Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com

Trinidad and Tobago a nation in terror, says MP
02-01-2007

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: The people of Trinidad and Tobago are now living in terror and President George Maxwell Richards must now step forward and take leadership in restoring law and order, Congress of the People political leader, Winston Dookeran has said.

Speaking at a public meeting in Arima on Tuesday, Dookeran said: "He said it appears as if the criminals were now in charge of the country."

The St Augustine MP also referred to the sitting of the Parliament last Friday when debate was abruptly ended by the Leader of Government Business, Ken Valley, even as Dookeran was making a statement. Dookeran expressed outrage that the Speaker of the House allowed the debate to end.

"This country is in terror and the Speaker of the House says that there is no right to debate that terror," he said, adding "this country needs assurances. It needs assurances that the Head of State at least supports law and order in Trinidad and Tobago."

"Once again I call on the President of our Republic to make such a statement to give us even a little glimmer of hope."

Reminding supporters that a precedent was set for a President to act in a situation of crisis, the former Deputy Prime Minister also reiterated his call for a commission of inquiry to be launched on the arrest of Inshan Ishmael.

"Tonight I make that call once more publicly and I said on Sunday when we embarked on this programme to defend our rights and freedoms, that I shall be writing to the President asking him to establish (which he can do) a special commission of inquiry to look into the affairs of the last week in order to see what the implications of those affairs are going to be in the preservation of our rights and freedoms in democratic Trinidad and Tobago."

Also speaking at the meeting were Congress Youth member, Anika John, Congress Secretary for Education and Research, Clyde Weatherhead, Broadcaster Inshan Ishmael, Congress deputy chairperson, Hulsie Bhaggan and Caroni East MP, Ganga Singh. Former National Security Minister, Joseph Toney, chaired the meeting.