PNM: UNC reckless with Kofi Annan

The PNM has accused two UNC politicians of making irresponsible statements to United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, during his recent visit to Trinidad and Tobago.

A statement yesterday from Balisier House said the PNM Central Executive at a meeting on January 7 had condemned the remarks of Caroni East MP Ganga Singh and Senator Wade Mark, made to reporters after the duo had met Annan. After telling Annan that crime in this country had given people a “siege mentality” and that dialogue on constitutional reform was urgently needed, the UNC duo had told reporters: “We may one day have to go directly to the Secretary-General and seek his intervention in this country’s affairs”.

Hailing Annan’s decision to vacation in Trinidad and Tobago and to meet Government officials, the PNM statement said his visit would benefit this country. But the statement added: “The Executive realises that in their desperation, members of the United National Congress especially Mr Mark and Mr Singh have now become accustomed to following the footsteps of their leader making reckless statements, regardless of the damage done to the country”.

Recalling that the Government was bidding for Trinidad to become headquarters for the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) was to be based here, the PNM stated: “The Executive urges the Opposition not to destroy these and similar initiatives purely for selfish opposition and chiefly for scoring political points”.