Guest commentary: Maxie can write what he wants but he needs to disclose all the facts

I think I should apply to Kamla for a job. Not any job. Just the one that's been vacant for about 28 months. Not so, Sister Pena?

You see, like an on the ball seer man I predicted what Maxie Cuffie would be writing about the instant he returns to writing in the papers under his own name. I said he would be attacking the PP government from the getgo. 

He has not let me down because, if you look at what he wrote in his very first column, Connecting the dots to Kamla, Cuffie started off by declaring why he wrote the column was to show the Prime Minister was toe to toe with some unnamed person to put Section 34 into the law books. The evidence he produced? Well, to be blunt, it was pathetic. He failed to connect the dots.

He tries to link Kamla to Galbaransingh thorough Galbaransingh's wife by saying Mrs Galbaransigh was present in the flesh at the Prime Minister's swearing in, and used the opportunity to smile down on her like some guardian angel.

He talks about Carlos John accompanying Mr Volney to his screening; he also makes a recommendation that the PP could give Calder Hart government contracts also, since up to now Calder Hart hasn't been charged with any crime. After saying those things, he begins closing off his story by saying (it's his column, he wrote it, not me, so I'll quote him word for word)

"And most importantly, as Prime Minister, and, as we are being constantly reminded, “distinguished Senior Counsel,” how could she have allowed it?" The reeking sarcasm makes me believe the smirk on his face must be still there. I say he was smirking since he signs off like by advertising himself,

Maxie Cuffie runs a media consultancy, Integrated Media Company Ltd, is an economics graduate of the UWI and holds an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School as a Mason Fellow in Public Policy and Management. Who cares?

Advertisements need to be truthful otherwise consumers would be misled. I'm calling on Maxie to explain why he left out the parts about being married to Hermia Tyson-Cuffie, the Permanent Secretary who actively participated in or condoned the secret siphoning of millions and millions of "we dollars" to slush away to family and friends of the PNM. 

Like for instance,

• his media buddies Curtis Williams, who get over $100,000 to study medicine (anybody know where Dr Curtis Williams office is?) and Joel Primus, $15,000 and change, to study General Management (whatever that is)
• or Amanda Soulette $75,000 to study to be a veterinarian (her daddy is Anthony Soulette, former PNM alderman in POS City Council and Personal Assistant to PNM Energy Minister Dr Eric Williams)
• or Rain Newell-Lewis, almost $200,000 to study International Business Economics (one time PNM Senator whose father was a multi millionaire. Guess where they used to live? Spitting distance of Maxie Cuffie and his Permanent Secretary wife on Lady Chancellor Hill)
• or Laurel Lezama, $454,000 to study law at the University of Westminster Regents Campus in London England. (She never graduated. Money down the drain. No big thing for bigshots like Maxie to write off. No need for Maxie to mention Mrs Maxie is the one who approved this biggie for the beautiful girl who just happened to be married Louis Lee Sing's son. No big thing if she also was made a government senator by the PNM after she "finished studying" at our expense)
• or Paige de Leon, $173,640 to pursue a Master's degree (she cut her teeth within the PNM controlled I95fm family and went on to who is gainfully employed as a public relations officer at the Prime Minister's officeAnd that's only a sprinkle of the names.

I'm asking again, why doesn't Maxie focus on the PNM misdeeds with these scholarships? Maybe he thought we forget who he's married to? None of these people who get these secret scholarships pay back anything. 

Paige de Leon has a big position in the Prime Minister Office. I hope they made her sign a standing order to deduct the money from her salary? I don't have a clue where the others are.

It's Maxie Cuffie who is the one that started drawing comparisons with Calder Hart, so I want the Attorney General to go after these people, starting with Maxie Cuffie's wife and Joan Yuille-Williams. Because the sneaky way these taxpayer-funded scholarships were given out, these people no different from Calder Hart.

I hope Maxie doesn't jump up and complain about me employing my constitutional right to free speech to finger his wife? He exposed her to that because he brought people's wives into the picture.

How to sum up Maxie Cuffie? I would say he is the type of material you could only describe as having "manufacturer's defect". Goods with manufacturer's defect does have to be examined from top to bottom so you could tell yourself whether they worth buying. 

No matter how he advertises himself, Maxie Cuffie is of bottom value because according to Iwer, his bottom in the road, a PNM road if you please. If Maxie Cuffie was straight up, two things would have happened, he wouldn't have been afraid to hold the mirror up to himself and he would have been able to think straight and do what sane society has done.

What did sane society do? Well, we

• agreed that the whole parliament was responsible, because all of them voted for the amended Section 34
• agreed that what he really meant to say when he said "the buck stops with the Prime Minister" was that he is in full agreement with the way the Prime Minister handled the Section 34 bump in the road
• agreed that like with any bump in any road, you fix it, and if you can't fix it, you go over it slowly because you don't want to mashup your suspension, but, no matter what, you continue driving

As to the owners of the Guardian, I remember reading somewhere how, when Ken Gordon was still in the media business, Kenrick Rennie blanked a Ken Gordon request for UTC to sponsor a Morgan Job show. Rennie was a big boy in UTC at the time and he real roughed up Gordon and Dr Job too in a letter. 

Based on that, all I can tell the Guardian controllers is that we live a democracy where freedom of speech is a constitutional right. Therefore even people like Maxie Cuffie should be free to say what they wish. 

This does not mean, however, that what everything Maxie Cuffie says should be imposed on the nation by the media since the only people who would understand what he is saying would be those who share his biased point of view.

Ayodele Chieng | Irving Street, Petit Bourg.

Government to drop VAT on food, effective Nov. 15: PM Kamla

Supporters cheer the announcement that VAT from Nov. 15 there would be no VAT on food

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Saturday announced that her government would drop the 15 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on all food items, except "luxury" goods, with effect from November 15. The VAT would remain on alcoholic drinks, she said.

Speaking in her dual capacity as leader of the United National Congress (UNC) and as PM, she assured the country that the move is no political gimmick since it is something she had recommended while she sat in opposition in 2008.

She said it was one of two initiatives she had suggested to reduce the cost of food to the average citizen. The other, she said, was to consider reducing the import duty of food items to cut costs while still allowing locally produced items to remain competitive. She said these two items would be in Monday's "People's" budget.

Persad-Bissessar spoke at a pre-budget rally at Mid Centre Mall in Chaguanas attended by thousands of supporters of the People's Partnership.

With respect to the elimination of VAT, Persad-Bissessar said a committee would be established immediately comprising the Supermarkerts' Association, the Trinidad & Tobago Manufacturers' Association and other private and state stakeholders to review the list of items. The committee would report back before the Nov. 15 deadline for dropping the VAT.

In her preview of the budget the Prime Minister said it would contain measures to change the course of the country in the shortest possible time. She noted that her government had brought "fiscal control" to the country through the prudent management of former Finance Minister Winston Dookeran.

