Joseph told: Abandon PNM position

Piloting a motion at the Senate on Government’s performance in handling the spiralling crime problem, Deosaran said although "the shoulders of the National Security Minister are quite broad," the pressures of crime are intense. He questioned whether the minister is capable of effectively juggling both portfolios, and suggested that he (Joseph) "relieve himself of the former in the interest of the latter."

According to Deosaran, Joseph had been rescued "from a lot of heat" by the recent victory of this country’s football team in the World Cup qualifying match against Bahrain. That victory, Deosaran said, allowed Government to stage a "political coup" for which it must be commended. He said it neutralised the Death March, put the Opposition on the defensive and gave the country some hope. Remarking on the way in which the scenario was handled by Prime Minister Patrick Manning, Deosaran said, "all that was missing were the dark glasses and the hearing aid to remind us of the grand master himself."

However, Deosaran pointed out that while the celebrations were taking place in several parts of the country, other parts were being simultaneously submerged in flood waters, causing grief and anger. He said there had also been four murders during that same period, and seven people had been shot in a drive-by shooting. "We cannot let either one isolate the other," he warned.

Deosaran said the headlines of the newspapers following the reports made in the Lower House on the "crime talks" between Government and the Opposition had raised the hopes of the national community, adding that politicians had to be careful not to raise the public’s expectations to the extent that they could not be fulfilled. Deosaran reminded the Senate of the "Crowne Plaza Treaty," which, he said, is still unsigned and therefore cannot be implemented.

The senator said while the recent truce was good for the country, both Government and the Opposition would be held responsible if it did not work.

He criticised Govern-ment’s "culture" of waiting until there was an electoral threat before it rushed into action.