Young: US lobbyist not involved

Young told Newsday, “The recent call between the President of the United States and Prime Minister Rowley was not as a result of the lobbyist firm as has been clearly stated before.” He continued, “Therefore the attempts to link any cost to the public to that call taking place are simply disengenous and misleading.” Young confirmed that Government had hired The DC Group, “as its lobbyist firm.” Young did not comment on the figure of US$1.2 million per annum for a two year period, which the firm was reportedly hired for. Newsday understands this could form the basis of a question to be raised in the House of Representatives today. Checks by Newsday of the US Justice Department’s website found no documents involving any agreement between the DC Group and the Government there, as mentioned in the Guardian’s article. Young explained that during debate on the Tax Information Exchange Agreements (TIEA) Bill 2016 in the House two weeks ago, Rowley, “spelt out some of the reasons” why it is necessary to promote trade, security and business interests on behalf of the citizens of TT.” He indicated this is why it was necessary to have a lobbyist firm working for the Government of TT in Washington DC. “The lobbyist firm has been working with the Government of TT in fulfilling its mandate,” Young stated.

He added that, “The Government will continue to work for TT in building and maintaining the country’s relationships with the United States and other countries.

During debate on the TIEA Bill in the House on February 23, Rowley said, “I was home on the weekend (of February 18-19) and I was informed that the President of the United States would like to speak to me.” The Prime Minister continued, “It had nothing to do with our lobbyist and it did not cost TT a cent.” Rowley said, “The President of the United States understands that TT, is a country that the United States holds very dearly for good reason. The US is our major trading partner and we are a leader in Caricom.” Confirming at that Government has a lobbyist, Rowley stated, “I spent nine months trying to get the Central Tenders Board to hire a lobbyist because we need a lobbyist.” He explained that this country needed a lobbyist in Washington DC, “because our interests need to be protected and we need people to speak for us and push and open doors in the correct place so that we are not harmed by accident.” Stating Government engaged the services of the lobbyist long before the Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act (FACTA), Rowley said allegations that a lobbyist was paid US$1 million to arrange the telephone conversation he had with Trump, “is a deliberation misrepresentation of an untruth.” Rowley reiterated, “So when we hire a lobbyist whether it costs a million or half a million dollars it is to protect the interests of the people of TT.”