Businessman Brian Tiwarie yesterday said he had been appointed as a personal advisor to Minister of State Joseph Harmon and not to the government, and while claiming that he was the subject of a political vendetta he criticised President David Granger for acting “impulsively” in rescinding the appointment.
Breaking his silence on a controversy that has raged since the appointment was publicly revealed two Mondays ago, Tiwarie, in a statement, defended Harmon and said their relationship predated APNU. He said his efforts in the capacity of Harmon’s personal advisor on business were pro bono and although they travelled together, his recent private business trip to China merely coincided with Harmon’s official visit to the Asian nation.
“The truth of the matter is that a political struggle is underway between various elements in high places and the Tiwarie so-called appointment is being used by many to achieve their objectives. He [Harmon] is rightfully perceived as quiet, powerful and influential even more than the now famous [former PPP/C Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger] Luncheon and this has provoked the struggle for power, for influence, for turf,” Tiwarie said in the statement issued by his company, BK Internatio-nal.
The disclosure two weeks ago of Harmon’s stealthy appointment of Tiwarie as an advisor triggered an avalanche of criticism and further disclosures which left the APNU+AFC administration groping for answers. Within a day, Granger rescinded Tiwarie’s appointment, saying that his services were not needed. At that point, both Harmon and Tiwarie were in China. A fresh set of questions have emerged about this trip including who funded it and the nature of the business that the two conducted in China.
The government subsequently faced accusations that Harmon had interfered with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and halted its planned seizure of vehicles belonging to controversial Chinese logging company, Baishanlin.
As a result, on Sunday the AFC said that the concentration of various powers in Harmon was the key reason for difficulties that have flared up around the APNU+AFC government and it plans to raise this issue at Cabinet as a matter of “national importance.” It called for Harmon’s powers to be pared.
‘Legitimate decision’
In his statement, Tiwarie said he was never appointed advisor to the government nor to the Minister of Business and statements to this effect were a “confounded lie.” He criticised several media houses for their reporting on the issue. According to Tiwarie, the campaign that has been waged uninterruptedly in the press, led by Kaieteur News and the Guyana Chronicle, has sought to portray the “so-called appointment” as an improper act committed by Harmon and has falsely and repeatedly stated that Tiwarie was appointed advisor to the government. “This is simply not true. It is a complete fabrication,” he declared. He also criticised a Stabroek News editorial on the issue for misrepresenting his appointment as being that of an advisor to government.
“The fact of the matter is that Minister Harmon ‘appointed’ Mr Tiwarie as his personal advisor on business. This he is entitled to do and by virtue of Mr Tiwarie’s business acumen, such an ‘appointment’ can be seen as nothing else but [a] legitimate decision,” the statement said. It added that the businessman’s efforts in this capacity are pro bono.
‘Impulsive’
Tiwarie charged that other ministers, including Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, have made several such appointments and as it relates to those, there is an absence of a sustained campaign and public outcry.
“Maybe in the interest of fairness the President should revoke all of those too and for the very reason given when he acted impulsively in revoking the appointment at a time when Minister Harmon was out of the country. It may well be that in quieter time the President may have an opportunity to reflect upon the propriety of impulsive decision making,” he said.
The statement said that Tiwarie’s relationship with Harmon predates APNU, the general elections and his appointment as Minister. Tiwarie said that a political struggle “between various elements in high places” is underway and his appointment is being used as ammunition.
“We strongly believe that when politicians are at war, they must avoid dragging in innocent parties, unrelated to their apparent power struggles,” the statement said.
In relation to the China trip, Tiwarie said his private business trip to China coincided with Harmon’s official visit to that country. “We acknowledge that they travelled together, but not withstanding this reality, each had his own business to transact. We find absolutely nothing wrong with that,” the statement declared.
Harmon has said little on the furore. After previously saying that he would issue a statement, he has now indicated that he has nothing to say. Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Ally has defended him, saying that his being on the job is testimony that Granger believes he is not corrupt.
‘Patriotism, not corruption’
Meanwhile, Tiwarie’s statement said that BK International and Tiwarie as “good corporate citizens,” are supporters of the APNU+AFC government and have every right to do so in the interest of the development of Guyana.
“BK International will continue to support the Government as it has recently done in the matter of D’urban Park development. All Guyanese, all businessmen and all companies have a right to contribute to public projects if they so wish. This is not a crime. This is not corruption. It is called patriotism,” the statement said.
It added that while the subject of corruption continues to be on the front burner of discussions nationally, BK International continues to be a firm supporter of any effort to counter and or stamp out corrupt practices which have in the past adversely affected its operations and threatened its existence. “If there is evidence of our involvement otherwise, we charge that it be provided openly and publicly and honestly,” the firm said.
