Friday, July 28, 2006

by Stephen Cummings
Caribbean Net News Trinidad Correspondent
Email: stephen@caribbeannetnews.com

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: The twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is observing the 16th anniversary of the attempted coup of July 27 1990.

Members of the religious group, the Jamaat Al Muslimeen, including its leader Imam Yasin Abu Bakr, stormed the nation's parliament, taking hostage the then Prime Minister A.N.R. Robinson as well as most of his Cabinet members.

After six days of negotiation, the Muslimeen surrendered on August 1, and were taken into custody. They were tried for treason, but the Court of Appeal upheld the amnesty offered to secure their surrender, leading to their release. The Privy Council later invalidated the amnesty, but the Muslimeen members were not re-arrested.

About 40 people died during the coup attempt, with millions in property losses due to looting. Among the dead was Trinidad Member of Parliament for Diego Martin Central, Leo Des Vignes.

The observance on Thursday, July 27, was marked by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Red House. President George Maxwell Richards led a delegation in the laying of wreaths.

Meanwhile, there continues to be calls by several civic-minded groups in the country for a commission of inquiry into all the events surrounding the attempted coup of 1990.

It is being said that the observance of the anniversary of the July 1990 events must always remain as a solemn reminder of how quickly democratic traditions and constitutionally guaranteed freedoms can be taken away.

Many believe that sixteen years after blood flowed in the Trinidad parliament and capital, the nation is still left with many questions and few answers surrounding the events of 27 July 1990.

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