Manning gives 5-point plan to
PM and President
January 30, 2000
By Tracy Kim Assing
O pposition Leader Patrick Manning yesterday broke his silence on his feelings about relations between President Arthur Robinson and Prime Minister Basdeo Panday.
Like those involved in the impasse, the PNM political leader put pen to paper to make his comments and then released the text to the media
. The letter (identical copies of which were addressed to both President and Prime Minister) brought to six the items of correspondence passed since Prime Minister Panday attempted to fire Senators Agnes Williams and Nathaniel Moore, earlier this month.
Manning's letter proposed a five point plan of action to return the country to "normalcy" immediately:
"1. That the Prime Minister and Leader of the UNC meets with the Chief Secretary of the THA and leader of the NAR (Tobago) and they agree on the selection of two Senators.Manning also revealed that the PNM opted not to proceed with its motion on Private Members Day in the Parliament since "we did not wish to offend and/or cause any possible embarrassment either to His Excellency the President or the Honourable Prime Minister".
"2. That the two Senators, the Chief Secretary of the THA and the Prime Minister agree viz: a) On matters pertaining to Tobago, that the two Senators be permitted to vote freely; b) All other matters they support the Government's position and vote in accordance therewith. This will have the effect of assuring the Prime Minister that the two Tobago Senators will not elect in any way prejudicial to the interest of his Government "3. That thereafter the President appoints the two Senators named by the Prime Minister.
"4. That the Prime Minister resumes immediately his weekly consultations with the President.
"5. In respect of the question of apologies, that the President and the Prime Minister meet in private and settle this matter between them. That any further deliberations in these matters be conducted in private."
He said that "the President must act, upon request" and "it is quite clear that any violation of the above would present insurmountable difficulties and inflame passions further." Manning had maintained his "no comment" stance in the wake of the commotion which began on January 18.
Having met with both President and Prime Minister on Friday, the former Prime Minister revealed he was compelled to make his five-point proposal "in the national interest" and as a result made copies of the letter available to the media.
Manning's call for peace and consultation comes on the heels of a call by Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly, Hochoy Charles, for a private meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss the state of relations between the United National Congress (UNC) and the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR).