US$7 million (EC$19 million). The prime minister made the point as well that all of this was in addition to the US$13 million (EC$35 million) which the state-owned NCB had written off as bad debts on the Ottley Hall and Union Island Marina Projects.
Closing The Deal
Ms Ron was sold on the prime minister's persuasive presentation, but responded as follows: "My final offer to you is for your government to make a US$7 million payment in return for complete debt relief."
Prime Minister Gonsalves restated his US $5 million position, and Ms Ron requested that they meet half-way, at US$6 million.
Dr Gonsalves turned to Maurice Edwards and grandstanded by asking him IF he thought Parliament would understand, and accept the US$6 million offer?
Edwards replied in the affirmative. Ms Ron interjected by saying, "Well Prime Minister, we have an agreement at US$6 million." The details were tied up, they exchanged pleasantries, and Ms Ron accepted an invitation to visit St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Finally, the Ottley Hall debt was settled.
Prime Minister Dr Ralph E Gonsalves saved the government and people of St Vincent and the Grenadines over EC$165 million. This... is a victory worth savouring!
Simon Anderson
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Richard Huggins:
Why are we still talking about Ottley Hall? I guess we need to take the peoples mind off the visa situation. Won't work this time boot licker. Please tell us why our passports have been sold to all Tom, Dick, Harry, which led to vincies now needing visas to travel to Canada. |
| Simon Anderson:
PETER, AH MEAN BRIAN ALEXANDER, what did I tell you?
Didn't I tell you that I would "rock your boat," and get you to behave like the complete fool that you are?
Honestly, I am continuing to tease you, because I want you to show the world how extremely stupid you are, as you carry on with your nonsensical rants.
Peter BRIAN ALEXANDER, I will control you, had have you chatting nonsense as usual.
Let us hear some more garbage Brian Alexander.
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| Simon Anderson:
PETER, AH MEAN BRIAN ALEXANDER, you are being a good bwoy!
I told you that you must rant and rave whenever I pull your strings, and that is exactly what you did here. "Good dog!"
Now Peter, ah mean Brian Alexander, let me see you do that one MORE time!
Let the readers see exactly how ignorant you are, OKAY?
PETER, AH MEAN BRIAN ALEXANDER, last year you went on Facebook and told the mother of all lies. You lied on a government representative, and when you were caught you quickly DELETED the lying post.
The man you lied on, should have shot you in your damned ugly face. But you are too much of a wraghted coward -- stunted, short-man, BRIAN ALEXANDER. |
| Peter:
COOeeeeeeeee! SIMON BLOW YOUR HORN HORATIO WILLIAMS, you have raised another smoke screen to try and take our minds off the VISA situation. We are not going to allow you to get away with it. Read below and stop being a pratt. Whilst your getting fresh instructions from GONSALVES, ask him if he is going to Canada, or is that yellow streak getting wider.
JUST AN UPDATE ON OUR IRANIAN POLITICAL PARTNERS AND ALLIES
CANADIANS BREAK DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH IRAN.
Mr. Baird the Canadian Foreign Minister said the decision to bring home all Canadian Diplomats from Iran, coupled with an announcement expelling Iranian diplomats from Canada, reflected Ottawa’s view that Iran represented a significant threat to world peace.
I believe that our association with Iran has had a great influence on the Canadian-Vincentian Visa problem.
SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES, INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION POINT FOR COCAIN TO CANADA, EUROPE AND THE US.
Vast quantities of cocaine is trafficked through SVG to North America and Europe.
In 2001 Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves the newly elected prime minister, issued or caused to be issued a DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT to a Vincentian man, a man who holds Canadian citizenship and lives in Canada, a man called Reuben Morgan. Morgan was neither a diplomat or employed by the Vincentian government. Subsequently Morgan was arrested at a London airport carrying a kilo of cocaine in his luggage. He was traveling on the same DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT that GONSALVES had approved or issued to him.
