Warner cries PNM sabotage

Speaking at a press conference at Crowne Plaza yesterday, Warner described Express sports reporter Lasana Liburd as "the perfect hatchet man" found by the PNM to sully him (Warner) and "reframe the recent achievements," which had united the country in a way that Prime Minister Patrick Manning had admitted no politician had been ever able to do before.

In a three-part series written by Liburd and published over the Christmas weekend by the Express, Warner had been accused of using Trinbagonian supporters intending to travel to Germany to see the World Cup matches as a means of attracting business for Simpaul’s Travel. The travel agency is owned by Warner and his family.

Warner described the publications as "part of a well-timed, carefully orchestrated character assassination, designed to devalue any political currency which opponents of the UNC feel I might have been developing as a result of the Soca Warriors World Cup qualification alongside my own efforts within the UNC to unify the party and country."

Warner, who claimed he should have been in London attending to critical preparation for the team’s appearance at the World Cup, said he was forced to call the press conference to defend his family’s name against the libellous articles.

At the last annual PNM convention, Warner said, Manning had not criticised Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday, but had instead launched a scathing attack on him (Warner) and UNC Political Leader Winston Dookeran. This, Warner said, was the easiest way to get at Panday and the UNC.

Warner questioned how the PNM could take "one of the most euphoric moments to have occurred in this country’s history, and seek to dismantle it all to serve selfish, petty, parochial political interests."

According to Warner, the attack on him was launched because of his involvement with football, which the PNM saw as the "great unifying force across the country." This force, Warner said, "spells doom for the insular and inept ruling party that has over the past few years led our great, beloved country to ruin."

Prior to the publication of the articles, Warner said, he had been warned by "someone whose membership within the PNM did not override his sense of moral obligation to unmask the hideous scheme." The plot, Warner disclosed, had been named "Operation get Warner: A prelude to the General Elections of 2006." Warner said it was not surprising that the PNM would go to such lengths to hold on to power.