St. John's, Antigua -- 12 Jan., 2007 -- The Honourable Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda,
the Rt. Honourable Owen Arthur, Prime Minister of Barbados and Hon. Dr.
Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines; the
major Government Shareholders in LIAT (1974) Ltd, held meetings in St.
John’s, Antigua with Sir Allen Stanford, sole shareholder and Chairman
of Caribbean Star Airline on 9th January 2007 and with LIAT Chairman
and top management on 10th January 2007.
The meeting with Sir Allen Stanford involved clarifications and
refinements of proposals placed on the table jointly by the LIAT and
Caribbean Star Board and Management teams and were subject to close
consideration by both parties. The meeting took place in a spirit of
sensitivity and give and take on both sides, but the Prime Ministers
were satisfied that Sir Allen understood the critical importance of air
transportation to the region and are willing to make suitable
accommodation.
The meeting with management covered reports by the three Prime
Ministers on the various mandates they accepted at their meeting on
20th December 2006 in Barbados. Progress was achieved as follows:
1. The meeting ratified the terms of the MOU signed by Prime Minister Arthur and Sir Allen Stanford.
2. The terms of the Letter of Intent circulated on 20th December, 2006
will be further considered by LIAT’s legal counsel and the legal
departments of the three countries in the coming week with a view to
its signature after approval by the Prime Ministers. It is due to be
signed by Chairmen Sir Allen Stanford and Jean Holder.
3. Progress was reported by Hon. Dr. Ralph Gonsalves with respect to
his mission to Trinidad and Tobago. A resulting proposal by the Hon.
Patrick Manning was considered and an amended proposal is being made to
Trinidad and Tobago in the context of steps to work towards a long term
solution to air transportation issues within CSME.
4. Prime Minister, the Hon. Baldwin Spencer updated his colleagues on
his further discussions about the Venezuelan Loan and a Plan of Action
has been agreed to advance the matter.
5. It was confirmed that the commercial agreement between Caribbean
Star and LIAT 1974 Ltd involving a new combined schedule will enter
into force from 1st February 2007 – leading to enhanced service and
connectivity for the region. Additionally, this commercial alliance is
expected to facilitate intra-Caribbean travel during Cricket World Cup
2007.
6. The Prime Ministers further agreed:
a. The next steps, process and time frame for the creation of a new
company to be called “LIAT, The Star of the Caribbean”. On a financial
package on excellent terms for liquidating LIAT liabilities.
c. Steps to be taken by Zwaig Consultants to negotiate with existing creditors and on the Asset Value of the two carriers.
d. Took note of other negotiations that need to be done.
The Prime Ministers have established a team involving the Chairman of
LIAT, Dr. Jean Holder, the CEO of Caribbean Star, Mr. Skip Barnett, the
CEO of LIAT Mr. Mark Darby, Director of LIAT Mr. Isaac Solomon of St.
Vincent and the Grenadines, Advisor to the Antigua and Barbuda
Government Dr. Vincent Richards and legal and financial analysts from
Barbados as a General Oversight Committee relating to shareholders on
all other negotiations involved.
On 27th February 2007, there will be a special meeting of all LIAT
shareholders to be held in Antigua and Barbuda to consider the plans
for the merger of both carriers.