Mr Basdeo Panday

	 I wish to express my congratulations to Mr Basdeo Panday on
th excellent Job he has done for the contry, starting with his
contribution from being a Union Leader for the Sugar Workers, and
then being a very voicerous Opposition leader and finally being the
Prime Minister of the Country. You have done well.

	 You are now back to the position where you have started and
I think you have come full circle in your life of Politics. You are
now in a position to retire with glory, for there is no more you can
do for the people now.

	 Lets start with your Party loosing the General election, and
now horribly loosing the local election. Your downfall started with
you being overconfident as prime minister, you simply forgot that
the people put there and the people can remove you as well, while
you were there you fail to work for the people and that was you
problem, you took your loyal supporters for granted, it was not
Indian time yet. You allowed your unknown Minister(s) to roam free
and wield power with free reign without any accountability to any
one (The self proclaimed Sheriff, where is he now.)

	 After the last general election you came out declaring that
you will be retiring because of age, after the dust settled you
declared that you are here to stay. People no longer have confidence
in what ever you say and do anymore, because they know that a few
days later you would come around and say the complete opposite (just
like being an opposition member, you oppose yourself).

	 It seem's that you have lost touch with the people and you
are not sure what it is you want as an opposition leader, you are
failing the people and the party as well, in your words ( as long as
You are leader of the opposition, Patrick Manning will be Prime
Minister). Why don't you ask yourself why are you in the position
you are in, simple you have lost touch with the people.

	 Your own MPs are afriad of opposing you, for fear of your
retribution. If you continue bashing the PNM and opposing every
thing (even some of things you have started) then what do you think
the people will think of you. Try and show the people that you can
do something and not try and start mass chaos in the society.

	 Recialism has been alive in the country for as long as
people existed, not only between two or more races, but even between
the same race, so that is not something that should be your point of
objection, we  have lived along side for so long, it's not a major
point of concern. Because in the end whosoever is in power we all
still have to continue living right there.

	 So as one of your  ex-Ministers had put it, you should ride
of in to the sunset and let the new blood of the young people show
what they have to offer. Don't wait for the party election to come
around to leave or determine if you should be the leader. Give up
the leader ship now as the gentleman you are. That's the only way
that the party can move forward and regain controlled of the
country, then you can always claim that you started the foundation
for a better Trinidad, by allowing the young people have a say in
the direction the country needs to go forward in the 21st Century.
We all know that the PNM will fall, but you have to help it fall by
removing your self from the leadership of the UNC, and help the new
leaders organize for the control of Trinidad and Tobago.

	 So Mr Panday, you have done well it's time now for you to
retire and look back at your achivements and let the young people
take control of their future.

Acknowledged with my usual thanks...............
Regards

========Original Message========
Subj:    [United National Congress ] after 169 years so called
emancipation...and indentureship
  Date:   8/5/2003 12:48:04 PM Atlantic Standard Time
  From:   <A HREF="mailto:no_reply@yahoogroups.com">no_reply@yahoogroups.com</A>
  Reply-to:   <A
HREF="mailto:unitednationalcongress@yahoogroups.com">unitednationalcongress@yaho\
ogroups.com</A>
  To:     <A
HREF="mailto:unitednationalcongress@yahoogroups.com">unitednationalcongress@yaho\
ogroups.com</A>
  Sent from the Internet (Details)



why should this still continue.?????..this really is not necessary in
an oil rich and hydrocarbon rich country...

any contenders that T&T should be this way?????

who signed those deals to sell me-country patrimony?????????

why must the express report this:
A resident of St Mary's Village crosses a pile of burning debris
yesterday as villagers blocked the road to protest its poor
condition. Photo: TREVOR WATSON

Pensioners, taxi-drivers, children and several businessmen came out
in full force yesterday in Moruga to protest against poor road
conditions. They burned tyres and carried placards.

More than 200 people gathered at St Mary's Village, from around six
o'clock in the morning chanting "we want better roads". Each group
explained its experiences and the effect the deplorable roads were
having on their lives.

Pensioners said the roads had been neglected for more than 15
years. "Only when election time come they want to dig up the road and
then leave it just like that," one man shouted from the crowd.

