Editorial cartoon: The Sandesh Diaries

Confusion over who represents UNC women

The campaign for the internal election of the United National Congress (UNC) appears to be shifting from what the candidates are doing and saying to who is supporting the leadership contenders.

The support factor first arose on Sunday when 14 legislators signed a document stating that they unconditionally support the incumbent for the post of leader in the January 24, 2010 election.

Basdeo Panday is one of three candidates for the leadership. The others are Tabaquite MP Ramesh L. Maharaj and Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

On Monday, in a first sign of cracks in Panday's campaign Sen. Lyndira Oudit issued a statement saying she never agreed to sign any letter of support for Panday. In fact she endorsed Persad-Bissessar.

Then an unsigned statement from the UNC's National Women's Executive sent to the local media claimed that the party's women "unconditionally and unreservedly" support Panday for leader.

But four members of the executive rejected the statement as not being a bona fide document since they had not been consulted and never signed any such document.

In their statement, they endorsed Persad-Bissessar.

The women noted that executive members Senator Jennifer Jones-Kernahan and Oropouche West MP Mickela Panday had previously signed a statement endorsing Panday along with other legislators.

"They alone do not constitute a quorum and their endorsement is not based on any decision of our executive. We wish to state emphatically that we do not endorse Mr Panday as leader," the women said.

They added, "We wish to state that each of us fully supports Mrs Kamla Persad-Bissessar for UNC leader because, in our opinion, she is the best person to lead our party, to end the divisiveness, unite the opposition and beat the PNM in a general election."

In reaction to that the head of the Women's executive told the Trinidad Express the four executive members were not really "functioning" in their respective roles and "other women" were called in to do their work for them.

Jones-Kernahan said the Women’s Arm consists of thousands of women in the UNC who have a right to support whomever they wish, but added that "many women from a number of constituencies" have endorsed Panday and their preferred leader.

She said the release indicating support for Panday was issued based on "the support received and noted by the Women’s Arm".

UNC Deputy Chairman Jack Warner expressed concern about the statements from Jones-Kernahan.

In an interview with JYOTI Thursday morning he said it is alarming that four members of the executive could arbitrarily be discarded and replaced with others without a vote. "This is worse than a dictatorship," he said.

Warner questioned the basis on which Jones-Kernahan "callled in" others to serve. And he asked what method the women's arm used to survey the women in the UNC.

And while the controversy grows, Maharaj is also claiming support from UNC women. The Express quoted Maharaj's campaign secretary as claiming that "more and more people, especially women, are joining the Ramesh campaign....This is unprecedented and unforeseen but a welcomed shift in voting behaviour for the internal party elections.’’

Maharaj is abroad and is expected back in Trinidad on January 5, 2010. Panday is also away and will return home early in the new year.

Warner launches his campaign for the chairmanship on January 9, 2010.

Panday campaign hits a road bump; UNC women support Kamla

Confidential sources at the United National Congress (UNC) told JYOTI Wednesday the majority of members of the UNC's National Women's Arm Executive are distancing themselves from a document sent to local media stating the party's women's arms "unanimously and unreservedly" support UNC leader Basdeo Panday as "our candidate of our great party in the UNC party elections."

The document, which was also faxed to JYOTI, was unsigned.

Read the story: Unsigned statement says UNC women support Panday for UNC leader

However checks on Wednesday to determine the authenticity of the document revealed that four of the seven members of the Women's Executive say there was no discussion on that matter and that they did not agree on any such statement being issued to the national media.

The UNC sources said two of the executive members - Senator Jennifer Jones Kernahan and Panday's daughter, Oropouche West MP Mickela Panday - signed an earlier document from MPs and Senators endorsing Panday.

Read the story: MPs, Senators rally behind Panday for UNC leader
Related story: Sen. Oudit didn't endorse Panday, supports Kamla

According to the source, the four who are denying that they were part of the decision to issue a statement endorsing Panday are Vice Chairperson, Sharla Alexander; Secretary, Shanti Boodram; Assistant Secretary, Yvette Richards and Welfare Officer, Julie Dingba.

And in a stunning development the sources say all four executive members have indicated that they are willing to publicly announce that they will support Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

The Siparia MP was not available for comment on the matter Wednesday evening. Her office said she was attending a fundraising dinner in central Trinidad.

Persad-Bissessar is one of three people who have announced they will run for the leadership of the UNC. The others are Tabaquite MP Ramesh L. Maharaj and Panday, who is the current UNC leader.

Unconfirmed reports from other UNC sources say certain officials are pressing the party's Youth Arm to endorse Panday, but some members of the executive are reluctant to do that because they support Persad-Bissessar.

Earlier this week, Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner complained that supporters of Panday are putting pressure on councillors and other officials to vote for Panday.

Read the story: Warner urges UNC to let conscience guide them in Jan. 24 vote

Rambachan, Fuad Khan for UNC deputy leaders?

Former Chaguanas Mayor Suruj Rambachan has confirmed to the Trinidad Guardian that United National Congress (UNC) leader Basdeo Panday had asked him to be on his team in the party’s January 24, 2010 election.

But he is not sure that there is room on Panday's team because he believes Panday has already completed the selection of candidates who will run with him. He said if that is the case he might consider running for one of the deputy leader posts as an independent.

The paper also said former UNC MP Fuad Khan is thinking about joining the race and offering himself for one of the party's three deputy leaders.

Khan had walked away from the UNC and did not contest the 2007 election. The PNM won the Barataria that he had won on a UNC ticket in previous elections.

Khan reconciled with Panday recently after he and Caroni East MP Tim Gopeesingh accused the government of "ethnic cleansing" at the Port of Spain General hospital.

Leaders must accept "service to society, not ourselves": Kamla

Kamla Persad-Bissessar told members of the Chinmaya Mission in Couva Wednesday night a society that is built on selfless dedication to service can withstand all other pressures, because it embraces all that is good.

The Siparia MP was speaking at the organization's fund raising dinner. The organization runs an Ashram and a school that takes children from preschool to high school.

She commended the mission's work, noting that the combination of religious instruction and secular activities is "an excellent model" that ensures that education is more than book-knowledge.

"Here in this Ashram you have created that sense of community that nurtures and builds a child’s character in a learning experience that incorporates all the virtues of a good citizen who emerges to continue building a society based on unity and harmony through their foundation of spirituality and morality," she said.

Persad-Bissessar seized the opportunity to take the lessons of Hindu scriptures to talk about leadership and nation buildings.

She spoke about the eternal struggle between good and evil in the conflict between Rama and Ravana in the Ramayan.

"Ravana, the embodiment of evil was once a noble and god fearing king. But power corrupted him absolutely and he became his own worst enemy when he sought to glorify himself and ignore his leadership duties to his subjects.

"The Ramayan teaches that even those who are Godly can lose their way when they believe that they are invincible and immortal," she said.

