Let’s talk about crime

DESPITE the arrest of UNC political leader Basdeo Panday on corruption charges on Tuesday and charges from the party that his arrest was politically motivated, the UNC yesterday said it was still eager to talk with the Government about how the crime situation in Trinidad and Tobago can be brought under control. Speaking with reporters following a meeting between the Opposition and members of the business community at the TT Chamber of Commerce’s Westmoorings headquarters on Thursday, St Joseph MP Gerald Yetming was asked if the Opposition would still want to meet with the Government given all that had transpired over the last two days — Panday’s arrest and UNC charges levelled against Government about their leader’s arrest being politically motivated.

“Oh absolutely. We met with the Government at the Government’s request a few days before the last debate on the Police Reform Bills (for three days in Parliament in June 2004, at the end of which the Opposition refused to support the Bills, which were defeated). That time we indicated to the Government, we were prepared to meet with them to discuss crime and the possible solutions both within the Police Reform Bills and outside. We have never gotten a call from the Government to deal with it,” replied Yetming. National Security Minister Martin Joseph recently indicated that local law enforcement agencies are currently using problem-oriented police tactics in order to direct resources to where they are most needed. Joseph has also disclosed that agents from the US Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) are now in the country and are assisting officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad to deal with kidnappings. Prior to his arrest on Tuesday, Panday told Newsday he did not know whether FBI agents were in TT or how effective they could be operating in the local legal system but he “wished them well.”

On the police bills, Yetming hinted there was hope that the Opposition would support pieces of the legislation that only required a simple majority for passage. However he indicated that the UNC informed the business community that it could not support the constitutional amendment bill which was attached to the legislation. “We have indicated to the chambers (of commerce) that we cannot support that bill in its current form unless the Government is prepared to meet with us to indicate to us what about the bill are absolutely required,” Yetming stated. He added that until that happens, the UNC is not prepared to advance any suggestions on the Police Bills to the Government.

Both Yetming and Opposition Chief Whip Ganga Singh conceded that yesterday’s meeting got “passionate” at times because of recent criticisms levelled against the business community by certain UNC MPs at some of the party’s public meetings. This notwithstanding, Yetming described the meeting as successful and said agreement was reached for future dialogue between both parties on the issue of crime. He said no discussion was made about Panday’s arrest on Tuesday nor were suggestions made for a mass shutdown of businesses in Trinidad and Tobago to protest the nation’s crime problem and force action from the Government or the police.