Taxi-drivers argued that the roads have caused "extensive damage" to
their vehicles. Parents said their children could no longer walk to
school and had to seek alternative routes.

"We are afraid to let our children walk on these roads. There are so
many landslides that one day one of them might fall over," one parent
fumed.

www.trinidadexpress.com copyright reserved



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http://www.unc.uk.net
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

why should this still continue.?????..this really is not necessary in
an oil rich and hydrocarbon rich country...

  any contenders that T&T should be this way?????

who signed those deals to sell me-country patrimony?????????

why must the express report this:
A resident of St Mary's Village crosses a pile of burning debris
yesterday as villagers blocked the road to protest its poor
condition. Photo: TREVOR WATSON

Pensioners, taxi-drivers, children and several businessmen came out
in full force yesterday in Moruga to protest against poor road
conditions. They burned tyres and carried placards.

More than 200 people gathered at St Mary's Village, from around six
o'clock in the morning chanting "we want better roads". Each group
explained its experiences and the effect the deplorable roads were
having on their lives.

Pensioners said the roads had been neglected for more than 15
years. "Only when election time come they want to dig up the road and
then leave it just like that," one man shouted from the crowd.

Taxi-drivers argued that the roads have caused "extensive damage" to
their vehicles. Parents said their children could no longer walk to
school and had to seek alternative routes.

"We are afraid to let our children walk on these roads. There are so
many landslides that one day one of them might fall over," one parent
fumed.

  www.trinidadexpress.com copyright reserved

To Mr Chandresh Sharma, I just want to wish you the best and to keep up the good
work that you are doing , I missed you all say hello to everyone for me .take
care talk to you later.       Wayne Briggs.


---------------------------------
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

the Vote padding has begun
So it starts;


San Fernando

http://www.geocities.com/ttelections/voterpadding.html

The United Kingdom arm of the UNC has launched their website
http://www.unc.uk.net

We wish to coordinate with other overseas arms of the party.  Please
contact wayne@... for more.

no problem with you being Christian...

  as a historian i do understand the origins of this
dogma/religion>Christianity see website below

http://nefertamu.tripod.com/nsoc.html

what i am totally against is the imposing of one
culture at the expense of so many others
for example in india where the Dalits are
discriminated due to their colour of skin... many are
also christians living in India. why should we seek to
promote blindness to INJUSTICE where ever it exists!
(eg like living in the image of the BEAST)As a
professed christian you may understand what i mean.
We should seek to improve HEART TONGUE & MIND
humans need food clothing shelter and a quality of
LIfe worth living!

all are entitled to their diverse persuasions...like
all rivers to the ocean of consciousness...

i know that UNC has at its heart the issue of
EQUALITY!
precisely why i am on this list... understanding the
nature and cause of Racism, Xenophobia and other
related intolerance


The greatest resource of any nation is the people...
the greatest resource of any people is their memory
do we honour our fore bearers in TNT ?
I think we are a long way away from ACCEPTING
this...(sadly)

The original inhabitants deserve a lot more
respect...we should remove any association on our coat
of arms - the vestiges of OPPRESSION...IE Columbus
ships.. a knight helmet... feathers??? or  steering
wheel of a pirate boat

come on trini...read between the lines...

lets discuss further....


--- In unitednationalcongress@yahoogroups.com, "trinidesi"
<d_original_sagaboy@h...> wrote:
> --- In unitednationalcongress@yahoogroups.com, y42k <no_reply@y...>
> wrote:
> > Culture >stillno natioanl policy
> > racism> if complaints exist...there  aneed for awareness and
> activism
> > inequality> water/clothing/shelter & food for (a minority)some
> > expolotation> resources should be shared
> >
> >
> > the trinty cross is a symbol of oppression!!!!!!
> > it is representative of the impostion of a foreign culture on
> > indigenous peoples and subsecquent arrivants
> >
> >
> > welll?????
>
> I would really like to address this issue...I can understand that
> some people of different religions could want to change the highest
> award in our nation because they feel that it does not represent
them
> as nationals...but on the other hand, why is Sat Maharaj publicly
> denouncing Christians and Christianity in general when referring to
> this issue? Christians are people too and we are offended when
> someone make out Christians to look like we are cruel and
forceful.
> If you want to change it, go ahead, I will support you, but go
about
> it in a way that all will understand why and feel comfortable with
> the change...
>
> I totally disagree and feel offended with what you say about how
the
> cross is a symbol of oppression.  I do agree that a few took the
name
> of Christ and moulded it the way they wanted it so they could do as
> they well want, but the great majority of Christians in the world
> live a completely humble life alongside our Hindu & Muslim brothers
> and sisters.  I am a Trinidadian...if you want to get technical, I
am
> of Indian Influence...I am also proud to say that I am a follower
of
> Jesus Christ...and whether you like it or not, I am your brother in
> the eyes of God.  I believe that we all pray to the same God - it's
> different ways of praying to Him.  We are all his children any
which
> way you look at it.  Finally, I would like all of us to pray
together
> as tomorrow is Local Gov't Elections that the UNC becomes
> victorious.  If you can vote, Vote...it's our God given right
>
> God Bless The UNC and Trinidad & Tobago

