COUVA SOUTH MP, Kelvin Ramnath, is warning of worse confrontations between Agriculture Minister John Rahael, and sugar workers if the Minister returns to the sugar belt.
He said on Friday Government was “reaping the fruits” of neglecting to hold meaningful discussions with any of the stakeholders of Caroni {1975} Limited. “ This is just the beginning, the next time is going to be far worse,” he said. The Opposition MP said the Manning administration seemed to be guided by the policy of “take a decision first, and consult later”, adding that further action would depend on Government’s continued attitude towards the sugar workers. “We are not a violent people but we will take whatever action is deemed necessary to secure the rights of our people,” Ramnath declared. He slammed the attendance of several CECEP workers at a meeting in Couva on Thursday, saying Rahael was creating his own mongoose gang in the country.
He said if Rahael was serious about meeting with sugar workers, he would ignore the advice of PNM activist Satish Ramroop and meet the workers on their own turf at Gilbert Park or Sevilla Club. Ramnath said he was inviting Prime Minister Manning to intervene and to hold “meaningful discussions” with the parties representing workers at Caroni Ltd. “Reasonable men can arrive at a reasonable decision,” he said, adding that the UNC was not against the restructuring process but at the way it was being done. A meeting between sugar workers and Agriculture Minister John Rahael was aborted on Thursday evening after the discussion on Caroni’s VSEP plan deteriorated into a shouting match.
A QUESTION for Prime Minister Patrick Manning: Sir, are you not concerned that your belief in and your approach to the participatory democracy to which our nation subscribes is coming under question as a result of your recent decisions? Does it not worry you that at least a section of the population, containing committed and intelligent citizens, may begin to feel a sense of unease about your manner of conducting the country’s affairs?
The question stems largely from the controversy which has arisen over the decision to remove the seat of the nation’s parliament from its traditional place in the Red House and relocate it in a new building to be constructed on the opposite side of Knox Street. And the basis for it is not any intention to challenge the power and authority of the Prime Minister and his Cabinet to make decisions and implement them with respect to the development, physical or otherwise, of the country. One accepts the fact that the Government, elected by the people, must discharge that sacred responsibility. But, at the same time, in doing so, one also expects that the Prime Minister, as leader of the Government and the country, will always be conscious of the need to consult with relevant and responsible parties when deciding on changes that would affect their functions, their established locations and their performance materially.
Such consultation, such a need for strategic participation, is a fundamental ingredient of a modern-day democracy. Mr Prime Minister, the impression that you do not seem to appreciate that essential requirement of our system of government is becoming a source of concern among a widening circle of respectable citizens. To them, also, a willingness to consult is an assuring and comforting attribute, evidence that those who wield power are ever conscious of the source of their authority and of the need to be transparent and unifying in their conduct of the people’s affairs. Mr Prime Minister, the fact that you and your government could take a decision, just so, to construct a new parliament building that would dislodge the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court from its traditional place without consulting the Chief Justice is troubling. But the snubbing of Mr Sharma becomes even more unfortunate, taking on a deliberate flavour, when it is further decided to shift the newly renovated Magistrates’ Court to the old, dilapidated Treasury Building again without any serious consultation with the Chief Justice.
Concerned citizens, of course, may question the wisdom of relocating the Magistrates’ Court from its recently refurbished building with its new wing, on which large sums have been expended, to the dilapidated Treasury Building which will require another huge amount of money to remodel for the Courts’ occupancy. But that is another point. The question being asked here concerns the practice of our democracy and the understanding of the Prime Minister regarding what it demands of him.
How troubling it is may be seen in the critical reaction of the Law Association and its president, Karl Hudson-Phillips QC, who was recently appointed a Judge of the International Criminal Court. Mr Hudson-Phillips writes: “It is inconceivable that any such decision could be made without adequate and meaningful consultation with the Honourable Chief Justice, the Judiciary and, in the case of the Magistrates’ Court, the Magistracy, as well as the Law Association.” The Council is still hoping that meaningful consultation will take place with all the stakeholders “in order to ensure that their concerns and interests are properly taken into account before the plans, which have been announced, move to the implementation stage.” Will the Prime Minister take heed?
Saddam Hussein used lethal chemical weapons — mustard gas and nerve agents — against his neighbour Iran in the 1980s. Saddam Hussein invaded and attempted to annex Iraq’s small neighbour Kuwait. His occupying troops hunted down and murdered Kuwaiti leaders who opposed them.
