Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy yesterday said he did not know why the former lawyer of drug trafficker Roger Khan has repeatedly named him in a slew of emails as being the government minister who assisted in Khan being trained in the operation of spy equipment.
“I don’t know anything about…” the minister said yesterday morning when approached by Stabroek News and when further pressed about why his name would be mentioned in emails by Robert Simels the minister said: “Yeah, I don’t know anything about that” .
Leslie Ramsammy
The minister was then showed copies of the email and he once again said “Yeah, but it doesn’t change anything…” Told that the emails were copies of original court documents Ramsammy did not budge from his earlier response and replied: “Yeah but that doesn’t change it… I don’t know anything about it…” He said he did not know why Simels keeps calling his name, “and I keep saying no… I don’t know about anything.”
Simels revealed Ramsammy’s name in a number of emails to representatives of the Smyth Myers Communications company, which is based in the UK with an office in the US, during the period he represented Khan.
“As I described to you on the telephone, I am looking to speak to [name of employee], and would like you to provide his contact information. I have been in touch with the Minister of Health in Guyana, Leslie Ramsammy, Nancy Salvador from the Spy Shop in Miami, Florida, and have determined that your company provided certain triangulation equipment to the government of Guyana…. I represent an individual, Shaheed Khan, a citizen of Guyana who operated the equipment on behalf of the Guyanese government We know that [name of employee] trained my client in the use of said equipment and need to confirm same with [name of employee].
“I am trying to accomplish this task in the least onerous way avoiding your company’s involvement in same. However, as you can imagine, while I am willing to back door my approach, by simply communicating with [name of employee], an option would be to take steps that would require your company to produce any records and a witness with regard to that transaction.
“I do not wish to take the latter steps, and would appreciate your assistance in locating [name of employee],” Simels said in the November 13, 2007 email to Peter Myers.
On its website, Smith Myers Communications describes itself as a leading supplier of test and measurement equipment to the global cellular industry. “With a long history in the design of specialised devices, the company is well placed to supply the equipment that cellular operators need to enable them to effectively maintain their networks,” the company said.
Simels’ emails to the company representatives were exhibits in a motion he filed in a bid to have the charges of mailing and possession of eavesdropping equipment that were recently filed against him and his former assistant, Arianne Irving, dismissed.
The eavesdropping charges were two of the 14 new charges recently filed against the two lawyers who had represented Khan.
Simels and Irving, who had been charged with witness tampering jointly with Khan, were slapped with the 14 charges in a superseding indictment. Khan had pleaded guilty to this charge, drug trafficking charges as well as the gun-running charge he had faced in Vermont.
Simels and Irving now face one charge of conspiracy to obstruct justice, eight charges of attempting to obstruct justice, one charge of attempted witness tampering, one charge of the importation of eavesdropping equipment, one of possession of such equipment and one charge of bribery, while Simels faces a separate charge of making a false statement.
“I have reviewed the submission made by the company, which was limited to an invoice to the Spy Shop for training. Of course, the subpoena calls for a witness to attend the trial. However, in submitting the two documents your representative failed to comply with the items specified by the Court: any and all documents, e-mail communications, or facsimiles referencing to the sale of computer telephone surveillance equipment (Smith Myers Communications, Ltd Serial # 2111/016, manufactured in the UK, CSM, including, but not limited to travel documents of Smith Myers employees, including [name of employee], to Guyana to install or train…….
“I would expect from our prior communication you would appreciate that this includes documents showing the sale of the equipment to the Spy Shop, and the travel and related documents for your employees in Guyana in 2002 to train those who were to use the equipment and their interaction, by email and otherwise, with any members of the government of Guyana, including Minister Leslie Ramsammy and Roger Khan.
“Please advise when the additional documents are to be provided, and whether X can speak to your representative in advance of his testimony to arrange a date, and preview our questions to that person. Of course, the most facile person to have testify is [name of employee],” a June 30, 2008 email from Simels said.
