Bajan to help with inquiry

THE most traumatic and embarrassing one week in the history of Trinidad & Tobago, the 1990 coup, is being investigated by a commission of inquiry that will have a Barbadian presence.Revered attorney and former Cabinet minister Sir Richard Cheltenham was named by the Trinidad government in the five-man commission announced by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in the House of Representatives on Friday.“This coup remains a raw and unresolved issue in the consciousness of Trinidadians, and it is hoped by this inquiry to bring closure to this matter.“The indication from the prime minister would suggest it will be a wide-ranging and extensive inquiry,” said Sir Richard. The Queen’s Counsel told the SUNDAY SUN that the commission would try to ascertain if any public officials were involved in the attempted coup, how the coup was financed, the role of the Jamaat al Muslimeen, and whether there was any correlation between the coup attempt and the present trafficking, supplying or possession of  illicit drugs.He said there were other areas that would be investigated, including all matters pertaining to the negotiations, preparation, execution, removal and effect of the amnesty for the Jamaat al Muslimeen. Sir Richard, 68, a household name as a criminal lawyer, specialising in murder cases throughout the Caribbean, is honoured to be part of the commission.“It’s an honour, but comes as no surprise because it is a field of work with which I am not unfamiliar.”Since 1991, Sir Richard has been involved in the work of commissions of inquiry, representing Vere Bird Jr before the Blom-Cooper Commission investigating the alleged purchase of firearms by Antiguans from Israel for shipment to Colombia.Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar had indicated that once the inquiry revealed any evidence of wrongdoing, consideration would be given to prosecuting those culpable.Retired Justice of Appeal Mustapha Ibrahim will chair the commission of inquiry. Other members are former independent senator and social activist Diana Mahabir-Wyatt, international security consultant and United States war veteran Dr H.A. Mohammed, and former independent senator Dr Eastlyn McKenzie.