Attorney General Anand Ramlogan has branded as "bad journalism" and "a lie" allegations in yesterday's Express newspaper that he said soliders are lazy and under-utilised.The AG spoke at length on the issue at yesterday's post-Cabinet media briefing, saying the misinformation caused pain and anguish and led to an interview with retired major general Ralph Brown on an incorrect premise. Brown said he could not believe such a stupid statement was made, the AG said.
Ramlogan, reading from Parliament's Hansard report, said at no time during his contribution to the debate on the Miscellaneous Provisions (Defence and Police Compliants) Bill 2013 in the Senate last Tuesday did he say soldiers were lazy.He said he told the Upper House it was impractical to have the Regiment on standby waiting for something to happen that may not happen.
Ramlogan said he does not know how the Express got that wrong but he would just "leave it as bad journalism for now."The AG said he told the Senate the Regiment was powerful, committed and disciplined. As for the debate on the bill, which was abruptly adjourned last Wednesday after it was rejected by Independent and Opposition senators, Ramlogan said, "The debate is not yet completed. It has been adjourned to be continued."
He said the Government remains open to suasion and good proposals will be considered. Opposition and Independent senators, however, have made no proposed amendments but have presented contradictory statements, he said.He said when debate resumes, the Government will present the standing orders the Defence Force is supposed to be guided by when given powers similar to those of the Police Service.
The AG also responded to PNM senator Faris Al-Rawi, who said in the Senate that the Government is misleading the nation by saying countries around the world have given defence force officers powers similar to those of police officers.Ramlogan said Al-Rawi is misleading the country because in Jamaica, the prime minister has the power to issue directives to the Chief of Defence Force for use of soldiers in maintaining law and order.