She noted that when the People's Partnership government took office the economy was under extreme stress with negative performance of minus 4.6 per cent. That has improved, significantly, she said to growth of 1.2 per cent.

She said the 2013 budget would focus on people and how to undertake initiatives intended to improve infrastructure, health, social services, housing, unemployment and to bring crime under control. She predicted a construction boom as a result of the projects to be undertaken once the budget is passed. That would further reduce unemployment and put more money in the hands of the average citizens.

From the inheritance of a "nearly depleted treasury", she said, the ship of state is now in "calm waters" as the country looks forward to economic expansion. She called on citizens to "embrace genuine prosperity" and take the opportunity to get better off than ever.

Speaking earlier, Finance Minister Larry Howai gave the assurance that the economic is stable and strong. He said the measures he would announce on Monday would help keep it that way.

Howai said the country's foreign reserves are at US$9.8 billion while the Heritage Stabilsation Fund has US$4.5 billion. Unemployment is down from 5.9 per cent to 4.9 per cent, he said. Howai added that citizens can expect to see improvements everywhere.

He said the emphasis would be on people with initiatives to deal with food production, crime, health services and education. He was emphatic that the GATE program for students would remain strong but added that there would be "no waste or abuse" in the system. The budget, he said, would be "about all of us for a better T&T."

Kamla says an election is in the air, but not the one Rowley wants

Kamla Persad-Bissessar invoked God's blessings as she addressed thousands of supporters at the Mid Centre Mall in Chaguanas Saturday where she outlined proposals for a People Friendly budget and gave an account of her People's Partnership government's stewardship.

And she made it clear that the sudden opposition upheaval is not about the controversial section 34. "If you believe that is simply what this is all about, then you would have failed to understand who the enemy is and the context within which all of this is framed."

She said it is no coincidence that certain members of the labour union who have vowed to form themselves into a political force have now joined the PNM, singling out David Abdullah, the leader of the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ). She said he has now been "unmasked", exposing his "naked quest for power" through any means necessary.

She also stated that there was no coincidence in former PM and PNM political leader Patrick Manning making a statement against Rowley and that "so many key PNM Members of Parliament did not join Mr. Rowley on his march."

Persad-Bissessar said the unprecedented spending on political advertising coming from the PNM is because "there is an election in the air". However she quickly made it clear that it was not the general election that Rowley is "asking us to call Manning style" well before it is due. "That will not happen," she said. "There is a significant election on our sister isle in Tobago, the battle for the THA. 

"It is the final jewel in the PNM crown to be held. The battle for the THA HAS BEGUN AND AS YOU KNOW London Bridge will come following down.

She said the PNM must explain why after decades of support the average Tobagonian still feels he doesn’t belong and is without basic needs are lacking. "Why is it Tobago has always treated like the step child, the orphaned child?" she asked.

"They cannot blame the People’s Partnership for Tobago’s underdevelopment since the PNM controls the THA through its PNM Chief Secretary Orville London who spends billions of dollars the results of which are not seen in ways that make much of a difference to what Tobago and Tobagonians need and deserve."

She said there is no march for democracy or protest against a Section of legislation for which the PNM voted. "This is about using Section 34...as a platform now upon which to build the Tobago election around in the hope that the noise created there might help drown out what every Tobagonian knows and feels everyday - that he is simply not better off today than when the PNM controlled THA."

Persad-Bissessar said the reality is that the PNM knows if they lose Tobago all is lost and Rowley’s leadership will become under threat.  She said Rowley's huffing and puffing won't blow away the house that the PP has built of stone, despite the help from "many willing special interest groups...that are no longer benefiting from the feeding trough that used to exist under Rowley’s PNM."

She said the people are not concerned about Rowley's demonstrations because they have seen concern and compassion from the government all across the country. 

"We are there with you. When floods come relief arrives. We are there with you when criminal activity hits and joint service units arrive and are stationed there. We are there with you when a child needs lifesaving surgery and the parents can’t afford it," she said.

She outlined a list of government projects completed and delivered to make the lives of citizens better. She said THA Chief Secretary Orville London has to go because he is blocking major development projects in Tobago. 

The Prime Minister spoke about the four per cent reduction in the number of persons living below the poverty line from about 18.7 per cent in 2009 to 14.7 per cent. 

She said it is critical that the people understand where the battle lines are drawn and who the enemy is. 

"They will use whatever is at their disposal, the media, the lobby groups, the so called political commentators, any and everyone who is willing to be bought and traded and negotiated and paraded in an unrelenting, vicious and vile campaign of destabilisation and lies and innuendos. They will use everyone," she said.

She challenged the armchair critics to walk into areas where water flows for the first time or where children no longer walk miles to a school or speak to a parent whose child received lifesaving surgery and see the evidence of the change voted for by the people on May 24th 2010.

She spoke about Rowley's platform of integrity and accountability that was absent while he was a willing member of a corrupt administration who only found his voice then when he was accused of corruption and fired from the cabinet.

"Where was Rowley’s voice when billions were being squandered and his party was negotiating with gang leaders and entertaining them in hotels? Where was Rowley’s voice when bombs were going off killing innocent civilians?

"Where was Rowley’s voice when his leader flew around in private jets, drove to radio stations and got radio journalists fired, where was Rowley’s voice when the nation endured an attack on the judiciary with his leader threatening the Chief Justice to resign or else, where was Rowley’s voice during the infamous scholarship scandal?

"Where was Rowley’s voice when local terrorist organisations mounted their platform and campaigned beside him for the PNM? Where was Rowley’s voice when his government declared a limited state of emergency to place the Speaker of the House under house arrest?

"Where was Rowley’s voice when his leader called a police station to release his driver who was held on criminal charges?" she said, noting that Rowley and the PNM have no moral authority to speak about accountability.  
She called Rowley a man who would destroy anything to advance his political ambition. "That is his pedigree. One who would seek to rabidly destroy even his own party or country to advance his own cause," Persad-Bissessar said.

She expressed admiration for those who marched against Section 34, which should never have been passed. "It shows me how healthy our democracy is and I feel good that people today expect better of us and expect that we will act when something is happens here," she said.

"That is what I have demonstrated upon each and every occasion. I never promised that things will not go wrong that people may not fail but I promised that it will never be condoned no matter what the political cost.

"I believe that the tough decisions taken by me have strengthened both our democracy and the political institution of the People’s Partnership.

"In the past no one would have expected anything to be done about everything that was wrong or improper or corrupt...Today’s demonstration or discussion on anything that goes wrong is your victory...it is the reason why the People’s Partnership governs today...

"We must never forget yesterday’s wolves of arrogance and corruption that are today dressed up in sheep’s clothing of deception and duplicity. We must unmask the impostors."

Duprey was major PNM financier; Kamla shows $5M cheque

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar told supporters Saturday that her United National Congress (UNC) never received any cheque for $2.4 million as claimed by the People's National Movement (PNM).