--- In unitednationalcongress@yahoogroups.com, y42k <no_reply@y...>
wrote:
> Culture >stillno natioanl policy
> racism> if complaints exist...there  aneed for awareness and
activism
> inequality> water/clothing/shelter & food for (a minority)some
> expolotation> resources should be shared
>
>
> the trinty cross is a symbol of oppression!!!!!!
> it is representative of the impostion of a foreign culture on
> indigenous peoples and subsecquent arrivants
>
>
> welll?????

I would really like to address this issue...I can understand that
some people of different religions could want to change the highest
award in our nation because they feel that it does not represent them
as nationals...but on the other hand, why is Sat Maharaj publicly
denouncing Christians and Christianity in general when referring to
this issue? Christians are people too and we are offended when
someone make out Christians to look like we are cruel and forceful.
If you want to change it, go ahead, I will support you, but go about
it in a way that all will understand why and feel comfortable with
the change...

I totally disagree and feel offended with what you say about how the
cross is a symbol of oppression.  I do agree that a few took the name
of Christ and moulded it the way they wanted it so they could do as
they well want, but the great majority of Christians in the world
live a completely humble life alongside our Hindu & Muslim brothers
and sisters.  I am a Trinidadian...if you want to get technical, I am
of Indian Influence...I am also proud to say that I am a follower of
Jesus Christ...and whether you like it or not, I am your brother in
the eyes of God.  I believe that we all pray to the same God - it's
different ways of praying to Him.  We are all his children any which
way you look at it.  Finally, I would like all of us to pray together
as tomorrow is Local Gov't Elections that the UNC becomes
victorious.  If you can vote, Vote...it's our God given right

God Bless The UNC and Trinidad & Tobago

hi..i am from chaguanas...is there anyway i can help out.....we need to rescue
tt from the dictator manning..why hasn;t unc started campainging house to house
as yet???pnm has already passed about 2 times and yet no sign of unc..come on
ppl get in touch wht the electorate....don't ALIENATE us..
u can e-mail any info u have..


this is my webpage..it hasn;'t been updated in a while, but it's dedciated to
unc..
http://www.geocities.com/uncforever2002/UNCFANATIC.html

premnath boodoosingh <pboodoosingh@...> wrote:
Hi activist,
I need all the help that i can get you can contact me at 682-3725 .

prem
palmiste


>From: tteducation <no_reply@yahoogroups.com>
>Reply-To: unitednationalcongress@yahoogroups.com
>To: unitednationalcongress@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [United National Congress ] local elections
>Date: Sun, 22 Jun 2003 05:00:30 -0000
>
>
>Does anyone have any information ?
>
>Cause i help in October 2002
>and have not been contacted for the local elections
>
>the phone always busy,
>Visit the office no one there
>
>Hope it isnt so in all the seats.
>
>Regards
>A Suportter
>


Premnath Boodoosingh

_________________________________________________________________
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unc forever

pnm never

long live uncle bas


---------------------------------
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi activist,
I need all the help that i can get you can contact me at 682-3725 .

prem
palmiste


>From: tteducation <no_reply@yahoogroups.com>
>Reply-To: unitednationalcongress@yahoogroups.com
>To: unitednationalcongress@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [United National Congress ] local elections
>Date: Sun, 22 Jun 2003 05:00:30 -0000
>
>
>Does anyone have any information ?
>
>Cause i help in October 2002
>and have not been contacted for the local elections
>
>the phone always busy,
>Visit the office no one there
>
>Hope it isnt so in all the seats.
>
>Regards
>A Suportter
>


Premnath Boodoosingh

_________________________________________________________________
The new MSN 8: smart spam protection and 2 months FREE*
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail

Does anyone have any information ?

