Until late Wednesday Nicholson claimed he did not have the power to delay the extradition of Schreiber on Saturday. Most legal beagles claim that he has but Nicholson stuck to his opinion although not providing any reasons why he didn't have discretionary power as his critics claim. But late Wednesday lo and behold:
The government announced late Wednesday that it would not extradite him while a last-ditch appeal remains before the courts, a surprising turn of events, given that Justice Minister Rob Nicholson has said repeatedly that he had no authority to take such action. (from the Globe and Mail)
Wow! Nicholson has newfound powers but also displays his ignorance in not knowing he had them apparently. Or maybe he is just plain incompetent.
The National Post has an article on the background of Schreiber's testimony. In his testimony although Schreiber refused to say very much until he has an opportunity to review his notes he did say that originally he was to pay Mulroney 500,000 dollars.
CBC has an article that discusses the Liberal attack on Nicholson's flip flop.
Showing posts with label Karlheinz-Schreiber. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Karlheinz-Schreiber. Show all posts
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Mulroney calls for full blown inquiry
I hate to say anything good about Brian Mulroney but in this case I certainly think that he is doing the right thing. I hope that Mulroney's call will be supported by action on the part of Harper. I predict that next week question period will be all about how much and when Harper knew about the affair. Other issues will be pushed aside. Everyone loves a juicy scandal more than anything else no matter how important.
Mulroney calls for full-blown public inquiry
Updated Tue. Nov. 13 2007 7:52 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Former prime minister Brian Mulroney wants the government to call a public inquiry into allegations he improperly accepted money from German-Canadian businessman Karlheinz Schreiber while still in office.
"I have come to the conclusion that in order to finally put this matter to rest and expose all the facts and the role played by all the people involved, from public servants to elected officials, from lobbyists to police authorities, as well as journalists, the only solution is for the government to launch a full-fledged public commission of inquiry," he said in a statement Monday night.
Mulroney told CTV News that he wants to demonstrate to Canadians that he's innocent, and said that no one has ever accused him of any wrongdoing.
Norman Spector, a former chief of staff to Mulroney, called his ex-boss' move a political masterstroke.
However, Spector told Canada AM on Wednesday that he believes a public inquiry "is guaranteed to bog down" over side issues and wouldn't result in the key questions being answered.
He thought the best way to get actual answers would be to appoint a special prosecutor with subpoena powers, similar to the system in place in British Columbia.
Last Friday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced he would appoint an independent third party to review the $300,000 Mulroney received from Schreiber. The first payment of $100,000 allegedly came shortly after Mulroney left the prime minister's office.
Mulroney has denied all allegations of impropriety. He received an apology from the government and a $2.1 million-settlement in 1997 after he was publicly mentioned in connection with an investigation into the sale of Airbus jets to Air Canada.
Schreiber is currently in a Toronto detention centre where he's fighting extradition to Germany, stemming from charges of bribery, fraud and tax evasion.
He said Monday he has kept meticulous records of his correspondence with Mulroney, including copies of letters, and has promised to reveal several "surprises" about their business dealings.
"I will have a suitcase full of surprises for these people, but I will not go in a contest for what these guys are saying or not saying," he told CTV News by phone. "I don't care."
He alleges that one of the letters he kept proves he discussed business matters with Mulroney one day before he retired as prime minister -- an allegation that Schreiber also filed in a court affidavit.
Schreiber also claims a copy of the letter was sent to Harper last March, but Harper denies ever receiving it. Schreiber also claimed that Mulroney wanted to show Harper the letter when he visited him at Harrington Lake in July 2006.
Harper told reporters he met with Mulroney in August 2006, not July, and the letter was never mentioned.
"We did not talk about the relationship between Mr. Mulroney and Mr. Schreiber and Mr. Mulroney did not give me any letter," Harper told a press conference.
On Monday, Schreiber said he was surprised Harper never read the letter.
"Is he surrounded so much by people who didn't want him to see the material? This would mean that Mulroney's people were so around him that he is nothing more than a puppet," said Schreiber.
He also said the letter is just one of many he's sent to Harper about the case.
"I would say it's more in the neighbourhood of 15 to 20 letters, because I send him a copy of each letter I have sent to other people," he said.