She also commented on the Gita that provided inspiration to some of the world’s greatest thinkers and leaders – people like Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore, and westerners like Emerson, Thoreau and Einstein.

"Its universal message transcends religion and offers a formula for order in society by first settling the issues of our very existence as mortals," she said.

She said she has always been guided by the profound teachings of the scriptures and the main tenets of the Hindu religion, its reliance on Dharma and its dedication to truth, duty, compassion and charity.

"On reflection these must and should always be universally accepted in any society because they transcend religion," she said.

Without getting directly into politics she used the Gita to justify her own struggle for leadership and her opposition to her leader.

"The Gita teaches us that in defence of what is righteous, we sometimes have to fight our own kin. And in the end, the righteous always wins," she said, adding: "Today, our nation is facing its darkest moments and we pray for God’s intervention to deal with the menace that has engulfed this land."

She said, "Those of us who lead or wish to be leaders in our society must accept that leadership means service – service to society, not to ourselves. It is that selfless devotion that is demonstrated in the work you have been doing here at the Chinmaya mission.

"All of us who aspire for leadership need to pay attention to the teachings of the Gita and remind ourselves that we lead not to gain power or material comforts but to lead the way and help build a society based on service in which all of us are seen only as children of God.

"If at the national level we follow your example, we will live the dream of unity in spite of our diversity and create a just society where there is a brilliant future for all of us and for generations to come."

US$94,000 missing from police station

A report in the Trinidad Express Thursday states that police are investigating the disappearance of US$94,000 from the property room of the Couva Police Station.

The report said the money was an exhibit from a court matter resulting from a police raid at a house in Couva on Nov. 8 last year.

The money, which was in sealed envelopes and lodged at the station, was reported missing on Monday, the report said.

The paper quoted acting police commissioner James Philbert as saying that he has not yet taken any action "since I did not get full briefing on the matter". He said he only learned on Tuesday that the money was missing.

Police are still investigating other matters involving irregularities at police stations.

One of the matters involves the St Joseph Police Station where investigators found guns, ammunition, cocaine and marijuana hidden in the ceiling of the building. Philbert told reporters that investgation is "almost complete".

Keeping track: T&T homicides reach 508

Murders committed in 2008: 547
Number solved in 2009: 20
Source: Acting Police Commissioner James Philbert.

A letter from Richard Thomas:

Thoroughly alarmed by The Jumbie's commentary The horrible truth revealed that alerted of a Trinidad Guardian article, I was forced to take a break from my respite and put finger to keyboard more widely to disseminate what The Jumbie had concluded:

"The reality is that the true 2009 murder toll in Trinidad and Tobago potentially is 1,413...and counting!"

Jumbie's conclusion is reasonable one, for, as he deduced, when the stats re: persons reported missing in 2009 alone, are merged with the "official" 2k9 YTD murder toll of 508, that thousand-plus figure is what one gets.

Broken down, the missing-persons stats suggest that, per day, during 2009, three human beings have vanished each day without a trace, since the current YTD figure is 904.

Another conclusion is that T&T has lost its soul, thence its way, for it's incomprehensible and reprehensible that for so many of no account can be given, while the rest of us continue wining and dining without giving a fahrt.

But then...say what...!

Richard Wm. Thomas,
5rivers.kid.publik@gmail.com

Gopeesingh wants answers from police chief within 2 weeks

Caroni East MP Tim Gopeesingh has written the acting police commissioner asking James Philbert for an update into the status of criminal investigations into several allegations of corruption by various public bodies.

In his letter to Philbert dated Dec. 30, 2009 Gopeesingh noted that he raised a number of matters at various times in correspondence to the police chief and told him he wants responses within two weeks.

"I look forward to your timely response, and I wish to advise that failure to adhere to my requests will result in me examining legal options to get the desired requests," he said.

Here are the matters listed:

• August 7, 2008-Sharman Ottley, Auditor General, requesting an audit into the financial operations at UTT
• September 26, 2008, letter to Integrity Commission and letter dated 2nd October 2008 to DPP requesting probe into allegations of corruption and nepotism by health Minister Jerry Narace with regards to his family owned Trinre
• July 3, 2008, Letter to CoP regarding statements of Prime Minister Patrick Manning and Attorney General John Jeremie on 1st June 2007 and June 12, 2007 respectively, a copy of the report of the Commission of Enquiry into the Health Sector was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Commissioner of Police and the Integrity Commission to launch appropriate investigations where such has been indicated by the Commission
• Letter from the CoP dated January 29, 2009, where he confirmed enquiries were being conducted into financial operations at UTT and an internal investigation about hostile conduct of investigators
• April 9, 2009-Letter to CoP, DPP, for a probe into allegations of corruption levelled by a contractor into EMBD against PM Manning,Karen Nunez –Teshiera, public officials at EMBD, former AG Bridgette Annisette George dealing with bribery, bid rigging and a violation of prevention of corruption act
• Letter to Prime Minister dated 18th May 2009 requesting probe into allegations of corrupt practices by Nidco
• Oct. 26, 2009, Letter to CoP. AG, DPP requesting probe into allegations of nepotism, bid rigging and corruption at Udecott
• Letter of November 13, 2009 to Minister of Finance, Attorney General, COP, DPP- requesting a criminal investigation into whether State companies have been deliberately involved in an Insurance company’s attempt to defraud citizens.

Gopeesingh noted that the commissioner's office has failed "to indicate to me in a timely manner the status of these probes and I hereby request that this status update be forwarded to me with urgency."

He said the allegations contained in all the cited letters "alleged serious acts of corruption and fraud perpetrated against taxpayers and the country in general, which thereby violates all citizens’ Constitutional right to justice and protection by the law

Gopeesingh noted that it is important to know what is happening because billions of taxpayers dollars have allegedly been spent "under circumstances where citizens have expressed their total dissatisfaction and outright protest to these actions".

He added that the funds could have been used to provide proper goods and services for citizens in the form of proper infrastructure, like roads, utilities and proper health care.

"Citizens are therefore being denied their Constitutional rights to proper services by the State as a result of the alleged corrupt practices," he said.

Hart vs the Uff probe; lawyers claim bias against UDeCOTT boss

A report in the Trinidad Express Wednesday says the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd (UDeCOTT) is accusing the Uff Commission of Enquiry into UDeCOTT and the construction sector of allowing critics of UDeCOTT to "defame and scandalise" UDeCOTT’s executive chairman Calder Hart.

The assertion comes from Hart's attorney, Frank Solomon who is claiming that inquiry chairman Prof. John Uff did not honour an undertaking not to put the testimony of Carl Khan on the commission website before a meeting with himself, the four commissioners, the commission’s attorney and the attorneys for Hart and UDeCOTT.

Solomon is claiming that Uff compounded the problem by denying that he gave such an undertaking in an affidavit, filed on November 20, 2009.

