PNP intensifies call for full Manatt report

The Opposition People's National Party (PNP) is increasing its calls for full disclosure on the Manatt, Phelps & Phillips affair in the wake of what it says are more contradicting statements from government officials.

"The revelation by Dr Horace Chang on television last evening that minister of state in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ronald Robinson, had two meetings with Manatt officials contradicts answers provided by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Kenneth Baugh," declared Anthony Hylton, PNP spokesman on foreign affairs, yesterday.

"Of even greater legal significance is Dr Chang's confirmation that one such meeting between Dr Robinson and Manatt officials took place at the official residence of Jamaica's former ambassador to the United States, now high commissioner to London, Anthony Johnson," Hylton added.

He said under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and customary international law, the official residence of the ambassador is considered as the premises of the mission whose function it is to represent Jamaica and not the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in the United States.

"The revelation that such a meeting occurred at the official residence between the minister of state and/or the then ambassador would, beyond a shadow of a doubt, provide the authority to bind the Government to any agreement with Manatt, Phelps, & Phillips," Hylton charged.

He argued that no discussion at the ambassador's official residence could be described as a JLP matter.

According to Hylton, Chang's revelation contradicts assertions by the prime minister, Robinson himself and JLP General Secretary Karl Samuda that only one meeting was held between Robinson and Manatt officials.

Last night, the President's Council, comprising the heads of private-sector groups, also called for full disclosure while deploring the criminal acts and threats against people commenting on the issue.