US EMBASSY MEETS WITH OPPOSITION TO DISCUSS LEGISLATIVE

UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 000256

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR INL AND WHA/CAR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KCRM TD
SUBJECT: US EMBASSY MEETS WITH OPPOSITION TO DISCUSS LEGISLATIVE
AGENDA

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Embassy representatives met with leaders of the
opposition United National Congress (UNC) party to discuss
legislation to deal with Trinidad and Tobago's immense crime
problem. The UNC parliamentarians agreed T&T's efforts to reduce
crime would be assisted by new legislation (e.g., legalizing
wiretaps and a "Continuing Criminal Enterprise" law). Nonetheless,
they remain hesitant to back such bills, believing the larger
problem is enforcement of what is already on the books and fearing
the ruling Peoples National Movement (PNM) would use such
legislation to advance its own political goals. END SUMMARY.

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A New Approach
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2. (SBU) Charge invited UNC leader Basdeo Panday, Members of
Parliament Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Vasant Bharath, and Senator
Wade Mark to lunch at his residence on June 2. Also attending were
the FBI Assistant LEGATT, DEA Country Attache, and P/E Officer.
Persad-Bissessar expressed pleasure at the invitation, saying the
opposition was interested in greater substantive contact with the
Embassy. Charge and DEA Attache responded that we looked forward to
deeper contacts. In this particular instance, we would benefit from
hearing UNC views on crime, especially given growing interest in
cooperation in this area (i.e., the CBSI) and our shared goal of
lessening the violence plaguing city streets.

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Suggestions for an Effective System
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3. (SBU) LEGATT and DEA shared their assessments of the current
crime situation in T&T as well as their insights into what works in
the U.S. When UNC reps suggested crack cocaine was the drug of
concern, they were informed that marijuana from Jamaica, St. Vincent
& Grenadines, Venezuela and T&T is the top selling local drug.
LEGATT and DEA further explained that the USG approach to combating
drug crime centers on seizing funds as opposed to repeatedly seizing
drugs and weapons from the same criminals. They also emphasized the
USG's reliance on legislation, enforcement, and prosecution,
encouraging the UNC to support laws that would enable more effective
criminal investigations and oversight of financial activities.

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UNC Agrees - Yet Still Concerned with Power
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4. (SBU) UNC leadership spoke about T&T's laborious legislative
process and inefficient enforcement. Panday also raised T&T's
"culture of lawlessness," which he believes makes law enforcement
difficult. While the UNC agrees improved anti-crime legislation
would benefit T&T, it clearly is concerned about who would have
oversight if and when new laws are passed. Panday was amenable to
amending the constitution to strengthen law enforcement, but
declared that Trinidad already had "enough laws" and now needed to
enforce them. He also expressed concern that new police powers
might be used against the UNC for political purposes.


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Comment: Looking for Incremental Progress
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5. (SBU) The UNC leaders appreciated the discussion and asked for
copies of U.S. legislation targeting crime in a number of areas
(these have been provided). Much legislation here requires special
majorities (three-fifths, two-thirds or three-quarters depending on
the bill) in Parliament giving the opposition the power to block
many initiatives. The UNC seems to recognize that T&T's legal
framework could be improved, but believes the real problem lies in
lack of enforcement. It also remains suspicious of giving the
current Manning Administration new anti-crime tools that it fears
might be used against it. The GOTT has told us that it intends to
table "omnibus" crime legislation within a month and, if it does so
(we have been told that such legislation is just around the corner
for about a year),the UNC may be put to the test.

KUSNITZ