Although the Government is claiming to have won an arbitration battle with British Aerospace Engineering Systems (BAE), one of the world's largest military defence companies, indications are that a secret deal between the parties is in the works for T&T to acquire several second-hand boats. "Information is there may be a secret deal going on between the Government and BAE for the purchase of second-hand military vessels," a well-placed source, requesting strict anonymity, told the T&T Guardian yesterday.
"Reports are that BAE leased the vessels to another country and the lease came to an end. If it is true the Government plans to buy these second-hand vessels from BAE, it means there is some deal going on in conjuction with the arbitration," said the source. "There may be more to the $1.382 billion settlement the Government got from BAE. There may be far more to the story than we think," the source said.
Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, contacted for a response on the matter, only said, "Talk to National Security Minister Jack?Warner. I don't want to comment on matters that concern his ministry." Meanwhile, the Opposition PNM is likely to contact BAE in a bid to get more information on the arbitration matter, which it says is "very confusing and contradictory."
PNM MP Colm Imbert was a member of an inter-ministerial committee for the purchase of military assets (the OPVs) in the last administration. Asked if he had contacted BAE on the current issue, he replied, "I?have not contacted them as yet."
Imbert said he is not satisfied all the information on the BAE settlement coming from the Government is correct and he's checking to make sure all the facts are in order. He said reports from the international press are different from those coming from the Government. "The international press is saying BAE won the arbitration and was paid by the Government. The Attorney General is saying these reports are a fabrication."
Further compounding the confusion is the question of the real cost incurred by the Government in the OPV matter, Imbert said. "The legal costs are significant, but they pale in comparison to the costs incurred in training Coast Guard officers to use the vessels, and other costs, as well. Research leaves me to believe the AG is not talking about a lot of expenses the Government can't recover. "But any objective assessment of the costs must include all expenses. It's far more than is being indicated by the Government," said Imbert, who is promising to reveal more details soon.
The Financial Times report on Wednesday said BAE?must have been relieved at the settlement. "The settlement brings to a conclusion a disagreement that arose when Trinidad cancelled an order for the three boats following cost overruns and delays. "The decision in 2010 came so late in the development phase of the contract that one of the three boats was ready to be delivered, prompting BAE to take a £100 million charge. "Even so, the settlement will come as a relief to BAE, which has been under pressure from investors. BAE said the settlement was 'at an amount consistent with provisions held.'"