Solomon Islands Finance Minister Harry Kuma has confirmed that the leaked letters showing him in discussions about a possible $US100 billion loan are authentic.
Documents leaked to the ABC reveal the Solomon Islands Government discussed a $US100 billion loan from a Chinese businessman — an amount of money almost 77 times the Pacific nation's GDP.
Solomon Islands Finance Minister Harry Kuma said the letters discussing a potential $US100 billion loan are authentic.In one of the letters Mr Kuma accepts in principle a proposed 11 per cent brokerage fee — amounting to $11 billion. The news comes five months after Solomon Islands switched its diplomatic allegiance to China and severed ties with Taiwan.An opposition MP alleges it's a scam but the Chinese broker at the centre of the deal insists it is all above board.In a letter dated November 28 last year, Mr Kuma wrote to businessman Terry Wong in Beijing, China, regarding a"potential grant/loan to Solomon Islands".
"I note receipt of your letter … accepting in principle our brokerage and consultancy charges payable upon successful completion of transfer of 100 billion US dollars."
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