July 27, 1990

Try to recall what happened: the perpetrators blew up Police Headquarters, murdering one police officer. They invaded Parliament in session, murdering a Member of Parliament, several others, and wounding the Prime Minister. Members of Parliament were held hostage, without food or water, and under constant threat of death —for days.

They invaded our only television station, and one radio station, capturing these to issue treasonous propaganda, and holding several staff members hostage, without food or water, and under constant threat of death — for days.

As soon as the news of the coup attempt spread, there were major riots in downtown Port-of-Spain, and the town was looted and burnt! Over the next few days, Port-of-Spain burnt, whilst our parliamentarians, and our brothers and sisters lay dead, or were held hostage — to our enduring horror at the time. Do you remember how you felt on July 27, 1990? There were acts of cowardice, and in my view, treason from persons in high office, before, during and after the crisis. But there were also acts of courage, and valour, and defiance by good citizens of TT. But where is all of this documented?

Should all of this just be allowed to pass — as stories or rumours? We need to know much more than I have written above. We need to know who — which lawyers, which Members of Parliament were told about the planned coup. The leader of the attempted coup has publicly claimed that the then Opposition Leader — Patrick Manning, Club 88 Leader Basdeo Panday and Muslimeen attorney Ramesh Maharaj had been fore-warned. Ramesh flew to Grenada (my Editor does not like me to say “fled”) and Manning and Panday absented themselves from Parliament on July 27, 1990. When the media contacted them, Manning said the coup was “just a quarrel between friends.” Panday, feigning boredom said “wake me when it’s over.” Neither offered concern or comfort to the dead, the dying, the hostages, the owners of the burning buildings, or to the country. Neither of these two “leaders” stepped forward to help their colleagues or their country.

So, you can see why these men, and the lackeys close to them, do not want any inquiry into July 27, 1990. They would be called upon to explain what they knew, and when they knew it. They would be asked to explain their public comments. Patrick Manning and Basdeo Panday will never call for an Inquiry. Patrick might even hire Ramesh to block an inquiry! Panday will support that — you see “unity”?

But because these leaders do not want an inquiry does not mean we should not demand one. So where do you stand on this? Do the media feel that an Inquiry should be made into July 27, 1990? Will the media question these men this week about the comments they made on July 27, 1990? Will you call, in unison, for answers? Will your call be sustained, or will you let Manning and Panday ride out a couple of days of pressure? Where do Independent Senators stand on this? They have shown no interest, in spite of my direct call to them, a year ago, asking them — any of them — to call, in the Senate, for an Inquiry. None did! Now I ask you again, if you feel you cannot raise this in the Senate — tell us why not.

There are some self-acclaimed “independents” in Parliament now. One of them — a year ago — in correspondence with me promised they would move a motion in Parliament, asking the PM to request a Commission of Inquiry into the events of July 27, 1990. That parliamentarian has since demurred, citing the current sedition and conspiracy to murder charges against Abu Bakr as reasons. These alleged (see how careful I can be!) crimes occurred twelve and sixteen years after July 27, 1990, so what am I being told? A Commission of Inquiry into July 27, 1990 is going to prejudice these cases? Manning appointed a Commission of Inquiry into the Piarco Airport project even while there was an ongoing court case on the same matter. I believe Ramesh advised him on that.

And what about Winston Dookeran — one of the heroes of the crisis — who sullied himself by subsequently associating with Panday and Kelvin Ramnath? Will Dookeran, now discarded by Panday and Ramnath, stand in Parliament and move: “That this Honourable House requests the Prime Minister to ask His Excellency the President to appoint a Commission of Inquiry into the events of 1990?” And if not, why not?

And what of the business community, members of the Chamber, and DOMA, who lost so much? Well, I know they were terribly hurt, personally and financially at the time. But they all provided both Manning and Panday with huge sums of “re-election” money.

Only the heroes were never rewarded.

So, if we have no need to inquire in 1990 now, when should we do it? When more MPs are held hostage, more buildings are burnt, and only when the coup is against the PNM?