December 8, 2006

A FRONT page article in today's by Mr. Gareth Finighan took unjustifiable liberties and attributed to me phrases and opinions which he apparently made up himself.Given the significance of the subject matter, we could not have been clearer with him on the phone early last week about the importance of being precise and accurate in his quotes. This is why my office gave him, in writing last Wednesday, the quotes he was authorized to use in his story (attached below).

We were very clear with Mr. Finighan both in writing and on the phone that these were the only quotes which were authorized for the story. Unfortunately, perhaps in pursuit of a 'big story' - he has given my clear and plain remarks (reprinted below) a spin all his own.

For example, in the very first paragraph he attributed to me a statement that I did not make and never would make.

As you will see below - which is the verbatim transcript of the quotes authorized for the article - the US Government does have very real concerns about US companies contributing to any political party in any country (this is a worldwide policy). In fact, it is completely illegal for US companies to give any type of political donation in the United States itself. This is why I prominently mentioned the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) in my authorized remarks - and why the United States Government encourages all US companies - or any company operating in the US - to get an advance ruling from the US Attorney General on the legality or illegality of any requested donation under the FCPA if the company is at all uncertain.

The very next paragraph contains yet another blatant example of "make it up" journalism when Mr. Finighan quotes me as having "dismissed Opposition concerns" about related issues. Let me be 100 per cent clear on this: it would be COMPLETELY inappropriate for me - or any foreign diplomat - to dismiss the concerns of ANY political party here in Bermuda.

All of us at the United States Consulate have the highest respect for Bermuda's democratically elected political parties - and we will always take ALL of their concerns seriously and respectfully. As stated clearly in the authorised quotes: "What is important to everyone is honesty, clarity and transparency, because these are the hallmarks of the rule of law which is the basis for all free societies everywhere."

In these and other areas, Mr. Finighan's article misrepresented US Government policy and me personally in a number of key areas. I would invite the people of Bermuda to read the authorized quotes that were provided to Mr. Fineghan for use in the article (which are directly below) in order that everyone might have a clear and accurate understanding of these important issues.

Thank you,

GWS authorized quotes for Gareth Finighan article in Friday's

(12/8/06)"It's our understanding that under Bermuda law political parties are allowed to approach non-Bermudians and all types of businesses to garner financial support for their political efforts. At the same time I am 100 percent sure that my friend Dr. Brown appreciates the importance of ethical and wise leadership - and is committed to providing just that for Bermuda. It appears that he is trying to work within Bermuda law to help his Party. At the same time I hope and believe that he is firmly committed to maintaining Bermuda's sterling reputation in the world."

"He and I have spoken about the importance of good governance and I believe that he is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards for his government. He clearly understands the importance of Bermuda's excellent reputation among the international business community worldwide - which is one of the cornerstones of Bermuda's tremendous economic success. And I do believe that he is committed to bolstering and burnishing Bermuda's already strong reputation for honesty, integrity and transparency.

"US law on the subject of political contributions is quite different than Bermuda law. In the US it is illegal for anyone who is not a US citizen to make a political donation. It is also illegal for US corporations (or any corporation) to give political contributions or to even be solicited for such - another significant difference between Bermuda and the US.

Mr. Slayton added that there were safety checks in place under the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), which allowed for any concerned United States company - or any company doing business in the US - to receive an advance ruling from the US Attorney General on the legality or illegality of any requested donation under the FCPA.

"It's important that everything is handled clearly, cleanly and above board. That is why our FCPA applies to all US companies and all companies doing business in the US - and why it applies worldwide. In fact, within the FCPA there is a provision that encourages any US company that has a question to put the case in writing to the US Attorney General. Under the FCPA, the Attorney General's office must get back to the requestor within 30 days of receipt of the request either with an advance ruling on that case - or with a request for more information" Mr. Slayton said.

"What is important to everyone is honesty, clarity and transparency, because these are the hallmarks of the rule of law which is the basis for all free societies everywhere."