The paper said these issues are contained in an affidavit that Solomon filed on December 17 in the judicial review case coming up for hearing in January.

It said the affidavit is supported by another one filed by UDeCOTT’s chief operating officer, Neelanda Rampaul, on December 18.

The testimony is question was given by Khan during the sitting of the Uff commission in which he stated that there was a family link between Hart and CH Development's directors and shareholders.

Hart's lawyers declined an opportunity to cross-examine Khan before the inquiry closed.

However, according to the Express, the affidavits take serious issue with the "special treatment" given by Uff to Khan’s testimony and found several faults with the way Uff handled Khan.

Khan’s testimony supported charges first made by Tabaquite MP Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj that the two directors and shareholders of CH Development were the brother and brother-in-law of Sherrine Hart.

The company won a $368 million contract from UDeCOTT to build the Legal Affairs Towers.

"It was, therefore, clear from the outset that not only was there the intention on the part of the critics of UDeCOTT to exploit the opportunity of the Commission of Enquiry...to defame and scandalise Mr Hart, but also that the commission itself could be persuaded to facilitate such exploitation," Solomon told the Express.

Uff has said he could not ignore Khan’s evidence given its critical nature of a family link between the Harts and directors of CH Development. "It was not a claim which we could ignore consistently with our duties as commissioners," the Express quoted him as saying.

Uff said the "special treatment" accorded to Khan’s evidence was not an indication of bias, but arose from the "lateness of this evidence", the paper reported.

"In view of the short time available, I decided that the statutory declarations should be introduced into the commission’s proceedings as soon as possible...

"While it would clearly have been preferable for all parties and for the commission if Carl Khan’s evidence had emerged earlier in the proceedings and been dealt with in the same fashion as that of the other witnesses, I do not accept that the way in which we dealt with his late-emerging evidence gives any proper ground for an allegation of bias," Uff stated.

Read the full details in the Trinidad Express

Sen. Oudit standing by her decision to support Kamla

On a day when the Trinidad and Tobago Senate was debating some of the most controversial pieces of tax legislation one of the six opposition Senators was absent.

Senator Lyndira Oudit had planned to speak on the property tax bill, but she was not in the chamber for the debate, which raised questions about what caused her to stay away.

Senate President Danny Montano cleared up the matter at the start of the session, advising members that Oudit was granted leave of absence because she was ill. The opposition asked for Raphael Cumberbatch to be sworn-in to act in her absence.

The day before, Oudit was healthy and well when she announced that she was not one of the people who signed a letter declaring unconditional support for Basdeo Panday in the UNC election on January 24, 2010. Panday is facing a challenge for the post from two MP's - Ramesh L. Maharaj and Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

On Sunday the Guardian and this blog reported that 10 MPs and five senators signed the document in support of Panday.

However, Oudit issued a media release Monday stating that she did not sign any such document. JYOTI obtained a copy of the document, which contained 15 names, including Oudit's. However there was no signature on the line accompanying her name.

Read the story: MPs, Senators rally behind Panday for UNC leader
Read the story: Kamla, Jack not bothered, still fighting to win

Oudit suggested that she was pressured to sign, but refused because she is now supporting Persad-Bissessar. She said having considered the matter carefully she now believes the Siparia MP is the best person to lead the party.

Opposition Senate leader Wade Mark was angry when questioned about the matter and local media reports quoted him as saying the political leader is the one to comment on it.

Panday is out of the country and not expected back home until the new hyear.

The Trinidad Express said it spoke with Oudit, who confirmed she was ill with the flu since last week.

She told the paper she is fully behind Persad-Bissessar and is ready to play an active role in her campaign.

She said she will encourage party members to support Persad-Bissessar, even if it means that she would be kicked out of the Senate.

"I have a future," she told the paper.

She also confirmed a JYOTI report Monday that she had initially written to Panday offering her support in his leadership bid and telling him she stands ready to serve on his team. That was before Persad-Bissessar entered the leadership race. She denied that.

Persad-Bissessar has welcomed Oudit's support. "I have said in this campaign ’go brave’ and I think she has gone brave and I thank her for her support."

Chagunas West MP Jack Warner has also supported Oudit's move and urged others to do the same.

Read the story: Warner urges UNC to let conscience guide them in Jan. 24 vote

Oppositing disunity helping government: Deosaran

An independent Senator has expressed concern that the divisions in the official opposition in Trinidad and Tobago is allowing the Manning administration to boldly introduce and pass legislation that is not in the people's interest.

Ramesh Deosaran made the observation Tuesday during his contribution to the debate on the controversial property tax bills, which will take effect on January 1, 2010.

"I consider it a miracle that the Government is confident to bring a bill like these two and still feel confident that they will win the next general elections," Deosaran told the upper House.

“I stand very alarmed with the chances you are taking with this bill and the other one unless you are depending on CEPEP to win. I think something has gone wrong,” he added.
Deosaran suggested that the fragmented opposition is giving Prime Minister Patrick Manning the audacity to do as it pleases.

“If the country is hurting because of whatever the ailments inflicted by the Government on the population, the country is also hurting by the unnecessary divisiveness, disunity and fragmentation caused by not having an alternative government.

“As long as the opposition forces remain in this realm of disunity, to that extent the country will also be hurting...If only we could have had what the Constitution system requires: a strong ready, viable opposition," the Senator said.

He also spoke about a meeting on Christmas day between Health Minister Jerry Narace and UNC vice chairman Vasant Bharat. Both men have said it was a social meeting between friends, but Deosaran said the signal that it sent is wrong.

“Minister of Health, this is not good. This is not helping. This opposition disunity is not healthy for the country,” he said.

Deosaran also addressed the UNC internal issues and the absence from the Senate of opposition Senator Lyndira Oudit from Tuesday's sitting one day after she stated publicly that she is supporting Kamla Persad-Bissessar for the leadership of the UNC.

He suggested that opposition Senate Leader Wade Mark should throw his hat in the ring and run for the leadership.

Letter: There is hope

The PNM has lost all touch with reality and every Minister must follow the leader.

The Property Tax has prompted one likeable Minister to comment that people are living for too long off the fat of the land and they are comfortable.

The question arises, who are these people?

The Minister must be referring to PNM friends and those who are recipients of the Smart Card.

What about the CEPEP workers who work four hours and receive eight hours pay? What about HDC apartments where the minuscule monthly rents are not paid?

There is hope in Kamla, Rowley, Jack and Gypsy. A new unity move is the light that would remove the yoke from our backs.

J.S. SMITH | Marabella

Warner urges UNC to let conscience guide them in Jan. 24 vote

Opposition Senator Lyndira Oudit was absent for Tuesday's crucial sitting of the Trinidad and Tobago Senate, one day after she publicly stated that she was putting her appointment at risk by supporting Kamla Persad-Bissessar for the leadership of the United national Congress (UNC) in the party's internal election on January 24, 2010.

