UNC Condemns Manning’s "Psychological Blackmail"

The United National Congress (UNC) on Monday sharply criticized Prime Minister Patrick Manning and accused him of "Psychological Blackmail" and threats to force the population into supporting his antics.

The accusation is in reaction to statements Manning made Sunday at a convention of his ruling People's National Movement (PNM) in his capacity as the party's political leader and prime minister.

Manning told supporters it is important to support economic union with Eastern Caribbean states because failure to do that could risk the development of narco-states in the region, which would lead to a decline in the Trinidad and Tobago manufacturing sector because of the loss of trade in the region.

"Whether we in Trinidad and Tobago like it or not, we cannot stand idly by and watch the Caribbean in this economic situation and do nothing about it. We will pay in blood for taking such a position," he declared.

"We are not going to have enough police officers to stop the influx of illegal migrants into Trinidad and Tobago," he warned.

Read the story: Manning committed to development programs, regional unity

A release from the UNC said the party favours the deepening of the regional integration process but objects to any moves that reduce the country's sovereignty.

It said any change that affects Trinidad and Tobago as an independent state "must be the product of widespread national consultation and must only be pursued on the basis of overwhelming consensus from all the stakeholders in the national community."

The UNC said to date, "Manning has provided no details on the nature and mechanics of the political and economic union he intends to pursue with the countries in the Caribbean region. Instead, he has loosely thrown around catch phrases that have very broad and uncertain meanings.

"And now, he has come with threats to psychologically blackmail the population into accepting his vague plan, intimating that if Trinbagonians do not accept his plan there will be mass illegal migration, increase in drug trade and widespread bloodshed."

The party said it is the responsibility of all governments to provide an acceptable level of public safety to citizens, including effective border patrols. It suggested that the Manning government is deficient in that.

"All evidence shows that the Coast Guard is starved for resources and hence they are unable to effectively stop the human trafficking that stocks the brothels across the country, the drugs that continue to poison our communities and the guns that are snuffing out the lives of citizens daily.

"This point was well underscored by the Minister of National Security last week. Having recognized that the government has been neglecting border security, the government should move expeditiously to remedy this situation."

The UNC said it is also disappointed but not surprised that Manning refused to address the issue of the spiraling rate of domestic crime in his address Sunday while continuing to blame everyone else for his failure and the failure of his government to provide a safe and comfortable environment for industrious, law abiding citizens to lead productive, happy lives.

"Instead of rambling on about how he intends to use this country’s money to improve other countries, the Prime Minister should have told citizens how and when the terror of crime would be removed from their lives; food prices would become more affordable; poverty would be eradicated; hospitals would have beds, staff and medicine; flooding and other preventable nuisances and disasters would be stopped; all citizens would have potable water in their homes; and inflation would be brought down to a stable, safe level," the UNC said.