THE controversy surrounding the $31-million donation to the governing People's National Party took on a new twist yesterday, with oil trader Trafigura saying the money was part of a commercial agreement, according to a report carried by CVM TV.

CVM TV, in its newscast last night, reported that Trafigura, in responding to questions sent to its London-based office, said that as part of its development of its business in Jamaica it has a commercial agreement with CCOC Association and payments were made under that agreement.

"Trafigura conducts its business in accordance with the OECD Convention on Combating bribery of Foreign Public Officials and observes the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises," Trafigura told the Jamaican television station.
On Wednesday, People's National Party (PNP) general secretary Colin Campbell said that CCOC Associates was a fundraising account not a company. He said, too, that the letters in the name CCOC meant nothing.

However on Thursday, Norton Hinds, whose signature appears on the account, told the Observer that CCOC was established in 1992 by persons interested in having Campbell elected to Parliament and that CCOC stood for "Colin Campbell Our Candidate".
Campbell, in response to the Trafigura statement, said it had contacted the oil trader and asked them to clarify the term "commercial agreement", said CVM.

The PNP general secretary maintained that the transaction was a contribution and that the CCOC would not do any business with Trafigura since it was only a fundraising account.

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