Antigua Political Corruption, West Indies Oil and Our Future

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Kwame Nkosi Romeo

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Jul 10, 2009, 8:24:42 PM7/10/09

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The Antigua Trades and Labor Union Leadership and Changes:

From the formation of Antigua Trades and Labor Union (AT&LU) in 1939
to his elevation as President of the AT&LU in September 1943: V C
Bird's defining moment and momentous struggle against the Antigua
Syndicate Estates Ltd saw the surrender of the managing
director Alexander Moody Stuart to the workers demand in 1952.

After the defeat of Moody Stuart, the AT&LU was the popular
movement;and consolidated its strength as defender of the working
class. And that increased the labor movement momentum that had grown
from past activism.

A few years earlier militant workers assured V C Bird's ascent to the
colonial Legislative Council of Antigua in 1946; and willing
support.thereafter.

His promotion from the Legislative Council to a minister of government
in 1951, and subsequently Chief Minister in 1960 ,was because of
his pivotal role in the labor movement; and testimony to the power of
the working class.

But before V.C. Bird's confrontation with the Antigua Syndicate and
his speech about resistance and widdy widdy bush, Reginald Stevens,
President of AT&LU from 1939 - 1943 opposed the Antigua Sugar Factory
management, and represented Antigua Sugar workers resistance with
honor!

After more than seven weeks of workers struggle, the Antigua Sugar
Factory's management finally recognized the AT&LU, and agreed to wage
increases for the workers as reported by Reginald Stevens:

"We were able to secure fifty percent increase on all normal daily
wages payable at the end of each week and a further increase on a
sliding scale from one percent to ten percent on wages payable to the
workers at the end of crop" [1][2]

Too little attention has been paid to Reggie Stevens' political
contribution. Elected President of the AT&LU in 1939, his position was
under siege. From the beginning he was too trusting and therefore
vulnerable to political shenanigans. There was already an undermining
strategy to remove him, questioning his leadership
fundamentals especially in critical times, but strike breaker V C
Bird's past employment at the U.S. Air Base was never acknowledged!

Furthermore, Jim Crow laws practiced by the U.S. Air Base and widely
publicized was never physically challenged by the AT&LU; instead it
was Reginald Stevens who was characterized as weak and indecisive.
Reginald Stevens was the victim of union fieldworkers' inactivity and
fear; and so V.C. Bird was chosen President of the AT&LU in September
1943.

Still, there was an absence of militancy from the new leadership to
combat U.S. racism, and that satisfied the racist agenda of the
U.S.Air Base that was against organized labor.

So, Tim Hector's Fan The Flame article July 5th, 2002 recognized
Reginald Stevens' contribution and his life's work with an emphatic
viewpoint[3]:

"Few match him in terms of political honesty and integrity. The
planters plied him with everything. Yet Reginald Stevens remained true
to the workers of this land"

Although, there was a history of resistance and power struggle in the
AT&LU, V.C. Bird's elevation to President of AT&LU would add a new
dimension to the encounter. His strength within the organization was
never subjected to any real challenge until 24 years later
when George H Walter's objection was the political turning point of
real change for a democratic Antigua and Barbuda.

It was an ideal time for political change, and Antigua and Barbuda was
no exception, because the 1960s was a time of revolutionary
resistance:from Muhammad Ali defiance of the Vietnam War in 1967, to
1968 Olympic Fist of Freedom symbolized by Tommy Smith and John
Carlos.

This was a period of great resistance and the struggle for equality
embodied by the Civil Rights Movement, Black Power, and Rastafari
agitating for new leadership and independence. A struggle against
racism in the U.S.A., Apartheid and the remnants of Colonialism in
Africa and the Caribbean. So too, in 1967 the Antigua status quo was
challenged and was a significant period in reshaping Antigua and
Barbuda's history.

Consequently 1967 was of political importance for Antigua and Barbuda
when General Secretary George Hubert Walter of the AT&LU challenged
Chief Minister Vere Cornwall Bird, President of the AT&LU and leader
of the Antigua Labor Party (ALP) in government

The Political Turning Point:

George H Walter's argument was that Antigua Labor Party
(ALP) ministers of government should relinquish their position in the
union since it was an obvious conflict of interest. But Vere Bird
refused, and after an eight minutes meeting with a select few,
dismissed George H Walter, resulting in more than 70% of the
membership following him.