Senate leader, Wade Mark, advised that Oudit was ill and a temporary senator was sworn-in to bring the opposition team to six.

In an immediate reaction to the developments, Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner commended Oudit's decision "to abstain from signing a forced endorsement letter in support of Basdeo Panday as UNC leader".

In a media release Tuesday he said, "Her refusal to be coerced into supporting the incumbent leader is a reflection of the independence of her thought processes and the fact that she is willing to face the Senatorial axe in the name of standing firm for her political beliefs."

He added, "That independence and strong will is the essence of the message that the platform for change has advocated for the last several months."

Warner, who is running for the post of UNC Chairman, said Oudit's decision to stand by her conscience "comes in the face of reports that other officers and councilors are now being coerced and pressured into supporting Basdeo Panday in the upcoming Party election."

He charged that the officials being compelled into endorsing Panday and his team of candidates and councillors are being told that if they refuse they will face "political ostracism: at the next Local Government Election.

"This is political intimidation at its worst and a worrisome signal of the gutter type tactics that some are prepared to use," he said.

Warner appealed to all Councillors and other elected Officers to let their conscience be their guide.

"Remain true and honest to your political beliefs and to your representation and do what is right and necessary to rekindle, rebrand and reimage the UNC."

He reminded them that the internal elections of the UNC would be "a defining moment in the Party's and the nation's history.

"The next generation would be reluctant to forgive us if we fail to be guided by the political spirit of change and if we fall prey to intimidation and political hounding and harassment."

He added, "Let us collectively ensure that democracy, ethics and morality be our guide, now and in the future."

Unsigned statement says UNC women support Panday for UNC leader

A news report on national television in Trinidad and Tobago Tuesday night said the Women's Arm of the United National Congress (UNC) has issued a statement in support of party leader Basdeo Panday in his bid to win re-election in the January 24, internal election.

The report quoted a document that said the women are supporting Panday because he "has been singular in his continuous attempts to uplift women in a gender imbalanced society."

The statement added, "Mr. Panday has made history when he appointed two women to act as Prime Minister, one of Afro-Trinidadian descent and the other of Indo-Trinidadian descent. He also appointed the first female Attorney General, the first female Minister of Works and the first female Chairman and CEO of NP."

But a source in Trinidad told JYOTI the statement from the women's arm was unsigned and was faxed to the television network. The source said it is unclear if it is a genuine statement fully supported by the women's arm.

Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who is one of three candidates contesting the post of leader of the UNC, was quoted in the TV report as saying the election "is a democratic process and the women are entitled to support the candidate of their choice."

She added that she remains committed to continuing her campaign saying the decision about who will eventually lead the party will be made by the individual members of the party.

On Sunday 10 MPs and four opposition Senators signed a document pledging unconditional support for Panday. Sen. Lyndira Oudit refused to sign that letter and said in a media statement Monday that she fully supports Persad-Bissessar.

She was not at Tuesday's Senate sitting. A temporary Senator was sworn-in to replace her on the opposition bench.

Letter: Kamla leads in random sidewalk poll

It was very interesting to read that the majority of UNC MPs and Senators have thrown their support behind Basdeo Panday for the internal leadership race due on January 24th 2010.

MPs after all are supposed to represent the concerns, views and wishes of their constituents and opposition MPs consistently cry foul when the government introduces policies that seem contrary to the views and wishes of the people.

So when MPs and Senators throw their support behind Basdeo Panday I assume they have some authority derived from the express wishes of the people to do so.

Today, in a very spur of the moment exercise, I stood for just over an hour on the sidewalk just outside Pancho's on Queen Street in Port of Spain and together with a colleague carried out a sidewalk poll.

We interviewed 70 people from all walks of life. Indo, Afro, Chinese, white, half white, young, old, professional, civil servant, labourer, living in North, South, East, West and Central.

We asked the 70 people who they would support for the leadership of the UNC if they could vote, Basdeo Panday or Kamla Persad Bissessar. Of the 70 persons interviewed 66 people enthusiastically preferred Kamla Persad Bissessar and 4 people said Basdeo Panday.

Of the 4, two clearly wanted Basdeo Panday because they thought he was best for the PNM.

To be fair, 2 people favoured Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj even though he was not part of the poll.

Whilst this may not be the most scientific poll ever taken, it was a candid shot into the hearts and minds of the average person on the streets of the capital city and is certainly a reflection of what I have heard in other quarters.

So before the UNC MPs throw their support behind anyone, they may wish to find out from their constituents what those very constituents want before they do exactly what they accuse the government of doing - ignoring the wishes of the people.

Garvin Nicholas

Senate gets its say on propery tax bill

The Senate begins debate Tuesday on the controversial property tax bill which has already passed the first legislative hurdle in the House of Representatives. The government passed the bill in the lower house just before Christmas, using its strong majority.

It has argued that it required only a simple majority, but that some politicians are saying that is not so because it deals with fundamental rights and requires a special majority.

Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar has served notice that she will challenge the legality of the bill, which imposes a three per cent tax on residential properties, beginning in the new year.

While the opposition has argued that the bill is harsh and oppressive the government has called it fair and has said it would actually save some homeowners money.

It's expected that there will be stiff opposition in the upper house from the six opposition members and at least some independent senators.

There is uncertainty about whether one opposition senator will be there. Lyndira Oudit put her Senate appointment on the line Monday when she announced that she is no longer supporting Basdeo Panday for the post of leader of the United National Congress (UNC) in the party's internal election on January, 24, 2010.

In an interview with JYOTI Monday night Oudit said she is unlikely to be in the Senate Tuesday because of a prior arrangement with Senate opposition leader, Wade Mark.
In a statement earlier Monday, Oudit distanced herself from a letter signed by 14 opposition legislators supporting Panday for UNC leader. She said while she initially wrote to Panday indicating her support for him, "time and circumstance" made her change her mind.

Read the story: Sen. Oudit didn't endorse Panday, supports Kamla

UNC MP Roodlal Moonilal believes Oudit is playing political games. He told the Trinidad Guardian that at no time did the senator say she would not sign the document.

However, he said she never showed up for a meeting to discuss the matter and sign the document. As a result, although her name was on the document, her signature was absent.

The letter endorsing Panday contained the names of 10 MPs and five senators. The sixth opposition senator, Sharon Gopaul-McNicol, is not a member of the UNC. Oudit is the only UNC member who did not sign.

Economist warns of backlash from property tax

Senior economist Dr. Dhanaysar Mahabir believes the new property tax that takes effect at the beginning of 2010 will create a severe backlash against the manning administration in Trinidad and Tobago.

Speaking on national television Monday night Mahabir said citizens already feel the strain of a depressed economy and the new tax will only add to their burden. And he questioned the government's motive in introducing the tax regime.

