Letter: Where is the conflict of interest?

I am reflecting on the opinion of my friend, learned Attorney Robin Montano.

He is saying that there is NO requirement on a Cabinet Minister (or anybody else) to divest himself of his private interests. In other words, though desirable, there is NO requirement for an individual to place his assets in a trust (blind or otherwise) when he becomes a Minister.

According to Mr. Montano what is required is that an individual makes a complete disclosure of all of his interests to the IC at such time and intervals as is required by the legislation.

Further, it is clear that an individual cannot work in a job where there is a potential for a conflict of interest. So, for example, for reasons that ought to be obvious, a practising lawyer must give up his practise when he becomes a Minister.

So now, I want to turn my attention to the man himself, Austin Jack Warner, and the benefits that a small country like Trinidad and Tobago have accrued from having this individual as the longest serving Vice President of FIFA.

More importantly, Trinidad & Tobago is now poised to benefit even more from having Warner in the Cabinet. His very presence will bring tremendous international influence through the FIFA relationship.

One just has to read the headlines coming out of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where world leaders, headed by the U.S. VP, UN Secretary General, Prime Ministers and Presidents are lining up to be photographed with Warner!

It would seem that the concept of FIFA is only hosting the world cup every four years. While this is the highlight of FIFA’s very existence, it should be noted that FIFA was established to promote football world wide; to develop the sport, to bring good order both within the game as well as between rival countries.

FIFA's Youth Policy seeks to train young males and females in the game, in sportsmanship; in inter-racial harmony; through its various competitions FIFA promotes goodwill and friendly relations among nations.

It promotes inter-cultural knowledge and exchanges in order to facilitate friendliness, reduce military and hostile attitudes among peoples and nations.

Football is better than War. Football is no longer just a game. It has become a tool of human development. It is an instrument for world harmony and world peace. Football transforms lives.

The international programs of FIFA are consistent with the foreign and diplomatic policies that Trinidad & Tobago has been pursuing since its independence.

The work that Warner does in FIFA opens up opportunities for poor and underdeveloped Nations to rise, to build pride and self confidence and progress.

Warner has always maintained his nationality within FIFA; in so doing, whatever he does with FIFA must also be regarded as his own pursuit of the interests of Trinidad & Tobago; the interest of every young citizen; he is always opening up opportunities for Trinidad nationals, be they potential footballers, Administrators, even the fans and spectators; radio television interests.

Where is the conflict of interest?

Warner’s work and travel throughout the globe for and on behalf of FIFA, assessing, advising, pushing for excellence and opportunities, must also be seen as his continual persuit of the interests of our Caribbean brothers and sisters.

Where is the conflict of interest?

When Warner works in FIFA he is working for the promotion of the interests of African Countries, for the interests of Central American and South American countries.

By spreading FIFA's football objectives from country to country, from community, from culture to culture, Warner is helping to contribute to global development, global unity, global harmony.

Where is the conflict of interest?

Warner’s work is developmental; resulting in economic development, social development, in infrastructural development; facilitating tourism with its positive consequences.

Warner’s work is cultural as football acts as conduit for unknown cultures and countries to be exposed internationally and receive recognition. FIFA means there are no inferior peoples.

Warner’s work is humanitarian, helping to transform lives of individual players, individual communities and individual countries.

Warner’s work is Diplomatic, resolving issues at various international levels, and harmonizing where discord would otherwise escalate.

Do we in Trinidad & Tobago remember the pride, joy and sense of patriotism we felt when our country reached the 2006 FIFA world cup finals? One man was responsible for this – Austin Jack Warner!

The pride we feel in seeing the Word Cup 2010 taking place in South Africa is justified. But that did not happen by chance. It was designed, planned and implemented as a deliberate policy to democratize the game and make it into a truly worldwide game for all peoples. This is the result of many, many years of hard work.

Austin Jack Warner has been and is being credited for bringing this World Cup to South Africa.

My friend of over 30 years, Richardson Andrews, penned these comments to me:

“Mr Warner is likely to be one of the most effective Ministers this country may have. Let us not do to him what we did to Brian Lara. We hounded out the best batsman we produced on a wave of emotional irrationality.

"Mr Warner is an accomplished politician, an art he obviously learned through many years' international politics of a multi-dimensional nature, perhaps more complex than our local politics.

"There is no way he would have survived and risen without those skills and experiences. His international achievements were secured by his own efforts and talents and without any assistance from Trinidad & Tobago as a country.

"Let us value him, learn from his accomplishments, and use them to help us to rise, rather than pull him down, embarrass him internationally, and spoil a good thing."

Well said and articulated Andy!
Capil Bissoon | Brampton, Ontario, CANADA