Jumping into the debate that has continued ever since Iranian businessman Mohammed Harajchi made strong allegations against the integrity of PLP government Ministers last week, the Free National Movement said yesterday that Prime Minister Perry Christie must make public his own bank accounts.
This demand comes days after Mr. Christie said in a statement that he reserves the right to cause for there to be an examination of Mr. Harajchiﾴs accounts, if he does not publicly deny that he contributed to the renovation of the prime ministerﾴs Cable Beach home.
The FNM also said in a release to the media that it would like Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia Pratt, other Cabinet Ministers and PLP Senator Philip Galanis to make public their bank accounts.
ﾓWhat is beyond dispute is that no matter what is the amount of funding received from Mr. Harajchi, Mr. Christie and the PLP knew that they were dealing with an individual who, to their knowledge, had lost his bank licence; and who, to their knowledge, was primarily interested in having his bankﾴs licence restored,ﾒ the release said.
ﾓThe accusations made by Mr. Harajchi suggest the PLP has a problem with integrity and values ﾖ beginning with Mr. Christie. The prime minister must now say whether he personally received any of the money donated by Mr. Harajchi and present the proof.ﾒ
Mr. Harajchi claims that he was a major financier and donated $10 million to the PLPﾴs general election campaign in 2002. But that is a claim Prime Minister Christie has denied, although he acknowledged that his party did accept money from Mr. Harajchi.
ﾓThe FNM calls now on Mr. Christie to answer those questions that must now be answered,ﾒ the statement continued. ﾓWhen did Mr. Christie realise that he could not refer to Mr. Harajchi as an honourable man? What was Mr. Christieﾴs position when Mr. Harajchi was attacking the former prime minister and his government, and the governor of the Central Bank? Is Mr. Christie only concerned now that his name is called? Did Mr. Christie and his Farm Road Constituency campaign personally receive any of the money donated by Mr. Harajchi? How much? Where did that money go?ﾒ
The FNM statement said the party asserts that Mr. Christie used very poor judgment in allowing his Progressive Liberal Party to accept donations from Mr. Harajchi.
The FNM said it is also concerned with press reports that the deputy prime minister has gone on record saying that she would support the revocation of the permanent residency of Mr. Harajchi.
ﾓThe DPM ought to know the law relating to these matters,ﾒ the release said. ﾓThe FNM respectfully suggests that the DPM consult her legal advisors to inform her of the status under our law of a person having permanent residence and the limited grounds on which such status can be revoked and the procedure that must be followed.
ﾓWhen the DPM discusses these matters in the manner she does, it sends frightening messages to many of our long-time and upright permanent residents and foreign investors.ﾒ
On Tuesday, the Coalition for Democratic Reform also broke its silence on the Harajchi matter, with one party official suggesting that had it not been for Mr. Harajchiﾴs contributions, the PLP might not have won the 2002 election.
Charles Maynard, CDR deputy chief executive officer, said the PLP had money to burn.
“It was a massive public relations campaign,ﾒ Mr. Maynard said. ﾓThey had expensive paraphernalia. They had rallies that were super-sized; concerts and all these things give a party momentum. They get voters enthused and energize their support. That helps in a general election.ﾒ
According to Leader of the Free National Movement, Tommy Turnquest now is the time for the prime minister to “come clean” with the Bahamian people.
“Everyone is aware of the massive displays of election funding which the PLP blatantly showered across our nation in the 90 days leading up to May 2, 2002,” he said.
“After many extravagant galas, music fests, ornate paraphernalia, fireworks, free food and money to spare, an explanation is required by the PLP in light of these startling allegations.”
Although Harajchi claims that over 90 percent of the governing party’s election candidates came to him for a handout, he said he gave the money with no strings attached.
However, Mr. Maynard believes that “some arrangement” had to have existed between the PLP and Mr. Harajchi.
“All of a sudden, the PLP is distancing itself from Mr. Harajchi and they have some kind of problem with him and his character. I am curious as to why they accepted funds from him if they feel he is the kind of person they can not associate with openly,” he said.
In his statement last week, Mr. Christie said he never told Mr. Harajchi that his bank license – revoked under the Free National Movement administration – would be returned to him, under a PLP government.
To the contrary, the prime minister said he told Mr. Harajchi that no responsible government would seek to intervene in a matter that was before the courts.
Phenton Neymour, the CDR’s leader of parliamentary business said Tuesday, “The CDR formally calls upon the prime minister to disclose the nature and number of the financial contributions made to the PLP by Mr. Harajchi.ﾒ
He added, “We challenge the PLP to disclose the exact dollar figure of contributions made during the 2002 national general elections campaign. We call upon all Cabinet Ministers to disclose any and all donations for whatever purpose received from Mr. Harajchi since the national General Elections.”
The CDR is also pushing for the government to enact legislation to prevent history from repeating itself.
The opposition party proposes that the amount of private donations to individual political candidates and parties be limited and specified.
The CDR also suggests that a cap be placed on the amount any political party is permitted to spend during an election campaign and that donations from foreigners to political parties be “strictly prohibited.”
Attorney Fayne Thompson, who is a member of the CDR’s Parliamentary Council, pointed out that the constitution guarantees “the peace, order and good governance of the Bahamas.”
“That can not be achieved if the party which is to run the country is beholden to any particular non-national resident to the tune of millions of dollars,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Progressive Liberal Party Chairman Raynard Rigby late yesterday released another statement on the Harajch matter. This time, his release was in direct response to comments made by the FNM.
ﾓThe public comment by the Free National Movement on this matter is but a brazen attempt for that Party to attempt to confuse the Bahamian people,ﾒ Mr. Rigby said. ﾓThe Prime Minister has already made it abundantly clear that neither he nor any of his colleagues in Cabinet are guilty of any impropriety. ﾠﾠ
ﾓIt would behoove the FNM to recognize the fact that Mr. Chris Lunn, who is a close associate of Mohammed Harajchi, sought to re-track any allegation that Mr. Harachji had given the Honourable Prime Minister any funds towards the refurbishment of his private residence. ﾠIt is therefore irresponsible, politically foolish and dishonest for the FNM to base their outlandish conclusions on facts which they must know are false.ﾒ
He added, ﾓIt is also politically unwise for the FNM to seek to discredit the character and integrity of our leader. Perry Christie is not like Tommy Turnquest or Dion Foulkes. ﾠHe is a man of integrity and any attempt by the FNM to seek to paint a negative picture of our leaders will be met by a swift unrelenting and vicious attack against the perpetrators.ﾒ
Tosheena Robinson-Blair, The Bahama Journal
