Civil disobedience is now the mantra

THE EDITOR: The political meeting held at Princes Town on the night of May 26 by the UNC for the upcoming Local Government elections was somewhat disappointing. The speakers had nothing good to say about the Government. They should have been ashamed and the very last to accuse anyone of corruption. It was false and unfair to try to convince people that national unity was a possibility and there was need for an improved economy where there was hardship and real suffering ahead for many. These declarations were never well intended. In running away from their commitment, the ministers of the UNC were caught on the fast track with their government charged for misconduct while in office, including one for murder. This and other reasons were responsible for propelling Panday’s arch-rival (Manning) to power. But this gave cause for reprisal. The multi-ethnic society is now claimed to be sustained by forces of repression and the Opposition would like to have constitutional reforms as a corrective measure. Panday did not grasp the depth of ethnic feeling that existed in the country. He is now claiming “discrimination” and would like to have radical changes instituted. How can this be done when he is so rebellious?

For him and the rest of jokers, Laventille/Morvant people are the criminal elements, regarded as robbers and kidnappers. The UNC should not be allowed to get away with this plan that is well orchestrated and then look for scapegoats. The Prime Minister is holding firm against political change the UNC way. The call for proportional representation demanded by the Leader of the Opposition is not the way to go. He is mortally wounded and helpless. It is only a question of time before he fades away into the sunset. Since the dethronement of Panday from the exalted position of Prime Minister “civil disobedience” is now the mantra. Under the present Government the surge of violations increased at an alarming rate. For example: the doctors, mainly of one ethnic origin, held back their services to the extent of crippling the health system; an injunction by the Trade Union restraining Government from paying VSEP to Caroni workers; the disorderly behaviour of the Opposition in Parliament with full support for all sorts of demonstrations. A clear attempt to bring down the Government. Whenever Panday officially goes, he will be missed by a wide cross section of the people that supported him in the 2000 elections. His greatest accomplishment was the amount of things he attempted in the brief span of six years. He was in a hurry to prove himself trustworthy but failed, in the process.

W CRAIGWELL
Port-of-Spain