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| File: Re-route members |
On Wednesday, the leader of the opposition visited Kublalsingh and promised him that as soon as he is "up and about" he and the PNM caucus would meet with the Highway Re-Route Movement and "start from scratch" to get their voices heard.
Kubalsingh told Rowley if the government sets up a committee that includes members of his group and people outside the government "to ensure a balanced review" he would accept whatever such a committee recommends.
Rowley told Kublalsingh that he is concerned about how the situation might develop. "I am not very happy when I hear that you are prepared to take extreme action in order to get the Government to meet and treat with the situation," Rowley said.
In his letter to the PM Rowley stated, " It enriches us all when we see and appreciate, as we always know, that it is far easier for the king to reach down and touch the commoner than for the servant to reach up to the master."
He added, "A simple request on your part, to have the issue brought back to your office, just one more time, may suffice to save a life and disembark us all from the pathway of destruction upon which we may have wittingly or unwillingly entered.
"This is not a time for anger, blame or bombast. This is a time for reaching out and protecting us all from the pain of failure."
Rowley's letter is reproduced below:
22nd November, 2012
Mrs. Kamla Persad Bissessar S.C.
The Honourable Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
3-15 St. Clair Avenue
PORT-OF-SPAINDear Honourable Prime Minister,
As you will be aware the whole issue of objections to certain aspects of the routing and construction of the San Fernando to Point Fortin Highway has been with us for some time now. This matter of the State versus those directly affected has escalated to a point where a life might be at risk.
It is now a matter transcending the objectors of Delhi-Mon Desir to one of the national conscience relating to how we deal with one another and how the might and patience of the State is exercised in service to the people, all the people, even those who may be perceived to be stubborn, unreasonable or taxing.
Yesterday, Wednesday 21st November 2012 I was contacted by Dr. Kublalsingh and requested to speak with him. I subsequently visited him and I am very concerned that if something positive is not done very soon the ultimate tragedy of irreparable harm would most certainly occur.
Notwithstanding the antecedents of this situation, it is my view that it is possible for this matter to be defused without the pain, shame and stain which it harbours and promises to promote.
I asked Dr. Kublalsingh what is the minimum condition attached to his request and he informed that the announcement of a multi-component technical group with some element of independent professional/technical, input, detailed to review the alternatives will suffice to break his fast.
Honourable Prime Minister in the fullest appreciation of your onerous responsibility and expressed empathy, it is my sincerest suggestion that this is a situation where the age-old principle of “nobles oblige” could be applied for the wider good of not just those directly involved but for the peace, respect and reputation of the nation as a whole.
It enriches us all when we see and appreciate, as we always know, that it is far easier for the king to reach down and touch the commoner than for the servant to reach up to the master. A simple request on your part, to have the issue brought back to your office, just one more time, may suffice to save a life and disembark us all from the pathway of destruction upon we may have wittingly or unwillingly entered.
This is not a time for anger, blame or bombast. This is a time for reaching out and protecting us all from the pain of failure. Ultimately this is a matter of the State versus the people where numbers and dollars may not be all that matter. It may finally boil down to who we are, how much we understand each other and how well we would have served all the people.
There is no shame in seeking a solution mixing authority with humility and this final effort as requested ought never to be viewed as a diminishing of your esteemed office. It is in this vein that I strongly recommend that you intervene, one more time, and may God bless us all.
Yours in service,
Dr. Keith Rowley
This is not a time for anger, blame or bombast. This is a time for reaching out and protecting us all from the pain of failure. Ultimately this is a matter of the State versus the people where numbers and dollars may not be all that matter. It may finally boil down to who we are, how much we understand each other and how well we would have served all the people.
There is no shame in seeking a solution mixing authority with humility and this final effort as requested ought never to be viewed as a diminishing of your esteemed office. It is in this vein that I strongly recommend that you intervene, one more time, and may God bless us all.
Yours in service,
Dr. Keith Rowley
Leader of the Opposition and Member of Parliament for Diego Martin West
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