This alone should be reason enough to impose VISA requirements
Reuben Morgan is a relative of SVG's Attorney General Judith Jones-Morgan, who was traveling to the same family destination as Reuben Morgan, but traveled on a different flight.
Seeing as Morgan had the passport for four years before he was caught, the question must be asked, how many trip between SVG, Canada, London and other destinations did he travel using the DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT during these four years?
HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 10 MARRIED IN IRAN.
Iran has experienced a dramatic growth in under-age marriages that has seen the number of girls being wed before the age of 10 double in the space of a year, officially-compiled figures have revealed.
Sharia law states that females can be married as young as nine, a 2002 ruling by the powerful Expediency Council laid down that girls below 13 and boys younger than 15 could only wed with their father's consent and the permission of a court.
We must regard nine as being the appropriate age for a girl to have reached puberty and qualified to get married," Mr. Asfenani, chairman of the parliamentary legal and judiciary committee said. "To do otherwise would be to contradict and challenge Islamic Sharia law."
Nine year old girls married to men of 50 and 60 years of age, are expected to have sex and have babies, many immature girls die during childbirth.
By the GONSALVES duo supporting Iran at the UN, they support this behavior.
CHRISTIANS IN IRAN
Christians in Iran are persecuted to the endth degree. They are refused employment, their homes destroyed, imprisoned, raped, stoned, murdered, executed by the state, WHY? because they refuse to denounce Christianity.
By the GONSALVES duo supporting Iran, they support this behavior.
OUR REVOLUTIONARY ALIES
Iran is an ally of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Gonsalves joined SVG to the ALBA, ALBA supports Iran and partners with it in several projects. Such as the ALBA military Academy in Bolivia, where the trainers are partly the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
By the GONSALVES taking us into ALBA he has made us allies of this rogue state.
ALBA
The ALBA is a vitriolic anti-American organization which made common cause with Muammar Gaddafi of Iraq, it continues to make common cause with Mahmud Ahmadinejad of Iran, encouraging the setup of "popular and protagonist democracies"; with joint UN ambassadorial support for thug and mob rule by ruling parties of ALBA member regimes.
ALBA is largely a regional infrastructure designed to support the radical MARXIST revolutionary processes inside member countries. ALBA members consider this as one chapter of a global revolution. CUBA and VENEZUELA have brought ALBA member countries into contact and cooperation with other revolutionaries the world over—the principal of these being Iran but also including Hezbollah, Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias Colombianas (FARC), the Spanish Basque terrorist group Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA), and the Colombian Ejercito de Liberación Nacional (ELN) among others which include North Korea. The purpose of this international revolution is, as President Chávez has stated, “the creation of a new world order.” According to ALBA foreign policy, the current institutional order must be brought to its knees in order to allow a new “multi-polar world” to emerge.
Essential to this is the collapse of the United States as a global superpower.
Under GONSALVES, we are part of this MARXIST revolution.
THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines continually votes in the General Assembly in a way that benefits Iran. Voting for, voting with, abstaining, voting in whatever way helps and assists Iran, no consideration is given by SVG if it is right or wrong to do so. The GONSALVES duo, father and son, have led us in acting in this filthy way, in fact its not the Vincentian people, its the GONSALVES.
The GONSALVES duo support of Iran, means that they commit SVG to all the Iranian dire and filthy acts.
IRANIAN NUCLEAR
Iran has been buying radioactive materials from Venezuela and Bolivia for a number of years now. Recently Iran has taken over a mine in the gold mining area of Iran where they are mining Uranium for their nuclear program.
Chávez has allowed the Iranians to use Venezuelan territory to penetrate the Western Hemisphere and to mine for uranium in Venezuela. Chávez policy is aiding Iran in developing nuclear technology and in evading U.N. sanctions and U.S. vigilance of the Iranian drug trade and other illicit activities.
It is well known that the Iranians are seeking to build atomic bombs. They are a threat to World peace.
