PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC-Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar Wednesday defended her administration’s decision to impose a state of emergency since August 21 insisting it was necessary to protect innocent lives in Trinidad and Tobago.
Addressing the launch of the “Making Life Important Programme (MLIP)” in the depressed Beetham Gardens community on the outskirts of the capital, Persad Bissessar said that the past two weeks have been a time of “great challenge and sacrifice”.
“But this testing period has also been one of great hope and confirmation that together our nation can reclaim the peace, tranquility and safety we once enjoyed,” she said.
“The decision to impose a state of emergency was not an easy one and there was much deliberation upon it. In the end, after extensive consultations with members of the Cabinet and the National Security Council I took the only decision any responsible leader would under those circumstances.
“Based upon the intelligence available to our Minister of National Security, we had to respond definitively to protect the lives of innocent men, women and children.”
The Prime Minister said that history “will record that because of that decision taken on that day the government averted a crisis of immense proportions and in so doing preserved both the safety of our citizens and the security of the nation.
“So when I hear critics of this decision measuring what success the state of emergency has had or will have over time, I know that it was successful from the moment we averted the crisis.Â
“We have had to make some tough decisions, but I want to congratulate and express my thanks to the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago for continuing to co-operate and partner with us, as we work together to restore safety and security to our country. Your sacrifices will not be in vain.”
The main opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) has been calling on the government to indicate just exactly what “crisis” has been averted.
Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Rowley, speaking on radio here on Tuesday, said that he had been told by government spokesmen that the crisis involved Colombian drug gangs that were upset at the seizure of two suitcases of cocaine at the Piarco International Airport last month, valued at more than US$3.6 million.
Rowley said he had been told that the drugs had been sent to a local gang for forwarding to the United State, but that another gang tied with Mexican gang leaders had tipped off the authorities.
Rowley said if the information provided to him is correct, then the government may also be protecting a drug gang.
“We find that quite ridiculous because immediately the question is if the government has that kind of information to want to put the whole country under a state of emergency, then the government should have enough information to at least identify elements of the local drug gang.
“We have heard no such thing from the government. In fact if that is true then the government failed to tell that is the scenario they were dealing with and if it is true it simply points to the fact that the government called a state of emergency to protect a drug gang in Trinidad and Tobago from a drug gang from Colombia,” Rowley said, adding “we find that hilarious”.
But the National Security Minister questioned by reporters gave a cautious response.
“I did not hear the Opposition Leader, I did not know who told him that. I would rather not comment on that at this time,” he added.
In her address, the Prime Minister said that one of the stated pillars for sustainable development of her government “is national and personal security” adding “this was our commitment to you and we will continue to do all in our power to ensure the freedom, peace, prosperity and security of all our citizens from all walks of life, and from all communities.
“We believe that a safe, comfortable and rewarding life is the right of all our citizens,” sae said, noting that the MLIP debunks the position by people “who would suggest that our only plan for reducing crime is to institute a state of emergency need to take note of what we are doing here today”
She said the the programme is representative of her government’s philosophy for sustainable development.
“We are all too painfully aware that when someone believes that he or she has nothing to lose, they become unconcerned about themselves. Their own lives become meaningless and in a frightening ricochet effect, the lives of those around them become of little value as well.
“This appropriately named Making Life Important Programme seeks to restore faith in the sanctity of human life and respect for one’s physical environment.
“Its stated aim is to create an environment of peace, order and good-will in specially identified, at-risk communities,” she added.
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