Tempers flare at peace talks

AS if to prove there is indeed too much racial tension in Trinidad and Tobago, tempers flared at the launching of an initiative to bring about peace and unity and lessen racial hatred and division. The noble gesture by a group of prominent citizens, led by Ken Gordon and including Dr Bhoe Tewarie, Arthur Lok Jack and Tajmool Hosein, entitled “Principles of Fairness”, was unveiled yesterday at the Hilton Trinidad, after nine months of fine tuning. The principles — guidelines for a society to be fair to all, are supported by at least 28 individuals, mostly from the religious and business community. Gordon said the launch was “breaking new ground” and called for change of “vitriol into reason and argument into discussion.” Moments after Gordon made the call, however, tempers flared and voices were raised, with many embarrassed faces, as radio talkshow host Ricardo “Gladiator” Welch and Sat Maharaj, secretary general of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) got into a verbal tit-for-tat.

Welch wondered aloud whether the signatories, of which Maharaj was one, were genuine in the intent of the principles, considering Maharaj’s statement on Rastafarian student Kalifa Logan. Welch said he was concerned that the initiative might be “rum shop talk.” Gordon immediately intervened to caution that “we are not here to discuss that issue.” Maharaj attempted to reply, but Gordon pointed out that sometimes persons responded to statements without giving much thought to the issues, sometimes “off the cuff.” And in doing so “he rubs the sensitivities the wrong way,” bringing about a response from the other side which would lead down the road to a “crash, seeking to outdo” each other without pausing or thinking. Gordon reminded those present that the reason for the gathering was to “give a second thought to sensitivities and to get the tone lowered,” so that the many differences would not arise.

However, Maharaj insisted he had “thought it over” and wanted to say his piece. He said he maintained his support for principals who were against indiscipline, but referred to an Internet article where footballers with rasta hairstyles were banned in Nigeria and the Cameroons. Welch said Maharaj was irrelevant, which created a new uproar of dissenting voices. Gordon hoped that “in three months time” the effect of the principles might not cause such comments. At that time, journalist Raoul Pantin got into a heated exchange with Welch, creating a raucous uproar with Gordon repeatedly calling for calm. Most of the supporters of the principles called for things to move forward. Gordon earlier noted that no other non-governmental groups have acted together to “influence change on matters of national importance,” like that of the growing divisiveness between the two major ethnic groups.

He acknowledged “there is little that is controversial or original in the document,” but noted that the support given to it was a “powerful commentary on the desire we all share to truly unite the country, eliminate discrimination in all forms and to harness the many and varied talents of our people.” Gordon later said there will be a drive to mobilise support for the principles by hosting various functions, taking the message to schools and highlighting it through posters and flyers. He stressed the principles’ success will depend on the people. Already, discussions have been held with President George Maxwell Richards, Prime Minister Patrick Manning and Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday. Gordon said they have all given their full support. He said Manning was to have discussed the initiative with Cabinet, but he has not yet got back to them. In his statement Tewarie, underscored the point, that if efforts were made to get priorities right rather than be “caught up in perpetual obsession of race,” the country can progress. He said there was no contradiction between the principles of merit and equity and in a fair society, both must be supported.