Once the Iranians develop their own Nuclear weapons, and providing some to their close allies in Caracas and Cuba? Or worse, if the Iranians use Venezuela as a transshipment point to provide nuclear weapons to terrorist groups? Or with the help of Venezuelans, would the Iranians smuggle a nuclear weapon into the U.S.?
Given Chávez’s erratic and irresponsible behavior, these possibilities should not be dismissed lightly. Fidel Castro helped the Soviet Union surreptitiously introduce nuclear weapons into Cuba aimed at the United States. The October 1962 missile crisis is a grim reminder that poor U.S. vigilance, a daring leader in the Caribbean and a reckless dictator in Russia almost brought the world to a nuclear holocaust.
It is known that Chavez has issued Venezuelan passports to Iranian mine workers. Those passports can be used to travel through SVG.
By the GONSALVES duo supporting Iran, they support this behavior
HEZBOLLAH
Hezbollah is classed as a terrorist organization by all decent thinking countries. A high-level delegation from Hezbollah recently visited Caracas-Venezuela and Havana-Cuba. Ammar Musawi, head of Hezbollah International Department, praised Cuba as a model on how to oppose “imperialist hegemony, arrogance, and plunder.
Remember GONSALVES spent Christmas day with the president of the Palestinians.
VENEZUELA
Venezuela’s selling Uranium to Iran, and its growing relations with Iran and Chávez’ support for terrorist groups both in the Americas and the Middle East should set the alarm bells ringing for the US, Canada, UK, EU.
GONSALVES should remember if you lay down with dogs, you get up with fleas.
TEHRAN AIR LINK WITH VENEZUELA
Three flights in a week have been put on schedule between Iran and Venezuela..
An agreement on the establishment of air transportation between Iran and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela was signed by Iranian Rezaii Niaraki, the acting director of the CAO and his Venezuelan counterpart.
SAINT VINCENT, AIR LINK WITH TEHRAN
A scheduled flight weekly has been established between Caracas, Venezuela and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. There is now a direct link between Iran and SVG, and with our dodgy passports, available to Venezuelans, Cubans, and Georgians, they must also be available to Iranians and even Hezbollah. There is a more than even chance that we are a stepping stone for Iranian and Hezbollah terrorists in such Countries as the US, Canada and the UK.
All countries should beware of the dodgy passport situation emanating from SVG, a flow of terrorists from SVG is a very real possibility.
MARXIST SCUM SUPPORTERS AND COLLABORATORS
There are a collection of so called Vincentian ULP activists, who are MARXIST in thought word and deed. They need to be watched by the appropriate authorities in whatever country they reside, they are dangerous people.
Horace Williams alias SIMON ANDERSON, how is the safe house situation? VINCYPOWA, it is well known that you are a supporter of this evil MARXIST scum ULP regime and their dirty actions, a man who protects all that is bad and evil in the ULP regime. VINCYPOWA do you play a part in this passport filth? are you an operative? Dr Byron-Cox who supports all the actions that GONSALVES takes, knowingly supports his behavior and lies.
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| Peter:
IT IS OBVIOUS THAT GONSALVES WROTE THIS ARTICLE. HORACE WILLIAMS AKA SIMON ANDERSON [the recorded fraud and liar] WOULD NOT OF HAD THE INFORMATION OR INTELIGENCE TO DO SO.
Now SIMON BLOW YOUR HORN HORATIO WILLIAMS, you have stated that a man called BRIAN GEORGE [which is not me] stole or embezzled part or all of the sum of $184 million dollars from the OTTLEY HALL PROJECT. You did so to cause all possible damage to Mr. GEORGE, did you do that under the instructions of GONSALVES also?
Because if you know all the fine detail of the project, you know that statement or series of statements that you made were untrue. You must also be aware that Mr., George would of been a school child at the time, but still relentlessly accused him of a dastardly act.
You are a disgrace to all Vincentians and unpatriotic to the Nation. Your patriotism is only in Comrade Gonsalves our MARXIST prime minister.
Now perhaps you and DOCTOR EVIL can explain yourselves.
