AG gets ok to challenge Privy Council ruling

CABINET yesterday gave the green light for Trinidad and Tobago to join forces with Barbados and Jamaica in appealing a November 20, 2003 decision by the Privy Council which makes the death penalty non-mandatory.

This was disclosed by Attorney General John Jeremie at yesterday’s post-Cabinet news conference at Whitehall. Jeremie said Cabinet was very concerned about the way the Law Lords arrived at this decision and fully supported his Ministry’s efforts to join with Barbados and Jamaica in appearing before the Law Lords in London on March 22 to argue the matter. Jeremie added that he will discuss the issue with his Jamaican counterpart next week. Meanwhile, Jeremie disclosed that Government’s investigations into alleged corruption under the former UNC government have led it to foreign jurisdictions while Prime Minister Patrick Manning said Government will seek American assistance to bring those culpable to justice.

The AG said: “The investigations are ongoing. All of the matters are within the purview of the DPP and the relevant police personnel. I am updated but I prefer not to speak publicly about these pending investigations. Progress is being made but corruption is something that takes a long time to unearth and especially when you have more than one jurisdiction involved. I would not like to say that the investigations are targetted at or concern members of the former administration. The investigation concerns corruption, and white collar crimes and are continuing. I am satisfied with the pace of the investigation and the authorities will do the right thing in the right time. I like to see justice done as quickly as possible and I am convinced that the wheels of justice, while they might seem to be turning slowly, are turning efficiently.”

The Prime Minister then disclosed that one of the things he discussed with US government officials in Washington DC last month “is their cooperation in making TT a bastion of integrity in the region” and reiterated that Government will ensure that the highest standards of integrity in public life are adhered to in TT. Asked whether Government would be specifically asking for US help for any specific corruption investigation, Manning replied: “On all matters, those that we know and those that we don’t.” The Prime Minister said it was premature at this stage to say no one will be charged with corruption before the PNM’s term of office expires in 2007. Jeremie added that Government has been receiving “good cooperation from the other territories involved.”

Manning also said he will hold talks with Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday to facilitate smooth passage of the Police Reform Bills and Caribbean Court of Justice legislation in the upcoming parliamentary session. The Prime Minister declined comment on the Foreign Ministry’s statement about seeking apology or compensation from the US Government for the recent detention of two BWIA pilots in New York and Miami respectively.  The AG also announced the phased implementation of a new system for the Government’s legislative agenda which will be less bureaucratic and have more Cabinet oversight. Jeremie said no decision has been taken to appeal a High Court decision which said Cabinet operated illegally for 40 years regarding the promotion of police officers. He said Government was respectful of the rule of law and would “amend practices to suit” if that was necessary. Manning dismissed suggestions that the 2004 sugar crop was in jeopardy and said a recent agreement to import sugar from Guyana would not impact negatively on the local industry. He referred all questions on the matter to Trade Minister Ken Valley.