Sometimes minor stories on the BBC or in the Washington Post about political events in the United States seem to have little relevance to us—until they feature Saint Lucia in particularly bad light.
Jeff Fortenberry, a Republican Congressman from Nebraska, lied to the FBI about taking illegal donations from Gilbert Chagoury, a high-flying Nigerian businessman. A Federal jury found Fortenberry guilty and he now faces a possible sentence of 15 years in prison.
Enough of us have read Rick Wayne’s several STAR reports over the years about Mr. Chagoury, including that he is Saint Lucia’s ambassador to the Holy See. He is also our country’s Permanent Representative at UNESCO. On the occasion of our 36th Anniversary of Independence in 2015 Chagoury was one of two recipients of our most prestigious award, the Saint Lucia Cross—an occasion that received Rick Wayne’s special attention on his TV show TALK.
Mr. Chagoury considers himself a devout Catholic. Like Fortenberry, 61, he is linked to a Washington-based non-profit called In Defense of Christians. Chagoury’s history is easily accessed on the Internet, I daresay much of it disturbing, especially his involvement with Sana Abacha, a Nigerian military general who served as the country’s head of state from 1993 until his death in 1998.
Many will recall Chagoury’s highly controversial visit to Saint Lucia in 2003, with Bill Clinton. The day’s government remained tight-lipped for months about details of the visit. But persistent probing by the STAR finally moved Mario Michel to admit to reporter Nicole McDonald that the former U.S. president’s expenses were paid by none other than Gilbert Chagoury. For several weeks earlier, Michel had dismissed questions relating to the cost of the presidential visit as “irrelevant details.”
Given the unsavory allegations about diplomatic passports sold in Dominica under their CIP, one wonders what Mr. Chagoury has been able to do for Saint Lucia to hold these prestigious appointments, and whether this recent matter in the U.S. suggests we conduct more due diligence before confirming any such appointments. It may well turn out that Chagoury has been useful in more than one area. We are not alone when it comes to being represented overseas by non-nationals. But we risk our international reputation being tarnished when represented by individuals allegedly involved in international scandals. Especially in these trying times, we can ill afford to be seen as condoning illegal activities by our overseas representatives.
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Thank you my ol' good friend Rick for bringing us to light to these stories. First of all, do this man look like a Nigerian? To me he looks more like a Syrian, and of course a Catholic, why not; so big deal, he was influential enough to bring Bill Clinton to St. Lucia, and to where ever else, who cares - we in St. Lucia should care and be more careful - do I understand, that through CIP this man carries a St. Lucian Passport? and maybe a Nigerian Passport too? the man certainly has his wits on, and obviously makes quite a good living as a great pretender. I just wonder how much, if any, this man paid to receive a 'St. Lucia Cross' there must be magic in his whole being to be appointed St. Lucia's Ambassador to the Vatican. Why He? may I ask, is it because he is a very rich Roman Catholic? but I am one, but very poor. I bask in the knowledge that Christ loves the poor also.
Today, as it has always been, the one 'dressed in his Regalia with lots of Dough' can be welcomed into the Governors' House, made sure he brings with him, an ex-big shot from the USA, He receives the highest honour St. Lucia has to offer.
To day we have the very rich Russians coming in with their applications; CIP must be as busy as a Bee Hive. Thank you Rick for letting us know, keep up the good work.