A dark chapter in Manning’s life?

By his misguided decision not to appoint a commission of inquiry, Prime Minister Manning runs the risk of convincing many people that July 27 is a dark chapter in his life, which he wants to keep in the shadows, and not reveal it in the light of day.

As Bernard Pantin already wrote, "I did tell Mr Manning after the last July 27 anniversary, that I supported the call for the commission of inquiry, and that while his own memory may be hazy, since he was not there, many others present in the Red House rotunda, and many not there, still have vivid memories of what happened on that fateful Friday in July 1990."

I chatted with Jones P Madera who had sat next to Abu Bakr at TTT, telling the nation and the world on their TV screens, that Abu Bakr was in control; Dennis McComie who kept the nation informed ring-side from 610 radio, for six days around the clock, with little sleep, and less to eat, amidst the booming gunfire; Bernard Pantin who was instrumental in setting up the TV for the Camp Ogden "government" to communicate with the nation, while pulling the plug at Cumberland Hill, to take Abu Bakr off the air; Anthony Smart who escaped as a camouflaged maid from the Red House to join Clive Pantin at Camp Ogden; Winston Dookeran who was released as "acting prime minister" in order to negotiate with the insurgents; and Rawle Raphael who holed-up have appealed for a commission of inquiry.

Manning’s memory may be hazy because he was not there. If he had talked with those who were in the Red House, he would have found their memories like yesterday.

With his over-riding ambition to sit in the Historic Red House, even as a squatter, Manning shamelessly places little value on our history.

As terrorists stalk the world today, with threats emerging in our own little islands, our PM could see no purpose to inquire into the dastardly terrorist assault in July 1990. No wonder many citizens ask the question whether his departure from Parliament just minutes before Abu Bakr attacked, was mere coincidence! A commission of inquiry could put that nagging question to rest.

MICHAEL J WILLIAMS

Maracas Valley