Govt-retained US lawyer lobbying for Beal at State Department
By Gitanjali Singh
US attorney-at-law, Paul Reichler, sees no conflict of interest in his being a government-retained lawyer/lobbyist and his positions as lobbyist for Beal Aerospace Technologies at the US State Department and facilitator to the negotiations between the government and Beal. Speaking with Stabroek News from his Washington office yesterday, Reichler said that it was the Government of Guyana which had suggested that Beal retain him to lobby for the transfer of satellite technology to Guyana. Reichler said that Beal officials later asked him for advice on the negotiations, but he told them that this was not something he could do because of his relationship with the Guyana government. The two sides, Reichler said, discussed the issue and felt that he could be helpful as a kind of facilitator to an agreement given his knowledge of Guyanese and American law. "It was agreed by both parties, because of the trust and confidence they had in my judgement to help them resolve any differences they may have on certain sticky points. It was with the written approval of both sides that I entered the discussions and have been available to both sides over the phone," Reichler said. He said he was especially useful to the two sides where US law, Guyana law and export licensing were concerned. "I am not in a conflict of interest position as my service is that of a facilitator and no side could think I am functioning as their lawyer," Reichler stressed. Beal is paying Reichler fees for his role as facilitator, in keeping with the international trend for the investor to bear the cost of the negotiations. But Reichler said that the payer of the fee did not dictate his loyalties. "My loyalties in connection with the lobbying is with both sides as they have the same interest; to have the US State Department authorise the export of satellite technology to Guyana. In terms of the two sides reaching an agreement, my role as facilitator is to offer a middle ground on sticky points. But my loyalty will always be to Guyana and Beal knows this," Reichler stated. Reichler, an American who has been retained by this government for over eight years as either a lobbyist or an attorney for various projects, said that his relationship with Guyana was more than just professional and he was confident of his ability to perform his job as a neutral facilitator. "There is absolutely nothing improper about what I am doing. I have developed a love for the country and I want it to succeed. My association with Guyana goes beyond any party. I do want the country to prosper," Reichler assured.
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