In 1991, an international coalition forced Saddam Hussein to end his armed occupation of Kuwait. In the face of defeat and possible ouster, he agreed to disarm and to allow UN inspectors to verify Iraq’s full compliance with this commitment. Has Saddam Hussein disarmed? Not at all. Instead, he has increased his arsenal of weapons of mass destruction, and used delaying tactics with United Nations inspectors. Over many years, UN inspectors were repeatedly allowed in and then ejected. All the while Saddam Hussein was enhancing his weapons arsenals. What is in these arsenals?
* Anthrax: Iraq declared 8,500 litres, the UN estimates 26,000.
* Botulinum Toxin: Iraq declared 19,000 litres; the UN estimates 38,000.
* VX Nerve Gas: 1.5 tons unaccounted. One drop is lethal.
* Biological/Chemical Delivery Systems: Over 30,000 munitions, shells, bombs unaccounted.
* Nuclear Development: Iraq has repeatedly sought to illegally acquire controlled items used for uranium enrichment.
* Ballistic Missiles: Multiple tests of the Samoud 2 and al-Fat’h Ballistic Missiles exceeded the 150 kilometre limit set by the UN, but Iraq falsely declared that these systems comply with UN requirements.
Is there any doubt that Saddam Hussein has been making a mockery of the United Nations and defied its order to disarm? Before last November, there were 16 UN resolutions regarding Iraq — all have been violated by Saddam Hussein. Resolution 1441 of last November gave Saddam Hussein his last chance to disarm, or be disarmed by force. He was ordered to fully disclose all of Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction and actively, immediately and unconditionally co-operate with UN inspectors in Iraq’s disarmament. He has not complied. Every time the UN is on the verge of compelling compliance, Saddam Hussein makes an eleventh hour move to give the appearance of co-operation in order to undermine UN resolve. Offering to allow inspectors to witness the destruction of a few Samoud 2 missiles is not convincing. Resolution 1441 demanded full, immediate and unconditional compliance. What is required to disarmament, not cynical steps in a game of cat and mouse.
Even if Saddam Hussein complied 99 percent, that would leave Iraq 15 kilogrammes of VX nerve gas. One drop is still enough to kill a person. Fifteen kilogrammes is less than the weight limit for a suitcase on an international airline flight. How many lives can be taken with 15 kilos? Do you doubt that Saddam Hussein will use these weapons? He used them before, as mentioned above against his neighbours and his own people. Is there any reason to believe he would not give them to terrorists, if it suits his objectives? The danger posed by Saddam Hussein and his weapons cannot be ignored or wished away. Saddam Hussein has been ordered by the United Nations to disarm. We hope the Iraqi regime will meet the demands of the UN and disarm, fully and peacefully. If it does not, we are prepared to disarm Saddam Hussein by force.
So far, Saddam Hussein has not only failed to comply, but has hidden his weapons, lied to the UN and dragged his feet every step of the way. He is good at buying time. He has bought 12 years. Can the world afford to give him more? We welcome Trinidad and Tobago’s support for the fight against terrorism, and hope for its clear and repeated condemnation of Saddam Hussein’s blatant refusal to disarm. Americans, like the people of Trinidad and Tobago, desire peace; but the supporters of terrorism must be confronted and overcome before we can hope to live in a world of peace. We must stand firm in our resolve to ensure that Iraq destroys its weapons of mass destruction and ceases to be a threat to peace.
THE EDITOR: The Holy Scriptures repeatedly warns us of the awesome dangers that are associated with the time of the end of the age. As a matter of fact more is said about this than any other subject in the Bible. Over and over this message has been repeated by the Holy Prophets and Apostles. The end of the world refers to the end of the ungodly attitudes and behaviours that have become so prevalent that the only way forward is through the destruction of these attitudes and behaviours and those who engage in the same.
Our world today is largely characterised by ungodly and selfish living. Lying, violence, adultery and other forms of sexual immorality, stealing, murder etc seem to be the order of the day. The Grammy Award winner Nora Jones said it well when receiving her award “In a world that is truly weird!” In the Bible we are warned that in the latter days we would become divided and be broken into pieces. We would turn against each other, love would cease and be replaced by enmity, greed and selfishness. We are crucifying Christ with our ungodly lifestyles. Isn’t this what our society has been reduced to, everyone seeking after his own regardless of what means we use to get what we want.
