Senator Courtenay Says Former U.D.P. Government Planned to Ratify New York Convention
Michael Peyrefitte
In response to Lead Opposition Senator Michael Peyrefitte, Senator for Government Business Eamon Courtenay pulled out black and white proof that shows that what was done today was a plan created by the Barrow Administration. The P.U.P. Government says that this process was in motion before the November eleventh elections. Today, Senator Courtenay whipped out WhatsApp messages dated last year between a C.E.O., a former U.D.P. minister, and the interested investor discussing the New York Convention’s ratification.
Michael Peyrefitte, Lead Opposition Senator
“There is this talk that the U.D.P. did two things, that the U.D.P. start this process before November eleventh. You see even in the P.U.P. press release yesterday. That is absolutely and utterly false. There were initial negotiations. We did commit to talk about it at some point in the future. But what was the problem Madam President we could not be convinced as to what was the connection between debt negotiation and arbitral awards. Where did that come from? This debt restructuring that you are talking about, how does that benefit us.”
Osmany Salas
Osmany Salas, Senator for N.G.O.s
“I found out also and I had heard about this before general elections that indeed there had been some negotiations to set up a debt relief mechanism and that ratification of this convention is a requirement of the US government to offer insurance coverage that would support private investment for debt relief and conservation initiative.”
Eamon Courtenay
Eamon Courtenay, Senator for Government Business
“They come with the pretense, you didn’t consult us. You didn’t tell us. You did it. You were involved in it. Your government is the one who signed it and I am coming to you with the WhatsApp shortly. Madam President, we are dealing with a debt crisis in this country. The United Democratic Party started these negotiations. They came here pretending that they don’t know what we are talking about. I want to quote Senator Peyrefitte, absolutely and utterly false that I began under the U.D.P. Well this is Dean Oliver Barrow, Prime Minister but it goes worse and I will make this available so that I don’t have to call the names to the Senators over her because they have these documents. Yesterday, people started to send me WhatsApp. I won’t call the names. They refer to an A.G. Madam President this goes back to September 2020. This is coming from the person from the international institution to a C.E.O. “Any word on ratification?” “I have a called this afternoon with blank the Minister to discuss.” Best case scenario that G.O.B. can ratify. Let me tell you what the C.E.O. says, yes I am pushing for that. I told the Minister, and I won’t call the name, that we can do that before the elections to ensure that the ball keeps rolling. Answer: great. Thanks They come here and pretend that they were not doing it. Next WhatsApp, Hey, I won’t call any names, any word in ratifying the New York Convention, I liked to schedule next week with G.O.B. team. Team? They had a team, to introduce mister so and so our deal lead who is stepping in since so and so is leaving so. Please let me know when will be a good day and time. Now get the dates correct. September 2020: Hi. I won’t call any names. I know that the minister was to talk to the A.G. yesterday. I’ll get an update from minister. Who was the A.G.? Absolutely and utterly false. Good morning Minister I hope you are well. I am just checking in to see if there is any update on G.O.B. in ratifying the New York Convention. I also wanted to request a meeting this week to introduce the deal lead and so and so is leaving at the end of this week. Now hear the answer from the Minister, in all likelihood this appears not to be doable before the parliamentary is ended. Don’t come here and pretend that you don’t know what we are talking about when you are all were consulted. Don’t come here and pretend that you don’t…”
Michael Peyrefitte
“That is a lie. I was…the point of order Madam President, what does this have to do with the ratification of the motion especially since you are reading imaginary text from imaginary people that we don’t know. Call the names from the people that you are reading from. You could have made that up last night. We don’t know what you are saying.”
