Morean calls for silence

ATTORNEY General Glenda Morean created what might have been her last uproar in the Senate yesterday, when she brought the Opposition UNC members to their feet, as they objected to her comment that their absence during the Budget presentation in the House of Representatives was because they were “encouraging some to break the law.” Morean was at the time contributing to the Budget debate in the Senate. Her words brought shouts from Opposition Senators Wade Mark and Robin Montano who insisted on a point of order, that she was casting aspersions and improper motives.

Morean initially objected to “give way” but was reminded by Mark that it was “a point of order and you have too.”  She was advised by president of the Senate Dr Linda Baboolal to rephrase her point and stay away from the issue because it was “subjudice.” However, Morean repeated the allegation and the ensuring chaos caused Baboolal to pound her gavel and remind members that “this is not a market.” Morean later evoked peals of laughter from the Opposition, as she reminded Mark that he had promised to urge his colleagues to give her complete “silence” during her contribution, because he anticipated it was her last. She said it was typical UNC behaviour to go back on their word, and insisted “let me talk in peace; sit down, if you don’t like it listen and take it!” It is speculated that Morean will be replaced as AG and sent to London as a diplomat. The AG was then allowed to proceed with outlining her ministry’s legislative agenda, while expressing her pride in “being part of a Government that has been able to manage the country’s fortunes.”

The AG said since taking up office in January 2002, she has had to review several pieces of legislation passed by the UNC which she said were “downright defective and unworkable.” She accused the UNC of operating on a “vaps basis” and said they were all obsessed with statistics, so much so, that the former AG in 2000 (Ramesh Maharaj) was known as “Billy Maharaj.” Morean said during the 2002/2003 session of Parliament, Government had passed 26 Bills, but she explained that it was because it took days to pass Bills which would normally take hours. She said between 1996 and 2000 several Bills were passed which now required major amendments. Included among the Bills she said were the Telecommunications Act, 2001; Bailiffs Act, 2000; the package of Children’s Bills 2000 and the Evidence Act, 1996. On crime, she stressed that criminals had respect for no one, and reiterated her Government’s intention to pass tougher laws to deal with kidnapping, but because of the Opposition’s lack of support it was not possible. She said the Opposition had initially wanted a debate on Caroni then changed its tune, talking constitutional reform. Morean said her Government was not dodging or deferring the issue, but had received several documents and suggestions on it. She said Government had met on the issue and would “be in a position to disclose the way forward.” She reminded members that the solution to crime “lies in everyone.”