Kamla sticks to her guns

Dookeran was approached by journalists following the opening of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association’s Trade and Investment Conven-tion at the Centre of Excellence in Macoya.

Asked if he felt snubbed by Persad-Bissessar’s rejection and if a last minute attempt would be made to get her to change her mind, Dookeran replied: “I will be speaking tonight.”

He then walked briskly away, refusing to answer more questions. Sources told Newsday that Dookeran was involved in a series of meetings after he left Macoya and planned to attend last night’s meeting.

Meanwhile, Persad-Bisses-sar yesterday said she had not changed her mind about speaking at the meeting scheduled for Canaan Presbyterian School, Duncan Village — a short distance away from former opposition leader’s Basdeo Panday’s Philippine home.

She also won’t be on the platform of a meeting tonight at Durham Village Hindu School, Charlieville. That’s because she wasn’t invited, Chaguanas MP Manohar Ramsaran said yesterday. Ramsaran said the constituency took the decision to leave her out because of her position on the Duncan Village meeting.

Persad-Bissessar, in a telephone interview, reiterated that it would be impossible for her to attend because of meetings at Rienzi Complex scheduled for 2 pm, 4 pm and 5.30 pm yesterday. She said she had already issued a statement, released by the Office of the Leader of Opposition on Tuesday, and her position remained unchanged.

In the statement, Persad-Bissessar said the meeting clashed with the regular weekly meeting of the UNC national executive at Rienzi Complex, Couva. All meetings had to be approved by the executive, she also said in the statement.. Rabindra Moonan, co-chairman of last night’s meeting, said Persad-Bissessar was consulted and consented to give an address.