Beckles presses for answers on state security

Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles reads from a copy of the August 17 Sunday Newsday during a media conference at the Opposition Leader's office on Charles Street, Port of Spain, August 18. - Ayanna Kinsale

OPPOSITION Leader Pennelope Beckles asked why no action has been taken against an assembly of individuals plotting against the life of Defence Minister Wayne Sturge, addressing a briefing at her office in Port of Spain on August 18.

She read out parts of a story by Sunday Newsday dated August 17 – "Threat against Sturge" – that alleged a plot against the Toco/Sangre Grande MP.

"How is it that an arrest has not been made?" she asked.

Beckles said the story said the immediate threat was disrupted, but several conspirators remained at large.

She read out the plot was linked to the minister's refusal to put certain individuals to state- and constituency-level jobs.

She noted the story's reference to the plotters: a UNC-linked attorney, two operators of illegal quarries and a senior military officer.

Beckles said, "They are providing us here with all the information. I mean, that is amazing!

"So is it that they are telling the public they have all of this information – you know the quarry operators, you know the person from the military, you know the car he is driving and these are the circumstances that are related to the whole issue of the parade and the cancellation of the parade, and they are not able to arrest these persons who they clearly are identifying."

She continued to read aloud, on an incident where Sturge's security detail took protective action.

"Is it a question where they are not able to deal with these people? Not able to address these issues?

Beckles said the Opposition had concerns which it would raise.

"What is the reason they are not able to arrest these people if they have all of this information?"

Beckles said Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar had said crime was down and people should feel safer, yet many threats were related in the Newsday story,

"So I want to say in no uncertain terms, we have had a proud tradition of having our Independence Day parade.

"We are calling on the Honourable Prime Minister to clear the air.

"We have heard from several of your ministers. The country now wants to hear from you."

Beckles chided Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo for allegedly linking the PNM to individuals plotting to disrupt the parade.

"It is a desperate, shameless, despicable attempt to link the PNM to criminal elements. We are calling on him to apologise."

She said the parade was important to the population, such that it was held even in 1990 albeit days later.

"What is clear is that this government should make every attempt to let the criminals, the gangsters, and all of those involved in criminal activity...The government should make an extra effort to let them know that the government is not afraid of the criminals and the gangsters."

Beckles said under the former People's Partnership administration, an Independence Day parade was held under a state of emergency.

Beckles said a look at Persad-Bissessar' attendance over the past ten years as well as her ministers' would tell whether they have ever placed any value on the parade.

She said the Opposition has no objection to any calling of a day of prayer but such an occasion need not be mutually exclusive to the parade.

Claiming mixed messages over the cancellation from the Ministries of Defence, Homeland Security, Justice and Finance, Beckles said, "They have not given one consistent explanation."

She said TT needs assurance that the PM understands exactly what the threat is.

In the question session, she suggested a military parade could serve as a show of strength by the military against gangsters.