PNM silent on UNC set up charges

The allegations were contained in a daily newspaper (not Newsday) report which claimed that top PNM officials were involved in the planting of a quantity of cocaine and two mortar bombs in the watertank of Baksh’s residence in 2002 and aborted plans to do the same at Singh’s Cunupia home around the same time. The report also alleged that there was a plan to blow up the ruling party’s headquarters at Balisier House in Port-of-Spain.

Approached on the issue by journalists following yesterday’s PNM General Council at Balisier House, the Prime Minister declined to comment on the allegations. "I have no comment to make on anything," Manning said. Jeremie adopted the same position on the allegations. "I have not seen the report," the AG told journalists. Donaldson said he was "not in Parliament (anymore)" and therefore could not comment on matters of that nature. Contacted yesterday, Joseph, who is also PNM’s General Secretary, stated that he was in a meeting and was not in a position to say anything about allegations being made against PNM officials. Sources within the ruling party said the allegations were not discussed at yesterday’s General Council meeting which was the first for 2006.

However, Panday told Newsday the UNC has always maintained that there was PNM involvement in the matter at Baksh’s home in 2002 and the allegations contained in the newspaper report prove that the Opposition was right. Panday said the UNC now wants to know whether the Police Commissioner has received a report about these allegations and how he intends to investigate them. The UNC chairman said given the seriousness of the allegations, the Police Commis-sioner must do all in his power to assure the population that there will be "open and fair investigations" into this matter.

Panday claimed that investigations by his attorneys have shown that two PNM members, two UNC members and other public officials failed to declare their assets to the Integrity Commission.

UNC political leader Winston Dookeran said the allegations still had to be verified but they painted "a very frightening picture" of what could be the state of TT’s politics today. Dookeran said the charges cut to the very heart of the integrity of TT and the nation’s electoral system and it was incumbent upon both the PNM and the relevant authorities to give "an appropriate response" on this matter.

Singh told Newsday that he has been receiving numerous calls pertaining to the report and said he would comment on it. Baksh said he had no comment to make about the allegations of a PNM plot to frame him. When contacted by Newsday about the report, Paul said he had no comment whatsoever to make on the matter.