Grenada PM under a cloud

THE ALLEGATIONS of corruption levelled against Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell make depressing reading indeed. The charges, we feel sure, will provoke the interest and concern not only of Grenadian citizens but also of people throughout the wider Caricom society. This is not the first time that a scandal has erupted over the actions and decisions of a leader of the region’s mini-states, and its implications may well serve to remind us again of how vulnerable these small-island states and their leaders may be to foreign interests seeking favours.

The central allegation against Dr Mitchell is that he accepted a US$500,000 bribe from an American national, Eric Resteiner, who sought to be appointed a diplomatic representative of the “Spice Isle” in the US. This is quite a serious charge, the ultimate outcome of which may well impact on Dr Mitchell’s political career and the national affairs of Grenada. The need, of course, to determine the truth about this allegation and all the circumstances surrounding it could hardly be avoided, and Governor General Sir Daniel Williams had no choice but to appoint a Commission of Inquiry to serve that purpose. He could hardly have chosen a more capable professional to undertake this assignment than the respected Barbados Queen’s Counsel Dr Richard Cheltenham who was a member of the Barbados House of Assembly for 23 years, during which time he held a number of portfolios including Agriculture, Energy, Tourism, International Transport and the Environment.

Dr Cheltenham, who retired from active politics about 18 months ago, held office under three different Barbadian Prime Ministers. He will also be remembered for teaming with Dr Ralph Gonzalves, now Prime Minister of St Vincent, to successfully defend Americans James and Penny Fletcher who were charged with murder on the island of Bequia. According to Sir Daniel in his address announcing the appointment, Dr Cheltenham is a specialist in the area of Commissions of Inquiry, serving most recently on an inquiry into the medical benefit scheme of Antigua and Barbuda. There can be no doubt then that the one-man probe has been placed in eminently capable hands; indeed, Dr Mitchell himself has pledged support for the inquiry, promising to submit himself to full examination by the Commissioner. For our part, we are somewhat surprised by the Grenada government’s appointment of the foreigner Eric Resteiner, who we understand is now in an American jail, as a diplomatic representative of the “Spice Isle.” This must certainly be another important subject for the Commissioner’s attention. Indeed, Dr Mitchell will have to explain why his government saw fit to set such a puzzling precedent, breaking the practice of Caricom countries since they became independent of appointing their own nationals to such overseas positions.

We sincerely hope that Dr Mitchell will be able to answer these allegations and to remove the shadow of doubt and suspicion that now hangs over him. Already the West Indies have chalked up a not too savoury reputation for corruption in high places, actually involving leaders of government. Little Grenada itself has had to suffer from the dubious dealings of ex-Chief Minister Eric Gairy and Antigua had its travail under the Birds while Dominca had its share of horrors under Premier John. All these episodes, it seems to us, are part of the consequences of our failure to forge a West Indian nation, resulting in a fragmentation that has left so many of the region’s fragile mini-states vulnerable to all kinds of opportunistic adventurers from outside.