None of Schreiber's allegations have been proven in court and Mulroney maintains his innocence.
Schreiber is an international lobbyist and arms dealer with a history of controversy. He's fought extradition to Germany for 10 years.
With reports from CTV's Robert Fife and Lisa LaFlamme
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mulroney calls for full-blown public inquiry
Updated Tue. Nov. 13 2007 7:52 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Former prime minister Brian Mulroney wants the government to call a public inquiry into allegations he improperly accepted money from German-Canadian businessman Karlheinz Schreiber while still in office.
"I have come to the conclusion that in order to finally put this matter to rest and expose all the facts and the role played by all the people involved, from public servants to elected officials, from lobbyists to police authorities, as well as journalists, the only solution is for the government to launch a full-fledged public commission of inquiry," he said in a statement Monday night.
Mulroney told CTV News that he wants to demonstrate to Canadians that he's innocent, and said that no one has ever accused him of any wrongdoing.
Norman Spector, a former chief of staff to Mulroney, called his ex-boss' move a political masterstroke.
However, Spector told Canada AM on Wednesday that he believes a public inquiry "is guaranteed to bog down" over side issues and wouldn't result in the key questions being answered.
He thought the best way to get actual answers would be to appoint a special prosecutor with subpoena powers, similar to the system in place in British Columbia.
Last Friday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced he would appoint an independent third party to review the $300,000 Mulroney received from Schreiber. The first payment of $100,000 allegedly came shortly after Mulroney left the prime minister's office.
Mulroney has denied all allegations of impropriety. He received an apology from the government and a $2.1 million-settlement in 1997 after he was publicly mentioned in connection with an investigation into the sale of Airbus jets to Air Canada.
Schreiber is currently in a Toronto detention centre where he's fighting extradition to Germany, stemming from charges of bribery, fraud and tax evasion.
He said Monday he has kept meticulous records of his correspondence with Mulroney, including copies of letters, and has promised to reveal several "surprises" about their business dealings.
"I will have a suitcase full of surprises for these people, but I will not go in a contest for what these guys are saying or not saying," he told CTV News by phone. "I don't care."
He alleges that one of the letters he kept proves he discussed business matters with Mulroney one day before he retired as prime minister -- an allegation that Schreiber also filed in a court affidavit.
Schreiber also claims a copy of the letter was sent to Harper last March, but Harper denies ever receiving it. Schreiber also claimed that Mulroney wanted to show Harper the letter when he visited him at Harrington Lake in July 2006.
Harper told reporters he met with Mulroney in August 2006, not July, and the letter was never mentioned.
"We did not talk about the relationship between Mr. Mulroney and Mr. Schreiber and Mr. Mulroney did not give me any letter," Harper told a press conference.
On Monday, Schreiber said he was surprised Harper never read the letter.
"Is he surrounded so much by people who didn't want him to see the material? This would mean that Mulroney's people were so around him that he is nothing more than a puppet," said Schreiber.
He also said the letter is just one of many he's sent to Harper about the case.
"I would say it's more in the neighbourhood of 15 to 20 letters, because I send him a copy of each letter I have sent to other people," he said.
None of Schreiber's allegations have been proven in court and Mulroney maintains his innocence.
Schreiber is an international lobbyist and arms dealer with a history of controversy. He's fought extradition to Germany for 10 years.
With reports from CTV's Robert Fife and Lisa LaFlamme
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, November 10, 2007
NDP calls for full inquiry into Mulroney affair
This is from the CTV. Interesting that Harper received info on the allegations seven months ago. It would probably have actually made things easier for Harper if he had granted an inquiry now. The opposition will not let go until he does anyway. We will be treated to a useless counterpoint of opposition complaints and Harper replying that they should wait for the third party report. Without the Fifth Estate report and Schreiber recent affidavits nothing would have happened.
Schreiber is probably the big winner so far as he will no doubt not be deported to Germany!
NDP calls for full inquiry into Mulroney affair
Updated Sat. Nov. 10 2007 4:24 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
NDP Leader Jack Layton wants a full public inquiry into the allegations surrounding former prime minister Brian Mulroney and controversial businessman Karlheinz Schreiber.