Cause i help in October 2002
and have not been contacted for the local elections

the phone always busy,
Visit the office no one there

Hope it isnt so in all the seats.

Regards
A Suportter

Culture >stillno natioanl policy
racism> if complaints exist...there  aneed for awareness and activism
inequality> water/clothing/shelter & food for (a minority)some
expolotation> resources should be shared


the trinty cross is a symbol of oppression!!!!!!
it is representative of the impostion of a foreign culture on
indigenous peoples and subsecquent arrivants


welll?????

http://nefertamu.tripod.com

Gasparillo Junction on Friday February 21

meeting starts at 7 pm

anyone else going besides myself ?

9,000 get Caroni VSEP offers
By Curtis Rampersad

Letters offering voluntary separation packages to the 9,000-plus
workers of
Caroni (1975) Ltd were issued yesterday, as Government also announced
plans
to close down Caroni's Brechin Castle grinding factory as it attempts
to
restructure operations at the cash-strapped State enterprise.
Caroni's
debt
to creditors and commercial banks now stands at a staggering $3.2
billion,
just ten years after a $2.1 billion debt was written off, Agriculture
Minister John Rahael said yesterday. Prepared and distributed
yesterday
to
daily and monthly-paid workers, the VSEP letters offer the regular
package
in addition to enhanced monetary perks as much as 30 per cent higher.
Employees will have 45 days to "reject or accept" the package, Rahael
said
during a news conference held at the Ministry's St Clair offices.
Workers
who agree to the package will be issued a notice of acceptance on
April
11
and will receive payments on August 2. Rahael could not say how many
workers Caroni expected to accept VSEP. But if involuntary separation
became necessary, "that is where we are going to ensure the viability
of
the sugar industry", he said. Government would spend $889.1 million
on
the
VSEP packages and would honour Caroni's legitimate debts to creditors
and
banks, Rahael said. It would also pay $235 million into the Caroni
pension
fund, he added. The Ministries of Planning and Finance were currently
negotiating with the Inter-American Development Bank to ensure "we
have
the
funding so (the money) will come from borrowings", Rahael told
reporters.

This would also ensure that when workers were disengaged through
VSEP,
"they will have their cheques in hand", he added. Rahael said the
Cabinet
decided there was no need for two grinding factories at Caroni and
opted to
keep the more efficient Usine Ste Madeleine facility going and shut
down
the Brechin Castle plant. Part of the restructuring plan also
includes
upgrading Caroni's sugar refining operations. Rahael said the Usine
plant
would produce 100,000 tonnes of raw sugar, a shortfall of just 20,000
tonnes. All cane will be bought from private farmers as well. Cane
farmers
are now paid $170 a tonne for cane and have been clamouring for an
increase. The VSEP offer, signed by acting chief executive William
Washington, stated it was desirable for the manpower levels of the
company
to be reduced. To help provide a soft landing for the company and its
workers, Rahael said the Government would offer workers living in
Caroni
houses an option to purchase the homes at a discounted price.
Employees
will be offered a one per cent discount for each year they have lived
in
the houses.

Priority is also being given to dividing Caroni lands for
agricultural
purposes and for light manufacturing and industry. But Government's
package
for Caroni is already coming under fire. President General of the All
Trinidad Sugar and General Workers Trade Union, Rudranath Indarsingh,
said
the original Tripartite Agreement for Caroni in 1992 never envisaged
sending home thousands of workers. It did not include the closure of
the
Brechin Castle facility either or the economic impact it could have
on
Couva and its environs. Indarsingh told the Express yesterday the
package
"reeks of vindictiveness and had a political agenda", although Rahael
said
the plan had nothing to do with politics and was just about
restructuring
the cash-poor Caroni. Indarsingh said workers visited the union
office
yesterday to say their dates of engagement at the company were wrong
and to
question whether they would be paid their pensions. After the union
assesses the plan, Indarsingh said, it would be "willing to act".

