N Touch

Sham democracy by Bush and Blair

THE EDITOR: Some fifty years ago, Senator Joseph McCarthy shamed democracy by carrying out a witch-hunt against members of the American movie industry for being sympathetic to other isms than his own hard line Republicanism. Directors, authors, script-writers, actors etc were hauled before the Senate’s Un-American Activities Committee. The careers of many were killed off, and one or two driven to suicide. This type of sham democracy has now drifted across the Atlantic to Britain, spawning the Blair Witch Project against the media and free expression.

The BBC has been slandered, and scientist Dr David Kelly has been persecuted to death. When Bush and Blair are shown going to church with bibles in their hands, we do not see the copies of Machiavelli hidden between the covers. Perhaps we all need to understand the true meaning of that overused and ill-defined word ‘Democracy’, that lays dying in the vault of Voltaire: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

M A KERR
Woodbrook

Disabled neglected for too long

THE EDITOR: There seems to be a tendency by some people to think that the physically challenged are not as important or equally valuable as everyone else. They view them as less intelligent and less productive than everyone else. This type of thinking has caused the disabled community to be neglected, forgotten and ill-treated by those in authority for too long. Solutions must be found for the antiquated education system that does not cater to the unique needs of the disabled, the discrimination faced by the physically challenged who are denied jobs that they are adequately qualified for, and for being denied access to public buildings because they are not wheelchair friendly.

In a nation where it is said that every creed and race finds and equal place, the disabled seem not to belong to either creed or race. Is that why they don’t find an equal place? But enough is enough, we must demand full citizenship for our disabled citizens. They are tired of being treated like second-class citizens in their own country. The time to act is now! There is absolutely no reason why these problems of inequity can’t be solved by the powers that be. The government and those in positions of power have an opportunity of a lifetime to work together with the disabled community to effect profound change like never before.

WAYNE  NARANJIT
Champs Fleurs

Way to get rid of illegal guns

THE EDITOR: Please publish this letter addressed to The Honourable Prime Minister Mr Patrick Manning. Dear Mr Prime Minister, this letter highlights the policies that may be undertaken by the Government to decrease or even eliminate crime by next year: (1) Gun buy back policy. (2) Probation and curfew for ex-convicts and deportees. (3) Implementation of an Internal Security Act. (4) Stricter penalties for serious crimes like murder, kidnapping and drugs. No bail or higher bail amount imposed. With a population of only 1.4 million people in the beautiful and serene twin-island republic, the increasing rate of crime needs to be addressed in a swift and critical manner. It is a worrying aspect when we realise that there are more guns than knives in the country! The continued escalation of crime has been a cause of concern for both the citizens of this country as well as for foreign visitors. It is almost impossible for sustained economic and social growth when foreign investors are hesitant to invest and local entrepreneurs are leaving the country for fear of their lives. As a responsible member of this community, I would like to put forward a few suggestions which I believe may be helpful in our war against crime. Although I applaud the Government’s efforts, I trust that a plan must be implemented to induce people to relinquish their weapons especially guns.

Perhaps the Government can put into effect an amnesty period, of say, 30 days, whereby people who surrender their weapons will be rewarded monetarily or in kind for their peacekeeping effort. This buy-back programme will go down well with many businesses, multi-national companies and conglomerates as well as with every individual in this country. The Government may seek their support in contributing towards this programme and the result will be more dramatic. Deploying 1,000 retired police officers does not seem to be a cost effective and pragmatic move as it does not guarantee that the rate of illegal guns will decrease any time soon. The cost of deploying these police officers will be quite significant in the long run with no immediate visible results and does not assure a decline in illegal guns. However, with proper planning and execution of the buy-back programme, we should see a significant decline of illegal guns and murder next year. It would probably only take 20 percent of what it would cost to deploy the 1,000 police officers.

After the end of the amnesty period, stern and constant follow-up action needs to be undertaken. Intelligence reports from various peacekeeping departments, namely the Police, Army and Federal Reserve Unit, resulting from raids, road blocks etc, should be used to further eradicate weapons and guns from the streets. Random and discreet road blocks should be carried out in the Westmoorings, Maraval, Port-of-Spain, San Fernando, Chaguanas, Laventille, Morvant areas to name a few. All suspected convicts, ex-convicts and deportees should be put on probation, whereby they are required to sign in on a weekly of fortnightly basis at a designated police station. A curfew would need to be imposed on these said persons of say 8 pm unless permission was specifically applied for to leave for credible purposes, eg work. The reasons given would then be substantiated by the relevant authorities. No bail or a substantial bail amount should be extended when the crime involves murder, kidnapping or drugs. Countries like Singapore, Japan, Australia and China have strict laws that ensure national security as well as economic and social development. In Singapore, chewing gum is not allowed and this has helped the Republic maintain cleanliness and eliminate unsightly public areas. In China, tax evasion calls for life imprisonment. The death penalty is enforced for serious crimes in these countries.