Late Friday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced he would appoint an independent third party to review dealings between Mulroney and Schreiber.
"An independent third party is not going to be able to have the power of subpoena, he's not going to be able to drill down and get the truth," Layton told CTV Newsnet on Saturday.
"And right now, the allegations are swirling around in such a devastating way that it's affecting peoples' faith in our democratic system."
Harper said at Friday's news conference that members of the government shouldn't have any dealings with Mulroney until after the investigation is complete.
The latest developments came after Schreiber filed a court affidavit that implicated Mulroney in inappropriate business dealings while he was prime minister.
Mulroney, the Progressive Conservative prime minister of Canada between 1984 and 1993, said he would co-operate with any inquiry. He has denied any wrongdoing in the relationship between himself and Schreiber, a German-Canadian businessman whose extradition is being sought by the German government.
However, critics accuse Mulroney of not providing a full explanation of how he came to accept $300,000 in three cash payments from Schreiber, with the first payment of $100,000 coming mere weeks after he left the prime minister's office.
Harper said Friday the independent party will look into the seriousness of Schreiber's allegations.
Stalling?
Some critics have characterized Harper's call for an investigation as a delaying tactic. When new information about the two men's dealings was initially reported a week ago, Harper rejected calling an inquiry.
Harper said Friday that he was prompted to act because the latest allegations involve Mulroney's time as prime minister.
Layton said he thinks Harper is stalling.
"It's only a partial step and it really slows down the process of getting to the bottom of the matter," he said.
"Does anyone doubt that this independent third party ... that he's going to say, 'you better bring in a judge?'" Layton asked.
"I don't think so. That's why we might as well get on with it now."
Layton noted it took full inquiries to get to resolve the Maher Arar case and resolve issues related to the Air India investigation.
"The truth doesn't come out easily sometimes on these matters," he said.
Liberal Leader Stephane Dion called Friday for an inquiry.
He said the affidavit leaves questions about when the prime minister and his cabinet may have become aware of the allegations, and why a Justice Canada investigation was stopped when Harper took office.
Liberal MP Mark Holland also criticized the prime minister for stalling, saying Harper's office received information on the "explosive" allegations seven months ago.
"It is beyond belief, one would have to completely suspend imagination, to think that this information wouldn't have been passed on to the prime minister when it is so significant," Holland said.
"This raises some very significant questions about what the prime minister knew and when he knew it," Holland said.
Holland went on to say that allowing the Harper government to appoint an investigator "isn't enough" because of Mulroney's close ties to Harper and the Conservative party.
"We need an independent judicial review; we need something that goes further. This is something that touches the highest office in the land," Holland said.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Schreiber is probably the big winner so far as he will no doubt not be deported to Germany!
NDP calls for full inquiry into Mulroney affair
Updated Sat. Nov. 10 2007 4:24 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
NDP Leader Jack Layton wants a full public inquiry into the allegations surrounding former prime minister Brian Mulroney and controversial businessman Karlheinz Schreiber.
Late Friday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced he would appoint an independent third party to review dealings between Mulroney and Schreiber.
"An independent third party is not going to be able to have the power of subpoena, he's not going to be able to drill down and get the truth," Layton told CTV Newsnet on Saturday.
"And right now, the allegations are swirling around in such a devastating way that it's affecting peoples' faith in our democratic system."
Harper said at Friday's news conference that members of the government shouldn't have any dealings with Mulroney until after the investigation is complete.
The latest developments came after Schreiber filed a court affidavit that implicated Mulroney in inappropriate business dealings while he was prime minister.
Mulroney, the Progressive Conservative prime minister of Canada between 1984 and 1993, said he would co-operate with any inquiry. He has denied any wrongdoing in the relationship between himself and Schreiber, a German-Canadian businessman whose extradition is being sought by the German government.
However, critics accuse Mulroney of not providing a full explanation of how he came to accept $300,000 in three cash payments from Schreiber, with the first payment of $100,000 coming mere weeks after he left the prime minister's office.
Harper said Friday the independent party will look into the seriousness of Schreiber's allegations.
Stalling?
Some critics have characterized Harper's call for an investigation as a delaying tactic. When new information about the two men's dealings was initially reported a week ago, Harper rejected calling an inquiry.
Harper said Friday that he was prompted to act because the latest allegations involve Mulroney's time as prime minister.
Layton said he thinks Harper is stalling.
"It's only a partial step and it really slows down the process of getting to the bottom of the matter," he said.
"Does anyone doubt that this independent third party ... that he's going to say, 'you better bring in a judge?'" Layton asked.
"I don't think so. That's why we might as well get on with it now."
Layton noted it took full inquiries to get to resolve the Maher Arar case and resolve issues related to the Air India investigation.
"The truth doesn't come out easily sometimes on these matters," he said.
Liberal Leader Stephane Dion called Friday for an inquiry.
He said the affidavit leaves questions about when the prime minister and his cabinet may have become aware of the allegations, and why a Justice Canada investigation was stopped when Harper took office.
Liberal MP Mark Holland also criticized the prime minister for stalling, saying Harper's office received information on the "explosive" allegations seven months ago.
"It is beyond belief, one would have to completely suspend imagination, to think that this information wouldn't have been passed on to the prime minister when it is so significant," Holland said.
"This raises some very significant questions about what the prime minister knew and when he knew it," Holland said.
Holland went on to say that allowing the Harper government to appoint an investigator "isn't enough" because of Mulroney's close ties to Harper and the Conservative party.
"We need an independent judicial review; we need something that goes further. This is something that touches the highest office in the land," Holland said.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, November 9, 2007
Harper announces probe into Schreiber allegations
This is from ctv. I am a little bit surprised that Harper acted. I thought he would continue stonewalling but I guess the affidavit filed by Schreiber made it difficult to continue as if everything would go away in time as people lose interest in the affair. It will be interesting to see how independent the person appointed by Harper to look into the issue will be.
PM announces probe into Schreiber allegations
Updated Fri. Nov. 9 2007 6:45 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced a probe into allegations surrounding cash payments made to former prime minister Brian Mulroney and his actions while in office.
Harper, who had previously refused to investigate the matter, announced that he would be appointing an independent third party to look into business dealings between Mulroney and Karlheinz Schreiber.
The probe, he said, would decide whether action should be taken by the Prime Minister's Office.
"We can't ignore the allegation,'' he said at a press conference on Friday."We always have to protect the office of the prime minister.''
The review comes after an affidavit filed by Schreiber on Thursday implicated Mulroney in inappropriate business dealings while he was prime minister.
The Tories have been under pressure to investigate Mulroney's financial dealings following new details about $300,000 he allegedly received from Schreiber, who was tied to Airbus.
The affidavit also named Harper, claiming he and Mulroney met at Harrington Lake, Que., last summer to discuss the matter.
It is a claim Harper denied Friday.
"I was surprised to learn that my own name was mentioned in the affidavit," Harper said.
Harper said his family hosted the former prime minister but did not discuss Mulroney's dealings with Schreiber at the time.
Harper said the independent party will look into how serious the allegations made by Schreiber are, and whether -- if the allegations are true -- they had any impact on a settlement paid to Mulroney after he sued the government in the wake of past allegations.
Harper mentioned
In his sworn affidavit Thursday, Schreiber mentioned Harper for the first time, saying Mulroney suggested he write a letter for him to pass to Harper.
An excerpt from that affidavit reads:
"At the special request of Mr. Mulroney, I wrote a letter to him on July 20, 2006 suggesting to Mr. Mulroney that the public rhetoric regarding the sale of Airbus planes by Airbus Industries G.I.E. (the `Airbus Affair') and the conspiracy against me personally amounted to the largest political scandal in the history of Canada ...
"I wrote the July 20, 2006 letter at the request of Mr. Mulroney because he told me that he was going to meet with The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, the current Prime Minister of Canada, by the end of July, 2006 at Harrington Lake, and that he (Mr. Mulroney) was going to show that he and I were on good terms.''
Harper said on Friday that the probe was called not because his name was brought into question, but because for the first time there were real allegations, made under oath, suggesting inappropriate action by Mulroney while he was prime minister.
"That is a new development, and I think that we have to respond to this development," he said.