Additionally anti-Bird sentiments along with Chief Minister V.C.
Bird's refusal to recognize the Antigua Workers Union (AWU) inflamed
social unrest in 1967. This agitated a general strike culminating in a
civil uprising in 1968.

It was the era of 'Shoot to Kill', the incidence of violence and
brutal State Power against the powerless was absolute. Again State
Repression was most violently visible against the teachers' uprising
in 1979 as the State was opposed to workers' representation in 1968!

The 1968 insurrection defied V.C. Bird totalitarianism and achieved
justice for the Antigua Workers Union (AWU) : Legal recognition of AWU
in 1968, and Progressive Labor Movement (PLM) on April 24, 1969. Also
the PLM contested a by-election and won the four seats that were up
for election, signaling the increasing power of the opposition
and the significant change that followed a few years later!

In 1967 during the interim of the struggle, Antigua received
Associated Statehood from Britain on 27 February 1967. So transition
from Chief Minister to Premier Vere Cornwall Bird was his empowerment
for handling the internal affairs of Antigua and Barbuda, but external
affairs was still in Britain's hands.

After many years fighting against colonialism Premier V.C.
Bird was satisfied with his Associated Statehood: ..."we are satisfied
with solution that has been found"[4] whereas George H
Walter campaigned for self-determination for Anitgua and Barbuda!

Regardless of Premier V.C Bird's new status, the AWU and PLM were both
formidable forces opposing his government. So, ALPs defeat was
imminent and in the 1971 election, PLM had a resounding mandate and
dominant victory.

The Impact of the Oil Crisis and the Fall of the PLM:

However the impact of the oil crisis in 1973 -1974 with prices more
than quadruple; and the earthquake on 08th October 1974 had a
horrendous effect on Antigua and Barbuda's economic stability. The
continuing productivity of West Indies Oil Company's (WIOC) oil
refinery business in Antigua was also questionable.

During the oil crisis era, World fuel prices escalated : 1972-1973
31.9%, 1973-1974 97%, 1974-1975 30,5%, 1975-1976 8.2% in contrast to
the situation at the time of the Antigua Labor Party's
(ALP) accession to power in 1976.

The ALP never endured such horrific circumstances: 1976-1977 9.9%,
1977-1978 3.8%, 1978-1979 67.8%, 1980-1981 - 4.6%

Despite the oil crisis, the PLM government, assisted by the Venezuela
government, was able to rescue LIAT, the regional airline, and many
jobs in the process.

For all the programs of social good undertaken by the PLM:
Social infrastructure, agriculture development, the labor code, and
leaving a surplus in the treasury the PLM was defeated by the ALP on
February 01st, 1976.

Did the ALP practice integrity while in opposition?

In opposition the ALP supported a terrorist campaign of bombings, the
Antigua Freedom Fighters (AFF); the burning of cane fields to provoke
the PLM government and destabilize the country.

Surplus Funds Misused

Surplus funds left by the PLM in Social Security and the Treasury was
exploited by the ALP for the acquisition of the Halcyon Cove
Hotel and discrimination within the hotel sector soon followed.

A few days after ALP victory, ALPs vindictive mandate of employment
selection and systematic use of state power was Premier V.C. Bird's
policy, and mass job termination ALPs modus operandi

The ALP conspiracy was to immobilize the PLM and decapitate the
leadership, and that was V.C. Bird's timetable for the 1980 election.
An early priority was to win the [1980] election to make certain V.C.
Bird became the nation's first Prime Minister on November 1st 1981.

So, three former PLM ministers were arrested [V.I Daily News Dec 30,1977]Former Premier George Walter, finance minister Sydney Prince and Minister of Labor Donald
Halstead. George Walter was imprisoned on trump up 'corruption'
charges and sentenced by a political influenced jury: His offense,
importing two steel frames, and reselling it to the government and "...Halstead is accused of defrauding the Public Utilities Authority of $5,000 (US)" George Walter was
later vindicated by the West Indies Court of Appeal, former finance
Minister Sydney Prince was not guilty.