The concept of the Internal Security Act as practiced by some countries may be helpful in improving and maintaining national peace and prosperity. This Act would enable the Government to detain suspected and known criminals without trial. In Singapore, Act 55 is enforced and in the United States where human rights policies are strongly upheld, have seen the authorities detain more than 10,000 suspected Al Qaeda terrorists. Almost 95 percent of them did not even have weapons or explosives when they were detained. Therefore, I have absolute confidence that with the current critical situation, the President, Non-Governmental Organisations, the Opposition Party and all businessmen will fully support the implementation of this new Act which will eliminate hardcore criminals. In order to achieve the goals envisioned for the year 2020, the Government must take effective measures to make them a reality. I believe the above suggestions may put the wheels in motion as I have great confidence in the wisdom of the Prime Minister and his office. As a reputable and respected leader in the domestic and international community, you will need to show them that the Government of this country is not taking these crimes lightly and will stand up to those who threaten the peace of this country with good acumen, confidence, and justification. The people of Trinidad and Tobago should not be made to endure the present conditions in which they are living, and we are looking to you, Prime Minister Manning for peace, harmony and a way of life of which we can be proud and uniquely call our own.


MICHEAL SAMAROO
Cascade

BWIA offers choice of packages

THE EDITOR: This is in response to a letter to the Editor, dated July 30, 2003, captioned “BWIA must focus on packages” in which the writer voiced the opinion that “BWIA has it all wrong and could never survive because they are selling transport and not packages.” BWIA West Indies Airways Limited does indeed offer a package tour programme designed to satisfy the diverse travel needs of our customers. The programme, which has been in existence for several decades and was previously known as the “Funventure” programme is currently branded as “BWee Vacations” in North Amercia and “BWee Travel Solutions” in the Caribbean. It offers a choice of packages, throughout BWIA’s network to our North American, South and Central American and Caribbean customers. Fundamentally, a BWee Vacations/BWee Travel Solutions package is a “one-stop-shop” offering return airfare, hotel accommodation, ground transfers, car rental and tours, designed for the convenience of the BWIA customer, at a very economical cost.

The hotels, tours and other services featured in the programme are meticulously selected and constantly reviewed to maintain high levels of consumer satisfaction. Our primary car rental partner is Hertz car rental and reservations for Hertz car rental may be confirmed directly through BWIA’s network of reservations offices. The BWee Travel Solutions product is distributed mainly via our web site www.bwee.com and via dedicated flyers which are distributed through all BWIA’s Caribbean Reservations and Sales offices systemwide, travel agencies, tourist boards, corporate clients and directly to consumers at trade shows, expos and mall promotions throughout the Caribbean and the United States. Other BWIA products currently available include BWee Duty Free, BWee Cargo and Jetpack, BWee Miles, Club BWee, BWee E-ticket. Information on these products and current promotions is available on our website, www.bwee.com. Requests for specific information and reservations of a BWee Travel Solutions package tour to any BWIA destination may be made through our dedicated tour department at 627-2942, via e-mail at travel.solu-tions@bwee.com or through your local travel agent.


ALLISON HACKETT
Manager, BWee Travel Solutions

TT needs one-stop shop in ny

THE EDITOR: I cannot agree more with the observation of your article regarding the confusion created in the minds of people not acquainted with our domestic abbreviations. As one who is actively involved with matters of interest to our country, I am constantly having to explain a lot connected with the non-promotion of Trinidad and Tobago. I am fully aware that tourism has always been relegated to the lowest level of our industrial complex, nevertheless since so many people depend on this trade for their livelihood, serious attention should be paid accordingly.

I would challenge anyone to make a call to BWIA, which is the nearest office concerned with tourism in the Tri-state area and be shocked to find yourself connected to Sun-jet house in Edward Street, Port-of-Spain where bewilderment and confusion immediately sets in. Once upon a time there was a Tourism office in New York, it is time to re-establish a complex housing our various agencies as a one stop shop both for nationals, tourists and potential investors.


