tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10659894.post674617525982120247..comments2023-08-04T07:57:09.855+00:00Comments on Alek Boyd: [UPDATED] Cuba subcontracts Gemalto for provision e-IDs in VenezuelaUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10659894.post-34489998520984813662011-08-03T21:12:41.014+00:002011-08-03T21:12:41.014+00:00Ollie, you don't have to tell me how corrupt m...Ollie, you don't have to tell me how corrupt my country is, for I am convinced I know it much better than you.<br /><br />what you should do, is try and make your country a better place, by denouncing corrupt practices undertaken by Dutch companies / individuals, wherever in the world this may occur.ABhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014152460206926913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10659894.post-57404512139310810582011-08-03T16:55:55.755+00:002011-08-03T16:55:55.755+00:00You do not have to explain to me on how to conduct...You do not have to explain to me on how to conduct business. You are absolutely right in naming these companies. <br /><br />My point is that this is only the tip of the iceberg. Believe me the system is so corrupt that if everything should come to light, that not only these companies would be fined or jailed, but also every government official in Venezuela. Including Chavez.<br /><br />Just take a look at the football stadium in Merida. The company who built it is owned by a close relative of Chavez and it was millions over budget. Guess where the money went.<br /><br />Also it is very strange that someone who was a bus driver now has millions in foreign reserves..olliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03956294058787654557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10659894.post-58815385570686900412011-08-03T16:39:42.904+00:002011-08-03T16:39:42.904+00:00Mate, I honestly can't figure out your point.
...Mate, I honestly can't figure out your point.<br /><br />There is always an option, like, erm, not do business in corrupt banana republics? How's that sound? Doable, or impossible?<br /><br />Gemalto has been contracted for the provision of IDs, though a fucking Cuban intermediary that has lacks any resemblance to know-how and expertise to carry out any meaningful contract anywhere on earth, besides the communist prison island of course.<br /><br />So I will repeat, yet again, why would a Dutch company engage in corrupt practices in Venezuela, when doing so in the Netherlands would carry hefty fines, and possibly, jail?<br /><br />It is not cherry picking, it is called naming and shaming multinationals that, by mandate and law, can not behave in such dishonest.ABhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014152460206926913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10659894.post-90964897114230979982011-08-03T16:39:23.608+00:002011-08-03T16:39:23.608+00:00Hi Alek,
I just sent out an email to the dutch pre...Hi Alek,<br />I just sent out an email to the dutch press with a link to your blog. I hope they will pick it up.olliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03956294058787654557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10659894.post-21969509819347353622011-08-03T16:13:50.373+00:002011-08-03T16:13:50.373+00:00Of course I understand that a publicly traded comp...Of course I understand that a publicly traded company has its obligations.And yes they should be held responsible and yes they should be prosecuted. I do not disagree with you on this and please do continue with this. I just might even alert some media here on your post.<br /><br />But what I am trying to say is that there is NO other option. Every business deal in Venezuela is dodgy and cherry picking some companies does not solve anything. <br /><br />It is the government which sets the boundaries for doing business and it is the government and the system that is corrupt. It is just my opinionolliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03956294058787654557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10659894.post-39623579624770977352011-08-03T15:59:06.738+00:002011-08-03T15:59:06.738+00:00I am missing no point Ollie. None. Publicly traded...I am missing no point Ollie. None. Publicly traded multinational corporations HAVE to operate according to strict regulations. If Venezuela is an utterly corrupt country, and I have never denied that, publicly traded multinational corporations have a duty of care towards their shareholders and the regulatory authorities that forces them to ensure that everything is done above board.<br /><br />Now, if you have problem understanding that, that is completely irrelevant. The fact of the matter is, publicly traded multinational corporations can not go around flaunting regulations just because the country where they happen to be conducting business in is called Venezuela. Period.<br /><br />I have not said that these companies are imposing corruption, Frankly I don't understand why you're defending something that it's patently dodgy, and attribute to me things that I have not said.<br /><br />Your point is moot. Read the post again, read the communications, and come back and make sensible comments. Otherwise I'm not interested in continuing with this exchange.