If what you posted is true about how GONSALVES settled the Ottley Hall matter, I thank him and congratulate him on his success and saving to the Nation.
But I must add, that because GONSALVES is a known and self confessed liar, I am sure that some part of the detail is embroidered if not a downright lie. I note that he entrusted the story line to Horace Williams/Simon Anderson to tell. That in its self sews some doubts in my mind.
But what is important to any decent minded person is that the amount payable was successfully reduced.
NOW SEEING GONSALVES IS SUCH A GREAT NEGOTIATOR LET HIM GO TO CANADA TO FIX THE VISA PROBLEM.
SEEING AS GONSALVES IS SUCH A FINANCIAL WIZARD, LET HIM PAY FORTHWITH THE 3% THATS OWING TO THE PUBLIC WORKERS SECTION.
SEEING AS GONSALVES IS SUCH AN AMAZING FINANCIAL WIZARD, LET HIM PAY THE 60 PEOPLE AT ARGYLE AIRPORT WHO REMAIN UNPAID FOR THEIR LAND.
SEEING AS ‘SIMON BLOW YOUR HORN HORATIO WILLIAMS’ THINKS GONSALVES IS SO WONDERFUL, LET GONSALVES GO BEFORE A COURT TO ANSWER TO THE ACCUSATIONS OF RAPE.
WHATEVER GOOD HE MAY OF ACHIEVED AT OTTLEY HALL DOESN’T EXCUSE HIM OF THESE OTHER THINGS.
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| Simon Anderson:
PETER, AH MEAN BRIAN ALEXANDER, WHAT DID I TELL YOU?
Didn't I tell you I will play you like a keyboard?
Watch me do it again!
I will tease you like a little puppy....and you will continue to make a fool of yourself. You will show the readers that you are a complete idiot for yourself.
I don't want to tell the readers that you are a fool, I want you to show that to them.
So let's go.
Peter, ah mean Brian Alexander, why did the Police come to your job and take you away?
What questions did the Police ask you Brian Alexander?
Brian, did the Police ask you about the missing money from PH Veira?
Or were the questions concerning the Ottley Hall missing money?
Just admit the truth Brian.
Brian, did you steal, or are you just a thief? |
| Peter:
COOeeeeeeee! ANDERSON, Just in case you missed this on other posts, knowing you are obsessed by GONSALVES, just try and not be jealous of your hero.
Read this well written story on 'Woman's Sphere' don't you think that GONSALVES attracts obsession, he is such an interesting character.
Rape accusations against St Vincent and the Grenadines PM dismissed
29 May 2008 in Rape and Sexual Assault, South America.
Two sexual assault cases against the prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines were dismissed summarily, spurring critics to say ‘old boy’ networks trump the rule of law.
http://womensphere.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/rape-accusations-against-st-vincent-and-the-grenadines-pm-dismissed/ |
| Simon Anderson:
PUMPKIN EATER, BRIAN ALEXANDER, FROM STUBBS OF PH VEIRA FAME....
What's going on Bro?
People are stopping me in the street and asking me if it is true that you were arrested for grand theft.
I told them "I do not know, but I will find out."
So Brian Alexander of Stubbs, I am asking you directly.
Were you arrested for the missing money from PH Veira?
I know that the Police picked you up on the job. In fact, it was in the newspaper as well.
Was it really in the newspaper, Brian? That is what Man about Town told us. Is that true?
Why did the Police pick you up from your job, Brian.
What's going on with the missing funds from PH Veira, Brian?
What's going on with the missing money from the Ottley Hall Project, Bro?
Is it true that people are accusing you of being involved with the missing money from the band TOUCH? |
| STEVE_HUGGINS:
PETER, I see that THE LOS ANGELES TIMES carried the stories of the RAPE allegations/charges. I think it was there that I first saw the tally of FIVE such reported RAPE ACCUSATIONS. I believe it was some top regime official, probably the politically-appointed DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS (DPP) whom the L.A. TIMES interviewed for the shocking article. |
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