However many prominent citizens and commentators have suggested that Persad-Bissessar should clear the air on the matter since her silence is hurting the credibility of her People's Partnership government.
The Trinidad Guardian did a survery. Here are some comments from the Guardian:
Polityical analyst Dr Selwyn Ryan: “I’m very unhappy. I was one of those who wanted the thing (PP) to work but I’m very disappointed...The Government has lost much of its credibility and the Prime Minister needs to address the legitimacy problem she faces as PM since this situation has caused a serious loss of face for her administration.”
The Guardian also quoted Ryan as saying that the position of National Security Minister John Sandy has been compromised and he should resign. “He’s been put in an awkward position and is now seen as someone who was given a message to deliver. I’m not impugning his competence or integrity, it is just that the impression is that he has been used.”
Former PM Basdeo Panday: "With the multitude of information on the issue in the public domain, it is absolutely necessary for the Prime Minister to speak to the country. The Prime Minister is the UNC’s leader, head of the Cabinet and head of the National Security Council. The buck stops with her.
“There’s only one way to end the embarrassment that has arisen...She must categorically say what the criteria was in her approval of the appointment. Is a commission of enquiry necessary to find out the truth on this? It’s not for Gary Griffith or anyone else to make statements.
“The longer she waits to make a statement, the more people will think she’s involved in it in some clandestine way. In the interest of the country, in the Government’s interest and in her own interest, the Prime Minister must speak.”
Law Association president Martin Daly: “I agree, the Prime Minister must come out and address the nation on how this situation arose.
“I do not accept that it is the fault of someone outside the Government. For a top position like that there should have been separate and independent vetting. We will like to know what actually has taken place.
“The PP’s promise of transparency will turn out to be bogus unless they say who made the recommendation for the post.”
COP vice chairman Vernon de Lima: “There is now a more urgent need than ever to get to the bottom of this thing and the Prime Minister must be prepared to clear it up since she heads the relevant bodies involved.
“It cannot be the OPM’s security adviser or a minister, having regard to the point this thing has reached. It cannot be laid to rest until we get to the bottom of it and we cannot move on until we discover exactly what took place.”
Attorney Israel Khan : “Persons must be fired and the Prime Minister must come clean and speak about the matter.
“The issue won’t go away just like that since it hinges on a very sensitive area like crime and the PM is head of the National Security Council.
“She must address this faux pas by her administration. I believe they can ride out the storm because people are concerned with bread and butter issues."
Analyst Dereck Ramsamooj: “The seriousness of our national security makes it imperative that the Prime Minister addreses the nation on this sensitive issue. Public confidence must be of paramount importance to her since her campaign focused primarily on crime.
“Within that framework it is incumbent on her that her statement engenders public confidence."
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