International Buddies Penner and Kim Met in Both Chinas
Penner was able to give further details of his meetings with Kim, which took place in both Chinas – the People’s Republic or Mainland China, and the Republic of China, on Taiwan. Kim is South Korean by nationality. The question is whether Penner was meeting with Kim in an official capacity as a Minister of Government, and for what reason.
Elvin Penner, Former Minister of State, Immigration and Nationality
“I don’t know the names of Mr. Kim’s friends; whenever we’ve had meetings in the past, I am just saying that he was referred to by the persons in those meetings and myself as Mr. Kim.”
Eamon Courtenay, P.U.P. Senator
“Who were in those meetings?”
Elvin Penner
Elvin Penner
“I said I don’t recall who the persons are that were in that meeting.”
Eamon Courtenay
“Where were the meetings?”
Elvin Penner
“They were in different places.”
Eamon Courtenay
“Where?”
Elvin Penner
“I have been to Asia, in several locations.”
Eamon Courtenay
“Where?”
Elvin Penner
“In Taiwan.”
Eamon Courtenay
“Taiwan?”
Elvin Penner
“In China.”
Eamon Courtenay
“Mainland?”
Elvin Penner
“Mainland China. And those are the two that I can recall.”
Eamon Courtenay
“And a person by the name of Mr. Kim was present in those two meetings.”
Elvin Penner
“Yes.”
Eamon Courtenay
“When was this?”
Elvin Penner
“I don’t recall [the] exact date.”
Eamon Courtenay
“Well, what year was it?”
Elvin Penner
“I wouldn’t be able to recall the exact year either.”
Eamon Courtenay
“Was it a year when you were a Minister?”
Elvin Penner
“I believe the first time I met him, it perhaps was not; but the second time I met him, it perhaps was.”
Eamon Courtenay
“Mr. Penner, do you have your passport with you?”
Elvin Penner
“No, I don’t.”
Eamon Courtenay
“I am asking you to check your passport, so that you can confirm for us when it was that you were in Taiwan and when it was that you were in China, and met Mr. Kim. I am also asking you to try your best to recall who was in those meetings. Was any other Belizean present, in either of those meetings?”
Elvin Penner
“Not that I can recall, no.”
Eamon Courtenay
“Well, I am asking you again to try to recall.”
According to Penner, the meeting with Kim revealed certain interest in investing in Belize, specifically in real estate.
