President of the Senate, Dr Linda Baboolal, yesterday delivered a stern rebuke to Senators reading the riot act to those whose behaviour, she said, was becoming unruly and disrespectful.

She made it clear that she would not tolerate senators shouting at each other across the floor, being irrelevant or repetitious. She warned that she would not be intimidated by anyone. After a routine start to the sitting, Baboolal rose and sternly delivered her reproach. The Senate President ruled: “I have seen members of this honourable House shout across at each other, call each other names, ignore the rulings of the Chair, threaten the Chair, engage in loud cross-talk, waste the Parliament’s time by participating in irrelevancy and repetition, and show disregard for the Standing Orders of the Senate…I will be failing in my duty if I do not take the steps necessary to reverse this trend of behaviour in the House, which is slowly becoming unruly and disrespectful.”

Ruling that contributions in the Senate and its committees must be relevant to the current Bill or motion, Baboolal said: “Much more could be accomplished if members were to utilise their time and energies more productively and prudently by sticking to the issues before them…” Baboolal said the Senate’s procedures were based on the long-standing traditions of respect and integrity of all members, which it was her duty to uphold. She vowed: “I will do so, fairly and courageously, and without fear and/or intimidation by anyone. The dignity of this august house must be maintained.” Baboolal also warned: “On the issue of repetition, I shall terminate the speech of anyone who persists, despite my warning, in repeating arguments which, although relevant, were already addressed by the same speaker in the same speech or by other members of the Senate in the same debate… “The use of unparliamentary language including offensive, provocative or threatening language is strictly prohibited and will be ruled out of order.

Issues before the courts will also be deemed irrelevant and not permitted.” She said that Senate practice deemed that although a Senator could refer in summary to previous speeches in the Senate, wholesale quoting of such speeches was out of order. “Members are restrained from commenting on the proceedings in the other House in the current session…(This) will amount to fruitless arguments between the Houses by members who will be unable to respond to each other.” Baboolal ruled out cross-bench banter, warning: “While another member is speaking, members who are not shall remain silent and shall not interrupt except in accordance with the rules of this House. There shall be no loud cross talking in this Senate”.   

Saying she was seeking to uphold the Senate’s dignity, she said: “Rulings once given by the Chair are final, and are not open for question or debate, and they can neither be challenged or dismissed unless on a substantive motion moved for that specific purpose”. In an immediate reaction, Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate, Wade Mark, using measured words, said: “The President has expressed her views; we are seeking a meeting with her to express our views. “We too have grave concerns. Depending on the outcome of that meeting, we will then decide what further steps we will need to take to deal with our concerns.”

THE CASE against former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday is heading to the High Court. And it is not because the magistrate has decided there is sufficient evidence to go before a jury. It is because Panday’s defence team successfully argued a constitutional point that the three charges against him were filed under a law that no longer exists.

After hearing submissions from the defence and the prosecution yesterday, Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nichols said he found merit in the defence claim and ruled that this was a matter to be determined by the High Court. As a result, the charges brought under the Integrity in Public Life Act 1987 were adjourned to July 16 for mention. Panday’s legal team is now expected to file a constitutional motion in the High Court seeking a declaration that it was wrong for the State to lay the charges under the 1987 Act.

The ruling by the Chief Magistrate brought proceedings to an abrupt end with Panday, the political leader of the UNC, smiling as he left the precincts of the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court. Panday, 69, is charged with failing to declare an account at the National Westminster Bank in London in his name and that of his wife, Oma, for the years 1997, 1998, 1999. The stage was set yesterday for the start of the trial. British Queen’s Counsel Sir Timothy Cassel, the prosecutor, was present with his juniors Devan Rampersad and Angelica Teelucksingh. Three witnesses from the NatWest Bank in London were in Trinidad, although they were not in the court building.

The entire defence team was present – Allan Alexander SC, Desmond Allum SC, Fyard Hosein and Rajiv Persad. The Chief Magistrate entered at 9.05 am and called the case. Cassel informed the court that the defence had an application about which he knew nothing. Alexander began his submissions immediately, asking the court to refer the case to the High Court on the ground that the proceedings in the Magistrates’ Court were in contravention of the Constitution. Alexander produced two Trinidad and Tobago cases to support his argument – Rex Lasalle v the Attorney General (1971), and convicted killer Darrin Roger Thomas v Cipriani Baptiste (2000).

Alexander revealed that the first charge was laid on September 18, 2002 for an offence allegedly committed on April 9, 1999. The second charge was laid on the same date for an offence allegedly committed between March 15 and 27, 2002. The third charge was also laid in September 2002 for the alleged offence between December 19 and 24, 1999. Alexander pointed out that Panday was charged under the Integrity in Public Life Act 1987, but that Act was repealed by the 2000 Act, and proclaimed by then President Arthur NR Robinson on November 6, 2000.