Speaking at a Pre-Budget rally at Mid Centre Mall in Chaguanas, she said she asked the party's officials to investigate and they found no such cheque because none exists. "Mr Rowley is lying as he cannot produce any cheque to Kamla Persad Bissessar or the UNC," she said.

However she waved a document which she said was a copy of a cheque for $5 million signed by Lawrence Duprey, the former executive chairman of CL Financial.

She said the cheque is dated June 10, 2007. She wondered if the rescue package that the Manning PNM government provide to bail out CL was "payback" for the generous donation of $5 million for the PNM. She pointed out that the CL bailout package was around $19 billion dollars.

In 2009, the Sunday Express published a copy of a $5 million cheque from CL Financial to the People's National Movement signed by Lawrence Duprey and other CL officials at a time when the group was in financial trouble.

The paper said its sources reported that the "conglomerate bankrolled the 2007 election campaign of the Patrick Manning-led PNM party to the tune of some $20 million."

The paper said according to its sources, much of the money paid for suppliers of goods and services such as printing fliers and tee shirts, renting tents and maxi-taxis, but the bulk of the cash was paid to advertising agencies for media activity.

The Express said some of it went directly to the party, including one made "directly to the People's National Movement from the group's insurance subsidiary, Clico, on June 28, 2007, for the generous sum of $5 million. It said the $5 million cheque was drawn from a Republic Bank-held account at Independence Square in Port of Spain, was endorsed less than a month before the November 5, 2007, vote by Rose Janierre, assistant party secretary and Linus Rogers, PNM elections officer."

The report added, "The $5 million Clico payout to the PNM's war chest was made at a time when the country's No1 insurance company had already been red-flagged with solvency issues, a statutory fund deficit of close to a billion dollars and what financial observers warned were dangerously excessive levels of inter-party transactions within the group.

"If the Manning government had any concerns about the holding company using the country's largest insurer as a lucrative little money machine, it not only kept its own counsel but it lined up at the feeding trough.

"In the middle of this interplay of politics and business stood Andre Monteil, the then group financial director of Duprey's $100 billion business behemoth, his No1 lieutenant, party treasurer of the incumbent PNM government and the PNM face of the corporate animal known as CL Financial," the Express reported.

The paper said Duprey's group spread a lot of wealth around the PNM in the last decade mainly through "Duprey's right hand man, Andre Monteil, who, until recently, was numbered among the party's most formidable power brokers."

"I aint moving nowhere. I aint going nowhere": AG Ramlogan

AG Ramlogan celebrates with the crowd. Express photo

"I aint moving nowhere. I aint going nowhere."

That's the assurance Anand Ramlogan gave to supporters on Saturday at a People's Partnership Pre-Budget rally in Chaguanas. 

The Attorney General was responding for Keith Rowley's continuing demand for his resignation. He said Rowley is afraid of him because the opposition leader is concerned about the number of lawsuits that have been filed and will soon be filed against him.

"Keith Rowley wanted me to resign before I became Attorney General. I want to tell you why Rowley is after Anand Ramlogan because of the number of corruption lawsuits coming from left, right and centre. east, west, north and south," Ramlogan said.

"Today I want to report to you that we have served a pre action letter on the former board of Petrotrin led by Malcolm Jones to recover $1.2 billion for the gas to liquid plant. UDeCOTT and Calder Hart, I have sued for $465 million."

Ramlogan said other lawsuits are coming against former CL Financial boss Lawrence Duprey, HCU former president Harry Harnarine and former T&TEC chairman Dev Anand Ramlal.

Ramlogan said Rolwey is known for his dishonesty, noting that from the opposition leader fabricated a story about him making an issue about the ethnic composition of the Trinidad & Tobago diplomatic mission in New York.

Rowley had stated in Parliament that Ramlogan went to the mission and complained about the staff of the mission and stated that the staff complained to him about it in the presence of two PNM MPs. It turned out that Ramlogan was never there and Rowley eventually apologised.

Jack calls Rowley a bully and a liar

Jack Warner called Keith Rowley a bully on Saturday as he addressed thousands of supporters at a Pre-Budget rally at Mid centre Mall in Chagaunas and declared the People’s Partnership is strong and healthy under the leadership of Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

And he launched an attack on the People's National Movement, which he said is responsible for ills facing Trinidad & Tobago today. "There is not a single soul here who has forgotten the wastage, the corruption and the mismanagement that flourished in the nine years from 2001 to 2010," he said.

"More than $400 billion dollars passed through the hands of the PNM "like a dose of salts" and what did they do for you with that money?...they did not fix your roads, bridges and box drains. They did not repair your schools. They did not build new schools to replace the dilapidated ones.

"Under the PNM police stations were falling down and closing down left, right and centre. When you called the police they had no vehicles to come to your rescue. Rising and rampant crime was the order of the day!

"Never ever forget the rampant corruption under the PNM. With Prophetess Pena jetting around the world and living at the UTT guesthouse at the expense of taxpayers! 

"Millions of dollars in corrupt contracts to PNM friends and family through UDeCOTT! Hundreds of millions of dollars in rent to the family of PNM ministers! $52 million for a boat that never sailed – the MV SU! Over one billion dollars wasted on the Tarouba stadium!"

He urged his audience to "never ever forget" about all those things and also about Landate. "Do not ever forget that materials for building the hospital in Tobago ended up at a private development."

He said the People's Partnership has been cleaning up and fixing problems that the PNM created, noting that "instead of fixing your problems and your infrastructure, the PNM was fixing themselves."

He added, "The PNM did not settle public servants’ wages. We did. They did not settle wages at the Port. We did. They did not settle wages for over 35 Public Service Organisations. We did.

"It is the People’s Partnership under Kamla Persad-Bissessar that has to find money to build roads, schools, police stations and fire stations; to put beds in the hospitals – to BUILD hospitals. And we are doing it!" he also spoke of the contribution of every member of cabinet to the Children's Life Fund. "Have you ever heard of any PNM MPs or Ministers taking money out of their salaries to put into a fund to treat sick children?" he asked.

Warner said the PP government has taken the resources of the State to villages and communities that the PNM treated like bastard children. He also said the government is dealing with crime and giving the police what they need.

"Work has already started at stations at Arima, Brasso, Moruga, Cumuto, La Brea, La Horquetta, Oropouche and Piarco and soon work will start at Roxborough and Scarborough. Over 190 vehicles were provided to the police and more are on order.

"We have so far trained over 400 police officers to join the fight against crime. Recruitment of an initial 5,000 Special Reserve Police Officers is underway to boost the manpower on the ground," he said.

And he spoke about the relative peace in Laventille. "Today, day 20, Laventille has not had a single murder...This Minister of National Security is on the ground – not hiding in an office," he said.

Warner said Rowley was dishonest about the Administration of Justice (Indictable Offences) Act and played a video from the House of Representatives showing Rowley and members of the opposition all confirming that they voted YES for the bill.

