Browne confirms WIOC official was questioned in U.S.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne says he confirmed that a senior West Indies Oil Company (WIOC) official was questioned by U.S. authorities during a recent trip to the United States, after reading a report published by UPP-aligned Real News Antigua and subsequently speaking with the official.
Speaking on Pointe FM’s Browne and Browne Show on Saturday, Browne said he read the Real News report and then contacted WIOC Chief Executive Officer Gregory Georges to establish what had occurred.
“I saw the publication on Real News and I spoke to Gregory Georges,” Browne said.
He said Georges confirmed that he was detained and questioned by U.S. authorities and that his electronic devices were taken temporarily.
“He told me that he was questioned and that his laptop and phone were taken, but later returned to him,” Browne said.
Browne said the questioning appeared to be linked to ongoing international scrutiny involving Venezuela’s historical 25 percent shareholding in WIOC.
He noted that WIOC’s Venezuelan shareholding predated U.S. sanctions and said the company remained compliant after sanctions were imposed.
“There has been absolutely no violation whatsoever,” Browne said.
The prime minister said he addressed the matter publicly to confirm what had happened, after verifying the information directly.
“I’m just stating what the issues are as I know them,” he said.
Browne did not indicate that any action would be taken against the WIOC official, and said his remarks were intended to clarify the situation amid heightened international attention on Antigua and Barbuda and its state-owned entities.
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You spilling your guts now. Lol
Boy Wadadli is in deep shit. Your electrical devices was taken away? now that’s bad! and although for now everything might look normal, this is the US you’re dealing with, so it’s sleepless nights from now on. As I said before you traveling to the US from Wadadli, get ready to be pulled over by immigration and answer questions, and for your stay, they will be watching you like a hawk, good luck.
By the way, why is all this coming out now?
Hon. PM I followed your UN speeches , especially the last two . I can distinctly remember you talking about SIDS , which I admired. Debt forgiveness and skillfully linking it to climate change etc. You also went boldly into geopolitics and spoke about US sanctions on Cuba and Venezuela You spoke about respecting their sovereignty. None of the superpowers addressed this issue. They were on US soil and would be advised not to , especially under this US administration. The consequences you seemed not to care about , even after the US Secretary of State made the announcement about punishing nations/ countries that used the Cuban medical brigades. The Venezuelan and Cuban ambassadors praised you openly for the courage shown in supporting their countries. Sir these two countries have supported Antigua more than any other for decades. When the hurricane struck Barbuda it was Venezuela that came to their rescue ( how they were treated and negatives after they left Barbuda is a different issue). It’s is also very true that Venezuela has 25% stake in WIOC and nothing is wrong with that either. Since the visa sanctions on Antigua, you seem to be now cowardly and carefully choosing your words. ( wish you did all along). Antigua minister of agriculture went to Venezuela and signed land leasing agreement on our government behalf in Venezuela for farming. That was so stupid. That shows how rapped up your administration were with the Venezuela government.
What I never understood is how these two countries, keep their citizens oppressed . Living in poverty and at the same time dishing out millions of dollars of support to other nations around the world. The people of Venezuela are suffering economic hardship, I have been there and seen it with my own eyes. Similarly the people of Cuba- so much so that many of them perish on high seas, riding on anything that can float trying to reach the US. Not saying it was right or I support how the Venezuelan President was kidnapped or how you cut instant ties with Cuba. Now is the time to stand up as a man and stop blaming the UPP media for the US government attention on Antigua. You boldly earned it right on the US soil, in your UN speeches. As small island states we will sink without assistance and we seem to take assistance from whoever, including dictators. Hay the great V.C .Bird was very careful in dialing with dictators or communists countries. Just stating the facts.
We are now almost totally dependent on communist China. The US don’t like that either.
So this is my foolish advice , feel free to negotiate , for Antigua and Barbudans sake keep out of international internal politics. That includes China’s one nation policy.
