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G2K dodges Manatt issue, wants answers on DB&G deal
BY ERICA VIRTUE Observer writer virtuee@jamaicaobserver.com
Friday, September 03, 2010
GENERATION 2000 (G2K), the young professional affiliate of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), yesterday deflected questions about the party's role in the Manatt, Phelps & Phillips affair, and instead called on the Opposition People's National Party (PNP) to answer questions about a deal over which the Office of Contractor General (OCG) has raised eyebrows.
G2K said the deal involving Dehring, Bunting and Golding (DB&G) cannot be equated to the Manatt, Phelps & Phillips affair.
The organisation also wants the head of former finance minister Omar Davies, who it said had overall responsibilities as minister at the time the deal with the investment bankers was inked.
The OCG, in findings released recently, described as "irregular and highly improper" the execution of a 2004 contract between then People's National Party Government and DB&G for the sale of receivables before a formal written agreement was finalised.
The OCG opened his probe into the matter in May 2008 after Finance Minister Audley Shaw told Parliament a month earlier that receivables from the sale of National Commercial Bank shares as well as receivables due from AIC were sold to DB&G by the finance ministry at a discount.
"G2K is outraged, but not surprised that the OCG has found the transaction to be improper and irregular," the organisation's president Delano Seiveright said. At the same time, he called on the OCG to "investigate all transactions between the Government of Jamaica during Omar Davies' tenure as finance minister and DB&G when incumbent PNP general secretary, Peter Bunting and the party's spokesman on industry and commerce spokesperson, Senator Mark Golding were principals of the company.
However, during the question-and-answer period G2K leaders avoided direct answers on the imbroglio involving Manatt, the US law firm which was retained to lobby the American Government on the extradition request of then Tivoli Gardens strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke. The law firm has insisted that it was retained by the Government, but the JLP said it was the party which had hired the firm.
The G2K president said he was becoming "bored" by the questions about the Manatt issue, saying it was detracting from the Government's achievement during its three years in office.
General secretary Collin Virgo said the prime minister had spoken ad nauseum about the matter, which they also agreed had been handled badly.
However, he said, acknowledgments of, and apologies for mishandling by Government officials have settled the matter.
Coke, who was an influential figure in Prime Minister Bruce Golding's West Kingston constituency, is now facing drug and gun trafficking charges in the US, after waiving his right to an extradition hearing.
Meanwhile, Virgo said comments from the outgoing Jamaica Police Federation Chairman Sergeant Raymond Wilson, which suggested that the party was trying to defend an alleged criminal over law enforcement were disingenuous, saying they were comments of a "dying man clutching at straws".
 
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9/3/2010
Lots of politicians here man!!
Mark says so many unanswered questions ... but lists only one. Is that the best you can do? What about FINSAC, light bulb, govt contracts, etc.
Too many politicians here ... too few with the country's interest at heart. Just people who post in furtherance of their political leanings.
Imagine the gall of people who ask "who will stand up for Jamaica". Surely the poser of the ques. WON'T!
Jamaica is doomed as a result of SPINELESS PEOPLE who do nothing but talk.
9/3/2010
@ CM,
That's the problem CM, they can't.
9/3/2010
What you all expect from G2k. I was on campus with both Delano and Virgo and this was their style from back then. If UWI guild politics is a reflection of the future our corner dark.
9/3/2010
PJ Patterson in 1998 i think it was made reference to the "New Jamaican" clearly the JLP dnt share this view, they think we're still all stupid and not able to see things for what they are.....If they had just dealt with the issue frontally it would have been long over with.
Whatever the validity in the points being raised about Bunting, they cannot gain traction if you dnt at the same time answer the Mannatt questions.
9/3/2010
Recently there was a series of articles about the old guard of the 2 political parties failing to make way for young blood....From what i am seeing on desplay here, we will only be having a younger more educated set of corrupt, morally bankrupt politicans for the next generation or two....WHERE DOES IT END?
As Mark Forbes said at least the PNPYO break ranks on occasion and call it as they see it. What nerve to call a press conference and talking about youre bored with MANNATT!
9/3/2010
Seriosly, if this group of youngies are the future of our country's political system, we have another half century of more corruption. We need a complete over haul of our legislative, judicial, and executive systems. All of them have been infiltrated and corrupted by a viral epidemic of corruption. Folks take a note of France's history, if we don't change our path, we will come to a stalk turning point - Read about the French revolution.
9/3/2010
@ Romano, I have lived in the United States since age 11, and I can tell you that wiretapping is legal as long as a warrant is issued through the court. Oh, and the president and those who hold political office do not get involved in the process. Not even the mayor or head of national security unless it is a terrorist situation. This is normally handled by law enforcement such as Police, FBI, or CIA through a prosecutor's office. Check your facts. Bruce had not place in this matter.
9/3/2010
If this is the future of Jamaica, then we are surely doomed.Again, so many unanswered questions. (1) Who paid MPP? Answer that G2K. 'Bout yu bored. Yu too unprincipled.
9/3/2010
i bet if u speak inside the ears of the g2k members you will hear an echo. That is, if ur lucky.
9/3/2010
'during the question-and-answer period G2K leaders avoided direct answers on the imbroglio involving Manatt'
- Of course they did. they are the mirror image of the jlp.Hence not serving any real purpose. Seiveright is just sucking up to the jlp dinosaurs. Jamaica better prays that he will never sit in the house of parliament if JA is to have a better future. And he is 'bored' of the mpp issue? It wasn't there for your entertainment u idiot. "WANTED: YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WILL STAND UP FOR JA".
