PNM challenges Pantin's statement that Manning showed 'lack of humanity' during 1990 uprising

The People's National Movement (PNM) issued a media release Thursday in which it slammed former journalist and television executive Bernard Pantin for suggesting that former PNM leader Patrick Manning showed a lack of humanity during the Muslimeen uprising in 1990.

Pantin made the comment last week during his testimony at the inquiry into the failed coup.

The former Program Manager at the state television station TTT said both Manning and former leader of the United National Congress (UNC) did not appear to be concerned about what was happening.

Pantin said, “Where were they when he (Former PM ANR Robinson) was shot and lying on the ground in the Parliament? Messrs Manning and Panday could not bring themselves to condemn the attempted coup, show some humanity, sensitivity to him (Robinson) and the country,” Pantin said.

The PNM said Pantin was not being truthful and stated that both the PNM and the UNC expressed grave concern about what was happening.

It said three days after the attempted coup the Trinidad Guardian carried an article with the headline “Manning: I am deeply pained at the situation.”

It said the article quoted then Opposition Leader, Mr. Patrick Manning, condemning the events of July 27th 1990. "This is contrary to what Bernard Pantin told the Commission of Enquiry into the attempted coup in 1990 on Friday May 11th, 2012," the PNM said.

The party quoted Manning's statement from the paper: “As Leader of the Opposition, I would like to say how deeply pained I am at the situation existing at present in our country.

“Whilst I constantly pray for peace, I would also like to exhort those who are at present negotiating the future to act speedily and correctly in the best interest of our country, our people, and our democracy.

“I especially wish that there be no more violence and that no further person suffer hurt or injury. My heart is with my parliamentary colleagues, the Prime Minister, members of the Cabinet, and others held hostage in the Red House. I pray for their safety...

“I am also very concerned for the workers at TTT (Trinidad & Tobago Television Station) and Radio Trinidad who have been caught in this turmoil. I want to assure their families that my sympathies are also with them.”

The party said Manning also expressed deep concern for the protective services, workers at 610 Radio and medical personnel.

"In the circumstances, the unkind and patently unfounded comments of Pantin are baffling, not only to the PNM but to the general citizenry, when he told the Commissioners that Mr. Manning showed a lack of humanity during the events of 1990," the party said.

"What makes Pantin's statements before the Commissioners more startling is the fact that the PNM issued another statement on August 1st 1990 in the Express newspaper under the heading “PNM says no to Interim Government.”

"Following an emergency meeting of the Party’s Executive, Mr. Manning released the statement which said in part:

• The PNM strongly condemns the attempts to remove the legally constituted government of the country by force and illegally constituted means 
• The PNM stands firmly behind our democratically elected government in any attempts it may make to restore in our land our cherished peace and democracy which have been so horrendously usurped 
• Under no condition does the PNM see itself as part of any or provisional government that has come about as a result of the most blatant and cruel disrespect for the rule of law in this civilized society. In order words, the PNM stands firmly and resolutely as it has always done, behind the democratic process and the rule of law.” 

The PNM said Manning’s statement of August 1st 1990 was very clear when he declared: “We wish to advise those who are at present negotiating a solution to the present impasse that under no condition will we be part of any further attempts to impose the will of the few on the freedom, dignity and safety of the many.”

The PNM release further indicated that the PNM officials were in contact with the then Chairman of the UNC, Dr. Rampersad Parasam and other leaders of the party on the issue.

"The PNM got the support from the then UNC Chairman who reiterated his party’s position and commitment to democracy and the rule of law and condemned violence in any form whatever.

"It is strange that Pantin was able to comment on the PNM but he did not tell the Commissioners what was Winston Dookeran’s role in the whole affair. He must explain why Dookeran was appointed interim Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago by the Muslimeen.

"The Commissioners can be well advised to be wary of citizens using the Enquiry as a platform for revenge and also those who will grab the opportunity to rewrite the history of Trinidad and Tobago," the PNM said.