An inspired author looking down through the stream of history stated: "The present is a time of overwhelming interest to all living. "Rulers and statesmen, men who occupy positions of sacred trust and authority, thinking men and women of all classes have their attention fixed upon the events taking place about us. "They are watching the strained, restless relations that exist among the nations."They observe the intensity that is taking possession of every earthly element and they recognise that something great and decisive is about to take place.
"That the world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis," and that, "those who hold the reins of government are not able to solve the problem of moral corruption, poverty, pauperism and increasing time, and are struggling in vain to place business operations on a more secure basis."How relevant and applicable are these statements to the nation of Trinidad and Tobago, when one examines the geo-political situation in the Middle East, global calamities, and in a country where we tend to take everything for granted and react to events after they occur.
Need for sober reflection
Is this twin-island republic losing the very priceless virtues of its soul that laid the foundation for a disciplined, industrious, caring and humane society by its apparent absorption in gross materialism, greed, selfishness, abuse of power, and yes, tremendous decline in moral and spiritual values?
Perhaps, never before in the nation's history has such a Government seen so many acting Prime Ministers in such a short period, as well as being mired in national controversies, many of its own creation. Some of these controversies ranging from an apparent lack of collective Cabinet responsibility as evidenced in Nizam Mohammed's recent statements on East Indians at the upper echelons in the Police Service, the public outcry and demand for his resignation. Also, security intelligence fiasco, emergence of culture wars (same sex relationships), race relations and transparency in the recruitment and selection procedures in public office, the health crisis and ability to communicate with each other in a civil and respectful manner, beg the following questions?
Is there a crisis in leadership and governance? Is the People's Partnership capable of effectively governing the affairs of this twin-island republic, or is the ship abandoning the people and are the partners in a state of flux? Recognising the growing need for strong, stable and sober leadership, the apparent diminishing returns on their electoral investment as no major changes have been made to the crime situation, no articulated national security strategy and policy for security and development and that power lies with the people more than the politicians, are we prepared to go to the polls again?
Are all the business decisions made by the PP Government done in a fair, transparent and accountable manner or have the PP become infatuated with the trappings of power, position, profits, and where apparently relatives, friends and companions are highly prioritised before the interests of the people, and thus losing its core founding principles in the process? Is the PP serving the citizenry with respect, courtesy and civility, or serving their own vested interests?Let us briefly examine some of these national issues and its unintended consequences.
National intelligence fiascoand selective discrimination
While it is indeed commendable and in the public's interest that the honourable Prime Minister defused and probably averted the impending course of threatened medical action at San Fernando General Hospital, there also needs to be proper closure to the Julie Browne/Reshmi Ramnarine intelligence fiasco. The security and intelligence community ought to be a major contributor to keeping Trinidad and Tobago safe and secure, with mandated boundaries to the scope of its operations and a monitoring process to ensure the agency operates as intended.
Prominent nationals like Dr Selwyn Ryan, Israel Khan, former prime minister Basdeo Panday, Martin Daly, Vernon De Lima, and Dereck Ramsamooj have made calls for the honourable Prime Minister to bring closure to this matter. Why was Ms Browne not sent on leave and a full and impartial investigation conducted in this national security imbroglio? Yet, a disturbing manifestation of this predilection in national security is that Ms Browne still occupies the seat of deputy director.Perhaps this matter may go in the cold case files.However, the Prime Minister is ultimately accountable to Parliament and to the people of Trinidad and Tobago for the security and integrity of the nation. Of more than passing interest is the concern of selective discrimination and deception involved in the promotion process.
Still, another later intriguing development was the choice of the deputy director not to be polygraphed by the US experts. Rather, she chose to be tested by a local polygraph expert, who is under her watch. Was there something to hide or perhaps was she afraid of some questions that may have involved alleged participation in the manufactured CV of Ms Ramnarine, and possible involvement of any other high ranking government officials? Certainly, this was not a change that would have inspired public confidence in the PP's mantra of transparency and accountability.
To be continued next week