A day before the coalition partners meet to discuss issues affecting the PP government, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar convened a high-powered meeting at her private residence in Phillipine, south Trinidad home last night. Sources said the meeting was impromptu and several ministers were forced to cancel social engagements to attend the session.
The two-hour meeting started shortly after 6 pm. Among those attending were leader of Government Business, Dr Roodal Moonilal; UNC chairman Jack Warner, San Fernando mayor, Marlene Coudray and other members of the UNC's national executive.
Speaking briefly to reporters at 8 pm, Foreign Affairs Minister Suruj Rambachan said the allegation of corruption, levelled against the UNC by Minister of Public Utilities Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan was nothing more than an April Fool's Day joke. "It's an interesting situation to see these issues of corruption being raised. No one will take very kindly to such statements to be part of a party, knowing that you are doing everything with the highest level of integrity and another person is saying that you are corrupt," Rambachan said.
He said Seepersad-Bachan's claims had put the Government "in a difficult position." Regarding the purpose of the meeting, Rambachan said: "We always have discussions on matters of governance and the situation involving the Congress of the People (COP) is a fluid one."
Rambachan said he was awaiting the outcome of today's partnership meeting before making further statements. Meanwhile, Moonilal said the meeting was organised to discuss the present impasse facing the Government. He did not elaborate but directed further questions to Warner.
Warner, who left the meeting about 8.15 pm, said he was disappointed with Seepersad-Bachan's claims. "It is very unfortunate. We have been friends for years, but imagine she calling me corrupt. A man who takes only one dollar a month; no other perks and she calling me corrupt. She calling Kamla corrupt and calling Moonilal corrupt. I cannot understand it. I think for one moment Carolyn lost her cool and it is unfortunate that she made this wide brush painting," Warner said.
He said the main issue discussed was the public perception of corruption. "How we deal with this issue is important and I am not at all worried that we will overcome. We have to get them (COP) and talk to them. We shall be winners in the end."
Asked whether he agreed with the way COP Political Leader, Prakash Ramadhar handled the issues, Warner said: "If I was in his position, I would have acted differently. He has his role to play and I have to respect that. I much prefer to say nothing more. The entire matter is too intense for me to say more. Ramadhar has his view, my political leader has her view. I prefer to say nothing."
Asked whether he believed Coudray should resign as mayor, Warner said: "Why should she? There is nothing I have seen or heard or discussed which seems to suggest she should do that." He said he did not agree with what was happening between the COP and the UNC.