DESMOND M CHASE
USA

5 guns seized

A 27-year-old man was held by police early yesterday morning with police and army uniforms. In a house in the hills of Diego Martin, the man was found with a pair of police pants, shirt, complete with real buttons and clips, a baton with the words “THE BIGWOOD” carved out and a brown leather belt. Senior police officers said the baton and belt were not police issue and were working on the theory that the man may have had the baton and belt made. He also was held with a full Army kit — pair of pants, shirt and boots as well as three rounds of .380 ammunition.  No firearm was found but police said a firearm holster was discovered. Up to late evening, police could not say from where the man obtained the gear.  Acting Com-missioner of Police Everald Snaggs said a probe will be conducted to determine how the man came into possession of the police uniform. The top cop further told Newsday that the police were receiving reports of “robberies and other serious crimes” being committed by people dressed in police uniform, and that the issue is under investigations by the Criminal Investigations Department.

Captain Elizabeth Williams, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF), stated that the TTDF had no official comment to make, and that it was now a police matter. Police said the police/army imposter is believed to be involved in a kidnapping and robbery incident on the Diego Martin Main Road on July 4. Police said, two men, one a rasta-haired man in police uniform and another man, stopped a couple and asked for assistance, the two men got into the vehicle and while driving along the Diego Martin Main Road, one of them pulled out a gun, which was used to assault the driver. The driver was then ordered to pull into the Diego Martin branch of KFC where the man wearing the police uniform came out and fired several shots. They then escaped after kidnapping the driver, whose vehicle they used as a getaway car. The vehicle was later recovered.  The suspect is due to be placed on identification parades in connection with the July 4 incident as well as other serious reported crimes. Police were unable to say whether the man had used the army outfit to carry out any illegal activities.

Police said they were led to the suspect after receiving certain information.  A party of West End officers under Cpl Steven Rivas and including PCs Wheeler, Mitchell, Nelson and others stormed a house in the hills of Diego Martin, around 3.30 am. The man was one of 35 people arrested by Western Division officers during an exercise co-ordinated by Sr Supt Stephen Quashie and carried out by several senior officers, including Insp Anthony Lezama. During the exercise, officers of the Maraval Police Station also seized two firearms, bringing to five, the number of guns seized in less than 24 hours. One of the two firearms seized by the Maraval police has been described as a 12-gauge seven shooter pump action shotgun, while the other is a .380 semi-automatic pistol. Police said two people, ages 25 and 22, were held and a pistol was seized at Beaupres Road, while the shotgun was seized at Herrera Trace, Morne Coco Road, both in Maraval. Around 6 pm Thursday, a 24-year-old Maracas Bay man was held during a roadblock exercise on the North Coast Road.

Officers under Sgt Keith Louison held the man with a .22 pistol and 15 rounds of .22 ammunition. Earlier Thursday, officers of the Port-of-Spain raided an abandoned house in the Carenage district. There, the officers seized a 9mm pistol, a .38 revolver, 63 rounds of 9 mm ammunition and six rounds of .38 ammunition. A large quantity of jewelry was also recovered and police said they believe the jewelry and one of the firearms were stolen in a recent robbery in Chaguanas. Two illegal immigrants, one a Jamaican, the other a Venezuelan, were also held during the Western Division exercise and are to be “thoroughly checked” by the Immigration authorities, senior police officers said. Others were held on outstanding warrants, narcotic offences and possession of firearm and ammunition. A kilogramme of marijuana was also seized. Snaggs told Newsday that the seizures are testimony to the kind of information the police have been receiving from the public, whom he encouraged to continue to provide information to the police as well as Crime Stoppers.

Man dies after swallowing two packets of cocaine

A 40-year-old man, who tried to escape arrest by police officers armed with a search warrant, swallowed two packets of cocaine, overdosed on the drug and was rushed to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Reports revealed that around 9 am yesterday, officers of the Port-of-Spain CID who were on an exercise in the Maraval area went to the home of Joseph Da Silva at Da Silva Terrace with a search warrant to search the man’s home for drugs. When officers arrived at the house, they announced their presence and called out to Da Silva. When he failed to respond, officers broke down a door leading to a bedroom and found him lying on the floor trying to vomit. He later began frothing from the mouth and went into a state of unconsciousness. The man was rushed to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. An autopsy  carried out yesterday revealed that death was due to an overdose of cocaine.

