PNP
orders the return of $31m to Trafigura Beheer
Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter
Jamaica Gleaner
Kingston
Petroleumworldtt.com
10 15 06
Campbell resigns - Golding calls for Cabinet to
go too
published: Monday | October 9, 2006
Embattled
Information and Development Minister, Colin Campbell,
has been forced to resign from the Cabinet and from
his post as general secretary of the People's National
Party (PNP).
The
resignation, which takes effect today, comes almost
one week after Opposition Leader, Bruce Golding,
divulged information that Trafigura Beheer, a Dutch
company with business arrangements with the Government,
made a $31 million transaction to an account called
CCOC Associates which bears Mr. Campbell's signature.
A
statement from the PNP hierarchy yesterday also
said the $31 million is to be returned to the Dutch
company.
Meanwhile,
the Office of the Prime Minister said Mr. Campbell
tendered his resignation in view of the 'misunderstandings'
that have emerged regarding the funds received by
the party from Trafigura Beheer.
In
his letter of resignation addressed to the Prime
Minister, Mr. Campbell admitted that he met with
the executives of Trafigura in August to assist
the party as it prepares for a general election.
"The
offer was for a contribution and I made arrangements
for the funds to be paid into the campaign account,
in accordance with their wish for confidentiality.
As you know, this is not usual," he said.
Mr.
Campbell also admitted that he had not shared the
full details of the arrangement with party members.
"It
is regrettable that I had not shared the full details
with you, the chairman, the legal adviser or any
other officer of the party. For this I take full
responsibility," he added.
Meanwhile,
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller says she will
be assuming responsibilities for the portfolios
held by Minister Campbell.
The
Prime Minister also urged that her party be vigilant
in creating appropriate and transparent mechanisms
to guard the integrity of campaign financing in
accordance with the recommendations of the PNP's
annual conference last month.
The
PNP had claimed that the $31 million was a donation
by Trafigura and not state funds.
But
responding to a query from Hot 102/CVM News, Trafigura
denied the Governments claims stating that the transaction
was a "commercial agreement with CCOC Associates
and payments were made under that agreement."
In
another statement issued yesterday Trafigura again
stated that no direct payment was made to any political
party. The company also said it was aware that CCOC
has political links to the PNP.
"Payments
by CCOC to maintain and support political affiliations
and development are entirely within its rights.
However, despite there being no prohibition under
the laws of Jamaica, no direct funding was made
to any political party by Trafigura," read
a section of the statement.
"The
Company accepts that where payments are made to
entities that have political affiliations, it may
well result in perceptions of conflict. Trafigura
strongly refutes any other connotation that may
have been put on this matter." It further said:
"Trafigura also regrets any misunderstanding
that may have been caused by misperceptions of its
earlier statement. No illegality has therefore occurred."
Last
Tuesday, Opposition Leader Bruce Golding told journalists
at a press conference that between September 6 and
12, prior to the PNP Conference, a transaction totalling
$31 million was transferred to an account at FirstCaribbean
International Bank known as CCOC Association.
Following
the revelation, an employee of the bank was fired
for leaking confidential customer information.
Another
employee was also sent on leave to facilitate further
investigations into the issue.
In
the meantime, it is reported that lawyers representing
both the PNP and the bank are in negotiations to
stave of a court case arising from the release of
information relating to the CCOC account.
Jamaica
Gleaner
Monday | October 9, 2006
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