Panday in ‘fruitful’ talks with business community

OPPOSITION Leader Basdeo Panday has written to Prime Minister Patrick Manning advising that he (Panday) will meet with him after this week’s rounds of talks the UNC is holding with several organisations on the Police Reform Bills. Panday said it would not make sense to meet Manning before the series of consultations were over. Speaking to reporters after a two-hour meeting with members of the business community yesterday at his Charles Street office, Panday described the discussions as “fruitful.” He said the talks were “frank, free and intelligent,” and it was clear that everyone was concerned about crime and a solution must be found. Panday said ideas were exchanged and members of the Opposition UNC got an “insight into the minds of the business community. “They appreciate what we have to say... whether they accept it or not, I am not sure.”

Anthony Aboud, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA), speaking on behalf of his colleagues, said they were invited to make suggestions on improving the Bills. He said if they could do so, then those suggestions would be made to both the Government and the Opposition. He said they were anxious to attend yesterday’s meeting and they were made aware of  “certain aspects (of the Bills) that the Opposition feels uncomfortable with.” Aboud said the business community was calling for the “responsibility of good faith in Parliament” to be exercised by all, Government, Opposition and Independents. He said they did not wish for anything to be done that was improper. “What we would like to see is whatever can be done from a legislative standpoint. But the will has to be there and we have to put an arrest on the situation.

“We’ve called for support and good faith to discuss and negotiate and come up with something that is amicably resolved and in the best interest of Trinidad and Tobago,” said Aboud. Questioned on a poll which suggested that Government was losing the fight against crime, Panday said polls were exactly what they were. “They are a reflection of opinions of people interviewed on a particular  matter. It’s neither here nor there. It changes.” Asked if he had received calls from his constituents to support the Bill, Panday said he had received calls, but they were asking for support in the context of constitutional reform.

He said people were afraid of giving power to a political directorate, “who may abuse that power to keep themselves in office, so they may wipe out those they believe may be against them.” Fyzabad MP Chandresh Sharma said he too had received calls, but they were asking that the UNC not support the Bills. Present at yesterday’s meeting were representatives from the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber, DOMA, Amcham, ECA, and several chambers and business associations along the East/West Corridor as well as from Central Trinidad.