"The truth is that he and all his members who were present voted for that Bill. Rowley is not only a bully but also a damn LIAR to say otherwise!" he declared.

He said Rowley can never be the alternative to Kamla! And he said despite Rowley's rantings, neither he nor the Attorney General Anand Ramlogan will be departing the cabinet. He called Ramlogan to the lectern with him, embraced him and declared, "You touch one, you touch all."

Jack says PNM must account for neglecting Tobago

Ashworth Jack said on Saturday the days are numbered for Orville London, the Chief secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), as he supported a call for the THA election that is due early next year.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar made the call one week ago after the leader of the People's National Movement demanded fresh general elections. The Prime Minister responded by telling Rowley if he is so interested in an election he could have one by just telling London to make the call.

That caused Rowley to strike back at Persad-Bissessar stating that she has no right or jurisdiction to make such a demand. On Saturday the leader of the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) asked why.

Speaking at a People's Partnership Pre-Budget rally in Changuanas Jack asked why it was OK everyone to demand an election but the moment the PM did the same "they vex". He said an election is due in Tobago soon and whether they call it now or later the result would be the same - the end of the PNM rule in Tobago.

Jack said London has a lot to answer for including a multi million dollar land transaction in which the THA bought lands for $12 million and within days leased it back to the same people who sold it. The lease, he said, is for 199 years at a rate of ten dollars a year. He also wondered how a project in Bacelot climbed from $199 million to $250 million.

The THA minority leader said the PNM has a dismal record of achievement in Tobago despite spending billions of dollars in the 12 years since it has been in office. 

He also said the PNM has been blocking progress on constitutional reform. He said he is looking forward to a bill for self government going before Parliament to see whether PNM leader Keith Rowley would block it. Rowley has threatened to withhold support for bills that require special majorities, which includes any bill on constitutional amendment.

Now is the time to stand as one nation, Ramadhar tells PP rally

"Now is the the time to stand together as one nation." That's the advice Congress of the People (COP) Leader Prakash Ramadhar had on Saturday for the thousands who converged on Mid Centre Mall in Chaguanas for the People's Partnership's Pre-Budget rally.

He urged everyone to support the government and to stand firm as one country, one people with one future.

The COP leader warned that there are similarities today with the events of 1989 that preceded the failed Muslimeen coup in 1990. And he urged citizens to be wary of what is happening so history would not repeat itself.

He said the PNM is again marching on the streets as they did in 1989 with support from the unions. Communities are in an uproar, he said, and there appears to be a lack of trust. 

However he noted that the government has acted responsibly in dealing with the issue of contention - Section 34 of the Indictable Offences Act.

Ramadhar said COP stands by its position articulated earlier this month on the matter that anyone culpable must face the consequences. So far, he noted, the Prime Minister has acted properly and professionally and taken action where action was needed to remove a member of the cabinet.

He said when the government realised that a trust was betrayed it acted promptly top plug the loopholes and demand accountability. The Prime Minister did what no other leader had ever done - lift the veil of cabinet secrecy to deal with a matter that was of urgent national interest.

Ramadhar said COP would continue to stand by its principles and pay attention to what the people are saying on a variety of issues, including fulfilling a pledge to have fixed dates for elections, recall legislation and constitutional reform.

600 projects coming, expect 6,000 jobs to make "merriest ever" Christmas: Rambachan

Suruj Rambachan promised on Saturday to launch 600 local government projects across the country in a move he said would boost the economy.

Speaking at a People's Partnership Pre-Budget rally at the Mid Centre Mall car park the Local Government Minister predicted that that Christmas 2012 would be the “merriest ever.”

He said, "Local Government is going to kick-start the economy and 600 small contractors will be given 600 projects in 600 communities” provding work for up to 6,000 people.

Rambachan welcomed the crowd and noted that the presence of so many supporters was a demonstration that the People’s Partnership is "alive and well and ready to rumble to 2015 and beyond." He added, "If anyone had any doubt about the strength of the People’s Partnership, of the Government, we are stronger today than we ever were."

Letter: Jack responds - The media and me

Jack Warner on TV Wednesday night

I note the concern now being expressed in some quarters about a perceived attack on the media by me for which nothing can be further from the truth since I never attacked the media. 

What I did was to expose what I rightfully considered the duplicitous and disingenuous behavior of one who works in the media and, in this particular case, the Express newspaper.

We have justifiable reason to be concerned about the media bias in the country among the conventional media.

We support a free press. And that situation has not changed and will never change under the present government. 

However we must make the point that FREEDOM of the Press is a right that the media enjoy on behalf of the people of Trinidad & Tobago. It is not a right for owners of the media to impose their personal views on an unsuspecting population so as to create their own agenda.

Freedom of the press carries with it a responsibility to be fair, to be responsible and to objectively and, as far as possible, accurately, mirror the society. 

By the same token journalists must keep more than an arms length from politicians and primary definers of society and they have an obligation to declare their relationships for the sake of fairness as is the norm in all first world countries.

In a democracy the citizens depend on a free media to inform them on a variety of activities not just those that are of interest to those who control the media. 

It is only through such a free marketplace of ideas as articulated in the media that citizens can make decisions. In the present environment, that is not happening. A content analysis of the main media in Trinidad &Tobago would show a narrow focus and either the inability or reluctance of journalists to ask and seek answers to relevant questions of national interest.

For the time being...............'nuff said

Jack Warner | Chairman, United National Congress

Letter: I'm depending on you for closure, Dr Rowley

Timothy Hamel-Smith

If I had any clout, the entire statement issued by His Excellency, the President (Acting) of Trinidad and Tobago, Timothy Hamel-Smith, would have been plastered on the front page of every newspaper today, verbatim, reason being: this is no time to spin, but to let the public have full access to the insight of every public figure who demonstrates what Nature did instil in every living created: those who cannot put their errors behind them or learn from them, quickly becomeirrelevant, then, as time marches on, utterly extinct.

I therefore wish to commend His Excellency (Acting) for his forthright and honest statement on the Section 34 fiasco. He apologised for having allowed this "fundamentally flawed" legislation to be passed under his watch and said he felt a sense of "personal responsibility".

Mr Hamel Smith was the President of the Senate and the Chairman of the Select Committee that would have considered this law clause by clause. He is therefore correct to acknowledge his role and assume personal responsibility for what transpired under his watch.

In light of this admission, I must however ask whether Dr Rowley, or David Abdulah (who also voted for Section 34), would now be demanding Mr. Hamel-Smith's resignation from the Senate? For the Acting President has pointed a finger at the entire Parliament and this supports the Attorney General's contention that it was a collective parliamentary miscue as opposed to a grand conspiracy by the Government alone.

Let us therefore, in light of His Excellency's statement, accept that all our Parliamentarians must share the blame and put this sordid affair to one side and move on to the more critical issues such as the need to reduce crime, or improve health care services and our built infrastructure (especially motorways and drainage) and, most of all, public sector reform. Leslie Mouttet | St Lucien Road, Diego Martin, Trinidad

Commentary: Go ahead, Kamla. The people are with you

Kamla acknowledges supporters at the PP rally in Aranguez on May 22, 2010

Kamla Persad-Bissessar pledged in 2010 to stay in touch with the people and to report to them on government activities from time to time. In keeping with that style and tradition, she has scheduled what has been described as a "Pre-Budget Rally" at Mid-Centre Mall on Saturday. 

As would be expected, the People's National Movement (PNM) disapproves. Its social media contributors have been busy at work denouncing the move suggesting that it is nothing but a "rum drinking, flag waving" event. 

To make such a suggestion is to show a misunderstanding of political communication and participatory democracy. However is not surprising coming from the PNM. For them, reporting to citizens and treating the average person with respect is an alien concept. 

The PNM style is to ignore the people, have no accountability and rule in a dictatorial fashion. "The Prime Minister has spoken", are famous words from Hazel Manning when she and her husband, Prime Minister Patrick Manning, wanted everyone, including members of the PNM, to shut up and obey instead of asking questions. 

It's the "not a damn dog bark" syndrome that PNM founder Dr Eric Williams started and used throughout his career to stifle dissenting voices and insulate himself and his people from the citizens. Patrick Manning paid a heavy price for using it and for ignoring the people.

Kamla has chosen a different route. "The voice of the people is the voice of God" is one of her well-known mantras. Another is, "Serve the People!". 

She was always close to the people and when she became Prime Minister she retained that common touch. Her periodic reports to the people through mass meetings are not fetes or limes as her critics suggest; they are part of the democratic process of consultation and consensus. And there's nothing wrong with song and music.

Effective political communication uses popular culture to reach large audiences. For instance, during the election of 2010 Kamla's campaign team used national cultural icons to deliver strong and effective messages on behalf of the People's Partnership and against the PNM administration, led by Patrick Manning. 

Who doesn't remember, "Go nah, Patrick leave and go nah..." and the dramatic "We didn't vote for dat!". More recently they used Sugar Aloes to deliver the message.

Sugar Aloes serenades Kamla at the PP celebratory rally in Chaguanas in May 

All human communication is based on the choices people make - selective attention, selection perception and selective retention. 

Music attracts people, so  smart communicators use it to bring audiences to the place where the message is to be delivered. Having got the people's attention the politician can deliver the message, which people will perceive and retain according to their biases and personal circumstances.

Even Jesus Christ used the principle of mass gatherings to deliver His Sermon on the Mount, which remains a classic example of effective political communication. 

Mahatma Gandhi and leaders like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King, who followed Gandhi's style, also understood how to deliver the message using mass media and mass culture.

So when the PNM and critics of the PP write off a rally such as the one planned for Saturday they are showing that they don't understand communication and that they are also ignorant of political organisation. 

Keith Rowley and the PNM are entitled to have an opinion and express it in whichever forum they deem appropriate. However they must respect the right of others and not resort to threats and bullying to try to silence the majority.

Saturday's rally is an exercise in democracy and effective communication. Who vex, vex. But if you really want to know what your government is doing, has done and intends to do, follow the crowd to Mid Centre Mall on Saturday afternoon. 

Jai Parasram | 25 September, 2012 (original publish date)

PM Kamla's tribute to Permanent Secretaries

PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar at Thursday's reception for Permanent Secretaries 

Under your watch and over the last 50 years we have built a Public Service that is now the largest single employer in Trinidad and Tobago; one that even when our nation was reeling under the weight of adversity, continued functioning, and one which has allowed us today to assemble some of the best and brightest professionals in our country and certainly in our region.

For these accomplishments, I sincerely thank all former Permanent Secretaries to the Prime Minister and Heads of the Public Service. I have no doubt that the legacies left behind by many of you have been carried on and where the changing times demanded, modified and adapted.

As we now map the way forward so that we can continue building our still growing and developing democracy, I have no doubt that even as we strive for perfection, and each seeks to put his and her own stamp of professionalism on their work, that what we build will be an equally proud legacy for tomorrow’s Trinidad and Tobago.

To do so, we must acknowledge the following persons who we honour here tonight:

• Sir Alan Louis Reece 
• Mr. Kenneth Frederick Sealey
• Dr. James O’ Neil Lewis 
• Mr. Doddridge Alleyne
• Mr. Eugenio Moore 
• Mr. Reginald Dumas
• Mr. John Andrews 
• Mr. Ainsley Tim Pow
• Mrs. Annette des Iles 
• Mrs. Zaida Hosein-Rajnauth
• Miss. Sandra Marchack 
• Mr. Reynold Cooper 

While we have for the most part turned out some of the most achieving and towering professionals as Permanent Secretaries, particularly Ps’s to the Prime Minister and Heads of the Public Service there is always room for improvement.

In today’s world we need to maintain the conviction to adhere to traditional values and codes of conduct and accountability as we pass the baton to the future generation and serve as mentors to those who we have been charged with leading. We must have a vision for our stewardship.

Each Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister and Head of the Public Service, from my recollection, carried a particular set of characteristics; a completely unique personality make-up which when studied, bore lessons of the value of hard work and commitment to national service.

Now, as we continue to up hold the tenets of good governance and Public Service, consensus is that these characteristics will always remain as a continuously fulfilling promise to the nation.

Consensus must remain as a core component to maintaining a strong democratic society that is disciplined, tolerant and productive.

And I speak of consensus because in managing an evolving Public Service, it can become your most potent instrument of success.

I also mention consensus because I speak directly to all of you, who I am sure have a great deal still to contribute, and who it is my hope, will contribute when that time comes.

But while consensus has become a very important development tool, today’s formula for Public Service is somewhat different from the past where it was simply defined as ‘a service rendered in the public interest.’

Today, Public Service requires real time interface with the man in the street. It requires much more studied statements and positions as once said publicly, they will be discussed much faster than you have the opportunity to correct possible misunderstandings. It requires responding to the needs of an increasingly sophisticated populace that is much more aware of its choices and much more demanding of choice itself.

It is also very clear that Public Service has come to extend far beyond Government and Politics.

When one considers the artists; the Non-Governmental Organisations; the private sector organisations and their CSR programmes; the military; sporting and cultural icons; community activists and heroes of our last fifty years of self-determination we also see true public service.

Some shone as great inspirations to their communities; others became great icons on the international stage on behalf of each of us here in Trinidad and Tobago. All of them brought glory, true glory and those things too must represent Public Service.

The poet Robert Browning observed, “All service ranks the same with God” and President John F. Kennedy moved an entire generation with the phrase, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”

The future we consider ideal can only be born of thoughts framed by such philosophies.

Governments, Public Institutions, Private Institutions, NGOs, Labour, Professionals, and every man, woman and child must all share an unbounded zeal and desire for true greatness if the ideal tomorrow is to be born.