http://www.geocities.com/uncforever2002/UNCFANATIC.html
make sure and visit it..

who is Roi Kwabena  ?

good move panday...time to hire Roi Kwabena and solve those ills
plaguing the YOUTHS and Elderly


time to UNITE TNT

Panday: UNC launches civil disobedience campaign Feb 21
By Clint Chan Tack

THE OPPOSITION United National Congress (UNC) will officially launch
a campaign of national civil disobedience at a mass political meeting
at the Gasparillo Junction on Friday February 21. Making the
announcement to party faithfuls at the Rienzi Complex, Couva
yesterday, Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday declared that the UNC was
taking this course of action to save Trinidad and Tobago "from civil
war and bloodshed." Reiterating his allegation that the People's
National Movement (PNM) stole the October 7 general elections from
the UNC, Panday said the party had stayed on the sidelines for far
too long and "it's now time that we hit the road." He warned that all
countries where elections were rigged, degenerated into violence.

"Did I not tell you that elections by themselves will not solve the
basic and fundamental problems of this country? Elections under this
Constitution do not unite, they divide. We can only unite this
country by constitutional reform. The PNM are not going to give you
constitutional reform without a long and bruising battle. The way the
PNM are running country, adopting violence as a means of change,
young people will not flinch from the use of violence as a means of
change.  "The only way we can stave off this impending violence is by
constitutional reform.  "We must prepare ourselves to carry out a non-
violent struggle, particularly non-cooperation with the PNM. No
constitutional reform, no taxation, no cooperation. We start on
Friday (February 21) at the Gasparillo Junction," he declared.

Describing himself as a prophet, Panday claimed everything that he
predicted would happen under a PNM government had come to pass. He
said the retail price index increased by 3.25 percent over the last
three months. The UNC leader added that any gains caused by the
increase in the minimum wage have been erased by "the high cost of
living". He slammed Education Minister Hazel Manning for saying UNC's
bungling had jeopardised secondary school places for 3,000
children. "They are creating a new breed of criminals by denying our
children a secondary education," he quipped.
Panday reiterated his allegations about the PNM being in league with
criminal elements and added that "corruption runs wild" under the
Manning administration.  He claimed certain newspapers were
deliberately downplaying the levels of crime in TT.

Tuesday 1 st October
Ortorire / MAyaro
Barrackpore Four Roads Junction 7:00 pm

Speakers ;
Winstom Peters
Kamla Persad Bissear
Roodal Moonilal
Nizam Baksh
Anand Ramlogan

Feture Speaker - Political Leader
Basdeo Panday

****************************************

Wednesday 2nd October
Hi Lo Car Park, St. Augustine
7:00 pm

Speakers ;
Winstom Peters
Kamla Persad Bissear
Jack Warner
Carlos John
Gerald Yetming

Feture Speaker - Political Leader
Basdeo Panday


****************************************

Thursday 3rd October
San fernando West / East
Palmiste Park 7:00 pm

Speakers ;
Winstom Peters
Carol Cuffie-Dowlat
Sadiq Baksh
Jack Warner
Carlos John
Gillian Lucky

Feture Speaker - Political Leader
Basdeo Panday

****************************************

Saturday 5th October

ARANJUEZ 1:00 PM

EVE of Election Rally.

****************************************

Campaign 2002
12 days to Polling Day

Sept 25, 2002
Penal. Chaired by Chmn. Mr. Wade Mark.
Penal Junction 7:30 pm

Speakers:
1. Chandresh Sharma (Fyzabad)
2. Norris Ferguson (La Brea)
3. Roodal Moonilal (Oropouche)
4. Kamla Persad Bissessar (Siparia)
5. Basdeo Panday (Couva North)

*****************************************

Sept 26, 2002
St. Joseph. Chaired by Chmn. Mr. Wade Mark.
George Earle Park
Abercromby St. 7:30 pm

Speakers:
1. Arlene Maingot-Alexis (Arouca South)
2. Jack Warner
3. Winston Dookeran (St. Augustine)
4. Carlos John (Tunapuna)
5. Gerald Yetming (St. Joseph)
6. Basdeo Panday (Couva North)

