NEWSLETTER - JULY 7, 2016

2008 and 2013 and as a Lecturer both at T A Marryshow
Community College (TAMCC) and St George’s University
(SGU).
Despite losing his seat in the last General Election, Brother
Burke did not retreat. He evolved as the most capable person to
lead Grenada into the 21st Century. Elected as the Leader of the
National Democratic Congress and representing Grenadians as
an Opposition Senator in the Upper House (Senate), Brother
Burke needs our support and that’s why I am supporting him.
His visions and hopes for our youths and country are above
comparison.
Brother Burke and his Team are what Grenada needs. What we
have currently is a government led by a very thin-skinned
individual, who does not accept criticism from anyone; followed
by a crew of yes men and women with little independent
thoughts of their own. He talks about the poor but continues to
leave them in poverty. The youths are left in the wilderness
getting involved with drugs and misdemeanors.
Grenadians get registered and be prepared to vote NNP out!
A PROFILE OF V NAZIM BURKE
by NDC Support Group,Toronto
The people of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique are very
fortunate to have a person so dedicated to serve this country,
regardless of all the accusations and rhetoric thrown his way by
the NNP.
Brother Burke left a prospering practice in Canada to return
home to serve and share his experiences. He had done so
without fanfare or apology as Acting Prime Minister, Deputy
Leader of the NDC, Minister of Finance and the Economy of
Grenada; he has served as Grenada’s Governor at several
multilateral financial institutions, including the International
Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank),
the IMF and the Caribbean Development Bank. In that
ministerial role, Brother Burke also served as a member of the
Monetary Council of the Eastern Caribbean Currency between
THE ALTERNATIVE
VOLUME 1 NO. 1 JULY 8, 2016
STATEMENT BY THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC
CONGRESS (NDC) ON THE ADDRESS TO THE
NATION DELIVERED BY PRIME MINISTER DR.
KEITH MITCHELL ON TUESDAY JUNE 28th 2016.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) wishes to register its
unreserved disappointment with the address delivered to the
nation by the Prime Minister Mitchell on Tuesday evening (sic ,
June 28, 2016).
In particular, we regard the failure or refusal of the Prime
Minister to seriously and honestly address several issues of great
concern to the nation at this time as disrespectful, disingenuous
and un-statesmanlike.
Of course, while we consider the ministerial portfolio
assignments announced most curious, we fully recognize and
accept the prerogative of the Prime Minister to choose his
cabinet and to assign responsibility to its members in the manner
he considers most appropriate for fulfilling his government's
policy objectives.
Having said this, we must condemn, in the strongest terms, the
failure or refusal of the Prime Minister to address the situation
involving Mr. Charles Liu, the "significant investor” in the so
called USD $2 billion Mt. Hartman project, and its implications
for the good name and reputation of our country.
It can hardly be disputed that having regard to the allegation that
millions of dollars of investors’ funds were transferred by Mr.
Liu to companies in China, including United Damei Group, and
to his and his wife’s personal accounts, this raises serious

questions as to whether, and to what extent funds received by
Mr. Liu from his investors in the United States Project have been
or are being used to finance his operations in Grenada. This no
doubt places an ugly stain on Grenada’s image.
It is the considered view of the National Democratic Congress
that the Prime Minister has once again demonstrated his
contempt for the people of Grenada by failing to address the
situation concerning Mr. Liu and the United Damei Investment
Company Ltd.
We note that while in his Cabinet reshuffle, the Prime Minister
made Minister Alexandra Otway responsible for the promotion
of the CBI, he remains the substantive minster responsible for
Citizenship and the Citizen By Investment (CBI) Program.
The NDC continues to call on Dr. Mitchell to launch an
investigation into the operation of the Citizenship by Investment
Program and to remove himself as the Minister responsible for
the CBI while this investigation takes place. Furthermore, we
continue to call for the revocation of the Grenadian Citizenship
of Mr. Charles Liu; his removal as the Commercial Attaché at
the Grenadian Embassy in China, the revocation of his
Grenadian diplomatic status and the Grenadian diplomatic
passport; and the revocation of the appointment of the United
Damei Investment Company Ltd. as an International Marketing
Agent of Grenada under the CBI Program.
