UNC distances itself from membership ad

The full-colour, almost full-page advertisement, which bore the rising sun logo of the UNC, yesterday appeared in all three daily newspapers. It encouraged persons to catch the movement as thousands were rising up across the country saying they could no longer allow the nation to be held to ransom.

UNC Chairman, Wade Mark, at a press conference yesterday at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, said the party did not know who placed the ad, as the executive had not been consulted. Mark said, "as well intentioned as it may be, it does not have the blessings, sanction or approval from the national executive of the UNC."

Mark said the party was concerned, because "any bogus person" could duplicate application forms, and innocent persons could pay the $15 triennial registration fee, or the $200 life membership fee.

Asked if it might have been supporters of St Augustine Member of Parliament Winston Dookeran, who is touted as one of the candidates to contest the October 2 party elections for political leadership, Mark said he had spoken to Dookeran who denied knowledge of the ad.

Mark said some of the registration locations contained in the ad were also inaccurate. He said registration was taking place at the 14 constituency offices of the UNC Members of Parliament, as well as party headquarters, Rienzi Complex, Couva.

Mark said the party had received 40,000 application forms in response to the genuine call for persons to register as financial members.

Mark also denied there were wrangles within the party, saying people shared different views and they may have been "re-energised, but there is no wrangling."

On when the party’s political leader Basdeo Panday is expected to return to Trinidad from his vacation in the UK, Mark would only say, "shortly."

He also could not say if Panday was stepping down as leader in the upcoming elections, telling reporters he was also waiting on the September 8 deadline for nominations.

Commenting on other issues concerning the country, Mark referred to the $700 million drug bust on Monos Island and called on the authorities "not to leave any stone unturned in arresting the real kingpins."

He said the party had information that top public officials were involved.

The party also reiterated its dissatisfaction with the Indictable Preliminary Inquiry Bill and its subsequent passage in the Senate on Wednesday evening.

Mark said the UNC was shocked that the legislation was supported by the Independent Senators, whom he referred to as the "watchdogs."