Calls for peace talks in UNC

Panday made his call just before a vote of no-confidence was due to be made against the party’s political leader Winston Dookeran by the UNC’s Women’s and Youth Arms during a meeting at the Couva South constituency auditorium, Camden Road, Couva.

Panday, who was warmly greeted by supporters when he arrived at the meeting, intervened after the two party groups approved a motion rejecting his resignation as party chairman and were preparing to train their guns on Dookeran.

He reminded the gathering, which included Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and deputy political leaders Austin Jack Warner, and Wade Mark, that the real enemy of the party was the Patrick Manning administration.

“When the elections bell rings in 2007, there will be only two serious major contestants in that elections and that will be the UNC and the PNM.

“The PNM knows that and that is why they are trying to chop off the head of the UNC, hoping that the UNC will just die,” Panday said.

“We cannot be strong if we are divided among ourselves. We must therefore do all within our power to unite the UNC, to build a strong and disciplined political force.”

Panday said although he would never again be elected as an MP, or returned as Prime Minister, he would do all in his power to heal the rifts within the party. He acknowledged that the UNC rifts had cut deeply and called for a ceasefire and for the discussions.

“I therefore call for a ceasefire among the warring factions as of now and ask that you adjourn this motion of no-confidence to a date to be fixed for the unity talks to be allowed to take place,” he said.

“You have just passed a motion calling upon me to reconsider my resignation from the party’s chairmanship.

“Should I bow to your wishes, then the only purpose of so doing this is for me to complete my work of creating the most united, disciplined fighting force that the UNC once was.

“But I need time and your love to speak with the parties involved in an atmosphere of peace and goodwill for these talks to succeed.”

Panday said if the peace talks failed, the proposed motion of no confidence would take place at another time.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Panday said the discussions and the healing process had to take place at the earliest possible time.

Asked whether he would be attending Dookeran’s “D-Day” meeting at Freeport today, Panday said he would not be present since it was not a “UNC meeting.”