We are reinforced in this view in light of the recent arrest in St.
Vincent of 2 Chinese nationals who were granted citizenship of
Grenada under the CBI program, allegedly while they were
already fugitives from justice in China. Yet, the Prime Minister
continues to break the law by refusing submit reports on the CBI
program to Parliament every 6 months.
We note with ridicule, the claim by the Prime Minister, in his
address, that the Constitution Reform Process is free of
government interference. We remind the Prime Minister that it is
the NNP Government, which he leads, that rejected the
recommendations of the Constitution Reform Advisory
Committee (CRAC) to put before the people in any upcoming
referendum: (i) the proposal that the Constitution of Grenada be
amended so as to empower the citizens to recall their
representative should they determine that such representative is
no longer suited to represent them; and (ii) the proposal that the
Governor General of Grenada be appointed by a college of
Parliamentarians rather than by the Prime Minister acting alone.
We note with cynicism, the claim by the Prime Minister that he
and his government are committed to improving the industrial
relations climate in the country. We note that despite its empty
promises and pronouncements, the NNP administration
continues to largely ignore to the legitimate demands of the
Grenadian public workers, teachers, nurses and police officers
for their salary increments for the past three years; that their
entitlement to public sector pensions be addressed and that their
employment, especially of the teachers and nurses be
regularized. Instead, the government has adopted a
confrontational approach to the public sector workers employing
subtle and not so subtle tactics of intimidation, including
unexplained and irrational job transfers and assignments.
We note with alarm the pronouncement by the Prime Minister
that his national address was intended to address the issues of
"success and succession." We wish to remind Dr. Mitchell that
while the issue of his party's success in the upcoming general
elections and who will succeed him as Party Leader in the New
National Party are undoubtedly important issues for him and his
party, the aspirations and needs of the Grenadian people do not
begin and end with any one political leader or party. When
elected to govern, the responsibility of Government is to steer
the Ship of State so as to bring the greatest opportunities and
benefits to the majority of Grenadians, not just those belonging
to one political party.
We therefore call on Dr. Mitchell to immediately put an end to
his political selfishness and put the nation first.
NDC HOLDS SPECIAL GENERAL
COUNCIL IN RIVER SALLEE
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) held a special
General Council to discuss and amend its policy agenda for
national and governance issues at the River Sallee Government
School, St. Patrick on Sunday July 03, 2016.
Delegates from all fifteen constituencies participated in working
group sessions and discussions for the way forward.
Addressing the opening session, Party Leader, Senator, Hon. V.
Nazim Burke said, “the Grenadian people yearn for a proud and
prosperous future and cannot wait to realize that dream. The
Future is Now!”
He noted, “We hold steadfast to the belief that our mission must
not simply be to win the next election; it must be to transform
Grenada into a strong and stable democracy, capable of
sustaining a high quality of life for its entire people. We must
prepare and provide for the next generations”
The Policy Agenda is a dynamic document which was put
together after considerable reflection; careful analysis of local,
regional and international realities; medium and long term
trends; and ongoing consultations with the many stakeholders
and social partners in society.
According to the Party Leader, the NDC “has constructed in its
minds’ eye, the Grenada in which we wish to see by the year
2030 and is developing the plans to get there.” He maintained,
that while it is useful, and even desirable, for opposition parties
to expose the wrongdoings and criticize the conduct and policies
of the government, is not sufficient and more must be expected
of a credible Opposition.
“In addition to criticizing, it must clearly set out, for the
evaluation and scrutiny of the public at large, the alternative
vision, policies and programs that it will seek to implement
should it form the government following general elections. Our
party is seeking to do just that,” the Party Leader said.
The document will be better developed and the next stage is to
have further interaction with stakeholders, with the intention of
having a final document presented to the public within weeks.
According to Senator Burke, “As we seek to grow and develop,
we must provide a space for every Grenadian, regardless of
political, religious beliefs and affiliation and ensure that no
Grenadian is left behind. We are convinced that a better Grenada
is possible.”