Another email written by Simels on July 11, 2008 to Peter Myers read: “I have seen the response letter. I will file a motion to compel production and a witness at trial, but am hoping to avoid that litigation. This is a simple matter-Spy Shop purchased this machine on the authority of the Guyana government. Your company provided technical support in the training of individuals in Guyana. Providing a simple invoice for training, without any other documentation as to who provided the training, the underlying billing rather than a lump sum figure for travel and lodging accommodations in Guyana, and significantly, the actual invoice for the sale of the triangulation equipment are all within your possession and your company is subject to the subpoena and compliance since you have a US office. We can also use international treaties to enforce, and I will not hesitate to do so, if needed. I have done so a number of years ago with Matrix Churchill and MI 6.
“I would appreciate it if you would advise by Monday, or I will begin taking steps to force your company into court in federal court in New York to deal with these matters.”
Ramsammy’s name has been mentioned in relation to Khan repeatedlyby both Simels and the US government’s confidential source (CS) during a conversation, a copy of which has been seen by this newspaper.
Ramsammy’s name was also on list which included drug accused individuals, dead notorious criminals and present and past members of the Guyana Police Force that was to be included in a questionnaire for prospective jurors Khan’s trial before he threw in the towel and pled guilty to trafficking in 150 grammes of cocaine.
…yea right!!!!! His name was spreading like butter over bread when Roger Khan saga was hot like rice on a pot.
Hold on people when the rest of names start calling some of you will get blackout.
SHF,
I can’t handle BLACKOUT…got my backup generator prepped and ready for it. Bring it on!
HAHAHA Sandman I like your sayings,”like butter over bread and hot rice on a pot”, LMAO, you are so right.
Yo “SandHurst First”! Do you not remember this old Guyanese proverb which goes like this – “Bush get ears and dutty get tongue” which is interpreted to mean “Sometimes you think that what you do or say nobody sees or hears, but yet your secrets are known”.
So, tell us; when all dat nonsense did going on in de country what did happening wid de “Military Intelligence” of the Guyana Defense Force!!! Guess that dem “Pirai” fins along wid de “wings” of de Air Command were conveniently “clipped”!
Is there any wonder why the Surinamese came out to play at the potential “oil” wells!!!
On this one I`m going to back you, he knows about this, but like everything else in Guyana, let me say what I think is going to happen.
1/ the goverment will say that they are going to look into it, then it would be sent to the Dpp and that is where it is going to stop for now. until more info comes out, but like you said more names is about to come out.
Sandy I know this man personally he will not remember me, his nieces and I were very good friends, we partied and slept over at his brother’s home at hampshire village I respected as my very own uncle.Avery down-to-earth, kind and very handsome Dr. we were very PROUD of him. he had just returned to guyana and had his practise onder his brother’s house. Can you imagine what a SHOCK I am in. DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY,
SANDY, LINKING THE PPL OF THE NAMES CALLING & HAVING PROOF IS WHAT MATTERS… I CAN CALL ANYONES NAME… SIGHT! WHEN COW AH GO A SLAUGHTER HOSE, HE NAH KAY WAY HE Sugar Honey Ice Tea… GET IT! I CAN SET UP AN EMAIL ACCOUNT WITH YOUR NAME AND USE UR COMPUTER TO DO MY DIRTY WORK… THEY HAVE TO VERIFY TIME THAT THE EMAILS WERE SENT AND WHAT IS HIS ALLIBY…… LIKE I SAID , HE CAN CALL ANYONE’S NAME.. SO EASY TO CALL…
Stabroeknews: SN you have a responsibility to the Guyanese people to continue to work hard and get to the bottom of the details not only about Roger Khan and how the government was involved etc. But the whole story. Who was David Clarke what was his role in buxton etc? you need to do a story on that and get all sides on the table so the PPP does not say oh stabroek is biased and this and that.
Finally congratulations for having the cohones to publish material like this because in light of the Maria Van Beek case we all know that publishing material like this is risking limb and life.
Thank You again SN.
SN, you are not publishing my blog which has facts, but you are publishing this non-sense story which is hearsay. As I said yesterday, who cares?? One blogger summed it up so nicely yesterday: when the JS failed in their duties, it took patriotic Guyanese to halt the madness in 2002 – 2005. Don’t forget that some political players were calling the murderers ‘freedumb’ fighters to stir tension and for other mileage.
FA REAL
Brandon Samaroo you seem to have a beef wid the gov’t,I thought you left Guyana before you was old enough to work.
Wonder which political arm you are working with.
