No credibility in PM’s statements—Manning

No credibility must be placed on the alleged assassination plot against Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and three Government ministers, says former prime minister Patrick Manning. Speaking during a press conference at his San Fernando East Constituency office, yesterday, Manning said the Government had developed a reputation of being strangers to the truth. Given the Government’s historical antecedents, including the Reshmi Ramnarine affair, the piano theft and controversial issues involving various ministers, Manning said: “I had to ask myself if the Prime Minister was speaking the truth.” He added: “It is now clear that no credibility whatsoever has to be placed on the Prime Minister’s statement and to the extent that there is any basis for anyone at all indicating that there is some threat to somebody.

“It is a matter for the security services and it is a matter that the security services has to investigate and in due course bring to justice anybody found culpable.” Noting that the people (13 thus far) arrested in connection with the alleged  plot were detained under the Emergency Powers legislation, he said: “If it is there were transgressions or potential transgressions under another law the proper thing to have done would have been to charge them on an allegation that has been made by the PM.” Persad-Bissessar, who described the alleged plot as an act of treason, said it was linked to her Government’s success in the fight against criminals, including drug lords, under the state of emergency (SoE).

Manning, however, countered that the Government’s actions had “struck a major blow against anti-drug effort,” with decisions made with respect to SIA, SAUTT, Offshore Patrol Vessels, radar system, FIU, and blimp.” Manning opined that if there was some truth to the allegation it was blown out of proportion because the Government was trying to use that to extend the SoE that expires on December 5. He said the Government was afraid of civil action by the trade union movement if the SoE was lifted. Describing the SoE as an abysmal failure, Manning added that things will get out of control when it is lifted. Noting that the alleged plot had grabbed headlines nationally and internationally, he said an immediate consequence was that Canada and Australia have since issued travel advisories.

Given the negative reports coming out of T&T in the past months, he warned: “We are going to pay a high price (on the international level) for this.” Manning noted that he received many threats during his 12-year tenure as prime minister which were not made public, except for one incident. He also questioned National Security Minister John Sandy’s silence on the matter. Manning made it clear, however, that any attempt to extend the SoE will be met with strong opposition. “I may have something to say on that matter, let them come.”