9/3/2010
The G2K is a disgrace to tertiary education. What professional arm? They are the propaganda ( at its most negative meaning) arm of the JLP. The PNPYO is at least willing to publicly disagree with their parent body. These guys behave as if there is only one brain and everbody affiliated with the JLP have to share it. Then again, that may just explain the level of their reasoning. If they are the future we'd be better off bringing back Seaga.
9/3/2010
Pathethic!!
9/3/2010
I am not angry at the PM for what U bloggers are calling lying, What makes me MAD is that the JLP "HAS NOT" in the face of public scrutiny stood "THEIR GROUND" and FACED all the criticism by stating why they engaged a Law Firm to help them handle a Legal matter which involves"EVERY JAMAICAN" the the opposition signed which may not be in the best interest of it's citizens..STAND UP GOLDING/VAZ state your position and handle it " BOLDLY WITHOUT HESITATION.' and then be DONE WITH IT..NEXT..
9/3/2010
Like the G2K I too am bored by the MPP issue. Let us move on and come general election time if we think the JLP and by extension Bruce is to be held accountable and punished we vote against them. In the same breath if we believe Portia and the PNP are to be rewarded for being a responsible opposition and we think they will run the country better we vote for them. Bring the MPP issue to a close and move on in the interes of Jamaica and forget our selfish politcal motives.
9/3/2010
`G2K,with respected`you cannot/should not be `bored` about manatt, issue: It is more intelligent, to face itsqaurely,deal with it, fairly, and resolve, the affairs about it,properly,
See,it is taking away,from JLP the party,stand on higher level, and `distracting, on issues,that JLpwould floor PNP on, but MMP,involved the PM.
If,we resolved ourselves, to best interest of probity,JLP wthe the org. will earn,high praize-marks!, for putting principles over person, even wit ha `heavy heart`!
9/3/2010
These guys are so dismissive of us and I think thats going to be their downfall.They seem to believe they are an entity unto themselves and whatever the minions want to think they are does not matter. Continue on the same course then your demise will be inevitable.
9/3/2010
If this is the future of our political parties, then we are doomed, doomed I tell you. They are no different from the current politicians. My concerns are not about political parties or ties, they have screwed continuously over the years. My concern is our country and its most valuable resource, its people. When will we ever have a party for country and peopl and not for control?
9/3/2010
LOL DWL You are really a set of jokers...
9/3/2010
Nothing but a bunch of hypocrites and liars. G2K answer this one (1) question why would the JLP pay Manatt Phelps and Phillips 34 Million dollars to lobby for them. What benefits could MPP obtain for the JLP that would be worth 34 Million dollars. Both parties are the same and need to go. The country needs a Nanny, Sam Sharpe or Paul Bogle more likely all three to rid Jamaica of this scourge we call politicians.
9/3/2010
G2K has to admit that the Gov. and Party has found themselves between a rock and a harder place. If it is the Gov. that hired Manatt, the the PM would have been lying, if it is the Party then they would have to agree that it would not be far fetched to assume that Dudus paid for the consultation. The JLP could make it known whether Dudus or his Company was a contributor to the party. The fear of association still haunts the Party and Gov. I urge the JLP and Gov. to come out before it comes out
9/3/2010
There is nothing illegal with retaining a law firm to deal with legal matters. Why the uproar? No quid pro quo. The government/JLP did the right thing in retaining MPP because on the surface, it appears that the extradition request was necessitated by alleged illegal wiretaps. If this was done on the USA, you can bet lawyers for the ACLU would be out in force -- so why should Jamaica sell her soul to the USA. I blame the PM/Govt for bowing to pressure even though just was on their side.
9/3/2010
Talk about hypocrisy...These are the future politicians of the JLP...sigh
9/3/2010
Messrs Seiveright/Virgo are making it impossible for well-thinking persons to take G2K seriously. Seiveright is BORED to treat with a matter that happened less than 3 months ago, left over 70 people dead, state-owned installations razed, prolonged stand-off with even the accommodating Liberals in the White house. OKAY! But this boredom is not universal to be fair. They are INTENSELY INTERESTED in Bunting being shown (PERHAPS corrupt) bias by PNP. Christie is NOW cited as icon of Justice. SEEN
9/3/2010
And these are the new generation of leaders we should turn the country over to?
My God they are not even pretending that they are not ethically challenged. They are actually saying we are morally compromised so what? What are you going to do about it? Don't talk to me about what I can control, I want to talk about what I cannot control.
Such dishonesty has a bitter taste of the morning after binge drinking... God help Jamaica!!!
9/3/2010
Loss oppurtunities and wasted years that's what we got before and is facing for the next couple of years.G2K should be out on the streets, communities, highways and byways preaching, mobilizing the people for a greater push towards production and development to spur economic growth.Young Jamaicans that aspire to be leaders, answer that call don't get bog down in the old divide-rule divisions that was and still is a millstone around the countries neck. Unshackle and free yourselves and the people
9/3/2010
Again, I will repeat that those who lead, or aspires to lead our people must be measured by the guiding principles of Integrity, Morality and the Rule of Law.
The fact is, every time someone makes a mess of JA affairs, particularly those we support, instead of demanding Accountability expeditiously, we look to draw parallels to everyone else. Governments are elected to serve, not to point fingers, or advance ad hominem arguments. In fact I did agree with the Contractor General's Report.
9/3/2010
Is this the future of our country??? Our corner dark!!
9/3/2010
Who wounded Raymond Wilson? It's the Gov and Bruce Golding who are bleeding. His speech served to turn the spotlight once again on Manatt Phelps and Phillips with new eyes. No G2K, Mr. Wilson is not "a dying man clutching at straws", Bruce Golding and the JLP is drowning. And trying to deflect comments by saying that you're bored (with MPP) won't cause it to go away. The way to put it to rest is by a Commission of Enquiry or Truth Commission. The ghost of MPP will haunt you and the JLP into 2012
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