TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO POLITICAL ROUND-UP

UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 000838

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CAR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KJUS KCRM TD
SUBJECT: TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO POLITICAL ROUND-UP



1. The following stories are mainly from media reporting and
represent issues of public interest in Trinidad and Tobago with
potential political implications:


A. POLICE KILLING THIS WEEKEND

B. CARIBBEAN COURT OF JUSTICE-AN UPDATE

C. CHIEF OF IMMIGRATION RETIRED AUGUST 8

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POLICE KILLING THIS WEEKEND
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2. According to media reports, police officers shot six men and one
woman during August 18 - 19. Family members and other witnesses
stated the police confronted the men and then opened fired,
willfully killing all six men. A bullet strayed into the bedroom
killing a woman bystander. Family members refuted Commissioner of
Police, Trevor Paul's media report which stated that a police patrol
pulled along side a car and exchanged gunfire. He added that police
recovered four firearms.

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CARIBBEAN COURT OF JUSTICE-AN UPDATE
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3. Secretary General of CARICOM, Edwin Carrington requested that
more CARICOM countries join the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). He
said it was "an essential step towards true independence."
Carrington made the request during the formal signing of a financing
agreement between the European Commission (EC) and Caribbean Forum.
The EC will finance 1.315 million euros to the CCJ for the
enhancement of information and communication technology of the
court, increasing public awareness of the CCJ, fostering
co-operation between the CCJ and the European Court of Justice and
improving its law library.


4. Since CCJ's inauguration on April 16, 2005, only Barbados and
Guyana have replaced the Privy Council in London with the CCJ as
their final court of appeal. Other CARICOM countries have not yet
accepted the jurisdiction of the CCJ.

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CHIEF OF IMMIGRATION RETIRED AUGUST 8
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5. On August 8, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago (GOTT) Chief
Immigration Officer, Herman Browne effectively retired. Assistant
Chief Immigration Officer, Deodath Maharaj was appointed as Acting
Chief Immigration Officer.


6. In July 2003, the GOTT promoted Browne as the Chief Immigration
Officer after serving as the immigration attache at the Trinidad and
Tobago Embassy in Washington, D.C., and at the Consulate General in
Toronto.


7. Comment: The Consular section has enjoyed a good working
relationship with Mr. Maharaj. Post expects that the good
relationship will continue and that Post's efforts to collaborate
with GOTT on border protection and immigration issues will be
maintained. End comment.

AUSTIN