<br /><br />Gemalto, Bundesdruckerei, Williams F1, etc., all these companies that have gone into dodgy deals with chavismo must know that their actions carry consequences. They can, of course, pray to the devil that Chavez remains in power forever. But if he doesn't, future administrations will ensure that all monies illegally pocketed by foreigners willing to engage in corruption are recovered, legal proceedings are issued so that the rule of law prevails.ABhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014152460206926913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10659894.post-9511160380772623732011-08-03T15:43:06.697+00:002011-08-03T15:43:06.697+00:00Hi Alek, I think that you are still missing my poi...Hi Alek, I think that you are still missing my point. It might be a chicken and egg story but you cannot do anything in Venezuela without using the corrupt system and thus corrupting yourself. <br /><br><br><br />You make it sound that these companies are imposing corruption. No they are not, they are just using the corrupt system for their own benefit. <br /><br><br><br />Ofcourse this is not the way to do business and you always have to ask yourself if you want do business this way. You will also need to accept the consequences.<br /><br><br><br />But on the other hand, if it would not be this publicly traded company it would be another. It is human nature I think. I wrote a post about it on my blog: http://dianuevo.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/we-are-what-we-are/olliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03956294058787654557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10659894.post-90462997364655601622011-08-03T12:27:53.236+00:002011-08-03T12:27:53.236+00:00Absolute rubbish Ollie. It takes two to tango. Yes...Absolute rubbish Ollie. It takes two to tango. Yes the Venezuelan government is utterly corrupt, and so are the multinational corporations cutting deals with it. Gemalto would NOT engage in such practices in Europe, or in the USA. It has to operate according to strict regulations given that it is a publicly traded company. Failure to report earnings, and thus avoid paying corresponding tax, is a crime. But those regulations are easily disregarded when they go to Venezuela. Why?<br /><br />If you can't see the difference, then you have a problem.ABhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014152460206926913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10659894.post-74917581012138131872011-08-03T11:39:40.527+00:002011-08-03T11:39:40.527+00:00Again, it is the corrupt system that allows these ...Again, it is the corrupt system that allows these practices. If a company wants to do business in Venezuela it needs to corrupt itself. One way or the other. Also domestic companies. <br /><br />Right now the only one who does business in Venezuela is the state. And when the state is corrupt, than that is where the problem lies.<br /><br />Your are saying that foreign companies are exploiting Venezuela and it People. This is not the case. It is the government who is doing so.olliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03956294058787654557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10659894.post-27874599162918961462011-08-02T22:42:58.030+00:002011-08-02T22:42:58.030+00:00I have to disagree with your comment Ollie. It is ...I have to disagree with your comment Ollie. It is a problem that Dutch companies, or any other for that matter, go to Venezuela and engage in practices that would land them in jail in the Netherlands. The problem, is the belief that they can go around developing countries, and make millions, and not declare those millions, and do all that knowing that they are breaking the law. The problem is making millions and not pay their tax dues. The problem is using dodgy intermediaries, whose contracting has been done in violation to Venezuelan legislation, to get contracts. I am sure the concept of corporate responsibility has arrived in the Netherlands. As far as I am aware, Gemalto is conducting itself in ways that could bring much harm to its shareholders should authorities decide to investigate, and in so doing is pocketing millions of dollars of Venezuelan taxpayers money illegally.ABhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014152460206926913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10659894.post-90994654164778639312011-08-02T22:04:03.270+00:002011-08-02T22:04:03.270+00:00As a Dutchman i need to respond. The problem is no...As a Dutchman i need to respond. The problem is not that a company pays bribes to officials, the problem is the officials who demand the bribes. And that is the current government.<br /><br />I am quite pessimistic about the future of this country. I wrote a post on this. it might be worth a read http://dianuevo.wordpress.com/2011/08/02/88/.<br /><br />This government will do anything to stay in power. In the end they probably will resort to violence, just like the Junta back in her daysolliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03956294058787654557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10659894.post-48552929265400149212011-08-02T21:01:24.241+00:002011-08-02T21:01:24.241+00:00Rodrigo, are you implying that European companies ...Rodrigo, are you implying that European companies don't pay bribes to get deals in third world countries? Let me rephrase that, how come Bundesdruckerei does and Gemalto can't? Furthermore, have you got any evidence that Bundescruckerei has paid commissions to Venezuelan government/officials through Cuban dodgy intermediaries?<br /><br />I'd love to see it...ABhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014152460206926913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10659894.post-52667186100797400802011-08-02T20:15:17.619+00:002011-08-02T20:15:17.619+00:00This is because some commissions have to be paid t...This is because some commissions have to be paid to politicians in Venezuela. GEMALTO is not able to do directly. GEMALTO sell to a lower price to ALBET and ALBET sells to Venezuela`s government<br />They have learnt from Bundesdruckerei. They made it before with some companies from Cuba and Panama called Billingslay, Ferdell Business Inc or Selbor.<br />Ask Mr Hamann @ Bundesdruckerei or Mr Baumgartl, hierwith the responsible<br />Ulrich.hamann@bdr.de<br />Joerg.baumgartl@bdr.de<br />Pablo.castro@bdr.de<br />Oliver.bell@bdr.deAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com