And according to The Virgin Island News March 1, 1979 Donald Halstead was not availabe to stand trial:
"He left last June 29 [1978] having been granted permission to visit Guyana and has not returned." [5]

Moreover 'Birdism' policy was followed by widespread termination and
discrimination within the public sector , and victimization from WIOC
to Halcyon Cove was obvious.According to an AWU case filed with the
ILO in 1976 as much as 450 workers were victimized[6]

It was a challenging era for the AWU; by this time too, labor
relations and the democratic rule of law were eroded under an
autocratic leadership, as related in an article 'A Dual Legacy of
Antigua's First Prime Minister' by Lomarsh Roopnarine [7].V .C.
Bird's actions were against the Moyne Commission, international labor
regulations and the Antigua Constitution; and it was clear the
underlying reason was political.

After so many people were dismissed, it was estimated that Antigua's
unemployment exceeded 20%, and several increases in fuel and food
prices was even more burdensome.

In 1979 there were reports of substantial increases to the consumer;
fuel retail price had already increased by 7% within three weeks, and
request for a 14% general petroleum increase was approved by the
government.

At the same time fish price increased by more than 69% followed by
other commodities, so during the era of the fuel hike there was
tremendous pressure on the consumer basket of essentials.

The fiscal deficit accelerated in 1976 under the ALP, an a World Bank
Report April 16, 1979 highlighted the growing dilemma "[Current]
deficits increased from 0.3% GDP in 1975 to 5,7% in 1977" [8] And
there was an obvious lack of accountability on the part of the ALP
towards public arrears as evident by Antigua Public Utilities
Authority (APUA) ballooning debt of US$1.3 million to WIOC in 1979.

The Rise of Fiscal Deficit and WIOC Corruption:

Additonally the World Bank recognized a shift in the current account
balance from a surplus in 1975 to a deficit in 1977: "Consequently,
the current account balance of the public sector has shifted from
a surplus of EC$3.4 million in 1975 to a deficit of EC$ 5.6 million"

And during that time of financial instability WIOC was purchased
by the ALP government in 1979 for US$2.1 million 376% less
than what was offered to the PLM ; and the contractual agreement was
signed by Economic Development Minister Lester Bryant Bird, but there
are still many unanswered questions since 1979.

Does the calculation cover up questionable business dealing?

Since 1979 there have indeed been many questions about the 'real'
owner of WIOC. Nevertheless, a chronology of undisclosed history
revealed a saga of economic plunder under ALP from 1980!

From Frank D. St. Hilaire's proposition in 1961 to construct an oil
refinery [WIOC]; and Natomas of California US$40 million investment
towards the 11,000 barrels per day project, there was obvious
transparency as to the genesis of WIOC and its Chairman Frank D. St.
Hilaire.

Natomas as the parent company of WIOC, fulfilled the objective to
assure the construction of WIOC and realization of the first shipment
of crude oil aboard the Liberian tanker Oswego Peace in 1967. However,
challenging times six years later in 1973 would test the project's
financial viability.

Negotiations to sell WIOC for Us$10 million in 1975 begun between
Frank D. St. Hilaire and the PLM government[ V.I. Daily News June 20,1975]. But at that time the
battle against the volatile oil crisis and a loss of over 65% of the
nations GDP was challenging not only for Caribbean governments but
globally. Only Trinidad and Tobago, an oil producing country in the
Caribbean , saw its revenue move from 20% to as much as 70%; and was
spared the dilemma facing other Caribbean countries.

Antigua and Barbuda's difficulty was not over. Following the election
of 1976 there was blatant misuse of public funds by the ALP; and the
corruption of WIOC followed the rise of Antigua fiscal deficit!

WIOC Sold To Bruce Rapapport

At the same time, to finance the deficit in 1979 Lester Bird, without
parliamentary approval, authorized Bruce Rapapport's deposit of US
$600,000 instead of the US$6,6 million value for WIOC. According to an
article 'Seeking Testimony In Pipeline Case: Immunity Given To A
Secretive Swiss' March 16, 1988 :That deposit coincide with Bruce
Rapapport's pillage of Gabon oil and a litigious dispute with
Indonesia [09]

It was international news and Bruce 'Pirate' Rapapport was battling
several cases of moral turpitude: In 1987 an International Arbitration
panel awarded a net arbitration of US$25.6 million in favor of the
Government of Gabon against the financial buccaneer.