Cassel said Alexander “was a million miles away” from showing that Panday would not receive a fair trial. Cassel said no one knew for sure when the Integrity Commission started the investigations against Panday. Cassel completed his response in quick time saying that Alexander’s submissions were totally without substance. However, in a flash, Chief Magistrate Mc Nichols ruled. He said Alexander’s submissions contained merit and it is one for the High Court to determine.

Hundreds of parishioners packed the St Patrick’s RC Church yesterday to meet with RC Archbishop Edward Gilbert on allegations made against Fr. Kennedy Swaratsingh, for whom there was overwhelming support.

Speaker after speaker came to the microphone and praised Fr Swaratsingh for bringing back life  into the church. There was a range of ages and ethnic groups, and included a US Embassy official. There was only one dissenting voice among the flock. The meeting was chaired by Archbishop Gilbert who said the allegations against Fr Swaratsingh had to do with financial issues, his preaching and teaching and personal behaviour. Gibert said he had earlier met with  Fr Swaratsingh,  Fr Gregory and Fr Charles as well as the Parish Council prior to last evening’s open discussion among the parishioners. One parishioner criticised Archbishop Gilbert for bringing the allegations in public, and he was loudly applauded by the packed church. Fr Swaratsingh was absent from the meeting.

LONDON: The Iraq war has proved more deadly for journalists than both the 1991 Gulf war and the conflict in Afghanistan, with five reporters killed in Baghdad in the last 24 hours alone.

The death of journalists from Reuters news agency, Spanish broadcaster Telecinco and Arab TV channel al-Jazeera yesterday took to ten the number of people killed while working for the media. Fire from both sides have killed them. Yesterday, news organisations demanded answers from the United States after US attacks killed three reporters. “It’s hard to believe this was just a mistake. We want proof this was not a deliberate attack on journalists,” said Severine Cazes, head of the Middle East desk at Paris-based media watchdog Reporters without Borders. A US tank fired a shell at a Baghdad hotel heavily populated with foreign journalists, killing Reuters cameraman Taras Protsyuk and Telecinco cameraman Jose Couso.

US forces said they had been responding to sniper fire and blamed Baghdad for using the hotel for military operations. But journalists on the scene said they heard no sniper fire. In a separate incident, al-Jazeera said cameraman Tarek Ayoub was killed in a US air raid on Baghdad. The Arab network accused the United States of deliberately bombing its offices to silence a powerful voice in the Arab world. In its defence, the Pentagon said it had warned reporters against going to Baghdad, saying it was highly dangerous.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), which represents thousands of journalists around the world, called for an inquiry into possible war crimes against journalists. “The bombing of hotels where journalists are staying and targeting of Arab media are particularly shocking events,” said IFJ Secretary General Aidan White. The demands of 24-hour television coverage, hundreds more journalists and multiple battle fronts have put journalists under pressure. More than 1,000 journalists are in Iraq covering the war including more than 200 in Baghdad, media watchdogs say.

BWIA handed in its newest saving plan to Government yesterday in a bid to keep flying.

The new plan could see the cash strapped airline cutting down on international flights, a move that could allow it to save US$300,000 a month in leasing costs by selling back one of its 737s. BWIA has approached Government for help but Government has answered by saying it will only help if the airline presents a viable survival plan.

The airline owes about US$3 million in lease payments on its aircraft but leasing company International Lease Finance Corp (ILFC) has granted an extension. The airline, though, continues to rack up expenses as it either puts off payments or makes them in part. The airline also needs help to pay severance to the majority of the 617 employees retrenched in January. While BWIA has begun to pay ex-employees who are owed $25,000 or less in severance, those who are owed more are yet to receive their payment. Communications Director Clint Williams said BWIA may also have to cut salaries to cut costs further.

It is now up to Government to decide whether the plan is viable or not. The last time Government agreed to help out BWIA, late last year, it said the airline had to first come up with a plan to cut US$1 million in costs a month. Trade and Industry Minister Ken Valley said last week that BWIA’s other shareholders also have to make an input if the airline is to survive. Valley also said Government wants equity in exchange for any help it gives.

BWIA has been losing about $100,000 a day in the past few weeks. The airline has blamed the current situation on the Iraq War which has forced a five percent drop in load. Williams said yesterday over the past few weeks cancellations have increased whenever deadlines have been set for the company’s future. “Every time someone says the airline has 24 hours to live we lose bookings,” he said. “The situation is completely fluid. People have said we don’t seem to have our act together but that is exactly how the market is behaving.” Williams said employees will continue to be paid. “We have consistently paid salaries all along. There’s no reason why we won’t continue to do that now,” he said. Employees and ex-employees were due to meet yesterday to discuss their future.

A 34-YEAR-OLD man was shot in the chest on Monday when he rushed to the assistance of his mother who was being attacked by two bandits at their home in Tumpuna Road, Arima.

