With the House of Representatives on hiatus and the absence of each other to spar with (face to face) Government and Opposition are now otherwise occupied in different locations. Prime Minister Kamla Persad- Bissessar and Government MPs yesterday traded playing to the Parliament's public gallery for the Tobago public. PP MPs were being bused to a series of back-to-back engagements in the sister isle, delaying the planned two-day governance retreat. Those seminars will all be held today before MPs return home, a PP spokesman said.
The PP team, however, may be returning with a slightly heavier load arising from the Police Commissioner's decision to pursue probing allegations of bribery reported to have occurred in T&T involving Minister Jack Warner. Warner has been suspended from FIFA pending probe of the issue. Now under investigation locally as well as internationally, it remains to be seen how Government will deal with this and/or respond to renewed Opposition calls for Warner to step down while the local probe is on. Since the commissioner met the Opposition's ultimatum to start probing the issue, the PNM will likely increase calls for Warner to demit. What effect the local investigation will have on Persad-Bissessar's promised Cabinet realign- ment-expected before month-end-is to unfold.
While Warner's FIFA problems earned T&T a negative international spotlight recently when he was in Zurich, the local probe is breaking on the eve of Government's Caribbean Business Forum, starting Monday. This premier event for the administration showcases T&T to Commonwealth and Americas investors including 40-plus regional and international experts. It, however, takes place under the cloud of the allegations against Government's top performer and party boss. Warner, among invitees to Monday's forum, is "uncertain to attend," a spokesman said yesterday. Warner this week put further distance between himself and FIFA when he dropped his years-old e-mail address involving the FIFA abbreviation, for a new one.
Monteil-first PNMite
Conversely, Government's second year has started off with heightened action in an area which had minimal attention in the first: legal proceedings on certain "hot potato" issues. Clico jefe Lawrence Duprey, against whom the Central Bank filed civil proceedings regarding Clico misappropriation, mismanagement and misapplication, was a chief UNC financier under the Panday administration. Central Bank's move on his colleague, Andre Monteil, has made Monteil the first high-profile PNM person to be "brought up" on the matter, though the issue doesn't involve the last Government. Former Prime Minister Patrick Manning in 2007 had distanced his administration from Monteil-his party's treasurer at the time-following Monteil's $110 million HMB share acquisition while he was HMB chairman. The ensuing firestorm caused Monteil's retirement from state boards and Clico in 2008 (to sheep farming in Cumuto).
Persad-Bissessar had noted Monteil's Clico remuneration and retirement benefits in her 2011 budget reply and in subsequent statements. Since the Clico matter is expected to be fully ventilated via Central Bank's proceedings, questions arise about the Anthony Coleman enquiry ordered by Government into the Clico (and HCU matters) where duplication or contradiction might occur, complicating court proceedings. The Coleman probe begins in earnest next month. Taxpayers have already spent $52 million for the Uff enquiry, whose 91 recommendations are apparently not being heeded, considering issues concerning Government procurement.
The Senate Tuesday debated a committee report on procurement to save the committee's work and continue in the next session. The Senate has one more session next Tuesday. The House, however, proroguing next week after the end of the first session, leaves several matters outstanding. This includes the privileges issue involving Anil Roberts and PNM's Keith Rowley, which may lapse unless completed.
COP candidates start debates Monday
The House break has also come in handy for campaigning COP MPs immersed in leadership elections.
Nominations close tomorrow with four contenders (barring latecomers), Prakash Ramadhar, Anil Roberts, Vernon de Lima, Nalini Dial. COP leader Winston Dookeran has said he would not endorse anyone for the July 3 election. Considering Dookeran's decision to demit leadership, COP officials say he is unlikely to return to fight elections for his Tunapuna seat. The poll's result-whether the new leader will consolidate supporters or further fragment COP- will continue shaping the Partnership and its future operations. It will therefore be a key factor in the next general election's outcome. From Monday, COP hosts nationwide debates to present candidates to members, COP's secretariat confirmed: La Brea (June 13), Naparima Boys College (June 15), Arima Town Hall (June 17), El Dorado (June 22), Flagship House, PoS (June 24), Tobago (June 25), Fyzabad (June 27), Guaico (June 29), COP Charlieville head office (July 1).
Manning, Rowley going to July CPA conference
PNM's Rowley and Manning, also busy during the break, both head to London next month-but not together. Manning stepped out last Sunday, attending (for the first time) a National Steelband Symphony concert at NAPA, Queen's Park, a much maligned pet project during his tenure. In London, Manning will attend the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association's conference to highlight his fight for legal representation for MPs in Parliament's Privileges Committee issues. Rowley is also attending the July 21-28 conference, the Opposition confirmed. Rowley doesn't share Manning's view on the representation issue-a fact he made clear during recent House debate on the issue.