And according to a high-level diplomatic source no monies were paid by
Bruce Rapapport, and what is perhaps much worse is Antigua and
Barbuda's increasing liability to that judgment and Rapapport's
growing assets!

So, in such a case it is prudent to put negotiations on hold between
the Antigua and Barbuda government and Bandes Bank [Venezulea SOE] to
purchase WIOC until further assessment is completed.

How did Bruce Rapapport acquire 75% of WIOC and more than 300 acres of
Antigua's patrimony?

The only evidence of Bruce Rapapport's investment in WIOC was in 1982
when he allegedly invested US$11.1 million [1980-1981] for
refurbishing the plant.[10]

According to U.S. SubCommittee documents investigating Swiss American/
Swiss American National Bank in 2000, Rapapport's interest was
recorded as 50%[11], and this information was also included in a book
'All is Clouded by Desire' by Alan Bock and Constance A Weaver [12]

There is no credible argument concerning how Bruce
Rapapport accumulated so much of our assets, except there was support
for him to do so, and probably Lester Bird's 'clause' protected Bruce
Rapapport and robbed Antigua, but a deal without parliamentary
approval is not legal and needs investigating!

In Lester Bird's agreement, he shamelessly relates that the oil
refinery did not fire up, so Rapapport was not obligated to pay the
remaining US$6 million. Who was really the beneficiary, certainly not
the Antigua treasury. According to Economic Minister Lester Bird:

"[The] agreement called for repayment after the refinery opened for a
proscribed period, but it never opened long enough, so there was no
repayment"

Our assets were given away for a mess of pottage; therefore further
investigation is necessary.

Finance Minister Molywn Joseph in 1993 was adamant in his assertion
that not a 'red' cent was collected from WIOC since1980 [up to 1993].
And there was seemingly growing rebellion within the ALP led
by Antigua Trades and Labor Union General Secretary Robin Bascus and
Minister of Finance Molwyn Joseph.

The exposure in 1993 of WIOC non-payment and Bruce Rapapport's
agreement to pay US$20 million was identified in Finance Minister
Molwyn Joseph statement as WIOC liability : "[Represent] part of its
financial entitlement from terminal operations of WIOC" [13]

Since from 1980 no revenue was collected there was solid support
behind their efforts to ensure Bruce Rapapport paid.It was not
transparent if he paid or not.The latter would be more absolute.

In 1988 Lester Bird, the financial 'Birdnomics' wizard, determines
that only US$1 million should be paid for 1987 followed by a cheque
for US$500,000 every year thereafter, and that was sufficient since
the monies: "[Represent] 10 to 15 percent of what he makes on fuel
oil"

Incidentally identical figures of 10 to 15%, used by Lester Bird to
assess Bruce Rapapports payment were quoted in a subsequent article
'Island's Hushed Scandals, Unhushed' June 16, 1990-that associates
former ALP ministers with taking 10 to 15% of all monies under the
table [14]

Further there is another book 'Master of Paradise' by Alan Bock; which
discusses the relationship of former PM Lester Bird and Bruce
Rapapport and the past financial collaboration that robbed Antigua
treasury[15]

Lester Bird's Political Devastation:

The patrimonial regime of the former ALP government regards Antigua
and Barbuda assets as their own, and factual evidence relates
that Bruce Rapapport was given 300 acres of land now used as
collateral for his development and the benefits deposited into shady
bank accounts.

It is apparently easy for our lands to be given away without
accountability. What has become of the cadastral survey reportedly
done by the PLM during their governance 1971-1976? The file did not
disappear by accident; but was a procedure prior to Antigua 2004
election.

And that puzzle was evident in a significant USAID report April 24th,
2003 ' Country Experience In Land Issue' Antigua and Barbuda by Dr.
Allan N William, which exposes the corruption with decisive
clarity: " The 1985 data was unable to establish the ownership of
almost 16,000 acres of land" [16] Where have all our lands gone; and
who will admit to the robbery?