So I guess you have learned your lessons and just as you said calm seas don’t make good sailors. Old people say cockroaches don’t have any right in chicken pen. Stay out of the geopolitics.
We need to find means to growi our economy, in a more sustainable manner. The CIP is under full attack and not by the US alone, Europe was the first to send warring, Canada quickly acted and the USA after giving us several years of warning acted to secure its own borders. The Citizens by investment- was first sold to the public as when someone coming to Antigua and invest substantially, we fast track their citizenship. That is the only CIP program that I support. That would have brought long term and sustainable development and businesses to our country. If you want to carry the Antigua passport you should be willing to make here your home.
Ok I get this, everything Gaston does wrong it’s upp to blame, I guess the upp will be blamed when the criminal deportees commit crimes here after Gaston get he pocket full of charbo to accept them.
And you know who will be foolish that Gaston drop a bait for? Giselle Isaac, she love to go latch on to Gaston crimes and shield him giving the perception it’s a UPP orchestration. She need to know when to say no comment we are watching that space like anyone else. Everytime the alpha Nero matter comes up in the USA court there goes Giselle preempting instead a stay silent, so in the public court of opinion Gaston has been able to tell the people that’s it’s just a UPP mischief when it’s a genuine matter.
Giselle please talk about our impending economic crisis instead.
I talk to you civil servant that are enthralled by Gaston state capture, using public funds as a leash around your necks, the late Mr Leroy king died in a USA prison and edmeade Jarvis went to prison for paying social security monies as the minister hilroy Humphreys told him to do, the minister was pardoned by the functioning ALP governor general at the time and Jarvis wasn’t even in their thoughts to be pardoned. You people today who are under Gaston’s state capture, be it the judiciary ,police , ONDCP or DCA all civil servants or bank officials will one day face the public for your misdeeds, and could do prison time perhaps not under Antigua corrupt state capture but abroad as the late Leroy king, don’t you love your family and grand children? Why allow a temporary 5 year term fly by night person as a politician to capture you with CIP and namco fund?
The recent events in Venezuela has given us an opportunity to exhale and forget about our own issues in relation to our US Visa blockade. Whether we want to believe and accept it or not, in today’s world a PASSPORT is no longer just a travel document. It is a TRUST CERTIFICATE and once that trust is questioned, access is the first thing to go as we have witnessed. Right now, Antigua and Barbuda passports seem to be questionable in the international arena and that is something that we cannot be proud of. The country must work to restore its international image and the significance and credibility of our TRUST CERTIFICATE – our Antiguan and Barbudan Passport. .Whilst citizens with existing passports can still access the US, it is clear that all Antiguan and Barbudan passports raises a “red flag” at this time.
I can guarantee the electronics were imaged. After thorough investigation, we shall see what we are presented with next.
Honestly, Mr PM only now U saying these things. Like U want to spill ur gut to d nation now.
This should be news on the Nation Station, not ur radio station.
Lets do the people’s work correctly please.
It’s strange so much I got is coming out of you since Maduro was captured, did you really meant to bring them out or it’s jus pure pressure or fear
Sir GB, you’re only speculating. I think Mr George can speak for himself, if and when the need arises. You need not to blow up things are ought to remain flat. The authorities in America don’t read Antigua news, they are hound dogs…they follow trails.
Gregory Georges has always been professional and transparent. This confirms his integrity
According to the Prime Minister, he contacted Gregory Georges directly after seeing the report. Georges subsequently confirmed that he had been detained and questioned by U.S. officials.”
How much time elapsed between George’s detention, and the news report?
Why did the prime minister(government) know about the incident only from a news report?
I didn’t even get to this article, but go and read the post I posted in the article that’s states ” Gaston Browne denied involvement with Maduro”.
I’m no profit, but go read my post. It might sound like a rant to some, and sound like conspiracy to others, but I’m never wrong about the hearts of men, and in particular this administration and the play that’s at hand right now.
When you play a game of poker or any game for that matter, it’s up to you to know the players.
This administration is playing fools with y’all.
They are bluffing their way through office.