Today’s generation may see farther into the future, with greater clarity and greater conviction. But it must not be such that we get so absorbed by our ability to anticipate the future better; it must be that we understand that we are standing on the shoulders of giants who came before us and our work must be equal, if not greater, for the next generation.

Indeed, it is perhaps in considering our challenges that we must point to your examples as the embodiment of performance with humility; of adept delivery, and of true loyalty to the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

Let me personally extend my profound gratitude to the heroes gathered here this evening who have contributed to a rich legacy of responsibility and patriotism.

May God always bless you all, bless our citizens and bless our nation. I thank you.

Letter: Media must be fair

Newspaper columnist Ms. Sheila Rampersad needs to be commended for her column entitled “Touch the media but not Anand” in the Express of Friday September 28, 2012. This column acknowledges that all legitimate objection can be made to the prominence given to a story about what the AG owns.

Ms. Rampersad said “a legitimate objection can be made in my view, to the prominence given to a story about what the AG owns in the absence of evidence that he acquired same illegitimately. That the AG was formerly a successful Attorney and can likely afford these investments is a sound position”.

This acknowledgement underscored that political mischief has been the source of much irritation, causing many in a society to hesitate from offering themselves to serve in public office out of fear that they will be vilified for the wealth they have accumulated by legitimate enterprise and arduous personal sacrifice.

Many castigate politicians for their political mediocrity and inferiority and ponder why in a society with such an abundance of intellectual capital, so few offer themselves for service. The article about the AG’s private investment is a powerful reminder why they do not step forward.

Who would dare expose themselves to ridicule by having their private financial affairs plastered all over the front page of the newspaper in a way to hint that wrongdoing was afoot, but without a shred of evidence to link it to any corrupt dealings?

It is against this backdrop, I wish to pose the following questions:

1. If a journalist is involved in a romantic relationship with a Government Minister or Opposition Parliamentarian, should this be disclosed, so that readers can be aware of the potential for political bias?

2. If a journalist was the secret recipient of gifts and benefits from some Government Minister or Opposition MP in exchange for their political support in the media, should this be disclosed?

3. If a newspaper is guilty of hiring columnists who all appear to be anti-Government or predictably so, should it be angry on being accused of supporting the PNM?

We all acknowledge, the media is important to our democracy: it influences, shapes and moulds the political psyche of our society. It therefore has a social responsibility to reflect the views of all interest groups in the body politic, not just some or one.

The People’s Partnership has mass support that is not reflected in the writings of our columnists who are consistently one-sided in their commentaries. For example, Keith Subero, Ralph Maraj, Michael Harris and Raffique Shah will never have anything positive to say about the present Government.

In the circumstances, while I condemn any attack on the media by the Government, I think there is need for greater self-reg . ulation and self-examination to ensure the media is reflecting as opposed to bending public opinion.

Garry Hunter |La Seiva, Maraval, Trinidad

John Sandy gets diplomatic appointment

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissesar on Thursday handed over Instruments of Appointment to Brigadier John Sandy, Ambassador Designate and Permanent Representative to the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to the United Nations, Geneva, Switzerland. 

Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Roodal Moonilal was present to witness the handing over. Sandy is expected to take up his appointment in a few weeks. The post was previously held by Therese Baptiste Cornelis.

Photo story: Canadian HC visits PM Kamla

HE Karen Mc Donald with PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Acting Foreing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal

Canadian High Commissioner Karen L. Mc Donald, who is returning home at the end of her assignment to Port of Spain, met on Thursday with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar at the Office of the Prime Minister.

The two discussed matters of interest. The Prime Minister extended best wishes to Her Excellency on behalf of the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago, and wished her all the best in her future endeavours. The High Commissioner will return to Ottawa early next week.

Trinidad and Tobago has enjoyed 50 years of bilateral relations with Canada.

Letter: Rowley lacks credibility

Good day!

To me, the ongoing attempt in/by some quarters to paint Dr. The Honourable Keith Rowley as a paragon is not only minimal in value, but it is also terribly misplaced.

You see, it tends to suggest that the man has overflowing credibility, when the truth is, if you remember, the vulcanologist-turned-politician started shooting off his mouth about corruption in the PNM only after he was fired by his boss, The Honourable Patrick Manning.

Moral?

Had he walked instead of allowing himself to be eliminated, my assessment of his motives and reliability would not have been negative.

As it presently stands, I'm positive my present evaluation of him won't change any time in the future.

I, Heston Corbie, have spoken.

Heston Corbie | 69 Prizgar Lands, Laventille.
hestoncorbie@gmail.com

PM ingores Rowley; reiterates confidence in AG

As expected, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has ignored a deadline imposed by Opposition leader Keith Rowley to fire Attorney General Anand Ramlogan from her Cabinet.

On Sunday Rowley set the Wednesday deadline and told his supporters that if Persad-Bissessar didn't act on his demand they should be on standby for further action.

In fact, Persad-Bissessar and Ramlogan were at a Parliamentary arm meeting of the United National Congress (UNC) on Wednesday night at the Rienzi Complex and Ramlogan made it clear that he was not going anywhere.

He stated that Rowley doesn't want him to be AG because of the number of PNM people facing legal action, including Calder Hart, the former executive chairman of the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad & Tobago (UDeCOTT).

Ramlogan was also present with the PM earlier in the day at the swearing-in of the new Justice Minister, Christlyn Moore.

Persad-Bissessar addressed the nation last Thursday and explained the details of the Section 34 matter, stating that former Justice Minister Herbert Volney had misled the Cabinet when he confirmed that he had the support of both the the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Chief Justice on Section 34 matter. She fired Volney and apologised.

While the PNM has not stated what further action is planned, its allies in the labour movement are organising a 'rountable' meeting on Friday to discuss the next anti-government moves.

Unions, PNM, MSJ planning meeting to discuss anti-government strategy

The Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM) said on Wednesday it has sent a letter to Opposition Leader Keith Rowley and David Abdulah proposing a meeting for Friday afternoon.

JTUM said it met on Tuesday night and agreed as well to include other civil society organizations and other interest groups in its broad based national front.

The labour organisation has joined the opposition People's National Movement (PNM) in demanding that Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar fire Attorney General Anand Ramlogan. It also wants her to dismiss Minister of National Security, Jack Warner.

It had set a deadline of Wednesday for Persad-Bissessar to take action against the minister. "Since that time has expired it is now imminent that action must be taken," JTUM said in a media release.

JTUM wants all the groups to attend a "roundtable" meeting to discuss further action.

DPP still going after former PM Basdeo Panday

File: Former PM Basdeo Panday and his daughter, Mickela Panday

A High Court judge on Wednesday granted Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard leave for judicial review of of magistrate's decision to acquit former prime minister Basdeo Panday on a charge of failing to declare a London bank account to the Integrity Commission.

The state had three months to appeal. Gaspard exercised that option and won in a ruling delivered by Justice James Aboud.