"I think it's interesting that Mr. Schreiber talked about a meeting where he was not in attendance."
Schreiber, a German-Canadian citizen, is currently in jail fighting extradition to Germany, where he would face charges of tax evasion, bribery and fraud.
Harper said the allegations stem from a personal "nasty litigation" between Mulroney and Schreiber, but as they stem from Mulroney's time in office they should be reviewed.
In 1997, Mulroney was paid $2.1 million in an out-of-court settlement after he sued the federal government.
The suit was over RCMP allegations in a letter that he was under investigation for a kickback scheme involving Air Canada's 1988 purchase of Airbus planes.
Schreiber is currently suing Mulroney for $300,000, an amount he says he paid Mulroney in hotel room dealings.
He also alleged that Mulroney's advisor Fred Doucet asked him to transfer funds to Mulroney's lawyer in Switzerland.
Harper said no Conservative member should have any dealings with Mulroney until after the inquiry is complete.
The Tories had been refusing to say whether any of their ministers have looked into the Airbus affair or cash payments made to Mulroney.
The Liberals say that by avoiding looking into the affair, Tories can claim ignorance on the file and avoid taking action against a former Conservative prime minister.
Harper said Friday the independent third party would "review what course of actions may be appropriate," and will recommend the most appropriate way to proceed.
He said he will name that person soon, likely next week.
'Delaying tactic'
Pat Martin, the NDP's privacy and ethics critic, said the announcement was made to buy time for the prime minister.
"Honestly, the public has demanded that we get to the bottom of this and not a delaying tactic of this independent third party," Marin said on CTV's Mike Duffy Live.
"Otherwise there will be a firestorm on the floor of the House of Commons on the first question period, and Harper needed something to be able to say."
The ex-prime minister has never been charged, and Schreiber's allegations have never been proven in court.
But Liberal MP Ralph Goodale said the allegations themselves have publicly smeared the office of prime minister.
"Those are issues that are profoundly troubling, and they go to the institution of the office of prime minister. And that really should be an office that is beyond question and above reproach," Liberal MP Ralph Goodale said on Mike Duffy Live.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PM announces probe into Schreiber allegations
Updated Fri. Nov. 9 2007 6:45 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced a probe into allegations surrounding cash payments made to former prime minister Brian Mulroney and his actions while in office.
Harper, who had previously refused to investigate the matter, announced that he would be appointing an independent third party to look into business dealings between Mulroney and Karlheinz Schreiber.
The probe, he said, would decide whether action should be taken by the Prime Minister's Office.
"We can't ignore the allegation,'' he said at a press conference on Friday."We always have to protect the office of the prime minister.''
The review comes after an affidavit filed by Schreiber on Thursday implicated Mulroney in inappropriate business dealings while he was prime minister.
The Tories have been under pressure to investigate Mulroney's financial dealings following new details about $300,000 he allegedly received from Schreiber, who was tied to Airbus.
The affidavit also named Harper, claiming he and Mulroney met at Harrington Lake, Que., last summer to discuss the matter.
It is a claim Harper denied Friday.
"I was surprised to learn that my own name was mentioned in the affidavit," Harper said.
Harper said his family hosted the former prime minister but did not discuss Mulroney's dealings with Schreiber at the time.
Harper said the independent party will look into how serious the allegations made by Schreiber are, and whether -- if the allegations are true -- they had any impact on a settlement paid to Mulroney after he sued the government in the wake of past allegations.
Harper mentioned
In his sworn affidavit Thursday, Schreiber mentioned Harper for the first time, saying Mulroney suggested he write a letter for him to pass to Harper.
An excerpt from that affidavit reads:
"At the special request of Mr. Mulroney, I wrote a letter to him on July 20, 2006 suggesting to Mr. Mulroney that the public rhetoric regarding the sale of Airbus planes by Airbus Industries G.I.E. (the `Airbus Affair') and the conspiracy against me personally amounted to the largest political scandal in the history of Canada ...
"I wrote the July 20, 2006 letter at the request of Mr. Mulroney because he told me that he was going to meet with The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, the current Prime Minister of Canada, by the end of July, 2006 at Harrington Lake, and that he (Mr. Mulroney) was going to show that he and I were on good terms.''