Two packets containing the remants of cocaine were discovered in the dead man’s stomach. A party of police officers went to the scene of the incident and seized a quantity of cocaine and apparatus. Da Silva was a former manager at a cloth store in Port-of-Spain and has relatives living in Diego Martin. Police investigators yesterday appealed to members of the public with information on Da Silva’s relatives to contact Snr Supt Ali of the Port-of-Spain Division.

Coast Guard recovers one body

An unidentified homeless couple was washed away by raging flood waters at East Dry River around 7 pm on Thursday. The body of the female victim was recovered in a mangrove at Sea Lots around 9 am yesterday by Coast Guard officers of the Trinidad and Tobago Nelson. Reports revealed that around 7 pm on Thursday, the homeless couple were seen asleep under a bridge at the East Dry river. Another homeless person reported to the police that following heavy showers, the East Dry River flooded and he looked on as the couple was washed away by the flood waters. An attempt to save the two proved futile and officers of the Besson Street Police Station were alerted. The officers contacted the Coast Guard and a one-hour search was carried out for the two victims.

Coast Guard officers told Newsday that they combed the sea around Sea Lots on Thursday to locate the body but to no avail. Yesterday, the search continued in the same area, and the body of a woman believed to be in her late thirties was discovered in a mangrove. The body was removed to an area close to the National Flour Mills and viewed by  District Medical Officer Dr Clarke. It was later ordered removed to the Forensic Science Centre. Coast Guard officers also combed the entire area at Sea Lots yesterday with the hope of locating the second body. They revealed that it may take at least three days before the body surfaces. They said that the search will continue today. At East Dry River yesterday, several homeless persons who live under the bridge expressed sadness over the death of the two. They said that the victims were asleep when they were washed away by the flood waters. No one could identify the couple and described them as being slim built and in their late 30s. Investigations are continuing.

Baby Patricia dies at hospital

AFTER battling for two weeks just to breathe, the struggle for life proved too much for frail baby Patricia. On August 8, baby Patricia succumbed to complicated health problems and died at the nursery of the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH). Baby Patricia was born by Caesarian section while her mother, Patricia Montrichard, died in the delivery room of SFGH on July 28. In her two weeks of life, the child was kept incubated, hooked up to a respirator machine and fed via a tube inserted down her throat. Doctors later diagnosed her with a stomach infection and the child’s father, Cypriano Cova, donated a pint of blood in a desperate attempt to save his daughter’s life. This Wednesday, Cova said, the doctors handed him both the birth and death certificates of his daughter at the same time.

An autopsy revealed that death was due to complications arising out of brain damage and respiratory failure. Cova, of Agostini Village, Rio Claro, said he was contacted around 4 pm last Friday while at work at TTEC and told of his daughter’s passing. With only ten relatives present, the baby girl was buried at the Penal Cemetery on Thursday morning following an intimate ceremony at Boodoo’s Funeral Agency. The father said he made the decision to spare the Montrichard family further grief and so did not return to Rio Claro to bury the child. “I am sad about the baby’s death but she was suffering so much. At least now she is out of misery.” Meanwhile, hospital authorities are continuing investigations into the sudden death of Montrichard, 27, as requested by her relatives. Cova and Montrichard’s relatives have filed a written request for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death. The family said they intend to take up legal action against the hospital.

Payroll clerk held up in Mt Hololo — …we tried to warn them, says cops

TWO gunmen stormed a construction site in Cascade yesterday and made off with over $18,000 after holding up a payroll clerk and a worker, police said. Police sources told Newsday that around 12.05 pm, the two armed men walked into the construction site situated at 8, Mount Hololo Road.  One of the men is reported to have announced a hold-up after which they robbed San Juan resident Carl Anderson, an employee, of $810. The other assailant, police sources said, then entered a room on the job site where the payroll clerk Raffick Mohammed, of Enterprise, was robbed of $17,517.47, which was supposed to pay employees. The men then left the scene on foot.  A report was made and a party of officers from the Belmont Police Station under Sgt Patterson and including PCs Honore and Marshall visited the scene and conducted investigations. Police said the officers made a search of the area for the two assailants but their efforts were futile. Belmont police also said that they have repeatedly advised the employers to come to the police station compound to pay their employees or request police supervision. No arrest had been made up to late evening and PC Marshall is continuing investigations.