Rowley will be part of the T&T Parliament's delegation to the CPA London conference. Manning, attending on his own, will pay his way. With two leading Opposition figures at the conference, Government is expected to send a frontline representative, expected to be PP House leader Roodal Moonilal. Manning, whose suspension from Parliament ends next Friday, may pay his last visit to the Red House (which he once desired as his office) in July for the ceremonial opening of the second session of the term. After recess, Parliament moves to the Waterfront's IFC Tower for "three years in the first instance" while Red House renovations are completed.
Unless finished before the term's end, Manning-who's said he is in the "departure lounge"- may not return to the Red House as an MP again. If Manning's recent 40-mile North-South walk demonstrated his physical strength and endurance, his potential political form continues making some PNMites nervous. At PNM's central executive meeting last week, top members confirmed intention to speak with youth league members since past and present league leadership officials participated in Manning's walk. Mention of ex-ministers in the walk was also made at last weekend's Women's League meeting, which Rowley addressed. At PNM's Tunapuna constituency meeting on Monday, a spokesman said there were divided views for and against Manning's walk.
Constituency leaders told members they were free to support if MPs protested against the Government on the basis of strong conviction. The senior Tunapuna official said, "We got calls about Manning's walk from PNMites concerned about division. But we have to learn to manage new situations and move forward."
"He's just worsening our position," said one leadership member preparing for tomorrow's PNM Family Day in Manzanilla.
T&T Political Dictionary (First Session Firsts)
"Tsunami"-The Warner Meteorological downgrade-from rampaging storm to drizzle in two days flat.
"FIFA"-Forewarned Isn't (always) Forearmed.
"Lawyer's Advice"-Put a lid on it.
...See also "Public Service Regu-lations"-aka Shut Up.
"Cabinet Democracy"-PMspeak for "People Talking 2 Much."
"Government Retreat"-Mecha-nism to halt the overkill before somebody gets politically killed.
"Realignment"-(One) method of helping some get politically killed before the Government is.
"Stand By Your Man"-'50s tune in comeback not only for the wife of -the appropriately named-Anthony Weiner, the US Congressman who messenged naughty pix to "outside" women.
...But also a tune the Opposition feels is on the PM's Top 10 list regarding Warner.
"Striked"- Senate Vice-Presi-dent Lyndira Oudit's flustered rendition of "struck" while under Hinds pressure on May 31.
"The Five-Time Manoeuvre"- Senate President Timothy Hamel- Smith's stern repetitive way of handling Hind quarters on June 4.
"(Not) Good Housekeeping"-PNM's view of Speaker Wade Mark's busy dustbusting style.
"Division"-The vote Opposition calls for when non-supportive of Government moves. And occasion-ally their former leader's as well. As in "how to further internal division."
"Political Pouting"-How not to win friends and influence people to join an Opposition grousing about a past personality as much as about Government.
...See also "Political Problems- not always the PP."
"Split"-Something that requires two to do.
"Toeing The Party Line"-For PNM MPs, doesn't mean voting for Manning's recent motion or partici-pating in democracy walks.
"Writing On The Wall"-How some COP jefes feel about the PP coalition. Also how some PNMItes view the reappearance of ex-Arouca South MP Camille Robinson-Regis where current MP Alicia Hospedales is concerned.
"Scrapped"-Out the window. For Now.
"Luck"-Something Gopaul, Seepaul, Chanderpaul and everybody else (should) have equally under every administration.
"Improper Action"-What was expected to have been left behind with May 24, 2010.
"Revoke Appointment"-Instant PP mechanism to leave things behind. Resident in PM's hand (comes with XL size hand sanitiser to ensure clean hands).
"Contract"-That which simulta-neously makes Government and Opposition cringe.
"Friend"-Something which the PM has 70,000+ of, on Facebook
"Odds"-Are anyone's guess how many of those may seek a state contract and be the preferred bidder over the rest of the term.
"Procurement Procedure"-Elu-sive non-political animal hunted by the PP for state agencies and trotted out frequently on the PNM's Opposition track (though unsuccess-ful in taming it before).
"Bulldoze"-Word banned from PP vocabulary.
"Pineapple"-Food banned from Roodal Moonilal's diet.
"Voter Padding"-Just plain banned.
"Bright Idea"-That which may look good on paper (text and trans-atlantic BBM) but is dim in practice and could turn around to bite poli-tical butt.
"Totally Inappropriate"-politi-cally correct for So Wrong.
"Hypocrisy"-When sanctions regarding what's totally inappropri-ate aren't applied equally.
"Million-dollar Settlement"- After farmers' protests involving tractors, cane stalks and pumpkins, government's method of defusing the threat of the capital next being inundated by billygoats saddled with placards stating "Things Baaaaaaaaad in Agriculture."
"Government Workout"-Tread-mill, gym routines Anil and Anand were on recently when TG called.
...Separate and distinct from the "PM Workout": Take one suspension, mix with vexation and vigour and start walking (guaranteed fat burner plus a week of photos).