“small minds talk names, average minds talk problems but great minds talk solutions” picket the Guyana embassy/consulate in America and Canada. take action now 2011 is around the corner, force the government to make changes or create a better alternative. the only way forward is to take decisive action.
Dude who is a patriotic Guyanese by your definition I am curious?
We believe that you don’t know anything about the matter,Minister Ramsammy. Honestly we do.
SHF. What a tangled web. Shame, Shame, Shame. It’s time for the Guyanese people to put up or shut up.
Ali lets not make that a secret, I do have a beef with this government. Anyone as incompetent as this bunch and who has potentially broken the laws of a country at will and subverts democracy is no friend of mine.
Lets be clear I am no fan of this Govt. I was very supportive of Bharat Jagdeo and the PPP from 92 to 2002 but after watching how they have squandered so many opportunities and basically become everything that Burnham was forget it.
I am no fan of the PNC either Ali. But what does that have to do with anything. what is your point? You think I am biased? yeah you can say that I do not believe one ounce of nonsense the government says. They simply are not credible.
How about letting the “Wrongful Death Suits” (of the would be 200 – 300 odd prisoners/Freedom Fighters….) begin “Diamond Dog”; and, that should bring closure to their families.
at last….we have a name…..
A name! yall gonna be shock when the rest of names start calling.But compliments to Stabroeknews for keeping track on the matter.
BLACKRATTLESNAKE, CALLING THE NAMES AINT ALL DUDE! LINKING THE NAMES OF THE PERSONS THAT MATTERS & HAVING PROOFS ARE WHAT MATTERS… U KNOW THESE SCHOLASTIC LAWYERS & JUDGES IN GUYANA WOULD ‘CASE DISMISSED’ … WAIT & SEE
Ramsammy’s name was on several documents posted on blogs all over the place prior to this. This is just another piece of court docs that highlight this fact again.
Whoah!!!!!!!
you should be ashame lol
neva see come to see
Simel is another member of the legal profession, now dropping names in desperation to retain his license. What did Jesus say about lawyers again ?
But folks, here is the conversation you want to hear . Is one of SN editors yesterday morning: “Banna reporter, get yuh behind from tha desk and bring me some genip and the Simel file too. Look at the whole lot of hits yesterday from the lil handful of memebers gossip thing going . The general reading public gon thing we paper popular ! Banna, you en got brains or wha ! A handful of people blogging in who think they onto a good thing to critiise the government. But I feel fuh them. They en know that all this en gon change one thing. When election time come, Khan gon be big hero. He din the one who help get rid of the criminals. But don’t let we print that yet banna. Yuh stupid, I tell yuh bring the Simel file, Lemmme see three , four maybe more stories outa this. And get yuh behind onto the police headquartes and see if any rapes today, and bring me more genip. Got a long day ahead. Can’t release too much because yuh got to keep the bloggers gossipying and giving impression that we onto something big and paper selling. Banna, yuh gon learn the journalism business before I through with you and where me genip !!!!….”
Hehehehehehehe.
So in DENIAL, we plan to laugh it off? This is surely not funny, Reddy.
Reddy, I have to agree with you 1000%. This will NOT change one damn thing. It will be business as usual!!!!!
Reddy, I am suprised that you are not gagged by your oun tongue or worst yet that foot you keep sticking in your mouth everytime. You were vertually invisible yesterday and now you turn up … tired of playing dead and spewing your potentless venum.
I for one know that at elections time Roger Khan would turn up a herro because the government thrives on the perils of Guyanese.
Crime and the fear of it effects is what the government loves. Simply put, during their election’s campaignes they are going to awash the people with the comaparrisons; that the crime they have experienced is nothing compared to what the PNC is going to unleash on them if they come into power.They are going to highten the fabricated story that AFC got money from “powder in pepper”. They are going to tell people that their daughters are going to be lined up and gang raped and so on and so on.
Reddy, I see you as toothless pitbull with a loud bark that can be compared to an old minibus with a boom box on pothole infested streed( You know the annoying sounds?) I hope when you call other stupid you take a good look in the mirror from the mignified side. You have a good day and I am sure your conscience will not allow you to do so ( Now I have to wonder if you have a conscience). By the way Stabroek News is popular because it gets your attention everytime.