Vianne Maharaj underwent emergency surgery on Monday night and was resting at the Cocorite Community Hospital yesterday. Grimacing in pain, her told Newsday at around 12.30 pm on Monday he was resting at home when two masked men entered the house and began demanding cash and jewelry from his mother, Savi. When she told them that she did not have any, the bandits began kicking her about the body. Her screams alerted Vianne who jumped out of his bed and came face to face with the gunman. He was shot once in the left side of the chest.

Maharaj was then ordered to crawl to another bedroom where his mother was being beaten by the bandits. Maharaj said each time that he drifted into unconsciousness, his mother was nearby to give him support, urging him to pray and stay awake. He said even when blood flowed from his chest the bandits showed no mercy and continued kicking him. Maharaj said he is grateful to be alive but the incident has caused him to rethink his future. He said the bandits told him that they would kill him if he said anything about the robbery. The bandits ransacked the house and carted away more than $3,000 in cash, a quantity of jewelry, computers, electronic items, a passport belonging to Vianne’s mother and two pairs of reading glasses.

The bandits tied up Vianne and his mother before fleeing the scene. Vianne’s father, Romish, arrived home about two hours after the incident, untied his wife and son and rushed Vianne to the Arima Hospital. Cpl Jones and PC Sohan visited the scene and carried out inquiries. Savi Maharaj told Newsday two years ago, bandits entered her house and robbed her of a quantity of cash, jewelry and household items. She said she has put up her house for sale and will be migrating shortly. She expressed disgust over the crime situation in the country.

FIVE MEN charged in connection with last week’s  kidnapping of a Gran Couva couple were yesterday granted bail when they appeared before Couva Magistrate Gillian David.

The accused,Chris Singh, 19, Sean Melville, 24, Felix Edwards, 18, Eddie Charles, 40, and his son, Ezekiel, 19, all of Longdonville, Chaguanas, were charged  in connection with a report made by Trevor Dick, 27, of Mamoral Village, Gran Couva, and his common-law-wife Josanne Maynard. It is alleged that last Wednesday Dick  and his wife were able to escape five men almost an hour after they were abducted. Three of the accused: Singh, Melville and Edwards were granted bail in the sum of $75,000,while the other two were granted $60,000 bail. The matter was adjourned to  April 17.

MORVANT police arrested two teenaged burglars an hour after they broke into an El Socorro restaurant and made off with thousands of dollars in liquor.

Businessman Ricardo Samaroo was in high praise of the police who recovered $7,000 worth of liquor which had been stolen from Master’s Restaurant and Bar. The teen suspects are due to appear before a Port-of-Spain magistrate today on the charge of shop-breaking and larceny. The charge was laid by Ag Cpl Baird. According to police reports, Ag Cpl Baird, PC Mohammed and PC Hoyte were on a special night patrol in Morvant, San Juan and El Socorro. The special patrol was instituted by head of North-Eastern Division Snr Supt Desmond Lambert, following a spate of robberies and break-ins in the said areas.

Around 12.30 am yesterday, the officers spotted two 18-year-old young men walking along El Socorro Road, San Juan, with crocus. They were stopped and searched and the officers discovered bottles of liquor of varying brands in the bags. Follow up investigations by the police revealed that an hour before the teens were arrested, Master’s Restaurant and Bar, located on El Socorro Road, had been broken into. Samaroo was contacted by the police and went to the police station where he identified the bottles of liquor as the ones stolen from his businessplace. The teens, one from El Socorro Road, San Juan, and the other from Bhim Bhim Trace, El Socorro, were subsequently charged.

Despite Government’s proposal to move Parliament from the Red House to a new parliamentary complex to be built on the current site of the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court, the Senate yesterday learnt that some $33 million had so far been spent to renovate these two buildings.

In reply to a question from an Independent Senator, Attorney General Glenda Morean said that some $24.94 million had been spent to renovate and reconstruct the Magistrates’ Court. She said that sum had been spent prior to 2003. Reminded that the PNM Government’s 2002 budget allocated an additional $5 million for the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court, and asked whether she was not on board for the (Cabinet) decision to relocate Parliament, Morean declined to answer, replying: “That’s a new question”. Minister of Trade and Industry Dr Lenny Saith then replied to another question from an Independent Senator to disclose that some $8.847 million had so far been spent to renovate the Red House roof and building. 

This sum included $2.3 million to protect the new roof, $1.7 million to install the new roof, $1.8 million on surveys, and $1.26 million on new tiles. The question was also raised about the Summary Court (Amendment) Bill 2003 which was recently approved in the Senate.This will  rectify cases where prisoners file their appeals in time but the Prison authorities do not forward them to the Court of Appeal in time. When asked how many magisterial appeals had been dismissed by the Court of Appeal due to late filing by appellants in custody, and how many had actually been duly signed by the appellants within the statutory period, Morean replied that 27 persons had seen their appeals thus dismissed and that all of them had been properly signed within the time period.