Harper said on Friday that the probe was called not because his name was brought into question, but because for the first time there were real allegations, made under oath, suggesting inappropriate action by Mulroney while he was prime minister.
"That is a new development, and I think that we have to respond to this development," he said.
"I think it's interesting that Mr. Schreiber talked about a meeting where he was not in attendance."
Schreiber, a German-Canadian citizen, is currently in jail fighting extradition to Germany, where he would face charges of tax evasion, bribery and fraud.
Harper said the allegations stem from a personal "nasty litigation" between Mulroney and Schreiber, but as they stem from Mulroney's time in office they should be reviewed.
In 1997, Mulroney was paid $2.1 million in an out-of-court settlement after he sued the federal government.
The suit was over RCMP allegations in a letter that he was under investigation for a kickback scheme involving Air Canada's 1988 purchase of Airbus planes.
Schreiber is currently suing Mulroney for $300,000, an amount he says he paid Mulroney in hotel room dealings.
He also alleged that Mulroney's advisor Fred Doucet asked him to transfer funds to Mulroney's lawyer in Switzerland.
Harper said no Conservative member should have any dealings with Mulroney until after the inquiry is complete.
The Tories had been refusing to say whether any of their ministers have looked into the Airbus affair or cash payments made to Mulroney.
The Liberals say that by avoiding looking into the affair, Tories can claim ignorance on the file and avoid taking action against a former Conservative prime minister.
Harper said Friday the independent third party would "review what course of actions may be appropriate," and will recommend the most appropriate way to proceed.
He said he will name that person soon, likely next week.
'Delaying tactic'
Pat Martin, the NDP's privacy and ethics critic, said the announcement was made to buy time for the prime minister.
"Honestly, the public has demanded that we get to the bottom of this and not a delaying tactic of this independent third party," Marin said on CTV's Mike Duffy Live.
"Otherwise there will be a firestorm on the floor of the House of Commons on the first question period, and Harper needed something to be able to say."
The ex-prime minister has never been charged, and Schreiber's allegations have never been proven in court.
But Liberal MP Ralph Goodale said the allegations themselves have publicly smeared the office of prime minister.
"Those are issues that are profoundly troubling, and they go to the institution of the office of prime minister. And that really should be an office that is beyond question and above reproach," Liberal MP Ralph Goodale said on Mike Duffy Live.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Mulroney-Schreiber affair threatens PM's credibility
I just wonder how long the Fifth Estate revelations will percolate through the press. Within a week perhaps it will all be forgotten unless important people take up the cudgel and I am not sure that is likely. Already there is absolutely nothing on the news about it today at least on CBC TV. I saw the 5th estate program. Schreiber is amazingly composed and quite amusing at times. Considering that he is facing extradition and jail in Germany he is amazingly calm and has a great sense of humour.
Mulroney-Schreiber affair threatens PM's credibility
After campaigning for restitution of Liberal sponsorship spending, Harper will be pressed to make his mentor repay libel award.
OTTAWA, November 5, 2007: The Mulroney-Schreiber Affair could undo an enormous amount of the work Stephen Harper has done to establish himself and his credibility.
CBC News reported last week that former prime minister Brian Mulroney allegedly tried to hide cash payments of $300,000 that he received from arms dealer Karlheinz Schreiber, currently jailed in Toronto and facing extradition to Germany. The news program Fifth estate, broadcast an interview with Schreiber, who said Mulroney asked for a letter stating that "at no time did he ever solicit or receive" money from the German businessman.
Making matters worse are reports that Mulroney deliberately delayed reporting on the payments for tax purposes. Furthermore, reports that Schreiber made some of the cash payments in New York suggest Mulroney may have illegally brought the money into Canada from the US.
These reports fly in the face of the libel award Mulroney won in 1997 from the RCMP and the government. Under oath, Mulroney denied any dealings with Schreiber. He received a court-ordered government apology and a $2.1-million settlement. Now the opposition is calling, with some justification, for a public inquiry into the affair. The Harper government brands these calls as "political vendettas."