He said the authorities have not clearly explained why the government is imposing this tax on citizens.

"It is simply a tax that is levied on owners of wealth without any benefit accruing directing to the owners of wealth. And that is going to create a great deal of resentment because the owners of property, which might be the only wealth many people may have, would have already paid taxes on their income," he said.

He explained that there would be resentment to the additional tax burden because citizens are already heavily taxed on everything from direct income taxes to valued added taxes on consumer goods.

Mahabir also predicted that there is no sign of a healthy economic outlook for 2010, suggesting that there will continue to a decline in state revenues.

"We are going to see across the board reductions in incomes and reductions in employment. The only benefit is that we are going to observe some stabilisation in the price level and the economy therefore is really going to slow even further in 2010," he said.

The economist also warned about plans for the government to help Jamaica get through its financial trouble by investing in the state-owned Air Jamaica.

He suggested that the government operate on the principle that charity begins at home.

"Trinidad and Tobago is in a situation where it needs all the finances it can garner to run its own affairs...(the country) is best advised to use all the funds it could obtain to really ensure that it could prevent its own economy from collapsing in a disastrous way," he said.

UNC gets 10,000 new members in time for party election

The internal election of the United National Congress (UNC) has attracted about 10,000 new members to the party.

That's the word from chairman of the membership committee, Kelvin Ramnath. He told local media new applications for membership came from people across the country.

Ramnath said the committee is still finalizing the updated membership list which will be ready for circulation by January 2, 2010. There is a four-day period after that for anyone to lodge complaints about the list, which will be posted at constituency offices and at the party's headquarters in Couva.

Nomination day for the January 24, 2010 election is January 11. So far only four people have said they will contest the election. UNC leader Basdeo Panday is seeking re-election and two MPs are challenging him - Ramesh L. Maharaj and Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner is running for the post of chairman. There is speculation that former Chaguanas mayor Suruj Rambachan will run against Warner. Warner orchestrated Rambachan's removal from office and some people see that as an attempt to settle political scores.

Ramnath said the UNC is using guidelines established by the Elections and Boundaries Commission to prepare the list, which will show members according to constituency.

Ramnath said the party did not turn away anyone who wanted to apply for membership, including those who were late with applications.

With about 45,000 financial members, the party now has "more financial members than any other political party," Ramnath said.

The membership committee will meet on January 7 to deal with questions and queries and will publish a final list on January 11.

Sen. Oudit didn't endorse Panday, supports Kamla

Opposition Senator Lyndira Oudit issued a media release Monday stating that she did not sign any document pledging unconditional support for Basdeo Panday in his campaign for the leadership of the United National Congress (UNC).

Oudit was responding to a story in the Sunday Guardian of Dec. 27 that named 10 MPs and five opposition senators are endorsing Panday for the post of leader in the January 24th, 2010 election.

JYOTI has obtained a copy of the document, which shows 14 signatures. Oudit's name is on the one-page letter, but there is no signature. Oudit distanced herself from any document purporting to contain her signature. (see document below)

(click on image to see full screen)

The senator also announced that she is throwing her support behind Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who is running against Panday in the election.

"I sincerely believe Mrs. Persad-Bissessar is the best candidate for the job because of her record of dedication to our party, her sterling service to the nation and her constituents, both in and out of government, and her unifying influence within and outside the UNC," she said.

She added, "I am not alone in my conviction that Mrs. Persad-Bissessar is the right person for the job. The groundswell of support for her from our members is evidence that our party members are ready for the transformation that she has promised."

She urged all those who are eligible to vote "to put aside blind loyalty to Mr. Panday and look to the future...I am convinced that in the present circumstances if Mr. Panday is returned as leader of our party we will be doomed to remain in opposition in perpetuity."

She said she made the commitment to stand with Persad-Bissessar at the risk of being dismissed as a member of the Senate. The senate meets Tuesday to debate the property tax bill and Oudit is expected to make her presentation to the senate on that controversial legislation.

One reliable UNC source told JYOTI that this is an about face by the senator who had written to Panday expressing support for him and offering herself to run as a member of his team in the internal elections.

Another source, who asked to remain anonymous, said Oudit's change of heart is likely because Panday already has a slate in which she is not included.

Oudit denied that. In an interview with JYOTI she confirmed that she did write to Panday earlier this month before Persad-Bissessar announced her intention to run for the leadership.

She said time and circumstance have caused her to change her mind. She said she now believes that the Siparia MP is the best person to lead the party, fix its internal problems and win an election.

Editorial cartoon: The Sandesh diaries

Chairman of UDeCOTT probe strikes back

Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry into UDeCOTT Professor John Uff QC has described as “improper” allegations against him in a UDeCOTT High Court lawsuit challenging the proceedings.

According to a report in Newsday, while the commission was completing the final phase of the inquiry Uff swore an affidavit in which he responded to allegations made against him.

Those allegations stemmed from an affidavit filed by UDeCOTT’s chief operating officer Neelanda Rampaul earlier this year in relation to two pending court challenges Udecott has brought against the proceedings.

Read the story in NEWSDAY - UDECOTT IMPROPER

Jerry Narace and Vasant Bharath share Christmas drinks

Health Minister Jerry Narace and St Augustine MP Vasant Bharath are no friends when it comes to their politics.

So when they got together on Christmas day at Bharath's home, people - and the media - became curious.

People were whispering about why these two top men from opposing political parties were meeting at this critical time when there are rumours of deals between the United National Congress (UNC) and the People's national Movement (PNM) and when the UNC is heading into crucial internal elections that could shake up the opposition party.

Bharath is the vice chairman of the UNC and Narace is the PNM's top public relations man.

Both men responded to the local media with the same explanation - don't read anything into it, it was just two friends getting together for drinks.

The Trinidad Express quoted Bharath as saying, "I called Minister Narace and it so happened that he was in the constituency and I had some friends over for Christmas Day and I asked him to come over for a drink...

"Jerry and I had been friends for many years, from the time he owned Budget Foods some 20 years ago. We have been longstanding social friends since then. It is nothing untoward that I would invite him to my home."

Narace told the paper he accepted Bharath's invitation and in the spirit of the season."I went across, yes, in the spirit of Christmas. Nothing more than that."

In an interview with the Guardian Bharath said, "I was the manufacturer of Cheekies pampers at that time so I was the supplier to Narace’s supermarket in those days,”

He assured the paper that "he was here to have a drink with my wife and I...So there is no juicy gossip."

e-health services coming to T&T

The Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Health is beginning a pilot project in early 2010 in preparation for the introduction of a nationwide e-health system for citizens.

The high-tech enhancement of the service will allow speedier access to services, including appointments with physicians and availability of health records online.

Health Minister Jerry Narace told the Trinidad Guardian the card would be available to some people next year and by 2012 everyone would have a health card.

