Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07PORTOFSPAIN772
2007-08-06 17:10:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Port Of Spain
Cable title:  

ISLAMIC EXTREMIST GROUP CELEBRATES 1990 ATTEMPTED

Tags:  PINS PGOV PTER TD 
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VZCZCXRO2569
PP RUEHGR
DE RUEHSP #0772 2181710
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 061710Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8482
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
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

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