PM Kamla names retired judge to head coup enquiry

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Friday announced members of a five-member Commission of Enquiry into the 1990 attempted coup. It will be headed by retired justice of appeal Mustapha Ibrahim.

Other members are: Former Independent Senator and social activist, Diana Mahabir-Wyatt; U.S. war veteran Dr H.A. Mohammed; Dr Richard Cheltenhan, leading Barbadian criminal QC and Former independent senator Dr Eastlyn McKenzie.

Persad-Bissessar told the House of Representatives if the enquiry reveals any evidence of wrongdoing, consideration would be given to prosecuting those culpable.

"Let me unequivocally state that whatever is found no one would be above the law. Therefore if there is evidence of wrongdoing, wherever it may be, that will be addressed by our courts" she said.

Persad-Bissessar said her Government hopes that the enquiry would "bring clarity" to certain issues as well as bring "psychological relief" from the results.

She outlined some of the issues needing clarification:

1. Whether any public officials were involved in the attempted coup
2. Whether any members of the protective services, Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, state officials and any other persons in the employ of the government were involved
3. How was the attempted coup financed
4. The mastermind of the attempted coup
5. The role of the Jamaal al Muslimeen and what motivated its involvement
6. Identification of local and international associates and affiliates of the Jamaat at the time of the insurrection
7. The reasoning behind the conflagration of specific buildings
8. The illegal acquisition, supplier(s) and importation of weapons used in the attempted coup
9. Any correlation between the coup attempt and the present trafficking, supplying or possession of illicit drugs
10. The response and performance of the protective services, Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force and other essential services during and after the insurrection
11. The response and actions of the Government, the media and foreign services
12. All matters pertaining to the negotiations, preparation, execution, removal and effect of the amnesty
13. Criminal activity including but not confined to looting, during and after the insurrection

Persad-Bissessar is hoping that the commission's recommendations and observations would ensure that counter-terrorism policies and measures are clearly articulated and that terrorism is identified as a national security concern.