Trinidad opposition threatens to boycott budget debates

Mr. Basdeo Panday
(www.nalis.gov photo)

Friday, October 10, 2003

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: Trinidad & Tobago's Opposition party, the United National Congress, may not show up at today's 2003-2004 budget debate. The Trinidad Guardian quoted Opposition Leader, Mr. Basdeo Panday, as saying he is still unsure whether he would lead the debate today. 

"I have yet to make up my mind about that," he said during an interview at the Opposition's Office at Charles Street, Port-of-Spain, after a courtesy call from the chairman and deputy chairman of the Integrity Commission, Messrs. Gordon Dean and John Martin. 

The UNC boycotted Monday's budget presentation in Parliament, after UNC MPs, Dr Hamza Rafeeq and Manohar Ramsaran, were arrested and charged during an anti-crime protest in Chaguanas. 

"Our men were arrested for what? Walking peacefully along the streets in twos? Manning feels that he must use the police to teach them a lesson. After all, they were revolting against 'mighty Caesar'," Mr. Panday said. 

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