Never Reddy aka John Reed,despite your puerile attempt at humor, the central facts remain: the govt of Guyana was engaged in extra-constitutional methods, and is complicit in the activities of a known drug kingpin.So spin and laugh all you want but hide from impeaching Simel’s contentions.
yawnnn,yawnnn, y dont u take a hyke u r so impossible,have eyes but cant see ears n cant hear,try the chronicle the print what u want to hear,leave SN alone they r doing a great job, if it wasn;t for SN our eyes would b close,so b/cause of then our eyes r opening wider n wider and bright as a star in the sky so reddy leave us alone
getready pack your bags, find a place to live maybe the Sahara cause that’s where your head is….
This is damning evidence..
Who laugh last laugh the best…..
interesting
Murder + drug trafficking + spy equipment = gossip
Don’t worry when u wok paper expire in Barbados and you get mail back, is the gossip men who will be waiting for you.
Reddy your nonsense will not distract the people of Guyana from the fact that the government of guyana was undeniably involved with Roger Khan the evidence is damning to support that.
What would be smart is for your government to be contrite and own up to it now rather than waiting for the facts to come out after the case in the US wraps up. When Simels case begins all hell is gonna continue to break loose. This is not Guyana justice where the PPP can duck information and lose case files and underwear.
Isn’t it funny how everyone else is fairly serious about this matter but NAwwwrrrrman Faria aka Reddy finds it humorous?
Trying to deflect the seriousness of the situation might work in highschool Faria not in real life where 200 people were killed. Criminals or not we need to understand why they were killed and all the circumstances regarding what the government knew about it and what they didnt know about it.
It also shows how inept this government is should the situation be that 200 people died and they had no idea that it was one person and his gang killing all these people.
Reddy you and the PPP have no shame, none whatsoever, but one thing to keep in mind reddy judgement day will come like it or not. Smile at that funny man!
Wait for the Facts to come out Samaroo in the Simmels Case,,,All these information you are getting worked up about are only coming from one Man,Simmels,,, RK was charged in the US for Naracotics and Gun smuggling, Simmels for Witness tampering and some others,,,What does the USA have to do with 200 Murders that took place in Guyana??? What facts do you expect to come out??? Coacine in Peppersauce???
Hey allyuh, he is back. The epst again. GOT BAYGON!! REDDY welcome to earth. Le we link and go Oistins and get 2 banks nah dred. Le we link a scene boy. By the way, I hope yuh help dem Guyanese peeps. The amnesty start today in Barbados.
Reddy , it’s sad that you are trying (in vain) to trivialize this powerful article because someone in the government had to be co-operating with Roger Khan , in order for him to get the equipment for spying .
“I would expect from our prior communication you would appreciate that this includes documents showing the sale of the equipment to the Spy Shop, and the travel and related documents for your employees in Guyana in 2002 to train those who were to use the equipment and their interaction, by email and otherwise, with any members of the government of Guyana, including Minister Leslie Ramsammy and Roger Khan ” .
Reddy , please explain the above extract . The President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana must make a public response to this article because as a member state of CARICOM , the people of the Caribbean would like to know if this article is factual .
Reddy,
I believe yuh picture. It’s exactly wha SN doing, since all tabloids live by gossip. I hope they choke on de genip seed.
John Smith’
The times have changed, the “old pot-holed streets and old bruck down mini-bus wid a boom boom box” was during the days of de PNC who created the downfall of the country and the disrespect of our people. Today there hardly is a street in GT wid a pothole, and de mini buses newer than the ones in any other Caribbean Island. Besides, nearly everybody can afford a car, and even mek it into a shiny chromed out taxi wid music fuh deff people, not like in de days of Cyrils Taxi Service who de police use to blackmail so Cyril’s can let the police use their cars for free fuh run round town every nite fuh tek away people cook-up and bread and Bristol cigarettes at nite sehing dey fightin crime.
Get wid de times meh boi.
Hey Macky, you see that flag next to my name, it tells you that I live and work here and yes I have a car and drive most of the streets in Georgetown. I remember you said you would visit but that can’t be compared to me living here and experiencing what is happening here. Yes there are streets that are patched and done over but 2 days after is back to the “moon experience”. I am with the times because I have firsthand experience. You get what they want you to get or what you don’t wnat to get so that is your problem. We have old minibuses and we do have the loud music even though the police had been tought on the loud music for two mornings.