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'Slayton interference intolerable and his position is unethical

THE Bush appointed U.S. Consul General (who, I understand, initially attempted to inflate himself from Consul General to US Ambassador when he arrived here) Gregory Slayton should follow in the footsteps of other disastrous Bush appointments and resign. His worn-on-the-sleeve religiosity is as bogus as his pious bleating.

Anyone with any pretence to Christianity would see immediately that the pay-for-play schemes so dear to the heart (if he has one) of our recently imposed Premier have about as much to do with ethical rectitude as the flock of Republican congressmen who imploded their party at the recent election by influence peddling and other unattractive and unethical activities.

He has the same kind of blind ignorance and mindless conviction that the United States is the paragon of virtue and power in the world that induced President Bush to enmesh his country in what will almost certainly turn out to be the most disastrous war in its history. Anyone who persists with the notion that the United States is the most powerful country in the world should remember that they haven?t won a single war in 60 years - and they have launched many.

Consul Slayton should take his silly hats and go home. His interference in local politics is intolerable and, in his position, unethical.

Does Slayton know meaning of 'ethical'?

IT was my understanding that diplomats such as the US Consul General were not entitled to engage in the political scrimmaging of their host country.

Having issued a statement (, December 8) essentially condoning Bermudian activity in what is a totally illegal and prohibited means of gaining political funding in his own country, Mr. Slayton cannot at the same time suggest to us that he's also following his own rules of law - honesty, clarity and transparency. Ethics? Does this man know the meaning of the word?

Outrageous remarks

HOW outrageous of the US Consul General to presume to judge on the legality or otherwise under Bermuda law of the actions of his "friend Dr Brown" in accepting donations from overseas (, December 8) .

Even a diplomat as inexperienced as he ,in his first posting , should know that his remit is to represent his own country's interests and those of its citizens and not to interfere in the affairs of his host country. Those are for Bermuda to pass judgment on.

Consul General's comments beyond comprehension

HOW the United States Consul General Mr. Gregory Slayton could applaud the Premier, Dr. Ewart Brown (), as a man who "appreciated the importance of ethical and wise leadership" and say "I believe he is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards for his Government" is beyond comprehension (, December 8).

The United Bermuda Party is concerned, with very good reason, that the Progressive Labour Party is soliciting large campaign donations from wealthy black individuals (by Dr. Brown's admission) and companies in the United States in order to influence a political process that is not - or certainly should not be - the business of any but Bermudians.

Mr. Slayton pointed out this process is illegal in the US but is, however, acceptable in Bermuda. By so doing, he has highlighted the need for similar legislation here to protect us from foreigners seeking to buy political influence in our tiny island.

That is the extent of what he should have said in his official capacity as the United States Consul General in Bermuda. To take such an opportunity to lend his support to the Premier is inappropriate. Mr. Slayton, a US citizen and currently a resident in Bermuda, is entitled to his opinions - but when he makes those opinions known on the front page of the Mid-Ocean News he goes beyond the pale and has involved himself in local, not US, politics.

It is worth pointing out what Dr. Grant Gibbons said about the issue in question in on December 5. He claimed that already large donations had come from three donors as follows:

Mr. and Mrs. Don Coleman: Mr. Coleman is chairman and CEO of Global Hue Advertising Agency in Detroit which holds the Bermuda Tourism contract and donated $25,000.

Mr. Kurron Shares, who was hired three years ago as a consultant to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and, more recently, referred to by Health Minister Nelson Bascome as a "partner" of KEMH, donated at least $10,000.

The FIS Group, which advises Government on pensions managers, contributed a similar amount.

Dr. Brown, as was reported some time ago in the , was involved in a pay-to-play scheme as a result of a luncheon held in Washington in his honour - sponsored by a Mrs. Pointeven, who is the individual at FIS responsible for the allocation of funds to the various fund management companies for the Government superannuation fund.

Dr. Brown received cheques from each of the attendees at this luncheon for $2500 payable to himself. When questioned on the floor of the House of Assembly about the matter, Dr. Brown would only say: "On the advice of legal counsel I can make no comment."

I am sure both Dr. Brown and Mr. Slayton are familiar with the old adage made famous by an American politician: "There is no such thing as a free lunch."