So, if the government is proposing compensation for settlements on behalf of ASR/BSI and Tate and Lyle Sugars, is it working for the multinational?
And is the government doing this to please US state and corporate interests since both BSI and Tate and Lyle are owned by a powerful US Company - which is ASR or American Sugar Refining.
We asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs is they are under US pressure to deliver for the multinational:
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"No not at all, not at all I think, all our engagements, with the, certainly with the US embassy here, in respect of ASR, have been very, very positive, very, very productive. No, I think you know no no no intimidation. No no none of that. I think it's all been very productive. And we have a very good working relationship with ASR, BSI government they have come to cabinet many times to make presentations. We have discussed their concerns. Even their, their owners, in Florida, have come to make presentations. So I think we have a very good we have a very good relationship with them."
Jules Vasquez:
"But why then would the Prime Minister write to Tate and Lyle Sugars urging the cane farmers to settle their matter and receive an incentive from the government? In fact, using public funds to buy fertilizers to offset a corporate private litigation that the BSCFA has engaged in against Tate and Lyle sugars for the Fairtrade money?"
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"Yeah. Well, you're asking me something that you'll have to ask the minister responsible for sugar, for the sugar industry about. What I do know is that, as you all know, I mean, the Prime Minister, has long expressed his frustration with the state of affairs in the BSCFA and the sugar industry. This is a critical industry to our economy. And we want to see the matter resolved. The stalemate has gone on for too long. And the Prime Minister in fairness to him he has said this many times in cabinet, he feels very strongly, that the BSCFA, should try to settle the matter."
