[dropcap]D[/dropcap]uring Prime Minister Allen Chastanet’s Budget Address four months ago, he repeated in a special statement to the House his government’s intention to put an end to business as usual, starting with the investigation a number of “suspicious undertakings” by the previous administration.
“We must clear the suffocating smoke that conceals the truth about Mr. Walid Juffali, Robert Lindquist, St. Jude Hospital, the infamous minister’s account and Grynberg,” he said.
He added: “We are determined to deliver on all our election pledges, regardless of impediments deliberately put in our way. Our country was sick and dying of business as usual; we need to put an end to it . . . or die trying!”
Since then there has not been much on the announced probes. On Monday, in answer to a question about Grynberg from a reporter at the government’s pre-Cabinet briefing, the prime minister said: “What complicates the situation a little bit is that the case [Grynberg’s lawsuit against the government] is still ongoing. We were hoping that by now the case would have been determined, but there’s been an appeal by Mr. Grynberg on the matter.”
Despite this setback, and at the risk of reaping the “whirlwind” threatened by his predecessor, the prime minister further announced on Monday: “We have met with one lawyer who is preparing a proposal to do a full investigation as to where we are.”
Mr. Chastanet says the investigation will centre on: “How is it an agreement with Grynberg was signed that neither Cabinet nor parliament knew anything about? Also, that the documents themselves were not housed in government ministries but were secretly kept at the home of an individual in New York.”
Thanks to the court case, the prime minister said, “The state now has to carry the expense of defending a related lawsuit. We have to determine whether, in fact, anybody can be held accountable, and who should be held accountable for what has transpired.”
The prime minister indicated that, following the announced investigation, the government will know how best to proceed. He also gave the assurance that the report will be made available to the public.