Let us heed the warning of the Scriptures to come out of our Babylonish thinking for Babylon or the world has become the habitation of devils and the holder of every foul spirit and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird (Revelation c:17). The world today is a death trap for anyone who insists on living unrighteously. Let us call upon Our Lord who is filled with mercy and goodness that our eyes would be opened to the great deceptions of our time and that we would be restored to his righteous standards of living. To this end we may be saved from the horrible and premature deaths that we are now observing daily. “What shall we do then?” was the question that was posed to John the Baptist, himself a victim of the tribulation of his time. Do violence to no man, be content with your wages, exact no more than that which is appointed to you and accuse no man falsely. (Luke c3) May Almighty God grant us the wisdom to understand the issues of the day so that we may live and be a blessing through this great storm of evil that has come upon us.
ISAAC ALI
Palmiste
THE EDITOR: I am appalled at the attitude of some of the business people who were affected by the gas exposure that affected downtown Port-of-Spain last Friday.
Sewer gas, methane gas and gas in most forms are dangerous, explosive and toxic. Would they have preferred an explosion with disastrous proportions to shoppers, workers and the school children’s detriment. At the end of it all they would blame “Abu”. And, I must compliment the Assistant Deputy Chief Fire Officer who was responsible for seeing that the area was safe before giving the “Go ahead” to open up the area for normal activities.
THOMAS METCAFFE
Pt Cumana
The Editor: On Sunday March 8, 2003 columnist Donna Yawching indulged in her usual tirade against the nation’s politicians.
Whereas one respects her right to assail the misdeeds of the Prime Minister and his inept band of Ministers, the Leader of the Opposition and his MP’s, it is quite appalling that Ms Yawching would resort to the low blows of attacking the health of the wife of the Leader of the Opposition. Indeed, one notes the inhumane and uncivilised comments of Ms Yawching, thus “for all we know, Oma could have had a mole on her big toe.” This to me is unpardonable, inexcusable. It is in shockingly bad taste. Pray tell, what does Mrs Panday have to do to please Ms Yawching? Is it Ms Yawching and her patrons expect Ms Panday to expose herself via exhibition to the court? As far as I know, the lawyers made a submission and Chief Magistrate Mc Nicolls accepted it. It was entirely up to the discretion of the court.
Now, what saddens me is that not twenty four hours earlier, right there on the Brian Lara Promenade, there was a celebration on the status of women. Women were celebrated and lauded for their contribution to the society. In addition, within the last week, the news was filled with issues relating to the health of women. There was the unexpected birth of triplets to the Hosein family in Couva, and the Rani Ramlal victory for medical negligence. Indeed, what is most revealing is that in this very case, Magistrate Deborah Thomas Felix has refused to attend court in San Fernando as a result of her transfer on account of a bad back and the difficulty in commuting to San Fernando on a daily basis. As such, all of this was lost on Ms Yawching who bulldozed her way into the fragile health of Ms Panday. Doesn’t Ms Panday deserve the right to have her husband at her side in her time of ill-health. This is not Ms Yawching’s first attack on the personal lives of the Pandays.
Anton Dicke
Parishioner — The Exalted Word Tabernacle
Old Southern Main Rd., MCBean, Couva
The Editor: I refer to one of your letters to the editor, by Mc-Donald James on Canadian Visa restrictions (Newsday 25/02/03). Here is a rather disingenuous attempt to (and not for the first time) blame Indo-Trinidadians, for Canadian visa restrictions placed on citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.
The author purports to give us the facts, yet in making a clearly divisive case, uses erroneous and hearsay evidence at best. Figures suggest that about 14,800 citizens of Trinidad and Tobago claimed refugee status in a few months of 1988, which led to visa restrictions being placed on this country late that year. Hulsie Bhaggan was not an MP until 1991 and her inflammatory statements about Afro-Trinidadian men, which Mr James claims to be the seed of events, were made long after Canadian Visa restrictions. That invalidates the ludicrous statements about an Indian homeland called “Indesh” and the rest of his explanation on the matter. The refugee crisis was sparked by economics and opportunity.