***************************************

Sept 27, 2002
Sangre Grande. Chaired by Chmn. Wade Mark.
Sangre Grande Junction 7:30pm

Speakers:
1. Harry Partap (Nariva)
2. Jennifer Kernahan (Arima)
3. Jack Warner
4. Carlos John (Tunapuna)
5. Anil Juteram (Toco/Manzanilla)
6. Basdeo Panday (Couva North)

***************************************

Sunday Sept 29th
Center of Excellence
Maycoa
2 pm

Launch on the UNC Manifesto

**************************************

Monday Sept 30th
Croise San Juan (aka Quaisy)
Hi Lo Car Park

7pm

**************************************

1. Latest updates on http://www.unc.org.tt
  2. Overseas supporters




1. Latest updates on http://www.unc.org.tt
**************************************************
- The Speech. Mr. Panday's talked about speech from the Sunday,
September 15th launch event is now online in the Speeches & Press
section ( http://www.unc.org.tt/press.htm ). Feel free to read and
print
this speech and don't forget to share the link or printed copies with
family and friends.

- Check Out the Talent. You will find pictures and short background
information on our extremely qualified Candidates in the Candidates
section ( http://www.unc.org.tt/candidates.htm ). When you get to the
Main Candidates page, simply click on a name or constituency to visit
a page with three or four of the Candidates along with their pictures.

- Making a Difference. You can find important information to share
with
friends and family - decided or undecided - on our Achievements page
( http://www.unc.org.tt/achievements.htm ). Don't be shy about
printing
this material and passing it along at home or work. It's there for
everyone
to read and think about so help get the word out and you will be
making
a tremendous difference.

- Violence in Toco. Check out the Press Release on the Speeches &
Press
to read about the Election violence in Toco/Manzanilla affecting
Candidate Anil Juteram.

**************************************************
2. Overseas Supporters Make a Difference
**************************************************
If you live outside of Trinidad and Tobago (or know someone who does)
and wish to make a difference, please get in touch with your local
media
and elected officials regarding the need for coverage of the upcoming
Elections. By encouraging friends and family to write, call, fax and
email
the media and elected officials, you will ensure that you have the
latest
news coverage. If you would like more information, please contact
our Overseas Support at support@... and use the Subject line
"Overseas" in your email.

UNC Meetings

Monday Sept 23rd
El Dorado Junction 7:30 pm

Tuesday Sept 24th
Gasparillo Junction 7:30 pm

Wednesday Sept 25th
Penal Junction 7:30 pm

Thursday Sept 26th
St Joesph, George Earle Park
Abercromby St. 7:30 pm

Friday Sept 27th
Sangre Grande Junction 7:30pm


http://www.unc.org.tt

Bajan and Trini Talking

Bajan : Ah hear yuh Prime Minister is some kinda Chocolate Boy.

Trini : Chocolate Boy, Yuh making fun of de Man Colour ?

Bajan : No! No! Boss, Some one tell me he is a Hazelle Nut.


http://www.unc.org.tt

Motorcade & Family Day Sept 22, 2002

UNC Motorcade and Family Day Event
3:00 PM Mayaro

http://www.unc.org.tt

Political Meeting Sept 20, 2002
Rio Claro Junction at 7:00 PM.
Chaired by Chmn. Mr. Wade Mark.


Speakers:
1. Nizam Baksh (Naparima)
2. Subhas Panday (Princess Town)
3. Gillian Lucky (Pointe-A-Pierre)
4. Harry Partap (Nariva)
5. Jack Warner
6. Winston Dookeran (St. Augustine)
7. Winston Peters (Ortoire/Mayaro)
8. Basdeo Panday (Couva North)

