In a matter, which at this time, has nothing to do with him or his political organization, the chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) seems to make what can only be seen as a per-emptive strike, in order to save the reputation of his party, at least that is left of it.

“Izmirlian sues CCA – Former developer’s company accuses firm of fraud” – The Nassau Guardian 27 Dec. 2017

Excerpt from this article; BML Properties Limited which was once the company responsible for the development of the Baha-Mar mega-resort, has used China Construction America (CCA), the contractor of record for almost $3.5 billion, claiming CCA defrauded BML ‘in an attempt to gain leverage over BML properties and Baha Mar Limited’, which amounted to ‘one of the largest construction-based frauds in this hemisphere.”

This ‘rock was thrown’ yesterday, in a battle between BML Properties LTD, owned by Sarkis Izmirlian; and China Construction American, the general contractors, in the state of New York but back home the Chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) releases this statement in response.

“PLP urges Izmirlian to ‘give it a rest” – The Nassau Guardian 28 Dec. 2017

Excerpt from this article; “Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Fred Mitchell yesterday labeled former Baha Mar developer Sarkis Izmirlian lawsuit against China Construction America (CCA) as ‘an act of revenge calculated to injure The Bahamas and its reputation and to cast aspersions on the PLP.”

First off let me remind Senator Mitchell that The Bahamas and the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) are not one in the same, so if Mr. Izmirlian seeks to suggest in his 268-paged summon, that “…..the bankruptcy of his operation was somehow influenced by dealings by the government, then a PLP administration which was secretive and suspect because the documents were sealed by the Supreme Court of The Bahamas”, this would only be detrimental to the ‘reputation’ of the PLP and not The Bahamas, let us get this straight as this in your party’s burden to bear.

There seems to be a sudden case of guilty conscience here, as the chairman seeks to ‘nip this in the bud’ before it mushrooms out of control, but the damage has already been done and the only thing that the chairman and his party can do now is wait until they are formally called upon and asked to answer the burning questions of whether they were complicit in the alleged fraud or just ignorant/unaware to it and all else that was going on around them the time.

As he [Senator Mitchell] seeks to label others as being vindictive and suggesting that they are ruining the reputation of The Bahamas; I would like to recall one of his most infamous rants shortly after the last general election; “IF the Free National Movement loses the next general election, National Security Minister Marvin Dames ‘will understand what it-for-tat means”, this from a seasoned and mature political figure.

END