It’s war on transparency

From the time the FATCA legislation reared its head in this session of Parliament there has been a concerted effort to delay its passage.

From the outset the Opposition UNC has put forward all manner of excuse for its non-cooperation, ranging from its desire to have a debate on the rising crime, ignoring the fact that the impunity with which our governments and politicians have committed all manner of white-collar crimes is in part responsible for the breakdown of law and order generally, because if they could get way with it who is we.

This Opposition assumes that crime is only committed by murderers and thieves.

The UNC then decided that it must consult widely with the population on the FATCA Bill, ignoring the fact that we the people elected its MPs to serve in the Parliament to protect and serve our interest to combat the scourge of corruption and the hiding of ill-gotten gains.

The latest tactic is Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar writing to US President Donald Trump asking him if he is going to repeal the FATCA order in the US.

Whether Trump repeals the order or not does not remove the moral and ethical imperative for international compliance.

By its obstructionist manoeuvres the UNC is ignoring the fact that the movement of money from illicit activities is and should be a global concern of grave proportions, for it involves the interdiction of all manner of illegal drug cartels and corrupt government officials all across the globe.

It is clear that the UNC has declared war on transparency, a wholly unacceptable situation.

Compliance with FATCA is part and parcel of a wider issue.

Not only must FATCA serve the interest of the US but it must be made to serve the interest of TT and we must demand a FATCA reciprocity.

This is a disgraceful situation which must not go unnoticed and unchallenged by all right thinking citizens who must demand of their MPs that they comply and do it now.

Until such time that the UNC seeks to do the right thing and asserts the principles of accountability and transparency we must never consider it for government again.

Satu-Ann Ramcharan Maraval