On June 26, Magistrate Marcia Murray acquitted Panday, who was facing three charges under the Integrity in Public Life Act of 1987, for failing to declare the details of an account held in England at the National Westminster Bank.

In March 2006, Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls found Panday guilty and sentenced him to two years in prison. Panday appealed and won at the Privy Council, which ruled on the basis of political interference but at the same time ordered a retrial.

In her ruling on the case in June this year, the magistrate ruled that the Integrity Commission had failed to comply with the provisions of the Integrity in Public Life Act.

She said: “The misconduct of the Integrity Commission was so serious that it would undermine public confidence in the criminal justice system and bring it into disrepute. The court is therefore compelled to stop these proceedings to protect the integrity of the criminal justice system.”

Panday’s daughter, attorney Mickela Panday told the Guardian newspaper she didn't know the matter was listed for hearing. She said her father’s legal team would await the DPP’s review before responding.

A hearing is scheduled for October 19.

Letter: AG Ramlogan slams Guardian for "irresponsible and reckless" statements in editorial

Dear Editor (of the GUARDIAN):

I write to correct several fundamental errors in your editorial entitled "Ignorance of law no excuse, Mr AG".

I was asked to explain why I (and the cabinet) relied on the assurances and statements made by the former Minister of Justice that the Hon Chief Justice and DPP supported the piecemeal proclamation of section 34 in the context of my responsibilities to the cabinet. 

I highlighted the fact that this was a matter which fell squarely within the ministerial portfolio of the Ministry of Justice. The note in question was tabled by the Minister of Justice. Criminal legislation and reformation of the criminal justice system was removed from the Ministry of the Attorney General and placed under the newly created Ministry of Justice. This assignment of responsibilities is governed by law and gazetted. We therefore relied on and trusted the statements made by our colleague because he bore individual responsibility to the cabinet for his note.

The editorial poses the question "Is this the same hotshot attorney, Anand Ramlogan, who for years had deep insight into the alleged criminal activities committed by the likes of Calder Hart and is now threatening to criminally prosecute those he identifies as being PNM financiers?" 

This statement underscores the writer's "ignorance of the law" and supports my contention that one cannot be an expert in all things at all times.

I have never threatened to "criminally prosecute" anyone since my appointment as AG and challenge you to produce evidence of this. It is a blatant lie and a malicious falsehood. This is the function of the Director of Public Prosecutions who is independent of the government. It is the DPP who has sole and exclusive jurisdiction for criminal prosecutions under the constitution. This is a well-known fact.

It is defamatory and politically mischievous for your newspaper to suggest that I unlawfully usurped the role and power of the DPP by threatening to criminally prosecute persons regardless of their political persuasion. I have never done so and daresay the DPP would have himself protested publicly if any such attempt was made. 

It is a matter of grave concern that a reputable newspaper (to which I contributed as a columnist for many years) would make such an irresponsible and reckless statement which implies that I have breached the separation of powers and transgressed on the constitutional turf of the DPP.

For the record, the cases that I have mentioned against top PNM officials who served on several boards including UTT, Petrotrin, Udecott, Etek and TnTEc for breach of fiduciary duty are all civil in nature. I have repeatedly said this on a number of occasions as people keep criticizing the government for 'not locking up and charging anybody for PNM corruption". The short answer is no government can - this is the function of the independent police service and the DPP.

The editorial completely missed the point about the practical significance and effect of the creation of the Ministry of Justice. 

This is illustrated by the following : "Mr Ramlogan may also consider it a clever attempt to sidle out of his predicament by noting that none of his immediate predecessors were experienced practitioners at the criminal bar. However, unlike Ramlogan, the country has never heard complaints from any one of them about their incapacity to carry out aspects of their portfolio because of lack of experience in criminal proceedings. Maybe this is really an indication that Ramlogan is unsuited to the job."

None of my predecessors would have encountered the problem of a lack of criminal expertise in the Ministry because the functions presently assigned to the Ministry of Justice were part of the Ministry of the Attorney General. This means that there was no other Minister in the cabinet to whom the responsibility for criminal legislation and reformation of the criminal justuce system was assigned. This changed under the Peoples Partnership administration when a separate Ministry of Justice was created for the very first time. This simple and basic point appears to have eluded the writer.

Far from "ducking responsibility", the government has acknowledged the grievous mistake and the Prime Minister has taken action by moving swiftly to repeal section 34 and dismiss the relevant Minister. In the circumstances, it is difficult to avoid the speculation and perception of incompetence and/or political bias on the part of the writer. I trust that my letter will be published in full with equal prominence in the interest of fairness and accuracy.

Anand Ramlogan | Attorney General

Letter: Let DPP explain who no charges laid against Ish and Steve

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Attorney General, Mr Ramlogan, make a conscious decision not to challenge Justice Boodoosingh's ruling that struck down the order to send Messrs Galbaransingh and others off to the USA for trial? 

Why then, aren't we focusing on the sequence of events that led to the Attorney General adopting that course? 

In my view, only if the motive for the AG's conduct is taken into account may call for his early dismissal; those who make such calls ignorantly, must never therefore be given a second hearing. In fact, like capricious schoolchildren, they must be dismissed without being heard at all.

The newspapers have all reported that the AG issued his extradition order against which Galbaransingh and others appealed immediately by going to the court for judicial review. Court matters normally take forever to be heard, this one was heard and decided with utmost despatch. 

Judge Boodoosingh banged his gavel in favour of Mr Galbaransingh and others; the AG lost his case...but did not lose his mind, for, not long afterwards, he made a public statement to the effect that he was not going to appeal and gave his reason: he was of the view that our courts were sufficiently mature and trustworthy to deal with the individuals. 

It is a view I fully share, especially as by then Trinidad and Tobago was already forty-eights years old, so expected to handle its own affairs without reliance on outside help.

In our constitution, the responsibility and authority to deal with different aspects of governance are quite rightly distributed among several institutions and public officials. 

I said "quite rightly" because, in this day and age, no one institution or public post is or can be a law unto itself. Incumbent upon such constitutional arrangements as well is that each institution and public official must take careful note of what the other is doing and give due deference to each other. 

In my view, the AG did precisely those things when he allowed the law to run its course and stepped back to allow our judiciary to show it could deal effectively with citizens who broke laws in Trinidad and Tobago, as Mr Galbaransingh and others allegedly did: we cannot ignore the AG did declare he wasn't appealing because that would much further postpone the day when the alleged miscreants would actually be brought to trial.

Apart from the judiciary itself, regarding criminal matters, our constitution places the burden on both the police and the Director of Public Prosecutions to bring alleged miscreants before a magistrate to answer concerning that which they are charged. 

Of those two institutions, the DPP has more weight, because he can give a fiat to someone to prosecute, even to investigate further, if necessary, to strengthen the case against any person charged. 

