Minister Contends He Will Not Inquire About Reasons for Revocation
Edmond Castro
Castro’s Chief Executive Officer, Ruth Meighan, a former Immigration Director, was also denied entry into the U.S. in late July, 2016. Together, neither the minister nor his C.E.O. can visit or transit through that country. Castro maintained today that he has no interest in finding out the reason why his visa was canceled. When asked about the coincidence of his travel documents being voided ahead of Burgess’ appearance before the Senate Special Select Committee, Castro told reporters that whatever the whistleblower had to say has already been said in court. We note, however, that all that was said in court was not fully ventilated at today’s public hearing. In any case, we pressed him, to explain the odd case of both his and Meighan’s visas being rescinded.
Isani Cayetano
“Respectfully sir, my question remains the same. It’s a situation where you as the minister have gotten your visa shelved and your C.E.O. also. In terms of your official business for government you would not be able to travel outside of the country via the United States.”
Edmond Castro, Minister of Transport/NEMO
“No sir, no sir. Let me tell you this. Dah noh only di United States you go fi do business fi your government. If that was the case [then] maybe I could have kept my residency card. I turned that in. I have no interest in going there. So if that’s what they wanted to discuss [then] there was no need to discuss it because I noh have no interest, right. I noh got nothing fi do with C.E.O. and if you wahn ask the C.E.O. any question about her stuff. I have no interest, I have not been traveling to that particular country for over three years and the record can show for that.”
Reporter
“Are you even curious now to find out what [is] the rationale or the basis for the cancellation?”
Edmond Castro
“I have no interest. I have no interest.”
Isani Cayetano
“It’s coincidental however, that this comes at a time right when Alvarene Burgess is testifying before the senate and some people are looking at this coincidence to try to find meaning. Can you speak to that from your end?”
Edmond Castro
“How could I speak to that? Everything that Alvarene has to say she aired that out in public during the course of the court hearing. There’s nothing new for her to slander or to say. There’s nothing new.”
Isani Cayetano
“Are you prepared to be called before the senate committee?”
Edmond Castro
“Sir, sir, yoh di go too far man. I love unu. Thank you.”