Narace told the paper the e-card would also make it easier for citizens to access health care abroad.

He said, “The project will start on a pilot basis in March and then it will be rolled out to the entire country by the third or fourth quarter of next year...This is intended to be the first real major transformation tool in health care."

He said the card would eliminate printed forms since everything, including access to health records, would be completed with a swipe of the card. The system, he explained, is aimed at speedier delivery of services.

Although the service is Internet-based, the ministry will offer call centre services to assist anyone who doesn't have access to the Internet or other electronic facilities such as text messaging.

Canada uses a health card for its universal health care system but the province of Ontario ran into serious roadblocks in trying to introduce an e-health plan.

It resulted in a multi-million dollar corruption scandal that forced the resignation of the health minister and the dismissal of the service's top official.

Related story: e-health scandal claims health minister
Read that story with full background details

Letter: How about health services before the card?

Health Cards? The people want health care Mr. Prime Minister, not cards.

As for accessing medical attention easily abroad - who's that for?

People like Mrs. Calder Hart, for whom Government will foot the bill - and who can jet off at a moment's notice obviously.

Certainly not those like the poor little child who has only just gone to Argentina due mainly to the generosity and public spiritedness of the T&T populace.

More to the point, who's going to make the money implementing the scheme?

The same person who benefited from the street lighting programme? Seeing that full implementation is anticipated for 2012, hopefully everyone will have been able to obtain their new passports by that time so that they can travel abroad and utilise the benefits of this new "card" at the very least.

Seems to me that it would have made more sense to utilise the funds that will be expended on this scheme in upgrading the hospitals and health care centres so that at least people won't be lodged in corridors!

Why is it always a case of the cart before the horse in T&T?

Virginia Verity | via e-mail

Keeping check: T&T homicides reach 502

Warner slams T&T gov't for not effectively fighting crime

Jack Warner has slammed the Manning administration for its continuing failure to effectively deal with crime noting that murders continue unabated, reaching 502 with a few days still to go in 2009.

In a media statement Sunday, the Chaguanas West MP said the government displays its disdain for society by refusing to make permanent appointments to several key offices like the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions.

He added that there appears to be a deliberate policy of keeping the police service short of basic crime-fighting resources and of facilitating the disintegration of the other elements of our justice system.

"This record high murder rate reinforces the sentiments of large sections of the population that if the PNM remains in power our twin-island nation and the citizenry are doomed.

"It reinforces that fact that the PNM should be removed and replaced by a more competent, caring and responsible government," he said.

Warner said this is another example of why the opposition forces must reunite "at all costs to bring about change, transformation and rehabilitation of our country."

He urged all opposition groupings and individuals to work for creating an Opposition unit in which the population can have confidence and which can enter government.

"It starts with the members of the UNC electing a government and a leader that can have the trust and confidence of the wider national community to take the party and the opposition into government," he said.

The UNC deputy leader expressed his condolences to the families and friends of the 500-plus persons murdered in 2009 and "the thousands of other lives snuffed out in the past nine years of Patrick Manning's watch. I hope and pray that together we can and will have a brighter 2010. With Change, we can have Hope."

Editorial cartoon: The Sandesh Diaries

MPs, Senators rally behind Panday for UNC leader

Ten Members of Parliament and five opposition senators have endorsed Basdeo Panday for leader of the United National Congress (UNC).

The 15 legislators have always remained loyal to Panday. The four MPs who are not supporting Panday are Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Ramesh L. Maharaj, Winston "Gypsy" Peters and Jack Warner.

Persad-Bissessar and Maharaj are challenging Panday for the leadership. Peters had always said he won't support Panday for leader and even threatened to leave the party if Panday is re-elected. Warner led the so-called Ramjack movement against Panday and never had any plans for supporting the leader.

Warner, Maharaj and Peters were members of the Movement for Change that was formed to demand the internal election be held.

Warner disbanded the movement after the party announced the internal election for January 24, 2010 saying it had served its purpose of forcing the election. However he also said that he reserves the right to restart it if necessary.

The endorsement is contained in a one-page document. The only senator who did not sign is Sharon Gopaul-McNicholls, who is a member of the Congress of the People (COP).

Panday said he appointed her to help build unity among the opposition groups, but she has become a pariah in her own party and was fired from her post of deputy leader after she accepted the senate appointment.

The statement affirmed confidence in Panday's leadership and predicted that he “will continue to lead us into the future.”

The legislators cited Panday's years of "struggle for equality and justice” and his outstanding performance as head of a UNC government from 1995 to 2001, calling him the "Best Prime Minister ever.”

The statement praised Panday's “love for people regardless of race and creed” and urged UNC members and supporters to rally around Panday and his team to ensure that they win the election.

Panday is on holiday in England and is expected to launch his campaign for the election on his return early in January. So far he has not named his "slate' for the election but there is speculation that he will choose from among the loyalists who have now publicly endorsed him.

Maharaj, who is also abroad, has focused his campaign so far on attacking Perssad-Bissessar, saying that she doesn't have the credentials for defeating him or Panday.

Kamla, Jack not bothered, still fighting to win

The announcement that Basdeo Panday has won the public endorsement of 15 parliamentarians - 10 MPs and 5 senators - is not bothering at least two people running as candidates in the January 24, 2010 internal elections of the United National Congress (UNC).

Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Jack Warner are both continuing with their plans for the vote.

Persad-Bissessar is challenging Panday for the leadership and Warner is running for the post of chairman.

In separate media statements both shrugged off the development as something that was widely expected since the legislators had always openly supported Panday.

In her statement the Siparia MP said she time believed a few months ago that supporting Panday was the right thing. But she added that "having studied the reality I chose to oppose the status quo and challenge Mr. Panday for the leadership".

She reiterated that she has never disputed Panday's track record and his decades of commitment "to our party and this nation". However she said, "there is a national consensus today that despite all his best efforts Mr. Panday cannot lead our party back to victory in an election."

She said she will continue the campaign. "And I will win, which means the people win. I have confidence in the membership and they are the ones who will settle the leadership issue on January 24th. This is not about Kamla's choice. It is about the people's choice," she said.

In his comment on the endorsement, Warner said he expected the MPs and senators to throw their support behind Panday, noting that their statement merely confirms what is public knowledge.

"That is why the Movement for Change was created... What I have always said is that the Party needs to change and the four MPs who are not supporting Mr. Panday are of the same view," the Chaguanas West MP said.

He added, "Without such change we cannot have a strong Party that could challenge the People’s National Movement in an election and win. That is the whole point."

Warner said he remains committed to run for the Chairmanship of the party, "because this endorsement is not changing the reality."

He added, "These are 15 votes and each of them might influence some of their supporters" and asked whether the endorsement was as a result of consultation.

"I wonder if any of the 10 Parliamentarians consulted with their Constituency Executive Committees so as to get their views before signing such a letter?" he asked.

