"We told her (Chief personnel Officer Stephanie Lewis) in no uncertain terms that she is working for a secret agency that is trying to overthrow the Government. There are many different acronyms out there, there is CIA, PNM, many other acronyms," Duke told members of the Public Services Association (PSA).
While CIA might be far fetched and a stretch, it is no surprise that the PSA chief mentioned the opposition People's National Movement (PNM). After all, it is in the PNM's interest to foment this kind of labour unrest.
And what makes the story even more interesting is the presence among the PSA marchers of Dr Amery Browne, the PNM MP for Diego Martin Central. Browne, who was part of the Manning government that created the problem that is now before the new People's partnership government, said he was there to show solidarity with his constituents, who are civil servants.
That is hypocrisy! David Adullah who wears two hats these days - government Senator and labour leader - was careful to point out that the problem at hand was a PNM problem, not one that the People's Partnership created.
"We have to recognise the reality of the fact that many of the ills we now experience are due to the sins of those who were there before. We must never forget that," he said when he addressed the PSA workers.
And another trade union was quick to point out the same. Joseph Remy, president of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) noted that "If they (the PNM administration) did what they should have done when they were in power, then we wouldn't be here."
Yet if you pay attention to the way the PNM is spinning this, you would think that they were the ones who defended the PSA and the devils are the people in the new government.
Duke know the real story, which is why his comment is so interesting. Duke and the PSA were up in arms earlier this year against the Manning PNM administration over the PNM's attempt to scrap the country's two revenue agencies and fire thousands of workers.
That was the PNM. And the people who fought the PNM on that were the same people who are in government today.
Duke's charge that the CPO is undermining the government is one that Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar should not ignore. Perhaps the language is strong and perhaps the CPO is only acting on the instructions of the cabinet or the line minister.
However it is a fact that there are people today in key positions who are dedicated members of the old regime who will do whatever they can to undermine and destabilise the present government. That is a fact.
Kamla's resolve to put away party symbols and treat everyone equally is admirable and I fully support her and her political colleagues on that. But the government must look carefully at who is doing what these days to determine whether Duke is right or not.
It goes beyond the CPO. In every ministry and even in Trinidad and Tobago's foreign missions, there are people who were loyal to the PNM and the Manning regime who continue to show that loyalty. Some of these people are clear obstructionists whose mission is to work against the government.
The new ministers know it and some of them have made key changes. I am not advocating that the government should kick out PNM loyalists. On the contrary I want to see everyone involved in the business of making the government work.
We voted for that! We changed things so we could have a more transparent and fully accountable government. And the new administration has a responsibility to itself and every citizen to ensure that it delivers on that key promise that has become the Kamla mantra: "Serve the people, serve the people, serve the people!"
That is why vigilance becomes important. If anyone in a key position - PNM or not - becomes obstructionist or refuses to do her/his job that person has to be removed. That is the only way this government can achieve its goals.
So while Duke's accusation might not be entirely true, the Kamla government is getting a black eye on the PSA issue which is not of its own doing. The signal that Duke is sending is a very important one. Get your act together!
The CPO is holding firm on her one per cent offer, which most people consider inadequate and insulting. According to Abdullah it should never be put on the table.
But it IS on the table and the CPO appears to be firm in her position that it will not change. The government has backed her up, stating in a media release on Monday that to pay what the PSA wants would push the 2011 deficit to $12 billion and add to the recurrent expenditure.
I have no doubt that the figures are correct and the burden on the taxpayer would be immense. But by taking such a firm stand against the PSA and getting the PSA up in arms the PNM is in the classic position of having its cake and eating it too.
The PNM under Manning deprived the PSA of the increases while it squandered billions on mega projects and useless initiatives like a $2 million flag and billion-dollar summits. It abdicated its responsibility and probably helped engineer its fall to escape the wrath of the people.
And now that the people are screaming for their just due, they are standing on the sidelines and adding fuel to the fire, hoping the PSA issue will burn the new government.
Now is the time for a reality check. The People's Partnership needs to start paying very careful attention to what's really going on.
There is more to come, much more. And the PNM will continue to point fingers at the the new government for all the ills for which it was responsible, including the CL fiasco, UDeCOTT and many others.
The PSA issue is just the fever that alerts the body politic that there is an infection that needs powerful medicine to cure.
Jai Parasram | Toronto, 27 October 2010.
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