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. -------------- A New Approach -------------- ¶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. -------------- Suggestions for an Effective System -------------- ¶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. -------------- UNC Agrees - Yet Still Concerned with Power -------------- ¶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. -------------- Comment: Looking for Incremental Progress -------------- ¶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