The legacy of land give-away was continuous under the former ALP
government from Aldo Pinto leasing more than 500 acres and the
environmental degradation that followed[17] to the most recent
revealing chapter riddled with corruption: the Barbuda Beach House
[18]
[19][20]. So too the Rapapport deal, Coco,Guana Island and the planned
environmental destruction of Barbuda [21]

ALPs political devastation is pellucid, so the continuous
underdevelopment of Antigua was assured, Lester Bird assigns guilt to
the culprit an underscore his argument that he too is guilty! As
recent as March 2006 the United Progressive Party (UPP) government
filed a suit against former PM Lester Bird for malfeasance in public
office [22]; as the saga of the missing funds and political greed
continues.

Furthermore the simple truth about the missing funds is that political
greed is self-evident truth that deceives reality. In another case
more than a decade earlier, PM Lester Bryant Bird told a senior U.S.
Justice official investigating Swiss American Bank and the Antigua and
Barbuda Government a blatant barefaced lie, about the US$7.5 million
missing from a Swiss American Bank account in Antigua:[23]

"We can't get you the records, they were destroyed in the hurricane"
Was hurricane the new political scapegoat?

This was not the first time hurricane was used to cover up
indiscriminate use of public office for private gain as outlined in
Tim Hector's article 'Is the Lester Bird Regime Criminal?' November
27. 1998 when over EC$1 million was ripped off after Hurricane Luis
devastated the country:[24]

"In times of national disaster, it is nothing short of a capital
crime"

Tim's article relate an even more sinister and complex phenomenon of
Antigua and Barbuda's largest arms shipment!

His revelation fingered yet another 'pirate' crony of PM Lester Bird
as an importer of the largest consignment of arms into Antigua and
Barbuda in 1998.

Should WIOC as the sole Antigua company listed as a U.S. Defense
Contractor, qualify as Antigua and Barbuda's military broker? [25]
[26]

In 1998 [U.S] Direct Commercial Sales [DCS] consist of : 41,000
cartridges .22 Cal through .50 Cal and 30 Pistols and Revolvers.[27]

Additionally [U.S] Foreign Military Sales [FMS] consignment include:
Patrol Craft, Vehicle, Support Equipment etc.

Its just a matter of time before former PM Lester Bird invoke the name
of hurricane to cover his covert activity with a litany of lies
regarding this episode. As mistakes are discovered, hurricane becomes
his refuge.

Hurricane Lies and Economic Deception:

Again, PM Lester Bird skillful with his invention of lies, and as
campaigner, colors the facts of hurricanes to cover up his failure and
explain Antigua and Barbuda's limited growth, In his "Renewal" Speech
November 1. 2003:[28], he notes:

"No other government in history of the country had to cope with the
effects of four hurricanes in four years.."

He failed to recognize that other countries suffered from hurricanes;
and the disaster of September 11, 2001. Their economies developed and
their leaders never belabor that hardship. So, it is now justifiable
to put an end to PM Lester Bird's lateral thinking.

From 1871-2003 Bermuda was classified #34 affected 44 times,
St.Maarten ranked #16 affected 48 times, Antigua and Barbuda #34
affected 44 times and Barbados at #41 affected 43 times
[Sourcewww.hurricanecity.com] 2003 city ranking.

A review of the Estimate of Visitors Expenditure should end PM Lester
Bird's repeated and illogical statement of the hurricane episode.

Between 1997-2000 Antigua received the lowest percentage increase in
its visitor's expenditure: 4.7 percent, whereas Tortoal registered the
highest increase 43 percent, followed by St. Maarten 27.8 percent, and
Barbados 8.2 percent.

Additionally Antigua and Barbuda's tourism was defined by ALP
government's deliberate neglect. The year 2001 had the lowest figures
within a six month period [January - June] from since 1996; and the
lowest yearly figures recorded in a decade [Jan-Dec 2001 193,176]

In context, 2000 Global Foreign Direct Investment [FDI] registered a
record US$1.4 trillion. PM Lester Bird's 2002 Budget Speech :
'Consolidating our Gains Investing in Our Future' overlooked its real
impact and point-blank intentionally deceived the public:

"Prior to September 11th [2001] the global economic outlook was one of
moderate expansion in the developed world..."

