Mr Sefa then tells the interviewer Mr Skate had told him some money would be given to him (Sefa) to look after. The money, Mr Sefa told the ABC, was to be allocated to 12 backbenchers and four ministers.
The first to receive some money was Police Minister Thomas Pelika, who would use it to pay off collaborators in the media.
Mr Sefa is then seen telling Mr Skate: "Can we give him (Pelika)10?Skate: ``No just give him two and then spread it over two months.''
Sefa: "Well, tell him to see me tomorrow before I go. Whoever you want me to fix up quickly because I have to hide this . . . or if you want you can take it.''
Skate: "No. I don't . . . ''
Sefa: "You sure?''
Skate: "I don't operate that way.''
Sefa. "We'll have to leave it here.''
Skate: "Can we lock it up in your house or something?''
Sefa: "Tell Pelika or whoever tomorrow whoever you want me to look after quickly . . . tell them to come tomorrow. I'm leaving at 6.25 OK.''
Skate: "In the afternoon?
Sefa: "In the evening.''
Mr Sefa told the ABC there was K27,000 in the bag for 12 backbenchers and four ministers.
Mr Pelika is seen arriving for a meeting with Mr Sefa after midday on October 24 (1997).
Then the second conversation starts:
Sefa: "The Prime Minister told me to give you some money. He told me . . . the Prime Minister.''
Pelika: "Who? Sefa: ``The Prime Minister. Yeah, he told me that time he rang up. He told me about two thousand bucks for the media or something.
Pelika: "For the media.''
Sefa: "To keep them happy to keep somebody happy.''
Pelika: "I might get tempted and use it.''
Sefa: "No, don't use it. He said give Thomas two thousand bucks every fortnight maybe three weeks so he can look after some media people. So I organise it that's what the party man's for. Check with him who is it.''
According to the ABC TV news, Mr Pelika was nervous throughout the discussion but was reassured that the payment had been sanctioned by the Mr Skate. The video pictures then show him picking up something from the table (allegedly money) and putting it in the pocket of his suit.
The ABC news said that Mr Skate, who is attending the APEC meeting in Canada, had contacted them and made a statement which read:
"I've never seen K27,000 . . . I am a poor man. He (Sefa) is a bloody crook . . . good luck to him and his videotapes. He wanted to be my Chief of Staff but my country is having problems . . . I need brains not a blackmailer.
"If I had to choose between my wife and my country I would choose my country.''
Late last night, Mr Pelika issued a statement "categorically denying that there was any corrupt dealings'' between Mr Skate and himself.
The statement reads: ``I was asked by Mr Sefa to visit him and when I arrived, he handed me a brown envelope which he wanted delivered to unknown persons in the media, allegedly under instructions from the Prime Minister. I was suspicious and told him that I do not deal in this way and I hope you are not trying to set me up.
"When Sefa insisted that I take the envelope, I stated that I will check with the Prime Minister and get back to him. I spoke to the Prime Minister and he informed me to return the envelope as soon as possible.
"However, Sefa had left the country and I have returned the envelope to Sefa's company office and have been issued a receipt for it.
"The video shown on television demonstrates that this a crude attempt to blackmail myself and the Prime Minister.''
A spokesman for the Prime Minister said last night that Mr Skate, on legal advice, would comment after viewing the tapes and talking to other people involved.
Oseah Philemon is editor of the Post-Courier.
