Constitutional Reform talks continuing with UNC

PNM Chairman Franklyn Khan yesterday expressed confidence constitutional reform talks with the UNC were progressing and assured that the party and government was not about “playing games” with the issue. However, he said there remained divergent views on how to deal with legislation. Speaking at the party’s post General Council press conference at Balisier House, Khan told reporters political leader and Prime Minister Patrick Manning had updated members on the talks. Khan said the update was to get a renewed mandate from the party to continue the discussions. Manning, Khan and Attorney General John Jeremie comprise the government’s delegation, while Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday, St Augustine MP Winston Dookeran and Caroni East MP Ganga Singh represent the UNC delegation.

Khan assured that the talks would continue as the parties deal with formulating “a process” toward constitutional reform. He said the challenge was dealing with legislative matters. “There is some synergy and basic agreement on the type of process we need to carry forward, but there is a major divergence of view on how to deal with the current legislation before Parliament (the Police Reform Bills).” Khan expressed hope that the legislative matters could be dealt with on a “parallel track, so we don’t have to wait ’till the end of the process before legislation can be approved by the Parliament.”

Khan noted that “the clock doesn’t stop ticking while talks go on” and the Bills needed to passed as quickly as possible in the national interest. He said government was trying to convince the UNC of that as well as let them know any perception that “we (the PNM) might be taking them for a ride was unfounded.” “To both the national community and UNC, I say the PNM is committed and puts its credibility on the line. We are serious about constitutional reform and the proposals we have made to the UNC. We plan to carry through with that to finality.”