Give peace a chance: Kamla

Kamla Persad-Bissessar called for peace Sunday in an address to the women's arm of the United National Congress (UNC). In her address the UNC deputy leader said “I support all moves for peace and reconciliation and join all voices that call for peace. It’s time for peace.”

It was her first public comment on the open rift in the party over calls for change by her parliamentary colleagues Jack Warner and Ramesh L. Maharaj. Both men are at loggerheads with the party leadership over what Persad-Bissessar called "vague" demands for change.

“There has been much ado about a vague call for change, there has been much talk about calling internal elections, but up to now we in the party membership are yet to be told exactly what is the source of discontent from anyone at any level in the party,” Persad-Bissessar said.

“Up to now, no member has said they disagree with the party’s stance on issues in and out of Parliament. They claim that they are on the same page with the UNC when it comes to our position on governance, the economy, crime, health, corruption", she said adding, "up to now, no one can say that they have been unconstitutionally stripped of any position or title in and out of the Parliament and national executive.”

The Siparia MP declared, "It is time for the membership of this party to establish the difference between self interest and national interest." She wondered what is the real cause of the rift. "Is it a call for change or an irrational desire for power that is driving this so called rift?”

Some UNC members in the audience were from Warner’s Chaguanas West constituency. They wore T-shirts with the words “UNC women call for unity” on the front and “We demand Natex elections now” at the back.

The former Attorney General wades in her two colleagues, describing them as “this destructive element” and insisted that the UNC leadership would not be blackmailed because the party's focus is on the will of the people.

Persad-Bissessar lamented the fact that instead of confronting the PNM administration, some members are using the party's "legal prowess" against its own members.

“So I ask, do you think it is fair that in the face of attacks on us for doing our democratic and constitutional duty, we are forced to face similar intimidation and threats from members of our party?

“That people threaten to withhold funds from the party if they do not get their own way? That we are threatened with legal action by members of our own party?” she asked.