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