He said he has faith in the membership. "There are over 35,000 members who will vote in the election and they will determine who leads. I have faith in the membership.

"Nobody disputes the past; we are trying to build the future. In the final analysis, such a letter suggests to me a certain level of desperation which will have no impact on the tsunami of change that is presently gripping the UNC," Warner said.

Commentary: Dr Selwyn Ryan on T&T political leadership

Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s decision to challenge her political guru, Basdeo Panday for the leadership of the UNC of which he is the founder is, as we say, a ’teaching case’ in the history of Caribbean political leadership. The event has implications for the politics of gender, but also for the politics of post charismatic leadership.

Read the commentary in the Sunday Express: Post charismatic politics in Trinidad and Tobago

Editorial: Challenging the UNC status quo

It should come as no surprise to anyone that the majority of the parliamentary caucus of the United National Congress (UNC) is supporting Basdeo Panday in his quest for the leadership of the party.

While the Panday camp will trumpet this a "stunning" development and a political coup, this endorsement is really the worst kept secret within the party and in the public domain.

All of them had said at one time or another that they would stick with the status quo and support Panday. One senator even said that it would be "disrespectful" to go against the chief.

It is, however, a master stroke by those running the campaign to capitalise on the agenda setting.

The motive is to grab the Sunday headlines and offer a hot political subject for the talk shows and commentators in the days ahead. The hope is to generate enough hype to call the election a done deal.

The next stage of the strategy would be Panday's triumphant return from London with "hordes" of loyal fans and supporters congregating at Piarco to welcome home the chief. In reality, many may not even be UNC financial members.

It's a good mass media strategy to try to launch a coup by dazzling the voter and obscuring the real issues in the Panday-mania all of this is expected to create. But in reality, as noted by both Jack Warner and Kamla Persad-Bissessar in their reaction to the announcement, nothing has really changed.

Both of them are pressing ahead with their respective campaigns, with Warner planning to publicly launch his in Felicity on January 6, 2010. Persad-Bissessar and Ramesh L. Maharaj are running against Panday for the leadership of the UNC and Warner is running for the post of chairman.

What is happening today is what Warner predicted when he launched the Movement for Change with Maharaj and Mayaro MP Winston "Gypsy" Peters.

At that time Persad-Bissessar was still a Panday loyalist, but she decided to challenge Panday because, as she says, he cannot take the party back into government. For Warner, this is just a manifestation of what is wrong with the UNC and what he has been clamouring to change - business as usual and blind loyalty to a leader who is out of touch with reality.

He is also concerned about the lack of people participation in the decision making process. "I wonder if any of the 10 Parliamentarians consulted with their Constituency Executive Committees so as to get their views before signing such a letter?" Warner asked.

Both he and Persad-Bissessar are saying they expected this kind of allegiance to Panday and are hoping the people will understand that now is the time to shake up the system and send a message to their party that it needs to pay attention to what they want and understand that it cannot be business as usual.

Persad-Bissessar, Maharaj, Warner and all who challenge Panday have a monumental task ahead that is perhaps as difficult as climbing a greasy pole. But so often the determined climber gets the ham. And that's what the challengers expect.

Persad-Bissessar is confident that she will defeat Panday. "I will win, which means the people win," she has said.

More than 35,000 UNC supporters will write the next chapter in the UNC's history with the marks they place on the ballot on January 24, 2010.

Those who support Panday are determined that he only can take the party back to Whitehall; those opposed say the exact opposite. When the votes are counted and the winners announced, the analysts and commentators will have their say, but the people will have to live with their decision.

One way or the other, the Rising Sun will shine after January 24. But the lingering question is whether it will comfort an entire nation that is crying for leadership, representation and an end to the Manning regime.

Letter: Fear and favour of Panday

This highly predictable occurrence was no stunning political development yet it is of political significance because it shows the extent to which the Parliamentarians are out of step with the electorate.

I think that we've had ample indication of how unpopular Mr.Panday is among the members of the Party and the people of the country.

The Ryan poll and other less scientific indicators including Mr Panday's own assessment of himself (No longer politically attractive) all show that he is incapable of leading his Party to victory in the next general election.

This development was expected because of fear and favour.

This was no rallying around Mr Panday, rather is was a retention of a formation of supporters who habitually show loyalty because of fear of the consequences of doing otherwise.

Their necks know only one movement in their communications with Mr.Panday that is the nod of approval which they have been doing for years.

It is sad and disappointing to see otherwise good men like Tim Gopiesingh and Wade Mark with that flaw of political character.

It also shows that these Parliamentarians have ignored one of the most important political philosophy lessons given by their Leader inspired by Niccolo Machiavelli. This oft repeated lecture tells us that politics has its own rules and has no room for sentimentality and emotions.

It is based on pragmatism in the quest for power. You do what it takes to win. In this situation the Parliamentarians are doing what will please the Leader, massage his ego, meet his personal needs and favour an old faithful friend of long standing.

This news story makes no mention that this is a strategic move for winning the next general election.

This all about being kind and grateful to an old man who has done so much in he past with no impotane attached to his ability to win power to save the country Love and fear of Mr.Panday have been put ahead of love of Country.

These MP's and Senators may be seen as spineless opportunists who are too weak to stand up for country but the wrath of Mr.Panday to date has "left no one unscathed".

In the next three weeks we will witness a process of Unity from the bottom or the ground as they say and these Pandayites will have difficulty in answering to their constituents and would be at risk at the polls.

This will also halt the trek from the COP and swell the ranks of Kamla supporters. That so called "rallying around Panday" was Unity at the top of the Party and Kamla will benefit from the broad base Unity at the grassroots.

The Panday habit or dependency has been kicked by many but it is evident that those closest to smoke are still hooked.

Those who have kicked the habit are not "dissidents" who have been left out. They had the strength to break free.

The dynamics of unity will change in the near future and Kamla Bissessar will assume a larger role in bringing not only opposition but bringing the country. The attempts to paint her in Warner and COP colours will also be stepped up in the next two weeks.

Reprinted from the Sunday Guardian: Author - Kaboni

What deal? Ramesh denies he's plotting with Panday

Tabaquite MP Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj says he has no deal with Basdeo Panday about the January 24, 2010 internal election of the United national Congress (UNC).

Chaguanas MP Jack Warner has charged that his former Ramjack colleague is plotting with Panday on a strategy to ensure that Panday wins the leadership.

But Maharaj scoffs at that, noting that he is in the leadership race to win and there is no truth to the story.

But a number of inside sources are saying that there is a plan afoot for Maharaj to focus his leadership campaign on attacking Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who is also running for the leadership.

In an interview with the Trinidad Guardian from Florida, Maharaj said Warner is way off on his conspiracy theory since he has no plans to travel to London, where Panday is on holiday.

