More on the International Meetings of Penner and Won Hong Kim

Who accompanied Elvin Penner to Taiwan and China to meet with Won Hong Kim? And what were they discussing? These are some of the questions that were put to the former Minister of State on Wednesday, though he did his best not to try to answer because of his claims of self-incrimination and double legal jeopardy.  Nonetheless, there were a few nuggets of information teased out, such as in relation to Eric Chang, the former deputy mayor of Belize City. He was widely suspected of having been involved in the Kim passport couriering – but at his appearance he only conceded to having gone to meet Kim at the Taipei detention center. Penner says Chang was not at either meeting with Kim. He added that and no Immigration issues came up – they only discussed business.

Eamon Courtenay, P.U.P. Senator

“Specifically, was Eric Chang present in either of those meetings?”

Elvin Penner

Elvin Penner, Former Minister of State, Immigration and Nationality

“No, he was not.”

Eamon Courtenay

“When was the last time that you met or you were in the company of Mr. Kim?”

Elvin Penner

“Like I said I don’t recall the exact dates.”

Eamon Courtenay

“Who introduced you to Mr. Kim?”

Elvin Penner

“It was a business person from Taiwan; I don’t recall the name of that person.”

Eamon Courtenay

“Well I’m asking you to try to recollect. How did it come about?”

Elvin Penner

“It was a business trip where we went to meet with business men and…”

Eamon Courtenay

“Who is we?”

Elvin Penner

“It was a business trip that we made on behalf of the company.”

Eamon Courtenay

“Who is we?”

Elvin Penner

“It was myself, and if I recall correctly, my cousin Peter Koop, although he was not present in that meeting, because that’s a meeting I went by myself. It was simply a meeting where I got to understand that there were some individuals that had interest in investing in Belize and that interested me as well for the better of the country and that’s why I attended the meeting.”

Eamon Courtenay

“And at that meeting Mr. Kim was present?”

Elvin Penner

“Yes.”

Eamon Courtenay

“Did you and Mr. Kim at that meeting have any discussion about Belizean nationality; visa anything at all to do with immigration?”

Elvin Penner

“No.”