Abu Bakr to testify at coup enquiry

The Chairman of the Commission of Enquiry into the 1990 coup attempt promised on Monday that the leader of the Jamaat-al- Muslimeen, Yasin Abu Bakr, would be called to give evidence.

Sir David Simmons gave the assurance to broadcaster Emmet Hennessy, who was one of the hostages at Radio Trinidad. 

"All those who played a prominent role in the events would be called before the enquiry" Sir David said, adding that the commission would take the evidence in different two-week sessions.

"We have a long list of witnesses. It would take months to receive the evidence of those witnesses. We intend to call or receive evidence voluntarily or if necessary, by summons, all those who played a prominent role in the events. I am not going to call any names.

"And on Friday before we rise for the close of the first session, I would be making another statement and issuing it in a prepared form to the press. But please rest assured this is only the beginning of what may be a long road. But we intend to conduct this enquiry thoroughly, I repeat, thoroughly," he said.

Hennessy had expressed concern that the commission would not hear all the sides of the story behind the attempted coup. 

"I am a little bit more cynical and waiting to see. We are hearing from people all now who are at the other side of the coin, the sufferers....the population needs to get a clear understanding of how horrific it was, and that there was definitely murderous intent," he said.

Hennessy said he would be deeply satisfied if certain players are invited "to answer questions, who could really shed light on this topic...the movers and the players on both sides...the Muslimeen side; and if they did exist, players on the other side: government, customs et cetera, who may have aided and abetted."

Hennessy was assistant programme director at Trinidad Broadcasting Corporation. The Muslimeen chased him and shot him during the attempted coup. He said the incident has left deep emotional scars.