http://www.unc.org.tt

Wednesday 18th September 2002

Meeting AT the Diego Martin Shopping Complex

7:00 pm Sharp


http://www.unc.org.tt
http://www.search.co.tt/members/saqidbaksh/

Political update with Gail Alexander<br><br>UNC
Cabinet members prepare to get together this Friday for
the Independence Day awards function at President's
House - and for a national executive meeting soon
after, in a climate of "war" in the party. Tensions of
the last couple weeks and last Wednesday's portfolio
cuts have stolen the thunder of the Independence Day
awards function which the President usually hosts at his
residence. All Cabinet members are invited. With a number of
drawn swords in the party, attentions will probably be
focused as much on the givers as the recipients at this
year's function. <br><br>From there, it will be on to
the September 3 national executive meeting. Chairman
Wade Mark - who has been staying out of the furore -
says he has no take on how it could go, as a result of
the tensions in the party and recent portfolio cuts
for deputy leader Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj and
international relations officer Ralph Maraj. Save for policy
officer Roodal Moonilal and youth officer Rishi Mahadeo,
the executive comprises former Team Unity members,
including Junior Minister in Maharaj's office, Gillian
Lucky (education officer). The Government and
Opposition then return to Parliament on September 7, when
the Lower House resumes. There has been speculation
on how the UNC benches will operate, what with the
tensions between the PM and AG - who sit next to each
other in the House - and recent inflammatory statements
from both.<br><br>Last Wednesday at Whitehall, PM
Basdeo Panday came down to deliver the news of his
changes, flanked by his female ministers: Tobago-born
Jearlean John and Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Both
have been elevated in recent months: John, given
additional responsibilities for Tobago and Tourism;
Persad-Bissessar, the honour of acting as Attorney General and then
Prime Minister. But for the "casualties" of Panday's
strike it was a different case. For Maharaj, it was a
public swat from the man who brought him into politics
as the Couva South candidate in 1991, and with whom
tensions had developed in recent months. Panday had
blanked his former colleague Kelvin Ramnath who had
helped him build the UNC - and with whom problems later
developed - to introduce the high-profile attorney to
politics. He also elevated Maharaj to the position of
Attorney General in January 1996, removing
Persad-Bissessar after a short-lived stint as AG.<br><br>In the
case of Maraj, it was political déja vu. He suffered a
similar fate in August 1995 when he was demoted by
then-Prime Minister Patrick Manning after the Alexander Lau
issue. At the time the PNM was also at odds with
then-House Speaker Occah Seapaul - Maraj's sister. Both
shifted to the UNC that year when general elections were
announced three months after he was cut down by Manning.
Seapaul, silent on last week's changes, said she was
observing the seven-month anniversary of her daughter's
death. "I'm focused on healing. Everyone has his/her own
path, I'm concentrating on mine at the moment," she
said.

By Gail Alexander<br><br>Members of the ruling
UNC are bracing for fall-out from last Wednesday's
portfolio changes in what now seems to be an all-out "war"
in the ruling party. Hints about expected
revelations of alleged corruption in the highest echelons of
the party were flying furiously last Friday. A
Central Trinidad party group official said the changes to
Attorney General Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj's portfolio
especially will not prevent "things from coming to light".
"No matter who has taken over the Multi-Task Force
(anti-drug/money-laundering /corruption). What happened last week only has
made certain they indeed will come to light and not be
hidden somewhere. "All eyes will be on what transpires
with the (Bob) Lindquist corruption report, as well as
the handling of the ISS report. There even may be
more to come," he added.<br><br>Under scrutiny, he
said, are various persons regarded as part of Panday's
inner sanctum, including several former businessmen now
in Government posts and regarding whom questions are
being asked by former Team Unity members. <br>Both
sides of the camp, members of Maharaj's Team Unity, and
those supporting the Prime Minister, are on the
campaign trail. The PM speaks tomorrow in Diego Martin. He
is also scheduled to speak at Barrackpore in Trevor
Sudama's Oropouche area this week, and later in Maraj's
Naparima district and Baksh's San Fernando West division
also. Maharaj increased the number of public
engagements recently.<br><br>Most of the MPs are working
their constituencies also. Yesterday, at least three
were out in the field in the East/West Corridor and
South. When asked if this was in preparation for UNC's
September 9 constituency election or other events, one said
"Anyone that comes ­ anything's possible." Members also
are not ruling out a no-confidence motion against the
Prime Minister, as Opposition MP Dr Keith Rowley as
threatened. When asked about it last week, Panday wondered
why someone would want to present such a
motion.<br><br>And last week, when asked whether resignations would
cause an election, Panday went into detail on what
could bring it about, pointing out a general election
could occur if a Government had insufficient support to
pass a Budget.<br>That has raised speculation about
how the four Team Unity affiliated-Ministers would
vote when it comes to passage of the 2001 Budget due
September 14.

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