Hear the Children's Cry condemns treatment of Mona student 3:15 PM
Health of Jamaica's children improving — Ferguson 2:58 PM
Cops looking for Jody-Ann McNarrin 2:21 PM
'Ratty' killed in motor vehicle accident 2:05 PM
Woman left lying in her own urine in jail before she died 1:15 PM
Emergency repair work disrupts water supply in St James 1:12 PM
UN: Budget cuts causing cholera deaths in Haiti 11:35 AM
Modest growth for Caribbean countries in 2012 11:32 AM
Busy denied bail 10:59 AM
Man detained over New York boy's 1979 disappearance 10:43 AM
Editorial
Trafigura: Be sure your sins will find you out!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
POLITICIANS don't always seem to be quick learners, but we sincerely hope that they will have learnt something from the Trafigura ghost which has stubbornly resisted all attempts to exorcise it.
When the issue raised its ugly head in 2006 during the previous People's National Party (PNP) administration, it all but buried a government minister and party general secretary in Mr Colin Campbell.
It embarrassed a party leader in Mrs Portia Simpson Miller who, in an apparent moment of panic, directed an enquiring television reporter to "ask the PNP".
It caused the FirstCaribbean International Bank to pay Mr Campbell $30 million in settlement of his lawsuit over the bank's alleged disclosure of confidential information on his account allegedly named Colin Campbell Our Candidate (CCOC), through the late Mrs Sonia Christie, a supporter of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP)
Trafigura caused its Dutch owners a costly trial and severe embarrassment in the Netherlands over claims it breached European Union laws against contributing to a political party. Trafigura maintained it had paid $31 million to CCOC for a commercial transaction, while the PNP said the money was a donation to its election campaign.
The issue caused the Contractor General to refer Mr Campbell to the Director of Public Prosecutions for not answering some of the questions in his investigation.
More recently, we learnt that the issue has left a $31-million hole in the pocket of businessman and former PNP candidate, Mr Norman Horne who paid back Trafigura the money on the instructions of party leader, Simpson Miller.
The issue is still far from over, as Trafigura is again under the microscope as Dutch authorities are reported to be pushing ahead with an investigation into the matter. They have secured a Supreme Court Order in Jamaica to have some senior PNP officers, including Mrs Simpson Miller, answer questions under oath on the affair.
We believe that the Jamaican people need to hear the truth of what really happened between the PNP and Trafigura Beheer, the firm which lifted crude oil from Nigeria and sold it on the international market on Jamaica's behalf, through the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica. Was the $31 million a kickback as some people charged at the time? Or was it a donation to the party?
It would be unfortunate if we could only get to the truth by means of action by a foreign country, and not through our own local efforts. Still, even that we would settle for.
As we embark on the Commission of Enquiry into the 'Dudus' Affair, the lesson we hope will be learnt by our politicians is that be sure your sins will find you out.
POST A COMMENT
You must first register and then login to be able to post a comment.
HOUSE RULES
1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.
2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, and before commenting you need to register, conveniently, by clicking the link above.
12/3/2010
I see what hottafire is saying but that begs the questions:
1) What is the PNP afraid of and
2) What has become on Mr Horne's money ?
12/1/2010
The MPP saga was an issue of ethics and forthrightness the trafigura affair was one of blatant corruption involving kickbacks. This faaar superceeds the misdeeds of the PM. The PNP is now being forced by the courts to do what they have refused to do.
11/26/2010
" It would be unfortunate if we could only get to the truth by means of action by a foreign country, and not through our own local efforts. Still, even that we would settle for"
Famous Words of the late MALCOLM X;
BY ANY MEANS POSSIBLE.
11/26/2010
The actions by both parties are wrong but get this, whats the worst that can come about as a result of this Trafigura affair? Now ask the same question of the Mannatt and Dudus affairs.......The JLP is wishing upon stars, their scandals supercede Trafigura by at least a hundred times, in terms of personal implications, loss of lives, dragging of Jamaicas name thru the mud and the Billions of direct and indrect cost to the economy.
