UNC REARRANGES CHAIRS IN T&T'S PARLIAMENT

UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 000245 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CAR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM TD SUBJECT: UNC REARRANGES CHAIRS IN T&T'S PARLIAMENT REF: PORT OF SPAIN 00229 ¶1. On February 14, the United National Congress (UNC) swore in two new Senators, Dr. Tim Gopeesingh and Ato Boldon to replace Robin Montano who was recently fired and Roy Augustus who recently resigned in protest (reftel). The new Senators received seats high up the line, bumping Sadiq Baksh and Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan to the bottom of the row. Both Baksh and Seepersad- Bachan believe that they were "demoted" as a warning to get into line with Leader of the Opposition Basdeo Panday or face the consequences. Each MP made statements relating to Montano's removal and/or Panday's invitation to Ramesh Maharaj to speak at a UNC rally (reftel). Gopeesingh has been a long-time UNC organizer, and is a logical choice to replace Montano. Boldon is a renowned T&T track and field athlete who has multiple international gold medals to his name. Panday reportedly brought Boldon in to appeal to the youth of the country, even without being a member of the UNC. Boldon, an Afro-Trinidadian, reportedly enjoys unprecedented free reign to operate and to reach out to the youth and other constituents in the largely Indo-Trinidadian party. ¶2. Panday has also turned his attention to UNC Chief Whip Ganga Singh for his comments in the House of Representatives on February 10. In a veiled reference to Panday's invitation to Maharaj, Singh said, "Slumber with the devil gives rise to a fruit that can be poison to the nation." In return, Panday intimated that he would remove Singh from his position as Chief Whip. However, the UNC constitution stipulates that the Political Leader of the party appoints the Chief Whip. Winston Dookeran, not Panday, is the Political Leader, which renders Panday's threat essentially meaningless. Panday has reportedly put a team of legal experts on the question. ¶3. Singh maintains that he will willingly give up his position as Chief Whip, provided that proper procedures are followed. However, Panday-faithful UNC MPs have started boycotting caucus meetings called by Singh, a sign that even if Panday cannot officially remove him, he will do all he can to undercut Singh's authority as Chief Whip. Singh has also stated publicly that he will not attend the controversial rally slated for February 19. The executive of his Caroni East constituency voted on February 13 not to support the rally. Singh's statement has drawn the ire of some UNC members, including Deputy Leader Wade Mark, who voiced his desire for Singh to be disciplined for his stance. ¶4. COMMENT: The clamor around the UNC divisions has subsided somewhat over the past couple of days. Panday is back on-message about the government's alleged failure to deal with the crime issue or to provide basic services to the people, the themes of the February 19 rally. Still, observers agree that the rally will be a watershed for the UNC, with attendance being construed, appropriately or not, as a vote of approval for Panday's leadership decisions. END COMMENT. AUSTIN