Stanford failings known two years before ECB deal

[BallOil]

Fresh questions about the ECB's judgement over entering into a business partnership with disgraced financier Allen Stanford have been raised after it emerged through Wikileaks that US diplomats had suspicions of Stanford being linked to "bribery, money-laundering and political manipulation" as long ago as 2006.

A leaked mail from Mary Kramer, the US ambassador to Barbados, to the US State Department regarding a meeting with Stanford on April 21, 2006, more than two years before his deal with the ECB, flagged the high levels of concern with his business activities even at that time.

"Embassy officers do not reach out to Stanford because of the allegations of bribery and money laundering," the mail noted. "The ambassador managed to stay out of any one-on-one photos with Stanford during the breakfast. It is whispered in the region that Stanford facilitates resolution with significant cash contributions."

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Did Stanford help or hurt West Indies cricket?

[POINT]

If we are talking strictly about Cricket , then Stanford did more for Cricket than all the years that the WICB has been in the governance of Cricket in the Region . He tangibly demonstrated that there is talent in the Region , by his Team beating all comers , and winning the twenty million dollars Twenty / 20 .

Stanford & his Cricket Board realized that the problem is not about talent , it was and is about the fact that our Players dont play as much cricket as their counterparts on Teams that are ranked above our Team .

It should be obvious to all that our Part Time Cricketers , cannot win Series , due to the fact that they dont play as much cricket as Players on other Teams . This is precisely why Stanford & his Board , decided to have a 6 weeks Camp to try bringing his Players on par with the English Team . As I stated the results of this experiment are there for everyone to see .

What I find very sad is the fact that the WICB learnt nothing from Stanford's Team preparation ,
it has only mandated a one week Camp for our Players . I seriously doubt that can make our Team win a Series vs any Team ranked above our Team .

If the WICB had exercised due care & Diligence , it would perhaps not be in this bind , and would have been able to get Sponsors for the Regional Tournaments , and hopefully the money it has shelled out could be used to properly prepare our Team by having a 2 or 3 weeks Camp .