PM: Government not underestimating ‘Mr Big’

Speaking in the House of Representatives on Monday night, the Prime Minister and Joseph noted that last week’s bombing in St James has had the effect of traumatising significant sections of the population into believing that future bombings could occur anywhere and at any time, and this was unacceptable to the Government.

"It is not something that we are underestimating. We are well aware and we fully understand and appreciate the implications of it and the potential it has for not just destabilising the peace and tranquility of the country, but destabilising significantly and derailing the investment effort that is going at this time at full pace in the energy and non-energy sectors. We are not taking it lightly. We are doing all in our power to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice," Manning declared.

The Prime Minister also disclosed that Government has a good idea who is the mastermind behind the bombings and the authorities (with the help of the FBI and Scotland Yard) are gathering all the necessary evidence needed to bring "Mr Big" to justice. Manning asked the assembled MPs whose interest would be served if the Government was destabilised, but he cast no aspersions against anyone, including the Opposition UNC.

In reporting that the police had received preliminary analyses from the first three bombings from the FBI, which will help to enhance the ability of the police to deal with bombings and other terrorist acts, Joseph said, "Even if bombing being done by one or a few individuals rather than as part of a crime syndicate, the last thing we want is for others to follow in copycat fashion."

Stating that short and long-term strategies were being devised to find those responsible for the last four bombings and prevent future bombings, Joseph urged all citizens to assist the authorities in providing timely and accurate information to assist in their investigations.

Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar questioned whether the tough talk coming from Police Commissioner Trevor Paul had anything to do with the tongue lashing he received from Housing Minister Dr Keith Rowley.

Fyzabad MP Chandresh Sharma praised both Health Minister John Rahael and the security forces for their responses to the St James bombing. Rahael was at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital monitoring the treatment of those injured in the bombing, and has said all those persons will receive whatever additional medical treatment and services they required.