T&T ISLAMIC EXTREMIST CLAIMS SECRET DEAL WITH

UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 000727

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CAR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KCRM TD
SUBJECT: T&T ISLAMIC EXTREMIST CLAIMS SECRET DEAL WITH
RULING PARY

Ref: Port of Spain 00318


1. Yasin Abu Bakr, the jailed leader of the Jamaat Al
Muslimeen (JAM),an extremist Islamic group, recently
filed an affidavit as part of his defense case for the
February 6 government filing that identified JAM lands
to be confiscated to satisfy Bakr's debt to the State
(Reftel). The Government's February 6 case seeks to
recover millions of dollars for damage caused by the
JAM, during its failed 1990 coup attempt (Bakr has been
jailed on separate charges of murder, conspiracy, and
sedition). In the filing, Bakr reveals the details of
a "secret deal" with the now ruling People's National
Movement (PNM). According to the affidavit, in 2001,
then Leader of the Opposition Patrick Manning and Abu
Bakr reached a deal that would forgive JAM debt in
exchange for the group providing muscle at election
time. Bakr's deposition indicated the defense will
argue that the JAM upheld its end of the bargain and
that its debt to the state has been fulfilled.


2. The quid pro quo is as follows:

The PNM, upon gaining power, would:

A. Give the JAM the title to the eight acres of land
surrounding its headquarters, the Mucurapo Islamic
College, and extend the terms of the educational
concordat of the JAM. [Notes: The Concordat defines
the terms under which religious denominations are
allowed to operate schools & receive state funds;]

B. Forgive the entire state debt arising from damages
incurred during the 1990 coup and make good on state
monies owed JAM'

C. Move to recognize the JAM as a legitimate community
organization entitled to fair and equitable treatment
rather than treat it as an extremist group.

The JAM would:


A. Mobilize the "ghetto" (consisting largely of young,
unemployed Afro-Trinis) to come out and vote for the
PNM;

B. Bakr would use his influence to curb violence in
"certain hotspots," but credit the reduction in crime
to the PNM;

C. The JAM would spend approximately TTD1.2 million to
win swing votes, and endorse all PNM candidates;


3. The UNC has demanded the Prime Minister explain the
affidavit filed by Bakr, but no statement has yet been
made.



4. COMMENT: While it has been somewhat of an open
secret that the PNM and JAM reached some sort of
agreement for the 2001 elections, this is the first
time that the "secret deal" has been spelled out in
significant detail in a public forum. While there are
persistent rumors that the opposition United National
Congress (UNC) has also engaged in some electoral funny
business, this most recent revelation is a boon to
their struggling campaign that alleges the PNM
continues to be in bed with the criminals. It remains
to be seen how these details will influence voting once
elections are called. END COMMENT.


AUSTIN