Don’t bundle me with PNC, I am not one of them and I am not PPP either. I am Guyanese and I want what is best for my country, I am not going to beg for an Old Glory to be tagged next to my name, my friend.
We already know the govt was complicit in Khan operations. it’s just a matter of finding out who, when and how.
keep singing Khan and Simels. I was praying for years for this day to come. when official version of the truth is made public. I say official version, cause many of these things were known before.
keep up the good work SN. they can run and deny as much as they want, but Uncle Sam waiting for them
Justice they coming right here to the US to enjoy themself after all is said and done.
It’s getting hot hot hot, mr. ramsammy
Mr. Minister if yuh na wan mud a yuh foot na guh a crab dance, mouth open tory jump out.
Only the U.S.A. Government can touch Guyana’s untouchables. I can remember evidence that linked an ex-Minister Of Home Affairs to Axcel Williams; the telephone conversations.Nothing happened so I won’t excite myself. Sing on RK
Man, dis ting getting juicier and juicier….keep digging, Stabroek News.
It is clear now why officials in this govt are now fortifying themselves with, among other things, great retirement benefits. They may not be in a position to travel outside of Guyana after 2011 without the US swooping down on them.
Of course the solution to all of that is for the voters to replace this incredibly corrupt administration with real change (defintely not the PNC!)and for that new administration to immediately sign an iron clad extradition treaty with the US govt.
Would the voters Guyana who vote race do that?
Depends. Depends on how much slackness they are willing to take in the name of bigotry.
bai if Obama can happen in America..
then we must believe anything can happen in little ole Guyana.
Can’t depend on the US to do our dirty work tho..
The citizens have to find a way to make politicians accountable.
Greene who is the commish of police also cannot get a visa to travel to the united states he is persona non grata.
Thank you very much stabroek news for your determined agressive, progressive investigative reporting.You are doing a terrific job.Let the chips fall where they may.
Stabroek news need to find out who were calling the shots when 400 joint services troops were sent into buxton in late 2005; which functionary was present at the meeting when Ronald Waddell murder was planned; who were the four men in the black AT 192 Toyota Carina motor that killed Waddell; which functionary was present at a meeting with Roger Khan and the US Government source when the murder of a senior former policeman was being Planned.There is a Guyanese who was jogging on the sea walls the night Waddell was killed. Ask him about the cell phone he borrowed to make a call to someone reporting Waddell’s death.
Release the tape…
Don’t worry Rose Ann everything gone come to light,remember the old saying “mouth open story jump out”.
Thanks to Stabroek News to keep us informed.
hhehehe what tape? you think if jagdeo had a tape of members of parliament on it he would not have been using that as propaganda on NCN every single day?
Come on man soldier you are so gullible it is not even funny anymore. You are like a lamb, where is mary?
yes we were praying too because as soon as our uncle came back and was about to release details the monday they kill him the sunday but trust me that story soon come out we already here are getting information (the senior police officer that was killed MR, INNIS)
Love these bloggs. Now I know why Guyana has not progressed as far it should. I am stounded at how much information can be extracted from some of these stories. Lets hope most bloggers don’t come home or vote.
Still waiting for an “all-Guyanse” leader to emerge. Till then keep the laughs coming. “
I told you before Samaroo,, all your arguements are baseless and without any form of evidences and hearsay from guess who,, your AFC brothers, it is exposing your hollowness and your meagre objectives,, Come with facts my boy, like the Cocaine in peppersauce in Canada…
Soldier no one in the AFC is presenting this data, this is stuff from the united states government, are you so daft you cannot read the article SN posted today and yesterday?
This has nothing to do with the afc or anyone else but the United states government posting information about simels defense and in it mentions ramsammys name.
That is what the evidence is go and read the transcripts.
The tape or the other spy equipment Soldier.
bs lost his job with the administration for his incompetent performance so he has a score to settle.
well boy day a run till moon catch am, the reverse.
Soldier boy when jagdeo releases that tape the 34 Million US dollars will be put back into the NIS bank account and Mraia Van Beek’s shooter will be caught and many will be implicated.
Right, fat chance, keep dreaming.