– slams attempt to besmirch his name, character
– denies wild allegations of links to Roger Khan
“I have never been involved in any kind of criminal activity and if there are allegations in that respect, then the police must do their job. If called upon to cooperate with any investigation, I will do so. I am at all times available to those who are responsible to investigate any criminal activity, if they think I could be of any help. I can look the public in the eye and I can look all those politicians who call me their friend and I say, I have never been engaged in any criminal activity nor have I ever been engaged in facilitating any criminal activity” – Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

HEALTH Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy yesterday denied the ‘wild allegations’ being peddled and circulated by especially certain members of the political opposition that he has possible criminal links to controversial drug-baron Roger Khan, who is currently convicted and behind bars in a United States jail.

Ramsammy also denied having any knowledge of hi-tech equipment that can monitor telephone calls, or of knowing anyone who provides such training or has been involved in any criminal activity.

“I have largely remained silent on the vigorous campaign by some to besmirch my name and character… First of all, let me say, I am not now or was I ever familiar with technology intended to monitor telephone calls.”

“I don’t know what such technology looks like. I am not now, nor was I ever aware of where such technology could be procured. I don’t know now, nor was I ever knowledgeable of anyone who knew anyone who could provide such technology,” the minister stated.

As reported in the media earlier this week, the small Alliance For Change (AFC) party has publicly called on Minister Ramsammy to immediately resign, following the scandalous allegations emanating out of the United States by former Roger Khan Attorney, Robert Simels.

Simels is alleging that it was Dr. Ramsammy who helped to facilitate the purchase of a laptop computer, capable of triangulating and intercepting telephone calls. Simels also alleges that Dr. Ramsammy assisted in facilitating the training of Khan in the use of the equipment.

All these allegations were vehemently refuted by the minister yesterday.

While acknowledging that he understands the ‘game played by politicians to score cheap political points’, Ramsammy cautioned that this must never be attempted to besmirch the character of people through wild allegations.

“I have served with integrity, the highest level of integrity. I will not allow anyone to question my integrity,” Ramsammy said.

“Scoring political points is something all political parties and politicians do. I have no problem with politicians trying to score points with the public but we must never attempt to besmirch the character of people,” he cautioned.

Dr. Ramsammy also made it clear he will not bow to opposition calls for him to resign, since he will only do so if or when President Bharrat Jagdeo so request.

“I note that political parties and politicians are calling for me to resign. I serve Guyana as part of the President’s Cabinet at this time. I will resign whenever the President asks me to or whenever the President gives me permission to resign,” Ramsammy declared.

The Health Minister also said he will not be deterred by the unfounded negativity and will continue to serve Guyana with the highest level of integrity and commitment.

Following is the full text of the minister’s speech at his press briefing yesterday:

“I have largely remained silent on the vigorous campaign by some to besmirch my name and character. In part I have not had time to respond to the allegations because, as a minister of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government, I have committed myself to serving tirelessly and my time, each minute of the day, has been spent working to improve health in Guyana. Taking time out for this purpose, to answer wild allegations, when I could be working on important issues such as swine flu, appears to me to be a disservice to the people I serve.

I can always say to the public of Guyana that every minute of my day, usually up to 20 hours per day, everyday, including holidays, is spent working on improving health in Guyana.

But it is time for me to respond.
First of all, let me say, I am not now or was I ever familiar with technology intended to monitor telephone calls. I don’t know what such technology looks like. I am not now, nor was I ever aware of where such technology could be procured. I don’t know now, nor was I ever knowledgeable of anyone who knew anyone who could provide such technology.

I have never known anyone who could provide training for the use of such technology. I have never spoken to anyone, as far as I know, who could provide such training to anyone in or out of Guyana. I have no knowledge of anyone who ever came to Guyana for the purpose of such training. I could not, therefore, facilitate on anyone’s behalf training in the use of such technology.

In am referring to such technology, I am not even aware what it is called.
I note that political parties and politicians are calling for me to resign. I serve Guyana as part of the President’s Cabinet at this time. I will resign whenever the President asks me to or whenever the President gives me permission to resign.

I will continue to serve Guyana in any capacity I am asked. That is my life’s commitment. I will continue to serve Guyana with dedication, commitment and with the highest level of competence and effectiveness. I will continue to serve Guyana as a hard worker who has no time for anything else. I will continue to serve Guyana with distinction. All of Guyana knows this, including members and supporters of the opposition.

Over the last three years, as many of you are aware, I have thought of leaving to pursue other opportunities for contributions on global health. I have always refuse these offers because I will only leave when I am not needed any longer.

I have served with integrity, the highest level of integrity. I will not allow anyone to question my integrity. Scoring political points is something all political parties and politicians do. I have no problem with politicians trying to score points with the public.

But we must never attempt to besmirch the character of people.

Some of these politicians who are questioning my integrity know me well. I can speak to the Guyanese public directly – I am poorer today than I was when I first became a Member of Parliament and I am poorer today because I became a Minister of Government.

I do not own a home in Guyana and I live in a humble government home, not able to entertain because of its humbleness. I own no car in Guyana, having given away my car when I became minister. I have no large bank account, having an account only to receive my salary. I owned a home with my family in New York before I came back to Guyana. That home is still owned by my family, but it is still the same way. None of my family members have large bank accounts and each one must work hard to meet the expenses of daily life.

Each of my children had to take large loans to go to university. My family and I have never been on a cruise or any kind of family vacation. We simply cannot afford to do so.

I don’t need to be lectured on integrity by anyone.
As a politician, a Member of Parliament and as a minister, I am used to people making allegations. This comes with the territory. No one should believe that a minister has any higher moral ground to stand than any Member of Parliament.

We have been elected to serve the people. The same measure of morality and integrity applies to each of us. There are Members of Parliament on both sides of the House that allegations have been made against. Indeed, some of the ones who are out front asking me to resign or do other things in response to the allegations have had long-standing allegations themselves. I have not seen anyone of them resign or subject themselves to polygraph tests, etc.

Whenever allegations are made, we must permit the relevant authorities to do their job. I have never and will never be uncooperative with persons who must do their job. I have never been involved in any kind of criminal activity and if there are allegations in that respect, then the police must do their job. If called upon to cooperate with any investigation, I will do so. I am at all times available to those who are responsible to investigate any criminal activity, if they think I could be of any help.

I can look the public in the eye and I can look all those politicians who call me their friend and I say, I have never been engaged in any criminal activity nor have I ever been engaged in facilitating any criminal activity”.