Francis Joseph: “I never went to US Embsassy with Jack Warner”

Francis Joseph

Throughout the Chaguanas West by-election campaign, one statement made repeatedly by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who has consistently appeared on the platform alongside the United National Congress (UNC) candidate Khadijah Ameen, is that the former Chaguanas MP, Jack Warner, who was a member of Persad-Bissessar’s Cabinet, refused to travel to foreign engagements since November 2012.

Warner yesterday said that he gave up his green card in November 2012, refuting claims that it was taken away from him.

Media reports said Warner identified Francis Joseph, his special advisor at the time, as “the only only person who was with him at the time” when he went to the U.S. Embassy to conduct the transaction on December 28 last year.

Joseph is now Press Secretary to the Prime Minister.

Below is the full text of Joseph’s response to Warner’s statements on the matter.

Having heard on television and radio, and read in today’s newspapers what Mr. Jack Warner said about me, I would like to make it categorically clear that I NEVER WENT WITH JACK WARNER
TO THE US EMBASSY TO GIVE UP HIS GREEN CARD.

I was totally surprised that Mr. Warner would insinuate that I, now being the Press Secretary to the Prime Minister, would have given her that information.

That is totally untrue and unfounded.

I worked with Mr Warner for three years and during that time, I remained loyal and confidential despite the barrage of attacks on him. I was even the victim of attacks by some of my former media colleagues for working with Mr Warner, but I stayed the course because I had a contribution to make.

It is the same way I remain loyal and confidential at the Office of the Prime Minister.

On most occasions when Mr Warner had to leave the country, I was at the Piarco Airport to see him off, and was back at the airport for his return. I was present when he left on November 25, 2012 and when he returned on November 27, 2012.

I read where Mr Warner said he went to the US Embassy on December 28, 2012 and gave up his Green Card. Again, I state, I did not go with Mr Warner to the US Embassy on that date, or any other date. Based on checks I made this morning, he was taken there by his security detail.

Mr Warner never informed me that he gave up his Green Card. I learnt about this when the Hon Prime Minister spoke at a political meeting earlier this week.

I wrote to Mr Warner this morning pointing out his error when he said I accompanied him to the US Embassy. Despite it all, I have the utmost respect for Mr Warner, and do wish him all the best in the by-election on July 29th.
Regards

Francis Joseph
Press Secretary

July 18, 2013

Guardian