Incompetently, Lester Bird's BIG LIE for Antigua and Barbuda failure
to attract FDI was blamed on September 11th 2001, when FDI figures
were at its lowest since 1998: US$651 billion in 2002!

The nation's critical crisis was intolerable and PM Lester Bird
remained indifferent to the economic assessment, so a change was
necessary.

Political Change vs Empowerment:

While politics change hands an UPP took the reigns of power on March
23, 2004 the ideology of the past is still present, the tug-o-war
continues, monopolies remain since none were broken. The select few
that benefit from our resources are more empowered. These include
Bruce Rapapport and the Hadeed Group of Companies.

Examples: WIOC as a storage facility for PetroCaribe and Hadeed Group
of Companies taking over Antigua Masonry Products (AMP).

Was the pay-off of Devcon [AMP parent company] liability critical in
enabling the takeover? And are these factors discouraging local
ownership and the control of the commanding heights of the economy for
future generations!

UPP possessed the power and opportunity in 2004 to ensure the mandate
of the people was kept by cutting out the intermediary profiteer; and
at the same time break the monopoly of the foreign oil baron,but it
never happened. More money in the coffers of the unscrupulous, and
the influential peddler that supports his interest.

The UPP could ultimately control oil distribution through local
channels for the uplifting of the social good; and that's what
President Hugo Chavez expected.

Now we await the day when the takeover of WIOC is complete without
paying Bruce Rapapport one 'red' cent and sue Bruce Rapapport for what
he owes the state!

When will it happen?

The Upcoming Election 2009

The next election [2009] is shaping up to be a contest between the
UPP vs ALP, and the winner will dictate Antigua and Barbuda's future.

More than 28 years of ALPs governance ended on March 23, 2004. The UPP
inherited an empty treasury,infrastructure in disrepair, social
programs non-existent, a 'titanically' financial debt, rising
unemployment, a disillusioned workforce, and zero credibility to
attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

So the UPP task of rebuilding Antigua and Barbuda was herculean and
achieved through hard work and proper management.

The UPP's emphasis was on the gas crisis, social programs, attracting
FDI, tackling the financial debt and in the meantime trying to recover
stolen funds, assuring workers their income, all in their effort to
restore government credibility and multilateral borrowing again.

At this time Hon, PM Baldwin Spencer needs to assure the public that
government procurement and empowerment policy will be more equitable
and not to the disadvantage of the majority, as practiced under the
former Bird regime!

Therefore participatory budgeting, essential for strategic development
and nation building, must be the UPP's central policy for constituency
representation.

Although the economy is somewhat stable considering the looming world
reality, agriculture must be a priority, food security, renewable
energy for power independence and a sewage system must also be
objectives.

The PLM objective of food security was buried by former ALP
government mismanagement and petty politics. The PLM established a
viable agriculture framework; and that model represents a base for
research and future development [29]

Antigua and Barbuda government should heed the critical
crisis emerging
[30] [31]; and all conscious Antiguans should vote against the ALP, so
as to avoid Lester Bird....the vulture from our assets; and 'The cost
of corruption' to the nation[32] that increases the difficulty in
recovering stolen funds from the embezzlers[33]

Best regards

Kwmae Nkosi Romeo
aka Bombshell

1]
http://books.google.com/books?id=fCmTbz1XdMwC&pg=PA168&lpg=PA168&dq=t...

[2]
http://books.google.com/books?id=trsCIB6ZhD8C&pg=PA114&lpg=PA114&dq=a...

[3]
http://www.candw.ag/~jardinea/ffhtm/ff020705.htm

[4]

http://books.google.com/books?id=1peIxEyy1o0C&pg=PA135&lpg=PA135&dq=a...

[5]

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vJcUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4q0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5193,26493&dq=george+walter+sydney+prince+and+donald+halstead

[06]
http://www.ilo.org/ilolex/cgi-lex/pdconv.pl?host=status01&textbase=il...

[07]
http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:41AVx_Tpo_UJ:www.sg.inter.edu/rev...

[08]
http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/I...

[ 09]

http://www.nytimes.com/1988/03/06/world/seeking-testimony-in-pipeline-case-immunity-given-to-a-secretive-swiss.html?sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1