Mulroney's sworn statements about his association with Schreiber appear to have been proven false, however. This puts Harper, who has always championed government and political accountability, in a tough spot. After conducting a vigorous campaign for restitution of improperly-used Liberal sponsorship spending, he is in a poor position to argue that Brian Mulroney should not have to refund the $2.1 million awarded to him based on what increasingly appears to be perjury.
If, however, Harper is forced into an inquiry over Mulroney, it could kill the Conservative brand - again. Mulroney's unite-the-right politics of 25 years ago temporarily brought together western populists and Péquistes - before blowing up in a cataclysm that led directly to the formation of the Reform and Canadian Alliance parties and, ultimately, the end of the Progressive Conservative party, not to mention creating the Bloc Québéquois.
Despite some formidable political accomplishments, Mulroney became the most hated Canadian politician in a generation. With the publication of his memoirs and recent public appearances, he had been working to restore his image, with some success, until these recent revelations.
Harper has skillfully set many traps for his opponents, including bullying the Liberals into supporting the throne speech. Now he is caught in a trap of his own. If he calls an inquiry, as facts and precedent would appear to indicate he must, it could crucify Mulroney, his close political friend. In that scenario, Harper will take all the heat of guilt by association. If Harper stonewalls demands for an inquiry, he could lose the credibility he has worked so hard to build on the accountability file, while still suffering from his own close ties to both Mulroney and Mulroney's Quebec strategy.
Mulroney-Schreiber affair threatens PM's credibility
After campaigning for restitution of Liberal sponsorship spending, Harper will be pressed to make his mentor repay libel award.
OTTAWA, November 5, 2007: The Mulroney-Schreiber Affair could undo an enormous amount of the work Stephen Harper has done to establish himself and his credibility.
CBC News reported last week that former prime minister Brian Mulroney allegedly tried to hide cash payments of $300,000 that he received from arms dealer Karlheinz Schreiber, currently jailed in Toronto and facing extradition to Germany. The news program Fifth estate, broadcast an interview with Schreiber, who said Mulroney asked for a letter stating that "at no time did he ever solicit or receive" money from the German businessman.
Making matters worse are reports that Mulroney deliberately delayed reporting on the payments for tax purposes. Furthermore, reports that Schreiber made some of the cash payments in New York suggest Mulroney may have illegally brought the money into Canada from the US.
These reports fly in the face of the libel award Mulroney won in 1997 from the RCMP and the government. Under oath, Mulroney denied any dealings with Schreiber. He received a court-ordered government apology and a $2.1-million settlement. Now the opposition is calling, with some justification, for a public inquiry into the affair. The Harper government brands these calls as "political vendettas."
Mulroney's sworn statements about his association with Schreiber appear to have been proven false, however. This puts Harper, who has always championed government and political accountability, in a tough spot. After conducting a vigorous campaign for restitution of improperly-used Liberal sponsorship spending, he is in a poor position to argue that Brian Mulroney should not have to refund the $2.1 million awarded to him based on what increasingly appears to be perjury.
If, however, Harper is forced into an inquiry over Mulroney, it could kill the Conservative brand - again. Mulroney's unite-the-right politics of 25 years ago temporarily brought together western populists and Péquistes - before blowing up in a cataclysm that led directly to the formation of the Reform and Canadian Alliance parties and, ultimately, the end of the Progressive Conservative party, not to mention creating the Bloc Québéquois.
Despite some formidable political accomplishments, Mulroney became the most hated Canadian politician in a generation. With the publication of his memoirs and recent public appearances, he had been working to restore his image, with some success, until these recent revelations.
Harper has skillfully set many traps for his opponents, including bullying the Liberals into supporting the throne speech. Now he is caught in a trap of his own. If he calls an inquiry, as facts and precedent would appear to indicate he must, it could crucify Mulroney, his close political friend. In that scenario, Harper will take all the heat of guilt by association. If Harper stonewalls demands for an inquiry, he could lose the credibility he has worked so hard to build on the accountability file, while still suffering from his own close ties to both Mulroney and Mulroney's Quebec strategy.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Mulroney ordered to pay 470,000 to Schreiber
One sometimes wonders about who drafts reports such as these. Certainly Schreiber did give Mulroney the 300 thousand but for what purpose may be moot. The fifth estate verified that money was paid. This is all tied up with the Airbus Scandal. The RCMP were investigation Mulroney but somehow this was leaked out and Mulroney sued and managed to make 2 million in an out of court settlement. Mulroney always seemed to me guilty of shady dealings with Schreiber but of course both are part of the elite. Schreiber is wanted in Germany on various charges but Mulroney is comfortably retired in Canada. See the Airbus Affair.
