Ambassador Goodwin joins the call for a full and open public inquiry into the Antigua Airways scandal
A former ambassador is joining the chorus of voices calling for a public inquiry into the Antigua Airways scandal.
Bruce Goodwin, a former ambassador to Cuba, says there may be a possibility that crimes of universal jurisdiction have been committed as it relates to the West Africans being brought here , in what many suspect to be a human trafficking ring.
Even the visitors themselves have confirmed this by saying that Antigua and Barbuda was to be the trans-shipment point for them to get to other destinations including South America and the United States.
Goodwin says the possibility exists that those government officials who are involved in this matter could be taken before The Hague to be prosecuted by the International Criminal Court.
He says what is needed to get to the bottom of this debacle is a complete and full, free and open public inquiry into this matter which has brought the reputation and the name of Antigua and Barbuda “so deep down into the dirt.”
Goodwin, a Pan Africanist and Social and Political Activist, says that there is indeed some kind of link between the business of people trafficking and money laundering.
Meanwhile, the former Cuban ambassador says that many people have observed that since the January 18 General Elections there has been vast amounts of US currency in circulation in the country’s economy.
He says a number of ordinary people have been seen taking US currency to their credit unions, spending in shops and supermarkets and in other businesses.
Goodwin is therefore questioning whether this recent appearance of so much US currency in the local market could be linked to the financing of the election.
It is alleged that US $4 billion was moved across international borders and allegedly arrived at VC Bird International Airport in metal chests.
Goodwin speculates that those people who are involved in this scandal could have been paid out of the monies which came here and which were later funneled through a particular political party to finance its campaign.
