-President
President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday ruled out any probe into the alleged link between Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy and confessed drug trafficker Roger Khan without factual evidence.
President Bharrat Jagdeo
At a news conference at the Office of the President, Jagdeo announced that Commissioner of Police Henry Greene has written the US government seeking any evidence of criminal activity that would warrant a local investigation. But he noted that he would not pursue an investigation of the Minister on the basis of an accusation, referring to the claims by Khan’s former attorney Robert Simels that Minister Ramsammy had facilitated the drug trafficker being trained in the use of sophisticated surveillance equipment that is believed to have been used for, among other things, tapping the phone belonging to former Police Commissioner Winston Felix.
The allegations have led to calls for the Minister to demit office as well as challenges for him to undergo a polygraph test.
Leslie Ramsammy
“…Every single day I would be establishing Commissions of inquiry,” Jagdeo said yesterday, “If I do so on the basis of an accusation.” Additionally, he pointed out that Khan himself had alleged that the former Police Commissioner was in a conspiracy with the main opposition party PNCR to overthrow the government. “Should we believe that and set up a Commission of Inquiry to look at sedition? You can’t be selective about these accusations,” he added.
The President also emphasised that Minister Ramsammy has no authority whatsoever over the security sector. “If there is any such authority that resides in anyone, it is either myself or the Head of the Presidential Secretariat [Dr Roger Luncheon], who is the Secretary to the Defence Board or the Minister of Home Affairs,” he said, adding that the Health Minister has no authority in such matters.
Jagdeo added that he had asked Minister Ramsammy about the accusations and the Minister informed that he was “never involved” in any such arrangements. “And at this point in time, until I get any information to the contrary, I will have to believe him,” he added.
Responding to several calls for a local investigation based on the information released during the Khan trial, the President said he agreed. “Absolutely, I think any knowledge of any crime in Guyana has to be investigated,” he said. In this regard, he mentioned that he asked that Commissioner Greene-who is responsible for initiating the investigation-to write the US Government requesting any information in their possession that might incriminate any person here to allow him to launch an investigation. “As far as I know, he has not received any information as yet,” he said, “So, this is how we will proceed we will proceed, on the basis of facts; he has written and asked for the information and if we get the information he will act on it.”
Ramsammy has flat out denied the allegations and has questioned why Simels repeatedly named him in a slew of emails as being the government minister who assisted in Khan being trained in the operation of the “spy equipment.”
He has said that whenever allegations are made the relevant authorities should be allowed to do their job but indicated that readiness to undergo a polygraph test to clear his name in the matter should the Guyana Police Force request such. “I have never been involved in any criminal activity and if there are allegations in that respect then the police must do their job,” he said.
During the period he represented Roger Khan, Simels identified the Minister in a clutch of emails to representatives of the Smyth Myers Communications Company as the government minister who assisted in Khan being trained in the operation of spy equipment.
On its website, Smith Myers Communica-tions describes itself as a leading supplier of test and measurement equipment to the global cellular industry. In one of the e-mails, Simels wrote: “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].
The emails to the company representatives were exhibits in a motion filed by Simels to have the charges dismissed against him and a former assistant, Arianne Irving, for mailing and being in possession of eavesdropping equipment. The eavesdropping charges were two of the 14 new charges recently filed against the two lawyers who had previously represented Khan. They were later charged jointly with him for alleged witness tampering and face 14 charges in a superseding indictment. 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.
Khan subsequently had pleaded guilty to this charge, drug trafficking charges as well as the gun-running charge.
Ramsammy’s name has been mentioned in relation to Khan repeatedly by both Simels and the US government’s confidential source (CS) during a conversation, a transcript of which has been seen by this newspaper. His 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 for Khan’s trial.
I am tired of hearing about RK and those who supposedly had interactions with him. I want to hear more about dem terrorist free-dum fighters and the political group that created and supported them. Tell me more about this SN.
RodRick mums de word on FREEDUMB FIGHTERS AND THEIR POLITICAL MASTER LEADERS::SN DIDNT POST MY EARLY AM BLOG:
BECOUSE I SAH THOSE WHOM ARE CALLING FOR ENQUIRIES MUST PAY FUH IT OUT OF POCKET WID DE HELP OF SN…..I ALSO SAID DAT FELIX VOWED SILENSE…..E BIG…….
yeah inquiries should be paid out of our pocket if that is the case then I am sure you will ask Rawbert persaud to compensate the state and tax payers for living in Hermandston Annexe at a cost of 3K US per month right?
How about getting your prezzo to skip his weekend flights out of the country and use that to spend on the investigations?
What are you scared of Cack Eye I thought the PPP was clean as gold man,,,,,,, how come all you so scared of investigations.
The PPP running from investigations as if they have swine flu.
If there is evidence, there should be a conviction , heavy fine, and lengthy jail term.If there is no evidence, what is the fuss about?
can u believe this guy jadeo. Get the word from the street,the people are not fooled, by this comment. Everyone knows if you get caught with a firearm in Guyana you go to jail, except Raja.
“… without factual evidence ”
Anything new in this phrase?
Seems to be always ready on the lips of the Presee and the HPS
Now all of us know that in Guyana, rumour is 99.9% fact, except
of course the Presee and the HPS.
Everything connected to RK meets stout denial from the gov’t.
Question: did RK ever helped out the government with paying
the salaries (or something like that) of some group of
teachers?
Fact or fiction?
RK had so many people under control or involved that the
gov’t looks foolish with its constant denials and refusals
to pursue any matter. Of course the refusals are in keeping
with the denials.
Will the help and assistance of the British Security help
the gov’t move easily into examining allegations of breaches?
Not if the HPS maintains his attitude on factual evidence!
The evidence is being used in a US court of law to defend simels but that is not good enough evidence.
SN wat up wid de nonsense about moderation.
I challenge Dr Ramsammy,to sue Mr Simmels in a U.S.Court,for slander,if these allegations are untrue.Mr Ramsammy will then clear his name,in a court of law,after which the Guyanese public will come to a conclusion.Failing to do this,the jury is out.
hahahhahahahahaha that is the perfect response Bush that is what I am talking about.
Thats correct if the PPP was that confident of their clean noses in this whole mess then sue Simmels.
The political theatre plays out in the following manner; the Police Force, is undermined by a lack of reform and underfunding as a result of political manipulation and control by the PPP. Insecurity, trauma and fear grips the communities as as result of constant and brutal criminal attacks, then, with the blessings of the state, steps in, criminal drug lord(s), (Mr. Roger Khan – according to his testimony) with ‘vigilante justice, Extra Judicial Killings and by violating the rule of law, to bring justice to the communities by murdering dozens of other members (some criminal as Mr. Roger Khan).
Clearly, the above is a recipe for anarchy and dictatorial rule; with state and non state actors violating the rule of law and, the political administration abdicating its responsibility to the citizenry and democratic governance.
the us will not give greene anything because you know ????????. he has no credibility.
I don’t know why he left Bellport to go back to Guyana, he had a beautiful, peaceful and quiet life here…no crime, no stupidness, and the bay is nice this time of year.
While you are waiting for the evidence,start by investigating who forged Dr. Ramsammy name (if it was forged)to purchase the equipment. Is anyone worried about what else was purchase with forged signature? this is the most incompentent administration I have seen in a long time. I cannot believe this man was elected.