Court orders Mulroney to pay $470,000 to Schreiber
Last Updated: Friday, July 27, 2007 | 12:16 AM ET
CBC News
An Ontario court has ordered Brian Mulroney to pay $470,000 to German-Canadian businessman Karlheinz Schreiber, who sued the former prime minister, alleging he didn't follow through on his business commitments.
The judgment was made automatically by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice after Mulroney failed to respond to the lawsuit.
Karlheinz Schreiber, seen in 2004, sued Brian Mulroney for $300,000 to recoup payments he says he made to the former prime minister.
(Aaron Harris/Canadian Press) The former prime minister's lawyers didn't file a defence because they believe the case should be argued in Quebec.
"The first I heard of it was when you notified me of it, and we're going to take immediate steps to have that judgment set aside," Mulroney's lawyer Kenneth Prehogan told the Canadian Press on Thursday.
"Mr. Mulroney has challenged the Ontario court's jurisdiction because the case has nothing to do with the province of Ontario."
Schreiber alleged that after the former prime minister retired from politics in 1993, he agreed to help Schreiber build a production facility for light armoured vehicles in Quebec, with a head office in Ottawa, and a pasta business in Ontario.
The lawsuit, filed in Ontario Superior Court, alleged Mulroney reneged on that agreement.
Schreiber alleged he gave Mulroney $300,000 in cash in 1993 and 1994 as an advance, but that he never received the services he paid for, according to a statement of claim.
The statement of claim alleges that Schreiber attempted, on numerous occasions, to outline what Mulroney owed him, "demanding the services to be performed by the defendant."
Schreiber allegedly made various attempts to collect his advance but Mulroney refused to pay back the money, the document claims.
Schreiber, who lives in Toronto and Ottawa, is currently fighting extradition to Germany on charges of bribery, fraud and tax evasion.
With files from the Canadian Press
Court orders Mulroney to pay $470,000 to Schreiber
Last Updated: Friday, July 27, 2007 | 12:16 AM ET
CBC News
An Ontario court has ordered Brian Mulroney to pay $470,000 to German-Canadian businessman Karlheinz Schreiber, who sued the former prime minister, alleging he didn't follow through on his business commitments.
The judgment was made automatically by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice after Mulroney failed to respond to the lawsuit.
Karlheinz Schreiber, seen in 2004, sued Brian Mulroney for $300,000 to recoup payments he says he made to the former prime minister.
(Aaron Harris/Canadian Press) The former prime minister's lawyers didn't file a defence because they believe the case should be argued in Quebec.
"The first I heard of it was when you notified me of it, and we're going to take immediate steps to have that judgment set aside," Mulroney's lawyer Kenneth Prehogan told the Canadian Press on Thursday.
"Mr. Mulroney has challenged the Ontario court's jurisdiction because the case has nothing to do with the province of Ontario."
Schreiber alleged that after the former prime minister retired from politics in 1993, he agreed to help Schreiber build a production facility for light armoured vehicles in Quebec, with a head office in Ottawa, and a pasta business in Ontario.
The lawsuit, filed in Ontario Superior Court, alleged Mulroney reneged on that agreement.
Schreiber alleged he gave Mulroney $300,000 in cash in 1993 and 1994 as an advance, but that he never received the services he paid for, according to a statement of claim.
The statement of claim alleges that Schreiber attempted, on numerous occasions, to outline what Mulroney owed him, "demanding the services to be performed by the defendant."
Schreiber allegedly made various attempts to collect his advance but Mulroney refused to pay back the money, the document claims.
Schreiber, who lives in Toronto and Ottawa, is currently fighting extradition to Germany on charges of bribery, fraud and tax evasion.
With files from the Canadian Press
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)