On one hand was the austerity measures of the NAR, and on the other, a failing Canadian system dealing with refugees. Under Canadian law at the time, every alien, regardless of origin, personal history or criminal record, once having set foot on Canadian soil, had the right under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to claim refugee status. Having done so, the claimant had all the privileges of citizenship except the right to vote. This was based on a Canadian Supreme Court ruling in 1985, and taken advantage of by tens of thousands worldwide. Whether the majority of claimants from Trinidad and Tobago were of East Indian descent is unsubstantiated and immaterial. Furthermore, it is speculative to suggest that Canada would not have placed a visa restriction on this country had there not been a refugee crisis. Closer to home though, one has to wonder at the reasons for our country placing visa restrictions on India and Nigeria.
Wayne Jaggernauth
Research Associate
Wolfson School
Loughborough University
Leicestershire UK
CHARLOTTE AMALIE: Star batsman Brian Lara smashed an unbeaten century to place Trinidad and Tobago in a commanding position after gaining first innings lead over the Leeward Islands on the second day of their seventh-round Carib Beer Series regional cricket match at the Addelita Cancryn Ground yesterday.
At stumps Trinidad and Tobago — 145 runs ahead on first innings — were 313 for four wickets in their second innings, 458 runs ahead. The Leeward Islands were earlier bowled out for 158 in their first innings. Lara hit 14 fours and a six to record the first century at the venue as he delighted a crowd estimated to be around 7,000, who had come to see the world double record holder. He and Dwayne Bravo (44) added 145 for the fourth wicket in 140 minutes. Lara’s half century came in 64 minutes from 56 balls after lashing seven fours and a six, while he took 106 balls to reach his century in 110 minutes.
The Trinidadians found themselves batting after the Leeward Islands batsmen failed miserably, and the openers gave them another solid start of 86 before Andy Jackson (55) was the first to go, yorked by medium pacer Kerry Jeremy as he continued his attacking style of batting from the first innings. Jackson struck 11 fours in a shot-filled 43-ball innings that lasted 66 minutes. Captain Daren Ganga (32) was next out as he slashed Omari Banks to Jeremy at backward point. Twelve runs later, Imran Jan (50) edged off-spinner Alex Adams to wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs.
Lara and Bravo then came together, with their partnership being broken when medium pacer Junie Mitchum bowled Bravo late in the evening. Resuming on 89 for four wickets after a late start due to rain, the remaining Leeward Islands batsmen would only add 69 runs. The only resistance came from Banks who was not out 38 with four fours and a six.
ALBION: Guyana, with 412 all out, seemed on course yesterday to clinch crucial first-innings points as the Windward Islands reached 80 by the close of the second day in their seventh-round Carib Beer Series regional cricket match.
Resuming overnight on 202 for six, Guyana piled on a further 210 runs to put their guests under pressure, thanks to a 145 by senior batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, 44 from Mahendra Nagamootoo and 20 from McGarrell. Chanderpaul, 32 overnight, made his century of the season after serving with the West Indies at the World Cup in South Africa. The West Indies were eliminated in the preliminary stages of that tournament. He lashed 16 fours from 219 balls in an innings that lasted 283 minutes as he warmed up for the Test series against Australia starting in Guyana next month. Nagamootoo cracked six fours to help Guyana to their highest score of the season so far. Kenroy Peters with three for 57 from 23.3 overs, was the best of the Windward bowlers. Fernix Thomas, Darren Sammy and captain Rawle Lewis each picked up two, to complete bowling honours for the visitors.
BRIDGETOWN: A century from opening batsman Sherwin Campbell yesterday helped put Barbados in a dominant position over the West Indies “B” team in their seventh-round match of the Carib Beer Series regional cricket tournament.
Campbell struck his second century of the season, 135 in just under six hours, to help Barbados to 353 for nine declared, in reply to the Windies first-innings total of 115. Fast bowler Jason Bennett, a Barbadian playing for the “B” team, was the pick of the bowlers with five wickets for 83 runs from 26 overs. Given all of the evening period to bat after the Barbadians declared at tea, West Indies “B” reached 181 for six in their second innings when stumps were drawn on the second day of the four-day match at Kensington Oval. Behind on first innings by 238, the West Indies “B” were overpowered by the ruthless Barbadian bowlers and lost wickets at a regular rate to raise the prospects of a fifth triumph for Barbados. The wicket of Trinidad and Tobago’s Aneil Kanhai, caught at slip off off-spin bowler Ryan Hurley for 47 just before the close, put the screws on the “B” team. He and Carlton Baugh Jr., who is still undefeated on 47, batted with some enterprise to give their side some respectability with a sixth-wicket stand of 82 inside the final hour.