As I understand it, the AG has no footing in criminal matters: only the police, the DPP and the courts have...granted, the President also, since the President can grant pardons.

In light of the above, the burning question remains: What prevented the police, the DPP and the courts from beginning the trials against Mr Galbaransingh and others once the AG announced our local courts are where they needed to be tried before being tried anywhere else?

In the midst of the storm in a teacup being whimsically motivated by certain quarters, the only answer I can decipher blowing in the wind is none; as a result of which, in my humble opinion, the Police Service, the DPP, the Chief Magistrate and the Chief Justice need to explain individually and collectively to the nation's satisfaction and quickly why they failed to act. 

If they can't, they must tender their resignations without delay and let proactive personalities take their place. If they won't, they must be fired to make room for the same proactive mindset to fill the consequent void.

Preston Maximus King | Brunton Road, St James (Schoolteacher)

Letter: Rowley 'out of control'

Opposition Leader, Dr Keith Rowley’s continues to reminds us what former Prime Minister Patrick Manning thought of him, culminating in his firing from the then People’s National Movement (PNM) government. 

Ever since his ascension to the PNM leadership, Rowley’s frequent “rant and rave” attitude seems to justify that “out of control” behaviour which Mr Manning lambasted him for prior to kicking him out.

Without even considering the consequences of his actions, Rowley’s new approach is to attack every idea, plan or solution of the present Peoples’ Partnership Government (PP) with full force, assassinating peoples’ character along the way. 

But one may obviously ask, is not this the same Rowley along with his PNM Parliamentary members who among themselves unanimously voted for Section 34 in Parliament? It seems now that their mission now is to craftily engage in obstructionist antics and delaying tactics to frustrate and sabotage the goodwill efforts of the PP government.

His recent threat not to cooperate with the ruling PP Government on any Bills in Parliament must be seen not only as an insult to all of us as citizens but more so as a definite attack on our democracy. 

How long must this opposition leader and his MPs hold Trinidad and Tobago to ransom? Do not these PNM members really have compassion, love and care for the lovely people of this country?

Credibly now everyone knows why former Prime Minister, Patrick Manning said Rowley was “out of control” and likened his behaviour to that of a “whajang and raging bull”. 

Rowley seems to be bent on continuing this “jammette” behaviour by putting his foot-in-mouth too often now. Perhaps the same people he professes to represent must now judge from his perspective about “the peoples’ rights” and see whether he has their interests at heart or that of the dwindling PNM minority.

Objectively and honestly everybody must not be hoodwinked by Rowley anymore but rather open their eyes and see that he is doing an excellent job in dividing our beautiful people all for dubious, selfish PNM mileage.

Colin Ghouralal | Chaguanas

PM Kamla verbatim on new Justice Minister

PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar

I am very happy to be present here today to witness the swearing in of Ms. Chrislyn Moore as our new Minister of Justice. 

As you are no doubt aware, our Ministry of Justice is a relatively new Ministry and my administration saw it fit to create that Ministry on our assumption of office in recognition of the need to have a dedicated Ministry dealing with matters which lay at the heart of the administration of justice.

Ms. Moore brings to this Ministry a wealth of experience as she has practised at both the criminal and civil bars for a number of years and is acutely aware of the shortcomings that plague the administration of justice and the challenges that it faces and which we have to overcome if we are to achieve the noble ideal of justice for all.

Ms. Moore shares our hopes, aspirations and most importantly, our vision for the future and has come forward to offer her services to her country no doubt with some measure of personal sacrifice. 

Her reputation for competence and hard work in her professional undertakings are legend. This combined with her amiable personality suggests to me, it would be a recipe for success. 

I am confident that Ms. Moore would discharge her portfolio with integrity, efficiency and decorum and I wholeheartedly welcome her as another sister into the fold of the cabinet as we join hands together to move our country forward and fulfil the mandate of this administration.

New Justice Minister takes the oath of office

Acting President Timothy Hamel Smith congratulates the new minister, Chrislyn Moore

Following the swearing-in ceremony, Moore told reporters she intends to reform the criminal justice process and continue the work of her predecessor, Herbert Volney. 
“My priorities are to really get into the ministry and assess the situation on the ground and after that commit to moving the ministry forward, reforming the criminal Justice process and continuing where my predecessor left off,” Moore said.

Man in "planass" video is Gopeesingh's son

Shane Gopeesingh

“Yes, he is my son.”

That's what Education Minister Tim Gopeesingh told reporters Wednesday when they asked him about the man in a video who planassed a man outside the Brooklyn Bar.

The incident, which was recorded by a security camera, has been widely seen on the Internet. However while there was speculation about the identity of the alleged attacker, media had only reported that the person was the son of a cabinet minister.

Gopeesingh ended the speculation on Wednesday and admitted that the person is his son, Shane Gopeesingh. However, he said he would be inappropriate to comment further since the matter is under investigation.

Feature: T&T Independence celebrations in South Africa

High Commissioner Harry Partap with some of the performers

Steelband music, tassa drumming, Indian dances and costumed carnival revellers ushered in the diplomatic reception hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in South Africa to mark the 50th anniversary of the Independence of Trinidad and Tobago on Friday.

The reception brought to a close a week of celebrations which included an inter-faith Service at the Trinity Presbyterian Church, Lynnwood; a four-day FilmFestival; a football tournament among schools in association with the Group of Latin American and Caribbean diplomats; and a performance by Ken "Professor" Philmore at the prestigious Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Concert.

At the reception,attended by diplomats and nationals of Trinidad and Tobago resident in South Africa, High Commissioner Harry Partap spoke of the achievements of Trinidad and Tobago since independence 5O years ago. He noted that Trinidad and Tobago is a stable, democratic country which held twelve General Elections in its 5O-year history and peacefully changed governments four times.

Pointing to Trinidad and Tobago's 100 years of experience in oil and natural gas production,he noted that the country is a world leader in the production ofmethanol, area and ammonia. He said the unemployment rate is at 5.6 percent with inflation hovering around 10 percent.

Partap said:"We are not only famous for our ever-replenishing lake of asphalt,but for producing the world's best thrower of the javelin in Keshorn Walcott."Partap told the crowd that Walcott would have been honoured by the Government with the nation's highest national award,the Order of Trinidad andTobago (OTT).

Partap read the Golden Jubilee address from Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in which she said that nationals abroad "working in your newcommunities, as members of cultural organisations or through our Embassies and High Commissions,have an opportunity to share in and realise the collectivevision for our country". 

Persad-Bissessar urged overseas nationals to "share and keep alive the traditions and cultures of Trinidad and Tobago". She urgedthem to "promote the attributes of our country as a business and recreational destination".

Trinidad and Tobago composer and vocalist, Sheldon Blackman gave a performance, along with the Bela Bela African drummers and dancers. The Soweto Marimba Youth League steelband entertained the crowd as well as the Pretoria University choir; the Nritya Rupam Academy of Indian Dance and the Ashish Joshi tassa drummers.