ISLAMIC EXTREMIST GROUP CELEBRATES 1990 ATTEMPTED

UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 000772 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT. FOR WHA/CAR, WHA/PD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PINS PGOV PTER TD SUBJECT: ISLAMIC EXTREMIST GROUP CELEBRATES 1990 ATTEMPTED COUP REF: 05 PORT OF SPAIN 1333 ¶1. (U) SUMMARY. On July 27, the 17 annual wreath-laying ceremony occurred outside the Red House (Parliament) with Prime Minister Manning conspicuous by his absence. A former Minister with the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR),the then governing party, complained publicly that no one really cares about the dead victims. The group responsible for the failed coup, the Jamaat al Muslimeen (JAM),also celebrated the anniversary by displaying a banner at their mosque and erecting a billboard, effectively drawing attention to the fact that they were all pardoned. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) In July 1990, Yasin Abu Bakr, leader of JAM and 113 of his followers stormed government and broadcast buildings and held approximately 40 people hostage for six days, including then Prime Minister A.N.R. Robinson of the NAR. As a result, the NAR lost its mandate in 1991 and no longer has a seat in Parliament. ¶3. (U) During the wreath-laying ceremony at the coup monument in the front of the Red House, attended by President Richards and local dignitaries, several NAR members addressed the public and each one called for an inquiry into the 1990 attempted coup. However, Prime Minister Patrick Manning subsequently announced that GOTT had no intention of forming a commission for such a purpose. He reasoned that the passage of 17 years have made the circumstances surrounding the coup "obscure" and expressed doubt that a commission would serve any meaningful purpose. ¶4. (U) Clearly unhappy with the PM?s decision, print media reported former NAR Minister Rawle Raphael calling for the arrest of Manning and United National Congress political leader Basdeo Panday for allegedly having prior knowledge of the 1990 coup. Another Minister claimed, "[Manning?s] continued absence from these functions is sending a strong signal that he really doesn?t understand the significance of what happened in July 1990." ¶5. (U) The JAM celebrated the anniversary by decorating its mosque with a banner that read, "Long live the events of July 27, 1990." They also posted on a billboard the blown-up image of the court document filed on October 25, 1996, that listed the names of the 114 members who took part in the attempted coup. ¶6. (SBU) COMMENT. The fact that Manning pardoned all JAM members involved in the failed coup still remains a point of contention. However, the former NAR leaders lack the political clout to obtain any new inquiry into the 1990 coup. JAM?s actions indicate contempt for the rule of law. They will likely continue to draw attention to themselves during the upcoming election season. END COMMENT. SWEENEY