Rowley stands firm

PLANNING and Development minister Dr Keith Rowley declared that neither the United National Congress (UNC) nor the Medical Professionals Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MPATT) have provided hard evidence to disprove that secret talks between  “a maverick group of doctors” and the UNC undermined the Public Services Association (PSA) and led to a $40 million backpay agreement being reached five days before the December 11, 2001 elections. Yesterday, Rowley said the doctors “evidence” showed there was a squabble between the PSA and MPATT but no concrete proof  has been produced to disprove that a group of doctors had direct access to the Cabinet. He reiterated that his main contention was the manner in which the former government conducted its business.  “Let them (UNC) say one other group of public officers who had that kind of arrangement,” the Minister declared. Rowley said one month has passed and the UNC has been unable to disprove his statement. Attempts to contact Baptiste-Primus were unsuccessful.