“That is so far from the truth, but I will deal with that when I get home when I continue my campaign," he told the paper.

Column: The future is ours to control

On an overcast Winter morning in Toronto one might argue that I am too far away to feel the warmth of the (rising) sun in Trinidad and Tobago or to understand the critical issues that face our nation.

I say "our" because although I live and work in Canada and am a Canadian citizen, I am and will always be a Trini. Trinidad and Tobago never stopped being my home and it will always be home.

That's why I created this blog as a non-profit effort to try to make sense out of what's happening at home so that others like me would read and understand the critical issues taking place back home.

And who can say that what's happening in Trinidad and Tobago's politics is not important? That's why this blog devotes so much space to politics and politicians.

And the story with which I am preoccupied these days is the state of the United National Congress (UNC) and its convulsions as it tries to redefine itself and reposition itself as a government in waiting.

In 2007, the party rose from its near death experience, proved all the political pundits wrong and won 15 of the 41 seats in the House of Representatives; the infant Congress of the People (COP) won none.

That should have been a signal to move on quickly, to seize the opportunity to
re-brand itself as the people's party and work towards challenging the government every step of the way to do its job.

Instead, the party engaged in its usual narcissism and set itself on a path of self- destruction. Ego and self-interest became the order of the day, while Patrick Manning went on an orgy of maladministration, plundering the treasury, and showing absolute disdain for the citizens and their legitimate concerns.

In short, like Nero, the UNC fiddled while Rome burned. The central issue has been whether the party would be doomed to exist in opposition in perpetuity or whether it could return to Whitehall.

The consensus was that it had to change, but the man who pushed that idea soon became demonized and a pariah for daring to challenge the UNC status quo. While some of his parliamentary colleagues silently agreed with Jack Warner, only two dared stand with him.

Today, that so-called Ramjack group has been disbanded, having achieved its principal aim of getting the party to hold long-overdue internal elections. And one Ramjack member and other MP have not only agreed that change is vital, they is doing the unthinkable; Ramesh L. Maharaj and Kamla Persad-Bissessar are challenging Basdeo Panday for the leadership of the UNC.

Warner is seeking the chairmanship, hoping that in that role he could use his local, regional and international expertise to reorganize and create a highly effective and professional organization and move on to plan a strategy to win an election, not get a few seats and remain in opposition. So far nobody else, as far as I know, is running for that post.

In past party elections the common strategy has been to have parties within the party with the campaigns becoming so caustic and divisive that cliques developed that hurt the organization later.

Just look at the Team Unity slate that Maharaj mounted in the 2000 election that saw him being elected as Deputy Leader. I was in Trinidad during that campaign and on reflection cannot believe that the people who opposed one another were of the same party with the same mission and vision. It was just a race for who could win.

Today the party is engaged once more in an exercise to elect members of a new executive and a political leader. Panday has said he wants to run with a slate of people with whom he could work comfortably.

That's his right, as it is the right of the two other leadership contenders, Persad-Bissessar and Maharaj. But will such a strategy build a better UNC?

A leader or a chairman of the UNC must immediately get to work to heal wounds and rebuild the party. And no matter who wins, the task will be an extremely demanding one. But a series of competing slates will be unproductive if those who seek office insist of each getting "a pick-up side" for the election.

The best strategy for the party today would be individuals who feel they are competent to hold office and have the capacity to make a difference to put their names on the ballot. Each person running for office would in effect be an independent.

It does not mean one person cannot endorse another. For example, Warner has endorsed Persad-Bissessar but both she and the Chaguanas MP have stated publicly that their campaigns are independent.

That makes sense, because when the campaigns are over there will only be one leader, one chairman and one person holding each of the other posts.

All of these men and women will have to work together to heal wounds, unify the party and develop strategies to make a new UNC that would be strong and capable of undertaking its responsibilities of making the government accountable to the citizens and eventually taking charge of the government in a general election, which could come long before it is due in 2012.

The UNC cannot pretend that if there are two or three "slates" running in this campaign there won't be the usual nastiness that we have seen before; we are already hearing it.

The party must avoid at all costs the risk of the election creating pockets of interest groups that would become cancerous and threaten the very existence of the UNC.

That is why Panday, Warner, Persad-Bissessar, Maharaj and all those who want to lead the party must stand up for the people, the party and its vision for Trinidad and Tobago.

They must do all they can to avoid the kind of campaign that we have seen in the past, with the resulting bitterness and divisiveness that have caused the party to reach the point of implosion more than once.

The UNC must be bigger than the individual and must stand up for justice, fairness, equality and accountability. It must do it in its own house before trying to fix the nation's problems.

The past is gone forever, and it is the duty and responsibility for UNC politicians running for office to understand that it cannot be business as usual.

Now is time to look to the future and to focus on the task at hand, which is to build a national party, unite the opposition forces and take on Patrick Manning and the People's National Movement (PNM) and win.

Now is the time to renew and rebuild. The challenges are enormous, but so are the possibilities. The past is gone forever but the future is ours to control.

Jai Parasram | Toronto, Dec. 26, 2009

A thought for today: Change

Police, TT gov't won't intimidate us: OWTU

The Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) has accused acting Police Commissioner James Philbert of acting according to the dictates of Government by threatening more arrests of people who demonstrated outside the Red House last week.

And the union stated in a news release that it would not be intimidated by Philbert or Prime Minister Patrick Manning.

The union’s general secretary, David Abdulah, is the only person arrested during the march. He faces a charge of obstruction and is due to return to court on January 13 to answer the charge.

The news release, signed by OWTU's Chief Education and Research Officer, Ozzi Warwick, said, "Philbert and the Government need to be reminded that the freedom we enjoy came as a result of many bitter struggles. We will not be threatened! We will not be intimidated."

The release said it views Philbert's statement at a news conference this week as "inconsistent, contradictory, bias and without merit".

Philbert did an about face at the media conference. He had initially said he felt the police action may have been excessive but changed his tune and said police showed restraint and was "generous".

He said the matter is not closed and suggested that there could be more arrests.

Read the story: It's not over; DPP to get file on Red House demonstration"
Related: Letter: Riot squad provoked picketing fracas
Also read: Editorial: No justification for Friday's police brutality

The union views the threat of pressing more charges and arresting more protesters as a direct and blatant attack on the democracy and freedom of this country. These threats will not be taken lightly nor will we forget the actions of the police meted out to law abiding citizens."

Warwick charged that Philbert’s "turnaround must have been the result of political directive handed down and which he is compelled to follow."

He insisted that Abdullah did not break any laws and that his arrest was a provocation with "no reason or basis."

The union is demanding that Philbert make public the report of the investigation into the illegal gathering in Woodford Square on September 12, 2008, which was led by the Prime Minister.

"It seems as though there is one law for the PNM and another law for the rest of the population, particularly those who oppose them," it said.