MR. Denton Joe Pangelinan, you claim I do not know all the facts on this issue. Well, I have been to Pagan, I have read a file cabinet of detailed papers on the island of Pagan and mining project. I have been witness to the never relenting effort made by Mr. John T. Sablan over the years to get this project moving forward. But you are right about Cinta M. Kaipat, I do not know the congresswomen. I can only go by what I have read. I’ve known John Sablan since 1974. He is my brother in-law. I guess you missed the letter about how proud I am to have him as a brother-in-law. I do not know the congresswomen’s motives or reasons in this matter. But this is what I do know; you used the example: that JG Sablan was HIRED as a general manager of the Pagan project. I guess you are forgetting — he was never HIRED by anyone. Mr. Sablan was the one who had the foresight to lease the land through his own initiative, he (NO ONE ELSE) invested $7 million; he was the only one who made the effort; John was the one with the mountain of obstacles to overcome. Now that the end is finally in sight, you claim it makes good sense to pull the rug out from underneath him. I’m not a businessman or politician (or the twilight zone), but in either case, this makes no sense. I feel you’re the one who should be more acquainted with the facts.
You asked what I would do? Well Mr. Pangelinan, if I could see a venture finally making progress with a foreseeable profit/end after all these years, I surely wouldn’t try to stop it at the last moment. I would use all my personal and political powers to help the project. The last thing I would do is destroy the efforts of an investor like Bridgecreek.
Mr. Pangelinan there is no fine line or in-between-the-lines here, I’m on the side of my brother in-law, progress and the CNMI, not selfish, maybe biased and of course self-interested. Remember this is about attacking my family and pride. You are welcome to your opinion and I have no problem in your defending a good friend. More power to you! This does not make you right. Time will tell.
As far as the FOUR-VOTE comment. Well, you’re right, I was pushing the issue a bit, but come election time, the wishes of the CNMI will be heard.
Thank you and God bless you all the way from Fruitland, Idaho.

BRUCE W. BARKER
Fruitland, Idaho