11/25/2010
@Clovis: "Come offa dis!" LOL! Thank goodness the Jamaica Observer isn't the only source of news as, if it were the case, Jamaica would be a bunch of ignorant and/or misinformed partisans. Not one peace of new information in the editorial - i.e. slow news day.
11/25/2010
Somehow this doesn't seem to be gaining traction.
Why do you think that is the case Mr. Editor?
Could it be because it was used so effectively to crucify the PNP in the last election?
I note the PNP said not a word about MPP at their last conference yet the JLP resurrected Trafigura at theirs. Desperation in a time of waning influence?
11/25/2010
Jamaica is sadly and unfortunately a country of low ethics and morals so we will always have to depend on foreign countries to solve our social and criminal problems. We need to look no further than the Dudus affair and the Olint affair; If not for foreign intervention the problems would still be festering while our authorities procrastinate or simply look the other way(NB. also Cash Plus fiasco). We have a high tolerance for the bandoolooism culture which needs urgent exorcism.
11/25/2010
There is proof that the Government of Jamaica hired Manatt Phelps Phillips, the contract on the US Government website clearly states this.
There is proof that $31M was given by Trafigura Beheer and placed in an account bearing Campbell's name.
What truth are we looking for? What needs to happen now is for both parties to be held accountable for these actions. Where is the trial by jury? Where are the prison terms? When will politicians in Jamaica be held accountable for their wrongs?
11/25/2010
Join with a foreign company to breach laws in it's homeland? Deny a request which was properly submitted under an international crime fighting treaty? Refuse to divulge the truth of your dealings?
Did the PNP accuse the JLP BECAUSE it is guilty itself?
The PNP will object to this latest request and turn the courtroom into a circus for at least the next 2 years. After which the expect to be in a position to cancel it.
11/25/2010
If it was a commercial transaction between Campbell & trafigura, it is dead, if it was a kickback, it is dead. Campbell resigned & should stay out of public office..If it was a donation to the PNP(which I believe), the money was returned by Horne. So the matter is dead all around. Now for trafigura, they gave donations or kickbacks to CCOC, they must answer to the Dutch authority & the chips will fall where they may.. The PNP officials being asked for statements, must simply say what happened..
11/25/2010
As usual, it will be swept silently under the mat and go the way of so many other scandals. Our politicians have no respect for us and subsequently themselves, yet they are the first ones who jump on the proverbial "morals and ethics" bandwagon. Should we believe them?? No way!! Until politicians are forced...yes, forced...to declare assets, party contributions, their resident status, etc. and are brought to book for wrongdoing and/or corruption, nothing is going to change!!
11/25/2010
You have high hopes of hearing anything, we have yet to put a member of parliament (past or present) in jail (less JAG smith).. but upto date we are the "LEAST" corrupt nation on this earth (I cant keep from busting a gut on that one)...So nothing will come of this either..
Other Stories
The JTA must act to redeem itself
0 comments
Dr Phillips should remind us why the PNP won the elections
10 comments
Budget debate is about Jamaica's future, not JLP and PNP
4 comments
Designating Mandeville a university town makes sense
3 comments
5 comments
Time to shift from austerity to growth strategy
4 comments
Adopt the Grace Foods template
0 comments
3 comments
Now you're talking, Mr Christie!
7 comments
Gov't must use tax policy, fiscal expenditure to reduce income inequality
0 comments
JPS’s first task is rebuilding trust
0 comments
Complete the circle of Independence
10 comments
Carib should take damaging rum subsidies to WTO
0 comments
0 comments
Nice move to encourage Jamaicans to vacation at home
2 comments
More tax raids, yes, but more finesse too, TAJ!
3 comments
What would we do without PetroCaribe?
1 comments
Why Monsieur Sarkozy became a one-term president
2 comments
Are these the leaders of tomorrow?
9 comments
Politics of appointing and recalling our diplomats
3 comments
RSS Feeds
